Hines Ward - Biracial Football Star

This vid got me thinking about how different (and special) Hawaii is from other places in the world. Living in Hawaii, we're blessed to have a diversity unlike other states and countries. Here, we are so used to people of mixed heritage that it usually doesn't raise many issues. There's no pause to contemplate the fact that someone is biracial since I suppose the majority of us are. In fact, someone of pure blooded anything is probably a rare find in Hawaii. I think for the most part we embrace our cultural diversity. I'd even go so far as to say that people of mixed heritage are thought to be more attractive, exotic even.

So this video sparked two immediate thoughts in my mind:

1) Wow, is it possible that this type of deep-seeded prejudice still survives in this day and age? Can an entire country really be racist? Ok, not an entire country but relatively speaking.

2) Isn't that just typical that Korea would totally embrace Hines Ward now that he is a football star? I'm not saying that only Korea would do that (I'm positive America would be first in line if the tables were turned). Is human nature that self-serving and greedy? Is it all about the fame and dollah dollah bills?

Livemocha - The Java of Languages

I found a cool website called Livemocha that is half social networking and half language acquisition. Basically, it's a MySpace or Facebook for those trying to learn a foreign langauge.

Since my plan is to travel to Europe (Italy being highly favored) in 2010, I figured I'd try to learn some Italian. I'm sure I won't become an expert, but if I can get a couple of common phrases down I'm sure it'd help a great deal.

At the same time, I figured I might as well spruce up my Japanese as well. I mean, I took nihongo in high school and made it through Japanese 302 in college, but it's been a while since college and I haven't had to use any of it. At this point, I'd have to say that I've forgotten most of it.

So, the other day I signed up for beginning Italian and Japanese. The program is pretty interesting. And, the best part is that it's free. It's very interactive (other community members reply to your lessons) and there are parts of each lesson where you're asked to write or speak. I find this really helpful.

So far, so good. My suspicions about my deteriorating Japanese ability were confirmed. The worst part of all is that I can't read any of it. All the kanji look foreign. Also, since I've never taken any Latin-based languages, I'm learing Italian from scratch. It's a challenge but I'll keep at it and see if I can learn a thing or two.

The Case of the Multi-Tasking Fiend

In this day and age of text messages, emails, 3G networks and the like, many of us have had to up our game and multi-task like nobody's business.

This woman has taken it to another arena - work while sleeping. In a crazy yet apparently true story, a woman walked to her computer, turned it on, connected to the internet and sent out some emails . . . all while sleeping!

Amazing huh? Bet now all of our bosses will want us to increase our productivity levels to match this woman's. Great! What a kiss up.

Self-Imposed Hunger Strike

Well, it's not really a hunger strike, but it is self-imposed and it does feel like a hunger strike.

My co-worker and I decided to do salads for lunch because this is a healthy alternative to plate lunches or fast food. In theory, this is a very good idea (especially since I would definitely welcome the loss of a pound or two or twenty), but in practice it feels like I'm on some kind of hunger strike and it's only been two days.

Knowing full well that I'll be having salad for lunch, I've even gotten up early to eat some breakfast. Yes, cereal is still considered a meal (at any time of day) even after graduating from college. As a treat to myself, I don't buy the healthy stuff. I stick to the good old fashioned sugary cereals like Apple Jacks or Cocoa Krispies.

Still, by the time I come into work, check my email and read the blogs on The Advertiser site I'm starving. When lunchtime finally arrives, I'm greeted with a heaping pile of greens. Yum (and I type this in the most sarcastic way possible)! Anyone who knows me knows that I hate veggies so you know salad lunches are just making my day.

I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to do this (mind you, I'm on day two right now). Also, if you think I don't snack in between meals, guess again. Even with snacking I'm still hungry. What gives?

Pregnancy - Is Something in the Water?

As many of you have probably noticed, Hollywood has been ripe with celebrity births these past couple of years. It's almost as if babies are the latest and greatest Botox. They just gotta try it.

