The Studio

Yesterday, I spent most of my waking hours walking around Berkeley campus, playing BANG (no, not the card game. We were playing the Bay Area Night Game, though we were playing during the day). Despite a less than enthusiastic start in the morning (due to the fact that Yves and company partied until 1 AM), I ended up having a lot of fun. For those of you who don't know, BANG (and similar games) is kind of like a scavenger hunt, though you're not out looking for things per se. The goal is to solve a series of puzzles in order to obtain clues that will help you accomplish an overall goal or to get to a certain destination.

The game is typically played by some fairly geeky and hard core folks, but since BANG is an all walking game and only lasts half a day, you get a more diverse turnout. I found the puzzles interesting enough, but what I couldn't get over was how gorgeous parts of the Berkeley campus were. I'd only ever been on the south side of the Berkeley campus prior to yesterday; there's not a whole lot to be impressed about on the south side. However, the rest of campus was lush green, lots of great lawns, and the kicker is that there's a little stream that runs through and around campus. The cute little stream and the consequent bridges around campus really blew me away. I found myself really really liking the campus.

I have always been envious of the fact that the surrounding city of Berkeley is a much better college town than PA, but when you throw in the pretty campus too, Berkeley has a lot going for it. I've always considered Haas as an option for B-School, but after walking around campus yesterday, I'll certainly consider it more seriously.

I hope the Cardinals reading this aren't too appalled -- I still love Stanford *more* than Berkeley, but Berkeley's nothing to thumb your nose at. The more I think about B-School, the more eager I am to apply to go, but alas my timeline has B-School apps at another two years from now. I think my current list is: Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Berkeley, UPenn, and Columbia. I wonder what the next two years will bring...

They say this town the stars stay up all night, well I don't know, can't see em, through glow of the neon lights well its a long way from here, to the place where the home fires burn, well its two thousand miles and one left turn... [Chorus:] Dear Mom and Dad please send money, I'm so broke that it ain't funny, well I dont need much just enough to get me through, please dont worry cause I'm alright, see I'm playing here at the bar tonight well in this town I'm going to make our dreams come true. well I love you more than anything in the world, Love your baby girl black top, blue skies big town full of little white lies, everybodys your friend, you can never be sure, they'll promise fancy cars and diamond rings and all sorts of shiny things, but girl you'll remember what your knees are for [Chorus:] Dear Mom and Dad please send money, I'm so broke that it ain't funny, well I dont need much just enough to get me through, please dont worry cause I'm alright, see I'm playing here at the bar tonight well in this town I'm going to make our dreams come true. well I love you more than anything in the world, love your baby girl I know that I'm on my way, I can tell everytime I play, I'll know that it's worth all the dues I payed when I can write to you and say: Dear Mom and Dad I'll send money I'm so rich that it ain't funny well it ought to be more than enough to get you through please dont worry becasue I'm alright see I'm staying here at the Ritz tonight what do ya know it made our dreams come true and there are fancy cars and diamond rings but you know that they dont mean a thing cause they all add up to nothing compared to you, well remember me in ribbons and curls, I still love you more than anything in the world, Love your baby girl

I heard today that one of my cousins is getting back with her ex-husband after a 10 year divorce. Normally, I would/should be happy for her because in these past 10 years, neither of them have found anyone to love and to cherish for the rest of their lives. I should be happy for her because she has two kids, of whom he has custody, and this is their chance to be a family again. I should be happy for my cousin...but I'm not.

I can't be happy for her because during their brief marriage, a marriage that didn't last as long as the divorce has, he beat her. He beat her so that she had physical bruises, and he beat her often. Hell, I say once is too often. He claims that he's changed, that he's older now, and not young and stupid anymore. I'm not positive I buy it, I'm not sure that the thing that drives a man to beat his wife is something he just out-grows.

I will never understand what it is that could drive someone to beat the person that they love, much less the person with whom they have vowed to spend the rest of their life. I will never understand how you could hurt the person for whom you would lay down your life, and who would lay down their life for you. I don't understand how you could hurt the person whose every joy you live for and whose pain you feel ten fold. Who in their sane mind could claim that that is love?

