I'm double booked

Do you get annoyed when people brag about how busy they are? As if being "busy" is a fucking virtue. Y'know what I mean? They say they can't attend to you because they have really important things to do. Or, more important things than to attend to you. And if so, it is also a word used to demean the respondant.

If you don't have time, tell me you don't have time. Don't tell me you were double booked, or was really busy, or was stressed from all that work. EVERYONE is busy. It's all relative. The word "busy" is such a subjective word that it can be thrown around with no merit. You will also get no sympathy like "Oh... I'm sorry to hear you were busy" because frankly, no one gives a fuck.

I could be busy closing three measly contracts. The president can be stopping three terrorist plots and consider that busy. But yet we treat our own business like it can really save lives. Just tell me if you're available or not. And if something can't be done on time, don't apologize or tell me you were busy, because that does not help the task at hand.

Right Stripes

I never was a huge fan of the White Stripes until now. You see, they are currently touring their new album in Canada and they just played for 600 people at Iqaluit yesterday. For those who don't know where Iqaluit is.... it's in the middle of fucking nowhere (capital of Nunavut). It is so far North, that city is closer to Greenland than it is to Ontario.

And this is what I mean by achieving pure happiness. They never tried to impress the cool kids, play at the "right" venues or fill a stadium. It was moms, dads, families, children of all ages attending the show. They no longer try to chase what is hip, simply because they ARE hip. The White Stripes were there because they wanted to see the city, while bringing music along with them. I don't care what you have to say about the duo, but their feast yesterday is something I true admire.

Check out the article here:
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/Music/article/230218

Where do they go?

When street breakdancers are ecliped by younger breakdancers, where do they go? It's not really one of those jobs that you can take with you to different industries. I mean, you can be a pro-dancer, but that's more formal dancing then breaking. You can teach other street breakers, but you won't earn a dime, cause they're too poor to pay you off. God forbid you join a basketball dance pack and sell your street cred soul.

The ones on Dundas Square are unbelievably charismatic. Rarely unfazed by the reluctant public, the performers persistently perform and remain animated, regardless of who's watching. They're not shy either, although that must be on your resume to be a street performer. Odd how these starving artists, getting by on donations, have more confidence and better presentation skills than the comfortable, suburban office worker. It pays to know the streets.

Superbad!

Met with Michael Cera last week for a profile interview. As much as I wish to write a scathing article, not a bone in his body was insincere. I think at times, he was even more mature than I was. I could not have met a more humble, well-grounded person in my life. Look out for his article in Corduroy Magazine on shelves in Nov/Dec.

For those who have yet to know who he is, he's George Michael from Arrested Development. Or one of the two main leads from the upcoming movie: Superbad
http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/superbad/

You can also check out his CBS online stint at:

http://www.clarkandmichael.com/

Farmer's tan

You drive 10 minutes north of Richmond hill and this is what you get: a cottage town sprinkled with run down barns, gas stations and a driving range!



Caleb came back half way across the world this weekend to remind me that I have the tools to move to Hong Kong. Coincidentally, I receive a phone call from Nielsen HK right when I got home. Thanks to Caleb's confidence boost, I felt that the telephone interview went well. The timing couldn't have been any better. Thanks if you're reading this.

Music! My music! Listen!

My personal jukebox can now be used at your disposal. Now I can force my opinions down other people's throats. I don't want to sound conceded but if you know what's good for you, listen to my playlist. I'm serious.

Duck walk

An indication of a great day is when something different happens in the morning before work. It can be a snowstorm, a blackout, a phonecall, and in the case of this morning... ducks crossing the street! My question is, since when did ducks learn how to properly cross the street in the first place? I've seen ducks crossing in the middle of the street, but this batch used the lights at a busy intersection. They did not walk diagonally, or in an odd pattern. They would just cross the street how we would normally do, but really really slowly.

Its great to see the aggravation in many faces as the ducks took their time. A car even skimmed a duck by driving around them because work is just SO important. I say let the ducks disturb our "busy" day. No matter how us humans change the landscape, nature has a way of reminding us that we can't control everything.

Conundrum this!

When you sit next to co-workers for 8 hours a day, you start to say the craziest of things just to take a break from work. It often feels like forced conversations, but can sometimes lead to the greatest of conclusions. We recently went bananas over conundrums:

Me - So if you and your daughter were the last to arrive at a bomb shelter, and there is only room for one more, who would you choose?

J - Isn't the answer obvious?

Me - Not really...

J - I can always reproduce

Should I bother typing this?

Sometimes, I worry about what I type. I mean, who could be reading this? What if I inadvertently insult someone without knowing it. Blogs are really a double-edged sword because you want your opinions heard, but to only the right demographic. You want this to be read by the greatest amount of people, yet you worry about what others will think.

Love, politics, things of raw emotion is what really matter in life right? So why is it so hard to put down on paper? I have been playing it safe as of late, and it's paining me to do so. Actually not really, but I feel as if I'm portraying an image of who I want to be, as opposed to who I am. Hell, who am I? I guess I'll figure it out in the days to come...

I did get recruited from an awesome department in ACNielsen HK... hope this works out.

