Harry Potter spoiler click here
Ok my bad...I was going to post this on Friday but didn't want to ruin it for the hardcore Harry Potter fans. I figured you would have read it over the weekend. Here's something to make up for it:
Darth Vader 1 (needs sound)
Darth Vader 2 (needs sound)
Have a great week everyone! 
EDIT: Fine, I made the pic a link so it doesn't ruin it for everyone. 
Life's too short...
I know..it's been ages since I last posted. Contrary to what many may think, it wasn't because I was holed up in my room playing Warcraft. Well, ok maybe that's part of the reason. 
But honestly, the main reason was that Xanga simply bores me now. People write about what they did on the weekend (another party?), fill in stupid surveys that no one reads, discuss dating and relationship advice which when it comes down to it means absolutely nothing.
As most of you know, my brother got married not too long ago. What you may not know is that my dad, who I haven't seen in almost 10 years, came for the wedding. For reasons I don't feel like going into, my dad had been living in Korea for the good part of my adult life. Although I've spoken to him on the phone occasionally, to see him in person after such a long time was surreal to say the least.
One night, a few days before he was scheduled to leave, he came into my room to talk to me. He broke down crying and apologized for not being there all those years. He thanked me for not cracking under the pressure and burden of having to support the family in his absence.
My response to him? I told him that there was nothing for him to be sorry for and that I understood the pain and loneliness he must have felt being apart from his family. Even though he wasn't physically there for the past 10 years, I told him the reason I've been able to make it this far was because how he raised me when I was little and that I held no ill will towards him.
A week or so later, we received a phone call from Korea saying that my dad collapsed walking on the street. It turns out that he had a bloot clot in his brain and was suffering from dizzy spells. Thankfully, it wasn't serious and he's currently under treatment.
You don't really realize how short life is until you're faced with someone's mortality. I have friends who have already lost one of their parents and another friend whose mother is sick. I can't imagine the pain they've felt but just the thought of losing one of my parents is unbearable.
If any of you have a relative or friend you're not on good terms with, I'd like for you to ask yourself, "is it worth it??" I know this is cliche, but if you have something to say, say it while there is still someone there to listen...
4-23-05
Congratulations to my brother Simon and his new wife Na! This past week has been hectic like you wouldn't believe with friends and relatives flying in from all over the place. I'm glad to see everything turned out perfectly on this special day for the newlywed couple.
Enjoy the fun and sun on your honeymoon Simon and Na!
I find it funny when I hear females talking/writing about how "size matters" in a guy. While I can understand that an inadequately equipped guy can be less than satisfying, if a guy is of average size and the girl still wants something bigger, what does it say about the girl? The phrase "throwing a hotdog down a hallway" comes to mind.
If you think about it logically, wouldn't it make sense that the average guy would "fit" well with an average girl? Who are we kidding though right? Since when were females considered objects of reason?
So the next time a female yearns for or demands a guy be more well endowed, maybe they should stop for a second and wish instead that their "candle holder" was a little bit smaller. But hey, if size still does matter, there's a bar around the corner missing the seat cushion on one of its stools you can sit on.
P.S. This entry has nothing to do with me but rather the entries I've read of several females talking about size. 
Wedding Moos (Blues) 
So I was listening to the radio this morning and a woman called up asking for help. Her problem? She was getting married and she didn't want to include one of her fat friends in the bridal party because she felt that it would ruin the image of the wedding photos. The caller wanted the radio station's help in mediating the situation with the fat friend. So the radio station called up moo-moo with the bride-to-be on the line and the conversation that followed was something like:
Bride: This is my wedding and it's a once in a lifetime thing. What's wrong with me wanting everyone to look good in the pictures which are going to remind me of my special day for years to come?
Fattie: The purpose of having a bridal party is to share your wedding day with your friends. You're just a rude bitch and the fat comment was uncalled for.
Bride: Ok fine..not "fat" but chubby. It wouldn't hurt for you to lose a few pounds.
Fattie: Oh I'm sorry...I'm not perfect like you!
Bride: I know I'm not perfect but I don't let myself go.
Fattie: You know what? I'm glad you called on the radio because I hope all your friends see what a bitch you are!
Bride/Fattie: Bitch! Bitch! Blah blah blah
*hangs up*
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Geez! I can only imagine the stress and anxiety women already have to suffer when planning their wedding. Makeup, hair, flowers, dresses (for herself and bridal party), etc. Now you guys have to worry about having fat friends too? With so much shit to deal with, can you tell me WHY girls want to get married so badly again?
I just had a funny thought...imagine a bride having a bridal party full of fatties. Can you imagine the stampede that would ensue during the bouquet toss? It would be like an entire football defensive line blitzing after the quarterback. HAHAHA!
