"Have you ever walked around the Financial District? What do you think when you walk around there? I feel like I'm walking through a forest of penises...*class laughs* In this patriarchal society, thats what those buildings...tall and straight...symbolize. They symbolize...penises." Haha...my instructor is sooo cool.
Hey...yo...hoy hoy...I'm callin' attention to the new link on the left right thar...see? Yep...thats the one. Well, if you'd like, give it a try...her site is one I've been visiting for awhile. Check it out, I thought you might like.=)
And for the remainder of this post....an auditory experience.
6/22/2001 03:03:06 AM
A post I wrote on May 19th, but never uploaded:
Well, I said my farewell to a great friend...I mentioned in previous entries that I had a friend from Korea, who was drafted into the Korean army...only, at the time I wrote about it, it seemed so far away..."end of next semester"...but as always, time passes and before you know it, that day arrives.
I came home from a workshop and some errands to recieve a call from Hwan. I asked him if he wanted to get together for the dinner we, and several others from the old dorm days had talked about. He agreed and after some phone tag between KB and Ako, we finally decided to just all meet over at Ako's place.
Hwan and I met up at the Van Ness station and made our way over there...on the bus, we just caught up, joked around... Y'see, there are those types of friends that you're really close to, and you'll kick it everyday, watch movies and chill on weekends, etc...then there are those really close friends that you see every once inawhile...get togethers, dinner, etc. Most of my old dorm friends are like that. In the dorms, we lived together and went through a lot of stuff...and when we all moved out, we didn't grow apart at all, but maybe even closer...despite the fact that we saw each other less often...I've gotten to know them better, and they seem like old friends now.=) I remember nights when Hwan and I would go down to the kitchen at like 3 in the morning, I'd cook up something with rice, and he'd break out the tub of kimchee his mom sent him from Korean, and we'd just chow down...heh. Or doing homework latenight in the study area while chatting with Ako, and getting to know her better. Alot of fond memories.
Everyone arrived around 9:30pm...and after some "convincing"(but more like guilt tripping=), Ako and Misaki decided to cook dinner for us guys. We all made a quick trip down to the nearby market (the one I used to go to when I lived in the dorm coincidentally) and picked up some ingrediants and...well, alcohol.=P
Upon getting back, the guys sat around the table in the cozy kitchen, while the girls scurried around cooking this and that. Misaki poured us some wine and we chatted. Back in the day, we'd always joked about how Ako owed me a dinner because of something or other...and only NOW was it actually happening. Made me laugh watching this dainty little japanese girl trying to cook a steak=).
The food was great...all of us were bloated by the time it was through. Alot of things I'd never tried before, and some things I had. We had steak, sauteed beef chunks, sauteed shitaki mushrooms and onions, egg omlet with soy sauce and sugar in the center, cut up into small bite sized morsels, boiled raddish with tuna and seasonings, sausage, and miso soup made from scratch. Heh...yeah, they really outdid themselves...and they did it while they were still all full from the dinner they'd eaten before we arrived!
We talked about piercings, the army, inbreeding(it all started with the story about how their pet mice had babies...that had babies...*shiver*), what our future plans were, home, kids we're planning on having, or not having, scary movies, how postachio nuts are some of the most addictive nuts on Earth, etc...We talked well into the night, with beers in our hands and food in our bellies.
By 1:30, it was time to leave...KB had to catch the last bus across to the East Bay, and although it was lots of fun, we all knew each and every one of us was worn out from finals week. There was another 15 minutes of taking pictures on everyone's camera, including Misaki's cool Polaroid that takes 1.5 x 1 inch pictures. Alot of laughing and posing=)...sort of delaying the inevitable goodbye...
We gave the girls a hug...they wished Hwan their best, and we were finally out of the door. Since KB lived in the East Bay and needed to catch a bus downtown, we parted shortly after that. Hwan and I rode the bus down Van Ness to Market St, where we'd part ways...I leaned over: "Hey, good night eh?" We both laughed a little more about some of the conversation we'd had earlier.
