This is hot...


[WMV file - 24 MB clip]

O_o

*nervously tugs and fidgets at collar*

whew...

She's kinda ruthless, but I like a woman that knows what she wants. ;)

I love Toblerone

2004, good bye and good riddens... It's about freakin TIME.

----

Mike and I were dared last night by the gals to go over to two cute lonely Korean girls at the bar and to say hi and buy them a drink. Was it really that surprising that we actually did it? I shoulda gone and kissed one of them at midnight, just for good measure (and for kicks). Hey, ya know... I think they were into us. Cause most Korean guys do not have the balls to do that. Is it weird that I liked the surprised reaction from our gal pals vs meeting the two cute girls?

----

Here's to a kick-ass 2005... *cheers*

I am sooo gonna rock this year. I can't freaking wait.

 +   

= ?

Guns N Roses and STP are probably two of my fav bands of all time (My #1 is U2 and my #2 is Nirvana), and you'd think that any band with Scott Weiland (STP frontman), Slash and Duff McKagen (two founding members of GNR) would be incredible, but band chemistry happens when it happens I guess. I've been giving Velvet Revolver a chance this past month or so. I dunno. Still not feelin' most of it. Any Velvet Revolver fans out there?

On an aside, who do you think is the best front man of all time? Not just solo or individual talent, but what they meant to their bands and how they set them off. So many to list...

Bono (U2)
Axl Rose (Guns N Roses)
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
James Hetfield (Metallica)
Freddie Mercury (Queen)
Sting (The Police)
Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)
Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
Billy Corgan (The Smashing Pumpkins)
Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden)
David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
Robert Smith (The Cure)
Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
Bruce Springsteen (& the E Street Band)
Perry Farrell (Jane's Addiction)
Ozzy (Black Sabbath)...
and how can you leave out Gwen Stefani (No Doubt)...
too many to remember...

Anyway, my vote goes for Axl, no matter how much of a dork he is. :P

Today (Tuesday) was Frasier's birthday. Already 2. Geez how time flies. I still remember the first day we brought him home. He was so tiny. Only 4.5 lbs:




He's grown so much:








I felt so bad, I couldn't take him out today cause of all the freakin RAIN. It's crazy out there!

Happy Birthday, buddy... you really are a great dog...

We BBQ'd, drank beer, and sat outside on the patio in our shorts. Then we exchanged Christmas presents. It didn't feel like Christmas, it felt like a Superbowl party. But it was nice cause the whole family was home. =)

---

Went to have dinner with my college buddies Mike and Dave Sunday night in and around Ktown, cause it was (sorta) central as I am in the San Gabriel valley, Mike in Santa Monica, and Dave in OC. I was chatting with A about it after I got home:

ThatDudeJames (3:10:16 AM): man
ThatDudeJames (3:10:18 AM): after dinner
ThatDudeJames (3:10:23 AM): waiting in the valet
ThatDudeJames (3:10:25 AM): man...
ThatDudeJames (3:10:33 AM): we saw the scene that makes me wanna puke
A (3:10:42 AM): wut
ThatDudeJames (3:10:49 AM): a car... err landrover
ThatDudeJames (3:10:56 AM): full of skanky korean girls
ThatDudeJames (3:11:01 AM): all being obnoxiously loud
ThatDudeJames (3:11:04 AM): blasting Kpop
ThatDudeJames (3:11:09 AM): smoking like chimneys
A (3:11:13 AM): lol
ThatDudeJames (3:11:28 AM): yelling at their GF's out of the windows
ThatDudeJames (3:11:37 AM): holding up traffic out of the parking lot
ThatDudeJames (3:11:51 AM): yeah
ThatDudeJames (3:11:56 AM): they were being so OBNOXIOUS
A (3:12:03 AM): I hate that too
A (3:12:12 AM): makes korean girls look bad
ThatDudeJames (3:12:13 AM): both me and my friend turned to each other
ThatDudeJames (3:12:22 AM): and said, "how much more Ktown can u get?"
ThatDudeJames (3:12:29 AM): this is what makes koreans look bad in LA
ThatDudeJames (3:12:41 AM): yeah...
A (3:12:44 AM): yeep
ThatDudeJames (3:13:01 AM): so then
ThatDudeJames (3:13:10 AM): me and my buddies... two other guys...
ThatDudeJames (3:13:17 AM): we got into our bimmer
ThatDudeJames (3:13:20 AM): and blasted kpop
A (3:13:24 AM): LOL
ThatDudeJames (3:13:28 AM): and peeled out of the lot
ThatDudeJames (3:13:30 AM): HAHAHAHHAH
A (3:13:38 AM): hahahahahah
ThatDudeJames (3:13:42 AM): puahhahahahaha
ThatDudeJames (3:13:53 AM): talking about how skanky the koreans girls are in ktown =P
ThatDudeJames (3:13:55 AM): HAHAHAHAH
A (3:14:15 AM): hahaha
ThatDudeJames (3:14:25 AM): nice eh? =P
A (3:14:44 AM): fobulos


