My Brain Garbage

Here are some updates with no particular relevance or importance:

During the 2011 Paris Roubaix, I still rooted for Fabian Cancellara even though the winner, Johan Van Summeren, was a surprise and proposed to his girlfriend right after he won. 

In regards to my materialism, I am really into the new Vena Cava x Tenoversix stuff and Joe's T's and  $3000 japanese ice mold that makes perfect ice baseballs in seconds!

Recently it has reached the mid 70's here in LA. Recently I have purchased a fur hat a la Alexis from Dynasty. Recently I've tried to convince people that it's colder than it is.

We watched the Giants games this week. I only really cared to watch Brian Wilson. I read my book the rest of the time. If baseball commentary were anything close to any of Phil Liggett's commentary, it'd be much more interesting.

Los Angeles Open Houses have been my excuse to enjoy soondubu for dinner. (Korean tofu soup)

I listen to obscure, rare, and instrumental music at work. While it seems pretentious, I only do this to prevent my co-worker from singing along.

Last weekend I played Jenga for 3 hours on the Verdugo Bar patio. And for 2.75 of those hours I tried to build an Anne-sized tower. 

Did someone just club my jaw with a gold fist of awesome?

My new t-shirt compliments of the fine people at WOWCH

Race Report: LA Marathon March 20, 2011

"That was so stupid!" - me, my first words after finishing my first marathon on a windy stormy Santa Monica Sunday.

The beginning of my misery was waking up at 3:30am to prepare for the race. I had stuffed every pocket of my ultra-techy running gear with Gu's. (my squirtable food to help me run faster). Then covered all of that with my gigantic and hideous thrift store sweats and a garbage bag in hopes of staying warm and dry. (This later becomes a crock)

Mere and I catch a 4:30am shuttle to Dodger Stadium. This bus is full of equally sleepy racers, but just enough cocky loudmouths to drive me insane. These jerks found this to be the best time to brag about their past achievements.

4:50am - 7:15am We sit in Dodger Stadium in the cold and bored. At least it's dry.

OK so the race finally begins ... I shed my thrift store exterior and take off. Just in time for the storm to begin. Each mile was growing more and more uncomfortable in terms of weather. By mile 10, I was drenched and lost all feeling and function of my hands. At least, I learned how to use my mouth a lot more to tear open Gu packages and what have you. And what's that sound? Oh it's my squishy shoes because I had just run through 1/2 a mile of ankle deep water! Miles and miles of complete sogginess and wind chill. Everyone talks about mile 20 being the scorcher. No -- it's mile 26. As you turn onto what is called the home stretch, you get struck by a huge gust of wind coming from the ocean. Thanks, God, you got me there!

Finish time: 4 hours and 42 minutes. 12 minutes passed my time goal. Oh well. I was more concerned about pooping my shorts, which did not happen.

So as a completely depleted runner, you're happy you cross the finish line. But wait, you have to walk almost 2 huge blocks through picture taking and medal distribution and swag. This is useless to me because I still can't use my hands. Thank god they gave me this strange paper blanket to keep me "warm".

Overall, I'm in disbelief that I paid $150 to put myself through almost 5 hours of torture. Mentally and physically. Physically was the pain in my legs. The feeling that my legs weight 500 tons and my joints are aching. In terms of cardio, I was fine. Just leg pain. Plenty of "Shut up, Legs" leg pain! Mental torture-  I honestly knew that I would not be happy with myself if I walked at all. But when you're cold and tired and wet and in pain, it seems so easy to do. So I had to fight that urge.

 I was hoping for that end feeling of accomplishment, but when that blind guy and 470 others passed me in the last 4.5 miles, that went down the toilet, and thankfully not down my shorts (RIMSHOT!)

To summarize:

So, what was my favorite mile? 26th

Least favorite? 26th

Overall thoughts - Horrible. Thank god I didn't poop my shorts.

Favorite running gear - Lululemon all the way!

Do I recommend this to others? Yes. It's a great way to test what your limits are.

Will I do it again? Maybe. Probably not.

Currently: Cannot walk. Can hobble.

PS.

My marathon playlist was crucial through all of this. I highly recommend putting all of those songs that instantly make you want to hit something.