Our stop arrived and we got out. It was finally time we were to part ways. I put my hand on his shoulder, "Dang man...seems like yesterday we were eatin' your mom's kimchee out of that tub." He just stood there with a wistful smile on his face, and said..."Man...I don't know how to say. You have give me so much". I knew all he wanted to say, and all the things his lack of English wouldn't let him...I waved the comment off, "nah man...c'mon." Gave him a hug. "Dude, you better go...hey, e-mail whenever you get a chance alrite?"
I watched him walk down the street...the last time I'd see him for a few years...I knew he'd be different when we met again. The army does that. As I stood there at the bus stop...2:15 in the morning...I thought about what he said before...and it was then I realized something. Our relationships with other people is such a huge part of life...the human experience. Meeting new people, saying goodbye, old friends. It made things just a little more clear...and that night, I was a little further on my own personal journey.
6/22/2001 01:42:19 AM
Tuesday, June 19, 2001
I'm a wee dissappointed with my class today. First off, I'd never heard of my instructor...second...I was hoping for another one in particular. Third? The curriculum is....a tad whack....heh. I'm sure he means all good and well...and he IS good...and he DOES have mucho real world experience....but some of the stuff..."draw a half human, half animal creature using a photo reference and model"....pah...wha?? I thought these were classes geared toward fine art...*sigh* Another thing is, the class is called "heads and hands" and nowhere in the cyllabus did it say anything about a focus on hands. I mean, thats leaving out a big part of the class right? Given heads are so much harder than hands, but tips and tricks and methods for drawing hands easier would be grand, no? Aiy....*shrugs* The instructor is also a bit gruff...decent enough guy, but doesn't seem very open to casual convo. Kinda a hardass...I suppose all those years working in the "real world" (whatever that is) made him like that. Thats the feelin' I get anywayz. I'll keep ya updated on how things go.
There's this girl in class that has the cutest (okay, this is gonna sound wierd).....ears...hehe...quit laughin', I see you....hey, stop that. Check it out...she sat next to me...and she's cute...but her ears...kinda perk outward...bwhaha...okay okay, I'm not doing it justice trying to describe it...if you have questions, I'd be happy to draw out a diagram and shoot a picture of it.
The class seems a little on the quiet side...I've got a guy from my class last semester in this summer's. I really dig his style...its dope. Its got its drawbacks, but really stylized...its strange, but last semester, all the good guys were korean...haha...wierd.
Well, tomorrow is my off day...and I'm not sure what I'll be doing...veg...sleep in...more later.
6/19/2001 07:48:09 PM
Monday, June 18, 2001
Well, one down. I had my class today. Walking in, I'd had preconcieved ideas of how things were...all positive, and all from others who had the class before or heard about it. It was strange...when people would hear that I was taking that class (even strangers), they'd just go on about how they heard it was great, or how it'd been great for them, etc. So walkin' in the class with all these notions, I'm glad to say I was pleasantly surprised. The professor is dope man...and I can tell this class is gonna kick some ass. The class is about the power of myth and symbols...but I have a feeling it goes beyond that. The guy is totally well read on things like philosophy and mythology. He was also telling us about his life in a nutshell...and he's been around the block, thats for sure. I can forsee lots of great class discussions.
So when I got home, I did my laundry...while taking the clothes out of the dryer, I brushed some electrically charged whites against my earphone cord...which was connected to my mp3 player, playing tunes. (what comes next is my own conclusion of what happened) The static electricity must've charged the cord and shorted out my mp3 player, because at that instant...it stopped. Is that some shit?? I went home and tried everything. Upgrading the firmware, the software, drivers, etc...good news: There's a warranty. bad news: I didn't register my Rio when I got it. I mean...tell me I'm not a dumb ass...WHO the hell registers stuff? Yes, granted they DO make it easy as hell to do...via an online program...which you can do instantaneously. Blah blah blah...Anywayz, there's an "out of warranty service" that I'll inquire about tomorrow. For now...I'm just running through my head...."How the heezy am I gonna wake up at 7am tomorrow??"
