I finally got around to taking pics of the Motobecane in its current form; all the reflectors are removed, brakeless (won’t stay this way for long), Cinelli Giro D’Italia bar, Cinelli white cork tape, Cinelli quill stem (soon), and a gold aristokrat ‘A.’ It’s a lot of fun, and my new city bike. Thanks guys!

A quick and pretty horrible picture of my Trek, as you can see I now have mismatched tires, the yellow rear tire was so difficult to put on I didn’t even attempt it with the front. I think it’s pretty ugly, however ironically and i did not plan this out, it goes along with the discovery/lance foundation theme. I also mounted the Garmin 305. Absolutely loving this bike right now, you can see what the Garmin is capable of here (Thanks Dawn!).

In other news a few of you know I’m stuck on a Taiwanese sitcom of all things. “That is so unlike you.” is the most popular response thus far, anyways I found the corporate site. Check it out: “Wei Xiao Pasta” It features a few famous Chinese pop stars; Nicholas Teo opposite to Cyndi Wang (who I can barely stand) along with Dong Liang, and Xiao Qiao from 7 Flower who plays Rita. I stumbled upon this on youtube by accident, here’s the first episode.

Chieftain tomorrow!!!!

-Wallace

thanks jenny!

Merry Christmas to all of you. I just returned from Tahoe and am physically, mentally and spiritually exhausted. Christmas is a time to share with your loved ones and with that being said, thanks to all of you who made your presence felt in my holiday season this year; the holiday cards, the phone calls, text messages, and even myspace (yes, I’m finally on that thing).

Many of you asked me what was the absolute best thing I’ve received this year, and quite honestly it’s you guys, I have always known how fortunate I am with friends but I’ve come to realize just how much you guys mean to me. Glad to have each and every one of you as a friend, thanks for making it count. Now…for the answer you all are dying for; the Garmin 305 is my favorite new toy hands down, this thing is awesome! Thanks Miss!!! (You’re awesome too!, but you already knew that.) Runner up would be the orange fixed gear who a few of you have chipped in and presented to me last Thursday. I’ve been riding it around, getting quite used to it and have already modified it. As with any ‘best’ question there comes a ‘worst;’ I am happy to report that all my presents have been tasteful this year and I will not re-gift, return, or donate anything. Thanks to all of you for being you.

Happy Holidays, and hope to see you all soon.

My Best,
Wallace

ps. I know my hair is shaggy, and…I’ve also gotten a haircut so the ‘long hair’ experiment has come to an end.

yeah…she’s pretty awesome.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes from everyone. A big thanks goes out to Jenny for throwing a shindig at the very last minute, I am honored to share my birthday with all in attendence. Other then that…I’m here all week folks!

*update*
Went out to BJ’s Brewhouse last night to celebrate with Rose, Larry, Lauren, Sunny, Thay, Licia, Daisy, Winston, Phil and Haw in Cupertino. We had our secret santa exchange and I left with a fixie. I already started messing with it, this is going to be fun. Thanks guys!

got kog?

-Wallace

Jeanie is quite the pimp.

Many of us sworn off Tahoe last year due to its unpredictable road closures, expensive lifts, and often rehearsed drive. However that same many of us found ourselves, yet again, in Tahoe’s grasp this weekend. Snow has finally arrived in Northern California! Any how, most of you know by now I was no where in sight, not Saturday night anyways. Radford, Ryan, Jeanie, Clifford, Sam and I found ourselves at a timeshare in Reno of all places. In lieu of alcohol induced drunken dancing on the nightclub floors we found ourselves in the over stuffed, vinyl covered high chairs of a blackjack table at Silver Legacy. What a turn of events right?

