a luxe contraband

2011-04-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

My boss' case was mentioned in discovery class. OMG. WATTS INDUSTRIES v. ZURICH AMERICAN INS.

2011-04-01T17:59:00.001-07:00

decoding at work "I want an amendment to that contract I just sent you." "I'm going to mark these facts...make them a supplement to the ones they've sent over. I'm not sure how it's done, though. Usually they just attach it to the end, I think."

2011-01-31T20:08:00.000-08:00

happy new year.

Jeffrey: so we should go drinking
since we haven't since that one time you threw a shoe at me
and yelled at me
and ran off and threw another shoe at me
that wasn't yours

Me, circa 2005. So much more fun.

The first month of '11 has been uncharacteristically mired in a whole lot of ambivlance and self-doubt. *cue dramatic music* All I want to do is snowboard all day and/or travel carelessly around the world. But, until I win the lottery, quadruple my investment portfolio, or graduate and get a cushy job, those dreams will remain just that-- dreams. Reality: the ultimate dream crusher.

Florence, Italy. I am looking forward to you.

2010-11-04T19:39:00.001-07:00

Funny that SOL, statute of limitations, is also the delightful acronym for SHIT OUTTA LUCK.

xoxo.

2010-10-28T15:18:00.001-07:00

So I thought it'd be awesome to sync my work email into my Gmail account. And it was awesome. Until I sent my boss a memo without switching email addresses. That said, he got an email from "a luxe contraband."

This morning (the morning of all mornings after car battery epic fail), he sat in his chair with a somewhat befuddled look.
"Did you get my memo?"
"Yes...what is--what is the email address you sent it from? It's weird. Contraband?"

In his eyes, I'm probably now:
1. a drug dealer
2. an arms dealer
3. a buyer of drugs
4. a buyer of arms

FML.

2010-10-17T01:05:00.000-07:00

"snapped" dragon.

A few weeks ago, I was settling in for dinner and decided to open up a 2007 Snap Dragon Chardonnay. Usually not a fan of chardonnay-- I lean favorably toward riesling, Guwurztraminer, some pinot grigio.

I have a cheap, relatively useless bottle opener. Yeah, I'm blaming the product, not the user. Said bottle opener loves to break cork and true to character on this occassion, half the cork came off on the chardonnay. As I went in for another try, I managed to break the bottle.

With cork and shards of glass in the wine, I was still desperate to at least have a taste of the it. So I drank about 1/4 of a glass anyway, spitting out cork all the while. It confirmed what I knew all along about chardonnays: uninspiring. It didn't break my heart too much. At least dinner was good-- fresh avocado, bean curd, Persian cucumber salad!

On my last trip to Sonoma, I bought several wines from Chateau St. Jean (excellent Guwurztraminer), Moon Mountain, and Valley of the Moon (apparently celestial themes are big in Sonoma). I bought a bottle of zinfandel from Valley of the Moon that sat in my apartment for about 3 months and was close to being spoiled by the time it was opened. Cringe. Either: a) I was piss drunk by the time I was at Valley of the Moon and didn't know what I was drinking, or b) fluctuating temperatures in my apartment killed the vino

When I was back at my parental residence, I had this bad(?) habit of hoarding wine. I'd go out on a wine binge, and let all the wines just sit around. At one point, I bought several bottles of Stag's Leap ("To celebrate my getting into law school!" I'd tell myself). Getting into law school turned out to be a deflating moment in my life and I never found an occassion worthy of those bottles. I think they were all gifted in the end. My dad is allergic to alcohol and my mom can drink like a tank, but they're sober 365/365, so we never managed to go through all the bottles I've bought. However, my parents have managed to give all most of my bottles of wine. My mom called me tonight to tell me how my wines have made wonderful host gifts at one dinner party or another. I found out tonight that they took one of my favorites, V. Sattui Old Vine Zinfandel.

2010-10-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

If someone says, "I decided it wasn't for me" when asked about his or her job/school/career...translation: I FAILED.

One thing that I can't reconcile- people admitting that they failed.

I have a Pilsner sitting in the fridge. Tempted to drink it before bed. I lost a good amount of weight during summer finals, but luckily, a steady diet of beer, wine, cheese products, and a heavy lack of exercise helped me get back to tiptop shape in NO TIME.

My sedentary life.

Gawd, I miss Prague.

2010-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:00

life, on dextroamphetamine.

Secret wish: to have Ira Glass provide voiceovers throughout the especially banal moments of my life. Also, it would make what cruel, innermost thoughts of mine seem appropriate and intellectual.

Maybe an Ira Glass voiceover could shed some light on my visits with Dr. B. He likes to write me the wrong prescription and make me drive all the way back to get a new one. Sometimes I wonder if he's testing me. Like, oh- how bad does she REALLY need that medication, eh? Or he's just out of his fucking mind. He likes to ask me if I'm eating well, sleeping right, exercising- If I answer in the negative, same expression. I lost 10 lbs. "Hm." I had insomnia this week. "Hm." I'm going to die now. "Excellent." This enriching exchange of words costs me $45. I could think of better ways to spend $45. $45 gets me the fucking ocean at Kiyosuzu sushi. $45 gets me 9 Subway sandwiches. $45 gets me half a haircut. $45 gets me a shopping spree at the 99 cent store.