Well, as is the normal trickle-down effect, it's finally reached Hawaii. It seems like everyone around me has just had a baby or will be having a baby. Baby popping is all the rage at work, with friends and even family. I guess it's just that time in my life, you know, baby-making time. I mean, I am at that age where I should "settle down" and start a family. People at my age normally have stable jobs and can finally afford to have a family (that's if you're planning to have one. Unplanned is another story.).

I'm not sure what to think about this baby-making, settling-down time, especially since I'm a self-proclaimed anti-baby person. It's not that I don't like kids (well, at least I don't not like them that much) but more like I don't feel like I need kids. Yeah, some people have a burning desire to become a mom. That's definitely not me as I've said to one and all. Still, to each his or her own and I'm happy for the moms and moms-to-be that are in my life. I'm just not sure it's for me, and I haven't met a guy who could convince me otherwise (ie. make me lose my mind and agree to have one).

I feel a little awkward about things though. It's making me contemplate my life and its direction. I mean, when you have kids it's easy to decide where your life is headed. Obviously your life is headed no where . . . err . . . that is no where your kids' lives aren't headed. LOL! Let me restate that. What I mean is that your life is no longer yours and your main focus is your child (or at least it should be. There's no telling these days.). When you're child free you have all the options in the world. Guess that's where I'm at now and the world is a really big place to be.

Cool Vids about Love

I thought I'd go with non-traditional love songs for Valentine's Day 2009.

Sam Hart's "Mario Kart Love Song" is so geeky sweet that it's hard not to love it to death!

Chad Doucette's "Love Sick Love Song" has some great lyrics. It's a great anti-Valentine's Day love song.

David Choi professes his love for YouTube in "YouTube (A Love Song)."

Tom Milsom's "Internet Love Song" is just cool because he's playing the uke!

Rhett and Link's "I Want to Believe," an X-Files love song, ponders a more Earthly love between Scully and Mulder.

Andy Garcia Reads Pablo Neruda in Il Postino

I found Neruda's "The Saddest Poem" being read by Andy Garcia in the movie "Il Postino." The poem is translated differently from the one I posted. It's called "Tonight I Can Write The Saddest Lines" and it sounds just as haunting.

Pablo Neruda on Love

Since tomorrow's Valentine's Day, I thought I'd post some of my favorite poems by the Nobel Prize winner Pablo Neruda. What I like most about his poems are that they are filled with so much passion and emotion. His words are simple enough for you to understand, yet they are also so profound and meaningful. Somehow, even after being translated into English, the words are still lyrical.

This is the first Neruda poem I ever read. It's called "The Saddest Poem," and even though it is so achingly melancholy, I was struck at how passionately he loved this woman. To feel this heartbroken means that he had to have been immensely in love at one point, so deeply in love that the lack of this love could produce such a beautifully forlorn poem.

The Saddest Poem

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.

Write, for instance: "The night is full of stars,
and the stars, blue, shiver in the distance."

The night wind whirls in the sky and sings.

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.
I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

On nights like this, I held her in my arms.
I kissed her so many times under the infinite sky.

She loved me, sometimes I loved her.
How could I not have loved her large, still eyes?

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.
To think I don't have her. To feel that I've lost her.

To hear the immense night, more immense without her.
And the poem falls to the soul as dew to grass.

What does it matter that my love couldn't keep her.
The night is full of stars and she is not with me.

That's all. Far away, someone sings. Far away.
My soul is lost without her.

As if to bring her near, my eyes search for her.
My heart searches for her and she is not with me.

The same night that whitens the same trees.
We, we who were, we are the same no longer.

I no longer love her, true, but how much I loved her.
My voice searched the wind to touch her ear.

Someone else's. She will be someone else's. As she once
belonged to my kisses.
Her voice, her light body. Her infinite eyes.

I no longer love her, true, but perhaps I love her.
Love is so short and oblivion so long.

Because on nights like this I held her in my arms,
my soul is lost without her.

Although this may be the last pain she causes me,
and this may be the last poem I write for her.

