Sunday, January 31, 2010

Just like last year.

Around this time last year, I felt almost exactly the same about the Australian Open as I do now. That feeling is joy and contentment. Serena and Venus defended their Women's Doubles title. Bob and Mike Bryan defended their Men's Doubles title. Serena also defended her Women's Single title against Justine. And for the Men's Single title, Roger recaptured the crown this year by beating Andy Murray. I did not care much about the Men's Singles result. I may have wanted a little for Andy Murray to win but Roger getting it was not a huge disappointment.

Congratulations Serena, Venus, Bob and Mike. And thank you for putting a smile in my face this weekend.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Jury Duty summon!

Last week, I received my very first Jury Duty summons. Now I can say I am truly an American! I voted and will soon be participating with one important aspect of our democratic judicial system, the jury system. I hope it is some high profile crime so I could write a book about my experience when everything is done with. hahaha. On the other hand, I don't want to be a victim of retaliation crime from the criminals I decide against. What a conundrum. haha. I am way ahead of myself here.

I still have mix feelings on the summon. The notion of being paid by my work my full wage for not doing actual work is very appealing. I am not sure whether I would be pleased to be selected or rejected for further jury duty. One thing I don't like about this summon is the start time of 8 a.m. This means I have to wake up early and drive to Maywood on a weekday. Ugh!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Over 170 or under?

The other week while I was at the doctor's office, the nurse weighed me and I was surprised to register at 175 pounds. I thought I am still under 170 pounds. So when I was at the gym the other day, I weighed myself again and it was 177 pounds. Wow I am really gaining weight. I am not oppose to gain weight. In fact I am glad that I did which means I am gaining more muscle bulk. And I think I am cause my shirts are getting tighter on the chest and shoulder areas. I use to be able to get away with a small (american sizing) but now I am definitely a medium. I prefer to be a definite medium than be somewhere between a small or a medium. I like my manly built now than the twiggy physique that I had. In fact at this same height of 5 feet 10 inches in High School, I was a 127 pounds. Just imagine how thin that was. And 27 years later, I am now a 177 pounds. 50 pounds of muscles (and fat) gained. The only aspect of my current physique that I do not care for is the waistline. It too has grown from a size 28 to a size 32. If I could bring down my midsection to a size 30, I would be very pleased with my body.

Just last night I decided to weigh myself naked at home and it registered at 169 pounds. How can my shoes and clothes weigh more than 5 pounds? And the scale reported me at 20% body fat. I am now torn as to which scale to believe. I am torn whether I want to be under or over 170 pounds... One thing I am sure, I want to be under 15% body fat. More hard work out needed or a lipo...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

State of the Union address.

Tonight, President Obama delivered his second state of the union address to congress. Once again as I sat in front of the TV glued to this, my heart swelled with pride as an American. Seeing the President, Vice President, Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices sit in the same room is such an overwhelming sight.

President Obama talked of the changes we need to take to get out of this mess the previous administration got us in. And from my point of view as an ordinary citizen, they are all good and necessary changes. Perhaps I am not too well informed with the proposed changes and the oppositions to it to be a well informed person about the issue. But it seems to me the oppositions are primarily there because of fear. The opposition would rather maintain the status quo and be all complacent about the issues that needs to be done. As President Obama said, we tried it for 8 years and it obviously did not work.

It is time that we all work together to do what needs to be done and not be afraid for change. Change is what he campaigned to do, change is what he is trying to deliver so let us embrace the change.

He who hates me.

I work with this guy who seems to hate me. How do I know this? Well he does not really talk to me. Our conversation is mostly civil and work related but with other folks, he is very talkative and friendly. He was the only one to complain that I used the Thera tube as decoration for the Christmas tree when in fact there are plenty left for him to use on patients and the Thera tubes can still be used for patient care after I take it down from the tree. He was the only one to complain that I failed to return the overhead pulley on their side of the department. I always return it back but sometimes I get too busy with patients that I get delayed in doing it. Also he often borrows my ES machine and does not return it to my side of the department but hears nothing from me about it. He seems out to find fault with me.

