Sunday, July 20, 2008

Foo Fighters Concert


Band: Foo Fighters!!!
Venue: Kemper Arena, Kansas City
Coolest Realization: Having Dave Grohl singing live
Impressed With: The drummer, Taylor Hawkins
Best Concert Songs for the Night: My Hero, Monkey Wrench, Everlong, Big Me, Best of You (a great choice on their part to end the concert with this song)
New Song (for me at least) to Check Out: Skin and Bones

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Cherry Pie

I'm being domesticated. The deal was that my friend gave me a huge bag of fresh cherries, and I learn how to bake a cherry pie. I was up for the challenge.

It has been awhile since I've really cooked or baked. There was a certain satisfacation in preparing this pie knowing that my friend picked these cherries straight from his tree. It took me exactly the length of Jay Leno's Late Night Show to finish pitting 6 cups of cherries, a lot shorter than I thought it would take. All this prep work made the pie all the more special.

I'm more of a cake person than a pie person, but I admit pie a la mode ranks high in delicious food to eat. I'm ready for the next challenge.




Tuesday, June 17, 2008

I'm Listening

It's a big music summer for me so far. A handful of my favorite bands have been releasing new cds this summer, including Death Cab for Cutie, Weezer, and now Coldplay. I've been making Best Buy trips on the release dates of these cds, and I just couldn't wait to pop them into a cd player.

Finding a working cd player left me in a panic tonight. My car cd player isn't working. My stereo cd player hasn't worked for years. My laptop cd player decided to not work either. In my fret of wanting to relax and listen to some fresh tunes, I was so excited and thankful to find my Discman. Now that's a man I can count on.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Jaded

I think I ingested the Jaded Gloomie in the illustration.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

After two years in Kansas City, I am still discovering the city. This weekend, it was the annual Crawl for Cancer and a tour of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Kansas City Jazz Museum.

Last year, I thought a pub crawl for cancer was ridiculous. This year, I participated. It's amazing how quickly views can change. There was no talk of cancer, no information booths, and no pink ribbons. The only mention of cancer was every one's printed t-shirts. The team fees were a part of the donations to local charities. No doubt, a lot of money was raised. The pub crawl was sold out with a waiting list. The organizers even auctioned the last two team entries on eBay. I suppose if a pub crawl was to happen in Westport, it might as well have the money go to charities. I would recommend at least announcing the amount of money raised for cancer at the end of the crawl. Maybe a fundraising thermometer in the middle of the tent would do the trick. That always worked well in college. I wonder how people with cancer or beat cancer feel about fund raises that involve alcohol?

As for the Crawl for Cancer experience, it was a fun time. It's a must-do at least once. The majority of the people are young professionals. The area is flooded with people, I couldn't even find my co-worker's team who was on the same route. On the other hand, I encountered a few people I didn't expect to see.

A team member brought up an excellent point why he enjoys the crawl over his usual evening bar outings. He talked about how everyone is on the same playing field. There is no peacocking and no judgements on people's dress. Everyone basically has a t-shirt and jeans. The atmosphere was to talk to new people and there were plenty to choose from.

Onto the museums... Just when I thought I covered the local museums, I was proven wrong. A part of the Belgian Beer and White Wine party was to first tour the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and the Kansas City Jazz Museum. Before the group hiked over to the museums, my friend hung a sign on the door that read, "Out to get some culture..." I realized it was about time I got a cultural dose in sports and music.

The tours were fairly short compared to the art museums I'm accustomed to touring, but proved interesting. I enjoyed the baseball museum more than the jazz museum simply because the history of negro baseball was well-explained and inspiring. The jazz museum was presented more as a snapshot during the height of the jazz era. The jazz museum, however, was much more interactive with its music and videos than the baseball museum. Both are worth checking out at least once, as with anything else.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Who Knows You Best

I thought I knew me best. My family may know me best too. I'm comfortable to say my best friends know me best. A new group is getting to know me, and they are really impressive. Maybe you know them. They are computer tracking software.

