My stomach is happy because it just had beef noodle soup from A&J's in Cupertino Village. However, all good things must come to an end, and while the last bits of soupy goodness are digesting, my stomach would like to pose a question for all you Xanga-ites:

Where can one get decent beef noodle soup in the peninsula?

Preferably spicy, with homemade noodles, and tendons. And don't say Joy's in Foster City because they no longer serve it.

deadly little Miho
Sin city hotness list

1. Devon Aoki (Miho). Everytime she appears on the screen, my hearts stop beating. Why I couldn't have been born a kick-ass sword-wielding, ninja-star-throwing, Japanese assasin who slices her opponents like butter, I'll never know. If I had a blue S2000, I would name it Miho. If I had a Honda-BMW hybrid, I would name it Devon.
2. Jessica Alba. Beautiful in her unquiely mixed way, as usual. But no girl who is not 100% white should have blond hair, and Jessica Alba is no exception.
3. Jamie King. A classic beauty.
4. Angelina Jolie. Technically she was not in Sin City, but her hotness transcends space and time.

[ Listening to : Yo Lo Tengo - Stockholm Syndrome ]

I dare anyone to show me a song that better personifies cool.

Beck - Go It Alone

rollin' in my six-fo'... Commodo' ¹
When I'm not fantasizing about driving stick, here are some things I do to keep me amused in the car.

• See how long I can go without using the brakes/gas pedal.
• On highways or major roads, switch lanes without touching those little white bumps.
• When approaching a red light, momentarily step on the gas just enough so that I coast to a stop in front of the light.
• See how fast I can make a hard right turn before my tires start to screech (20).

¹ source: P Mac

[ Listening to : Zero 7 - In Time ]

Hawaii

Over New Year's, I took an impromptu trip to Hawaii. Pomme, Dave, and I stayed at Nick's place in Kona, on the big island (Hawaii). In return for his hospitality, we wowed him with our decision-making prowess. We reached decisions with the efficiency and precision of a finely-tuned engine, in particular employing the "I'm going biking" approach as well as the "Let's put these fins on my head" approach.

The weather was uncharacteristically rainy. It rained two of the four days I was there, and the other days were partly cloudy. According to the locals that happens only once or twice a year. On the days when it didn't rain, I got to go snorkeling for the first time. While the weather didn't exactly lend itself to lounging about on the beach, it did allow for some moody pictures:

the weather was not as bad as it appears here
We went bar-hopping on New Year's Eve. People lit fireworks on the streets the whole night, and at midnight there was a real fireworks show. Little did people know that they were actually celebrating this fool's birthday:

Dave, about to receive his beating
The highlight of the trip was visiting the Kilauea volcano. We hiked 400 feet down through lush, tropical rain forest to the Kilauea Iki crater, which is totally barren, save for some small plants creeping up through the steam vents. At night, we hiked past the end of the Chain of Craters road and saw lava flow like red streams down towards the ocean. I gained a newfound appreciaton for the geological processes that formed Hawaii.

Dave and Pomme vent their frustrations with each other
It was my first time in Hawaii and I had a blast. The population of Kona is small so it's a friendly, tightly-knit community. In fact, we kept running into people we knew while we were there. And I was laid-back even while doing errands -- how could I not be, with 80° weather and the ocean on one side of me? I wouldn't mind spending a couple months there at some point.

The rest of the pictures are here.

[ Listening to: Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah ]

Loveline clip

Picking out the funniest loveline clip is like picking out my blackest hair, but here goes.

[ Listening to: Buju Banton - Love Sponge ]

Media update

Best news magazine ever. I devour this magazine every weekend. It has Economist-style articles on all topics -- national events, international events, leisure, reviews, and more. Many times they'll have contrasting views from different new sources. Now I don't feel bad neglecting international news during the week because I get everything I need to know during my weekly fix. Plus they have cool map graphics, so I'm learning where states/countries are. Another feature I like is their Briefing, where they go over a timely topic in depth, such as how the electoral college works. If this sounds intriguing and I see you in person, I'll gladly give you an issue.

Basically, a magazines for trivia junkies. In this issue you'll learn about:

• The difference between various sports such as pool vs. billiards or football vs. rugby or baseball vs. cricket.
• The meaning behind song lyrics that noone understands, eg. "Some people call me Maurice, 'cuz I speak of the pompatus of love" or "Blinded by the light... revved up like a deuce (not douche!), another runner in the night".
• Genetic oddities, such as XX guys or XY girls.
• All about Cezanne. Finally, a way to fill the gaping void that is my knowledge of art history.

I also read Vogue and W to keep up with the fashion world, Allure and Jane to amuse myself, and various other magazines that are not as cool as the two I've mentioned above. Finally, these websites find their way to my broswer despite my attempts to do work. Bad internet. Baaaad interenet.

SF Gate. Read about the goings-ons in the bay area.
New York Times. I used to get this at home, but it was too much work to read and throw out every paper.
Engadget. All about gadegts.

Dr. Drew is stupid

When I profess my love for Adam Carolla, so many people tell me they like Dr. Drew, and then they go on about how smart he is. As an avid Loveline listener, I would like to dispel that myth. Dr. Drew is knowledgeable; Dr. Drew is not smart. For example, take this conversation that just happened on tonight's show.

Adam: If a girl loses her virginity at 13, there's a stigma against her.
Dr. Drew: I wouldn't know because I'm not a girl. Blah blah blah -
Adam: Now wait a minute Dr. Drew, that doesn't make sense. You're able to treat patients without being stricken with their disease, are you not?
Dr. Drew: Well, a stigma is a personal thing. [Attempts to change subject.] Blah blah blah.
Adam: Actually, isn't a stigma more of a societal thing -
Dr. Drew: [Changes subject once and for all.] Blah blah blah.

Adam is smart and has rational thinking -- not to mention, common sense -- on his side. Dr. Drew is stupid and uses his medical knowledge and articulateness to mask his stupidity.

new music phase

I think I'm over my hip hop phase (A Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, The Roots), and now I'm getting into another genre that I also missed out on while I was growing up: alternative/indie rock. I've listened to maybe 5 indie rock albums, and Dinosaur Jr.'s "You're Living All Over Me" was the first one that got to me. In my car now, I listen to Ethel and Lucy more than The Rhyme (-- all excellent stations). Oh yeah baby, the more distortion the better.

[ Listening to: Dinosaur Jr. - Sludgefeast ]

New toy

I have a new toy, so you guys will be forced to look at my pictures.

where I work

where I live

Note: The above picture is not actually where I live. Contrary to popular belief, I am not a gnome. The picture was taken at the Strybing Arboretum in Golden Gate Park, which is right next to my house.

[ Listening to: Sidestepper - Mas Papaya ]