Or, Ira Glass could make me the heroine in the fight against relationship doldrums. I'm right, you're wrong. I plan everything, you plan nothing. My black and white reasoning, out of Ira Glass' mouth, would be so elevated with that kind of panache.

Ira Glass, come color my world AWESOME.

xoxo.

I got picked as the Crim Law TA. Prof. K doesn't answer any of my emails, so I'm not sure wtf to do since the TA sesh is on Tuesday. I think the class finished up homicide. I don't really remember anything from that class. I'm mentally cuing the Law and Order theme. ba-BUM, da da dah dah dahhhh, ba-BUM...

2010-08-18T18:15:00.000-07:00

It started last Wednesday.

I had an auspicious encounter with the woman who sat next to me on my flight to Oakland. She was kind of frail and it seemed like she was struggling to put her garment bag in the overhead above. I got up and helped her and that's when it all began.

In one hour, we talked about her children (all grown-- one daughter, a neuroscience PhD candidate, to be married to her Berkeley sweetheart on Saturday, the other daughter a former CFO turned VC mogul, her son a fund manager), Alexander Hamilton, lawyers, marriage, life. I don't throw around superlatives recklessly. Or at all. But she was an amazing woman. And our conversation was easily one of the best conversations I've had with anyone-- stranger, accquaintence, friend, lover, family.
---

--Which suitcase is yours?
-- The old black one. It's taken me to Egypt, China, Europe...

She laughs.

-- I can't believe I brought this old thing. It isn't exactly the type of luggage you bring when you're in town for your daughter's wedding.

Earlier, she told me, after I asked what her plans were that day, how she was getting a manicure and pedicure for the first time with her daughter.

It pained me a little to hear that her daughter was in England-- did she come back to see her mother? Often? Rarely? And that her soon to be wedded daughter was in Texas. I can't remember where she said her son was. I hoped, and still do, that her children were good to her. That they at least called, if not once a week. Did she miss them? She reminded me a lot of my own mom-- strong and positive.

I learned that she was dating a lawyer and that her former boyfriend was a lawyer. Young lawyers can't get jobs these days, she said, because the old top guns refuse to leave. They hoard the promise of financial security. But, they also hoard the social life that comes with the six or seven figures. She told me her boyfriend (manfriend? I think he was pushing 70, if not past) went out for plush meals with judges, lawyers, clients at least 4 times a week. That he enjoyed the work and enjoyed taking her out and going to shows and events without ever worrying about money. So he refuses to quit.

It's the reason, she figures, that her soon-to-be son-in-law who graduated from Hastings with a coveted clerkship under his belt, couldn't get a job as a DA in the Bay Area. He's contracted by Conoco Phillips in Texas now, but wants a stable job badly. Well, shit. If a Hastings grad couldn't get a job, what feeble hope I had of getting into a halfway decent firm quickly left. A part of me died. I chewed on my animal crackers and sympathized.

She was in a car accident a few days ago and had massive chest contusions as a result. Her father passed last month. Her mother was now pushing 90 and mostly blind. Her husband passed some time ago. You couldn't tell. Most people I know would have wallowed, perhaps in pity or perhaps in misery. Tragedy and most other forms of hardship entitles its unwilling participants to pity, misery, and all like emotions in between. If she indulged in them, I couldn't tell. Instead, she wore a smile and told me tales of life's small gifts and joys. She told me she was happy, grateful. I was reminded again, as I try to remind myself everyday, of why life is worth living even when the very worst has been flung in our faces.

She was intelligent. At first glance, one would dismiss her slightly frazzled hair, softly wrinkled face, and brandless clothes as simple, poor taste, or just plain poor. I usually shun airplane small talk, sitting reticent, opening my mouth only to put in my drink request and snack preference with the stewardess. I was so happy I didn't. And happy I didn't judge or dismiss her conversation outright as meaningless.
---
I booked a last minute flight to Oakland for an interview at 3pm. Rented a car for too much money (Dollar Rent a Car is a fucking misnomer). Popped an Adderall and printed out my references, resume, writing samples before heading out. I mentally rehearsed some standard lines. (What kind of law do you want to practice? Intellectual property, namely trademarks, trade secrets, and copyright because...) Hoped I wouldn't fumble, say something vapid or inapprorpriate. I spent the last half of last week agonizing and wrenching over my phone. I finally got the precious call today and the offer to start work on Monday.

This job couldn't have come at a better time. There's barely $200 in my checking account, it's been a nasty week in the market, I bought myself a "work" bag prematurely (Rebecca Minkoff, Nikki hobo tote in burnt orange-- blame Gilt.com), I'm going into my 2nd year and without this job I would have begun to seriously question the viability of my future.

I just can't afford to fail. I've done it enough times already.
---
I told her she should sit and wait for her daughter. She found a seat by the window and I rolled the duffle next to her. I congratulated her on the wedding, to take care of herself. I leaned in to hug her.

As I pulled away, she clasped my hands in hers and said, "You're going to have a very good life, I know it."

2010-08-13T16:58:00.001-07:00

blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Usually I take rejection very well. A little too well. But this feels like getting left at the alter. Or maybe spending the whole day getting ready for THE date with THE man/woman of your dreams, only to wind up spending the evening at home, alone, cause said man/woman ditched your ass.

