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August 31, 2005
Of Life and Loves and Such
What is the world coming to, settling down and all that shit?! In the span of two days I receive two emails from two different college buddies: Jenny had her baby last month, and Catalina is going to get married next year. I'm so happy for them, really I am.
Posted by Charlie at 10:11 AM | Comments (0)
August 30, 2005
Of Tarots and Such
Watching Brian get this tarot reading today was an interesting experience. I went into it quite skeptical, but the woman (her name's Raven, I think) made some very interesting remarks about Brian's life that made me rethink my opinion of the unorthodox realm of divinity. I think when I'm bored I'll go in to have my own tarot reading done.
I went onto Astrology.com to get my horoscope profile read, and it was beyond scary. They kind of have my personality in a nutshell:
| You are a freedom-loving, strong-willed, and independent-minded individual, and you insist upon living your own life as you see fit, even if that means ignoring convention and tradition. In personal relationships you cannot be owned or possessed, and while you are willing to share yourself with another, you do not always adjust easily to the emotional give and take of a close relationship. Though intellectually open, you can be enormously stubborn, opinionated, and inflexible on a one-to-one level. You have strong convictions and feelings about fairness and equality, and you try to live by your ideals, but your ideals about how people SHOULD treat one another don't always take into account human weaknesses, differences, and needs. You probably dislike sentimentality and traditional gender roles and "games." |
I'm going to print out this portion onto a business card and pass it out during dates. This is so me.
Posted by Charlie at 11:14 PM | Comments (0)
August 29, 2005
Nintendogs
I remember when Tamagotchi first took over Japan, many years ago during my first summer there. People everywhere were scrambling to get ahold of one of these cute pixelated pets that demand constant attention and care. Street vendors were selling special editions for as much as 140,000 yen, and there were reports of some children who committed suicide after their pets died. Although I was detached from the entire obsessive craze that was taking over the country, I was curious enough to purchase one of my own - a Tenshi-chi (Angel Tamagotchi) - for only 2000 yen at a small vendor in Chichibu. I considered myself pretty lucky because back then Tenshi-chi was selling for over 120,000 yen in Tokyo. It was a cute novel toy, but I quickly lost interest in being a parent to something that wasn't really alive and promptly put it in my box of forgotten trinkets.
Now there is a new gaming craze that is taking over Japan, and it's poised to take over the US too. Like Tamagotchi, Nintendogs for the DS has you taking care of a virtual pet, but this time you have cute adorable puppies under your care. Nintendo developers have reportedly taken great care and detail to capture every single aspect of these puppies, from the colors of their coats, to the mannerisms of each breed. With the voice-recognition software in the game, you can actually train your puppy to remember its name, and train it to do cute puppy tricks. You can also 'pet' the puppy with the stylus. Wow. And if you have a friend who has his own copy of Nintendogs, you can sync with his DS and have the puppies interact with each other.
This has got to be by far the cutest game I've ever encountered. I'm so tempted to go out and purchase a DS just so I can have my own virtual puppy. In any case it's definitely more advanced than a blob with wings that hatches from an egg. So cute. So cute.
Posted by Charlie at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 28, 2005
Light Weekend, (Not-So) Heavy Realizations
Erik and I had Movie Night yesterday, and we saw two movies that I've been meaning to catch for a while: Videodrome by David Cronenberg, and Abre los ojos by Alejandro Amenábar. Both movies are highly philosophical in tone, with social commentary that is still as fresh today as it was twenty years (Videodrome) and eight years (Abre los ojos) ago. They are wonderful films, and a perfect cap to a not-so-perfect week.
Anyway, in our heightened state of self-absorption, we started engaging in a pseudo-introspective discourse about life, love, sex... pretty much anything two bored gay guys would talk about on a Saturday night. I, being the self-involved egoist that I am, kept steering the conversation back to myself, and in doing so I came up some not-so-startling realizations about myself.
What makes us happy? To some, it's the afterglow after making love on a Sunday afternoon. To others, it's curling next to a fireplace with a good book on a winter night. Happiness comes in all shapes and forms, but is flawed in that it is very transitory: Sunday turns to Monday; winter becomes spring. Happiness isn't forever.