This is another poem that I really enjoy. Love is so strong that he is powerless against it. If he wished to hate his love, he couldn't. He can't fight the love no matter how hard he tries. He loves so hard it kills him but he's willing to die for it.

I Do Not Love You Except Because I Love You

I do not love you except because I love you;
I go from loving to not loving you,
From waiting to not waiting for you
My heart moves from cold to fire.

I love you only because it's you the one I love;
I hate you deeply, and hating you
Bend to you, and the measure of my changing love for you
Is that I do not see you but love you blindly.

Maybe January light will consume
My heart with its cruel
Ray, stealing my key to true calm.

In this part of the story I am the one who
Dies, the only one, and I will die of love because I love you,
Because I love you, Love, in fire and blood.

Speed Dial Number Three @ Missed Connections

As I mentioned on an Advertiser blog, I've recently found Missed Connections on Craigslist completely intriguing. I don't know if it's the undercover romantic or the nosy neighbor in me, but I can't stop reading this stuff. It's like being a voyeur and peering into a fishbowl world. Will he ever talk to his "girl that runs for days" or find his "skinny white girl, short shorts and long legs?" I'll never, ever know but I find it really, really entertaining to read.

Tonight, one of the post titles really caught my eye. It said:

Speed Dial Number Three

How could I not stop to click on this one? When I opened it up, its length surprised me. As you know, this Craigslist generation of ours isn't known for being verbose. This made me even more curious.

The post was apparently from a guy to his ex in his final, final good bye. It was so moving and honest. It was heartfelt. Is it weird that I felt like crying? I didn't of course . . . but I wanted to.

Why? Because this small glimpse into the history of this couple was amazing. The post showed us all the love and anger and strife that the relationship endured. It showed us the loss, confusion and sadness at the relationship's end. It was like a snippet of a well-written novel, a Hollywood film yet to be produced.

Will his ex ever read this? Will she ever know his feelings? We'll never know. But that, in itself, is why the post is amazing.

Legaci Update - Original Singers

Here's the original singers of the songs sung by Legaci in my last post. Compare the two and see who you like better.

Bryan McKnight - "6, 8, 12"

112 - "Cupid"

Best Valentine's Day Music - Legaci

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd check out some love songs courtesy of YouTube. You will not believe the talent I found. Check out this group called Legaci. I'm diggin' on them.

They remind me of all the old school groups from back when I was growing up - Boyz II Men, Shai, UNV, etc. Man, those were the days. Does that make me sound old?

You can't find too many of these soulful groups nowadays. Yeah, there are soloist but they're not the same. And yeah, for the most part, boy bands are out (although I don't know what the New Kids on the Block are trying to do with their comeback attempt), but somehow I don't think of the R&B groups from the 80s and 90s as boy bands.

Check out the music:

"Ready for Love"


"6, 8, 12"


"Cupid"


I also wanted to mention that one of their singers (Del) does his own five-part harmony. Crazy beautiful, don't you think? Perfect for V-Day.

Quotes about Love and Dating

Read a hilarious post from the San Francisco Chronicle today about quotes on love and dating overheard on the street by regular people. You cannot make this up. It is so classic. My favorites are:

"You can't hurt me. I'm dead on the inside."
"That's OK. I'm a necrophiliac."
(Couple conversing in Hayes Valley, overheard by Jake Wood)

"Sorry, I'm short."
"That's OK, I'm shallow."
(Conversation between a couple on a dance floor, overheard by Lawrence Glendinning)

"That's why me and Roman Polanski have the same taste in women."
(Man to friend, overheard outside Savanna Jazz in the Mission by R. Guensche)

Have you heard anything ridiculous on the streets of Honolulu?

Traffic at Eye Level

Today I decided to test out my walking route from home to work. We're moving offices so I'm not sure what the parking situation is going to be like at the new place. It took about 30-40 minutes to get to work. I left so early in the morning that I actually had time to pull into a McDonald's and get breakfast.

