Eggyplant's Xanga

6 Months go by and ...

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:18:19 GMT

Was that really the last time I updated this blog? Wow, does time just swosh away when life happens. Let's have a rundown of the noteworthy events in the past 6 months, in no apparent order.

1. Got laid off in March, but briefly enjoyed the time wasted on EI before getting approved into a program that will train me to start and run my own business. The Canadian government isn't perfect, but it certainly tries its best to make resources available for citizens during tough times.

2. Business in question is a T-shirt company ... more on that as it progresses. Will now HAVE to buy that serger.

3. Congrats to MJ and Jason! Welcome Amelia to this crazy world we call home.

4. Congrats to Annemarie and Jason! It was such a beautiful wedding and thank you for making me a part of your special day!

5. Started DJing Monday Nights at SRadioClub ... formerly SoompiRadioClub. Reminds me of the early days at banana ... when we really didn't care about money.

6. Starting to Twitter again and embrace my online whore once more.

7. Kpop fandom's current obsession for the past 5 months is After School. They can dance like nobody's business, are tough as nails and sexy as hell. Not only do I believe that if I pick a fight with them, I will get beat up - I probably would enjoy it. Also, Chae Yeon is back! Woot!

8. Playing Plants Vs Zombies will never be the same. RIP Michael Jackson.

Checking in ...

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:07:38 GMT

Written:

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Things to do in the new year ...

1. Learn Mandarin - even if it kills you
2. Gain steady employment - even if it kills you
3. Earn and save to buy a Serger sewing machine- even if it kills you
4. Put self on a severe budgetary diet of only $100/ month of recreational fun, allowance of $250/ season for clothes - stick to it, even if it kills you
5. Continue with T-shirt surgeries .... to maintain sanity from killing oneself

Friday, December 19, 2008 - Snowed-In Day

1. Learn Mandarin - surprisingly I actually got around to it and found out that I know much more than I thought I initially did. Although the twice a week evening classes are killing my beauty sleep a bit, I'm very pleased with the rapid pace of which I'm picking up the language. Course it also helps that I'm watching a really good Taiwanese drama called Fated to Love You. Between the Mandarin and Taiwanese, I can actually watch a clip and know what they're saying. 加油！

2. Gain steady employment - well ... it's employment and fairly steady ... and it's slowly killing me a bit.

3. Serger sewing machine - between the Hollywood Bowl concert and the tuition fee for the Mandarin classes ... it can wait

4. Put self on budget - haha ... did I really say that and actually mean it? ... I must've been joking.

5. T-shirt surgeries - Woot Woot ... I've actually been able to come up with some nifty really sexy designs - now, if only I had a serger, the things that I could really do.

Mr. Mantis in November

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:33:31 GMT

Hello, is this National Geographic calling?
Yes, I took this photo ... Yes, it was walking across the parking lot at my work ...
No, I didn't step on it.

Retail Therapy: Damage at the Clothing Show

Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:49:28 GMT

This weekend I went with a co-worker (who by the way is male and very hetero) to the Clothing Show - as it turns out, he seemed more excited than I would expect a heterosexual male should be. I certainly learned a few things from him in terms of bargaining as he cracked the most racist Jewish jokes he could get away with. (He is Jewish by the way.)

His damage for the day was around $150 which included parking, admission, food, a new winter jacket, a hoodie, 2 DVDs, 2 caps and the image of one of the fashion models from the show imprinted in his memory bank to be accessed at a later time.

My damage in one day
totaled just over $350
...
That included:
Parking
Admission
One-of-a kind earrings
More earrings (2 pair)
Hoodie and T-shirt
Hollister track jacket
Full-length sheepskin coat - custom tailored - which obviously is a good chunk of the damage
Dinner in Chinatown
Case of coke candy and a box of mochi from Japan

There really is nothing like retail therapy after having a really rough couple of weeks. Who says you can't buy happiness ... even if it is only for a few short moments.

Lifting my spirits ...

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:38:24 GMT

Been feeling a bit down lately - work, life ... mostly life ... or lack thereof ...

