Hoisted by My Own Petard

When the news covered the ridiculous increase in gas prices, the record low DOW and Nasdaq drops, and increase in grocery/produce prices-- i felt somewhat unaffected.  I mean, my company pays for gas, i don't own stock, and a few cents more for my broccoli never really bothered me.

NOW im (finally) starting to feel what everyone was talking about.  planning my annual december-january travel to Japan (and Taiwan) is what got me thinking.  I definitely did not anticipate how expensive it is to fly in and out of Tokyo.  In fact, it cost cheaper to fly from SF to taiwan (13 hrs?) than tokyo to tainan (3.5 hours).  craziness.

And even though i'm getting an short-term apartment lease while im there (to save money), im still spending a crapload on just "being" in japan. 

$1400 Apt. rental for 1 month
$375   Japan Rail pass
$900   Fly to Taiwan
= $2675  (food & play not included)

I'm anticipating to spend another $1200 (at least) on food for 1 month.  crap.  I'm up to $3875.  And that's not including the price of playing or SHOPPING... or food/housing/playing in taiwan.  crap crap crap... my budget WAS $5K.  i am on emergency save mode. 

I started a tradition of "something fancy" every quarter when i get my bonus.  But i don't think i can do it for this quarter and 4th quarter.  I was actually planning on getting a black everyday purse for fall, and a new pr of black pumps for work.  maybe next year!

  

ruching and pleating on accessories is genius! 
I also love deliberate/pre-wrinkled boots-- who woulda thunk.

Does anyone know if it's possible for your feet to shrink for no reason?  I think i am 1/2 a shoe size smaller than i was a couple of months ago.  I didnt lose weight or do anything differently.  wat da deal?

Effective 8/22/08, I've been on a friend-blitz.  (and dating-blitz if the opportunity arose)

Ayako leaving (the 7th friend to leave me for the east coast) was definitely the catalyst that sprung about this newfound determination.  In fact, in hindsight, i think ive been a bit TOO much of a homebody for the past year.  (im so extreme!)  So this past weekend, I had something social planned for three days straight.

Day 1:  RADIOHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!


If you squint hard enough, you might be able to see Thom Yorke center stage.  <3!!!
Although this was the perfect venue to meet other Radiohead enthusiasts, it was a failed mission.  I think i came close tho-- i took a picture for a random couple.  Does that count?  taking pictuers = friendly?  no? c'mon!  throw me a bone!  ORRRRR what about that nasty white girl who was grinding and freaking to Radiohead's Videotape song?  I think her ass brushed my leg... does that count as a new friend?  what?  no?  c'mon!!!!

Ok, so i'm 0-1.

Day 2:  Dinner & Clubbin'

So this was a forreal failed mission.  Not only were the people at the club tackily and scantily dressed, they were all crazy raunchy people.  In fact, this one crazy girl kept on trying to sandwich our international friend Motoko with her nasty and raunchy looking male friend.   ew.  she even stalked us whenever we tried to leave them.  they were on us like white on rice!  why?!

Ok, so i'm 0-2.

Day 3:  Pie Party

Making friends at a friend's party should be easy, right?  Not so much.  I love martha to death, but I dont think we would have the same kind of friends.  Let's just leave it at that.  But i did have the most wonderful pies and enjoyed the company of both martha & my brother (who tagged along happily).

Ok, so im 0-3

This upcoming weekend isnt looking as enticing (how can you top a weekend of radiohead?), but nonetheless, very promising.  Between yoga, wedding dress try-outs (i'll explain later), rock climbing, and facial-ing, Hopefully i'll find someone w/ my common (vain) interests.  I also decided that i'm not a nighttime person.  no more clubbing friends.  early wine bars are still a possiblity, but anything past 11pm is out of the question!

I also plan on maybe hanging out in the bookstore more.  in addition to looking for new reads, i think it'd be an easy place to pounce on a potential friend.  "you like malcolm x and obama too?  let's start a book club!"

Also on the agenda-- french classes starting Sept 16, intermural soccer club (andrew dinhner will be joining too), and hopefully painting classes if my schedule permits. 

i'll keep you updated on my friend status.  I wish i wasnt so picky, but i'm still a big advocate for "no friends is better than bad ones-- that brews mucho drama!"

I'm looking for the banana to my monkey!  (why does that sound so dirty?)



bye bye.

 

I was in denial for a long time.



Lululemon is pretty big in SF among the white-sorority-girl and housewifey types.  So i never really gave it a second thought to even try a pair on.  plus, whenever something gets really big or really "in" i usually run the other way.  For example:
1.  Juicy velour suits-- never even looked/shopped for one
2.  Seven jeans-- nope
3.  Vera Bradley-- never
4.  LV monograms-- gives me reflux  
5.  pink anything-- ew. 
6.  dating white males-- double ew.