I take that back. The aforementioned conditions are often associated with the term pleasure. We take pleasure in the little things like staring into our lovers' eyes and turning that last page in the novel, but those things are transitory. Happiness is a more permanent, long-term state that is attained through more complex means (I would imagine). Pleasure is temporary; happiness is forever. But happiness stems from pleasure. Get it?
I don't know, once you're content you might as well stop living because it is like attaining enlightenment, as the Buddhists say. Because once you're truly contentedly happy, where do you go next? Where's progress? In the world of design it is the process-making that is often viewed to be more important, more valuable than the final product. To me it's that very pursuit for the unattainable - the final product - that makes life so interesting and challenging. I equate happiness as being unattainable because frankly I believe I will never be truly happy in this lifetime, and that is okay, so long as I work toward one step closer to achieving that happiness.
Posted by Charlie at 02:33 PM | Comments (1)
August 26, 2005
今日の地上のラクエン
Autumn is just around the corner, but as for me summer has just begun. My skin needed some added pigment, so I spent the better part of the day lounging up on the deck with nothing but a bottle of water in one hand and an IKEA catalog in the other. With Antônio Carlos Jobim playing in the background and a box of Juchheim cookies that Ojii-chan brought over, I think I'm starting to get past the panic attack from earlier this week. I'm still a little melancholic, but having the sun on my legs made today a little easier to get by.
Posted by Charlie at 08:20 PM | Comments (0)
August 25, 2005
The Politics of Pubes
Okay, so evidently there is some sort of hoopla surrounding Dolce & Gabbana's latest ad campaign, and it involves an area of the male body that is still considered taboo in most media outlets. Call me visually desensitized if you will, but honestly I don't understand what the big fuss is about. People say that pubic hair is dirty and disgusting, and I resent that statement. I feel that the human body is a beautiful work of art to be cherished and celebrated. Besides, the model seems to be taking good care of his pubes; they look well maintained and kept, from what I can see. Dolce & Gabbana, like Calvin Klein and Diesel, have always been coming out with campaigns that are unconventional, controversial. If you ask me the ones raising their voice about this unnecessary fuss are probably not the type of people who are going to be wearing Dolce & Gabbana jeans in the first place.
Posted by Charlie at 01:17 AM | Comments (1)
August 24, 2005
Twilight Sleep Sofa
I think I was a little overreaching when lusting over the Leggero Bed. My small studio apartment in New York would not be able to accommodate such a huge bed (assuming I ever get there... everything is in question now), and thus my eye has been wandering to more unconventional methods of practicality and sleeping comfort. I've had my eye on the Twilight Sleep Sofa for a while now, and it seems like a perfect combination for what I need: a large sofa for entertaining guests by day, and a large bed for one (or two) by night.
Posted by Charlie at 11:15 PM | Comments (0)
Phonepurr
I know quite a number of people who engage in mobile phone sex via SMS messaging, and while I do not necessarily understand the appeal there, I can definitely get the draw in what Phonepurr is trying to sell. According to the website, Phonepurr turns your mobile phone into your own personal massager that "can help you relax by relieving mental and physical stress." Yeah right! Two friends with Phonepurr can also take advantage of the program by sending pulses of vibration via SMS messages. Now that's what I call friendship. Welcome to sex in the 21st century, folks.
(Via Fleshbot)
Posted by Charlie at 12:02 PM | Comments (0)
August 23, 2005
ごちゃごちゃ
I just realized something. I was going through a mental list, and I found out that out of all of my friends, I am quite literally the only single guy. Every single person I know is either dating someone, or they're in a serious committed relationship. I'm literally alone. Wow. I don't get it. I'm a pretty okay-looking person, yeah? I'm also over-average in the brains department, yeah? Plus I have a nice sense of humor too, yeah? I like to think that I'm a catch, I do. So what's wrong? What is it about me that turns guys off? I don't think I've felt less confident about myself than I do right now. Sigh...
PS - This will most likely be the last neurotic entry you'll ever get out of me... I am sooo not casting a flattering light on myself right now.
