Meme: 5th of Gin, 5th of Tequila

Interview questions courtesy of Jessica

1. What song do you like to play when it’s time to get busy?

I don't really have a "gettin' busy" soundtrack, but Enigma is good background, as is elbow, or Travis, or various other emo-y bands. I guess that would be it, but as for one particular song, I don't have one. But it would only have to be 3 minutes long.

2. Do you like owning a home?

Yes, I like it. It's nice to be putting my money into an investment. It's nice to have a place of my own, where I can keep all my stuff. The maintenance isn't that bad either and if I want to make a change to something, I can.

3. If your life could be like any TV show, which show would you choose?

One of those fat-guy/hot-wife sitcoms, like "King of Queens." Or "Alias."


4. Sarah Michelle Gellar jumps into your car and tells you that the cops are after her and she desperately needs your help. What do you do?

What? You mean after I slap myself out of my stupor and pick my jaw up off the floor? I would do whatever she needed to get away from the cops, lend her money, make out with her so they don't see her face when doing a crowd search, drive a getaway car, stake vampire cops, anything, as long as I got to go along with her. Especially if she's on the run because she's been accused of killing her husband. "It was the one-armed fan!"

5. Do you want to have children?

Yes, I would like to carry on the Kawamoto name. I'm the only boy Kawamoto among the grandchildren, so I need to have a son. Am I ready to be a dad right now? No, but maybe in a couple years.



MEME RULES
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your LJ/Blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Questions: Mark Two

Oops. I missed Michelle's request for an interview on my original meme, so here's questions for her.

1. When did you start riding horses and why did you get into showing them?
2. Which celebrity would you love to punch out?
3. How is it having The Guve-nator running the show in Cali?
4. Do you think your military training gives you any advantages in dealing with children, ala "Major Dad" or "Major Payne"?
5. Do you ever want to visit New Zealand, home of the Kiwi?

Ok. Hope I didn't miss any body else.

Medium is psychi-tastic

Crazy. On Medium tonight they mentioned that the mother-in-law played by Kathy Baker (of Picket Fences) was from Grosse Pointe. Somehow all roads lead to Grosse Pointe.

-The Dork

Meme: 4th and goal

Questions courtesy of Beckie

1. Are you and Jessica really going to get married at 30 if neither of you have yet?

Well, technically, I believe the deal was at age 31, on March 17th, 2007. That being said, because of Jessica's stated beliefs that marriage is "'til Death do us part" there would have to be emotional and psychological bonds to sustain the relationship beyond the physical connection and financial advantages. That's not to say that she's a choice of last resort, far from it, but I think there would be issues that would have to be worked out. Just like any other relationship. I've never been one who's casually dated, so I'd be looking for a relationship, and maybe by then I'll be ready for marriage. So, if it comes down to it, and we both feel it's the the right thing to do, sure.

2. When are you going to get a puppy?

I so want to get one, but I know that with as much time and attention as they need when little, I don't know that with my current work schedule, that I'd be able to get a puppy. Eventually. That's when. They're so cute!

3. If you let your hair grow for 1 year, how many zipcodes would it encompass?

I think the only time it had gotten that long, was when I was able to pull it back into a Belushi-style Samurai ponytail, and when dry, and tousled, my hair took up an approximate volume approaching that of a beach ball. So, only one zipcode, but that would be a pretty big zip. I think the problem is my hair just has not enough curl for white-boy 'fro and too much for the Fabio-locks.

4. Does it ever feel surreal to be a homeowner and car owner and job haver and all around responsible adult?

Well, yes. I sometimes sit back and wonder how I got to be an adult. Especially considering that most of my friends are still in a sort of college-mode still, it can be weird. I worry about mortgage interest rates, and what my credit score is and what home improvement will give me the best return on my money and yet, I think I am still very immature in other ways. It just snuck up on me, where it was better to buy a house than rent and to have a stable job, and just everything else that goes along with it.

5. If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be?

I would like to lose weight. I think that's the biggest thing, and probably the thing I have the most control over. Otherwise I'm pretty satisfied with my appearance. The only other thing is my psoriasis. It's annoying. But, really, if it were one thing, my weight.

MEME RULES
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Meme : 33 1/3

Questions from Ryan

1. What is one thing that you MUST do in the next five years?

Get a girlfriend.

