F**K the Waltons

So, it's been much too long since I've posted. You have no doubt forgotten all about me, and that's fine. However, recent events have made me so angry that I've had to blog just to get my emotions out. I'm talking about my certifiable hate for the Waltons.

No, not those Waltons. While I have no love for the backwoods-g'night John Boy-we're poor Okies variety of Waltons, I also harbor no ill will towards them. They can't help it that they're simple country folk. No, my anger is aimed at the Waltons of the Sam variety. That's right - the family that owns Wal-Mart.

In the past, I have made no secret of my disdain for Wal-Mart. I think that the W is the work of the devil, and the death of all that makes America great. Wal-Mart is a corporate behemoth that kills everything it touches. It seeps into societies and shuts down all manner of Mom & Pop shops. It is the deathnail for the locally owned business. Furthermore, it is Wal-Mart that is to blame for the homogenization of America. Because of Sam Walton's trickery, we all dress alike and live in homes that are decorated in the same bland manner.

As if this weren't insulting enough, Wal-Mart has now defiled all that is lovely. I am of course referencing their new merger with Martha Stewart. I love Martha Stewart. I appreciate her delicate crafts, her tedious recipes, and her blatant snobbery. I love every ounce of her pretencious soul. She has all of the charm of a school marm who is scolding you - and yet I want to emulate her. Until now, that is.....

Up until now, I have supported Martha's business ventures. For years, La Stewart has been the only reason that I'd step foot in a K-Mart. K-Mart quit being socially relevant about 20 years ago - but I've endured the time warp of their stores just so that I could purchase Martha Stewart sheet sets, duvet covers, tea towels, dishwares and candles. Each holiday season I've ventured there to marvel at her Christmas decor - coveting her tasteful giftwrap and elegant ribbons. I have lit her candles with the ceremony of lighting altar candles - hoping that my home would be infused with some of her class. I have purchased her magazines and cookbooks, and I have tried to emulate her in my own homemaking. No more, I tell you - NO MORE.

Recently, I saw a commercial for Wal-Mart. The scene is of two housewives commenting on how nice the backyard wedding of their friend is. One notes that it was all purchased at Wal-Mart, while the other quips that it looks so "Martha Stewart". The domestic doyenne enters and agrees that it is Martha Stewart - as her new line is available exclusively at Wal-Mart. Oh horror of horrors! Martha - how could you forsake me?

I am disappointed in Martha, as she is a pioneer of "do-it-yourself" and Wal-Mart seeks to destroy all of that. Wal-Mart stands for uniformity and the anihilation of all that is unique and one-of-a-kind, both things that I thought Martha stood for. Shame on you, Martha. This new venture is surely not a good thing.

MORE FRIDAY FUN!!

I was so intrigued by the PHOTOBUCKET Survery, that I decided to do some more questions of my own.

For those who missed the first round, here's how it works:

1. Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer.

So here are my new questions for you - feel free to copy and play along.

1. What is your favorite food?


2. What is your favorite article of clothing?


3. What is your least favorite film of all time?


4. What is your favorite TV Show?


5. What is your favorite musical?


6. What is the last film you saw in the theater?


7. What is the last food you ate?


8. What is your favorite indulgence?


9. What do you collect?


10. What is your favorite kind of dog?


Same as last time - include a link in the comments to your replies if you post it on your blog!
Have a good weekend!

Because it's FRIDAY....

A good friend of mine, who writes a very witty blog - www.aboynamedgirl.blogspot.com - posted this. I thought it was fun. More importantly, I thought it would keep me from doing my actual work - and isn't that the whole point of this blog anyways?

Without further ado, I give you the PHOTOBUCKET Survey.

Here's how it works:
1. Go to www.photobucket.com (don't sign in)
2. Type in your answer to the question in the "search" box
3. Use only the first page
4. Copy the html and paste for the answer.

When you finish, you'll have something like this:

1. What's your first name?


2. What school do you go to?


3. What is your relationship status?


4. What is your favorite color?


5. Who is your celebrity crush?


6. What band are you listening to right now?


7. What is your favorite movie?


8. Who is your favorite Disney princess?


9. Name an alcoholic beverage.



10. where is your dream vacation?