This tracking method is one of the most effective marketing tools. Just like any relationship though, I feel uncomfortable at times when I think they know a little too much about me, yet appreciate their suggestions and input.

Last year was the first time I realized this was going somewhere. The first birthday card I received last year was from Express and inside sat a $15 gift card to help me celebrate. I thought, "I've had two boyfriends who forgot my birthdays in the past, but Express somehow manages to remember. Incredible." I'll have to wait to learn how consistent and loyal Express is to me this year.

Perhaps this tracking software is a medium between knowing myself and having others think they know what I want. I provide the direct inputs and the recommendations are provided immediately.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Fast Food Friendly

The best way to end the day is with a good laugh, and tonight I found mine at the local Taco Bell. Drive-thru food is a treat for me, and I am always in high spirits to eat after a long day of work and school.

My Taco Bell cashier today asked me if I wanted sauce. I replied with a definitive "hot sauce, please." He continued to ask if I was sure that was what I wanted. So, I jokingly threatened with a "if I find a mild packet in my order, there'll be some words." He gave in and said that he'd better not pull anything or I'd call the customer complaint hotline on him. I had to smile when I got home to find a mix of mild and hot sauce in my bag.

Tonight I realized that my drive-thru orders typically involve some bantering and joking with the cashier. Either I don't know what to order or I know exactly what I want, which is all solid premise for a little conversation fun. It is reassuring that people working in fast food still have the playful attitude after a day of dealing with demanding and hungry customers.

This situation should not be confused with flirting either. It is being friendly. Let's accept friendly conversation and human interaction as an exhibit of a healthy communication foundation. Judging others who have conversations with their grocers or while standing in line is easy to do, but a one minute conversation could brighten someone's day or even make them smile and laugh.

To paraphrase an insightful professor: Sharing true laughter with people is experiencing a moment with one another. It is a moment when no one is thinking about the past or the future, but only enjoying that very second.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Dream Book

I sat in the lobby waiting for my group to arrive. Out of habit of not knowing how to relax, I fidgeted through the nearest magazine on the coffee table. I dizzily scanned the photos of houses in New Home magazine while I thought about what I need to do an hour from now, what I need to do tonight, and what I need to do this weekend. My racing thoughts were interrupted by the security guard asking, "You looking at the dream book?" I looked up completely confused and noticed he was chuckling to himself. He was obviously joking. Looking back down at the magazine, I realized he was referring to the home magazine as a dream book.

My first thought was, "Are the items in this book that unattainable?"

My second thought was, "I wouldn't call this my dream book, but that's interesting that he sees it that way."

For most people, buying a home is a huge decision and sometimes an accomplishment. The ability to purchase a home can be a sign of discipline in saving money and the ability to provide comfortable shelter for yourself, a family, or a dog. As a fan of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, I understand the positive impact a home can have on people.

... but this is not my need or dream. This is not for everyone right now.

Buying a home is a lot like being in a relationship. As my friend, trinity garcia, explains, relationships require 50% work, 30% timing, and 20% compatibility. Owning a home is no different to me. Although the market tells me it's time, I know the timing is all wrong.

That leads me to think what is my dream book? I am not sure. It could be my growing lack of imagination or a sign of being where I want to be in life. I also like to entertain the idea that my dreams cannot be described with photos of materialistic products. My dreams are ideas, adventures, experience, and strong relationships.

Making a list of To-Do items or a list of life goals is easy. Making a list of dreams is much harder than expected, but it is still worth considering.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Power Play

Mistake #1: Judging a business by its building.
Mistake #2: Judging a business by its website.

Redemption #1: Giving the business a try, anyway.
Redemption #2: Giving the business positive reviews.

