24.) Somewhere in my house there is an autographed card of Ken Griffey Jr. No idea where it is. It's biding it's time for the HOF induction. There's, also, a Chris Bosio/Omar Vizquel signed ball. And a Cruz signed everything. And, of course, there is the Bill Walton autographed hat. That's for you, Peter. I rocked that hat for the enjoyment of that look on your face when someone would ask whose name it was. Priceless.
How I got that autograph is an interesting story.
After eighth grade graduation, my parents fronted the money to send me to the east coast with my classmates. It was one of the best presents I could have received. Traveling for me is priceless. As it turned out, I made quite a few friends. Oddly, those friends were the parent chaperones of several of the girls, who were a grade below me at the time. Their dads loved to play pranks from the simple misdirection shoulder tap (one of my favorites at my school right now) to the slight nudge into a random girl. They took care of me, too. They bought me lobster and helped me speak out. Rather, they would speak out for me as was the case in Central Park.
As a group, we were on a Central Park tour focusing around the Beatles. One of our teacher's, Mr. G, was a huge Grateful Dead fan. HUGE. So, it seemed fitting that a well-known Grateful Dead fan would be meditating at the area named Strawberry Fields. I didn't recognize him until one of the fathers pointed out who he was. Bill Walton was quietly meditating on the ground as our guide stopped us to circulate the history of the place. He nudged me and whispered, 'Hey, that's Bill Walton. Get his autograph.' I was too shocked to move. 'Come on. Go over there.'
I blushed, 'I can't. He's meditating.' I started making excuses, 'I don't have a pen. What do I have to sign?'
The chaperone was kind enough to take matters into his own hands. He snatched the hat off my head, 'Here, give me that.' He pulled a pen out of his pocket and quietly approached the usually loquacious man. 'Do you mind signing this for the boy over there? He's a big fan.' I was shocked. But I took that hat gladly and stored it in my house until one day in college I heard Bill Walton say, 'Vladimir Radmanovic is the pinnacle of Western Civilization's physique.' Well put, Bill. ...
As for Jr's autograph, my family friend used to be his neighbor. Lucky me. I hope it's still in my closet with Bill.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Parents gone, Hello Millers
On Friday, I was told I had a meeting for a summer camp coming up in the middle of July. I was told about the meeting on short notice after I had already made plans to go to dinner with my co-teacher and parents, who were in town. Since I wanted to make a good impression, I chose the meeting over dinner.
When I got to the educational office, there was no meeting. Needless to say, I was a little bitter. I was especially bitter since I knew my parents and co-teachers would be swapping stories. I could already see the aftermath in my mind. I would be scolded and laughed at by my co-workers and parents. Oh, the humanity.
I went straight out to my parents hotel in Seoul after the botched meeting. They weren't back yet. So, I called my co-teacher. 'Ohhh, Justin, your parents are so nice. They told me you are lying. You don't have to go home to take care of them or your family. And, they told me....' Ohhhhh, what was I thinking! '.....you are so bad, they said. We have sooooo many stories about you.' I've created a four headed monster.
After talking to my co-teacher, I was afraid to even talk to my parents out of potential annoyance and nagging from them. My dad had already been nagging me (3 separate times on Father's Day) about what I am going to do when I return. When I finally got around to seeing them, they said my two co-teachers were lauding me with praise. (WTF?) My parents said, that my teachers have never had a native teacher who connects with the kids like I do. I definitely felt my chain being yanked by someone. Most likely it was being pulled by my handler, Ms. Yoo (who my dad kept calling Miss Woo). This is just like them to try and convince me through tricky means (see drunken teachers' dinner). She is a master of reverse psychology because her meticulous, anal retentive personality couples with her jokes. She is a two headed monster. Albeit the most genuinely nice two headed monster. One head is meticulous and crafty, the other is so nice that she gives you constant gifts and gives your parents a ride out of her way all the way back to their hotel. She is always careful not to compliment me outright. It's pretty wicked and impressive. Nonetheless, they were likely still being gracious to my parents. Whatever it may be, I am taking this with a grain of salt.
My parents loved it here. And they plan to do a lot more international traveling. Good for them. You should see the world before you see your nursing home.
