Telephone

I was listening to Doug and Jackie Christie being interviewed on ESPN today. Remember Doug Christie? He's the guy who was on the Sacramento Kings who always flashed a hand signal whenever he went downcourt. Apparently, it was a sign to his wife to indicate that he loved her. A bit creepy, don't you think? What's even weirder is that his wife doesn't allow him to look or talk to other women. Not even normal day-to-day conversation. The producer of the talk show was female, and she indicated that while Jackie Christie talked to her, Doug just looked down all the time. Talk about whipped.

One thing that stood out to me during the interview was the fact that they talk to each other every day for around four hours or so. Four hours. Every day. Geez, what do they talk about? I'm trying to recall if I ever talked to anyone that long. I was pretty much tongue-tied when it came to talking to girls on the phone. JC still makes fun of my aborted conversations with a couple of girls that I tried to call up back in high school. I can't help it; I didn't inherit my dad's charm or my mom's gift of gab.

Some people are just born with the gift of making small talk. True, sometimes there has to be mutual interest between the two people talking. I guess the aborted phone calls I made back then were all one-way, so both of us were eager to put down the phone to avoid further embarrassment.

Thankfully, it got better after high school. College was particularly good; when I started working it got even better. When I was courting PJ we talked to each other every day, just to catch up on things. We were living pretty far apart, since I was in Orange County while she was studying all the way in UCSD. At most we'd talk for an hour, and we'd find stuff to talk about, considering she was going to school and I was working. But four hours plus? Couldn't do it then, can't do it now.

Thank God for Instant Messaging and e-mail. I'm a writer, not a talker.

Ready...Set...Race!

Yay! My favorite reality show is back--The Amazing Race is back, better than ever. This was probably the most diverse bunch--Korean-American brothers, Muslims, Indian-Americans, and a girl with an artificial leg (who's as cute as a button!). Of course, we have your usual models, beauty queens and gay guys as well.

The premiere was pretty exciting--and a bit different from the last two installments. It just felt like a race again. A couple of interesting changes, perhaps brought about by the criticism (not to mention lower ratings) of the previous two races. I liked the challenge before the pitstop.

Not liking Lyn and Karlyn. Why do they have to diss artificial-leg girl? Way to go fulfilling the stereotype with their sense of entitlement. Karma got some measure of revenge at the end, though. Tom and Jerry? I was all set to dislike them, as they're fulfilling the stereotype as well, but their subtle cheerleader mocks and their moans of despair at the climb were just hilarious.

Did I mention I love Sarah (ALG)? Although her boyfriend reminds me of a stressed-out Will Ferrell. She's just too cute with her can-do attitude. Hopefully they win--although the hydraulic leak worries me...(never thought I'd think THAT of a racer).

Vipul looks awfully familiar...

Rockstar: Supernova Finale

Dilana makes a small comeback with Roxanne; that was such an excellent performance, and the guys backing her up were pretty hilarious. Although as usual Lukass tries to steal the spotlight by moving next to Jim and doing his own harmonizing, while Toby and Magni pal up. *sigh*

Ryan came back? Still looks like a postal worker about to explode! Heh.

Anyway, I think I know who wins this. Actually, I know who wins this, having read all the spoilers. Stupid pre-determined outcome. *sigh*

Where's my Jordis CD, Burnett?

Singin' the Donut Blues

So the Krispy Kreme near my freeway onramp just closed for good. What a pity. I've always been fond of Krispy Kreme, back when I still lived in my condo and there was only one in the area. It was always a treat to go there, line up, buy several boxes, and then wolf them down. Even my diabetic aunt couldn't resist--she had a couple, then had to lie down afterwards. They were that good.

(I understand that there's a Krispy Kreme competitor in the RP called "Gonuts Donuts". I went there, bought a dozen, and almost threw up when I ate one. Blech. It's waaaay too sweet, in my opinion).

Then they began to expand too quickly, opening stores left and right, while selling their donuts in grocery stores. They didn't seem to understand the concept of keeping them wanting more (like In N'Out); they just wanted to expand, and expand they did.

Now? They've begun shrinking down again to what they were back when I still lived in my condo. Although I heard from my co-worker that they closed that branch as well. Sad.

Neighbors

So apparently I live next door to a semi-famous author (she writes romance books). I just found this out because she had a flyer advertising a book signing on our communal mailbox. Huh. Interesting.

I'm not a particularly sociable person, but I do know the people who live next door (both sides) as well as the people who live across the street from me. We're probably closest to the one on the other side of the author (he's Filipino as well), but we're pretty much on good terms with everyone else.

*sigh* would've been cool if I found out I actually lived next door to Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett or George RR Martin. Oh well. I'd go to Suzie's book signing, except I don't read romance stuff.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

*sigh*. Another timewaster:

Monkey Kick-off

My personal best.

Such a simple game, but I.cannot.stop.playing.it. I've pretty much gotten the hang of getting monster kicks, but most of the time I'm always at around 3,000 monkey meters or so.

Nation States

I've been trying to run my own country these past couple of weeks, and I think I've been doing well so far. No, I don't have any megalomaniacal aspirations--I've just always been fascinated with the Sim type games (SimCity, Civilization). I'm usually lousy at these games, but Nation States intrigued me. There's no real goal in mind--you create your own country, and then you're given a set of issues to decide on everyday.

Some issues are serious, others are just plain laughable (one issue had the "Agricultural Sector" asking that the hippo overpopulation problem be solved by serving them up for dinner. I followed Australia's example). Your decision affects the country's Civil Rights, Economy and Political Freedoms. It's an interesting exercise.

If you decide to create your own country, do let me know so I can visit from time to time.

Rockstar: Supernova, Week 10

What the F... is Ladylike was my favorite original, with Toby's uh-oh song (can't remember the title!) following close behind. I can't believe Dave said that Lukas was a "fun" performer; then again, maybe that faux emo crap is what PPoD considers "fun". I really don't get the attraction the "Rossi Posse" showers on li'l Lukas, and their willignness to defend him to the death; can't understand what the dude is saying when he sings, and he ruined Living on a Prayer. Then again, that's just me.

All the rumor sites have Lukas winning (and already recording!) though. My money's still on Toby--like JD last season, he's not necessarily the best singer around, but he's the one who suits SN the most.

Dragonlance

Hmm, so they're making an animated movie of Dragonlance. Jack Bauer plays Raistlin! That'll be interesting...

Although to me it seems like they're milking this for all it's worth. I was pretty happy with Dragons of Summer Flame being pretty much the end for the original companions; The War of Souls trilogy and the new Lost Chronicles set just seemed to be, at first glance, attempts to extend the cash cow a bit more.

Oh, who am I kidding? I'll be there to watch the movie, and I'll probably be borrowing the Lost Chronicles as well.

Hi, my name is daddychoy, and I'm a Dragonlance junkie.