All My Bags Are Packed...

The last few days have gone by quickly. During that time, I've been unpacking all the boxes and stuff that I shipped over from SF, organizing it all, and repacking some of it for the dorm move-in, which begins tomorrow (my final move-in is next week). While going through the obligatory back-to-school shopping, I can't help but feel the parallels to my move to Berkeley seven years ago. The major difference between now and then: I am packing a whole lot less. At least, that's how I feel now. We'll see if my room ends up being super tiny.

Of course, there are some many things I am taking with me that reflect how I've changed. Call them "treasures" or "upgrades," but among the items coming along on the ride:
- The Bay Bridge "blinking" painting/photo
- My "OC" dvd box sets
- Wine rack and several bottles of wine
- Coffee maker

Oh how things have changed.

I Drove That Dude

Yesterday, I went to see Superbad with my little sister. It's a hysterical movie - if you haven't seen it yet, you gotta check it out.

At any rate, there's a scene in the movie when the two main kids in the movie enter a house party to get some alcohol. One of the kids gets stuck in a room where some of the other party-goers are doing coke. There's an Indian actor in that scene who looked kinda familiar. Anyhow, I just did a quick IMDB search on the guy and what do you know. It's this actor I drove to the airport back at the film festival. During the ride to Oakland Airport, we talked at length about stereotypes and the lack of roles for Asian American actors. It's good to see that he's getting some work, although I don't remember if he had too much to do in Superbad.

AWESOME!

He Got Game, But Not Me

After playing some basketball with my dad for the past half hour, I came to one shocking realization. I really suck at basketball. I mean, I used to be decent. My many years as a bench player in the rec league was not without some improvement to my skill. But tonight's performance, consisting of a lot of airballs under and over the backboard, indicated that I have a lot that I need to work on. A lot. I could start with my power control, but that'd be repeating things that everyone's been talking about for way too long.

As a side note, my dad on the other hand is still spot on and was shooting and hitting his shots from all over our driveway. Pretty funny.

The Jack Bauer Cut

I decided to abandon my goal of growing a mullet today and went in for a haircut. Now before I go into the details of the actual haircut, I wanted to make two observations.

My first observation is in regards to the haircut rotation. For me, I've been going on a 4 week rotation, which means I pretty much go in for a cut once a month. Sometimes, if I am feeling pretty wild, I'll extend it to 5 weeks. After that time period, it becomes a high priority because my hair is rather thick and becomes pretty wacky. You may recall this period as when I start having a comb-over. Not pretty at all. I think I was on week 7 before I went in today.

My second observation has to do with barber/haircut loyalty. For most of my life in Franklin, I was really loyal to Ralph's Barber Shop in Medway. It was close by, it was pretty cheap, and they had some good magazines. When I moved to Berkeley, I went through a phase where I was shopping around different places. At first, I went to Combs and Scissors in Sather Gate "Alley," but the guy creeped me out. Plus, he used a vacuum cleaner to suck out the cut hair in your head. Weird! I finally settled on The Edge, which provided decent haircuts at a decent price. In SF, I went to Mabel's Beauty Shop (don't laugh), which was only like two blocks from my place. Even though I got a little annoyed at the constant questions on whether or not I wanted highlights or my hair dyed (they later offered pedicures), it was your typical mom and pop place and I felt obliged to return. I mean, Mabel herself recognized me on the streets and would wave at me. It was that kind of place.

So now that I am back in Franklin and in desperate need of a haircut, who did I turn to? Well, I went corporate and checked out the new SuperCuts. I even splurged and got a shampoo afterwards. First time in my life, I think. Anyway, my hair is now super, super short, but man, it smells nice with whatever stuff they put in my hair. My little sister says I kinda look like Jack Bauer. I guess I can't complain about the cut after that comment!