2. You seem like a pretty laid back guy but what makes you REALLY mad?

Idiots. People who will not and can not understand reason or logic. Bad drivers.

3. If you could have anyone play the role of you in the story of your life, who would it be? (Anyone, doesn't have to look like you)

I think John Cusack would be a good choice. Funny, understated, likable.

4. Who do you think is the best ficional villian of all time?

He who's name shall not be spoken, Voldemort.

5. As a master of everything pop culture, what do you think are the best & worst shows on TV right now.

Best: Veronica Mars. It's been the most consistently good show for the whole season.

Worst (show I'm still watching): Smallville. The characters never act the same from week to week, and I hate Lois.

MEME RULES
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Meme: Part Deux!

More stuff about me. Answers to questions from Chris and Michelle

Questions courtest of misanthropicsob or Coronado if y'all didn't know.

1. L to the O to the V to the E, have you ever been in the big L?

Yes. I know because of how much it hurt when it ended.

2. What type of person are you looking for in a relationship?

Someone who's literate, intellligent, funny. Someone who understands my quirks, understands that I have my moods. Someone who can deal with my obsessions with TV, toys and anything else that I tend to obsess over. Preferably someone without a history of mental illness. I somehow know that I can't avoid drama in a relationship, but I wish there could be a minimum of it. I also like boobs.

3. If you could have any job in the world, what would you have and why?

Hmm. I would like a job with a minimum of paperwork. I always really liked working at the bike shop. But I also like the creative part of my current job. So, something design-related. I'd also like to be a musician, with an actual band.

4. Are you ever inclined to get a Masters degree in...something?

This is something I've thought about. I didn't really enjoy the school part of college. I think I would really need a good reason or something I was really interested in to go back to school. I am taking a class for CATIA V.5 this summer, but that's for work.

5. What is your experience with chemicals of the illicit sort?

Illicit chemicals... I think the only one I've ever tried was pot. I thought it was ok, mostly it made me silly. I'll smoke it, but I have to be in the right mood. I think the weirdest experience with pot was when Dan and I were hanging out with one of his friends (whose name escapes me at this time) and we were smoking a little and then Dan's car got broken into. We had to wait around for the police and then the tow truck. And then it was 8 in the morning and we got high, and then I had to go to work at the bike shop, and I was high until noon.


Questions from Michelle

1. Have you ever seen a Ghost or thought that you have seen one?

I don't think I've ever seen a ghost, but I thought I had felt the presence of someone still hanging around.

2. What do you think happens to your spirit/ soul / inner being/ ego, what ever you want to call it,does/ goes when you expire? Do you go some where, stay around and help your loved ones when needed... be creative, tell the truth not what you think people would want to hear.

I don't know, I don't really believe in heaven and hell. I still have some thought that there is an afterlife. I guess this ties back into the ghost thing. So, maybe, people's spirits do hang around to help the people left behind to cope.

3. If there is ONE song that would describe you, what song would this be and why?

I've always been a fan of "Norwegian Wood" by The Beatles, just a simple song of a guy who goes back to a girl's place and ends up sleeping in the bathtub.

4. By some weird chance, you have been selected by a council of alien beings to protect and conceal a member of their council. This guy is brash, has poor taste in music, wine and women. He looks human, and you have to intoduce him into your circle of friends, BUT you can not tell your friends what exactly is going on, what do you do and how would you handle this?

I'd tell them he an exchange student was from Sweden and was not good with our customs. He'd be like Fez from "That 70's Show."

5. Do you ever hear those commercials that say " HELLLLLOOO Moto.." and think they are talking to you?

Nope, not at all, although I have had people say that to me. Moto was not a nickname that I ever was called before, so I never really made the connection.

MEME RULES!
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions

Bang Bang Bang! Questions for the interviewees.

For Beckie:

1. If you weren't going to be a lawyer, what career would you want?
2. What are your plans for the summer?
3. Which TV character would you like to have lunch with and why?
4. Why did "Playroom" suck so hard?
5. Do you believe in soulmates?

For Jessica:
1. Will you style of parenting be influenced by how you see your little sister being raised? And in what way?
2. Does size matter? Or is it only part of, ahem, getting the job done?
3. What plans do you have for summer, other than your class(es)?
4. Do you think Catholicism should be reformed and modernized?
5. What TV star would you want to have lunch with and why?