Ok time to go back into my hole...
Racism - Revisited
As expected, my previous entry sparked an array of different opinions, views and comments. I'm sure that no matter what I may say, people are either going to agree with me or disagree with me, labeling me as ignorant or racist. That's fine...I can agree to disagree but let me address some of the people who found my entry offensive, particularly the black readers.
First of all, a generalization does NOT EQUAL all black people. There are plenty of black people that are very ambitious and successful and my generalization would obviously not apply to them. Yet, the people who find offense to my entry can't seem to distinguish that fact.
I define RACISM as having a predisposition towards a particular ethnic group based solely on something superficial like skin color. That predisposition is manifested in acting or treating that person differently because of that difference. A criticism of a PART of an ethnic group does NOT equal RACISM. I make my conclusions about people based on my personal interaction with them. It doesn't matter to me if you're white, black, Asian, Latino, etc. If you're an asshole, I'll think you're an asshole (yes that includes other Asians as well). On the flip side, if I like you as a person, then again, it doesn't matter to me what the color of your skin is.
I don't act/treat someone differently solely because they're black or any other ethnic/racial group different than me.
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To my critics:
neecey_reecey: You asked "what does the tsunami song have to do with black people?" Like I said, the song while having racial overtones didn't really bother me that much, it's the double standard that irked me. Is it ok for a black DJ to play a song making fun of Asians or say on the air that they're going to go "shoot some Asians"?? At the same time, if a white or Asian DJ that played a similar song making fun of blacks or said something like, "I'm going to go lynch me some black people", how fast do you think that person would get fired?
Please explain to me what this "black culture" you so openly embrace is. How many black people even know the first thing about Africa or African culture? *raise your hand* Me! Me! Me! That's great...you're the exception then. What about the rest of the black population?
If you can honestly sit there and say that there is absolutely no basis behind my criticism about a certain PART (not all) of black people and that there is no double standard, then I'm sorry but I don't think I'm the ignorant one here. Rather than acknowledging that a problem may exist, you automatically turn criticism into a cry of racism.
Despite how I may have come off in my previous entry, Asians are far from perfect and I wasn't trying to claim that Asians are better than black people. I see plenty of subgroups and characteristics of Asians that are less than desirable too.
The whole point of criticism is to receive it and see if there's any validity to it. If there is, you can respond by making a change for the better. By dismissing it without consideration only allows you to live in ignorant bliss, thinking that everything is ok.
Racism - All Men Are NOT Created Equal
As you may have all heard or read by now, the NYC radio station HOT97 was involved in some controversy this past week regarding the tasteless "Tsunami Song". Despite the outcry by many, especially Asians regarding the racially insensitive lyrics, Miss Jones and her crew are "indefinitely suspended", whatever that means. After all, if it's a paid suspension then who really cares? Either way, I highly doubt Miss Jones and her crew have become more racially sensitive as a result after hearing her half-assed apology. Rather, this incident probably reinforced her negative feelings towards Asians, blaming them for trying to keep a black person down just like white people have.
Personally, the thing that bothered me about this whole situation wasn't the lyrics and their underlying racist content. By all means, make fun of whoever you want to (regardless of race, color, or creed). What pissed me off is the double standard I often see when it comes to black people.
When Miss Info (Asian) expressed her distaste of the song, Miss Jones retorts, "Oh you think you're better than I am because you're Asian??"
Seriously WTF?? After the public outcry over the song, the show was taken off the air and all these listeners called in to support Miss Jones and the show, wanting it back on. Would I be wrong if I assumed those that called in to support her were black? Shock radio or not, what do you think would have happened if Howard Stern played a parody song making light of the genocide in Ruwanda referring to them as little monkeys? He'd be taken off the air and fired quicker than I can take a shit.
Why is it that black comedians can make fun of white people but if a white comedian makes fun of black people, he's racist? Why is it that "nigger" is supposed to be such a condescending racial term when used by a non-black but black people call each other niggers everyday?
Do you think that if black people stopped calling each other niggers, that the word would eventually phase out of most people's vocabularies? I certainly do. You could probably ask any kid today where they first heard the word "nigger" from. I bet you their response wouldn't be some "white guy". It would be a black person, whether it be your average homeboy or famous hiphop gangster. When's the last time you heard an Asian calling another Asian "chink"?
If you ask me, black people are the ones that are keeping themselves in their current socio-economic status in this country. Despite all the progress made since the Civil Rights movement, black people continue to perpetuate their status in society.
Fine, so there was slavery and the whole civil rights movement years ago, but should that excuse all future generations of black people from responsibility or accountability?
