The Yellow Peril

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:44:45 GMT

What have I been up to these past 6 months? The usual: drinking beer, chasing cats, and napping.

Flickr is the only online presence that I have been actively keeping up-to-date. Even then, it has been used to document my beer field trips (of which there have been many epic excursions).

My photos, let me show you them.

Two weeks ago, my friends opened their coffee shop! It happens to be right next door to my apartment in Japantown; they now have the pleasure of seeing me practically everyday sometimes up to three times a day. I often (ok, always) prance behind the counter like I work there; so far, they have not scolded me for doing so. Until I get reprimanded, I will continue to toe that line.

I'm not even being biased when I say they have the best coffee, pastries, and cookies ever. My face has been stuffed full of Chinese BBQ pork buns (baked, not steamed) as well!

Anyway, back to beer. The last two weeks have been a part of SF Beer Week(s?). "SF BEER WEEK will be a ten-day celebration of that legacy, showcasing the Bay Area's brewing heritage with as many as 150 events." During the first week, we moseyed on over to the Seabright Brewery in Santa Cruz for a chocolate and beer tasting. Here is Chris, a happy man, double fisting a beer and bacon chocolate!

Chris shares his bacon chocolate with me.

We later went to the Parish Publick House for the cheese and beer sampler. Yes, I am wearing Eric's aviator glasses, looking a wee bit rotund.

Happy fucking campers.

We decided not to end the day there, so Scott drove us to Bonny Doon's Tasting Room. Decided to mix it up with some wine.

I love beer field trips.

Our last stop was a nearby Santa Cruz organic brewery where I proceeded to pet the big dogs running around. I think I was all beer-ed out by that point.

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:57:12 GMT

*taps* Is this thing on?

Calexico

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:59:24 GMT

If I was to listen to one Calexico album, which one would you recommend?

Please advise.

meme out of boredom

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 00:25:34 GMT

Blame bdu for this.

If your life was a movie, what would the soundtrack be?

So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie (I swear I adhered to this)

Opening Credits: North American Hallowe'en Prevention, Inc. - Do They Know It's Hallowe'en

Waking Up: Kent - Max 500

First Day of School: Matt Pond PA - Closer

Falling in Love: Pixies - Manta Ray

Getting it on: Cut Copy - Standing Up Sitting Down

Fight Song: Front Line Assembly - The Blade [Technohead]

Breaking Up: Spoon - Revenge!

Prom: Misfits - Come Back

Life: Belle & Sebastian - Act of the Apostle

Mental Breakdown: The Decemberists - As I Rise

Driving: Blue - Song 2

Flashback: Gin Blossoms - Til I Hear It From You

Wedding: Battle - Takuya

Birth of Child: The National - Apartment Story

Final Battle : Radish - Little Pink Stars

Death Scene: Rammstein - Stripped

Funeral Song: Guided By Voices - Sleep Over Jack

Closing Credits: Jarvis - Loss Adjuster (Excerpt Pt.1)

South First Fridays

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:46:57 GMT

This is happening downtown tomorrow. If anyone goes, gimme a ping.

http://www.southfirstfridays.com/

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:25:55 GMT

It's been a month since I last posted and I can't really think of anything very exciting to share with all of you. I just scarfed down some of the best (vegetarian) enchiladas but, for today, my excitement pretty much stops there.

Work is getting better, or rather I'm getting more comfortable but I'm still pretty stressed out because there's so much to learn and so much to do.

A sullen, overworked Jessica.

I still have a super handsome boyfriend.

I really want a cat although I have no time for one. This is Charlie (she's a girl cat).

4 weddings down, 1 left.

After falling into the splits because he slipped on some water, Manni proceeded to rip the backside of his pants from doing my splits. I was encouraging him... He was also pretty wasted.

Chris put his old socks (that are missing its mate) over the drums so we could play Rock Band late into the night without bothering people (too much). Eric was rocking so hard that the two outer socks fell to the floor.

Eric, rocking so hard.

Eric and I made Kansas City-styled ribs.

Obon Festival came and went.

I cam-whored a bit.

tupperware of cupcakes

I love this new restaurant, Mustard Cafe, that's on the Alameda.

My lilac Docs were too big so I had to return them. Sigh.

Oh, here I am super trashed after the Cancun wedding.

Joint bachelor and bachelorette party.

Dana Street Roasting Company tip jar.

I still have to post photos of Cancun, eep.

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:00:54 GMT

I am testing out this ping.fm stuffs. How does everyone else like it?

oh hai

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:40:46 GMT

Internet fatigue isn't really a fatigue. It has turned into a full blown "I don't give a shit; I'm too busy." However, I recently started using Plurk and I'm not sure what the appeal is yet. It's like Twitter, but has the ability to have mini chatrooms and to gain karma points. The more you use it, the more points you get. I like level-ing, so we'll see how long it'll be before I get bored.
***

Oh, Cancun. Nothing of note to report. The wedding was on the beach and on the nicest day we had there (it was overcast on other days). I decided to test myself and failed. Snorkeling sounded like a good idea; I had never gone before and it was practically free at the resort. The bobbing of the boat made me feel pretty queasy and once I was in the water, I just got thrashed around from the waves.

