Warm Front
(Nas - If I Ruled the World)
Ever have one of those days where you just feel average? That nothing you do is particularly exceptional. That you're just hovering around the competency level for any given activity. I've been having those days a lot lately and I have to tell you, it's a real downer. I wish there was something that I could do that would make everyone ooh and ahh instead of the usual point and laugh.
So what do people do when they feel like this? Do they ride it out? Do they try and rise above the mediocrity by focusing on improvement?
When I feel like this I just want to sleep. Which is probably why I'm such a gifted sleeper. Yes! That's what I do better than anyone...sleep. Now sleeping isn't exactly something to boast about but I don't have much to work with.
Collection of worst made-up words by friends...."Leh."..."Romancy". Yes two is a collection.
Examples :
"What do you think about the new tax they introduced?"
"Leh."
"Did you see that couple having a picnic in the park?...how romancy!"
fob + romance = romancy.
Does anyone ever use the term "low hanging fruit"? I heard it for the first time during a meeting with my team. I nearly spit up my coffee. I have to say, as intuitive as it is to understand the meaning, it's also lends to some pretty great sexual innuendos. I love sexual innuendos. Especially when people aren't shoving it down my throat.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
TV movie of our lives...
(Metric - Waves)
Mom added me on facebook today. Wow. Awkward. I have to say though, there's nothing on my page that I'm ashamed of. Except maybe that one picture of me wearing women's high heels after a night of heavy drinking (Sarah you've got big feet!!). I'm not sure when I became such a lush but I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. The fact of the matter is this; I like drunk Khiem. Drunk Khiem is the fun Khiem. He's much more sociable and friendly. Two traits that I think are crucial for people to be successful in life. You can't live life alone and people are drawn to these types of personalities.
I think if you compared me ten years ago to now, you'll notice that I've gone from introvert to borderline extrovert. And ten years ago I was proud to be an introvert. I will admit that there are a lot of social situations that still make me feel awkward but for the most part, I'm very comfortable in my shell (and out of my shell) these days.
The wedding pictures are in and I have to say, they turned out better than I thought. Our photographers Dave and Charlotte must have stayed up day and night to photoshop these to make me look half presentable. Quite a memorable day. As painful as the prep was leading up to it, the actual day and all the great friends that came out for us made up for all of it, and then some.
http://daveandcharlotte.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=146518
Tears. The running joke around town is that I've got none. That I'm a robot.
I don't see you crying you robot!
I've been working on my social skills for the past 30+ years and this is the next big thing I'm going to work on. One of these days I'm going to cry in front of one of you. And trust me...it will be awkward. Just don't do what I normally do and ask "what is that liquid coming out of your eyes?" I've been told that earns you a nasty look and a night on the couch.
Have you ever been so bitter about something/someone that you feel like you're one of those evil villains in superhero movies that have that big grudge against the superhero? That just won't let it go? That's me sometimes.
Remember when you dropped me in that vat of acid? Yeah, that's right...I haven't forgotten.
I hate that feeling. Why does your brain make you feel guilty for someone else hurting you? I suppose that's what makes us caring human beings...the need to forgive someone. I'm not sure if I'm ready to forgive yet but I'm maybe ready to move past the petty passive aggressiveness.
Wow...that's not me being happy to see you...that's me GROWING!
(Metric - Waves)
Mom added me on facebook today. Wow. Awkward. I have to say though, there's nothing on my page that I'm ashamed of. Except maybe that one picture of me wearing women's high heels after a night of heavy drinking (Sarah you've got big feet!!). I'm not sure when I became such a lush but I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. The fact of the matter is this; I like drunk Khiem. Drunk Khiem is the fun Khiem. He's much more sociable and friendly. Two traits that I think are crucial for people to be successful in life. You can't live life alone and people are drawn to these types of personalities.
I think if you compared me ten years ago to now, you'll notice that I've gone from introvert to borderline extrovert. And ten years ago I was proud to be an introvert. I will admit that there are a lot of social situations that still make me feel awkward but for the most part, I'm very comfortable in my shell (and out of my shell) these days.
The wedding pictures are in and I have to say, they turned out better than I thought. Our photographers Dave and Charlotte must have stayed up day and night to photoshop these to make me look half presentable. Quite a memorable day. As painful as the prep was leading up to it, the actual day and all the great friends that came out for us made up for all of it, and then some.
http://daveandcharlotte.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=146518
Tears. The running joke around town is that I've got none. That I'm a robot.
I don't see you crying you robot!
I've been working on my social skills for the past 30+ years and this is the next big thing I'm going to work on. One of these days I'm going to cry in front of one of you. And trust me...it will be awkward. Just don't do what I normally do and ask "what is that liquid coming out of your eyes?" I've been told that earns you a nasty look and a night on the couch.
Have you ever been so bitter about something/someone that you feel like you're one of those evil villains in superhero movies that have that big grudge against the superhero? That just won't let it go? That's me sometimes.
Remember when you dropped me in that vat of acid? Yeah, that's right...I haven't forgotten.