I'm not a greedy person. But I REALLY WANTED THIS. I would've sold my soul, an organ, 3 pints of blood. I thought you wanted me. You told me what I would be doing, when I would be doing it, let me hold copies of depos, look through them, told me about the firm cases, let me meet the partner. I feel just a wee bit led on.

I need a drink. or a joint. To top it all off, the registration office is AWOL and I can't register for fall classes.

2010-07-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

stock market 101.

StarCraft II launches tomorrow (a game that, sadly, none of my computers are fit to run) and I know that Activision (ATVI) stock is going to shoot through the roof for the rest of the week. I bought the stock around 3 months ago in the mid ten's-- the stock stands at $11.90 and it will easily break the $12.00 ceiling without any resistance within the week. As for me, I'm calling Activision the IT stock pick of the year. ATVI currently makes up 61.5% of my portfolio.

Sold all my shares of Take-Two Interactive Software (TTWO) at $10.70, got a 5% return which is far more generous than any rate the bank will give you. I hesitated on selling earlier this morning, when it was at 10.75 and placed a limit order at 10.80. TTWO isn't going anywhere anytime soon-- I'll wait until the price drops below $10.50 to buy again before its new titles launch this fall.

Bought Luxxotica (LUX) less than a week ago and made an 8% return already. Jim Cramer says to have a thesis for all the stocks you own and all the stocks you aim to buy. What gives you faith in the company? What's trending? Luxxotica manufactures and distributes nearly all the designer and sport sunglasses available in stores today-- Gucci, Ferragamo, Oakley. I've realized this-- no matter how dire the average household's economic situation is, the middle-class to bottom tier upper-middle class "aspirational" consumers will eagerly fork over a modest $200-300 for any branded accessory. It's an inexpensive way to own and convey a piece of the good life.

My stock interests are all wedged in the tech sector. However, buying Luxxotica is as good of a guarantee as I can get because of consumer predictability: vanity and greed. The woman who can't afford the $2000 bag will ameliorate her shopping woes by buying the $200 glasses from the same fashion house. Those sunglasses still project an image of being well-to-do (the main purpose of Aspirational shoppers) and she can have enough leftover for her daily latte fix and rent. Most people wouldn't throw down $10,000 on a pair of Tiffany studs, but I daresay they would hardly bat an eyelash at getting the sunglasses for a fraction of the price.
---
Getting into the market:

My general advice for wading into the stock market waters is this-- find a broad interest, do your research, and try to narrow it down to the most specific part of the whole (e.g. fashion --> luxury --> accessories --> sunglasses). I know I gravitate toward video games, so I look at the market, read up on the blogs to see what companies are putting the highly coveted games out there. Study the performance charts. Where was the stock last year? Do they seem to be hovering at a certain price (they call this the resistance price-- stocks will sort of flounder in limbo until a key piece of news shoots them sky high or dirt low; or, if analysts give it the bull or bear call)?

Look at the company history. Does it seem like they have a sound future? Who do they do business with?

Look at the company profits. Pull up the charts-- 5 yr, 1 yr, 6 months. Are they even a profitable company? Often, speculative stocks have negative earnings. Doesn't mean that you should disregard them entirely, it just means that you'll have to do a little more digging. Which means...

Look at the industry trends. This is where you start to focus on the macro elements of the stock. What's the feel of the industry your stock is sitting in? Is the average consumer willing to spend hard earned money on whatever commodity it is that company is selling? Is it a consumer industry or a commercial industry? More likely than not the two are entertwined. Sandisk is a great example. It makes the everyday USB flashcard/drives we all use, but it also has a plush contract with Apple, who uses its flash technology in its iPhones. Sandisk stock prices soared for most of the year because it was able to piggyback on Apple's success.

Here's where you should fine tune your intuition. Say you want to dabble in fashion/luxury companies. Know that you should avoid retail stores and that you should probably look into a particular segment of the market. Retail stocks are more volatile than most picks and give you the least amount of long term and immediate gains. Also, you should know that stocks run off of news. Retail stocks generally have no news, except when its quarter earnings come out. In fact, I'd recommend you avoid retail stocks altogether.

Know the economy and the risks of the industry. Is it a stable market? Where do you see things going in the next year, the next five years, the next decade? Energy is a wonderful sector and there are some phenomenal solar companies blossoming in the marketplace. Have a general sense of what the future holds.

Be realistic. The stock market does not mean you'll be the next Warren Buffet. Doesn't mean that you'll be a millionaire. Doesn't mean you're going to double your bank account. And it sure as hell does not mean you should throw your entire paycheck in your portfolio.

Know the basics.
If you want to play it safe, set a limit buy or sell price. Usually, investors make a real-time trade, purchases the stock at whatever the quote is. So, if I want to buy 1000 shares of Apple in a real-time trade, the quote at 9AM is $350, my order posts at 9:05AM, and I will have 1000 shares at whatever the quote was at 9:05. It might be $350, more, or less.
A limit simply means that you set a purchase or sell price, good until the markets close, or 30-60 days.

Stocks are work and stocks require a passionate commitment. I check the markets everyday and I find myself spending an average of 6 hours per week looking into potential buys and sells. A smart call can make your money work for you. If there's a will, there's a way to play the game. Stocks are not a safe investment and the markets are unforgiving and volatile.
An example-- my shares of Sandisk (SNDK) hit $50 and plummeted down to $40 within 2 days. It's all about smart speculation, a little bit of gusto, and willpower. Keep a conservative outlook on your finances and investment cash, but don't shy away from indulging in some risk-taking.