Now, with my parents departed the Millers, Jackie and Robin, arrive today and tomorrow. No rest for me. Let time fly.
Notes:
Who doesn't love Fraggle Rock? Baller.
When I got to the educational office, there was no meeting. Needless to say, I was a little bitter. I was especially bitter since I knew my parents and co-teachers would be swapping stories. I could already see the aftermath in my mind. I would be scolded and laughed at by my co-workers and parents. Oh, the humanity.
I went straight out to my parents hotel in Seoul after the botched meeting. They weren't back yet. So, I called my co-teacher. 'Ohhh, Justin, your parents are so nice. They told me you are lying. You don't have to go home to take care of them or your family. And, they told me....' Ohhhhh, what was I thinking! '.....you are so bad, they said. We have sooooo many stories about you.' I've created a four headed monster.
After talking to my co-teacher, I was afraid to even talk to my parents out of potential annoyance and nagging from them. My dad had already been nagging me (3 separate times on Father's Day) about what I am going to do when I return. When I finally got around to seeing them, they said my two co-teachers were lauding me with praise. (WTF?) My parents said, that my teachers have never had a native teacher who connects with the kids like I do. I definitely felt my chain being yanked by someone. Most likely it was being pulled by my handler, Ms. Yoo (who my dad kept calling Miss Woo). This is just like them to try and convince me through tricky means (see drunken teachers' dinner). She is a master of reverse psychology because her meticulous, anal retentive personality couples with her jokes. She is a two headed monster. Albeit the most genuinely nice two headed monster. One head is meticulous and crafty, the other is so nice that she gives you constant gifts and gives your parents a ride out of her way all the way back to their hotel. She is always careful not to compliment me outright. It's pretty wicked and impressive. Nonetheless, they were likely still being gracious to my parents. Whatever it may be, I am taking this with a grain of salt.
My parents loved it here. And they plan to do a lot more international traveling. Good for them. You should see the world before you see your nursing home.
Now, with my parents departed the Millers, Jackie and Robin, arrive today and tomorrow. No rest for me. Let time fly.
Notes:
Who doesn't love Fraggle Rock? Baller.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Chastity Belts Are In on a Whole New Level
25. My mother used to buy me video games to keep me away from girls in high school. After my sister had a child at 16, my mother was probably nervous about her 3 sons spreading their seed all willy nilly. Her best defense? Find her son's hobby and invest. It was like she was buying stock in my celibacy. It's a little disconcerting from my point of view. My social skills have been severely damaged.
What's even more amazing is my mother confessed to this during my first year of college. She actually told me that she used to purchase games for me in order to keep me from going out and impregnating anything with a heartbeat (maybe she didn't word it just that way).
What's even more amazing is my mother confessed to this during my first year of college. She actually told me that she used to purchase games for me in order to keep me from going out and impregnating anything with a heartbeat (maybe she didn't word it just that way).
VIDEO GAMES ARE AWESOME!
WHO NEEDS FRIENDS AND PUSSY ANYWAY?!
When it came to me, it was a wise move on her behalf. When it came to my brother, maybe not so much. His hobby wasn't video games. It was rockets, which became explosives which became fires in fields and blowing up homemade m-80s on a trail that sat over a major gas pipeline. He fit the child mold for serial killer profile.
We were about as opposite as they came. I liked video games and sports. He liked operational science. I liked to shoot things up in Grand Theft Auto. He liked to throw explosives from moving vehicles in real life. Unfortunately for my mom, her investment led to his summoning of the ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agency) to our house.
Daddy, I'm going to use Rex in the fireworks show.
It's going to be a real BLAST!
Moms often do things like this. Maybe not for this exact reason. For example, Snoop Dogg's mother used to stay in on a night and buy her son 40's and listen to music with him. All of this in order to keep him from joining a gang. He's still gangsta though. Although like the rest of us he still hides from his girl, wife in his shed out back.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Seoul Good
Right now, my parents are visiting me. They are staying in the J.W. Marriott out in Seoul. It's the lap of luxury. Their bathroom is bigger than my apartment....
They have a free happy hour (good food and open bar) in the concierge lounge from 5-7p.
They have 2 40' T.V.'s in their room. Both have computer monitor capabilities.