One time my patient who I scheduled with him, arrived early and I happen to be available. He was upstairs doing another patient so I could not ask him if I could see this patient for him. He did not have a beeper/pager with him so we could not page him about it. So I asked the senior therapist if I should see the patient and she said to go ahead. Upon his arrival, he was furious at me for taking the patient but said nothing to the senior therapist for approving the action. Even after I explained that we could not get a hold of him at that time. His anger was disproportionate to the deed done. It was not as if harm was done to the patient or he really liked working with this patient because he has never seen this patient before. In fact my actions benefited the patient more because this was my patient to begin with and consistency with therapist is a good thing. He was still indignant when I offered to give him the productivity units for this patient and when I gave him some peace offering snack.

I am not sure why this guy detests me. Perhaps my self confidence and know how appears to be arrogance for him? Does my being gay have anything to do with it? Does my campaign to improve our patient scheduling irks him? I really don’t know why. But the more important question is what to do with this guy. Should I just ignore him and fight fire with fire? Or should I treat him with excessive kindness to win him over? The first option would be consistent to my character but the second option seems something that I should try. Hmmm…

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Not all a sarcasm

- Only delusional jerks will think a charity is an entitlement.

- If I don't care for Barbara Striesand, Judy Garland and the Academy Awards, should my gay card be revoked?

- Physical beauty are like Christmas bonus while inner beauty are like monthly salary. One is like a gift while the other is earned.

- Stunningly beautiful people get away with so much than plain people. I wonder who gets away with more, a beautiful black person or a plain white person?

Monday, January 25, 2010

messy but nice

One of the woman I work with is a hoarder and a slob. Her desk at work is full of crap and papers. She is so disorganized. She gets a bunch of forms to use and put it in her desk and forgets about it so she would get some more the next time hence resulting to accumulation of unused forms. Her charts are a mess. The holes on the forms are all punched crooked and the fastener bent wrong. On top of that, her handwriting is a chicken scratch. One could barely understand what she wrote down. It is therefore very difficult and annoying to work with her. Specially if one has to take over a client previously seen by her.

But there is always a good side in every bad side of a person. And I must say this woman has virtues that endear her to her coworkers. She is caring and thoughtful. The first one to come to the rescue when needed. She is generous specially in sharing her snack even though she barely has enough for one person. And on top of that, she is also very comical and clownish. She makes funny faces and comments. She would make fun of herself by shaking her hips to a tune often. So working with her is always a diverting affair.

I can not decide whether to hate her or love her. Management can not decide whether to keep her or fire her. Perhaps it is her positive virtues that keep her employed still. Perhaps it should be her positive virtues that I should focus on. Kind of see the good in every body attitude.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Bad Romance by Lady Gaga



Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your ugly
I want your disease
I want your everything
As long as it’s free
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your drama
The touch of your hand
I want you leather studded kiss in the scene
And I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad,your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

I want your horror
I want your design
‘Cause you’re a criminal
As long as your mine
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

I want your psycho
Your vertical stick
Want you in my room
When your baby is sick
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love
Love-love-love
I want your love

You know that I want you
And you know that I need you
I want a bad,your bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
All your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Move that bitch crazy
Walk walk fashion baby
Work it
Imma Freak bitch baby

I want your love
And I want your revenge
I want your love
I don’t wanna be friends

Je veux ton amour
Et je veux ta revanche
Je veux ton amour
I don't wanna be friends

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

I want your loving
And I want your revenge
You and me could write a bad romance
I want your loving
and all your love is revenge
You and me could write a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oooh!
Oh-oh-oooh-oh-oh!
Caught in a bad romance

Rah-rah-ah-ah-ah!
Roma-Roma-ma-ah!
Ga-ga-ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Monday, January 18, 2010

Jeremy Abbott twice

Here are two long programs from Jeremy Abbott. The first one is the 2009 Nationals and the second is the 2010 Nationals. He won both years but you can tell that the 2010 program is much more superior, mature and polished.