How much to start
A good amount to start off with is $2,500, minimum.

I feel that stocks about volume, but a well-played buy, even with little initial seed down, can be a great pay off. Naturally, you shouldn't be buying 4 shares of Google or 3 shares of Apple. Look at stocks in the $25 and under range. Also, take into account that each trade (buy or sell) will cost anywhere from $7-10 per transaction. If you're starting with a portfolio of $2,500, keep it at 3 stocks maximum, and never put all your eggs in one basket.

Where to invest:

If you work: After all your expenses (rent, food, gas, discrentionary), IRA deductions, tax deductions, you should be squirreling at least 20-25% of your check in a savings account. Assuming that you net $800 after those deductions (on a $3000 paycheck), ideally you should put $400 in savings, $400 in a regular checking account (though, I don't feel that you should have any more than $1000-1500 in there at any given time). Adjust those numbers to what would be reasonable and realistic for you. It may be wise to keep two savings account-- one for stocks, one for rainy day funds/long term purchase/etc.

As paltry as the rates are, the whole point of having some money to spare is to make it work for you. A savings account is liquid, meaning you can put money in and take it out as you please. CD's are another option, but the decent rates require a minimum (anywhere from $1000 to $10,000), and it will be unmovable for 6 months-1 year. CD's are good for people with established financials. For the young professional, a plain savings account is likely the better choice.

A savings account has interest and it COMPOUNDS. Compound interest is fucking sweet. Think of it as free money. It's safe and practical. In a nutshell, it's interest ontop of your principal (the inital investment sum) and the interest.

If you open up an account with $4800 and a 1.30% annual compounding interest, you'll end up with $4862.77 at year's end. $62 hardly seems worthy of your time and you barely have enough to fill up your tank on that. But consider that if you keep adding to your principal ($400 month amounting to $4800 a year), you get 1.30% on that principal and whatever interest it manages to accrue. In 5 years, you wind up with $29,905.50 from a yearly investment of $4800 and a monthly compounded interest of 1.30%. Or, an extra $5000 or so for your efforts. $5000 gets a lot. And all from doing practically nothing.

If you don't work: Do you have money in your bank account? Would you be willing to part with a portion of it? When I worked, I had a safety savings account that I later emptied out into stocks. I emptied out most of my checking account, too. Normally, it'd be plumb stupid to empty out both your savings and checking, but because I have no expenses and am unemployed, I could afford to dump my resources in an effort to stretch each dollar far and wide.

Resources:

AmericanExpress Savings Account: A high yield (1.30%) savings account with NO minimums and 6 withdrawls per year.

Chase Free Checking Account (Free $100 signup bonus): Make 5 debit purchaes or enroll in direct deposit, get $100.

ING Direct Savings Account: 1.10%, no minimums, free instant transfer between your ING savings/checking/portfolio.

ING ShareBuilder: Free $25 bonus b(2 free trades, essentially) by opening up an investment account. Easy trades and management. $9.99 buy/sell. Use code: 25WO10 when enrolling, the $25 posts within 60 days.

eTrade: Free trading for 60 days. $9.99 buy/sell thereafter.

Zecco: 10 free trades per month with a $25k account. OR, $4.50 buy/sell. Really good deal if you plan to trade frequently, as $9.99 fees add up quickly.

2010-07-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

fallout 3: new vegas

Although neither my laptop nor desktop will be able to run this, I'm crazy excited for FNV's release this fall. Namely because Jon has been working a shit-ton of hours programming for it.

Check out his mention in Gamebanshee's interview with Obsidian Ent.'s Chris Avellone.

2010-06-10T20:31:00.000-07:00

2010-06-10T15:11:00.000-07:00

good day in the market.

shopping list:

1. bought: Take-Two
2. bought: more shares of Activision
3. considering: more shares of Sandisk
4. wishing: to sell BOA

tangibles:
bought a Rebecca Minkoff three-zip rocker crossbody purse along with a Rebecca Minkoff "Minkette" Tenderness clutch crossbody.

I need to put together all the particleboard goodness purchased from yesterday. I'm waiting for the day when IKEA makes DIY homes. Running water not included.

2010-06-09T21:26:00.001-07:00

KCRW-- Morning Becomes Eclectic.

Subscribe to the podcast and thank me later. Below, some of my frequently played.

Charlotte Gainsbourg & Beck. Instantly transforms my room into a smokey, European lair, in a very good way.
Cold War Kids. Sit down, have a beer, and bask in the Indie sound, without being smothered by greasy long hair or harassed by too-tight pants.
Asa .I use awesome as an adjective way too much for my own good, but she's just awesome. Part tropical with some folk-- like a female Bob Marley, without all the ganja.

2010-06-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

SWEDES.

After a 2 hour jaunt at IKEA, I've arrived at the conclusion that IKEA..:

1. is the end result of some economist-cum-psychologist-turned artist's master thesis.
2. somehow manages to make particleboard weigh as much as a goddamn redwood tree.
3. makes the most illiterate, feel completely stupid. pictographs revert you to the jurassic ages.

I debated whether I was up for lugging home an 80 lbs. BILLY bookcase. I wasn't. So I bought the large BILLY bookcase's smaller brother, weighing 40 lbs. and a chandelier. along with a clothes/shoe rack. and beer mugs. My most conservative IKEA trip yet.