11. What do you love most in life?


12. One word to describe yourself?


See now? Wasn't that fun? Now, go repost on your page and play along. Leave a link to your page in my comments!

Have a good weekend!

Willy Wonka & Super Tuesday

There's a wonderful scene in the movie WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, where the charismatic and quirky Willy Wonka (played to perfection by Gene Wilder) sings that "if you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it; anything you want to - do it! Want to change the world? There's nothing to it..."

As I child, I loved this film. I connected to the story of the innocent and untainted Charlie Bucket. Charlie, a boy of meager status, found pleasure in life's simple things. He only wanted health and safety for his family, happiness, and maybe the occasional chocolate bar. Who can't relate to that? Isn't that all anyone really wants - to have their basic needs met, and if possible, maybe an occasional treat? The story of Charlie Bucket plays out as a parable against wanting too much; greedy children are quickly dispatched away, as there is no room for those who want more than their share. The moral of the story is that good things come to those who wait and that diligence and perseverance will be rewarded; in the end, this proves true as Charlie has all of his wishes fulfilled.

Today is Super Tuesday - the Primary Elections - in what will prove to be a historical election year, no matter which side you're viewing it from. This morning, as I cast my own vote, I couldn't help but hear Gene Wilder's voice ringing in my ears - "Want to change the world? There's nothing to it!" Indeed, in a time where our society seems to be unraveling from the very fiber of it's being, we are at a crossroads in politics. Don't like the status quo? CHANGE IT! It would seem that, much like Charlie Bucket, the world is our oyster - simply waiting for us to make our decisions on how we'd have it play out.

We see the world for what it is. The beauty of our world is that it's different from every angle. Your perspective may be totally different from mine - and that perspective colors your decisions. So, that's why Super Tuesday is so important....literally, the future of our country rests in the decisions that you make. We determine where we go!

Don't like the war in Iraq? Voice it! Want Gay marriages? Voice it! Need healthcare reform? Voice it! Want stronger public schools? Voice it! Whatever your issue, whatever your cause, whatever your concern - VOICE IT!

"If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it; anything you want to - do it! Want to change the world? There's nothing to it..."

I couldn't agree more, Mr. Wonka.

Tiny Bubbles

This past year, I have become a junkie. Before you go plotting your interventions, I am not suffering the same throes of addiction as the more glamorous LiLo's and B.Spears. Nevertheless, my addiction is equally crippling. I suffer from mood swings when I can't get my fix. I crave a "hit" at all hours of the day; I lie awake at night thinking about my next encounter with my sweet elixir.

What is it that has me so hot and bothered? What keeps me tossing in bed at night? It's not crack, crystal meth or black tar heroin. It is, however, an exotic import. From the far shores of the Asian Isles, I am enslaved to the flavor and fun of Bubble Tea.

Bubble Tea? WTF is that, you ask? Well, for those of you not in the know, Bubble Tea is a drink craze from Asia. According to Wikipedia, Bubble tea is a tea beverage that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. The tea features tapioca balls; the balls are often called "pearls," and are consumed along with the beverage through an extra wide straw. Bubble tea is especially popular in many East Asian and Southeast Asian regions such as China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. More recently, the drink has popularized in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The drink has gained in popularity in the US, branching out from regions with large Asian populations (like New York and San Francisco's ChinaTowns). The drink is sometimes referred to as Boba Tea. Boba is children's Mandarin slang for "nipple," as the tapioca pearls somewhat resemble a round nipple.

Essentially, the drink is a base of green or black tea and a flavoring (usually fruit). Added to the cup are tapioca pearls (these are the black balls in the glasses pictured). These pearls are gelatinous, and have a gummy texture - like soft gummy bears. The result is a beverage that can be both sipped and chewed. It's a unique mouth experience. The drinks are served over ice, or in the form of slushees and smoothies. Often times, the drinks are flavored with exotic tastes like Taro and Lychee. Sometimes, the drink is served with "jellies" instead of the typical pearls. The jellies are slivers of gelatin - usually in a fruit flavor. Typically, the teas are either fruit flavored or milk teas. The milk teas would be more similar to a Chai or an iced latte.