Thanks to the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and my workplace, I was able to enjoy all I can eat, drink, and play for $10 at Power Play. I was in heaven. Power Play is a "family entertainment center" full of arcade games, a bowling alley, go-karts, tilt-a-whirl, and so much more I didn't have time to discover.

At first, I was leery to attend a professional event in such a goofy environment. Their website (powerplaykc.com) reeks of cheesy jingles and flashy graphics. I'm not sure when I thought I was too cool for this, but I was probably the most un-cool as I went crazy on the arcade games. I'm sure I had that look in my eyes. You know, that crazy look.

I never in my life thought someone would give me a play card and say, "You can play anything you want for free for the next few hours." Despite the fact that I had this shopping spree, I've concluded that I've enjoyed my time at Power Play much more than any other experience at Dave and Busters in KC. The game selection was more extensive at Power Play and so were the activities. I didn't feel overwhelmed at Power Play. I'm unsure if they toned down the bells and whistles for the event, but I did like the layout of the place.

At the end of the night, I indulged in one my favorite, yet unsatisfying games- The Crane Game. Tonight's potential prize... a 6-inch white teddy bear wearing an ICEE t-shirt, and I wanted it bad. I came home with this instead...

... it's a fish that expands 600% in size.

Power Play is definitely worth a return visit.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Fear of Status Quo

I choose not to be the living dead.

I write this in a zombie-like state. After an 8 to 5 day at work followed by an evening class, I know I will repeat the same pattern tomorrow. Going through the motions like a zombie from Night of the Living Dead, I am at least glad I don't feed on other people's brains. My salvation at the end of the day: food, books, internet, people, tv. Tonight it is food, a book, and the internet. I've waited 13 hours since I woke up to enjoy my two hour window of choice.

This pattern is a trap that is so entrenched into everyone's lives that people don't recognize it or know how to change it. I don't know how to change it. Yet.

Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
-Mark Twain

Everything popular is wrong.
-Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

This is why I read. People have figured out how to escape this trap before, and they hide it in books.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Fireplace


After two years in my apartment, I am finally using my fireplace. It is absolutely wonderful.

Monday, February 11, 2008

I Choo-choo- choose you.

Valentine's Day is in three days. So, when I prepared to watch the CBS Sunday Morning News(one of my favorite shows), I expected at least one segment highlighting the holiday. I expected a segment discussing the holiday's origins or maybe discussing the holiday's commercial influence on the economy. I smiled when I learned that the Valentine's Day segment was about marriage and divorce.

Not that marriage is funny or that divorce is funny. Nooo... they are both very serious. However, it was funny that a news program that focuses on good news was taking a reality check.

Here are a list of statistics the segment provided that I found interesting:

- 50% of married couples get divorced
- Or if you glass is half full, 50% of married couples stay together
- The divorce rate doubled from 1960 to 1980
- The divorce rate has been stable since the 1980s
- The average male gets married at 27 years
- The average female gets married at 26 years
- 85% of Americans get married
- The 3 contributors to a lasting marriage: Education, Stable Family, and Income

I could write an essay for each of the bullets above, but tonight is not the time.

Here is a link to the article summarizing the segment: Un-tying the Knot .

... and one more thing, Happy (early) Valentine's Day to everyone. It is not just a holiday for just one significant other, it is for family and the dearest friends also.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Footaction

I am ready to talk about it now. I wanted to chew on it before saying anything, but it has been two weeks since it has happened. I got my first pedicure.

After years of declining all invitations to get a pedicure, I was cornered by my two best friends in unfamiliar territory (Dallas, TX). I had a choice to continue to be stubborn, decline again, and ruin the flow of conversation or experience another first in my life and make peace with my friends. I caved in and decided to temporarily tuck away my conflicted feelings and reasons for past declines.

My primary fear from having a pedicure is forming a habit from the experience. I decided before embarking into this point-of-no-return, I would only have another pedicure under very special circumstances (such as celebrating becoming a multi-millionaire) or simply never having another pedicure at all.