Thank God for YouTube ... it's an old song by Kpop group Jewelry, who recently changed their line-up a la Destiny's Child - you know - drop two and replace? (actually, not quite like that, they're all friends still).

The track is "I Really Like You" and I find myself bouncing along like some stupid muppet behind the desk.

It's actually funny to think that this was their image back then and compare it to their 'bad girl'-ish image now. Not to say they're actually 'bad girls', but they're perhaps the most assertive girl group in Kpop. It's also quite the throwback when you compare Seo In Young's vocals back then (girl with the yellow flower) to what it is now.

In case you need a refresher ...

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 11:44:25 GMT

Feist on Sesame Street ...

Gawd that hurt!

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:34:19 GMT

Just paid VISA bill.

Note to self: Staying home and scrapbooking saves money ... scrapbook continue.

Conversations with my boss

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:08:00 GMT

Over the course of 2 months - this is the kind of relationship I have with my boss.

2nd Interview:
Boss: Can I call you Chris?
Me: Christine is fine
Boss: You know, what I call you will affect your salary.
Me: So for every letter I drop from my name, you pay me more?
*nods*
Me: You may call me 'C'.

Last Week:
Boss: Miggie! ... I'm now going to call you Miggie.
Me: You can call all you want, it's whether or not I'll come.

Two Weeks Ago:
Co-worker: Morning Christine!
Me: Morning ...
Boss: Oh, don't speak to her, she's not important.
Me: Excuse me!?
Boss: Oh, I didn't mean it that way ...
Me: We'll see if you get your <insert whatever important document/ phone call/ message>

Two Days Ago:
Boss: I like you, but you're a little weird.
Me: Well, if you get it ... you get it ... if you don't ... there is nothing I can do

Drunk @ the Hollywood Bowl

Sun, 18 May 2008 14:24:41 GMT

In an effort that she may or may not search, I've tagged the bejesus out of this post.

The May 2-4 weekend was actually spent in LA attending the Korean Music Festival. I would like to say I was coerced into going, but that would be a lie. I had seriously contemplated attending when Chae Yeon was added to bill but then a cocktail of funds, practicality and the maturing process had put a squash to that. So imagine my surprise, when the other 'old' member from her English fan forum actually bought tickets and intended to fly over to see her perform. One thing lead to another and I find myself jetlagged with severe cramps in my pocket - and I gotta say, it was worth it.

First off, I actually started drinking before I headed to the concert. I had bought some Icewine - something I actually wanted to give to Chae Yeon because it was Canadian, from Ontario, and certainly not something you can just get anywhere. At the Duty Free, there was a package of 4, so I figured I could also indulge myself while being very careful as to where I would embrace the fangirl in me (again!) So I shared a bottle with Nebs, from the forum and had half a glass in the afternoon - and promptly passed out a couple of minutes later.

I was awoken by Nebs yelling at me to get up or else we would be late. It took me awhile to figure out what was going on but then I suddenly came to and high-tailed it with her to the concert. I was sober by the time the concert started and fought with my taking photos and trying to watch her perform. Very exciting as she was near a wardrobe malfunction as her mic pack fell and when they reattached it, it slowly started pulling her dress down as she was dancing.

'My Love' ... is not the glowstick.

When the sun was near gone, I went in search of glowsticks and ended up going back to my seat with a bottle of soju instead. I was plastered by 9:30 when Fly to the Sky hit the stage. With only kimbab to soak up the alcohol - polishing off half a bottle for an already confirmed light weight - eventhough it was an outdoor venue, the room spun. Nebs on the other hand ... can hold her own.

So after the concert, Nebs was running down to hail a cab so we could get back to the hotel to see them arrive. Let me just say, I've never concentrated THAT much while speed walking through bumper to bumper cars. I managed, in my drunken yet practical stupor to catch a cab in the middle of the road - literally running with an open map of LA towards a mini-van cab and ended up being shoved in with 4 other girls. the cab fare split was $10 each.