Being of Asian descent myself, I'm always open to trying new things. I am fortunate to live in a culturally diverse area - with many ethnic groups represented in their own neighborhoods. By venturing off the beaten path, and trying some of these wonderful restaurants and neighborhood shops, you can find some really amazing things. You might even develop a new "addiction."

You can find me, at least once a week, at my favorite Thai/Vietnamese/Chinese fusion place...bubble tea firmly in hand and a smile on my face. Addiction....ain't it great?

DO THE RIGHT THING

This weekend is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Dr. King was a great man - he was a civil rights hero who initiated a movement and a new way of thinking. He encouraged people to see past their own prejudices and to embrace their differences. Unfortunately, his legacy has largely devolved into a bank holiday; it is a day off from school, and for some of us, from work. Few citizens take time to remember the precious price that Dr. King paid for his beliefs - and even fewer take the initiative to "do the right thing."

In 1989, Spike Lee made the film "DO THE RIGHT THING." The film tells the story of Buggin Out - a would be do gooder who is crusading for change in his own neighborhood. Tired of the local pizzeria neglecting to show anyone other than Italians on it's "Wall of Fame," Buggin Out takes his mission to the people. He is a voice for change - crusading for his cause.

I am disappointed to say that few of my friends volunteer. Very few people I know have a cause that they are passionate about. Ask them the problems in society, and they can easily rattle off a list a mile long. Ask them what they've done to combat those problems, however, and the conversation will quickly dry up. I do a lot of volunteer work, and my friends always act like I am Jesus himself. The reality is that my efforts are shameful - my involvement with a few causes leaves much to be desired. I am not consistent with my volunteerism; I give when it is convenient - when it fits my schedule or wallet. That is hardly dedication. True dedication comes at all costs - or as Malcolm X said, "by any means necessary."

As we head into the weekend - and you enjoy your day off in honor of Dr. King - think about the true cost of our freedoms. What do you do to make things better? What do you do to increase awareness? When push comes to shove, can you say that you will "do the right thing?"


It's an election year - and we are a nation in a time of turmoil. We are on the brink, but the brink of what we can't quite be sure. Dr. King said that "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." I encourage you to take that to heart. Find your cause - and fight for it. Become involved, leave a legacy, and ultimately, you will find that you will "do the right thing."

Let me leave you with two thoughts from Dr. King:

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

What is the life you are leading saying about you and your beliefs? Inaction is still action.

A New Year....A New Blog

2008 has arrived, and with it is the inevitable wind of change.

While my blog has gone largely neglected, I am hoping that 2008 will usher in an era of new productivity. I plan to write more frequently - espousing my opinions on everything from politics to Pollyana. I'll blog on pop culture and popcorn. I'll write on music and musings. It will be nothing, if not a mixed bag.

So, bookmark this page.....and join me for discussions on whatever comes our way.

LOOK AT THOSE HOT BUNS!

Friday will mark the 30th Anniversary of the release of the film STAR WARS. Now, I am not a huge science fiction fan; I'm no Dungeons & Dragons player obsessed with fanart and role playing. I am, however, a child of the 80's. I grew up with the heroics of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. I was terrified by the evil of Darth Vader, and I swooned at the romantic ideals of the lovely Princess Leia.

The films are classic. They aren't the high tech schlock that Lucas has since produced. Rather then trying to woo audiences with the glitz of big budget special effects, these films are old school stories. They won us over because of their simplicity. At the heart of the STAR WARS legacy is the story of a battle. It is the battle of Good vs. Evil. It is the battle of Luke to find his true identity and discover his past. It is the battle of Han Solo to fight his womanizing ways and eventually win the heart of the lovely Princess Leia. And, it is the battle of Leia Organa to wow us with her top notch 'dos.