Overall, the experience was extremely relaxing. It was more than getting my toe nails painted, as I expected. It was a massage and spa treatment for my lower legs and feet.

I am still mulling over how I feel about pedicures now. I had a tough time telling my family I got one. There was no hiding it. It was obvious. They know I lack the skills and equipment to do such a good job on my toes. It is not that I am seeking their approval, but it is a feeling of guilt. I still feel uneasy about spending money on little luxuries, such as pedicures, knowing my parents work so hard for their paychecks and still support the family. I doubt they are concerned about this, but this train of thought helps me budget. Alas, I digress.

I admit, I have enjoyed staring at my toes for the past two weeks. Pretty toes make shoe shopping more fun and dangerous too. Nearly all open toed shoes or sandals look great. I have captured this moment of indulgence with a new pair of sandals I got this weekend. Now, I can stare at my pretty toes anytime I want.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

An Unrecognizable Face

I still Facebook. In fact, I mySpace too. Between updating profiles, I blog. The point of this entry is not all the time I spend online, but how these social networks have evolved, particularly Facebook.

I had referenced in a past entry that entering mySpace has the same sensation as entering a casino with its flashing lights and sounds. Entering Facebook now is similar to entering a bar for the first time. It's familiar, but distinctly different because something is always changing, whether it be the people or the drink specials. Facebook still has the same feel, but the web network has gone add-on crazy. A new invitation to join a Fight Club team or a request to participate in the Oregon Trail has left me confused every time I log onto my homepage. I don't know what will happen once I join, but I bet I'll have a difficult time removing it from my profile page.

I also have not figured out when I receive a mass invite, request, or message- so I can ignore it. Can a true friend really not send a personal message that takes 2 minutes? Mass-texter-haters, and you know who you are, this is your worst nightmare. I've warmed up to the idea of mass phone text messages. There are situations where that is appropriate, but to dedicate a song to all of your 150 Facebook friends is a bit impersonal.

Despite the changes, I am still a huge Facebook fan. It has given me every reason to not attend my high school reunion. I know exactly what everyone is already doing.

I now leave you with a mySpace comic a friend sent to me.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

In My Defense

We are all selfish. We are all selfless. It is all human nature.

My generation has been deemed the 'i' generation. Thanks to Apple, everyone is proud to say it too. The media has been pushing stories on the influences of product personalization and specialization on young people's ideology. The media blames business advertising, such as Burger King, who campaigns to "have it your way" as messages promoting self-centeredness. I call it customer service at a fast food joint, which is fantastic. The booming economy of convenience is a source of distractions people must deal with today. It is easy to be swept away with all these desires for more and more personal conveniences. This does not make a generation selfish. That's just how the world works now.

People, regardless of age, all want the best for themselves.

Sunday, December 30, 2007

One Week

School is out. Work is out. I had one, glorious week to do as I pleased. I feel human again after spending time with my family, friends, and the tv. Yes, the tv. I zoned out to Season One of Heroes (two thumbs up), The Heartbreak Kid (two thumbs down), Marie Antoinette (two thumbs down, way down), I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (one thumb up), and Little Miss Sunshine (two thumbs up). That is a lot of time in front of the tube, but nothing is better than staying up to 2 a.m. watching Heroes with my mom.

Aside from bumming around my parent's house, I spent time with a handful of my best friends. I don't typically post personal photos, but I can no longer resist. I am too proud of them and miss them already. I had not seen some of my friends in months and even over a year. That was just too long.

This was Christmas Eve with my best friend since fifth grade. I have spent Christmas Eve with her and her family since I met her. That's about thirteen years now.

This was taken at a wedding I attended with a best friend from college. Although he was great to study with, it was even better to just have fun with him.
I also met his friend. He is a great guy too. This photo expresses their hilarious bickering with one another all evening. My friend's friend also works on a music website that I just discovered and really like. Check it out: http://www.betterpropaganda.com/.