For Coronado
1. Why did you join a fraternity?
2. What TV show would you like to take over and run and why?
3. Do you have any theories about Life, the Universe and Everything?
4. Do you think that your ethnicity has helped or hurt you in any way?
5. What is your single favorite song and what does it mean to you?

For Ryan:
1. Do you think that there are too many lawyers and that is leading to unnecessary litigation?
2. I recently read "The King of Torts" by John Grisham. What are your feelings on class action lawsuits and how little defendants receive when these cases are settled?
3. Other than your road trip, what else do you plan to do this summer? Get a job?
4. What are you most excited to see on your trip?
5. Do you think that "Will and Grace" should be canceled? Why?

Whew. OK, that should keep you occupied. Any clarifications, or if I missed you, leave a comment.

Meme to the M to the E-M-Me!

1. Do you believe in God (and/or etc.) and why?

I am an agnostic. I do kind of believe that there might be a God/omniscient being, but having not seen overt proof, my pragmatic side sees that as proof that there is no God. I do have a fairly strong belief in fate though. I was raised Christian, but we stopped going to church when we moved to Michigan, because in North Carolina you were almost expected to go to church. Plus it gave my mom something to do, i.e. hanging out with the church ladies. The South is odd like that. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't necessarily believe in the Christian God, but yes I believe in a God-like construct. I do like the following argument about the existence of God.

From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

"The Babel fish," said The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy quietly, "is small, yellow and leech-like, and probably the oddest thing in the Universe. It feeds on brainwave energy not from its carrier but from those around it. It absorbs all unconscious mental frequencies from this brainwave energy to nourish itself with. It then excretes into the mind of its carrier a telepathic matrix formed by combining the conscious thought frequencies with nerve signals picked up from the speech centres of the brain which has supplied them. The practical upshot of all this is that if you stick a Babel fish in your ear you can instantly understand anything said to you in any form of language. The speech patterns you actually hear decode the brainwave matrix which has been fed into your mind by your Babel fish.

"Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mindboggingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see it as the final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God.

"The argument goes something like this: `I refuse to prove that I exist,' says God, `for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.'

"`But,' says Man, `The Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED.'

"`Oh dear,' says God, `I hadn't thought of that,' and promptly vanished in a puff of logic.

"`Oh, that was easy,' says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next zebra crossing.

"Most leading theologians claim that this argument is a load of dingo's kidneys, but that didn't stop Oolon Colluphid making a small fortune when he used it as the central theme of his best-selling book Well That About Wraps It Up For God.

"Meanwhile, the poor Babel fish, by effectively removing all barriers to communication between different races and cultures, has caused more and bloodier wars than anything else in the history of creation."

2. What do you, without realizing it, find yourself thinking about most often as you fall asleep?

It's strange, or maybe not, but oftentimes I still find myself thinking about Caitlin. I still miss her. Oh, why didn't you ask who influenced me, because she would be one of those people. It seems like all the time there are things that happen in my life, or objects or movies, songs, so many things that remind me of her.

Of course that also can lead into one of my other "Deep Thought" topics, my past relationships and my failures in them.

3. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Well, I think I would love to live in Hawaii. Specifically on Maui. It's where my dad was born, and when we visited a couple years back, I remember thinking that it felt like home. I love the weather, the atmosphere, the ocean, the laid-back attitude. I know my parents have discussed retiring there. I don't think it will happen, but it definitely has a pull on my dad. My uncle too, he ended up buying a place there and moving from LA. I know it's kind of cliche, but Hawaii is a paradise on Earth.

4. If you could instantly learn anything (like in the Matrix), what would it be?

I think I would like to learn how to cook like a gourmet chef, and also Kung Fu or Karate. I'd be an Iron Fist Chef. I'd also like to learn to play guitar really well.

5. If you were independently wealthy, what would you do with your life?

I'd like to think I'd be very altruistic, but I think I'd mostly spend the money on myself, family and friends. I'd probably travel a lot. I'd like buy property, 'cause property is always a good investment. I'd buy a private island. I'd start fishing again, fly kites, play guitar, start internet companies, start a film and television production company and fund really good sci-fi and offbeat comedy movies and shows. I don't know if I'd work, but I'd probably find some kind of creative outlet. Like designing stuff. Especially mechanical or electronic gadgets. I have a lot of ideas, but no knowledge of how to implement them. So, I'd hire a team of engi-nerds to breath life to my visions. I'd be like Steve Jobs, only slightly less megalomaniacal.