Posted by Charlie at 07:42 PM | Comments (4)
August 21, 2005
Self Shelves
Sexy shelving gets me going like no other. This modular system from Self is just the thing to get me salivating; it's customizable, expandable, and can serve double-duty as a room divider. Nice.
Posted by Charlie at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)
August 20, 2005
What Can I Say?
Five days, six gatherings, one HOT guy, NO photographs (damn), and one too many drinks later, I'm ready to settle in on a nice Saturday night with the company of just a good book and hot tea. As much as like coming home at 4 in the morning, I don't want to start this self-proclaimed "next stage" of my life occupied with debauchery.
I interviewed for a contracting position with a HUGE (emphasis on HUGE) company yesterday, and I'm cautiously optimistic that I'll get an offer, even though I'm already planning my future around the fact that I'll once again be sitting in a cubicle office. The money will be good, and the position will definitely be a huge portfolio and resume booster, but everything will change should I be offered (and accept) the position. New York, constantly in my sights this past several months, would soon be nothing more than faint memory once I start settling into the comforts of the routine. I hate that aspect of my personality, that self-diagnosed ADHD aspect that can't seem to stay interested in something for more than five minutes.
Whatever. I haven't even been offered anything so there really isn't any need to get worked up. I've started paring down my stuff and selling any unnecessary belongings on eBay; I figure by the time I move I'll only have several suitcases of items to my name, kinda like Eva Peron when she fled to Buenos Aries.
Posted by Charlie at 11:53 PM | Comments (0)
Annie
Eimi's friend Harry is in the touring production of Annie, and last night we were one of the lucky few invited to their preview performance. Now, I've never seen the movie nor do I know what the story is about; there is something about little girls with permed red hair that I've never really warmed up to. Eimi's friend Jennifer and I were a little skeptical about what we were going to experience since neither of us know the story, but our jaws literally dropped as soon as the actress playing Annie opened her mouth to sing, and by the end of the musical we were sharing tissues to wipe our eyes. Man, that girl can sing! The cast was exemplary, and the set design by renowned Ming Cho Lee was breathtaking. The show-stealer was definitely Sandy the dog, however. Whenever it was onstage you can just feel the audiences' hearts melt. Man, I gotta start going out to the theatre some more!
Posted by Charlie at 09:55 PM | Comments (0)
August 17, 2005
Kissing The Legless: Prologue
I had what might be my last appointment with my orthopedist today. She says that I'm allowed to take the boot off! I am definitely going to miss the UW team; they have been some of the most amazing individuals I've met. It has been a fun three months, and although I am still - according to my doctor - another six weeks from a full recovery, I am glad to be shutting this chapter of my life for good. My life literally came to a halt that one fateful night in May, and I was left for the most part contemplating and reevaluating what I want out of my future, my life. And as fate would have it, I was contacted today by a leading content design firm for a possible contract position. Evidently the entire world is acknowledging my existence again! I'm a little curious, seeing as I will be working for a very big name, but pursuing this path will seriously deter my plans to go to New York.
Posted by Charlie at 05:15 PM | Comments (0)
Sori Yanagi Elephant Stool
These stools are very cute, perfect for picnics, a bedside table, or for informal gathering of friends.
Posted by Charlie at 12:27 PM | Comments (0)
イサム・ノグチ
Last night the Seattle Art Museum held a reception for the API community to talk about Isamu Noguchi, a seminal force in 20th century sculpture, garden, and furniture design. I've only been to one other Noguchi exhibit - Bryan Ohno's gallery in 2002 - and it was an amazing experience to see more of his pieces together and in a larger, more atmospheric setting no less.
A nice collection of Akari lamps. I'd like three for my bedroom, please.
I've gotten more ideas on what my dream studio apartment will eventually look like. Now if only I had a wallet that was the size of the design budget...
Posted by Charlie at 11:38 AM
August 16, 2005
Can You Feel It?!!
