My thought page has lost all momentum. I wonder why that is. I think
there's something about the roteness of work that dulls my thought life. I
really mean that. I have as much spare time if not more as during school.
My mind is just not actively engaged so it's dulled in general. I dunno.
So I'll do another interminable survey, stolen off of a random page. Yes,
this is like the 5th one, and they're all the same, but whatever. One of
my favorite quotes from High Fidelity (the book) is where he says, other
people have opinions. I have lists. Something about that struck a chord in
me. But whatever, this is what I've been reduced to. Another list.
Section 1: GENERAL
Name: Danny Chai
Nicknames: DC Fly. Or Flyness. I've said this before, right? No one
calls me this. I made it up for myself a long time ago, no clue when. It's
ridiculous, I think, maybe a bit pathetic, but whatever, I'm a slave to
tradition.
Do you have a crush: It's more than that, and I married her.
Birthday: March 18, 1976
Number of candles that appeared on your last birthday: I refuse to
answer a stupid question like that. If you're gonna ask the birthday, the
candle question is redundant.
Age you act: Interesting question. I'm going to go with 19. Not in
terms of socially but in terms of how I plan my life. I dunno.
Are you simple or complicated?: I think I'm so simple I come across
as complicated. I dunno, maybe I'm deluding myself. But yeah, I've always
believed that the key to me is, this is all there is. My oldest friends
know this, Jieun knows this. But again, maybe I'm wrong about myself. Who
knows.
Where do you live: Bay Area
Where you want to live: Hmm. I actually want to live overseas
someday. Nothing holy, just to work. But fat chance that will happen. I
think I could live anywhere (except Kansas) but I've never actually done
it so again, maybe self-delusional.
Birthplace: Columbus, OH. It's why I'm a Buckeyes fan and a Reds
fan. But I've only been there once since birth so I'm pretty much a poser.
But a loyal poser.
Favorite salad dressing: I'm glad you asked. I'm a big fan of this
ginger-soy dressing Jieun gets from some Japanese place. It's awesome.
There's also this poppy-seed dressing that's very very good. I'm ecstatic
about these dressings.
Ever gone skinny dipping?: No.
What are you watching?: Survivor. It's the only TV show I watch. As
an aside, this season is really really good. The whole sexes thing was a
great twist, and the past 4 weeks every ouster has been somewhat
surprising. I love Matt also. This guy is psycho and delusional. Great
stuff. The newsgroups are saying this is maybe the best season since the
first. I'm leaning towards agreement.
Last person you talked to: Jieun.
Favorite Number: 18.
Favorite Type of music: Type, huh? I enjoy and appreciate all types
but at heart I like good pop. Stuff like Sting, Jimmy Eat World. I dunno.
As a sidenote, I appreciate John Mayer but I'm not a fan. He's really
musicality but there's something about the center that's empty. I can't
explain it. But what a musician.
Favorite car: I care less about cars than maybe anyone I know. I'm
gonna go with a '91 Corolla because the one I've got has lasted me well
and is doing great. It's a blessing not having to worry about a car.
Favorite Fast Food: In N' Out.
Favorite Ice Cream: Pralines N' Cream. I'm a big N' fan I
guess.
Favorite Alcoholic Drink: I would list a wine but that would come
across as pretentious. I like Rum and Coke. Dislike White Russians.
When Do You Go To Sleep: Between 11 and 12. Usually.
Most Embarrassing Moment: I don't get embarrassed anymore. I think
when I was a kid I'd be most embarrassed when there would be company at my
house, I'd be mad, and my parents would tell the company that I'm mad. I
hated that.
Funniest Person you know: Hmm. That's a good question. I have no
idea. Jieun I guess. She makes me laugh the most often. The funniest guy I
ever knew was this guy Rob from junior high. Moved to Connecticut or
something. Seriously, this guy was like Steve Martin in junior high form.
Try and imagine that. Some lunches we'd spend the whole time listening to
him repeat lines from movies and dying.
Stupidest Person you know: Harsh. I won't name names.
Favorite holiday: Christmas. By far. I'm just sappy like that.
Everything about it, the underlying significance, the spirit, the
tradition. I dunno.
Favorite Food: If I had to name just one I guess I'd go with
sushi.
Favorite Television Show: Survivor. I dunno, no one else is a fan
but whatever, I think it says something about human nature and
relationships. How they react under admittedly artificial situations. It
fascinates me.