Here's an part of my playlist (as it's difficult to find suggested marathon music sometimes)

The Time - Jungle Love
Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
Supergrass - Moving
.38 Special - Caught Up In You
TV On The Radio - Wolf Like Me
LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
Cee Lo - F*ck You
Amy Winehouse/Mark Ronson - Valerie
Eurythmics - Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer
MoneyGrabber - Fitz and the Tantrums
Motownphilly - Boyz II Men
Move On Up - Curtis Mayfield
Heartbeats - The Knife
California Gurls - Katy Perry
Justin Timberlake - Damn Girl
NERD - She wants to Move
Power Station - Some Like It Hot (still worked)
Miss You Much - Janet Jackson
Hip to Be Square - Huey Lewis and the News
The Negatives - Hood
Empire State of Mind - Jay Z
The Humpty Dance - Digital Underground
One More Time - Daft Punk
9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
Single Ladies - Beyonce

etc...

It's easy. Accessible. Mind numbing and perfect for HORRIFIC situations.

Mr. Cage

Recently, I was asked what my favorite Nicholas Cage movie was. I answered "Adaptation" but really, I meant "Honeymoon in Vegas"

First and goals

Happy Super Bowl!

It is the only day in America when it is appropriate to use football puns and I fully intend to take advantage of this.

Yesterday I competed in the local 10K run and won! (first pun) Most of the fast people were probably at brunch but nonetheless I was proud. As a trophy I received a copy of the race organizer's book- a self help book about achieving perfection. Hm

I think about all of my goals (pun) and how I achieve them. Or rather my interpretation of a perfect life for the time being. Instead of idling through the book's advise on pretty much advancing my modeling/acting career, I remember my very wise best friend's advice- clean your microwave.

So at first it may seem odd, and even distracting, but like any trusting, and maybe gullible, friend, I listen and do it. She suggests this so that I get rid of all those small menial things that annoy me so that my mind is not so clouded with them and that I have a clear mind in working towards those goals whether it be to learn a song on the ukulele or even finding a job or learning Spanish.

It worked. That 10k felt good. And now I'm at the carwash for the next achievements to be had Whether it was a gift of the magi, a wish on a shooting star that traveled lightyears, or even luck, I'll thank my friend and the microwave.


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What I do on my day off- Masked Mexican THUMB wrestlers

Don Rightodor v El Leftito

Coachella and my constant denial of hipsterdom. Real talk.

Coachella, Southern California's most crowded desert music festival, has just announced their 2011 line-up.  My reaction- I know where I will not be in April.

I love music. I listen to everything. I play instruments and have friends that play instruments. But why not Coachella? I appreciate that Coachella shares the work of hard working musicians to people who haven't heard their music. I appreciate this inspired outfits on the sexy music lovers. I applaud the kids who camp out or have all night parties at fabulous desert vacation homes. But I just don't feel comfortable there anymore. 

Beyond the fact that I can probably only recognize a handful of bands and this reminds me how out of touch I am with new music and thus igniting flashbacks of high school ignorance of then cool bands. A feeling I hope no one else feels. In addition to the 100 degree heat,  100 yard long portopotty lines in that heat, $5 waters, crowds and  I dread the fact that going to Coachella may just stir up my inner-ugly-superficial-LA-wannabe-model that wants to blend in with the other desert minxes who had just ransacked Urban Outfitters and Opening Ceremony. I just can't bear the shame, but that's not it.

I think I've  lost that romance for the music festival. That feeling of inadvertent coolness that comes when you see a band that you have respect for, that thought "o man I look like hot shit in these jeans/sunglasses right now", having respect for people who also like the band you have respect for, the whole excitement of how your pictures will look on Facebook when you get home, or hell the idea that you could be there and someone else couldn't (despite the thousands of people that can go). I lost it. Or maybe I just realized it's bullshit.

I'm older, an asshole and my sense of adventure is not picture worthy enough for a hipster.

But these are my well wishes: that people go to Coachella for the love of music and befriend people on a less superficial level. That those music geeks who are truly passionate about music become king and that they get to make out with models, or at least, wannabe models.

Brain barf - Holiday Edition

Chiwetel Ejiofor movie marathon = it's a Chiwetel Chiw-ristmas!

I tried Crossfit. Was nothing like crucifixion.

Enjoying a car-less vacation. The bus turns out to be a great place to rethink your finances.

A thought on holiday parties- it's never too late to try gambling.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everyone!

In response to Mike's Sexy Pilgrim/Christmas/New Years Mustache

With the intention that he would shave, I scream, "Well you keep your mustache, I'll grow one too!"