The reason why white people are predominantly in control in this country today is because they've been here the longest (after wiping out the Native Americans). White people established and founded towns, cities, and businesses so they have deep economic roots in this country.
While black people may not have had the same fortunate start as white people did, they've been here for quite some time now too. Now I understand that due to discrimination, blacks weren't allowed to advance like white people did. But what's the excuse now?
Black people have affirmative action, sports scholarships to colleges, organizations such as NAACP fighting for their rights, scholarships and grants solely because they're black. All for what? To level the playing field for blacks?
Just for the record, there were Chinese people here a long time ago, building the railroads and shit and believe me they were discriminated against too. Then during WWII, the Japanese that lived here (regardless of whether they were born here or not) were grouped up like cattle out of fear they might be traitors/spies.
The current generation of Asians that are living in this country are typically second generation...meaning their parents were the first ones here in their family. Not being able to read or write English (kinda like the slaves), they managed to make a living for themselves in an attempt to integrate themselves with American society and provide a better chance for their children.
Asians are supposedly the "ideal minority" (as labeled by white America) because we stand as a role model to other minorities in that minorities can be successful in this country. At the same time, we don't bitch and cry about all the injustices and discrimination.
When was the last time you heard of affirmative actions for Asians? How about Asian scholarships to college?
If you think Asians do well because we're rich like white people, you're sadly mistaken. As stereotypical as it may be, yes a lot of Asians own delis, dry cleaners, nail salons, etc. Because of the language barrier, these businesses are often what they are capable of. But that doesn't mean it's easy money. First generation Asians are busting their asses, working 14-16 hour days, just to provide for their children and to give them a chance and becoming something better. Corporate America is still dominated by white people but somehow Asians are still succeeding. Why?
Here is why:
Asians set standards for each other and are always looking to succeed. From wanting to go to the best highschools, to going to the best IVY league colleges, to getting jobs in the corporate world. We look around at our peers and their accomplishments and we want to be just as good if not better.
What do black people do? They play basketball at an early age and hope that they'll be the next Lebron James, to be drafted out of highschool. They bitch about racism and how unfair society is to them. Make a joke about black people (even if there is absolutely no racial intent) and someone's head is going to roll. White cops in LA get found not guilty for beating up Rodney King? Black people go out and riot, destroying the city and businesses (many of them Korean including my uncle's).
Seriously, this whole "waahhhh I'm black and I'm being discriminated against" is getting tiring. Black people have taken a great step into White America through music, the media, movies, etc. I would go as far as saying that black people are probably afforded the most benefits out of any other race in this country. So what's the problem?
I know that I've made plenty of generalizations above but the underlying sentiment is true.
To the black people out there:
Perhaps racism still exists today not because of what the white man is doing to you, but what you're doing to yourselves.
Here's an article from a few months ago that you might find interesting:
Jul 1, 5:13 PM EST
The Associated Press
CHICAGO -- Bill Cosby went off on another tirade against the black community Thursday, telling a room full of activists that too many black men are beating their wives while their children run around not knowing how to read or write.
Cosby made headlines in May when he upbraided some poor blacks for their grammar and accused them of squandering opportunities the civil rights movement gave them. He shot back Thursday, saying his detractors were trying in vain to hide the black community's "dirty laundry."
"Let me tell you something, your dirty laundry gets out of school at 2:30 every day, it's cursing and calling each other n------ as they're walking up and down the street," Cosby said during an appearance at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition & Citizenship Education Fund's annual conference.
"They think they're hip," the entertainer said.
"They can't read; they can't write. They're laughing and giggling, and they're going nowhere."
He also had harsh words for black men who don't have jobs and are angry about their lives.
"You've got to stop beating up your women because you can't find a job, because you didn't want to get an education and now you're (earning) minimum wage," Cosby said. "You should have thought more of yourself when you were in high school, when you had an opportunity."
In his remarks in May at a commemoration of the anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education desegregation decision, Cosby denounced some blacks' grammar and said those who commit crimes and wind up behind bars "are not political prisoners."
"I can't even talk the way these people talk, 'Why you ain't,' 'Where you is' ... and I blamed the kid until I heard the mother talk," Cosby said then. "And then I heard the father talk ... Everybody knows it's important to speak English except these knuckleheads. You can't be a doctor with that kind of crap coming out of your mouth."
Cosby elaborated Thursday on his previous comments in a talk interrupted several times by applause. He castigated some blacks, saying that they cannot simply blame whites for problems such as teen pregnancy and high school dropout rates.
"For me there is a time ... when we have to turn the mirror around," he said. "Because for me it is almost analgesic to talk about what the white man is doing against us. And it keeps a person frozen in their seat, it keeps you frozen in your hole you're sitting in."
