silly labbit. dynamite’s for kids.

So yesterday was a pretty craptacular day, Murphy’s Law under a blue moon. Aimee reminded me of one crucial matter late last night when we sat around laptops, javas, and smiles; talking about what we have accomplished during the day.

Aimee: “So what have you been up to all day?”
Wallace: “Oh the usual, work and what not.”
Aimee: “So you did nothing all day.”
Wallace: “Huh? Wait…Let me explain…”
Aimee: “When you ‘work’ it usually involves Starbucks or Fantasia sitting outside with coffee, chatting and shopping.”
Wallace: *LOL*
Aimee: “You need a loan? Ok I’ll get back to you, and you’ll take 2 or 3 days to return their calls. I wish I could call that work.”
Wallace: “Now hold on there…”
Aimee: “I’m not making fun of you although it’s rather funny, but I wish I could do what you do.”

Now…if it wasn’t clear enough that’s exaggerated quite a bit. Customer service in my industry is paramount. If I actually took that much time to return to clients I wouldn’t have a business, however I do sit around and make a good amount for the time invested. Again this boils down to life choices, I’m pretty lazy and convinced that there’s always a shorter way between A and B, then there are those who are willing to take the beaten path and around hindrances just to reach B. Why go around the mountain when you can go through it. Right? Well…her essence was that I have it pretty easy when it comes to life in general.

For that I really have nothing to repine about. I actually like what I’m doing for the time being, the drive of course is the ultimate destination but the excursion is where the merit lies.

I’m content again. (Happy that is.)

-riding toward the sunset

…on an unrelated tip, I want to build a fixie. They’re just so good looking! Timeless really. Absolutely gorgeous.

girasole

Everyone has their share of bad days right? I had a few this year, and today was no exception. A friend recommended that I make a list of what bothers me and a list of things that make me happy to counter the first list. I’m not a believer in this new age, fung shuei, mumbo jumbo but I have nothing better to do and I’ve went through enough today.

Oh boy I’m going to offend some people. Forgive me in advance, after all this is supposed to be theraputic for me, you can make your own lists.

Things that annoy me:
1. Douchebags friends who won’t dump their parasitic girlfriends.
2. Lexus owners - Do you people hate cyclists?! Stop trying to run me over!
3. DMV lines *DMV is interchangable with Court Clerk’s Office
4. Airport Security - You see those bags placed along the catapiller of a line? USE THEM.
5. Girly Girls - You know what? Fuck Pink.
6. People that own any combination of 3+ or all of the following: BMW 3XX, Mercedes CXXX, Rolex, Mont Blanc, Ferrari, Louis Vuitton, Lacoste, or Se7en for Mankind and actually likes Heineken in green bottles.
7. People with a superiority complex. Yeah you. I’m talking to you.
8. Home Owner’s Association - Mine keeps telling me that I’m violating the CC&R’s.
9. $15 for 2 Guinness @ Elephant Bar - Why is that place still around?! BURN!!!
10. Fat, Stupid, and Ugly people - I fall into all 3 catagories so I probably should kill myself.

Ok…now the “Happy” list. (I can’t believe I was talked into this.)

1. Coming home to a familiar smile and comforting embrace.
2. Clean, crisp, unwrinkled, perfectly white bedsheets.
3. A good, problem free bike ride.
4. Alcohol - Ok so maybe I do have a problem.
5. Google - Has any other company made such an impact on your life? I search, email, orgainze, and practically live through it. Crazy.
6. Fresh brewed coffee in the morning. Black.
7. Formal Japanese food. Kaygetsu.
8. Raunchy Jokes - Although I do enjoy intelligent conversation, it’s dirty/lewd jokes that make me laugh.
9. Music. Preferably LOUD.
10. Friends. Thanks for being there through thick and thin.

So how do I feel now? Not that much better, I think someone said they had a beer with my name on it. I’m going to go get it.

-Stressed Out

My weekend got off to an entrancing beginning, starting with dinner at Il Postale and their superb ‘boca negra’ cake. A short moment later I would find myself in a suburb of Los Angeles. Gary invited a bunch of people (and a rumored ‘posting script’) over to his home in Sherman Oaks. Even though I have met most of these people before there were still quite a few that I’ve yet to meet. People ended up flying in from as far as Syracuse, New York for this event and the bbq did not disappoint.

Gary and Alev were truely accomplished hosts and quite bold to open up their home to us miscreants. I have to admit I had a memorable weekend, things panned out much better then I could of ever expected. Interesting people, delicious food, piquant wine and no jokes barred all contained within the perfect location. What more could you ask for?