I stared out the windows last night at around 9PM, and I'm surprised to see that it had already gotten dark. Where did the sun go? More importantly, where did the summer go?! Last night was the first time I had to close my window because the breeze that was blowing into my room was chilly. And I haven't even started my summer yet! There is still so much that I want to do: all-day canoe trips on the lake; star gazing on the beach; regain that six-pack that I've lost several years back; ridding myself of those tan lines. I think I'm going to throw a 'Come-See-Charlie-Walk-Again' party after getting back onto my feet. It's going to be the event of the season; my saving grace to let me know that having a broken ankle for a third of the year has not gone to waste.
Posted by Charlie at 03:46 PM | Comments (2)
August 15, 2005
An Internet Survey
What You Really Think Of Your Friends |
| Chandra is your soulmate. |
| You truly love Sue Jean. |
| You consider Kelley your true friend. |
| You know that Elizabeth is always thinking of you. |
| You'll remember Cynthia for the rest of your life. |
| You secretly think Ireneo is creative, charming, and a bit too dramatic at times. |
| You secretly think that Catalina is colorful, impulsive, and a total risk taker. |
| You secretly think that Jared is loyal and trustworthy to you. And that Jared changes lovers faster than underwear. |
| You secretly think Don is shy and nonconfrontational. And that Don has a hidden internet romance. |
Now I normally don't partake in internet surveys, but I thought this one was cute: What Do You Think of Your Friends?
Posted by Charlie at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)
In The Red... Again
I hate not having disposable income. It's gotten so bad I couldn't even afford my own drinks this past weekend. I hate this feeling of being helpless, I do, and the fact that my baby sister is moving into a house she purchased with her own money is doing wonders to my ego. Here I am: 24 years old, with several lifetimes of scars, stories, and experiences; but what is it all worth? Evidently, according to my bank account, I'm worth around 30 dollars.
My parents have graciously offered to help me out through this financial ordeal, but I can't bring myself to accept their offer. I have never felt comfortable asking my parents for any sort of financial support, and I blame my stubborn independent personality for this. I also blame my slavish addiction for really expensive clothing which, I'm glad to say, I've curved off since being confined to my bed with my legs in the air.
The semi-good news is I still have money in other reserves. I'm going to see my stock broker sometime this week to see about selling some of my portfolio to help pay for the bills, and I have money from a previous employer that I still need to pick up, but that does little to ease my growing worries about New York; I do need some capital in order to make that transition to Manhattan.
Maybe I should give into convention and find myself a 60 year-old white man to call my sugar daddy.
Posted by Charlie at 01:12 AM
August 14, 2005
Divine Design
I call this piece "Charlie's Room in Beige." It's very now, very postmodern.
My sister and her boyfriend have recently purchased a house in Bellevue, and I've spent the better part of the weekend helping them renovate and redecorate the place. It was built in the 1960s, so it's a little outdated, but after applying several coats of paint and tearing down walls and ripping away the carpet to reveal untouched hardwood floors everything, looks new again.
Posted by Charlie at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)
August 12, 2005
Past Lives
As if I needed any more character developing, my previous employer sent me a package today, but I missed the scheduled delivery. I wonder what it is... a lawsuit? Subpoena? I'm a little scared, seeing as I haven't heard from them in ages and for the fact that we didn't really leave on friendly terms. We'll find out soon enough.
Posted by Charlie at 11:51 PM | Comments (0)
Kissing The Legless: Part Something or Other
I get to trade in my nice black boot for an in-shoe splint next week, and I must say that I will miss wearing this quirky postmodern piece of a fashion accessory. My left leg is still very tender and weak like veal, and so every night as I take off my boot to go to sleep I get these large bruises that cover my ankle, but by the morning they're all pretty much gone. It still hurts now and then, which is a wonderful opportunity to break out the painkillers, but I'm so ready to get back on my feet again, pun intended.
Posted by Charlie at 11:22 PM | Comments (0)
The Dumbing Down of Art
I call this piece 'Mathematical Equation' because in nature even the most complex and organic of forms are created from the building of fairly simple shapes and equations.