9-4:30pm....thats 7 1/2 hours....of class....twice a week...DURING SUMMER. Heh...yeah, I'm bein' a drama queen...I'm actually sure I'll enjoy it. Its a heads and hands drawing course. Nevertheless, hope everything is cool with this new class too=)
Ah...there was a wee bit of eye candy today....well..."cute candy". Heh...you figure it out.
Dude, I know that in the comming days, I'll be going through music withdrawl...I swear, I live my life to music. Its what makes walking around and traveling on the muni so great...music with scrolling scenery. Does it get any better? And now...shoddy workmanship pulls all of from right under my feet...oh the humanity! I think I'll buy a new CD to ease my misery.
See how I rationalize self-splurging?
Ain't it grand?=)
*sigh*
There's no way I'm wakin' up at 7am a happy camper...
I'm gettin' ready for bed now...its 1:29am, no where near my usual bedtime...but for some reason, I'm getting tired...thankfully. Well, wish me luck tomorrow...take care.
6/18/2001 01:33:24 AM
Sunday, June 17, 2001
Well, I've got class tomorrow...man, its wierd starting school already. *already? Its been a full month!* Okay, okay...but it still seems a little sudden. Maybe another week to help the transition go a bit more smoothly? *no* Hmm..
I hope there's cute girls to converse with in class...*crosses fingers* Oh...and I hope my instructors are cool...hope I get a lot out of the courses....and did I mention nice scenery would be grand? No? oh...hey, y'kno eye candy would not be unwelcomed.=P
Even though summer classes start tomorrow, I'm still more or less in summer mode. I don't expect TOO much work from these two courses...so I should be able to fully enjoy them as well as still have some summer fun. One thing I don't know about is my sleeping schedule...man, its so f'd up...not even funny. Guess what time I woke up today. Go on....*waits*....EXACTLY! 4pm...thats simply unacceptable. Well, either way, I'll have to get my act together.
6/17/2001 11:06:35 PM
A post from last week I forgot to upload:
George Michael is the man...I'm just listenin' to some of his stuff. I don't care what his lavatory edicate is...he's cool.
I've been really chill the last few days. This game has eaten up a lot of my time...and along with munching and other leisure activities...hot damn, who has time for anything productive! heh...
I did my laundry yesterday, and usually I take that 1-2 hours that my clothes is washing and drying to doodle...and since school's been out, I haven't put pen to pad in nearly a week. Yesterday, I became completely aware of how easy, and quickly things like this can get rusty. Its a pretty raw deal to practice for years on getting better, and it takes no time at all to get rusty.=) I'm a little concerned about how I'll keep up when there comes a time that I don't have anymore drawing classes, but only computer classes. *shiver*
Things are pretty homey here at my new place now, after hanging some stuff on the walls...pictures, drawings, stuff like that...the housemates are cool and I've even warmed up to the cat a little. The location is great...I walk down to Irving Street pretty often...there, they've got everything...and its a suburb, so its not like there are tourists all around like in Chinatown. It feels like a neighborhood...which I dig. I don't think I could live downtown like some people I know...I'd just get suffocated by all the concrete.
I just called my bro...tomorrow I'm heading out to his place for a few days...just to chill. Bond...y'kno, kick it. Watch his cable...stuff like that...heh. My pops wants to meet up and have a big dinner before I go back to summer school...in a week. In the time at my bro's pad, I hope to get a few things done. First of all, a haircut. During highschool and a few years into college, I used to cut my own hair, and other people's...its a thing down there. Friend's cut friend's hair, and vice versa. I hadn't gone to a barber for years man...as a matter of fact, the first time in several years had been a month or so ago.
Second of all, I wanna get some drawing done...I'll be trying to stay away from the computer more or less. Since he lives like 2 blocks from the water, that could be a nice place to chill...not to mention the porch. Hey, maybe I'll even do a small portrait of him. I've been itchin' to do that sort of thing...