Re: Clinton's Endorsement of Mr. Newsom

I think it's another case of the liberal media making blatant biases against what is in fact reality. I've been tracking the SF Chronicle over the last few days and I've been a bit shocked that they have been assuming that there is no major and viable candidate running against Mr. Newsom. Hello? Have they been not reading this blog? I'm running. Jeez. Great job guys. Maybe you should focus your attention away from finding the Zodiac and instead, feeling the pulse of the city... just like I am. All the way from Toronto. Call it "telecommuting." People all the world do it for their jobs. I am applying that ideology towards running a political campaign. You wait and see. It is revolutionary.

Anyway, the main reason for this post and why I am breaking my silence is that I would like to address you, the people, about my thoughts on Ms. Clinton's recent endorsement on my political rival, Mr. Newsom. While I previously did not have any "beef" on Ms. Clinton, this really ticked me off. The gloves have been thrown down. It is O-VAH between me and her. On that note, I am now actively seeking an endorsement from any of her rivals including Mr. O'Reilly (I know you're not running, but doesn't that have a nice ring to it? President Bill O'Reilly), Senator McCain, Senator Obama.... heck, even Mr. Nadar. You know how to reach me. My operators are standing by for your telephone call.

Thank you all and pass this message on. Together, we can take back the 'loin.

Back in the Bay

After three glorious weeks (one of which I was the only one at my parents' house) of frolicking with high school girls in beautiful Orange County, Calif., I am returning to the Bay Area tomorrow. Party party anyone?

Sell Out

Yesterday, my cousins and I caught the Blue Jays/Yankees game during the Simcoe Day holiday. It ended up being a rather exciting game, although the Blue Jays lost in the end. Among the highlights:
- Mr. David Beckham was in the house, throwing out the first pitch and then watching from a luxary box. No Posh Spice sitting though.
- Sitting along the left field/foul line and within shouting distance of Mr. Johnny "Sell Out" Damon. At the beginning of the game, I shouted "Sell Out" and my taunts evolved to "Your book sucks!" It must've affected his play because he screwed up a fielding play causing two runs to score.
- Environmental tips being displayed on the Jumbotron between innings. There's just something weird about that in a domed stadium called the Roger Centre (Roger is the cable company up north).
- Random fan in the crowd saying hi to each player in the bullpen, getting acknowledged with a wave from the pitchers, and then getting shot down after asking for a ball.

Anyway, it was great watching the game again in the dome. First time in 14 years. Pictures forthcoming.

Igloos, Where Art Thou?

Greetings from Toronto, Canada where it is only 33 degrees outside. Okay, that's in Celsius, which means it's around 91 degrees Fahrenheit. So hot! That won't stop me from having some Tim Horton's and maybe some poutine while I'm up here.

So your Canadian fact of the day: this weekend is a long weekend up here. Monday is "Civic Holiday," which my dad calls another excuse to have a day off. Very cool, eh?

Have a good weekend!

Adventures of AF**K: Part 15 (Series Finale)

The last episode in this series... until the feature length documentary.

Adventures of AF**K: Part 14

GARETT BALBOA!!!

The Eagle Has Landed

For those of you who keep track, yes, it's WAY past my bedtime now, but I am so amped up to be back home that it's keeping me up. So I am reporting from MA where I arrived safely at home around 11:30 pm. I'll do more of a recap of the last day tomorrow, but let's say that it's great to be home, although quite surreal.

DC was a blast. By choosing to stay in Little Stanton, it cut down on our trip to DC and we got to Arlington in the early afternoon. Fellow ex-pat (and friend) Aileen joined us as we walked through the Air and Space Museum followed by the WWII Memorial. For dinner, we joined another ex-pat Sara and her roommate at this swanky place called Matchbox down near Chinatown. Despite my whining, we walked all the way over to the FDR Memorial before cabbing it back to Sara's place, where we crashed.

This morning, we had our first home cooked breakfast of the trip, courtesy of Sara. So good. And then we were off to Philadelphia and then back home. Unfortunately, due to timing, we had to cancel the Red Bank, NJ part of the trip.... which means that I'll have to check out that place soon. Who's in?

Anyway, have some more videos to post tomorrow. Until then, stay classy USA.

Adventures of AF**K: Part 12

From the WWII Memorial.