I hate that feeling. Why does your brain make you feel guilty for someone else hurting you? I suppose that's what makes us caring human beings...the need to forgive someone. I'm not sure if I'm ready to forgive yet but I'm maybe ready to move past the petty passive aggressiveness.
Wow...that's not me being happy to see you...that's me GROWING!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Keytar
(Duran Duran - Rio)
Does anyone still play the keytar? It's probably the best combo instrument ever made.
Sitting at the airport trying to get connected. I feel weird if I'm not connected. I think they've done studies about how the internet is as addictive as a drug. Speaking of drugs...I've never done E. I'd like to do E one day and just sit around with a bunch of people listening to Samantha Fox sing "Touch Me". How surreal would that be? I wonder if anyone plays the keytar in her band.
(Duran Duran - Rio)
Does anyone still play the keytar? It's probably the best combo instrument ever made.
Sitting at the airport trying to get connected. I feel weird if I'm not connected. I think they've done studies about how the internet is as addictive as a drug. Speaking of drugs...I've never done E. I'd like to do E one day and just sit around with a bunch of people listening to Samantha Fox sing "Touch Me". How surreal would that be? I wonder if anyone plays the keytar in her band.
Thievery Corporation
(The Killers - Spaceman)
Last day in MN. Today I took from the hotel...
Shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, lotion, pen, pad...and wait for it...the tie hanger and 9 bars of soap. They left the storage room open so I grabbed me a handful. Sadly they didn't have slippers in my room this week.
--------------
Had a discussion with a friend a few days ago about how friendships aren't as static as everyone thinks it is. In fact they're very fluid and dynamic. As people go through phases of their lives they reset their priorities, their interests change. This in turn impacts their relationships with other people. You meet new friends, you lose old friends. My question to you is this...how much of an impact does history have on a friendship? Can you base a friendship purely on the history you've had with a person? I don't think you can but I'm open to hearing any arguments.
--------------
I'm convinced foreplay for snapping turtles has to be the definition of living dangerously.
(The Killers - Spaceman)
Last day in MN. Today I took from the hotel...
Shampoo, conditioner, bath gel, lotion, pen, pad...and wait for it...the tie hanger and 9 bars of soap. They left the storage room open so I grabbed me a handful. Sadly they didn't have slippers in my room this week.
--------------
Had a discussion with a friend a few days ago about how friendships aren't as static as everyone thinks it is. In fact they're very fluid and dynamic. As people go through phases of their lives they reset their priorities, their interests change. This in turn impacts their relationships with other people. You meet new friends, you lose old friends. My question to you is this...how much of an impact does history have on a friendship? Can you base a friendship purely on the history you've had with a person? I don't think you can but I'm open to hearing any arguments.
--------------
I'm convinced foreplay for snapping turtles has to be the definition of living dangerously.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fly Me To The Moon
(Growing Pains Theme Song)
So I'm sitting at the airport getting ready to fly out to beautiful Minneapolis, MN. If you're not familiar with Minneapolis, it's where fun goes to retire and die. I've been travelling to MN for the past 6 months for what might be one of the worst projects I've ever been on. Poorly managed, most unreasonable clients and the worst team ever assembled. Not to mention the location. But I'm not here to bitch and complain about work. I'm here to tell you how to keep busy on a shitty project.
One of the things I've been doing to keep myself entertained while on travel is seeing how much stuff I could take (steal) from the hotel before they start charging me.
The first week I started off with just soap, shampoo, conditioner.
By the 3rd week I was taking the following :
soap, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, bath gel, sewing kit, shoe polish kit, fuzzy slippers, embroidered laundry and shoe bags, qtips, pens, pads and of course fancy tea bags from the free lobby breakfast. I don't even drink tea!
After several months of this, I had so much stuff, I didn't know where to keep it in my condo. So I started making little care packages for my friends and family. The care package usually consisted of a laundry bag, a couple of slippers, a sewing kit, a shoe polish kit, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.
I've noticed lately however, my room is being stocked less and less with the goodies I've been taking. I haven't seen a sewing kit, the nice pens or a shoe polish kit in over a month. Maybe they're on to me.
Outside of entertaining myself, I always have the client entertaining me with absurd requests.
Just the other day the client asked me if they could re-brand our company software with their own logo. He sent me this as a sample.
At first I thought he was joking. Until he brought it up in one of our status meetings with a straight face.
Last I heard he was filming a rap video with him in a hot tub surrounded by naked women, fancy champagne and people throwing Benjamins around.
(Growing Pains Theme Song)
So I'm sitting at the airport getting ready to fly out to beautiful Minneapolis, MN. If you're not familiar with Minneapolis, it's where fun goes to retire and die. I've been travelling to MN for the past 6 months for what might be one of the worst projects I've ever been on. Poorly managed, most unreasonable clients and the worst team ever assembled. Not to mention the location. But I'm not here to bitch and complain about work. I'm here to tell you how to keep busy on a shitty project.
One of the things I've been doing to keep myself entertained while on travel is seeing how much stuff I could take (steal) from the hotel before they start charging me.
The first week I started off with just soap, shampoo, conditioner.