Anyhow... met up with some other people at the Grove and went to BCD for late-night soon tofu. I know, how much more Ktown can you get, right? We almost made it to noraebang, even. =P I was also reminded tonight once again how much I can jade and corrupt certain types of girls. To some I could be a nice guy, but to others I'm the guy you don't want to bring home to Mom and Dad. BLAH~ Being on the verge of turning 30, I see clearly that our 20's really is a mental and emotional puberty.

How crazy do people go over holiday decorations in your neighborhood?

It's like a competition in these parts. Driving around it's smalltown Americana galore... those reindeer are motorized too... MOTORIZED!





---

If you wanna see all the crap that is involved in my own personal relationships played out go see:



I think I've experienced almost everything in that movie either from the 1st person or have been the one receiving.

I can almost guarantee that most people will hate it. If you are conservative, a warning, as it is pretty raw and abrasive material. But to me, it was very real. Mike told me his friend saw it and that she hated it cause it made absolutely no sense to her. Me? I was getting flashbacks throughout the whole movie. Maybe a bad sign, huh? OMG, no wonder I have given up. The line where I was taken straight back in time... Larry (Clive Owen) to Anna (Julia Roberts): "Don't tell me I'm too good for you! You're running away because you don't think you deserve to be happy. But you DO!" From reviews I've read, it's nice to know I'm not the only one who has dated an "Anna"

I haven't had a winter like this in a little while...






My first white Christmas was only a few years ago in NYC. I spent it with my ex at home decorating a pathetic looking little tree. It was unexpected but nice.

Outside my 1st apt in NYC:


Frasier at Carl Shurtz dog run a block away:


I don't miss freezing my ass off on my commute to work, but Christmastime in NYC is a great great time.

I did. When I was in the 6th grade, for some reason, they got a college girl... J, to teach a rowdy class of mostly boys. I was too young to even know that this could be an issue, but I didn't care cause J was so damn pretty. She must have been around 20 at the time. She seemed so old and mature to us back then. Haha... All of the other guy Bible study teachers wanted to date her, I recall. Anyhow... Of course, we could not date J! We were too young and that is just sick! But we still crushed hard. And of course, the way that boys that age show their affection is to act up. Ya know... like how boys pulling on girls' pigtails and chasing them around the playground probably means they have a crush on that girl. So accordingly, in Sunday school, we would constantly fool around and never take any of her lessons seriously. Act stupid, get up and dance, make loud jokes... yup... OMG we got her so frustrated! Looking back I dunno how she ever restrained herself from killing us. My god, the exasperation on her face... But we got her attention, right? =P

Anyhow, one day, in what I suspect was an attempt to break through and earn some respect and trust, J said that she would take the three troublemakers of the class (me, and two other guys that I grew up with) to Six Flags Magic Mountain. Of course, we all had huge secret crushes on J. And of course, we said yes under the guise of the excitement over Six Flags. And of course, even though I was deathly afraid of roller coasters up to that point in my life, I feigned cockiness and guffawed at J's questioning of my readiness for Colossus, the wooden beast at Six Flags.