Memorable Quotes:

Rich: “Yeah. How come you ain’t got no slants here?”
Random Girl: “What’s a slant?”
Rich: “You know… a slope.”
Random Girl: *Blank Stare*

Suzanne: “I think one of them is called ‘Royal Jelly’…”
Wallace: “P-I-I-T-B.”
Group: *erupts in laughter*
Suzanne: “What does PIITB mean? Does it have to do with Royal Jelly?”

(after Neil who is Indian pushes Rich into the pool, cell phone and all)
Rich: “So it’s true what they say about the red dot in new cell phones”
Neil: “What do they say about red dots?”
Rich: “Don’t tell me you don’t know about the red dots.”

Thomas to Neil: “Go find your pants so we can leave.”

Rich: “How do you tell you were robbed by a chinese person?”
Rich: “Answer: Your dog is missing and all the kids homework is done.”

I know there are more, I was so tired and liquored up at the end that I was looking forward to a bed, or even the floor.

Pictures

as Steve Jobs would say, ‘and one more thing…’

FYYFF!

- wallace

Last night we attended an event sponsored by Bombay Sapphire, GQ Magazine and Gourmet Magazine called ‘Perfect Pairings.’ The event was held on the third floor of the W and we were about an hour late, afraid we missed the party because they were very stern about being prompt I was surprised we had no trouble getting through. As we entered it was a world transformed, if you were not holding a Bombay Sapphire glass with some intoxicating mix in it you weren’t cool. So what did we do? We strolled up to the bar and got two ultimate bombay martinis with a twist Wow, this stuff was potent. The alcohol quickly set in and we blended into the cool blue mood lighting that illuminated the walls. The decor was on point and the company very well dressed (We later discover they’re all gay. Everyone, not just the men). Ultimate Bombay Martini down I get a Bombay Ginger next and the night rolls along. The chefs finally appear; David Bazirgan of formerly of Baraka and Roland Passot of La Folie and the Left Bank restaurants. I won’t get into the details but young chef David won on taste. However the vetren Roland put on quite the valiant show, complete with a Bombay Flambe. The guest judge was non other then Guy Fieri of Food Network’s Guy’s Big Bites, I ended up getting him to autograph the mixology book. (off-topic but there’s a funny story behind this, one that i can only tell off the record)

A completely unexpected but awesome night. We’ve never been this drunk so early in the night, but as the event winded down we stumble into the mission and catch dinner at Bissap Baobab then called it a night by 10:30pm. Gin is amazing yet deadly stuff. I have a newfound appreciation for the herby liquor.

…in other news:

Can you believe this guy (my old roommate) started a blog? Yes he did…here it is Victor and Cindy better known as Mr. and Mrs. Bear.

And…last but not least I caught up with Meredith today, I ran into our old APALI instructor, Dr. Michael Chang, the other day and he asked about her. I just had a chance to chat with her, she’s well. Living in Hawaii and working on her new company. Meredith Lee Designs It also just happened to be her 25th birthday, I’m sure she’ll be turning 25 again next year. Happy Birthday Mare!

- bombay and tonic please.

Just got pictures from Tu’s white party a couple weeks ago and…well…wow. what a mess. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

…and my new labbit!

Off to the Bombay Sapphire Perfect Pairings event now. wOOt!!!! muahahhaha!!!!

Every year Frank and Dawn have this thing called the ‘Bar B Cruise,’ it’s a gathering of people and a merging of passions. A conglomeration of vehicles, spirited driving, exciting new destinations, interesting people, old faces, and of course a diverse selection of food. The destination this year? Napa, specifically Rutherford Hills Winery. We met up at the Holiday Inn in Emeryville this morning and began the cruise part of the journey. A few detours later we arrive at Rutherford and proceed to unload crates of food. Many ethnic Filipino and Guam dishes were on display, my favorite was the Guam chicken salad dish followed by the lumpias. Of course even before the food was even unwrapped Lauren, Sunny, Frank, Dean and I made our way to the tasting tables. After many pours and countless Saluts we pick up a few bottles and stumble back up the half paved trail.

Ranko joins us mid-picnic with a genuine picnic basket. Frank and I were amused. We bat away ‘country critters’ then proceed back down for another tasting. My top two picks at Rutherford is Reserve Merlot followed by the Cabernet Sovereign.

A special thank you goes out to Frank and Carol for planning this elaborate event, Sunny for shuttling me this year, Ranko for coming out on such short notice, and everyone who made this a memorable experience.

My Pictures
Frank’s Pictures

- lush

We’re heading to Napa tomorrow and I really should be asleep but I’m not. Why? We decided to stay up drink beers and watch Fantastic Four. Why? Jessica Alba. Duh. To be blunt that was the ONLY reason we watched the entire movie. This movie is so bad that dreamlogic did not even bother writing a review, in fact the only mention it got was in the MTV awards nominees blurb. Back to the topic at hand, Jessica comes off as beautiful, smart, understanding, compassionate, cunning as well as cute. Well…she’s probably cruder then I am in real life but I can dream.