Sunday, January 17, 2010

Billy Elliot the movie



My friends raved about Billy Elliot the musical and I have made up my mind that I will watch it someday. Perhaps when it opens here in Chicago. But before watching the musical version, I decided to watch the movie version. This movie came out many years ago but I have not gotten around to watch it till now. And I now understand why my friends love it.

It was a beautiful movie. The key to a good movie is it moves the audience. Be it anger, tears, fear, joy or whatever. And boy was I moved to tears. I could not tell if I was blowing my nose because of the cold or because I was crying.

Billy Elliot is a story about love, hope and following your dreams. It is a story about a kid who was brave enough to pursue his heart's desire despite going against the popular convention. It is a story about a father's love for his son that he is willing to compromise his principle just to give his son a chance for a better future. It is a story about a family coming together for each other when it mattered. It is about friendship between two boys. It is a story about a teacher who saw potential in a kid and went out of her way to develop that potential.

If you have not seen it, go rent it now.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Tall, athletic and handsome.

The Australian Open is upon us so I am looking at tennis web pages a lot more these days. One emerging player that caught my eye is John Isner. He is American, 6 feet 9 inches tall, 24 years old and currently ranked #33. He just won his first ATP title today at the Heineken Open in New Zealand. And on top of that, he is very pleasing to the eye. Very boy next door that just happen to be very tall. Congrats John!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Not into Asians.

There are many gay men out there who have proclaimed that they are not into Asian men. Usually I see it in their online profile and if not clearly spelled out, you can deduce it from the "friends list" or "hotlist" they have. None of them are Asian men.

To some degree, I can understand why they might not be sexually attracted to Asian men. Asian men are usually smaller/thinner in stature, smooth skinned, clean shaven and youthful. All physical attributes associated with the female sex. And it does not help that a lot of young East Asian men nowadays sports that long androgynous looking hair. So perhaps they associate Asian men as feminine looking and/or effeminate. And gay men (excluding the minority with fetishes) usually go for manly man. As I always say, if I want a feminine looking guy, might as well go for a real woman.

But in some instances, their non-preference for Asian men extend beyond just a physical preference. Some of them have actual prejudice against Asian men and they would still be not into Asian even if the said Asian man is manly looking. The kind of prejudice that a couth person would be ashamed to declare publicly.

So no matter how I try to be manly looking by bulking up and keeping a short manly hairdo, I would still be rejected by these people. All they see in me is their stereotype gay Asian man and not the manly looking man that would usually attracts them. It's a shame...

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Gym petpeeves

I go to the gym consistently and I have noticed some things about what happens there that annoys the hell out of me. Here they are in no particular order or degree of annoyance.

1. People who have New Years resolution to be healthier (loose weight) and crowd the gym every January. Can't wait for March to come along so they can all break their resolution as they always do. There is a Filipino saying that describes these typical New Year resolution as something that burns like dry grass. They start really strong but burn out fast.

2. Men who will go chat/gossip with their guy friends away from the machine they were on and expect me not to use the machine cause they are "using" it. If they are not on the machine, they are NOT using it! No such thing are reserving it while they gossip.

3. People who do not return the weights/benches to their places. The gym is not one's home. If one is a slob (which they are) at home, one should not bring it to the gym.

4. People who fill up their big bottle at the water fountain for their cardio and only end up using half of it. They hog the water fountain cause it takes forever to fill up the big jug.

5. Guys who grunts so loud when lifting. Exhibitionist!

6. Trainers who choose to do their ball tossing, lunges walk or whatever with their client in the middle of the aisle/walkway between the machines. That's stupid.

7. People who sweat like a pig and don't wipe the machine after. Gross!

8. Women who wear two piece work out gear exposing their midsection. The gym is not the beach you know. And if guys are expected to wear tops in the gym, why are women allowed to only cover their breast? I suppose if I was hetero, I would not mind this so much. haha

9. Women with full make up. They are on a manhunt!

Thursday, January 07, 2010

Little to be happy about.

