Posted 12:55 PM by Blah blah

Niki: New Dog!

We just got a PUPPY DOG today! Welcome to our family, NIKI! It's a girl Pomeranian. I will post pics of Niki soon! She's only about one and a half feet long and looks like a fluffy toy. She's white, smaller than the dog below. My housemates are so tickled.

Christina has a Pomeranian too. Her dog's picture:


Autopsy Report (Forensic Medicine)

Autopsy Report has a new URL. Read this blog about the stories of a medical examiner intern. A gross out, but addictive.

I find this show The New Detectives on the Discovery Channel so compelling! And HBO produces Autopsy.

Posted 8:40 AM by Blah blah

Come Dance Tonight, 7:15 pm. Join MixerMixer. (Events)

Come dance with us tonight at Starlite! Some of my friends, who are not on this list, are coming. See Map.

Mariah (see her homepage) and I are hosting. Remember to tell them at the door that I referred you.



Mariah says: "Yes, I have competed in all 4 styles, all 19 dances. On the side I know some hustle and West Coast swing. I have spent the least amount of time on bolero and Viennese waltz though. I do compete in them, but less often than the rest. This year I was the captain of the team at school and attended a competition every single weekend. It was crazy!!!...

There goes Ray, embarassing me by posting my dance resume. Well I just thought I would post this wonderful website.

ballroomdancers.com

This is a great place to check out weekly variations in video format, written lessons about turning and spinning, and basic moves in each dance if you need some review or if you are a beginner. There is even a glossary of dance terminology. I suggest looking under "learning center". =) And if you really want to browse around, there are some *hot* costumes for sale. Mmmmm...sexy latin costumes. Every girl needs one. See you all and don't be afraid to ask me any questions you might have. ^o^"

If you still haven't joined MixerMixer, what are you waiting for? I've already met a ton of new people from it, IN THE FLESH. I like it better than Friendster, which doesn't make your Internet relationships into flesh-and-blood ones.

I'm old-fashioned and prefer talking on the phone and meeting people in the flesh to fantasy Internet relationships.

The best part is that anyone can plan an event and it pops up in the calendar for all to see. So far it has over 2000 members, mostly in the Bay Area, but it's spreading around the country.

It's completely free. Plus the site loads quickly and has never crashed.

Join MixerMixer, invite your friends, and create your own social hub, regardless of where you live!

Posted 1:17 PM by Blah blah

Check out these photos of

Korean Stars Before and After,

by fatxboy. God, are they the same women? It's those huge, baby eyes. I'll bet a lot of girls are saying, "Find me her plastic surgeon and stylist!"

Goofy Pictures (Photos)

Haha! Sonially just posted a bunch of wacky pictures she makes and sends to her parents on postcards.

Click for full-size:




My pix, from when I highlighted my hair:

Posted 5:10 PM by Blah blah

I Am Not a Party Boy! Speed Dating.

Just joined the San Francisco Bay Area Journals list. It's maintained by another British girl, Johanna. She tells me that the cable channel, TechTV, plans to talk about this list of blogs, so make sure to get yours on here.

Just want you to know that I am NOT a party boy. It just happens to look that way recently, since various people are asking me for favors or inviting me to stuff.

Going to Lisa's Summer Nights Garden Party soon at The Corner Cafe in Cupertino, which will raise money for Ladda's Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Lisa is a good friend of the cafe's owner. Patrick and Ladda will be there.

Lisa is also running a Speed Dating event at the same time tonight, just next to where we'll be sitting. Here's how it works: she organizes people into two groups---the 20s/30s group (or A), and the 40s/50s group (or B). You get a number based on the order in which you enter the room. So the 5th person to enter, who's in the 20s/30s age range, is called "5A." Each person sits at a separate table, and Lisa starts timing. You yak with the person opposite for five minutes. For some it may be five minutes TOO LONG. After then you rotate, staying within your age group (A or B).

If you click with anyone, she'll give you both each other's contact info.

Since this is Silicon Valley, we usually have too many men vs. women at most social events. Lisa has a clever strategy to balance the ratio. She asks more single women to volunteer at the event. If there's a male/female imbalance, she asks some of the volunteers to join the dating.

This will be VELLY VELLY interes-tink to see! Hehe...

Posted 10:29 AM by Blah blah

After comparing Sally's, Jennifer's, and Babelfish's translations, I've revised Christina's marriage entry below.

Christina wrote me: "I plan to note you after our wedding which is in Oct. Do you think you can come to China to join our wedding? Yes, I know him for about 6 years, but the story is ordinary, heheheh~~~~ nothing special! Anyway hope you are happy every day, keep in touch...."

Had lunch with Pjammer yesterday at Mayuri, an Indian restaurant in Santa Clara. It's always cool to talk to him, since we both have a strong interest in film. He's writing and planning to shoot his next short film, Ezekiel's Chariot. Stay tuned!
__________________________________________________________________
Lisa Slade, Comedy, and SIDS (Friends, Health)

Last night I spent several hours at Lisa Slade's house. Met her husband Paul and her two sons, who are adorable and budding comedians! I have too much to say about this wonderful lady.

Lisa is SUCH a sweetie---a very caring and compassionate person.

The Toe Report: Her toe (the second toe on her right foot) is back to its normal pink color, but she's still lying on the sofa most of the day, recovering from her injury at the Silent Party, after she stepped on a broken beer bottle. Her tendon was injured but thankfully not severed. She winced in pain sometimes last night and needs to keep her foot elevated. She needs crutches to walk.