Posted by Charlie at 01:21 PM | Comments (0)
August 10, 2005
Sony Ericsson S710a
I'm going to take a little break from work to write a little entry on my new phone, the Sony Ericsson S710a. I opted from importing one of those juicy GSM phones from overseas, as I'm a little afraid that some of the phones will not be compatible with US GSM networks. Nevertheless, the S710 is one powerful phone. It has a 1.3 Megapixel camera, MP3 capabilities, a Memory Stick slot for expanded memory, and a nice swiveling design that made their Docomo series so popular in Japan.
I've been taking pictures left and right with this thing, and I'm really impressed with the quality and resolution, although I am fully aware of 7 Megapixel cameraphones in South Korea. In mobile phone industry, the US is very much like the neglected middle child. Oh well, I'm not complaining.
Posted by Charlie at 01:24 PM | Comments (0)
August 09, 2005
In My iPod: Playlist One
I've developed an iTunes addiction whilst looking for the perfect soundtrack for Kelley's wedding, and since I've gotten lots of questions about the music on this site, I think it'll be nice to forward some of my musical tastes on to you folks. Clicking on the following links will take you to iTunes, so you too can develop an insatiable addiction to music like I have:
Gotan Project - La Revancha del Tango
A wonderful blend of Argentine tango and Jamaican dub - who would've thought it took the genius of three French musicians to create this kind of music? Only released a few years ago, La Revancha del Tango is already considered a contemporary classic and can still be heard in movie soundtracks, TV commercials, and chic restaurants worldwide.
DJ Shadow is a master producer, and with an album that is almost entirely made up of samples, it's easy to see why. Layers upon layers of vocals, instruments, sound effects, and beats make way for an auditory treat for the ears. Private Press is a piece of work that gives me hope that there are still hip-hop artists who haven't succumbed to mass commercialism.
Honeyroot - Sound Echo Location
I fell in love with these guys while watching a particular episode of Sex and the City. Think Massive Attack, Air, and Zero 7. This is the album to spend a lazy Sunday morning in bed with. Call it New Age if you will, but this work manages to avoid the pitfall cliches that normally befalls other chill-out albums. People make love with this album playing.
Posted by Charlie at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
August 08, 2005
Holy Shit They're Married
Meet Kelley and Kyle. Here are two beautifully imperfect people who came together and became beautifully perfect through their love for one another. One day, against character and prediction, they decided to get married, and invited their closest friends and family to witness the momentous occasion. People from as far as South Africa came for these two people, who are more right for each other than they will ever realize.
It's been a long eventful weekend, filled with memory reminiscing and memory making. The wedding was held in Haines, a small town in the backwaters of eastern Oregon. On Friday morning I picked up Oanh at the airport, and from there we drove three hours to the Tri-Cities to pick Libby up before going another three hours to Haines. The anticipated six-hour trip turned to ten hours as we got held back several times, once by Oanh's mom's incessant shoving of food down our throats, and once by the splotchy GPS system that seemed to think that the fastest way to Haines was through Boise, Idaho.
After checking in the Geiser Grand Hotel, what is quite possibly the most beautiful historic hotel I've ever slept in, we drove another ten miles to the ranch where the wedding party was staying at. We reunited with Kelley, Kyle, and Bobby, and for a brief moment we were all undergrads at UW again, playing video games, reviewing for psychology midterms, snowballing each other at Mercer, vacationing in Vancouver.
We got to meet more of Kelley and Kyle's eclectic family members, from Kyle's radically-leftist father to Kelley's gun-toting grandfather. I quickly established myself as the token drunk, which was a hard task seeing as everyone was downing glasses of wine and beer by the gallon. I was substantially sloshed after thirty minutes upon arrival, and by the end of the night I also established myself as the token advocate for vomiting.
Oanh, Libby, and I spent most of Saturday exploring Baker City, the small town where our hotel was, and we spent pretty much the entire day eating. I was still severely dehydrated, and with the weather hovering in the 90s I spent the entire day re-hydrating myself with orange juice while the girls went ooh-ing and ahh-ing at Kelley's bridal shower.
Saturday was also Kyle's last night of bachelorhood, and we spent it in our hotel room, where Libby rightfully stole my title as token drunk. In Baker City there isn't much to do; we ended up watching Animal Planet, which isn't really out of tradition seeing as that was what we pretty much did when we lived together.