To tell you the truth, I've never really been a walker. I've lived most of my life out of the walking range so driving has been my only option. Today's little adventure was pretty interesting. Here's what I noticed during my one hour commute to and from work:

1. People in cars seem to stare at anyone not in cars. It doesn't matter if they're driving along or stopped at a red light. They'll always turn to look at the person on the sidewalk.

2. There are all these quaint little shops along the road that I've never, ever noticed before.

3. There's a bunch of homeless people who sleep at Thomas Square. On my way home, they were still there along with three bicycle cops. Not sure what that was all about as the cops weren't doing anything besides exercising their jaws. I did, however, distinctly smell alcohol coming from the area.

4. Surprisingly my legs haven't turned into jelly from lack of exercise (maybe just pudding).

5. Walking toward traffic is a lot more entertaining than walking away from traffic. You get to see everyone in their cars. Most people don't match what they're driving. You'd think that at some point people would morph into their cars like they morph into their pets, but I don't think that's the case.

Teen Online Dating - Breaking News or Old News?

Today I read a Star-Bulletin article stating that online dating in gaining popularity among teens. My first thought was, "Hasn't this been going on since the advent of the internet?"

The times are different now than they used to be. Rarely are there social clubs that exist primarily to introduce students from one school to another as there were in the 1950s to 1970s. Kids and the internet go hand-in-hand, so of course online dating is prevalent.

Back when I was in high school, it was already a common phenomenon. This was before the technology of text messaging, back when pagers were the rage. Even though we didn't have texting, we had instant messaging (ICQ anyone?) and chat rooms (Does anyone remember Hawaii Chat Universe?). What else do you think teens were doing besides trying to meet new people and/or hook up?

Besides just trying to hook up, the internet was an opening for kids at different schools, and even different islands, to meet and get to know each other. Similar to today, you couldn't be completely positive that what you were being told was true. However, I think for the most part people were forthcoming (well, at least in my experience). I also think that we didn't really hold it against each other if there was a fib or two during chatting. We didn't seem to take it as seriously as adults would, and I think this is true for today's teens as well.

I know there are so many negatives that parents/adults harp on and on about when discussing internet use with their teens, but really, back then it seemed pretty safe to meet people with whom you had chatted. It was like the "Leave it to Beaver" era of online dating.

I've got to admit that I met a few really cool and interesting people via chatting online. Most of my friends could probably say the same. After a while of chatting and IMing, meeting in person just seemed natural. In fact, one of my best friends in high school was a guy I met at HCU. We talked on the phone, paged each other constantly and he even came with me to prom. My friends and I met his family and his girl friend. All in all it was a good experience that would not have happened without chatting.

So to say that online dating is gaining in popularity among today's teens is probably one of the least insightful things coming from today's media. Get with the program.

Say You'll Stay (music meme tag)

I saw this music meme at A Big Victory and thought it might be fun to do. Reminds me of all those personality quizes back in high school that got forwarded to a million people.

What does your music library say about you?

RULES:

1. Put your media player of choice shuffle.

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.

3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!

4. Put any comments in parentheses after the song name.

5. Tag at least 10 friends

6. Use the answer to the last question as your title.

So, here we go . . . and by the way, tag you're it.

What do your friends think of you? "For Once In My Life" by Tony Bennett (Aw shucks, ain't that just swell?)

If someone says, “Is this okay?” You say? "Australia" by The Shins (Already off to a rocky start. This one doesn't make sense.)

How would you describe yourself? "Anyway You Want It" by Journey (Yeah, because everyone knows I don't have control issues)

What do you like in a girl/guy? "Pony" by Ginuwine (Always did like a confident guy who didn't mince words. LOL)

How do you feel today? "Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass (Definitely lookin' for some good ol' rescuing tonight.)

What is your life’s purpose? "Punkie" by Sean Paul (To be a tease and get guys like Sean Paul to fall for me when I've already got a man? Sounds fun.)

What is your motto? "Forever Young" by Bob Dylan (Maybe I really should adopt this as my motto?)

What do you think about very often? "Come Inside" by The Chemical Brothers (The fact that the song just repeats this over and over is actually pretty funny. Maybe I do need to follow my life's purpose - see previous question.)