I tried to Keep Things Under Control, but finally gave in and vomited while I was bopping around the water. No one saw me, I think, and I just kept swimming. Some other woman threw up over the side of the boat on the ride back, so I felt slightly better about my spewing.

Oh, I did see a nurse shark (about 4 or 5 feet in length), a turtle, and a barracuda. Others saw a sting ray, but I was probably busy trying not vom.
***

I, of course, have a million photos to share, so if you're too lazy to go look at my Flickr yourself, I'll be posting my favorites later. I'll also do a private post on how I feel about my job.

Sat, 31 May 2008 01:34:29 GMT

I've been at my new job for about 3 weeks and, so far, I'm liking it. The whole 8 to 5 thing is killing me a little bit, because I often go to sleep around 2 in the morning. What is the new job? I handle the legal stuffs and things at a debt collection agency.

Oh, and I have a new car as well! No pictures of my bright blue Honda Fit, but I'm sure you guys know how to use Google.

I think my lust for the internet is finally fading; after 13 years of constant, grueling obsession, I'm no longer shackled to my laptop. It's so strange, and I often feel like I'm cheating on the internet with real life. I suppose my priorities have changed and the whole waking up thing really cramps my style. I pretty much go to work, clean, do laundry, sleep, and eat dinner with Eric.

I still Flickr and read my LJ friend page, but beyond that I don't do much else. I am thinking of quitting Twitter or, at the very least, cutting down my list of people I follow to people I actually see once a week. This is all so confusing, much like puberty. All these questions are popping up. How will I know what's going if I don't read my feeds? How many internet memes will pass me by? How will I know about new cool (web 2.0) things before the masses?

Now for a photo dump.

Chris' kitty.

Michelle and her dog, Danger Mouse.

Chris, looking special.

Yay, Tamiko!

We found these strange art pieces near one of the lightrail stations. They had three heads and six legs.

Beyond lady-like.

I had a muffuletta for dinner. So many muff jokes.

merp

Chubby chihuahua.

Homemade R2D2 cake.

Hairless cat.

It was hot and this was the coolest place in the house.

He's always fuckin' napping.

Now for the bachelor(ette) party photos. Someone bought this awful thing that came with the veiniest vibrstor I've ever seen.

huge stache man

Crothcless panties with sequined cherries on that came from the penis pinata.

She was so sad when someone popped him.

Oh hey, it's me getting sat upon.

Weasing the juice (from the margarita machine)!

The dog's name is Yoda!

Pool party the next day. More drinking.

Mos importantly, there was this:

They're vintage.

o hai.

And, rum raisin pocky looks pretty ... girly.

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:35:19 GMT

I've had a paid account for a very long time. Today it expired and I'm not even sure what I'm missing out on, except the ability to post polls (which I do like). Oh internet, it's been such a long time...

Super busy with the new job. I'll hopefully post more informative posts soon about that and life in general, but I need to get back to work.

Hmm, to pay or not to pay.

PS
I still read my friends page!

feet on the ground

Mon, 05 May 2008 21:00:21 GMT

Three songs are stuck in my head today: Talking Head's "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)," Pet Shop Boys' "Love Comes Quickly," and Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams." I am remedying the situation by listening them to repeat until I feel satiated.

I finally stole photos off Chris' camera to post to Flickr. Lots and lots of post processing when it comes to pictures taken on a point and shoot; I think I went a little hogwild with the curves, but I've always been one for lots of contrast in my photos.

A while ago we went hiking at Alum Rock, because I've never been even though I've lived in San Jose my whole life. Look, a stream! Greenery!

Last week (not this past weekend), we went to Half Moon Bay and found a nice beach with tide pools and no rangers. To access the beach you had to climb down this steep bluff, but I managed not to land on my face.

I like this photo no matter how emo it is. I was dying my hair and got it all over my forehead and my hands. Argh, I am such a messy klutz.

corned beed brekkie at Lowry's

Went to IKEA and couldn't resist all the reflective windows.

Had dinner at GOOG with Noah and spied these little guys at his desk.

Noah also did an ASCII Jessica.

Latest Japanese snack.

Latte art.

Now, I go off to suffer from my allergies.

Thu, 01 May 2008 22:54:03 GMT

I'm too impulsive.

Over the years, I've struggled with taming this beast, but I'm not sure if I'm any better at being more cautious. Perhaps, just more aware. I really like analyzing myself (how accurate I am, who knows); and I've noticed that what I perceive as my faults, I tend to be attracted to the opposite in the people I date.