So as day drew near, I summoned up the courage that can only be gathered when there is a pretty girl involved. That day came, and J picked all of us up and we embarked on probably the greatest day of our pubescent lives. Sure, there were three of us to compete against for J's attention, but our uncorrupted minds were just happy at the thought that we had the exclusive company of J, the prettiest Sunday school teacher in all of history...! For an entire day! When the time came for me to ride Colossus, I found myself sharing a car with J, grinning from ear to ear, heart pounding half from fear and half from the nervous excitement of being so close to her. I really wanted to hurl. But as we went over that first drop and experienced the G forces, J screamed and grabbed my arm tight like she was gonna die, albeit in the cutest way. That just made my day, and actually... all of puberty for me. What I didn't realize until much later was that yes, J was our "older, mature" Sunday school teacher, but that she was also just a girl. To her, we were all just a bunch of cute little boys, and though I know her intent was to give us a positive experience, I dunno if it was the "positive" experience that she had hoped for. Nevertheless, we were much more well-behaved after that wonderful day. J popped in and out of my life after she moved on from being our Sunday school teacher. The last time I actually saw her was unexpectedly at my dad's funeral over 10 years ago. I don't really think about J often, but when I do I only have fond memories and appreciative thoughts.

---

Well, I only remember this because I went to Vegas last week, and the last time I went to Vegas before that was with those two other guys from that day. It was the bachelor party for one of them and while reminiscing about the old days we had mentioned J and we all confessed our stupid crushes that we had had on her. We knew all along but never could confess it until we were well into our 20's. Lame, huh?

Thanks J. Since that day I am a roller coaster FREAK. Love 'em to death. And later, when it was my turn to teach Sunday school (yeah, yeah... I was good once!) I modeled myself after you, and I hope I got my kids' respect and friendship as well. I hope they remember me fondly as I remember those times.

I guess it's not all fondness, puppy dogs, and ice cream though. The weirdest was when I was at a Korean bar in Oakland a few years back and I saw one of my old Sunday school kids there. He walked over and yelled, "Teacher James!" Then he wanted to have a drink with me. So I did. *shrug* Whaddyagonnado?  =P

Someone recently told me that a friend of hers (who I do not know) saw me somewhere in NYC Ktown and thought about saying hi, but decided not to. Then that someone showed me her pic... DOH! Hey, she's cute! I wonder how many times that has happened... OK, probably just that one time, but DANG!

Richard told me (1/2-jokingly) that I should have held "office hours" my last week in NYC so that all my "fans" could have a last chance to meet me before I departed for the left coast. I dunno, I felt like that would be kinda lame on my part. I mean, how vain and self-centered can one be? Geeez... It's not that I'm against meeting people from online. In the end, people are people. I think I've met more psychos in "real life" vs online.

I have had several people in NYC actually come up to me and *tap shoulder* ask, "Hey... umm... uhhh... are you... Kboy?" I had no idea who they were. I'd be like, "Ummm... actually... yeah..." *hold finger to mouth* "SHHH" A couple of times, after I confirmed their suspicions, they just walked away. WTH... at least tell me who you are. *raise fist*

I remember... S did that to me at MK my 1st year in NYC... when she spotted me on the dance floor...

S: *tap tap*
Me: "*turn around*
S: "Ummmm... are you James?"
Me: "Ummmmm... yes?"

We sorta dated for a couple months or more... that was a fun summer.

I have seen some online celebs at various venues in and around NYC. NYC is so dense, if you go out regularly, it's bound to happen. I woulda said hi, but... umm.... well... to be honest, I just don't remember those nights all tooo well, OK? =P

OK, OK... all you PETA members, don't get all freaked out. Frasier found ways to escape our yard so tying his extendaleash to the roller chair is my temporary solution until I fix the fencing. Unfortunately, Frasier still tries to escape because this jindo dog and mini pincher that roam the neighborhood always come by and call him out to play. This is what happened when he tried to climb up the hill to freedom, failed, and went back down the wrong way. Good thing he has a harness and not a collar on, huh? The rascal...



I let him free OK? I just had to snap this pic before I did tho. I couldn't stop laughing.

OK, so I promised more pics...

I'm tellin you... it was like Swingers. From Mike's sad moaning about his ex, to going into a casino filled with old people, to riding around looking at all the beautuful honey babies, to being so money that we didn't even know how money we were... ummm J/K about that last one... =P yup. Swingers...