Cosby lamented that the racial slurs once used by those who lynched blacks are now a favorite expression of black children. And he blamed parents.
"When you put on a record and that record is yelling n----- and you've got your little 6-year-old, 7-year-old sitting in the back seat of the car, those children hear that," he said.
Cosby appeared Thursday with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the education fund, who defended the entertainer's statements.
"Bill is saying let's fight the right fight, let's level the playing field," Jackson said. "Drunk people can't do that. Illiterate people can't do that."
Cosby also said many young people are failing to honor the sacrifices made by those who struggled and died during the civil rights movement.
"Dogs, water hoses that tear the bark off trees, Emmett Till," he said, naming the black youth who was tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955, allegedly for whistling at a white woman. "And you're going to tell me you're going to drop out of school? You're going to tell me you're going to steal from a store?"
Cosby also said he wasn't concerned that some whites took his comments and turned them "against our people."
"Let them talk," he said.
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EDIT: In response to cgroovin's comment: Shut up you dumb chink! haha jk! Of course there are plenty of successful black people in this country and yes there are plenty of poor Asians (hell, I'm far from being financially sound myself). But consider this, when you see some highschool dropout black guy living in the ghetto and ask him what the reason for his situation is, who do you think he'll blame? Himself? His parents? Now go out and find an unambitious poor Asian guy and ask him the same question. I'd be surprised to hear him respond by blaming white America for his failure. My point is that considering everything that's happened in this country, there are many more opportunities today for black people than there was back then. Can you honestly tell me that the majority of black people are impoverished and with no education (yes there are exceptions and plenty of successful black people) are in that situation because society keeps them there?
In no way do I think that blacks are inferior to Asians but if everyone was truly equal, there would be no need for things like affirmative action (please tell me when the last time a poor Asian was given additional consideration because of his economic status). I give credit where it's due, whether you're black, white, Asian, purple or whatever.
If I see an educated, successful black person, I think that's great...ESPECIALLY if he/she came from an undesirable situation. On the same token, I see plenty of young punkass Asian kids these days with no ambition or respect for their parents.
You can disagree with my opinions here and I can accept that. But just like you may think that I'm being swept up in media generalizations I feel that you're simply giving black people more excuses and room to fail. Fine they have humane aspirations just like the rest of us. So what's stopping them from accomplishing their goals?
Hell, I WISH there affirmative action for Asians but there isn't. But I doubt you'll ever hear an Asian complain that they couldn't go to college because of it. We fail just like anyone else...but we have no one to blame but ourselves for our failure.
The bottomline is, personal accountability is the first step towards making a change. If you just sit back and keep pointing fingers, blaming others for your lack of success, you're going to go nowhere in life.
Relationship Regrets
I'm sure you guys have all heard the sentiment of "not knowing what you had until it's gone" in some form or another. With each subsequent relationship we get into, I'm sure most of us would like to think that the next person we're with is better than the last. The more experience you have with dating, the more you figure out what you want I suppose. There are many reasons why people break up (ie. lost feelings, cheating, etc.) and it's not uncommon for some breakups to be very bitter with one party wishing bad upon the other.
However, have you ever looked back at your past relationships in retrospect and thought to yourself, "Man I really let a good one go? What was I thinking?"
I'm sure you guys are wondering by now where all this is coming from and before anyone jumps to any further conclusions, this has nothing to do with me. What sparked this entry was that I happened to bump into an ex-gf of one of my guy friends the other day on the way to work. While I don't know the personal aspects of how their relationship was back then or the reasons for the breakup, what I do know is that my guy friend is the one that broke things off with the girl.
I think anytime a friend's gf/bf hangs out with the group, the group is bound to get to know that person somewhat too. While this is merely my own opinion, I happened to think this particular girl was very nice and seemed like the good gf type. Anyways, my guy friend is currently single and has been for some time now. While he's dated other girls here and there, I couldn't help but wonder if he's ever looked back and thought he could've/should've played his cards differently with certain girls.
Sometimes, we're so focused on finding the right person that we often miss the quality we have right in front of us. This applies to girls as well who break up with guys because they think they can find another guy who is better established financially, educationally, etc.
There's an Aesop's fable where this dog is crossing a little bridge over a stream while carrying a bone in its mouth. He sees his reflection in the water as he's crossing and thinking it's another dog, he barks because he wants that dog's bone too. In doing so, the bone that he had in his own mouth falls out and drops into the stream.
Moral of the story: Be happy with what you have because sometimes if you get too greedy you end up with nothing.
Personally, all my ex-gfs happened to be psychos and to quote William Hung, "I tried my best and I have no regrets"
So what about you guys/girls? Any regrets over past losses/breakups?
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