What child growing up didn't marvel at the engineering genius it must have taken to create the elaborate swirls of Leia's updo? What little girl (or gay boy) didn't don a towel on her head and try to twist it into those ubiquitous braids? Who didn't look into their mirror only to think "if only my hair were a bit more Leia-esque"?

Well, for those who ever wanted that intergalactic babe look, search no further! Just in time for the 3oth Anniversary Celebrations, you can create your very own Princess Leia Wig! That's right! Some crafty genius has devised a pattern to allow you to knit your very own Princess Leia Wig. With a few skeins of yarn, a couple of hours time, and an unhealthy passion for SciFi, you too can be the envy of the Rebel Alliance! And what, pray tell, does this wig look like? Here you go!

Now, I just need to find someone who knits. Let me know if you can make me one!

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!

ATLANTA COTILLION

AID ATLANTA is the Southeast's largest AIDS service organization. They provide outreach, research, and support for those who are infected/affected by HIV & AIDS.

One of the largest fundraisers that AID ATLANTA has is the annual Atlanta Cotillion. This year, I have the honor of participating in Cotillion as one of the Debutantes. Below is a brief history of the Cotillion and it's efforts:

In 1997, J. D. Kellum and Jeff Paramore created the first Atlanta Cotillion Ball to provide a creative and unique opportunity to raise awareness as well as funds for the HIV/AIDS community. In 2002, led by John McGuirk and a dedicated group of community volunteers, the Atlanta Cotillion was reorganized to maximize the fundraising potential of this unique event. In 2004 John McGuirk passed the leadership responsibilities to Edward Holifield, Harrison Perry and Greg Whitmire.

Edward Holifield and Greg Whitmire currently Co-Chair Atlanta Cotillion. Their shared vision as Co-Chairs is to enhance and grow the event each year while remaining true to its founding traditions. Annually, 12 gentlemen from the Atlanta community are invited to participate as Debutantes in a fundraising competition to benefit HIV / AIDS charities. Since 2002, the Atlanta Cotillion has donated more than $250,000 to AID Atlanta, the largest AIDS service organization in the southeast. For more information on AID Atlanta, visit http://www.aidatlanta.org.

After months of creative individual Debutante fundraising efforts, the Atlanta Cotillion social season culminates in the lively and entertaining Atlanta Cotillion Ball. In keeping to tradition the Debutantes with their escort are presented to celebrate their fundraising successes. As the highlight of the evening, the Debutante who has raised the most funds is crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball. Past Atlanta Cotillion Ball Queens consist of Aric Castleberry 2002, Harrison Perry 2003, Steve Dondero 2004. In 2005 having raised a record $25,000 Jody Woodruff was crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball.

Each year, the Cotillion hovers just below the $100,000 mark in funds raised. Last year, $94,000 were raised - with ALL of that going directly to AID Atlanta. 100 % of the proceeds go directly to AID Atlanta and their efforts! This year, we plan to break the $100,000 mark.

How can you help me? Well, you can support my efforts at Cotillion. On May 1, the website - www.atlantacotillion.com, will be up and running. Simply go to my area (Steven Igarashi), and you can donate online. Additionally, I'm interested in any ideas you have for fundraising. Wanna throw a fundraiser for me? GREAT! Work for a large company that can sponsor me? EVEN BETTER! No idea is too small or too large!!!!

Let me hear from you! It's for a great cause, and I hope to see you at Cotillion on September 15, 2007.

Thanks!!

LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

Occasionally a piece of pop culture comes along and it stays with you. It has an impact that is undeniable.

I am not talking about fads like Cabbage Patch Kids or hip television shows. I am talking about art that uses pop culture as it's medium. Great works of cinema or music that linger long after you've been exposed to them; pieces that haunt you and plague your thoughts.

I was reminded last night of one such piece. A new friend and I were discussing our love of film, and foreign films specifically. I told him that I recalled seeing a film a few years back, and it had stayed with me all of these years. The plot was perhaps one of the most romantic ideas I'd ever encountered - or perhaps ever will. He immediately recalled the film - LOVE ME IF YOU DARE.