Work Quotes

I'm putting together a quote book based on corporate culture. Problem is, there is not enough quotes to fill the book, they keep using the same sentences over and over again. Well, it still could be a children's book I guess. I'll just fill the pages with illustrations of robots or rats talking. It is neither an insult or stereotype of my company. It's simply an observation. But sometimes, those are the only phrases you can use to get your point across. I caught myself using it from time to time as well. Any of you guilty of this?

1. Touch base
2. Moving forward
3. Put it in the pipeline
4. It’s Friday
5. It’s Monday
6. Numbers are soft
7. Get the ball rolling
8. Get behind the eight ball
9. A Good Learning experience
10. How was your weekend?
11. How are you?
12. How are things?
13. Busy?
14. Any plans for the weekend?

Am I missing any?

Oh Snap!

A photo montage is never complete without Fergie Ferg right? Although I was not able to catch her peeing in her pants, which I was told she does from time to time. Oh yeah, and this guy from Finch Station... my idol.

Panasonic DMC-FX07

Finally took my new camera out for a spin. Parked at Finch Station, bought a day-pass, and off I went...

I'm still undecided whether I like the city or not. Although it's definitely starting to grow on me.

Toronto polite? I think not!

In July 2006's issue of Reader's Digest, the most polite cities in the world were ranked based on a courtesy test. The results were as follows:

1. New York

2. Zurich

3. Toronto

4. Berlin

5. Sao Paulo

18. London
19. Paris
26. Hong Kong

Yay, we're in the top three. But what gives? Why are we not at #1, which typically is expected of us. I'll give you the reason. Public transportation. The damn Toronto transit is one of the worst in the world when it comes to courtesy. As if transit layout and consistency is bad enough, the least they can do is fix their manners.

Today alone, I was yelled at for negligent transfers, mocked for asking a question, and was told "tough luck" when asked to use debit instead of cash. And these were all staff members.

You wonder why the suburbs are refusing to take public transportation downtown and our highway problems are getting worse. After all those strikes, ticket hikes, upgrades and loans the government gives to the TTC, you figured there might be SOME improvement. Oh yeah, and this guy was just recently nominated TTC's Chairman this year:

yeah, I also did a double take. This guy is only 30. I might be shallow (or bitter), but no way would I trust a "kid" with my tax dollars.

You're so beautiful

Watch this video if you want to immediately burst into laughter. I was honestly not impressed by their television show, but the music is royally solid. They are literally the new Tenacious D. Only that they are.... dare I say... better?



Oh yeah, stuff like this also makes me incredibly jealous. All it takes is two dudes on a guitar to come up with this. I just need an equally, if not, more ambitious partner.

Breaks my heart

While in Hong Kong, my mom couldn't muscle up the courage to present two wigs for my aunt who is to undergo chemotherapy. Sometimes, many things are better left unsaid...

Fight Fight Fight!

I can't help it. This seriously has to stop. My obsession with fighting is at an all time high. I used to randomly watch it on television. Now, I can list you every legalized fighting organization, fight camp, fight history, fighting style, weight class and even educational background to every fighter. I retain this information faster than all 4 of my university years combined.

Although I have grown up playing every single sport known to man, this recent one has topped the list. Call it what you will: Homoerotic, human cockfighting, barbaric, you cannot deny that it is human nature to be interested in combat sports. Especially if it is a sport based on instinct... and not a set of rules. Well, there are a few rules, but out of all the sports today, I can say this one has the least (with the exception of "Rollarball" of course). you wonder why "gladiators" were able to draw crowds by the cities. It is the truest form of athleticism.

All the gadgets are thrown out, and you are simply left with human vs. human. It's not how far you can throw a ball, or swing a racket, it's what REALLY matters... whether you can physically harm your opponent with the tools you were born with.

I think I might be going off the deep end. The fact that I took time to post a blog about fighting. This obsession really has to stop.

Just Criminal

I might be a little late on this one. For those who haven't read this yet, it's quite appalling:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/13/us/13pants.html?em&ex=1181966400&en=56ad88f9c976b37b&ei=5070

A judge is trying to sue a Dry Cleaners owned by an immigrant Korean family for a pair of lost pants... for $67 million dollars. Just when you think you have achieved the American dream, up comes this fat white guy who is crying over misplaced pants and slaps you with a lawsuit big enough to drive all your life's earnings into the ground. Legal fees and other expenses had to be paid out by the Chungs in order to fight Judge Pearson.

Just imagine this guy being in charge of a case you had to settle on. A miserable crook will determine the law of the American public. That's fucked. Oh but he does have a soft spot, you see, just recently he reduced his lawsuit to just a mere $54 million. What a sweetheart.

Decisions decisions...

It is scientifically proven we have the tendency to convince ourselves that every decision we make is acceptable, regardless if it is a good or bad choice. Majority of choices are based on instinct, but it is after that choice we begin to rationalize with ourselves that "I have made the right decision". We tend to find the positives with every decision made in order to convince ourselves that we did not miss out on any other opportunity.