By the 3rd week I was taking the following :
soap, shampoo, conditioner, hand lotion, bath gel, sewing kit, shoe polish kit, fuzzy slippers, embroidered laundry and shoe bags, qtips, pens, pads and of course fancy tea bags from the free lobby breakfast. I don't even drink tea!
After several months of this, I had so much stuff, I didn't know where to keep it in my condo. So I started making little care packages for my friends and family. The care package usually consisted of a laundry bag, a couple of slippers, a sewing kit, a shoe polish kit, shampoo, conditioner and lotion.
I've noticed lately however, my room is being stocked less and less with the goodies I've been taking. I haven't seen a sewing kit, the nice pens or a shoe polish kit in over a month. Maybe they're on to me.
Outside of entertaining myself, I always have the client entertaining me with absurd requests.
Just the other day the client asked me if they could re-brand our company software with their own logo. He sent me this as a sample.
At first I thought he was joking. Until he brought it up in one of our status meetings with a straight face.
Last I heard he was filming a rap video with him in a hot tub surrounded by naked women, fancy champagne and people throwing Benjamins around.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Diamonds and Diapers
(Sufjan Stevens - Chicago)
I fell in love again, all things go, all things go
Two weeks removed from the "big day" and I can safely say that things have not changed much. I still leave my clothes lying on the floor of the closet. I still play brick breaker while laying bricks on the toilet. I still snore like a bear after a night of drinking with the boys. I suppose it helps to live with your wife before you get married. There are no surprises that way.
One of my married friends however warned me about how sex changes afterwards. Over a few drinks one night he commented on how after you get married, "it's no longer just sex...it's sex with a purpose". Of course mixing my poor hearing and some alcohol, I thought he was talking about kinky marine animal sex. Who said sex is boring after you get married?!
The thought of now having sex to procreate is a bit scary though. I don't think Sonia and I are at that stage right this moment but I must admit we're not too far away. *shivers* I barely have time to write this blog let alone raise a kid. I suppose when the time is right I'll make time and priorities will change. Less frequent Friday night drinking sessions and fewer weekend fishing trips...o noes. :(
So I guess until that "time", I'm going to enjoy being freshly married and childless. How much longer do I have? Who knows but the clock is definitely ticking.
(Sufjan Stevens - Chicago)
I fell in love again, all things go, all things go
Two weeks removed from the "big day" and I can safely say that things have not changed much. I still leave my clothes lying on the floor of the closet. I still play brick breaker while laying bricks on the toilet. I still snore like a bear after a night of drinking with the boys. I suppose it helps to live with your wife before you get married. There are no surprises that way.
One of my married friends however warned me about how sex changes afterwards. Over a few drinks one night he commented on how after you get married, "it's no longer just sex...it's sex with a purpose". Of course mixing my poor hearing and some alcohol, I thought he was talking about kinky marine animal sex. Who said sex is boring after you get married?!
The thought of now having sex to procreate is a bit scary though. I don't think Sonia and I are at that stage right this moment but I must admit we're not too far away. *shivers* I barely have time to write this blog let alone raise a kid. I suppose when the time is right I'll make time and priorities will change. Less frequent Friday night drinking sessions and fewer weekend fishing trips...o noes. :(
So I guess until that "time", I'm going to enjoy being freshly married and childless. How much longer do I have? Who knows but the clock is definitely ticking.
The Return?
(The Strokes - You Only Live Once)
So I went to an internet friend's wedding in Vancouver on the weekend. I've known her for over 10 years and we go waaaaay back to AA days (Asian Avenue...not the other one). She introduced me to a few of her friends with "Khiem, this is xxxxxx -- she's read your blog." Which got me thinking...wow...people actually read my drivel? So my ego has returned and I've decided that maybe I will come out of blogging retirement and write again. To be honest, I've gotten bored with twitter. Though I will admit, it made me be much more concise with my thoughts.
Blog --> I am sitting on my couch picking lint from my belly button while singing along with Kerri Hilson on tv. "I used to be commander and chief of my pimp ship flying high!"
Twitter --> couch, picking lint, belly button, pimp ship.
Anyhow...some thoughts on my recent marriage in the next few blogs.
As George Constanza would say..."I'm back baby!!...back!"
(The Strokes - You Only Live Once)
So I went to an internet friend's wedding in Vancouver on the weekend. I've known her for over 10 years and we go waaaaay back to AA days (Asian Avenue...not the other one). She introduced me to a few of her friends with "Khiem, this is xxxxxx -- she's read your blog." Which got me thinking...wow...people actually read my drivel? So my ego has returned and I've decided that maybe I will come out of blogging retirement and write again. To be honest, I've gotten bored with twitter. Though I will admit, it made me be much more concise with my thoughts.
Blog --> I am sitting on my couch picking lint from my belly button while singing along with Kerri Hilson on tv. "I used to be commander and chief of my pimp ship flying high!"
Twitter --> couch, picking lint, belly button, pimp ship.
Anyhow...some thoughts on my recent marriage in the next few blogs.
As George Constanza would say..."I'm back baby!!...back!"
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