Of course they have a heated toilet seat and a bidet. Love it.
Their set up is ridiculous. Oh, and there is scuba diving and a 50 foot rock climbing surface to go along with their fully stacked gym in the basement of the hotel.
Hey Mom and Dad, sitting comfy? I actually thought about skipping school to take a day long bath in their soaking tub. What? I hadn't taken a real bath in over a year until Saturday.
Anyway, it was great spending Father's Day with my Father in Korea. Although, I could do without all the serious conversations he tries to bring up on a supposedly relaxing day (He tried to get me to lay down my LIFE PLAN 3 times on Sunday. 3 times.) I think the words vacation and relax mean something different to someone who works 80 hours a week.
The excursion reminded me of being home. Something that is only 75 days away. Time flies, huh?
See you soon, Seattle.
Notes:
I'll add a couple photos of my parents on here, later.
My mom told me she looks at my photos and information on facebook through my other friends posts. .....Hm. We're definitely not becoming friends, you snoop. She is such a snoop that I am surprised she hasn't found my bondage kit in my room at home. hah
Speaking of things that you didn't know I am into, I am going to put together a list of things, 25 or so, that you didn't know about me. It's probably not going to be too interesting. But you can delight in some of my favorite stories, like, how I stole my first kiss with the help of a bat. I'm a sadistic lover.
They have a free happy hour (good food and open bar) in the concierge lounge from 5-7p.
They have 2 40' T.V.'s in their room. Both have computer monitor capabilities.
Of course they have a heated toilet seat and a bidet. Love it.
Their set up is ridiculous. Oh, and there is scuba diving and a 50 foot rock climbing surface to go along with their fully stacked gym in the basement of the hotel.
Hey Mom and Dad, sitting comfy? I actually thought about skipping school to take a day long bath in their soaking tub. What? I hadn't taken a real bath in over a year until Saturday.
Anyway, it was great spending Father's Day with my Father in Korea. Although, I could do without all the serious conversations he tries to bring up on a supposedly relaxing day (He tried to get me to lay down my LIFE PLAN 3 times on Sunday. 3 times.) I think the words vacation and relax mean something different to someone who works 80 hours a week.
The excursion reminded me of being home. Something that is only 75 days away. Time flies, huh?
See you soon, Seattle.
Notes:
I'll add a couple photos of my parents on here, later.
My mom told me she looks at my photos and information on facebook through my other friends posts. .....Hm. We're definitely not becoming friends, you snoop. She is such a snoop that I am surprised she hasn't found my bondage kit in my room at home. hah
Speaking of things that you didn't know I am into, I am going to put together a list of things, 25 or so, that you didn't know about me. It's probably not going to be too interesting. But you can delight in some of my favorite stories, like, how I stole my first kiss with the help of a bat. I'm a sadistic lover.
Monday, June 14, 2010
North Korea Soccer, woo!
With North Korea's opener tonight against Brazil, I have a good link for you, here. Essentially, it's a link to ESPN's video report on a North Korean (or Chosun, what Korea and Koreans were referred to since 2000 B.C.) soccer player, An Yong Hak. The story takes on the political as well as the difficult aspects of being a Korean player living in Japan but playing for the North Korean national team. They probably could have tackled the difficulties of all the cross national issues with his life. But what's really interesting is how South Koreans react to him and the North Korean national team.
Many South Koreans are rooting for the North Korean national team to succeed. That's Korean pride for you. With all the conflict going on between the two governments, you would expect it to be the opposite. Hell, North Korea said it would turn Seoul into a 'sea of flames.' That's Korean pride for you.You can root for your fellow Koreans (Chosun) just not their government. I'm sure they won't be out in the streets in hordes watching the game tonight like they will be on Thursday at 8:30 pm Seoul Time (Argentina vs. SK). But they will be supporting them.
Go North Korea?
Well, not really.
South Korea has had a defector to the North before. But his name escapes me. Anyone know?
Now, what about players defecting at the World Cup? Don't plan on it happening. If a player defects from North Korea, you can expect Kim Jong Il's National Security Bureau to round up his immediate family. They even make the North Korean players, cheerleaders, whoever visits South Korea (or probably anywhere else in the world) sign agreements not to discuss anything they might see. You can't even go out alone abroad without North Korean officials watching you. When they return, they are likely to be sent to 'reeducation' camps.