I have said it before and will say it again, it sucks to be born around Christmas and New Year. And I am speaking from experience. My birthday will always be an after thought to the "Happy New Year". My birthday will always be second to New Year Celebration. Nobody in my life has ever made my Birthday more important than New Year. After all, who can compete with New Year? My thoughtful family and friends do give me some momentary smile via facebook, text or phone greetings but the bottom line, they have their own New Year to celebrate. So my actual birthday is usually spent alone doing chores in the house. I have in the past made plans to celebrate my birthday but it was never on my actual birthday cause New Year is in the way. And to top it all off, my birthday just makes me older with little to nil chance of being able to celebrate it with friends and family on the actual day.

It is what I have not and can not have that makes me yearn for it more and eventually bitter for not getting it. I wonder if I would be a lot happier if my birthday was some non special day? I wonder if I would be less whinny if nobody else celebrate birthdays? I wonder how it would be for just once to be truly the center of attention cause it is my actual birthday...

Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Nobody

The KFC and Jolibee mascot dancing to Nobody.


Some (gay?)Asian schoolboys dancing to Nobody.

Sunday, January 03, 2010

The ungracious couple.

Tom and I went to see "New Moon" at the River East 21 Theatre in downtown Chicago today at 1:50 PM. We were not late but since "New Moon" has been out for a while, the theatre was small. By the time we got there, there were no seats next to each other except the very first 3 rows ungodly close to the the screen. And watching "New Moon" is no fun if we can't giggle and elbow each other when Jacob takes his shirt off. So I asked the interracial couple (Black man and Asian woman) who were seated in the premium row with empty seats on each of their sides if they mind moving one seat right or left to free up two side by side seats for me and Tom. The black man said he actually mind. So I did not ask again. After all they are not obligated to move for us. I understand they like to have a little privacy with nobody besides them and they like to have an empty seat next to them to stow their winter jacket. In the same token that they are not obligated to move for us, they are also not entitled to have empty seats on their sides. And I made sure they know that. So on my idea, I had Tom sit next to the black man and I sat next Asian woman requiring them to vacate the seats of their coats for us. After all that row was the best location in the theater and I wanted to get back at them for their ungracious behavior. Moving one seat to the right or left is not a big deal at all especially if someone asked you nicely. I would have moved. They were just being selfish and ungracious. But I was gratified they did not get what they wanted. I can be ungracious too you know.

Saturday, January 02, 2010

Christmas in LA

Christmas and New Year are two holidays that get me bogged down since I do not have immediate family here to spend it with. For this past Christmas, I decided to spend it with my cousins in LA. And it was well worth the trip.

We went to Mass at the LA Cathedral delivered by Cardinal Mahoney for Christmas day. We got to meet the Cardinal and took some pictures with him. The Cathedral itself was newish and modern looking. The outside was almost cubical and reminiscent of a modern art museum than a church. Nothing like how I would imagine a Catholic Cathedral would look like. No statue of saints were to be found outside or inside. Just a Crucifix in the altar. The walls were lined by computer generated tapestry of the different saints facing and adorning the altar. The choir was a little bit plain. Not one of those church choir that can move you to tears. And for those rare occasion that I heard Mass, Caucasian was the minority at that time.


We also went to the Happiest Place on Earth later that afternoon. Yes, we went to Disneyland. Primarily for our nephew Zach but it was us the adults who had more fun. Disneyland was packed so we decided to skip the popular rides. Instead we went to the Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle cruise, Storybook land canal boat ride and It's a small world ride. The two boat rides we took would have been better if there were more illumination since it was dawn by the time we got there so we could hardly see the animatronic animals and model houses. The lights at the exterior of the It's a Small World was fantastic and festive. So many lights and it changes too at certain intervals. It was a cute ride, same as I remembered it the first time. Different dolls dancing and singing in different national costumes and languages. They also included some Disney characters. I was busy taking photograph and video that I probably cheated myself of the full experience. We also got to see the nightly parade featuring different Disney characters, Princes and Princesses, and Santa Clause. It was the first time I saw a Disney parade and I was entirely diverted. We did some shopping for souvenirs too of course. Just before we departed that wondrous place, we watched the nightly fireworks. I am not a big fan of fireworks but the music coordinating with the different explosions and colors won me over. Big cheers for the fun Disney experience!