For example, I've been called hyper and sometimes intense (what this means, I know not), so I am attracted to guys who are mellow and low-key. I think if I ever dated anyone as hyper as me, I'd feed off that energy and my person would implode (don't want to leave a mess).

This is just a excerpt of the mental masturbation that floats through my head everyday. I'll be driving or showering (prime Jessica thinking times) and something will pop into my head that I want to share, but it will never get to LJ because the shiny, spontaneity of it will pass after 2 minutes.

I've tried keeping a notebook to jot down LJ entry ideas but I find that I am much more eloquent in the moment.

I find myself to be strange at times. Hmm.
***

At at the Goog with Noah last Thursday. Cupcakes, nom nom.

There were bidets in the restrooms. The Ultimate in Ur Urination Experience!

Neat art at Barefoot right now. I really like the vibrant colors, the facial expressions, and the Klimt-like backgrounds.

http://www.laceybryantartist.com/

Been moody. This shirt cheers me up. Can you believe I have friends that have never seen the Big Lebowski? They have a get out of jail free card because they were home-schooled.

Emo did an illustration of me from a photo Scott took of me when I turned 24.

I was cold. Andy put this hat on me. I was warmer.

stream of consciousness

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:21:25 GMT

Saturday, I saw Black Kids, Cut Copy, and Simian Mobile Disco. I'm not going to go into a long review since you guys weren't there and couldn't possibly fathom the sheer awesomeness of it all. But yeah, it was good. SF crowds are usually "too cool for school" and stand there nodding their heads to the beat. Barely alive.

At this show, everyone was dancing and jumping around. There was collective dancey consciousness or something. I went with Scott and all his old raver moves came out and made me laugh all night long. His hypothesis is that all the douchey hipsters were at Coachella so they weren't at the show to be "oh, dancing and showing enthusiasm is so passe."

Sunday, Chris and I went to Half Moon Bay and we found a beach with tide pools. I had fun but I think I have problems with relaxation. It was a beautiful day. Blue skies, no clouds, warm weather. I'm sitting on the beach, drinking a beer and eating granola, but all I could think about was all the laundry I had to do, blah blah. I ended up reading my book which made me feel less like a hobo.

I JUST CAN'T RELAX.
***

Oh, I bought new books.

Bobos In Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There by David Brooks

Technopoly: The Surrender of Culture to Technology by Neil Postman

Don't Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never- Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems by David Rakoff

The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less by Barry Schwrtz
***

I found this at the Japanese supermarket. It's pertty much a Kit Kat knock-off, but green tea flavored. An acquired taste, but I liked it.

Party photos rock. Not. This is from Eric's 27th birthday and I have no idea what I'm doing with my face. Maybe this is why I usually hide it?

I really like Lowry's Irish Coffee House on Julian. This is their barista, Andrew, who is very nice and doesn't like having his photo taken.

A breakfast croissant.

A breakfast croissant going down the hatch.

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 02:06:56 GMT

Lots.

Er, let me see here... I convinced Miles and Tamiko to come down to Reed's Sport Shop because they were closing down the cyclery, which meant discounted prices! We all ended up with bikes that day and couldn't fit them all into Miles' Scion, so Tamiko and I rode the 5.1 miles home. I bought a cheap bike I could ride on trails and stuff, but one day, when I have enough money, I'll buy some sexy coasting bike for riding around downtown. Either a Raleigh or a Schwinn. *drools*

Eric turned 27 so everyone got very drunk at his house. Whitney is lending me her back-up camera (yay Whitney!), but sadly the CF card went kaputt and I had to reformat it, losing what photos I had taken from that night. Chris and I came over to Eric's the next day because we were all headed to the SJ Museum of Art to see the robot exhibit! Scott showed up, too, and they all proceeded to play Super Smash Bros. while I tapped my foot.

Oh, Jenbo had this genius idea of buying a pinata and stuffing it full of candy and mini booze. It was still outside the next day. The deck was also still covered in candy.

On the way to the museum, we drove by Gordon Biersch and Scott correctly claimed that Dave would be there. So, we got Dave to come with us.

I think it is the following photo that almost got me (and everyone with me) kicked out of the museum. You are only allowed to take photos of the museum's permanent collection (which isn't usually displayed much). This awesome piece is from one of their current exhibits and I just wanted to encourage people to go see it in person. Grr.

Also, this robot totally has a dong.

After exciting museum funness, the boys got ice cream. Well, at least two of them did.

Don't get the Trader Joe's matcha (green tea) yogurt. Boring and baby puke colored!

Chris dragged me hiking in the hills of Fremont. There's a peak, Mission Peak, that you're supposed to somehow get to, but I was huffin' and puffin' too much,so I gave up; I decided that I'd hate myself the next morning (and possibly Chris) if I continued, so I sat on a bench and read Watchmen while Chris did his thing.