Beyond not understanding how someone could say that they love someone and beat them, I think it takes an incredibly STUPID man to beat his wife. I mean even the lowest life form can figure out that you should never scorn or oppress the person who sleeps beside you at night. Think about it, this is the person who lays next to you when you are in REM, in deep sleep, in an effective state of unconsciousness. How difficult do you think it would be for this person to exact revenge on you?? Are you THAT dumb????? Even if your wife doesn't go ax-murder or Lorena on you, this person is still the person who cooks you dinner. This woman has unlimited access to your food source. Do you think that by beating her you're lowering the chance of rat poison or laxatives showing up in your food? Again, are you THAT dumb? Are you prepared to live in a state of constant paranoia, unsure of when your abused wife is going to lash out at you again???

My parents, the only people in the world who have a right to beat me, don't beat me. HELL if I let a man lay a single hand on me. Unlucky is the guy who thinks he can get away with hitting me or any of my female friends. Really guys, the costs FAR outway the benefits...I'm still trying to figure out what the benefits are in the first place. Be smart. Love and cherish your wife, treat her like a princess, and she will make you the happiest, luckiest man to ever walk the earth.

Can you tell that I'm furious on behalf of my cousin? Hearing of men who beat their wife just makes my blood boil. Really though, I'm a very nice girl, just don't cross me. ;-)

Hi - Hi! We're your Weather Girls - Ah-huh - And have we got news for you - You better listen! Get ready, all you lonely girls and leave those umbrellas at home. - Alright! - Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low According to all sources, the street's the place to go Cause tonight for the first time Just about half-past ten For the first time in history It's gonna start raining men. It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! I'm gonna go out to run and let myself get Absolutely soaking wet! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! It's Raining Men! Every Specimen! Tall, blonde, dark and lean Rough and tough and strong and mean God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do She taught every angel to rearrange the sky So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! It's Raining Men! Ame---------nnnn! I feel stormy weather / Moving in about to begin Hear the thunder / Don't you lose your head Rip off the roof and stay in bed God bless Mother Nature, she's a single woman too She took off to heaven and she did what she had to do She taught every angel to rearrange the sky So that each and every woman could find her perfect guy It's Raining Men! Yeah! Humidity is rising - Barometer's getting low According to all sources, the street's the place to go Cause tonight for the first time Just about half-past ten For the first time in history It's gonna start raining men. It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men! Amen! It's Raining Men! Hallelujah! - It's Raining Men!

I miss the salty air.
I miss crispy battered french fries.
I miss poolside ribs.
I miss lazy afternoons.
I miss guilt-free drinking, at all hours.
I miss snack bars open til BA GIO SANG!! (3 AM).
I miss Flirtinis.
I miss sharing 500 sq. ft of living space with 9 others.
But most of all, I miss H, T, A, J, S, N, H, V, D, C, T. (names concealed to protect the not-so-innocent).

In case you haven't figured it out, I had fun on the wedding cruise from which I just got home. I would say that I, myself, wouldn't normally choose to go on a cruise, but there are parts of it that are very charming and appealing.

First, there's the non-stop consumption of food, or for those with more self-control the constant availability of food. Then, there's the convenience of having everything in one place...pool, rock climbing, mini golf, theater, club, casino, shops, pretty much everything you can think. Never having to walk more than a few feet has the advantage of guilt-free drinking. Aside from all this though, I would say the advantage of cruising is the company. We went with a large group of friends, and friends of friends, which meant there were a ton of people to hang out with and to meet.

I have not partied that hard, or had that many laughs in a while -- thanks everyone for making it so enjoyable!

For those of you who want a more detailed recap: I ate a lot, I danced a lot, I drank a drink every 2-3 waking hour, I had deep conversations, I met new friends, I bonded with old ones, I smiled, I laughed, I strutted around, I ate, did I mention I ate?

Now I must be getting back to this tedious thing called work. I miss you all already. Each of you, in your special way, has left a footprint in my heart...keep in touch!

Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you Bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Jamaica Off the florida keys Theres a place called kokomo Thats where you wanna go to get away from it all Bodies in the sand Tropical drink melting in your hand Well be falling in love To the rhythm of a steel drum band Down in kokomo Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo Well get there fast And then well take it slow Thats where we wanna go Way down to kokomo To martinique, that monserrat mystique Well put out to sea And well perfect our chemistry By and by well defy a little bit of gravity Afternoon delight Cocktails and moonlit nights That dreamy look in your eye Give me a tropical contact high Way down in kokomo Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo Well get there fast And then well take it slow Thats where we wanna go Way down to kokomo Port au prince I wanna catch a glimpse Everybody knows A little place like kokomo Now if you wanna go And get away from it all Go down to kokomo Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo Well get there fast And then well take it slow Thats where we wanna go Way down to kokomo Aruba, jamaica ooo I wanna take you To bermuda, bahama come on pretty mama Key largo, montego baby why dont we go Ooo I wanna take you down to kokomo

It's a feel good story...of refreshing kindness and honesty...in an unexpected context.

Last weekend I took my car in for standard oil change and maintenance. Midas has a package where they change your oil, rotate your tires, top off your fluids, and check the condition of your belts, tires, brakes, etc. Usually after they're done with servicing your car, they make a slew of recommendations of what might need additional attention.

I'm used to recommendations like, your air filter needs changing, want to change it for $30? I typically decline these right off the bat, cuz I can't change my own air filter for $10, thank you very much. This time, the guy said that my brake pads were very low, minimum coverage left. The report said there were 3/32 of padding left. He recommended that I change the front pads and rotor, he could have all the replacements done the same day, costing $380.

The price didn't sound right to me, so I said I'd call him back in a couple minutes, after speaking to my dad. My dad confirmed my suspicions that the work should only run in the mid $200s. So, I called the guy back and declined the work. I spent the next week trying to find a place that would give me a better quote. I called Meineke, they quoted me $379, Larry's Automotive repair said the work could range from $350-$700 depending on the outcome of the $55 brake inspection. On Friday, after having lunch with Eric, we were walking around, and right at the moment I was telling him that I needed my brakes replaced, we walked by a sign advertising brake specials. $69.99 per axle on most cars. "Interesting" I thought to myself, and made a mental note. Eric and I started walking away, but on a whim I turned around and went in to inquire more.

The owner informed me that the manufacturer recommended ceramic brake pads for my car. The total cost of the job would be $280 plus tax -- exactly what I was expecting to pay. Since the price was right, I said I'd come back on the weekend.

On Saturday, I dropped off my car around 3, and the owner promised to have it finished by close of business, which was 8 pm. Jason agreed to pick me up and hang out with me while my car was being repaired, so we headed off to run some errands Jason had. While Jason was getting his hair cut, about an hour and a half after I dropped off my car, I get a call from the repair place. It was the owner, he wanted to understand why I wanted to change my brakes. He assured me that I had about 40% life left on my brakes. He was happy to still replace the pads for me if that's what I wanted, but he didn't think it was necessary. A little baffled, Jason and I headed back to the repair shop. The owner showed me my pads, and sure enough, they were still quite thick.

I profusely thanked the owner. His actions spoke a great deal of his integrity. Since I came in and asked him to specifically replace my front pads and rotor, he had every right to do just that, and I would have been none the wiser. But the fact that he gave me his honest opinion (an opinion that was in direct contrast to his profit margin), it showed that he cared about his customers and not just making money. He demonstrated that he's someone interested in establishing long term relationships with his customers. He definitely has a repeat customer in me.

In fact, I'm going to HIGHLY recommend that all my friends who are looking for mechanics to visit his shop:

All Tune and Lube
2336 El Camino Real
Santa Clara, CA 95050
(right next to Korea House)

They're good people, and the honest independent business owners of the world need a leg up. May we all be greeted with the same honesty and integrity in all other parts of our life.

HAPPY EASTER.

I believe the sun should never set upon an argument I believe we place our happiness in other people's hands I believe that junk food tastes so good because it's bad for you I believe your parents did the best job they knew how to do I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem I believe I'm loved when I'm completely by myself alone I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye I believe you can't control or choose your sexuality I believe that trust is more important than monogamy I believe your most attractive features are your heart and soul I believe that family is worth more than money or gold I believe the struggle for financial freedom is unfair I believe the only ones who disagree are millionaires I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye I believe forgiveness is the key to your unhappiness I believe that wedded bliss negates the need to be undressed I believe that God does not endorse TV evangelists I believe in love surviving death into eternity I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

Blogging is difficult sometimes, more so when you only have one eye. Now, don't be alarmed...I'm ok for the most part, but I don't have full use of my right eye right now. Too bad it's my dominant one.