The film is a french film, Jeux d'enfants, which was released in 2003. It tells the story of childhood friends who develop a game. The game is built of off escalating dares. Eventually, the dares wreak havoc on the lives of the young boy and girl, isolating them from their family and friends. Over time the two grow apart - until there is an epiphany that they are the true loves of each other's lives.

I will not reveal the ending, but I'd encourage you to rent this film. I might just do the same....

Here's to new friends and old movies!

Friends, Romans, Countrymen - LENT me your ears!

So, we're in the midst of LENT right now.

For those of you who are heathens, LENT is the thirty days prior to Easter. It is the time from Ash Wednesday until Palm Sunday. Historically, this is a time of penance and reflection for the faithful. During this time, believers choose something near and dear to them to "give up" for Lent. This is a symbolic practice which is meant to remind us of the sacrifices Christ made on our behalf.

Traditional items that you might give up are indulgences like soda, chocolate, dessert, or television. Additionally, some people choose to give up temptations like cigarettes and alcohol. A brave devout few even dare to give up SEX! (Though, let's face it, they probably weren't getting much play to begin with.)

I saw this postcard on POST SECRET, which is one of my favorite sites. Additionally, I heard someone say that they were giving up MySpace for LENT. It got me to thinking...in this modern age we live in, where we have so much accessible, what is a true sacrifice? What is really going to hit home with us and make the meaning of Lent real?

Could you live without your cell phone/crackberry? Maybe you need to give up American Idol for Lent? Perhaps it's your daily dose of Perez Hilton? Hmmm...

Just curious, what are you giving up for LENT (if anything)? If not, what do you think would be a suitable modern sacrifice?

THOUGHTS???

You're so superficial!

Vain.

Conceited.

SUPERFICIAL.

Who says these have to be a bad thing? In fact, I think The Superficial, www.thesuperficial.com, is a great thing.

Everyday, when I am overwhelmed with my paperwork, Excel spreadsheets, and general office B.S., I take a moment and remember things aren't that bad.

I could be this girl....

And, suddenly, things are alright.

And for a moment, I'm not that innocent....

Chicken Soup for the Soul...

Valentine's Day has come and gone, and I hope that you all had a fantastic time with your loved ones. I wanted to share this cartoon with you - DKW shared it with me, and I thought it too funny not to pass along.

Ah, L'amour!

A heart full of....

Today is Valentine's Day, and we here at DRINKING@WORK are not without our sentimental sides. So, while you gorge yourselves on that box of chocolates, and drown your single sorrows in your bottle of Moet Chandon, let me offer you this tiny distraction.



Last year, I was fortunate enough to stumble across this amusing little site. Thanks to some geek, you can now make your own photo icons of that ubiquitous Valentine symbol, the Conversation Heart. Any combination you want can be created, as long as it's no more than two lines of text, four letters a piece.



Last night, I whipped up this ditty for my boo.

The site is a fun little diversion, and your honey might be impressed by your geek skills if you whip them up a little something to personalize their spot on the web.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Wuv, Twue Wuv....

Wednesday will be Valentine's Day - a day of hearts, candy, and the butterflies in the stomach feeling that only being in love can provide.

This Valentine's Day, I have a lot to be thankful for.

For starters, I'm in love.

He's a wonderful man and I couldn't be happier. He is smart and funny; he's cute. He makes me proud of him, and he makes me proud of me.

I entered a contest recently, with a local newspaper, and I was one of the winners. The essay contest asked simply, "What makes this Valentine's Day so Special?"

Well, I wrote:

As a 28-year-old man, this is the first year that I am
completely out. I am out to my friends and my family. I am out
publicly and professionally. I am eager to celebrate this Valentine’s Day with
my boyfriend. We’ve been together for 3 months, and I’m hoping for many
more. … For the first time in my life, I am comfortable enough with myself
to tell that to the world.
So this year, it’s not candy hearts and flowers
that have me excited. Nor is it the opportunity to share my life with a
great man (although I’ve got that too!). What I’m excited about this
Valentine’s Day is that I am a gay man, in a loving and healthy relationship,
and I can shout it from the rooftops.