Third, I've got to teach him Adobe Illustrator. *note to self to brush up on hot keys, lingo, and technique tonite* He asked me a few weeks back to, so this would be as good a time as any.
So there it is.
6/17/2001 10:56:24 PM
I wanted to post yesterday and the day before, but some thing or another came up...I'll get you up to speed.
I just spent the last 4 hours watching an A&E Biography on the Impressionists...and man, they were the basis of the whole "starving artist" expression. I mean, everything I see says you can't make a living being an artist...well, back in the day anyway.. Nowadays, we all have no qualms about doing what it takes to make that money...Haha. Whereas back then, Monet and Renoir and all of them chaps went through times of complete poverty and hardship...just so they could do what they wanted. I'm completely fine with whoring out my skill in the commerical world btw.=) JUST as long as I get to indulge in my own persuits in my free time. Thats how I'm planning on it all working out anyway.
Kinda funny how my old Digital Illustration instructor put it. "As an illustrator, we're considered the sell-outs of the art world...but if you've ever been to a fine art gallery you'll realize that they're no better. A "fine artist" will paint a series of strawberries. They'll have an exhibition, and the gallery owner will say "Hey bob, they really loved those strawberries, can we get more strawberries?". So the "fine artist" will paint more strawberries." Hehe...yeah, kinda sorta puts that in perspective.
I NOW have a desk...AND a chair. I'm in love with both. I walk into my room and I'm STILL surprised to find a desk and chair in there...heh. *stroking chair* Nice chair...be soft...and comfortable...for my ass...and back. I'm a little more in love with the chair, but don't tell the desk that...thats just between you and me.
side note: If you've never conversed with any of my friends about my uh...inclination for having motion sickness, you'd never believe...while I was at the store trying out my rump on all the chairs, gettin' my swivel action on, as well as testing out the rocking properties of each....I uh...umm....got kinda sea sick.
The trip to my bro's place was nice...it was good to get out of the city for awhile...I took my stroll alongside the water. Got drunk and went clubbing...found out how my brother lives...got to know a few of his friends a little better...etc. It was cool...but its also nice to be back.=)
I mentioned in the last post that Friday evening, I was meeting up with my dad and his friends and family for a little get together/family dinner type of thing. I have to say its nice to have these kind of gatherings...especially being away from home...and all things Vietnamese, its good to reafirm what it is to be Vietnamese. Thats what I feel happens when I go to these dinner parties. The mannerisms, the sensibilities, the language...its like music to the ears.=) I've got to say I don't have any Vietnamese friends at the Academy...and I only know OF three or four other Vietnamese people at my school...
So I finally had abalone. Get this...$80 for fat one. I had no clue it costs that much...from what I hear, they don't sell fresh abalone at stores...my dad just knew someone that knew someone...the Vietnamese connection. No one really knew exactly what they were doing preparing it...my dad was the resident authority because he'd eaten one the weekend before at a friend's house. So there he was at the sink, carving up this fat abalone...cutting out the organs and brushing all the dirt off of the white muscle. My brother and I just peered over his shoulder...getting grossed out by the oozing green sack (which was probably the stomach) and other organs. The meat was pretty good...we had it cut into thin slices which we ate in a sushi style...with wasabi and soy sauce...along with other dishes of the meal. The taste is very subtle...the texture differs greatly between being cooked and uncooked. If uncooked, it has a texture simular to squid...except not nearly as tough. When cooked, it becomes soft and chewy. Didn't exactly win me over, but I can check "eating abalone" off the things-to-do-before-I-croak list.=)
Today, I just paid the tuition for my summer classes...yes, I waited till the last possible moment...and no, I haven't learned yet. Classes start next week...aiy. Tomorrow is just gonna be a chill day for me. I'll type more later...right now, its 5:18am...and I don't know how long I can keep convincing myself that it's still Saturday, what with the sky getting brighter and brighter outside.=)