Kleenex and handkerchiefs were ready in hand as Sunday rolled by. The wedding ceremony took place in a small, rustic church and was short and sweet. The following reception took place at Kelley's grandparents' place in Haines, an expansive house surrounded by mountains. Toasts were made, champagne was downed, and tears were shed when the first dance came around. Unfortunately we had to leave the party early in order for Oanh to make her early morning flight. Connie made us take home ten pounds of pasta and potato salad. Kelley and Kyle are spending their honeymoon in the San Juan Islands, so I'll probably see them again before they leave to go back to school.
As I drove us back to Seattle that night, thoroughly exhausted yet satisfied, I cannot help but think that this wedding will be the last time in a long time where I will see all of us together, laughing and talking and just being ourselves. Oanh is going back to San Diego, and then to Germany for several years as she finishes her PHD; Libby is going back to Boulder; Bobby is going back to the Bay Area; and as for me, I have yet to find out where life takes me.
They've only just begun...
Posted by Charlie at 01:08 PM | Comments (1)
August 04, 2005
Off I Go
I'm going out of town this weekend, but this time it's for a good friend's wedding. Kelley asked me to DJ the event, and in preparation for the task I've gotten a new haircut and hair colour. I may be pushing the envelope a little bit too much... I look like a Japanese anime character with my forward-slanting mohawk and red hair. Most of Kelley's relatives are conservative Christian-types, so it looks like I will definitely be making an impression. Libby made reservations at a local hotel, which hopefully has wireless internet. I was seriously about to go crazy when I was in Ocean Shores.
Posted by Charlie at 10:10 PM | Comments (3)
Smut & Fine Art
Greg Thompson is a photographer based out of LA, and he's made a name for himself creating coffee-table-book-worthy photographs of male porn stars. One doesn't expect images of this caliber when referencing pornography, and as smut becomes increasingly integrated with mainstream pop culture, we can expect more talent to surface.
(Via Fleshbot)
Posted by Charlie at 05:39 PM | Comments (0)
Japan iTunes
Apple finally launched iTunes Music Store for Japan, and I'm a little jealous, seeing as I won't be able to purchase any of the JPOP songs that are available because I don't have a Japan-based credit card. I guess when it comes to getting new Yoko Kanno CDs I'm going to have to go the old-fashioned route and buy the physical product at some Kinokuniya store somewhere. Hmph.
Posted by Charlie at 12:19 AM | Comments (2)
August 03, 2005
Aspirations & Dreams
I don't do karaoke. The very idea of getting a private room with friends and singing badly to 80's hits just doesn't appeal to me, but there is one single reason why I let myself be dragged back time and time again: the music videos. As long as I can remember, I've always wanted to be one of those models in the karaoke videos. These anonymous D-list actors seem to have it all: they get to dress up in 90's clothing, lip-sync to bad songs, and get paid for it! I had always imagined myself joining the ranks of those who have had the wonderful experience of being one of these karaoke models.
Posted by Charlie at 01:41 PM | Comments (0)
Kissing The Legless: Part Sedici
It's been a slow and agonizing process, but I've finally managed to walk somewhat normally with the aid of the boot. I still can't bear any weight whatsoever when the boot is off, and I've been sporadically taking my pain meds whenever my ankle hurts, so it looks like I'm still on a long road to full recovery.
Life is beginning to slowly slide back into normalcy, and I can finally get back to getting all the stuff in my life that I've been neglecting. I'm making a list of stuff to do, and it's quite long. My first task to get Kelley a proper wedding present, and the big day is less than a week away. My second task is to finish up the Resource Book CD. Thirdly, I need to start selling all the crap that I've accumulated this past 24 years. I have lots more to list here, but I'm wasting too much time.
Must get back to work.
Posted by Charlie at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
August 02, 2005
Introducing Mighty Mouse
It's about freakin' time!!! I knew that Apple was in the process of creating a multi-button mouse; what I didn't know is that their engineers still managed to keep the sleek one-button form that had made it so popular. Its touch-sensitive top shell allows users to click on either side of the mouse, and it will act like it has two buttons. Sweetness!!!
Posted by Charlie at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)