Mike decided to rent a PIMP GANGSTA car for the drive up.

Mike: "Hi, how are you ladies doing this evening?"
Girl at the Party: "What do you drive?"
Chevy Monte Carlo, baby... Chevy MONTE CARLO!

WOOT~!

"Vegas, Baby, Vegas~"

We were starving. But not THAT starving... I dunno what possessed me to get this huge chicken-fried steak. It was only $5.99 tho...

"Baby, that was money! Tell me that wasn't money.... She was smiling at how money I am, baby."

Mike got prime rib.

"Look at this, OK? I want you to remember this face. This is the guy behind the guy behind the guy. "

( LOTTA VEGAS PICS )

What a weekend. We lived the real life Swingers. Mike was Jon Favreau and I was Vince Vaughn. I just slept for 12 hours and I'm still so exhausted.



More pics later... I need more sleep...

It's been a while since I spent a mid-December day like this...



Off to Sin City this weekend! Vegas, Baby... Vegas~

I know this is old, but I reread this and I thought about my dog Frasier.

All you dog owners know all these to be very very true. If only people could learn from dogs... =/

"Lessons We Can Learn From A Dog"

• Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride.
  
  
• Allow the experience of fresh air and wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
  
  
• When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
  
  
• When it’s in your best interest, always practice obedience.
  
  
• Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.
  
  
• Take naps and always stretch before rising.
  
  
• Run, romp and play daily.
  
  
• Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
  
  
• Be loyal.
  
  
• Never pretend to be something you’re not.
  
  
• If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
  
  
• When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close and nuzzle them gently.
  
  
• Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
  
  
• Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
  
  
• Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
  
  
• On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
  
  
• When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
  
  
• No matter how often you are criticised, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout. Run right back and make friends

My momma told me to stay away from girls like you...

Babysat my niece Camryn Monday. She's been pretty sick, poor girl. What a trooper...

When? When? When?!?!

When will I be able to cross it off my list? (4th from the bottom) I guess if we can wait 45 years, I can wait til the day I die.

(some) things I want(ed) to do:

move to Europe or Asia
snowboard in the southern hemisphere in July
have a vacation fling romance
headline at CBGB's
skydive
move to NYC
author a book
produce an album
grow my hair very very long
learn the harmonica
make my own beer
learn to sail
learn to fly
get a tattoo
get another tattoo
build a treehouse
climb Half Dome
sit and people watch in Central Park in the summertime all day
play guitar in the subway for change
streak
climb to the base camp of Everest
start my own business/company
see Cal play in the Rose Bowl
find a beat-up old car and restore it
send in an audition tape for Real World
find a perfect girl that I can "do nothing" with

CURSE YOU, BCS! *RAISE FIST*

Me: "What was it that we had?"
Jo: "I'll always consider you one of the guys I dated"

Jo... she's a friend of mine. We briefly kinda dated. Like... years ago. We're still good friends. She leaves for NYC tomorrow. She's a joisey girl so she's going back home. Hmm... sounds familiar... =P

Our geographic history:

Grew up
Me: SoCal
Her: New Jersey

2001
Me: San Francisco
Her: Philadelphia

2002
Me: NYC
Her: SoCal

2004
Me: SoCal
Her: NYC


We always joke around that we can never be in the same geographic area or the universe will explode or something. Like we have to rotate around the country to keep it all in balance. When I finally decided to move back to California, I was like... "At least Jo and I can hang out more... finally!" Well, due to a family tragedy (like the real-life Garden State) and other factors, she's moving back. Her family and a killer job await. Not to mention the city that never sleeps. It is for the best, but still, it makes me sad. At the same time, I sit and laugh at the irony (as does she). I finally was able to go see her place last weekend and just hang out for a while; talk, catch-up. Now she's gotta go. =( Farewell swoire tonight...

*pimp mode* Jo is probably the sweetest, coolest girl I know. She is super smart, charming, and has a passion for climbing. I know I dog on Korean girls, but Jo single-handedly redeems the whole lot. She is so cute I just want to bite her. She also has great ankles.

I'm gonna miss you Jo!!!

(Dammit, we shoulda just switched our living arrangements!)