Anyway, tonight's match against Brazil should be interesting. I believe if North Korea loses they won't even show the full game in North Korea. They will only show propaganda-style highlights. I'm going with 4-1 Brazil. North Korea will sneak in a lucky goal.
Last week South Korea blasted Greece in the World Cup opener. But this rocket was not such a great success.
Many South Koreans are rooting for the North Korean national team to succeed. That's Korean pride for you. With all the conflict going on between the two governments, you would expect it to be the opposite. Hell, North Korea said it would turn Seoul into a 'sea of flames.' That's Korean pride for you.You can root for your fellow Koreans (Chosun) just not their government. I'm sure they won't be out in the streets in hordes watching the game tonight like they will be on Thursday at 8:30 pm Seoul Time (Argentina vs. SK). But they will be supporting them.
Go North Korea?
Well, not really.
South Korea has had a defector to the North before. But his name escapes me. Anyone know?
Now, what about players defecting at the World Cup? Don't plan on it happening. If a player defects from North Korea, you can expect Kim Jong Il's National Security Bureau to round up his immediate family. They even make the North Korean players, cheerleaders, whoever visits South Korea (or probably anywhere else in the world) sign agreements not to discuss anything they might see. You can't even go out alone abroad without North Korean officials watching you. When they return, they are likely to be sent to 'reeducation' camps.
Anyway, tonight's match against Brazil should be interesting. I believe if North Korea loses they won't even show the full game in North Korea. They will only show propaganda-style highlights. I'm going with 4-1 Brazil. North Korea will sneak in a lucky goal.
Last week South Korea blasted Greece in the World Cup opener. But this rocket was not such a great success.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
I actually have some new things to write about
But I'm going to choose not to.
Instead I am going to post this opinion column article from the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/opinion/08brooks.html?src=me&ref=general
It lays out the most important reasons I choose history over other majors. While I do regret not trying to push myself into biology or further to medical school, I don't regret learning how articulate my thoughts properly. This, the bachelor's degree in history and my well spoken and fairly well written articulation, is my greatest luxury. If I went back to college, I would do the same thing all over again.
Let me get back to the article.
The writer talks in length about 'The Big Shaggy.' No, it's not that old shaggin' wagon you used to drive. Nor is it the time you got laid in that god awful monstrosity you call transportation. It refers to strong human emotion that supplants years or reasoning. Personally, I think this is how you tell a man's worth. Oddly enough, I, also, believe you can't judge someone negatively on it. (This is a story for another time) Their wasn't enough space for the writer to properly express his thoughts about 'The Big Shaggy' in that limited space. But this article represents what I have done and what I want to do.
I have improved my writing skills through the humanities.
I want to articulate my story and thoughts that I keep inside me. Sometimes, I don't have the comparisons and the words to articulate myself properly. I hope to one day piece together my story in order to provide the world with something fruitful.
Instead I am going to post this opinion column article from the New York Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/opinion/08brooks.html?src=me&ref=general
It lays out the most important reasons I choose history over other majors. While I do regret not trying to push myself into biology or further to medical school, I don't regret learning how articulate my thoughts properly. This, the bachelor's degree in history and my well spoken and fairly well written articulation, is my greatest luxury. If I went back to college, I would do the same thing all over again.
Let me get back to the article.
The writer talks in length about 'The Big Shaggy.' No, it's not that old shaggin' wagon you used to drive. Nor is it the time you got laid in that god awful monstrosity you call transportation. It refers to strong human emotion that supplants years or reasoning. Personally, I think this is how you tell a man's worth. Oddly enough, I, also, believe you can't judge someone negatively on it. (This is a story for another time) Their wasn't enough space for the writer to properly express his thoughts about 'The Big Shaggy' in that limited space. But this article represents what I have done and what I want to do.
I have improved my writing skills through the humanities.
I want to articulate my story and thoughts that I keep inside me. Sometimes, I don't have the comparisons and the words to articulate myself properly. I hope to one day piece together my story in order to provide the world with something fruitful.
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