The next day was spent just lounging at my cousin's house playing with my godson Zach. That evening my good friend Bong and his BF brought me to LA Eagle by Silverlake. I wanted to go to Silverlake to avoid the Weho crowd and attitude. I did get to flee from the attitude but the Eagle was just as crowded as any Weho bar. Ugh! I hate a very crowded bar but the company was good so the evening was not insufferable. It was highly worthy to see my good friend again and meet his new BF.

For my last day in LA, we went to the Aquarium of the Pacific by Long Beach. The trip was again mostly for Zach's enjoyment but as it was in Disneyland, we adults turned out to have more delight. I got to touch some sharks and rays and got to frolic along side the lorikeets. Saw some vivid lively aquariums exhibit with fish, corals and other invertebrates. Lunch was at the Gump and Bubba restaurant. A theme restaurant dedicated to the movie Forrest Gump. That evening was dinner at a Korean restaurant with all my kinsfolk in LA.




Satisfying indeed to be with family for Christmas. As I said earlier, well worth the trouble of flying and the money spent.

Friday, January 01, 2010

A Single Man by Tom Ford

After seeing the movie, my friend Tom said "It's like a moving catalog to a Gucci photo shoot". And I agree with him 100%. The visual detail and artistry of this movie were superb that totally had Tom Ford's signature on it. Screenplay and direction by the former creative director of Gucci, this movie was a brilliant masterpiece of Tom Ford.

The story was rather simple. It was about the day gay Stanford Professor George Falconer (Colin Firth) decided to kill himself because of a severe broken heart from losing his lover of 16 years Jim (Matthew Goode) to a car accident. As he went about his day planning the suicide and getting his affairs together, memories of Jim juxtapositioned with his day fluidly. Colin Firth showcased a vast array of Oscar worthy emotions in this movie, unlike his role in Pride & Prejudice. The course of the day included interactions with his friend Charley (Julliane Moore) and his student Kenny (Nicholas Hoult), who was intrigued and somewhat infatuated with him. This encounter with Kenny made him realize in the end that there can be life and light after Jim and that he can have the strength to move on contrary to what he thought he can not do. But alas, irony set in when he, at that moment of realizing this, suffered a heart attack.

The story was set in the 1960s in California when smoking, thick eye make up and big ladies hair were in vogue. Some of the scenes felt like a retro modern day photo shoot indeed. The set design and outfit of the characters all looked so 60's yet something that can totally still be in style and fashionable now. The smoky sepia quality to the picture added allure and flair to this film. Even the butt showing skinny dipping scene of Colin and Nicholas was so artfully shot and edited. Colin Firth looked fabulous with his mature handsome face and leaner physique. Nicholas Hoult was so lean and adorable with his boyish California twink gay porn star look. Julliane Moore was ultra chic with her black and white evening wear and fully made up face and hair. Besides the outfits that obviously had Tom Ford's creative input, some lines and sentiments in the movies also echoed the director's thoughts and views as a gay man. There was this line when Professor Falconer was telling his class that it is fear, whether valid or unfounded, of the minority (sexuality, race, religion, etc) that makes the majority to mistreat the minority whom were normally left unnoticed. He added that this minority are just people like us while looking at the direction of two gay looking students. A very subtle scene that I picked up and related to as a gay man.

This movies has moved me visually, acoustically, emotionally and intellectually. Another beautiful 5 star movie that deserves a space in my collections of movies.