So, this Valentine's Day I am thrilled to be able to say "I'm in love" -

Not just because I'm in love, but because I'm finally comfortable saying it.

A candle in the wind...

ANNA NICOLE SMITH - DEAD AT 39!

Former Guess Supermodel, Playboy Playmate, and TrimSpa spokesmodel Anna Nicole Smith was found dead in her Miami hotel room.

No stranger to controversy, Smith recently lost her 20 year old son amidst a swirl of rumors. Additionally, Smith was embroiled in a custody battle with her one time boyfriend. Smith, who recently wed her longtime attorney Howard K. Stern, was also a litigant in a suit against TrimSpa - her former employer, and the supposed key to her dramatic weightloss.

At once an icon and a joke, Smith will undoubtedly be missed. Smith was most noted for her scandalous and unapologetic lifestyle. Embroiled in a longterm battle for the estate of her late husband J.Howard Marsh, Smith was also an actress who had appeared in films like THE NAKED GUN and in her own reality TV series.

I don't know why I am both shocked and saddened by this.

Because I Said So!

This weekend, I had a chance to see the new Diane Keaton/Mandy Moore film, BECAUSE I SAID SO.

I really enjoyed this. I'm a huge Diane Keaton fan - I love all of her work. I'm also a big Mandy Moore fan. I think she's a very talented songstress, and a pretty hilarious actress. I love that she pokes fun at her own "goody-goody" image. She was absolutely genius in SAVED, which is one of my favorite films.

I found this movie to be charming. It was funny, it was sweet; it's everything that a romantic comedy should be. I also liked the supporting cast. Lauren Graham and Piper Perabo were very relatable as Mandy Moore's long suffering sisters. They have some of the more fun scenes in the film.

The film centers around the relationship between Mandy Moore, who is a carefree independent spirited modern woman, and her mother Diane Keaton, who is meddlesome and neurotic. Things heat up as Diane Keaton places a secret want ad to find true love for Moore.

Grab a date and head to the movies! I thought this was a fantastic one to see. It made me laugh, and it's characters are real and relatable.

Here's to Friday....Now back to your CUBE!

It's Friday.

If your week's been like mine, I hope you can relate.

There she is...

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!

Tonight is the Miss America Pageant. The pageant will air at 8 p.m. tonight on CMT. You can visit their website for all kinds of great behind-the-scenes info. The website features bio videos for each contestant. You can also access cool things like the Miss America ringtone (which is currently on my phone - no joke!).

I will of course be rooting for Georgia's own Amanda Kozak. Amanda wins my support, not only because she is the local winner, but because of her platform. Amanda's platform is child mentoring through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. BBBS is my former employer, and I am also a Big Brother! Amanda's talent is tap, and she's a strong contender across the boards. Look for her to make a good showing!

For more pagenat 411, and some very entertaining video footage, check out my friend's blog here. He has wonderful background info on the contestants, as well as pics from the preliminary competitions last week. It is sick just how much information he has! He is a field director for the Miss Georgia Organization. Additionally, he happens to be a very witty and clever writer - check him out and favorite his site! It's a great thing to do instead of work!

Rainy Days and Mondays...

It has been famously said that music has powers to soothe the savage beast. I, however, believe that the true power of music lies in the lyrics - the power of words. A good lyric reaches you, and you can instantly feel connected. Such is the case of "Rainy Days and Mondays," the famed Carpenter's song. In the song, Karen richly croons that "rainy days and Mondays always get me down." In listening to it, she gives voice to the melancholy we've all felt - that we all feel.

Each morning I wake is a struggle to get out of bed. Each Monday is infinitely worse. Today, struggling with the fact that my weekend was over, that it was 19 degrees outside, and that it was that damn Monday again, I felt I'd had enough. Then, like a ray of comic sunshine, I found this little gem in my inbox....

Thanks DW! You get me, and suddenly Monday doesn't seem so wonky.