Holiday Traditions

I never considered growing up a 1st generation Filipino-American as set back until it came to American holiday (both Thanksgiving and Christmas) traditions. This is a Jeopardy category I would save for last, or rather, a desperate moment. Granted my family and I have our own deck of holiday traditions but it was eye-opening to realize how different my holidays were to that of my very midwestern boyfriend's family holiday customs.

Recently The Grinch Who Stole Christmas was on TV. After 28 years of being on earth, it was the first time I had every seen the most amazing lyrical christmas cartoon ever. This became only the beginning of a long list of traditional American traditions I somehow overlooked.

The American list:
- warm apple cider - I thought the Sparkling stuff was "cider". Little did I know that apple cider was spiced and warm
- Bing Crosby and old Christmas music (singing/listening) - Yeah, I knew Christmas carols, but I didn't know people could simply listen to them and do nothing else. And for the record, I shamelessly knew Wham's Last Christmas and Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas before Bing Crosby.
- Green Bean Casserole - Hated it. Too salty.
- reading the Christmas story - With no wigs? That doesn't seem plausible.
- John Hughes - OK, I actually really enjoy myself some John Hughes. They make so much more sense after visiting the Midwest. After all 1980's midwest is still very similar to 2010 midwest.
- Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer movie - Yeah, I just watched that too. That snowman is pretty great.

And to justify my complete ignorance of some of these traditions and counter my boyfriend's jaw dropping to the ground, here are our family's:

- Hot Chocolate and Churros - Eaten at midnight of Christmas Eve. Sometimes the churros are of a mature nature, but hey, at least we made a crucifix one for Grandma!
- Church - Yes, I go to church. Every year I check out all of my old classmates and thank God that I moved out of my hometown. Oh and when my family and I laugh among eachother at an inappropriate volume.
- Post Christmas Dinner - After Christmas, it's just easier to get together with my family at a local buffet
- Cousin Day - The day that is only known to myself and my cousins.
- Dialetic of God vs Science - Without fail.

So there it is in black and white - a list of my traditions, new and old. All in all, I'm happy to have so many. These traditions are what make the holidays so amazing/dreadful. They force you to reconnect with those who make you the best you you are.

Office for the Day - LA Arboretum

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My favorite

ice cream for the last 20 years has been and still is Thrifty's brand Chocolate Malted Crunch

I hate

eating jellybeans in the dark.

This is what happens when you don't brush your teeth!

I love a scary ghost movie involving orthodontistry. From Poltergeist 2

Brain is Barfing

Since my sleeping is now programmed to Hawaiian time zone, I'm taking the time to drain the brain.

Highly enjoyed the fact that Cher had won her kareoke round at the Songstar Kareoke competition hosted at Max's of Manila in Glendale, CA. Did that old man really just sing "My Humps"? Gross.

What is it with everyone trying to predict the new black? Black is black. Idiots.

Proenza Schouler PS1 Proenza Schouler PS1 Proenza Schouler PS1

In response to Alberto Contador's recent performance drug test results, I will confess that I have also tested positive. For jellybeans. However, my milk tea numbers are severely low. I might have to see a professional about this. 

In other sports related news, my parents are run/walk fools now. My dad has evolved into a runner this year completing 7 1/2 marathons this year with 2 more to go. And my mom is speedwalking right behind him. Looking forward to my first 1/2 marathon here in LA with the folks. Hopefully there will be a hotdog stand at the end of the race to motivate me to keep moving. OK, red vines would probably work too. And pie.

Pretzels are good. But when they're bigger than your face, they're gooder. Thank you, Oktoberfest!

Terrible street art is happening. On every electrical box in LA.

Little Rules I Live By #1

I like to think that with all society's modern advancement and social change, that we still hold on to our manners. Surely, it sounds stuffy, but courtesy and etiquette are another way of showing consideration of one another which was never off trend.

For my first entry, I will begin with an easy one: smell.

1. Never leave the house without wearing perfume
This thought was inspired by Coco Chanel and does not have to be taken literally. I do, however, enjoy spritzing a little L'eau D'Issay every morning. It simply makes me feel fancy. And no, it's never supposed to mask other body smells. Subtlety is key. Regular showers should do the trick, but a little perfume never hurts.

But also, it's really unpleasant to wear too much perfume or to be so pungent everyone around knows you're wearing it. Have you ever been in the presence of that guy with the radial musk? Yup, not the best impression you want to make on colleagues.

And hey don't worry if you smell after all those workouts because that's just a reality. You can carry those cool "Action Wipes" for afterwards if you can't quite shower after your amazing athletic feat.