2010-05-12T00:13:00.000-07:00

Take-Two Interactive: could be the next big thing. Except they've yet to make a profit and with titles like BioShock, GTA- you'd think they would've struck game gold. After a brief Wiki query, it beame apparent that they have about a million different subsidiaries-- publishing, developing, distributing-- otherwise spreading themselves too thin. EA has a similar model, on a far larger scale, and they've been hovering in limbo for awhile now ($17-18 per share).

My predictions for Activision-Blizzard: double or nothing by September.

2010-05-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Friends don't let friends distract others during a Con Law final:
http://joshblackman.com/blog/?p=4407

I woke up with insane vertigo. I daresay that the cup of death I'm eating isn't helping matters.

blaahh

. .
vvv

2010-05-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

bear in a bull market.

Made my first day trades today-- BOA, Activision, SanDisk.

2010-04-29T19:56:00.000-07:00

dear body,

I hope that the fatigue and sore throat exhibited today are nothing more than passing symptoms of allergies. Also, that heavy pressure in my eyes better be allergies as well, and not something more sinister.

You haven't been sick since that bout of bronchitis before Japan last may. We've been living in solitude for most of this year. There is no reason for you to be sick.

Because I swear I will hurt you if you are sick during finals week. Consider yourself warned >:(

love, me.

2010-04-21T23:47:00.000-07:00

LAW STUDENTS EAT, TOO.

The four-course I made tonight:

sauteed scallops on portebello
spring noodles
baby bok choy braised in chicken broth
honey teriyaki cod

Domaine Chandon Brut.

My ultimate go-to for any seafood or Asian-based dishes. It provides a consistent straightforward flavor that doesn't linger, making it ideal for a meal that incorporates several flavors and textures. I pick it up at Sam's Club for around $14. $20 at most major markets. $30-60 at restaurants.

TIP: Wine markup at restaurants looks something like this-- if a glass is $12, chances are it cost them $12 for a bottle. Corkage at a mid-priced establishment shouldn't ever cost more than $15. Expect $30+ for 5 star.

---

[ SAUTEED LEMON SCALLOPS ON PORTEBELLO BED ]

PORTEBELLOS:

I. 2 large portebellop caps

II. cut in neat slivers

III. coat pan with olive oil -- get the pan hot

IV. put in portebello slivers -- light dusting of salt -- dusting of garlic powder & rosemary (dried or fresh)

V. toss it all around for a good 5-8 minutes, or until softened.

VI. arrange on plate. "artisticly" should come to mind.

SCALLOPS:

I. 1 lbs. scallops -- generously season with ground black pepper -- sprinkling of salt.
(take care not to overwhelm the scallops with too much salt; I'm a purist when it comes to scallops, so the less intervention, the better.)

II. 1/4 a large lemon -- juice squeezed over the scallops.

III. marinate for 20 minutes.

IV. coat non-stick pan with olive oil -- get it hot

V. place scallops in pan -- squeeze other 1/4 juice over scallops

VI. flip scallops after 2-3 minutes -- start squeezing other half of your lemon

VII. after 2-3 minutes on that side -- turn heat down to medium

VIII. flip again for one minute -- repeat

IX. the lemon juice should start glazing.

Are the bottoms of scallops brown?

YES --> place ontop of portebellos.
NO --> keep flipping for one minute each until brown.

---

[ HONEY TERIYAKI COD ]

I've done this with cod, mahi mahi, & tilapia. It's a fool-proof recipe (but no guarantees). Everyone loves it. Go easy on the salt since the teriyaki sauce is sodium loaded.

I. lightly salt cod filets (I usually cook 4 filets at a time)

II. drizzle honey over filets -- about 4 tablespoon's worth -- spread it around filets with fingers

III. generously cover filets with teriyaki marinade

IV. marinate for 30 minutes

V. coat pan generously with olive hot -- get it hot

VI. slide in filets -- drizzle lemon juice over for taste -- pour in 2-3 quick dashes of teriyaki

VII. lightly drizzle honey in -- mix the marinade around -- cook for 3 minutes

VIII. flip the filets -- cook for 3 minutes

IX. if you're lucky, part of the fish flaked off -- try it -- adjust honey/teriyaki/lemon accordingly.

---

[ SPRING NOODLES ]

I use Korean sweet potato noodles ($1.99 at an asian market), but any vermicelli or clear noodle can be substituted. Sam's Club has these little bell peppers that pack great flavor. No pygmie peppers? Bell peppers will work, too. Use red, yellow, and orange varieties as they are sweeter

I. cook noodles as directed

II. cut sweet bell peppers into slivers -- set aside

III. drain noodles -- rinse with cold water-- drain again

IV. drizzle (or pour) the following : sriracha & hosin sauce over the noodles to taste.

V. add couple dashes of sesame oil.

VI. add in a large tablespoon of peanut butter -- mix well.

2010-04-21T10:30:00.001-07:00

amazon.com

So I have two Amazon accounts. One has Amazon Prime, which allows for "free" two-day shipping for most orders, while the other is a regular account.

I guess it's well known amongst freverent Amazon shoppers that website is notorious for commanding differential pricing (or "price customization") based on a customer's browsing habits (e.g. items left in shopping carts mysteriously soar in price). Or, in this case, based on an Amazon Prime account.