At the hotel, there was word that people had already arrived and that we had missed them etc. But Nebs, the hopeful, forced me to stay at the front entrance. Tired, jetlagged (it's now approx 3am my time) and needing to go to the washroom, I hung around for little bit and then just told her that I would come back down after I've used the john. I came back down with 2 pens in my pocket and 2 bottles of Icewine - one still in the box to share with some of the fans we had made friends with and the other open stuffed in my cargo thigh pocket. By this time I'm not expecting to see her or anything figuring she would be in her room or elsewhere.

Just as I'm about to pass out from exhaustion, I hear whispers saying that Chae Yeon is coming. I'm still tired and sobering up, but I got up. No word of a lie, she looks like a star but without all that 'you're disturbing me' vibe I saw from some others. As she passed me, I palmed her the box of Icewine. No screaming, no yelling, just a lot of bowing and waving, until she looked at her hand to discover what it was I had just given her. She looked at me and silently gestured some sort of confusion. I gestured back that it was a gift for her, to which she acknowledged a thank you gesture back. Then she looked at Nebs, who was sporting her Bequem cap that we had purchased that afternoon. Her face light up as she pointed and gave an 'Ah-hah!!' (Totally made Nebs' world.)

Moments after she had left, it had occurred to me that I had not written anything to her, hence, the reason for this post ... not that I would've really known what to write because the initial plan was to leave it at the front desk for her with our names and room number .. but I was hoping for something a little less creepy. Just as well, it all worked out for the best.

Edit - May 21

Upon doing some research regarding Icewines in Korea ... I come across this little tidbit from WinesOfCanada.com:

Asia is the largest export market for Canadian icewine. A 375mL bottle may sell for as much as $300. In Canada the average price for a 375mL bottle of icewine is around $45.

The vintage was awarded the Best Icewine Trophy at the 2007 Wine & Spirits Competition in London, UK among other icewine competitions around the world including the US and Japan. I would gauge, using the information I have on the vintage and the information I found on the site - it would run on the higher end. Hence, in Asia approx $250/ 200mL bottle max. Paid at duty free = $22.50/ 200mL bottle.

FYI - 200mL only gives you about 4 shots.

One foot in and one foot out.

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 16:53:54 GMT

It has now come to pass that I will no longer be working in film and television. After my brief stint working in production last year, and almost 10 years of trying to find a footing, I've come to realize that working that long, for that little money ... SUCKS.

Don't get me wrong. The people were great. I was treated well, most of the time, but the PERKS aren't enough to keep me trudging away. I'm over it. I'm older, wanting to get married and have kids and starting from scratch in such an industry for me would be futile and not afford the things I want in life.

So, I got myself a day job ... a proper day job with a benefits package that kicks in after the probation period. I'm doing Administration, or rather Office Management for a training company that trains managers how to be managers on an emotional intelligence level. It focuses more on behavioural science, psychology and business moral ethics. Also, they're responsible for all the training programs provided by Apple Canada - perfect for a Mac head like me. The best part, is that I'm working with people who formerly worked in Broadcasting in South Africa - so they themselves are very creative people and I am still in a creative environment. ... Oh, the other perk is that I have my own office with a window and door, plus dual screen iMac that runs Mac on one screen and Windows on the other. The only downer is that I have to walk about 10 mins from the bus stop to where the office is located (VP & Lawrence).

That being said, I can now choose projects based on my interest and I'm still going to pursue my media career, (now referred to as a 'hobby' by my parents.) A friend of a friend of mine I met while at the Hot Docs Opening Night Party asked why I would choose to continue to podcast if I'm not making money from it. The best answer I could come up with is because "I enjoy it too much." I've now reverted back to when art and creativity was a form of expression, not a sales pitch to generate revenue from. The next day I got fan mail from someone who told me that she doesn't care when other podcasters come on between songs, but that because of my chit chat, feels that I'm a friend.

I thought that was sweet.

Makes me feel good that I risked it all by turning down work on 'So You Think You Can Dance Canada'.

In other news ...

The doctor told me to cut coffee out of my diet after listening to my heartbeat during my physical. She sent me to get a heart ultrasound done.

During the examination, when I heard my heartbeat from the machine, I swore someone was making an expresso.