Speaking of athletic feat, my very good buddy/LG teammate got 2nd place at the Everest Challenge. It's a cycling race that spans the equivalent of riding up Mt Everest. 2 days of brutal climbing and she kicked plenty of ass. Congrats, Jocelyn!

HDTV, the Tour de France, and Eating "Well"

Last weekend, in the midst of the most pivotal stage of the 2010 Tour de France when Andy Schleck's chain fell off  and his stomach "filled with anger", our TV died. (I'm on Team Andy in this dramatic TdF rivalry.) There was plenty of desperate button pushing and verbal frustration. When Mike's impatient solution solving bravado engaged, he decided to just buy the best  TV he could find. (Update: The broken "asshole" TV was sold for $1 obo. In this case, it was 2 Jack-In-The-Box tacos from our opportunist friend, Chong Wayne.  Chong then repaired it for less than $100)

So here I am half-watching Phil Liggett, whose commentary I could listen to all day,  on a beautiful new super HDTV that has superior picture quality, is as aesthetically pleasing off as it is on, and is capable of doing all sort of hi-tech stuff I haven't figured out. It is the tv counterpart of a swiss army knife. But I've come to realize something. This TV makes every broadcast and movie look horrible. 

The Tour de France looks about the same. Movies and normal television programs, on the other hand, look like poorly shot home movies. I can see every facial flaw, the dramatic difference between CGI and live action, lighting imperfections and Lance Armstrong's "massive legs pumping away." (The most recent Liggettism. I had to include it.) I feel the same way I did when I learned Santa isn't real or when I was told this image was Photoshopped.

From Photoshop Disasters

But thanks to this High definition reality check, I am now more inspired to ride my bike and eat well. OK, so people ask me what I eat while I'm "training" or why can't you eat that?! And the answer is the Paleo diet for athletes. It's a troubling concept for those who know me because I'm already often described as "tiny" and have been described thusly since I was 16. But I believe it's always a good thing to watch what you eat especially when involved in endurance sport or concerned with overall well-being. 

But don't get me wrong- I LOVE JUNK FOOD. To prove it to you here is a brief trip through my dieting failures.

1999 - 2004 Vegetarian (dairy, eggs, vegetables)

It was the cool thing to do. In retrospect, rather trendy. I went to college in Santa Cruz and at the time I cared about the environment and thought I was improving the world by only eating french fries and macaroni and cheese. Wrong. 

2004 - 2006 Macrobiotic (no sugar, no caffeine, all organic, no processed foods)

I didn't have health insurance when I moved to Los Angeles. I relied on hearsay and my wise acupuncturist. She advised to eat organic and absolutely no sugar or caffeine. This lasted but I wasn't too happy. 

2008 Vegan (no animal products)

While I learned how to be more creative with protein options and cooked at home more often, I felt slightly weaker during workouts. A plus - sugar is still vegan. Also, socially, it was somewhat awkward especially when I visited my meat-eating Filipino family.

So through my dieting voyage, I've learned a few things that I found in the Paleo. 1. Animal Protein helps. 2. Starches and sugar are pretty bad for me. 3. Portion control.

While I do practice a a diet, by no means do I strictly follow anything. I eat a little of everything because strict dieting leads to binging. Also, if you exercise enough, you can eat ANYTHING and still look good on HD.

Go Andy Schleck!

Bolognese

What's for dinner?

A Filipino Food Truck - The Manila Machine

The Manila Machine was nearby the other day and I couldn't be happier. Since I've moved to LA, I've always had to hunt for some good Filipino food. And what better than for it to visit me?! Like Filipino soul food, it reminds you of your family, which we Bay Area transplants need from time to time.

So I was happy to do some research that not only do they have some Filipino classics like adobo, lumpia, and leche flan, but they have some interesting Fil-Am things like pan de sal french toast, ube cupcakes or what I'm most intrigued by- the chicken adobo slider. It's a pan de sal roll with caramalized onions and chicken adobo. What?!

Look for them in the metropolitan LA area. You might also find me. Gorging.

Mikey Paperdoll - 2010 CA State Champ Edition

So I've been working on paperdolls for the last week or so and I'm using them to celebrate Mike's win this last Sunday. He's our new SCNCA Category 4 Mens Road Race champ! So now, he gets a fancy jersey (aka the Bear jersey) with the California flag on it to wear for a year. I'm fairly certain that my version of the jersey is better, but I'm biased.

Anyway, here's the complete paper doll. Enjoy. Leave a message with your email for the hi-res version.