Take purchasing a house for example. You paid for it. And even if there are cracks, leaks or bad neighbours, you would say "it needs some work". You won't say "I should've bought another house" otherwise you are dismissing the time and money put into your investment.

You miss out on opportunities of love because you're too lame to ask her/him out. But after the fact that the opportunity passed you by, you would say "well I'm too busy to be in a relationship", or "She/He's probably bad for me anyways". You get the point? We often fool ourselves in living a falsified notion of what is acceptable in order to be contempt.

I will move in 3 months time. And I will tell myself that I have made the right decision because I invested time and effort into the move. There will be no regrets. That way, I will be contempt. By shutting off everything that is rational. That's really sad. But it's human nature I guess...

It's not that hard

"I saved up enough money. I can go anywhere in the world. I have enough experience to get a job elsewhere. I'll be fine. You can leave now Phil. There's no point in staying. You passed the 1 year mark. Just get up, go over to your manager's desk, and tell him you're leaving. It's simple. Drop what you're doing. You're not that important anyways. You won't be missed. Just go, tell your manager, he won't get mad, it's no surprise to him anyways. Tell him. Do it you dumb fuck."

This is what I tell myself every morning and every time I work on a project I despise. I have every reason to leave. There really is no point in me staying. There was three company announcements today on either a mat-leave or a director leaving. If they can do it on two weeks notice. Why can't I?

God I'm such a pussy. I always tell myself to find a job first, and then I'll quit. But judging by the looks of it, I'm not quitting anytime soon.

Band Photo

Here's a mock up of our band photo. Great eh?

Small Town USA

Took a trip down to Buffalo to help a friend move. We were co-workers once, working minimum wage, packaging containers at a plastics factory just over 5 years ago. Now he is engaged, ran the Boston marathon, and is officially a medical dentist all by the age of 25. You see what I mean by how I can never be happy? There are simply those that overshadow your achievements, whether its relative or not.

He is settling into an apartment just outside downtown Buffalo. A quaint little neighbourhood that radiates that "small town" feel. Parks, cottage homes, fat people, memorials, churches, and enough American flags to blanket the town. But I loved it. All that was running through my head were Sufjan Steven songs and the movie "Elizabethtown". Woman were dressed southern like, but anti-war protesters and signs of presidential disapproval reminds me that we are still in a blue state.

As much as I enjoyed the visit, my gut tells me I still belong in the city. I now feel more fortunate that I live a 30 mins drive away from the downtown core of Toronto. Not to knock on Buffalo, but a single subway line and their entitlement as the primary export of greasy wings does not satisfy my appetite for culture and history. I once felt Toronto as a follower of London and New York but is in fact superior to hundreds around the world. Although it is exhausting to chase the core of what is "cool", I often take Toronto for granted. This trip has definitely shown me that.

Please go on

Me - "You're 19 right?"

K - "I'm 29, but that's flattering"

Me - "Well is there anything you have yet to achieve before you turn 30?"

K - "Wow, that's a loaded question"

Me - "I know, but there has to be something you wish to accomplish before you reach this milestone"

K - "I do wish I was harder working"

Me - "And?"

K - "More organized"

At that moment I realized why hanging out with people at work isn't such a great idea.

Should I take it?

I have to admit. I'm not really good at what I do. I can't deal with numbers, I'm always fumbling in front of clients, and I can't calculate figures in my head. Hell, I can't even talk on the phone and type at the same time.

So do I like what I'm doing? Sometimes, but usually it's not related to work. Figuring out finances or database results do in fact make me want to step out of my cubicle and kick a random stranger square in the head.

But now ACNielsen HK is offering a position in the same department. At least I'll be able to afford my own place. Is it even worth it? I think I should wait. Hold out for something better. I know something better will come along... you just have to wait...

I gotta stop talking about work

I can't help it. It consumes roughly 45 hours of your week, and sometimes you take it home with you. I'm currently being scolded for not meeting deadlines. Problem is, there are times when I don't even know whether it is even actual work that I'm doing.

A product launch is coming up on thursday. The theme is movies. We just spent 45 min at our meeting today, attended my managers and directors, discussing whether we should bring in a popcorn machine. The slacker in me says "yes, talk away". The keener in me says "should we be doing actual work?". In the end, who cares. Because regardless of what we talk about, we still get paid.

Parenting is tough

My mom took an immediate flight back to Hong Kong because of my aunt. In all her 25+ years of travel, she had always been with my dad. Often times, relying on him to navigate even the simplest of directions in plane travel. But that's how it's always been, and when it comes to experiencing the joys of travel, the two are inseparable. Romantic isn't it? Well this time, she had to go alone.

Even days before the flight, my father would show concern. To be honest, I thought it was no big deal. I just told her to always look up, ask questions, and double check everything. It used to be my parents sending me off to trips with the concern for safety, but as I was driving my mom to the airport at 6:45 am on sat, I felt the roles have reversed.

She would often ask naive questions that get me concerned, like "when do I use the aeroplan card?", or "could I bring in liquids?". From check in to baggage check, I grew weary at the fact that my mother had to travel alone. Even as I was walking away, it was like sending your kids off to the first day of school, you can't help but always look back and wave to reassure yourself that they will be OK.