What do you think of your best friend? "I Used to Love Him" by Lauryn Hill (Doesn't really apply to this question but my best friend does know a little sum' sum' about this. It probably wasn't as dramatic or religiously enlightening as told in this song, but the title definitely fits part of my life.)

What do you think of the person you like? "Molokai Slide" by Ehukai (Funny, "local" guys aren't really my type.)

What is your life story? "Don't Stay Home" by 311 (Hmm, how does my iPod know this stuff?)

What do you want to be when you grow up? "Run Away" by Real McCoy (Sounds liberating.)

What do you think of when you see the person you like/love? "Unpretty" by TLC (Ha, that figures.)

What will you dance to at your wedding? "I Can Change" by John Legend (Well, hopefully I can get this kind of commitment BEFORE the wedding right?)

What will they play at your funeral? "Just Another Day" by Jon Secada (Nice, hopefully there'll be a gaggle of dudes at the funeral all singing this - refer to the question about my life's purpose.)

What is your hobby/interest? "Babylon" by David Gray (Heartbreak and love reclaimed? Sounds like this hobby is too dramatic and traumatic for me.)

What is your biggest fear? "Sweet Darling" by Fiji (Oh wow, interesting answer. Implies a fear of commitment, which could very well be true.)

What is your biggest secret? "Seasons of Love" by Cast of Rent (Yes, I'm secretly optimistic about love.)

What do you think of your friends? "Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles (Nahhh, my friends wouldn't go on a drug-filled trip - literally and figuratively - even if they were invited by The Beatles . . . I think?)

What will you post this as? "Say You'll Stay" by Kai (God, I love this song. Haven't heard it in a while.)

Too Young for Marriage?

I really don't know what's going on lately, but everywhere I look guys are either too young or married. Sometimes they're too young and married!

For instance, we've got a new guy in our IT department who's been with us for about a month or so. I've only met him once before and swear he can't be over 23. Anyway, I noticed today that he was wearing a wedding ring. I hadn't noticed it there before. He's practically a baby and he's married already? I find that completely scary.

The only other reason I could think of that he'd be wearing it was if he's Catholic and married to God. Do guys even do that? I've only seen girls wearing rings for their faith.

Anyway, I know people mature at their own speeds and can meet "the one" at any time in their lives, but geez it seems like people are getting married younger and younger these days. Either that, or they're waiting till 50. I'm not sure which is better or worse.

I still feel like I need another 10+ years before I even think about getting married. I guess it helps that at this time I don't really want kids so there's no pressure there. Yes, I realize that I'm still young, relatively speaking since I'm several years past 23, but I couldn't imagine myself being married right now.

Maybe it's different if you've met "the one" your first day of high school and you just know this is it? Maybe it's different if you've graduated college and your college sweetheart proposes? Could be, but those things didn't happen to me so I guess I can't relate.

I feel as though I barely know myself so how can I really, truly get to know another person enough to marry them? Is that wrong? Selfish? All I can say is that it is what it is. It's not that I'm opposed to meeting "the one," but I can honestly say I'm not really looking to find him either. If it happens, then I suppose that'll be nice. If not, no time like the present to enjoy being independent and free.

Is It Wrong To Wish for Hollywood Endings?

My two friends and I are planning a European adventure for 2010. We have it narrowed down to either: a) Italy and Greece, or b) England, Scotland and Ireland. None of us have been to any of these countries, so we really have no idea what to expect.

I am really torn between the two destinations but am also fine with either. Why? Because since I've nothing to base my decision on but the Hollywood films I've seen, they both seem to hold unbridled potential in my eyes. Is it wrong to base such a decision on what I've seen on celluloid? Is it wrong to wish for a Hollywood ending?

Italy and Greece
How can Italy and Greece not be the countries for me after watching:

Under the Tuscan Sun
I could definitely get used to this . . . well, minus the scorpions and fixer-upper.


Roman Holiday
In Rome, you can be anyone you want to be.