The item in question is a pair of Skullcandy earphones. I logged into both accounts to figure out which one had a gift card balance. In checking the cart, lo and behold...
Prime: $10.27
Regular: $9.99

Apparently the $75 yearly subscription fee for Prime isn't quite enough. Thank you Amazon-- I'm sure that extra $0.28 will go a long way.

2010-04-20T23:57:00.000-07:00

methodology.

I got called in for an audition for Mark Burnett's next game show. Of course, it was in LA. And it had to be missed. So much for dreams of thrusting myself into the throes of national embarassment while winning outrageous sums of money.

how to be really, really ridiculously anal and organized
(and do other things good, too):

Master calender: Nothing deviates from this. Appointments, flights, vacations, deadlines, payments. I check this about 3 times a day. Mine is also really big. Speak softly and carry a big fucking calender. (THANKS, K!)

Planner: Everything is written down in here, double-checked prior to finalizing it on the master calender. Mine stays in my bag.

Post-Its: On a given day, I write anywhere from 1-3 Post Its. One will outline all the tasks I want to complete (e.g. "torts practice exam, vacuum, fold laundry, grocery shopping"). Another denotes the subcategories of the previous tasks (e.g. "grocery shopping --> sam's club & target"). Specificity reigns supreme. Then, I'll list necessary details of any subcategories ("sam's club --> mahi mahi, jumbo shrimp, yogurt"). The trick is to write down only what you can reasonably achieve. Check off each task with a sick amount of gusto. FEEL GOOD.

Well, the first year of lawlschool comes to a rather anti-climatic end soon.
Next: second year, which I anticipate will burgeon similar feelings.
Lessons learned: contracts becomes even MORE esoteric and obscure, civpro is awesome, tort reform will never happen, IRAC or die.

2010-04-16T22:02:00.000-07:00

character.

what do you have to say about yours?

let me refresh your memory: a series of back-handed bigotry, judgment, insincerity, selfishness, greed.

what goodwill you think you do, what generosity you believe pours from the recesses of your being, consider them merely shallow insinuations of a darker heart.

you thrive on false imagery at the expense of others and yourself. i hope to hell it's worth it.

i'm not placing myself next to you as a saint, no. i just don't have to lie or put on pretenses to get through my day.

2010-04-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

walls

inefficient walls--
i hear you, neighbor downstairs.
fuck yo guitar plz.

walls, deux

i don't see the point
in your feeble existence;
you serve no purpose.

2010-04-09T01:05:00.000-07:00

vittles, acting

I ate cup of noodles for the first time in probably a decade. I wanted to hang myself shortly thereafter.

In addition to magnesium, Centurm multi-vitamin, Trader Joe's "super" b-vitamin complex, somehow I thought it was a good idea to add omega 3 fish oil capsules to the fray. Not only is the fish oil derived from SARDINES and ANCHOVIES (not salmon, as I had romanticized), they are about an inch long and about an inch thick. If I'm not mistaken, it's still in my esophagus. HORSE PILLS, anyone?

Connie is making a short film (4 scenes) for an Asian-American film festival and she asked me to be in it. The script is premised on a young, Asian-American couple-- how their individual selves are reflective of the dominant, majority culture, how strains of their Eastern roots surface.

It's been eons since I've wandered anywhere remotely close to acting. My last debate (illegal immigration) was for an international relation class back at USC and my last formal speech (zoopharmacognocy) was with the PCC forensic team.

We're filming all day Sunday and I hope I can translate her script well and do it justice.

2010-04-07T03:09:00.000-07:00

WSJ article on adult ADHD. good read.

2010-04-06T17:57:00.000-07:00

It appears that I am unable to discern between "claim" and "issue" in res judicata.

:((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((

2010-04-04T20:19:00.000-07:00

I'm not even gonna lie-- I watched "Legally Blonde" for a quick pick me up.

2010-03-29T19:02:00.001-07:00

FAIL.

et tu, adderall?

2010-03-29T09:54:00.000-07:00

Currently...

experiencing LIFEFAIL.

2010-03-23T22:10:00.000-07:00

fungi

control yourself, take only what you need from it.

I found a ladybug prickling at the edge of my towel and poked K. Enchanted, she scooped it up and set out to free it. My head bobbed up and down. I was watching clouds through a kaleidoscope filter-- the grim reaper, skeletons, dragons. I couldn't stop laughing. Earlier, I had yelled at a man wearing a denim shirt. Then again at someone wearing plaid.

Fuck yeah, textiles!

Someone in a wetsuit holding a surfboard came by to talk. K introduced us like Tweedledee and Tweedledum. I could barely look at him. All I wanted to do was laugh and he was in our way. A woman was walking her beagle. The beagle helped itself to my towel. I remember pinching its fleshy neck.

She walked down the large strip of sand. I watched her stop, then fumble around at her feet. Face forward, bobbing along to the waves, I'm not sure when I was cognizant that she had disappeared. I was feeling so good, I was reluctant to care. When rationale started to seep in, I stuffed our belongings in my bag and padded away from our spot.

MGMT thumped through my ears.

I was about to make my way up the concrete ramp when I saw K, waving manically from the top. A man with a thick, foreign accent directed her.

"Your friend, she ees over zhere."

"Where?

"Down zhere."