Questions courtesy of Dan

MEME RULES
1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions.
3. You will update your LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

*Don't forget to include the rules at the end of your post.

So, very interesting.

Your brain: 40% interpersonal, 220% visual, 20% verbal, and 120% mathematical!

Congratulations on being 400% smart! Actually, on my test, everyone is. The above score breaks down what kind of thinking you most enjoy doing. A score above 100% means you use that kind of thinking more than average, and a score below 100% means you use it less. It says nothing about how good you are at any one, just how interested you are in each, relatively. A substantial difference in scores between two people means, conclusively, that they are different kinds of thinkers. Matching Summary: Each of us has different tastes. Still, I offer the following advice, which I think is obvious: Don't date someone if your interpersonal percentages differ by more than 80%. Don't be friends with someone if your verbal percentages differ by more than 100%. Don't have sex with someone if their math percentage is over 200%.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 62% on interpersonal You scored higher than 99% on visual You scored higher than 29% on verbal You scored higher than 76% on mathematical

Link: The 4-Variable IQ Test written by chriscoyne on Ok Cupid

Linky to article.

I decided to put up a link to today's article from Mark Morford, because he's written, what I think is, a very interesting take on music, and religion, and while maybe his and Jesus's taste run in much the same vein, it's still something to ponder. WWJLT?

What's On Jesus' iPod?
Protest anthems, Zeppelin, gospel, classical and, of course, Nine Inch Nails. And, yes, Jesus does P2P

Vulnerable exhaust ports? Never thought of it.

Here's my results for that Star Wars Personality Quiz. Pretty much falls in line with every other personality quiz I've taken. I think I'm pretty stable when it comes to these things.

Click to see my Star Wars Personality!!

This is me expounding

I came across this post on Laws that don't have names from TWOP, and thought I'd throw a few of my own out there.

Kawamoto's Unified Theorem of Men and Women:

Women are evil. Men are stupid.

I firmly believe that this explains all interactions between men and women.

Kawamoto's Inverse Proportionality Rule for Asian Food Restaurants:

The quality of food is inversely proportional to the fanciness of the decor.

The hole-in-the-wall places are usually the best. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but that's only as you approach the limit for food quality, for a few very fine cuisine restaurants.

Pope-a-licous!

If I am elected, my pope name will be: Pope Hideous Eugene V What's your pope name? Name:

Hello. My name is Arvin Clone.

Wow. There've been a lot of clone/lookalikes around recently. Last night Dan, Austin and I went to see Catalog Only at the Magic Stick (not the Magic Bag) and they were awesome as usual. Jordan was apparently rather ill, but still managed to rock out. The other bands sucked for the most part. Disappointingly, Catalog Only did not win. The band that ended up going on to the next round was this 311-clone that must have had their entire high school show up to represent them. Seriously, there were like a hundred 16 year-olds all going crazy for this band. I thought they were derivative. Jordan still holds out hope that they'll get one of the 4 runner up slots for the next round.

Oh. Back to clone/doppelgangers. I was all emo-ed up last night, sporting the "t-shirt over the button-down" look, and there was this guy at the show that came over to me that look quite a bit like me, especially in the wardrobe and asian departments. His name I believe was Victor. He was sort of the more asian/phillipino version of me. Odd. Also there was a girl there that looked like Beckie, but wasn't Beckie. She was smoking and drinking beer. But if you saw Alias, you know how the Sloane impersonator looked like Sloane, but not quite, that's how this girl was in relation to Beckie. Also odd. I didn't see anyone else that looked like anyone else we know though.

I am the Diet Coke of funny. Just one calorie. Not quite funny enough.

Now With 50% Less Lesbians

The triumphant return of The O.C.: Oakland County Berkley-sty-lee

*Bumpa-dinkdink, bumpa-dinkdink*

Me: Where’s that music coming from?
Me: I see what looks like a studio audience in my front yard. Wait. Why am I narrating this? Shouldn’t there be like, a narrator to describe what’s going on for those who can’t see it.

Narrator/Announcer: Sorry. I was in the bathroom, and then I splashed water on my pants, and then in the process of drying my pants, there was a “thermal event” and yada, yada, yada, I’m going to have to go to Target after this to get new pants.

Me: Wow. That’s odd. That still doesn’t explain the live studio audience on my lawn. Ah! They’re crushing the hostas!