Stealing Beauty
The picturesque countryside steals Liv Tyler's beauty.


Mamma Mia!
The chalk-white buidlings against the sparkling blue ocean is breath taking.


Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 1 & 2 (This is the trailer for 2)
Both 1 and 2 featured Greece's beauty.


England, Scotland and Ireland
But, what about:

The Importance of Being Earnest
Who wouldn't love to get lost in a completely British mansion like this?


Tristan and Isolde
Yes, I'm a few centuries too late but I'm sure there are still tons of natural beauty to see.


Far and Away
Granted most of the scenic beauty is in America, but both characters do come from Ireland. Plus, this was a Tom Cruise I could actually stomach.


P.S. I Love You
This one definitely sealed the deal for Ireland - tons of green everywhere you looked. Hopefully, there'll be tons of hot Irish lads like Gerad Butler's character (although, I'll take his hot native Scots as well).


Made of Honor
You might not be able to tell from this trailer, but Scotland and kilts were definitely a big player in this film.

Beer Launcher

After $500 and 150 hours of work, this guy invented his own paradise. Can you top that?

My New Lyrical Love - Ron Pope

I was futting around on Myspace checking out the new music and came across a new artist named Ron Pope. I don't know if it's his music, voice, lyrics or my recent optimistic belief in fairy tales, but I think I've just found my newest lyrical love. *sigh* I could listen to him sing all day and feel content.



He seems to be one of those soulful singer/songwriter types. He's a cross between Bryan Adams, John Mayer and Jason Mraz. His songs and his voice just seem so real and believable to me. It's not something manufactured by the studios. It's not simply a marketing ploy to rake in the money and fame. It's just pure expression of emotions. I like the melodies - simple but soothing somehow.



Here's his bio off his website (think it's the same on his Myspace):

Bio
Where should I start…these stories, my music, it comes from all the places I’ve been, the people I’ve been blessed to play music along side, the way it feels to play my guitar until it bleeds or to bang on that old piano in my living room until my shoulders ache and my fingers won’t move anymore.From Georgia to New York, New York to the road; Charleston and Memphis, Vermont to Chicago. Turned 21, then 22…released my first record with The District…Maine and Boston and who knows where else…made love in the grass and meant it…walked down Wilshire, blinking in the Los Angeles sun… got lost in Delaware scrambling to get home to my family after too much time…swam in the ocean with the boys, thanking God for purple and orange Florida sunrises. Soaked up New Orleans…tried to become Levon Helm; realized I wasn’t much of a drummer……turned 23. Wrote A Drop In The Ocean with Zach Berkman and then put it away for six months because I didn’t get it…fell in love…drank whiskey from the bottle and howled at the moon…released Last Call…played the blues back-to-back with Buz in Charlotte and just about everywhere else along that godforsaken highway…the van broke down…we fixed it…the van broke down again. Got lost heading to South Carolina and ended up in Alabama…fell out of love and hit my head on the way towards the bottom…turned 24…made a Christmas album, because, damn it, I like Christmas albums. Played big rooms…played small rooms …listened to Van Morrison and cried…listened to trains scream somewhere off in the distance on ink-black sleepless nights… I traced the outline of a woman’s face on a piece of paper; someone I loved and didn’t want to forget once we’d put the whole thing to bed. The picture didn’t turn out the way I’d hoped, so I took my ink-stained fingers and spelled her name out in big, smeared letters on my arm. I guess that’s all I’ve ever really had…my words. This music is the story of where I’ve been, who I am, and where I’m going…these songs are my life.



How could you not fall in love with this guy after reading his bio and hearing his songs? He sounds so honest, so real. It's almost like he's pure - you know, before the labels, money and fame get to him. Hopefully he's able to hang on to some of that purity because I predict he'll hit the mainstream real soon.

To assist him in his musical journey, I "demanded" that he come to Honolulu on Eventful. I was the first but probably not the last. If you're feeling the vibe too, demand Ron Pope and bring him to the islands.

View all Honolulu events on Eventful