This is the Cookie Party that I almost missed. I can be so lost without my planner. It would have been a shame to miss out on seeing four of my best friends spanning from high school to college. The cookies were incredible, and the company was top notch.
The good news is that I still have two more full days to spend my time my way.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Home of the Chiefs

Given the opportunity to attend three Chiefs games this season, I'm finding myself warming up to football. Having a team to cheer for has a lot to do with this change. I used to think I was gaining three productive hours on Sunday while the rest of the city halted to watch the football game. Look at me now. Conforming. That makes me cringe.

Then again, I do appreciate that the football team generates a temporary boost in the economy as out-of-towners drive into the city for entertainment. Games also encourages camaraderie among fans.

Here are a handful of the photos I took during the games. My favorite game is the one saluting the Veterans this past weekend. This tribute had the best half-time show, and nothing compares to seeing the B2 Stealth Bomber fly over Arrowhead Stadium during the National Anthem.




Saturday, November 10, 2007

Burnt Out on a Night Out


I should have been home eating a bowl of ramen and falling asleep to PBS Friday night. This would have been better than witnessing the dynamics of people at the local bar. Tonight might have been an isolated case or I am beginning to view my world differently. Watching the Zeros play at Raouls was supposed to be guaranteed fun. No doubt I enjoyed the company of my dearest friends and the live music, but surrounding us were strangers with their own agendas. Women and men fronting confidence to hide their true expectations in meeting the right person.

The idea of the right person is often different for people. For most, it seems to be a short-term person and for others, it seems to be a long-term person. One thing remains the same, the evening often ends in uncertainty or disappointment if someone walks in with high expectations.

Tonight I left feeling that this bar scene is not right. This unsettling feeling is not new, but wavering. I am riding the downward slope in my view of people's trust and integrity. People should not be treating others the way I have seen them. Many people have accepted this behavior. Others have stood up against it and have found themselves in the same place. I wonder what it was like twenty years ago for singles. Courtship has lost its luster and few people are fighting for it.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Earth Club- Apply Now

In third grade, I sported a button on my backpack declaring that I belonged to Earth Club. This grassroots effort focusing on recycling newspapers and cans at my elementary school was led by my endearing, third grade teacher, Mrs. Hurley. My "Go Green" fashionable accessories did not stop there. My pink, blue, and white Reebok tennis shoes came with a tag that read, "SAVE THE ELEPHANTS" that I also attached to my backpack. Nearly 15 years ago, people and companies were already advocating environmentalism, and this advocacy has begun far before I was born with the inception of Earth Day in 1969.

Today, the "save the earth" mindset is booming. What took so long to make everyone care about the environment? Several factors beyond my knowledge play into this answer, but the most obvious one is the media. I wonder how much Al Gore contributed to this media push. He was a huge stakeholder in it after releasing An Inconvenient Truth and winning the Nobel Peace Prize. He is a great example of how I think politicians should handle issues more often. Focus. Gore has focused on one specific issue, which has resulted in worldwide awareness and the idea to change. Politicians often advocate solutions on multiple issues to appeal to multiple groups of people. Then, they do not accomplish any of their goals very well.

The environmental push is also generating ideas in new technology. The technology industry will benefit from this peaked interest and need to innovate alternative energy sources. This new green wave in technology could be as big and influential as the computer era.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

3:10 To Yuma

Hollywood has put its cowboy hat back on. 3:10 to Yuma, originally a short story and now has two movie versions out, was my first full exposure to a westerm movie. Before tonight, the closest I got was City Slickers, and I doubt that counts. With a star cast, 3:10 to Yuma has successfully put western films back in the public light. The movie has western film fans out in the theaters as well as appealing to the younger audience.

Blood Diamond also made it in my schedule this weekend. Oddly enough, 3:10 to Yuma and Blood Diamond have a huge parallel in story lines.