BUT... i am totally surrendering to Lululemon.  On my way home from work, i went to Nordstrom Rack, Lombari Sports, and Lucy's to look for more yoga gear (since i found a free wednesday night class within walking distance from my home).  So, i decided to give lululemon a chance since i was desperate.  

Let me just start by saying, my ass has never looked so smooth and proportioned.  They even have free hemmings (what more can you ask for?)!!  Their material is really really nice.  maybe it's b/c ive been buying crappy puma and nike gear, but there's def a huge diff in material-- breathable, sturdy, but oh so soft and flexible.  and my flab doesnt even flap out when i move or breathe!

So alas, ive fallen to the dark side.  but at least i'll be looking sharp doing child's pose and downward dog.  who am i kidding, no one looks good doing downward dog.

Round 7:  Jerry in SF!

THere was a really dark period of time in my life... i call it "Lambda Lil Sis."  I rarely speak of it, in fear of the judgemental looks, and silent accusations.  But there were a couple of good things that came from that embarrassingly lame part of my life:   Jerry and Henry.  

This past week, i got a chance to host Jerry for a week.  He's always a hoot to be around.  Of my friends, he's probably the most polar opposite from me.  in fact, we've butt heads so many times, he's probably the only one of my friends i've yelled at!  but no matter what, he's also one those friends i'll never let go of.  we've just been through too much together (and came out alive)!

My favorite picture (it looks like he's making sweet love to the plant):


After seeing "Opera at the Park (Luciano)" we headed over to my favorite thai restaurant Osha.  Since we were in the area, we went bar hopping across the street.  I love bars that have dart boards!  Team Dinhner (me & andrew) beat Team Visitor (jerry + john) by a huge landslide.  i love winning!!!


I love cooking at home-- especially when someone else is doing the cooking!  here's jerry very very delicious vietnamese meal for me & my brother:


The following day, it was my turn to cook.  I made my specialty-- vietnamese ribs!


I was really sad to see him off, but am also glad that i can finally have a break from visitors.  phwew!  Can you believe ive had a guest EVERY weekend since the first week of may?  I love guests, but im exhausted!

We're more than halfway into visitation season-- and i'm still going strong!

Round 5:  Phyllis in SF June 1-3

BYOB:  Bring Your Own Bib.  Based on my pictures, it looks like everyone who visits (except for karen) had to wore a bib at least once during their visit.  Crabs and Cioppino can get messy!



I took phyllis to eat Cioppino, a uniquely san franisco favorite at THE BEST place to get cioppino:  tadich grill.  This restaurant almost flew under the radar since i never venture out to the financial district during the weekends.  THE BEST seafood cioppino ever ever.  a little on the messy side though.  splish splash!

We also picked up two dresses for phyllis at BCBG-- buy one get one free!  they both look super fab on miss phyllis, i can't wait to see her wear them!

We also spent an evening watching The Sex and the City Movie with my brother and his coworkers.  I'll be honest, not having expected much (besides a fashion show-like movie) i have to say it was very unimpressive.  I mean... REALLY?!!!!!!!!  robert & miranda are still my favorite couple!  <3

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Round 6:  Brian in SF, Jim going-away to NYU

I got a chance to catch Brian during his short trip to SF this past weekend.  He, Jim & Ed are the last of my old ties to some pretty sad/dramatic/lame memories.  Now that they've all left for NY-- i think it's def a good thing for me.  It was fun while it lasted, but theyre just too "cali" for me.

As i was driving in the car i thought about them all moving out of SF and to NY, and how it's meant to be.  1979 is the year of the sheep, and in romantic relationships as well as friendships DOGS (1982) and SHEEPS (1979) are the WORSTTTTTTTTTT combo.  Sheeps are the eternal takers and askers, and dogs are the eternal givers.  needless to say, the worst kiind of compatibility ever.  and being that i have letting go issues, i wont get rid of em unless they get rid of me-- so im glad they were forced to move away.  phwew! 

A nice last hoorah nonetheless.

and i met a cute boy!  now let's hope he's straight.  jk, but not.

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Next up: 
JD in San Diego to visit An & Phyllis (June 14-June 18) (yay!)
Round 7 - Jerry in SF June 20-23 (yay!)

What a way to start off June 2008!

BEFORE:



AFTER:



So i decided-- i dont think I'm a long haired kinda gal.  Oh well, you never know unless you try!  I'll be wearing someone else's hair for the next 3 months-- let's hope that the windy days are few!  

Does this mean i got a "weave?"  What exactly is a weave?

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Other big changes:

My new dining room!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 


I was unsure about how the mixed colors (peuter side chairs, white end chairs) & mixed textures (velvet side chairs, silk end chairs) of the chairs would look, but luckily they turned out ok.  <3!