She had taken Alejandro across the street back to the Four Seasons, dropping him on the head several times along the way. Truth be told, he was probably dead when she set him free in the front lawn.

We walked back barefoot through the lobby, but not before stopping in front of the gift shop and giggling at the display of doe-eyed beanie babies and slutty dolls.

There was a box of leftover fries from lunch waiting for us. And two jars of Heinz ketchup.

Cold fries never tasted so good.

2010-03-18T12:12:00.000-07:00

jeffrey: I'd ask you where to get a car wash but you just wait for God to send a storm

2010-03-16T20:02:00.000-07:00

"Photography is only possible without flesh and a tripod."

2010-03-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Twenty years from now,
you will be more disappointed
by the things that you didn't do
than by the ones you did do.
So throw off the bowlines.
Sail away from the safe harbor.
Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore.
Dream.
Discover.”

--Mark Twain

2010-03-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

Prague, Czech Republic (May 17th-24th):

6 nights @ 4 star hotel, inclusive of breakfast
roundtrip airfare from LAX --> PRG
Prague bike tour
1% rebate from ebates.com
$20 coupon from expedia.com
Total per person = $1064

Also, we're planning on taking a bus from Prague to Vienna (give or take 5 hours); EuroRail seems excessively expensive and evidently seats are not guaranteed, either.

Looking forward to the home of Dvorak, Kafka, contact lenses, blood type classification, and storybook towns! :D

2010-03-12T21:50:00.000-08:00

PRAGUE BOUND!

2010-03-09T20:59:00.000-08:00

two wrongs don't make a right.

Spotted: girl. skirt. cankles. UGG boots. with the tops rolled down. WRONG.

Heard: women's lavatory. female having a conversation. in the bathroom stall. flushing. WRONG.

I stopped asking "why?" a long time ago.

2010-03-06T17:41:00.001-08:00

Dear Jetblue:

I have attempted to check-in to my flight on multiple occassions and on multiple browsers (I.E., Firefox, Chrome) to no avail. Clicking did not help. Cursing did not, either. While I enjoy your $39 one-way tickets, I do not enjoy the frequent, unseasonable failures of your online check-in process. Which leads to the question:

Why so GODDAMN INEFFICIENT, Jetblue?

1. Flash sucks. See exhibit below. Apparently I am not allowed to select ANY seat, much less A seat.

2. Why don't you carry Terra chips on short flights? You have instead replaced them with processed cheese snacks. Go ahead. Keep fattening up the masses.

3. Why are your seats ripping at the seams? Oh. See #2. The distribution of aforementioned cheese snacks is not apropos to the aesthetics and functionality of your Airbuses.

4. Why don't you wipe down the tray tables? I am not eager to bring home souvenirs from my flight.

I bite my thumb at you.

2010-03-04T22:13:00.000-08:00

Find out the cause of this effect,
Or rather say, the cause of this defect,
For this effect defective comes by cause.
--Hamlet, II.ii.

2010-03-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

The Demand Letter.

Prior to litigation, a series of correspondence is exchanged between opposing parties-- mainly to assess the merits of the case, but also to attempt a resolution before serious legal fees accrue as a result of legal action. Typically, a demand letter is issued by the party seeking relief.

Such a letter is aggressive, yet legit. In other words, devoid of outlandish claims. If you can include the respective state law, even better. An effective DL includes your status, what you want, what happened, and repercussions if said demands are not met. Mastery of the English language-- proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling-- is also recommended.

The demand letter, when used wisely, can bestow upon the everyday consumer rather considerable leverage. Consider this awesomely ballsy move by a law student-- he purchased a Kindle from internet powerhouse Amazon.com, it broke, Amazon wanted $200 for repairs. This guy was having none of that and proceeded to lay down the mother of all demand letters. In the end, Amazon ponies up $400 to him. Explication of the whole ordeal here.

"Dear Sir or Madam:

On June 21, 2009, I purchased an Kindle 2 e-book reader from the Amazon.com website. I purchased this device based, in substantial part, on the expectation that it would be reasonably durable. In particular, I expected that it would be approximately as durable as is ordinary in the consumer electronics market.

Amazon.com advertises the Kindle 2 on the basis of its durability. Notably, Amazon.com displays a "drop test" video on the web page for this product. That video displays the device being dropped twice from thirty inches onto what appears to be tile. That video displays a fall with sufficient force that the device visibly bounces, and deliberately creates the impression that the device will function after impacts similar to that sequence of drops.

Despite those representations, the Kindle 2 is far less durable. On July 26, 2009, I dropped a messenger bag containing the device onto the sidewalk, from approximately two feet above the ground. It was dropped only once, and the messenger bag absorbed enough of the shock that nothing else in the bag, including a Macbook laptop, suffered any damage whatsoever. (Unlike the drop displayed in Amazon.com's video, for example, nothing actually bounced.) Moreover, there was no visible damage on the exterior of the Kindle 2. Nonetheless, the Kindle 2 became completely unusable, with over 50% of its screen no longer able to display any text.

I called Amazon.com support and was told that, because of the accidental drop, you would not be willing to supply a replacement device under warranty. You did, however, offer to sell a new device at a discount, for $200.00. I took advantage of that offer under protest, and explicitly reserved my rights to bring a claim against you based on the unreasonable fragility of the device and the misrepresentations in your advertising. It is that claim that forms the subject of this letter.