One last thing - I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t had time to wash my bedsheets. ewww…nasty huh? well it’s only been a bit over a week and I shower religiously prior to bed. I just washed them and they’re nice and smooth right now. There’s nothing quite like fresh sheets, another simple pleasure of life. Now…if only Jessica Alba was in those sheets.

- hopeless in cupertino

Although they were all dressed in white, don’t let this fool you, they were cruely misbehaved. I have to say the girls threw one helluva party, nothing like what I expected. Honestly quite entertaining and absolutely brilliant. Highlights of my night include:

1. “You owe me 3 shots” - Tu : announced upon greeting me.
2. “That’s not strong enough? Take mine.” - Jenny : the mixologist
3. “You Drew Hill? BWAHAHHA!!!” - Larry and Vu : Throughout the night
4. “Where’s my quarters?!” - Quang : oops.
5. “Parking in the rear?” - Quang : going below the belt on the parking situation.
6. “hehaha…uhh oh fuck you guys.” - Sunny : blindly laughing at Quang’s previous comment.
7. “Oh noes…” - Wallace : As Judy pulls up the biggest bottle of Patron Silver I’ve ever seen.
8. “Bottoms Up!!!” - Everyone : As we drink the Patron. (bad idea for me)
9. “You can’t grope me in front of my brother!” - Tu : dancing or something…
10. “YAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!” - Wallace : poltergeisting my stomach contents out onto hwy101 and all over my car.

That being said, I’m going to watch myself around these girls…if memory serves me correctly everytime I’ve gone out with them I ended up emphatically intoxicated. I’m just vegging out today…looking forward to a quiet dinner and sleeping in my own bed again.

- puke covered vw owner

ps. guess who got new labbits? >=) - these arn’t smorkin’s though. : My obsession with urban vinyl was compared to that of an 12-year old Japanese girl today…but that’s another story. (Think Hello Kitty and Sanrio)

Going along with the current “No one promised you tomorrow theme,” I was notified that a cyclist was killed today shortly after dinner. John Peckham, 31, of Mountain View was struck by a car on Old Page Mill at 12:17pm today. The crazy thing is I was on this road not more then 30 minutes before John, if the driver was 30 minutes early or if I was 30 minutes late it could of easily been me in the headline.

So boys and girls…live life to its fullest, c’est la vie, time waits for no one, and you never know what tomorrow has in store.

My prayers and thoughts goes out to John’s family and friends tonight.

-Wallace

putting a dent in the notorious ‘bucket of fire’ - fish hopper : monterey, ca

“It’s not the destination but the journey.” This weekend was definitely about process before results. I don’t think anything went as planned, and I can’t speak for everyone, but I certainly had a great time. Starting with Friday, usually I’m somewhere getting intoxicated, but lately I’ve been taking it easy - we ended up just having a small dinner at my place then out of all things walked to Verde for tapioca. Ended up also watching ‘Wicker Man’ this night. Horrible movie, unless you’re a feminazi. (I never seen the original, and don’t think I want to)

Saturday was another story, more randomness that resulted in a questionable night. We started drinking at Tiki Lounge in San Jose for Anna’s Birthday, throughout the night people kept coming in and wishing me a happy birthday, not knowing what was going on but seeing the smugness on Radford’s face I figured it out. So thanks to those who did come out, let’s party again in December. Long story short I didn’t get home until about 5am Sunday morning.

Sunday was a BBQ at Radford’s house, we sat around playing with nerf guns, drinking cheap beer and watching Top Gun (remastered of course) of all things. Came home and visions of Carmel danced in my dreams.

Monday…Everyone wakes up late and we change plans from a day in Carmel to a day in Monterey. We do everything from walking up and down Cannery Row to renting Surreys. We end up breaking two Surreys as they were just not robust enough for team cyborg legs. Other notable mentions include clam chowder tasting, “bucket of fire”, the search for oysters on the half shell, chinese fire drills while the surrey was in motion, ghostriding the surrey and Jen removing the wrong layer of clothing. (The result was similar to a pudgy kid with a covered wagon…only this was self-inflicted.)

Impromptuness certainly led to amusement this weekend, and in other news: Teuscher Chocolates opened a store in Stanford Shopping Center - they have the best (imo) champagne truffles | My road bike in its current form, notice the new pedals. I went with speedplays due to their double entry design and float. | Surf City Century and Bonfante Harvest Ride also lurk in the horizon.

Teuscher Champagne Truffles (Milk and Dark Variety)

Trek in full Team Discovery colors

Jeanie

Nancy, Ryan, Cobe, and Ean on the small surrey

“oops” - Jen