Favorite Radio Station: KNBR 680/1050. For some reason it's not the
Ticket 1050 (KTCT) anymore. They're both KNBR. Random.
Favorite junk food: I'm generally against junk food so don't eat it
much. Jelly beans maybe? I dunno, not a big junk food guy.
Favorite song: Love That Will Not Let Me Go, Steve Camp. I think
I've written about it before. But I dunno, a lot of it is wrapped up in a
single memory at a particular youth retreat during high school. A last
second, but powerful skit by the counselors, which ended with this song.
I'll never forget it.
Favorite color: I'm gonna go with blue right now. Nothing
dominates.
Favorite clothes store: I hate shopping. I get my socks/underwear
at Marshall's so I guess that's my favorite store. I'm all about the
"slightly irregular".
Favorite Shoes: I like Timberlands. They're comfortable and
durable. That's pretty much all I care about.
Section 2: THE FUTURE
School: I guess this is a high school survey or something. I'm
actually pondering whether I want to go back to school. I like the world
of ideas and I find I'm missing it. But I don't know how practical that
is. Something I'm praying about. For starters, I have no clue what I would
want to study. Or more accurately, I want to study too many things. We'll
see we'll see.
Where You Want To Live: Honestly, I don't care too much. Not Texas
though, housing prices be darned. It's just convenient and easy to be here
so I am. I guess I need a compelling reason to leave because I'm not one
of those roamers who feel an itch for somewhere else. I'm pretty happy
where I am.
How Many Kids You Want: 3
What Kind Of Job You Want: Again, this must be a high school survey
because I already have a job. You know my dream job though. I'd want to be
a writer. A columnist or something. Just something where I can just think
about different things. Problem is, I'm not a very good writer. It's more
the thinking that appeals to me, not the writing.
Wedding song: N/A.
Song in your head: The song that's most often in my head nowadays
is Surrender, that praise song. But the Perfect Strangers theme is still
competing. Adrian once made this claim that Feliz Navidad is more catchy.
In fact, he says it's the most catchy song in the world. That just by
mentioning it, it would be in my head constantly. Wrong.
Section 3: WHICH IS BETTER
Coke Or Pepsi: Coke.
Cats Or Dogs: I've only had a cat. But I like dogs better.
DVDs or VHS: This is the most absurd question ever. Is there any
advantage to VHS? It's bigger, worse quality, more unwieldy. I refuse to
get a video at Blockbuster now. It just kills me.
Deaf Or Blind: Hmm. I think because I value music so much I'd
rather be blind. That's crazy to think about.
Pools Or Hot Tubs: Pools. I don't like hot water. My showers are
fairly cold, not like cold cold but more lukewarm than hot. It's better
for your skin and maybe your heart I think. but anyway, yeah, I'd rather
exercise than torture myself in hot water.
Television Or Radio: Hmm. I listen to the radio more than I watch
TV. So I guess that's my answer.
CDs Or MP3's: CDs. I personally like packaging. And the quality
difference through MDR-7506's is real.
Apples or oranges: Oranges.
Old Navy or Gap: Argh, I hate Old Navy. One of my life principles
is that life is too short for Old Navy underwear. What I mean is this. My
family used to scrimp and save fairly hard core. But certain events
changed our thinking with that. So, I'm not in favor of saving
ridiculously for an uncertain future. Especially if the saving is a huge
sacrifice. I hate Old Navy because it's terrible quality. The underwear in
particular - it just doesn't fit right. And like all Old Navy clothes, it
barely lasts. I think it's totally fine to pay a certain premium for
quality. And in the Old Navy case, it's not even a premium. Other stuff
lasts way longer so it's more price effective. But I'm super stubborn. I'm
still wearing these shirts from Old Navy I got sophomore year of college
even though they're frayed, missing buttons and falling apart. That's the
Eric Mao in me I guess. I still draw the line at exposed nipples though.
That's hard core.
Coffee or Ice Cream: Ice Cream. Like both. Ice Cream better.
Shampoo or Conditioner: Another ridiculous question. Conditioner
won't work well without shampoo. So clearly, shampoo is "better".
10 acquaintances or 1 best friend: OK, so, I've thought about this
a lot. If I'm honest with myself, I dunno, a best friend is not a huge
deal to me. I think I'd prefer 10 acquaintances. I dunno, something about
that sounds shallow, like I don't want deep relationships. But that's not
true. It's just, I don't value a best friend. I haven't had one since I
was a kid. On the other hand, if the best friend is your spouse, like it
is for me, then that's incomparably better. So, depends on the question I
guess.