I am prepared to offer an immediate settlement of my claims against Amazon.com for a payment of $400.00. That sum represents the $200.00 replacement fee I paid plus $200.00 to compensate me for the diminution of utility and value of the device as well as of the e-books I have purchased for that device, in light of the fact that the replacement device, too, can be expected to be far more fragile than advertised and prone to destruction under the slightest stress. This offer expires thirty days from your receipt of this letter. If you do not accept this offer, I intend to bring suit either individually, or, if I decide it is warranted, as representative for a class of similarly situated plaintiffs. At that time, I will seek the amount noted above, plus punitive damages under the California Consumers Legal Remedies Act, Cal. Civil Code �1750 et. seq., costs, fees, and such other monetary damages as provided for by law, including without limitation Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code �17200 et. seq., the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and other relevant law.

Also, you have demanded the return of the broken device as a condition to the unreasonable discounted replacement offer which I accepted under protest. Your agent has informed me that you will charge my credit card for the full price if the broken device is not returned to you. I am considering seeking a protective order placing that device in the custody of the Court pending litigation. However, should I instead return the device, you are hereby notified that it is evidence in the anticipated litigation to which this letter refers. Should you modify, destroy, or resell the broken device, I will ask the Court to treat that as deliberate spoliation of evidence and make adverse inferences as appropriate.

Very truly yours,
Paul Gowder "

2010-02-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

I'm convinced that Alec Baldwin is my man-twin.

90% jackass, 10% class.

2010-02-28T15:03:00.000-08:00

2010 winter olympics @ vancouver = amazing. top 5 moments:

1. opening ceremony with johnny lyall riding in + epic big mountain footage on whistler
2. evan lysacek's short program
3. evan lysacek's freestyle program
4. U.S. winning the 4-man bobsled
5. joannie rochette's short program

2010-02-20T00:45:00.000-08:00

I bought Ikea's answer to the Snuggie today-- an INFANT FROG BLANKET. hell yes.

2010-02-12T19:16:00.000-08:00

Rx.

I can't believe adderall, WITH insurance, costs $180/mo.

2009-10-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

Touring/tasting at Hendry Ranch Winery next Monday. From what I've read, it's a free 2 hour tour and George Hendry personally conducts it. I'm looking forward to an educational approach to the conception of wine and the inception of a very drunk me.

Went to Frog's Leap last week. $15 for 4 tastings of MEH. Beautiful grounds, though. Worth a visit. I'll make sure it's free next time-- they offer tours 2x a day, but fill up fast. Tours include tastings.

2009-09-08T23:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I landed in Oakland around 1PM, anticipating an afternoon of case briefing and furniture-putting-together (yes, the couch and dining room set are still in respective boxes). But-- GENIUS ALERT-- upon touchdown, I realized that I left my keys in Jon's car. Where is Jon's car, you ask? Jon's car is in LA.

Fuck, right? Fuck me to hell and back. Do I book a roundtrip ticket immediately? FREAK OUT?

It's good to have friends. The ex-boyfriend of your close girl friend sort but cool and on good terms with you type. Friends that happen to live 5 minutes down the street you do. So yes, Eric landed at 845PM. Until then, I spent the afternoon entertaining myself with free Oakland Int'l wi-fi and my contracts case book, along with $25 worth of overpriced, shitty airport food and a sore ass.

But wait, my geniusness isn't over. I bought a few cans of organic black bean soup today (lowfat), hoping to indulge myself in a luxurious canned meal after my contracts class let out at 10pm.

GENIUS ALERT. I don't have a can opener.

2009-06-10T01:20:00.001-07:00

"I'm trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader."

Gay. Now what?

To my understanding, Adam Lambert kept his sexuality under wraps for the duration of the show (possibly due to AI contract?) and while many-- if not most-- assumed him to be gay, he kept mum and disclosed nothing until this week's Rolling Stone issue. Some say that Lambert was "obviously" gay and no declaration had ever need be made about it. Others were clearly ruffled that the contestant stopped short of "officially" coming out.

For a gay celebrity, there are two scenarios that he/she can embrace: the first, being to deny or to choose not to address the issue of his/her sexuality and the second being to announce it and go from there. The latter practice is generally seen as the protocol, the "right thing to do." The former will get you nasty posts and Tweets from celeb blogger Perez Hilton along with loud headlines splayed all over checkout stand weeklies. Is there a right way to come out?

Do we blame society for being so fixated on labeling everything and everybody for stifling any intentions for gay celebrities and everyday gays alike to come out? Does it matter if being gay has an official label? Or, is it a disservice to the LGBT community when a gay individual makes a choice to keep their sexuality to themselves (or simply to disclose it to few)?

I've never had to face a firing squad of speculation or assumption when it came to my own sexuality and it is unfortunate that the LGBT family has to. It would be flippant to lay claim that we live in a time and place where labels, especially those regarding gender and sexuality, don't matter.

Being a minority is ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS! It is ABOUT the process of unification and going about striving to change the treatment of the individual and collective by the majority. With that, I find Lambert fascinatingly ignorant when he says, "I'm trying to be a singer, not a civil rights leader." As a figure in the public eye, shouldn't he feel more responsible for setting an example? To use his fame as a platform for reform?

Does he really expect that he can continue to be a performer while being detached from the urgency that surrounds the gay community?

As a celebrity, do your obligations differ from that of the average civilian?