Chris is in the picture; he's just very tiny and far away.

Green tea butter cookie from Barefoot. Wouldn't highly recommend it; just tasted kinda like an ok butter cookie. The ones from Whole Foods are much more tasty.

Photos for the We Heart Minivans group on Flickr.

I like to call this photo "therapist."

I got carny hands. Well, Matt is also 6'4'' but my fingers only reach his first knuckle!

Avery and Kyle sharing earbuds. How stupidly adorable.

"I don't mean to sound gay or nothin', but unicorns kick ass!" Chris' neighbors always put a huge stuffed animal in their window. Last month it was big, blue bunny. I shall keep you guys updated.

Tamiko gave Chris a haircut. Yay yay yay!

I forgot what prompted this photo but it makes me laugh every time I look at it.

I modeled for Noah a while ago.

Two more minivan photos. It never ends.

I live.

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 07:54:47 GMT

Nothing going on in my life, lots going on in my head. Lots and lots. I talked on the phone to my friend, Stacy, for two hours today; I can't remember the last time I had such a long phone call.

I'm still camera-less and had the money to buy a new one. Instead, I paid some bills. Grr at myself for being responsible! I should have just bought it and lived off instant noodles for the next month.

Eric bought Guitar Hero III on a whim. I hope my wrists don't get all feckered from my repeated attempts at playing Slayer's "Raining Blood." God, I love that song.

Oh, as mentioned above, I don't have a camera. My brother is now in possession of a Canon XT. Happy 21st, kiddo.

Noah found this sausage on his breakfast plate one morning, but couldn't bring himself to eat it. I am slightly enamoured with this photo...

Bought neat saddle-like shoes (Docs, actually) from Whitney!

I have, once again, started documenting my consumption of Japanese snacks. These are some melon-flavored Kit Kats!

Chris, all shaven, kinda reminds me of a cute elf? He'd probably hate to hear that if he ever read my LJ.

Moose is cute.

Huge chair at Ikea. Please keep in mind that Eden is 6'8''.

Rice snack, anyone?

Have I told anyone I bowled a 131? Super excited, I am.

Uh huh.

Green tea vanilla cookie thing. Nom nom.

Josh made this awesome Weinerschnitzel napkin ascot. My idea!

Eden want a lot of spiky plush balls. Guess how many but don't cheat by clicking on the photo, mmkay.

An old photo I found of myself and one of Noah and Lauren's kittens. Since I am still camera-less, I shall be uploading decrepit photos of mine hidden in the depths of my external HD.

Eric in 2002ish: At Chevy's in his Thug Murder shirt, sporting dyed black hair.

The minivan: two in the front, five in the back.

Eden: no pants.

Andy: no shirt.

Jess: all clothes.

To-go food from Cafe Gratitude: I thought it said lonely, at first, and was disappointed when I took a closer look.

indiscriminant

Two dogs that Chris' neighbor owns. Puffy and foofy.

Stachtasitc.

Bland crackers, boo.

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 03:24:20 GMT

I am going public, again, I suppose. My life is too boring to hide behind locked posts anyway.

poule_avion linked to this NY Times article on love and taking literary tastes too seriously. I found it rather amusing, since I used to struggle with not judging people by what books they like to read.

The next batch of photos are sorta Jess-centric, sorry. I'm actually considering not buying the Canon 40D now because it would be financially irresponsible. However, this will leave me camera-less and I'm not sure if I can go on in this world without a SLR. I have a Holga and a Polaroid, but it's just not the same. SADFACE.

Andy is in Amsterdam. I have his hat.

Miles went to Crema with me so we could caffinate and laptop.

He took this icky photo of me, but look at that pretty, green wall behind me!

I had too much Newcastle and Jack Daniels. I'm not sure what Chris' excuse is for that face, though.

I also suck at darts when drunk. Or sober. Their poor wall is probably hole-ridden now.

It needs to stop being so chilly, although I do love my hoodies and arm warmers.

I've been listening to a lot of Jets to Brazil/Jawbreaker lately. This makes me warm and fuzzy inside, but I'm not sure why. Perhaps nostalgia? Nostalgia for when, I'm not sure.

Jets to Brazil's Perfecting Loneliness is a great song and album. The album has been on constant repeat, and I haven't been able to listen to anything else but Black Kids in preparation for seeing them with Cut Copy next month.

Zero to heaven in seven.
A lifetime. A nanosecond.
All the sand in your glass is going by so fast.
The radio is playing our tune.
I love it, could you turn it down?

Trying to proselytize to Chris about Barefoot. Nom nom nom coffees.

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:05:07 GMT

Friends-Only.

Photos can still be seen at http://www.flickr.com/fenchurch/