Narrator/Announcer: Little did Mike realize, but the Ellen Degeneres show was being filmed on his front lawn this morning.

Me: [Sarcastically] Well, thanks for telling me that.

N/A: No problem. [Lowering voice according to the National Code of Announcers and DJs] Now let’s welcome Ellen Degeneres!

Me: This is weird. I’ve never even watched the show, although Deadboy Dan has described it to me. Cool. There’s Ellen dancing. And she’s dancing with the crowd now. Hey! Narrator guy! Do your job!

N/A: [Distractedly] Oh, oops, sorry. Mike watched the spectacle unfold. Ellen then began to motion for Mike to come over to her.

Me: Me? [Pointing at myself]

N/A: Ellen continues to motion Mike over towards her. Mike halfheartedly dances over.

Me: Hey! That was more that halfhearted! Maybe three quarters.

N/A: The audience began to tire of the lack of plot/humor in this episode.

Me: Hey, I’m getting to it. Hi, Ellen. What are you doing here?

Ellen: Well, I know you wanted Portia de Rossi, but I’m going to have to do for “Hot Blondes” today.

Me: Wow, that’s crazy. I didn’t even know she was lesbian and that she was dating you until I heard about her getting that tattoo removed when I was listening to the radio this morning. Lesbians are cool.

Ellen: Thanks. I think they’re cool too. So you’ve never watched the show.

Me: Well, I’m always at work when it’s on…

Ellen: Don’t you have TiVo™?

Me: Well it’s not exactly TiVo™. It’s TiVo™ like… wow, that’s cool, Every time I say TiVo™ it puts that little TM symbol next to it.

Ellen: Of course. Do you think we want to get sued?

Me: Oh, that makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is why your whole show is on my lawn.

Ellen: Well, this way you get to see an episode.

Me: Ah. Alrighty then. Who’s the special guest?

Ellen: Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Me: *faints*

N/A: Mike woke up several hours later. The Ellen show was gone and his hostas and daffodils were severely trampled.

Me: What are you still doing here?

N/A: Mike glared sharply at the well appointed Narrator, who despite the fact that he wasn’t wearing pants, could still be called a snappy dresser.

Me: Go!

N/A: Mike should have been pleased that even though he was passed out, Sarah Michelle Gellar had still felt pity for him and kissed him on the cheek.

Me: Whooohooo!

N/A: Join us next week when more “Hot Blondes” do not show up!

Me: Bummer.

Just a few words about the weekend.

I thought I'd weigh in on Marissa's party this weekend. It was, um, interesting. I had a decent time, although I think I've somewhat outgrown a lot of what was going on. I did totally school those 2 guys I was playing "Circle of Death" with, though, especially with the categories. The interpretive dance routine was also pretty funny. What a bunch of lightweights. It was also kind of funny running into some of Putte's employees. And that they have much the same impressions of him that we do.

Howdy y'all!

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

15% Yankee

10% Upper Midwestern

5% Dixie

5% Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

I guess the touch of Dixie is from my 4 years I lived in Nor' Carah-lina.

I'm so the basis of all known life forms on earth.

C...Carbon You scored 30 Mass, 29 Electronegativity, 51 Metal, and 0 Radioactivity!

Nobody understands you... no, not even organic chemists. The social individualist. You like your attention... but not TOO MUCH attention. You are able to form incredibly close relationships with many individuals, but you don't really get along with preexisting groups. You value equality in relationships, and don't deal well with overly submissive or demanding people. Well, whatever... thanks for making life possible... oh, and cut the global warming out.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 27% on Mass You scored higher than 41% on Electroneg You scored higher than 44% on Metal You scored higher than 0% on Radioactivity

Link: The Which Chemical Element Am I Test written by effataigus on OkCupid Free Online Dating

Look where I've been!

create your own visited states map
or check out these Google Hacks.

New Music Notations of Note

So there's always new music that I'm interested in. I guess that's why I like XM so much, because it's somewhat free-er from all the payola and Clear Channel playist crap. Anyways, I'm just gonna list a couple of bands I want to check out or think you should check out.

• Kaiser Chiefs
  
• The Arcade Fire
  
• The Dears
  
• Stars
  
• Doves (the new one)
  
• Razorlight
  
• Pinback
  
• The Bravery
  
• Queens of the Stone Age
  
• Go Home Productions Mashups
  
• Louis XIV