On Sunday afternoon, I sustained my first ever sports-related injury. I suppose I've just been lucky, until yesterday. For those of you who don't know, I've been playing in a volleyball league, organized by some friends. It's totally recreational, but a lot of fun, and a good way to be active and social at the same time. Every Sunday, some 25-30 of us get together and play a few matches. Yesterday was like any other.

After a couple rotations, I found myself in the setter's position. After one of my teammates received the serve, I ran to get the second hit, but unfortunately another teammate beat me to the ball. Since neither of us had called the ball, neither of us backed off. What resulted was that my teammate hit the ball into my face. This probably would have been ok, had I not been wearing sunglassed. The ball, smushing up against my sunglasses caused my sunglasses to cut me in the eyelid. At first I was merely stunned, not in very much pain, figured I would just shake it off, and resume playing.

After a minute of standing there, someone pointed out that I had started bleeding. Sure enough, a little turned into a lot. I could feel the blood streaming down my face as I walked to the bathroom, but I was frustrated because I couldn't see what was going on. My vision seemed to be ok, I didn't really feel that much pain, so where could all this blood be coming from? After we cleaned it all up, it turned out that there were two gashes on my eyelid, right above where my eyelid naturally creases. One cut was much deeper than the other, but it didn't seem too major, so we dressed it, and went back outside. Aside from some minor stinging, I was feeling ok, so I decided to stay to watch the rest of the games.

Later that night, my roommate applied some liquid bandaid to my cut, and I iced the wound before going to bed. Given how deep the cut was, I decided it'd be wise to go see the doctor in the morning, just to make sure my wound didn't need any additional attention above and beyond what I was giving it. I was worried that maybe I should have gone to get stitches, I worried about whether the wound would leave an ugly scar, and a lot of other silly things.

The doctor said that the wound probably didn't need stitches, and that it looked pretty superficial, more like a scratch than a deep cut. This surprised me because I had seen what it looked like when it was fresh. When I checked myself out in the car mirror after my doctor's visit, it turns out that the wound had healed very nicely over night. So, all in all, I'm ok, and everything's going to be ok.

Despite this, there are still some frustrations, annoyances, and worries about the wound. Perhaps the most frustrating thing is that I can't open my eye all the way. Being paranoid about letting the wound heal quickly, I try to keep my right eye as close to closed as possible, so as to limit the movement in my eyelid. This has the effect of allowing me only to see the ground (or tilting my head back 90 degrees in order to see in front of me). I'm also relying on my left eye more, and let me tell you, it's getting darn tired. The annoying thing about my injury is that I'm uber self conscious and don't really want to leave the house. The worry is that this might leave a scar or that the injury will somehow cause my right eye to open less than my left. Or what if the thing takes longer to heal than I expected, how many more days will I have to hide myself from public view? Sigh.

Hopefully this will all be over soon, and I'll be stronger for it. In the mean time, I'm going to tell folks I got into a cat fight in a club cuz I was mac'ing on this boy and his girlfriend came up and tried to scratch my eyes out. If you think my eye looks bad, you should see what I did to her! hahaha, yea, that's a good story, no?

I know you like me (I know you like me) I know you do (I know you do) Thats why whenever I come around shes all over you And I know you want it (I know you want it) It's easy to see (it's easy to see) And in the back of your mind I know you should be home with me [Chorus] Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me Dont cha, dont cha Dont cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me Dont cha, dont cha Fight the feeling (fight the feeling) Leave it alone (leave it alone) Cause if it aint love It just aint enough to leave a happy home Let's keep it friendly (let's keep it friendly) You have to play fair (you have to play fair) See, I dont care But I know she aint gon' wanna share [Chorus] Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me Dont cha, dont cha , baby Dont cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me Dont cha, dont cha I know I'm on your mind I know we'll have a good time I'm your friend I'm fun And I'm fine I aint lying Look at me, you aint blind [2x] See, I know she loves you (I know she loves you) I understand (I understand) I'd probably be just as crazy about you If you were my own man Maybe next lifetime (maybe next lifetime) Possibly (possibly) Until then, Oh friend your'e secret is safe with me [Chorus] Dont cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me Dont cha, dont cha Dont cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me Dont cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me Dont cha, dont cha