That is not to say we did not have fun, I for one enjoyed myself. After losing our money Ryan and I left in search of a liquor store, because $100 per drink was just not working for us. It took about 45 minutes before we found a store that was open, it was a CVS. We bought a handle of Level, and then proceeded to find the munchies; top ramen, a can of spam, and a dozen eggs. Radford, Cliff, Sam and Jeanie finally arrive back at the room with what seemed like a 7-11 hold up gone wrong; Jeanie clutched a chili dog for dear life, Radford had a handful of Red Baron Pizza, burritos, clam chowder in tupperware, Snapple, Gatorade, and other food items that I forget. We consume the bottle of Level and soon everyone is intoxicated; Ryan is attempting a ‘blowjob shot’, Jeanie is trying to cook, Radford is playing with my camera, Cliff is eating a burrito, I’m running around with half of my ass showing and Sam is…well Sam was probably the only composed one. We finally pass out at 4am, and then proceed to wake up at 7:30am to rallye to Heavenly!

Not much happens at Heavenly, except my first run was a double black diamond. I somehow convinced Ryan to board down with me, he makes it and we’re up with the group again. It’s Jeanie’s first time and she actually doesn’t do half bad, she sucked it up and I found out I’m more patient with teaching this year. Cliff falls down a cliff (look a funny!); he comes out with nothing but a bruised ego. Later someone else falls down that same cliff and Radford jumps down after him without a second thought, truly the hero of the day. I never made contact with the other guys; Sunny and Jonathan’s phones die and we have been unable to make contact until literally just an hour or two ago. 4:30pm comes up and we make it back to the lodge, by 5:30pm we were all packed and on our way home. We stop at Cattleman’s in Dixon for a much needed dinner, refuel our energy levels and to switch drivers for the last 1.5 hours. I pass out during this time and next thing I know we’re back at Jeanie’s house. Great! I throw my stuff into my car, said my goodbyes and 45 minutes later and no gas left, I find myself back in my complex garage.

Exhausted, aching and over stuffed a hot shower and my own bed was more then welcome. It was a much needed short trip, and worth all the headaches. I had an absolutely enjoyable weekend, it wasn’t the wild one like I anticipated, but in some ways I’m glad. I’ll make up the crazy drunk snowboarding days to the rest of you next month! Yep…looks like we’re never giving up Tahoe. Frankly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

A big thanks to Radford and Ryan for the shuttle service and hospitality.

-Wallace

I’m in love. Not really, but quite fascinated with Ayu at the moment. I have to admit, I am not a huge fan of the foreign fob look, nor do I like unnatural blonde hair, ill-fitting t-shirts, loose shoe tops and harsh voices. However it seems that she emanates her personality or what many perceive as her personality through her music, videos, and appearances. I can list many of her physical features that annoy me; however I find many traits of her’s that more then compensate. Amazing eyes, the crooked smirk, girlish mannerisms, being able to pull off the boy clothes, and most importantly – the fact she can carry a note. If given the opportunity, I’ll clear my schedule in a heartbeat to hang out with her. She is very much the kagari. – That being said, I really don’t find her that attractive, yet she seems like a person I’d really like to get to interview, to know and befriend.

This weekend is a complete blur; I won’t bore you with details so here’s a quick synopsis.

A. Hot pot dinner at Radford’s – Rad decides to have hot pot, no real reason other then to get together. Soon after dinner I learn a new drinking game; ‘low and high card drinks,’ it’s painstakingly simple and yields a retarded amount of entertainment. Shuffle the cards, spread them around face down, choose a card and slap it on your forehead. You are able to trade into the deck once, when everyone is setteled the lowest card takes a shot as does the highest. We started with Grey Goose, then progressed…or I should say deteriorated to Absolut. We were all intoxicated.

B. San Jose Bars – Rad wanted to leave the house, the rest of us were too drunk. Being good sports many of us agreed, so onward we went. First bar we went into was Temple; I believe I offended quite a few people there by announcing that they smelled like a port-o-potty. Well, in my defense; they did. We ended up at Tiki Lounge where I ran into a few old friends and a random girl’s birthday party. Half way through a Guinness (Have I promulgated my hankering for Guinness yet? I amore Guinness.), I decide to invade the dance floor. I was way too drunk to be a wall flower, or civilized for the matter. At one point I lifted a girl above the crowd, she was only about 90 pounds so it wasn’t too difficult. Soon Radford, Ryan, Allison, and random girls were all making qutie a scene. We all ended up having a good time. As the lights came on we bid our farewells and left with great memories. As I arrived home I barely make it up to the restroom before I successfully emptied my stomach contents in three heaves, brushed my teeth, threw away the toothbrush, gargled with Listerine and promptly passed out. I detest throwing up.