Sun or Moon: Sun
Left or Right: Right
Section 4: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU
Took a shower: This morning
Cried: Hmm. Not sure. Not for a few months I think though. Only
Jieun really makes me cry. And my family sometimes.
Watched a Disney movie: Beauty and the Beast on DVD, fairly
recently. Maybe a month ago. It's actually a great movie, I had forgotten.
Last one in the theaters was I think Tarzan.
Given/gotten a hug: I hug my wife pretty much every day.
Been to the movies: Saw Identity on Saturday. Not a deep movie, not
perfect, just entertaining.
Section 5: WHAT IS:
Your Fondest Memory Of This year: Geez, is it already April. That's
crazy. I'm gonna go with Ohio State winning the national championship.
That was an insane game, especially the ending. Yow.
The Thing That Makes You The Happiest: My favorite thing in the
world is doing nothing with Jieun. Last night I was sitting around playing
Minesweeper while she read Fast Food Nation. I could not have been
happier. That's sad, huh? It should be something spiritual. I dunno.
Your Favorite Food For Breakfast: Sausage McMuffin With Egg. This
is also wrapped up in a memory, like everything I guess. But when I was a
kid after soccer games sometimes (if it was an early game) my mom would
take me to McDonald's and I'd get this and something about the experience
made it taste special. In general though I like Eggs Benedict. Especially
when they use crab instead of ham.
Your Favorite Food For Dinner: Didn't I already answer this? Sushi?
Japanese food in general is my favorite cuisine. Thai is probably second
now.
Your Favorite Slow Song: Besides my favorite song, I'm gonna go
with Every Breath You Take. Is that slow? I dunno. I just think it's the
perfect song.
Your Ideal BF/GF: I married her.
Section 6: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT:
Bill Clinton: I hate Bill Clinton. Has nothing to do with his
politics. Just, I think the guy is so slimy. Has no morals whatsoever.
Absolutely despise him.
Love at first sight: Didn't happen to me. I think mostly because
there was a disconnect between what I thought I wanted and what I actually
needed.
Abortion: My views on this are actually kinda complicated. Too much
to give a glib answer at least.
Teenage smoking: What a ridiculous question. Is anyone for smoking?
What a disgusting habit. Whatever, free country and all. This is one thing
I didn't like about Korea. My smoke tolerance is pretty low, and it's
everywhere.
Green: No clue what this means.
Pot: Uh... bad? Is this a trick question?
Eating disorders: Against.
Rap: I dunno, I'm not super into it like Eddie circa frosh year but
I appreciate it. I was introducing Jieun to Check Yo' Self last night.
Good times.
Marilyn Manson: Loser.
Suicide:...
Drinking: I remember this discussion I had frosh year with a dorm
mate from I think Portugal. There was a party or something going on and we
were both refraining and I said something like, oh, you don't like
drinking, huh? And he was like, no, it's not that, it's just the binging
he didn't understand. Where he came from there was effectively no drinking
age, so everyone drank. But (he says, who knows if true) there wasn't this
culture of binging like in American campuses. Where people just try to get
wasted. I thought that was really interesting. And I'm wondering why the
U.S. is like that. Is it that we're so prohibitive about alcohol that when
people get it they want to go crazy with it? Something about it being
forbidden? I dunno. So I wonder if we weren't so restrictive with alcohol
as a culture, if there wouldn't be a binge party atmosphere anymore. My
guess is no. But it's interesting to me. Of course, I have no clue whether
that claim is true, that other countries don't binge on alcohol like here.
Supposedly Russia and other places are super alcoholic so maybe it's not
unique. But I dunno, I still think about it, why there's this culture of
getting wasted instead of just having a nice civilized drink or two.
Death: I've said this before. I think this country is in denial
about death. Most people live thinking they can put off death
indefinitely. I'm not saying I hope SARS spreads but I wish it would be a
wakeup call. We've come to the point where we've almost eliminated death
from infectious diseases so no one's scared of that. And we think we can
in large part avoid chronic diseases if we do the right thing. I dunno, I
just wish something would shatter this delusion of control.
One Wish: I dunno, obvious answer is life I guess. My most pressing
desire right now though is calling. Specific calling I guess. The one
thing I can do that no one else can do, right John? I dunno.