C. Time for one more Ayu picture.

D. The Counter – Zagi wakes me up in the morning by calling and asking what I was doing. I tell him I’m hung over and in bed. Great! He says, let’s go to Streetwerke! Now I’m confused, but he tells me he’ll be over in 15 minutes. I hop out of bed, and clean up faster then I have my entire life. Ran out and jumped in the Hummer. By the time we arrive I’m still hung over but functional, by the time we leave I’m tired, somewhat hung over, and unfunctional. Jeff recommended we go to The Counter, those that do not know it’s like Fuddrucker’s; a build to order burger bar, upon presentation of the menu I thought I was at a MENSA exam. You litereally need to check off your choices for type of meat, quantity of meat, four complementary toppings, any premium toppings, one complimentary cheese, one complimentary spread and if that wasn’t mind boggling when you’re drunk enough you have three choices for a bun. My eyes widened and my head started to hurt, I wasn’t able to function and it took me about fifteen minutes and two migraines to fill out that bastard of an order. Morel of the story? The Counter, it’s a bad place for hang overs. Heuvo Rancheros and a Bloody Mary FTW!

-Wallace

this picture has nothing to do with today’s entry

Earlier today, or I should say yesterday Larry and I had brunch – the best meal of all - at IHOP. Just a moment, don’t you dare judge me, don’t sit there with your nose sky high and tell me you’ve never been to an IHOP. If you truly never have you probably drink with your pinky pointed away from the tea cup and therefore are of no interest to me. Anyways, the last time I been to this specific IHOP was almost a decade ago, with my father. It was a school day and I either had a orthodontist or medical appointment where he had to shuttle me around, or maybe just something as simple as picking up a car from the dealer (It is on Stevens Creek), but being back in there was just surreal. Those that don’t know - my folks and I aren’t on the best of terms at the moment, but during high school it was a different environment.

We talked openly, laughed, spent time together, grabbed meals, had beers, and generally were functional. These days it’s uncomfortably silent during family dinners, the same topics are brought up, it’s like a really bad date or a relationship gone too wrong where the conversation becomes predictable; how was your day?, how do you like your job?, would you like more wine?, are you still seeing that girl?… crap. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate them or don’t appreciate them; however the distance between us has simply grown (vast). My interests have diverged from theirs. As long as I wanted to manage their real estate acquisitions and play little bitch in their scheme of things it was great, when they found out that I wanted nothing to do with it and wanted a life of my own; life became harder to swallow. The once supportive parental figures have become empty shells of optimistic bodies. My mother who, honestly - I am not exaggerating, never has anything good to say, in fact she is probably one of the most condescending people I know - wonders why I don’t chat with her more often. If I’m not fucking up somewhere it doesn’t seem like she’s content. My father just tries to balance it all out and keep everyone content; frankly I’m not sure how he puts up with her.

Ok…now that I got that rant out of my system; IHOP has this item on the menu that is just in-dignifying for a grown adult to order. The rooty tooty, fresh and fruity; are you able to say that with a straight face? I tried this morning and only squeezed out ‘rooty tooty’ before both the waiter and I had a petrified and frightened look on our faces. I realized not only was I near laughter saying this but he it was worse for him then I! Imagine, how many times he has to hear that phrase. He must have nightmares about this. Blueberry and Strawberry syrup carafes chasing him chirping ‘rooty’ ‘tooty’ ‘fresh and fruity!’ It has to be humiliating! However, I will say that if you’ve never ordered this at 4am with your drunk friends, you should. It’s an experience you will not soon forget.

-Wallace