Comedy

She and I both have very wacky senses of humor that click well! After attending extension classes at Oxford, she became a lawyer in London. She ALSO became a standup comedian and a TV "presenter" (the British term for "host")! She worked with some of the actors from one of my favorite British TV shows, that incredibly funny cult sci-fi hit, Red Dwarf, speaking out at fan conventions. She's friends with the actor Robbie Llewellyn from the show, who plays the android Kryten.

Lisa is an improvisational comedian, like those folks on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, another of my favorite, dangerously funny shows. She has no idea what she's gonna say when she goes out on stage. In fact, ComedySportz, my favorite comedy group here, asked her to work for them! She asked if I'd be interested in being her guinea pig on stage the next time she does her "hypnosis routine," a sketch in which she pretends to hypnotize you while you pretend you're at her command.

She teaches yoga. Plus she sings, dances, writes, and directs a murder mystery dinner theater. Yes, it's really all one woman!

I just love that we share all these interests! You've gotta go try ComedySportz if you've never seen live improv team comedy. Visit one of their chapters in your area! I like it better than individual standup. (I wrote about my fun time seeing it before.)

From our San Jose branch: "The National Comedy Theatre is proud to be the home of ComedySportz, competitive, team improvisational comedy, played just like a sport. Throughout the show, the two teams play a variety of improvisational games all based on suggestions from the audience. The audience also might have a chance to pick games, call fouls, volunteer for a variety of tasks and ultimately decides which team is the evening's winner. And, best of all, it's clean! The NCT provides one of the few comedy shows that is suitable for the whole family."

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

While she cannot yet work in the U.S. (waiting for a green card), Lisa has spent her spare time organizing events to raise money and awareness to fight Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), a baby killer. It's also known as "crib death."

Please see her site, SIDSevent.org, for more about all her fundraising events! I helped her redo it last night.

In fact, tonight she's running a Speed Dating event in Campbell, which I'm attending (not as a participant). She's also holding a Luau and Bachelorette Auction this Saturday, selling off dates with pretty single women to the highest bidder. PLUS, she writes, directs, sings, and acts in a murder mystery dinner theater. She went into character yesterday before me, playing a "hussy" while lying crippled on the couch.

Go to SIDSevent.org to buy tickets as well as read her story!



Lisa is VERY passionate about and committed to working to prevent SIDS. She writes: "On the morning of February 6th 2002, my best friend tried to wake up her seven-month-old baby. Brynn Marie Davis, a most beautiful, healthy and happy child, had died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, otherwise known as crib death. Her parents, Melanie and Steve, could not have been more loving and doting but, through no fault of their own, they have lost their beloved angel.

The last time I saw the little girl on the day of her funeral I made her a promise. I vowed to her that, whilst there is still breath in my body, I will not rest until we know more about why these perfectly healthy babies are dying. I refuse to walk away from a small, white coffin without a clue as to why a piece of my heart was being buried with a child I loved as my own. I vowed to make a difference and, with your help, I will!

In November last year my team and I held a BACHELOR AUCTION at The Kings Head Pub in Campbell. Yes,­ we sold men for charity! Everyone had a fantastic evening and we raised $3,400. Our ears are still ringing from the screaming and yelling and it was certainly a night anyone there shall never forget. Our professional auctioneer, ­ Mike Vendetti, ­ really got the ball rolling with bids ranging from $35 to $275 for a complimentary meal with one of our lovely young men. Our guys ranged in age from 22 to 62 with all different careers and lifestyles, so we certainly had something for everyone.

Every penny raised at the auction was donated to the national SIDS Alliance to fund its four core services: research, advocacy, risk-reduction education, and bereavement services. Due to the generosity of donors, the SIDS Alliance is able to provide the majority of its services free of charge and to further its mission of helping babies to survive and thrive....

The tragic fact is that, in this country alone, we are still losing over 2,500 a year from crib death. There are many theories as to why babies die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and, with increased awareness and financing, the wonderful work researches are doing today can continue forward until one day, I pray, we will be able to prevent the loss of any of these children."

As you see, Lisa is too complex and passionate about life for a short blog entry to do her justice! The best thing is to get to know her yourself. Feel free to email her. One of these days you'll probably see her speaking on TV about SIDS, rallying politicians to change the health insurance industry, and generally acting like the goofy girl she is at heart.

Posted 1:46 AM by Blah blah

Christina Got Married! (Marriage)

"Christina, oh my God! I just found out about your marriage!!! WOW...I wish you many many years of happiness to David, my dear. You are one of the sweetest and most loving ladies I've met online.

David is a very lucky man. I'm soooo happy for you!!!

I wish you a constant joy in your heart, a wonderful meaningful marriage, and all my very best, Christina."

Christina, my sweet friend in Nanjing, just got married on July 17th. She'd told me, last year, how much she wanted to marry. She definitely has a kind and loving heart as well as an adventurous spirit. Perfect lady for marriage.

She just signed papers, but she will have the wedding this October.

Here's an English translation of what she wrote in her journal. Christina's journal, translated by my friends Sally and Jennifer from Chinese, and edited by me:
____________________
I got married today. This morning David and I ended our six years of dating to become, officially, the other half of each other. When filling out the forms in the court office, I asked him: "Will we regret this?" He said with confidence: "I know I won't, but I'm not sure about you." My tears flowed uncontrollably.

David said, "Actually, marriage is just a set of rules that others made. These forms doesn't mean much. Our life is still the same. We just need to enjoy ourselves. We'll have lots of happy days ahead. We should savor them, not waste them."

This morning, he called me and said he would wear the wine red shirt, and I said I would wear the white shirt. I think our outfits are good for taking the wedding picture for our registration document.

My mom has not been feeling well lately. She said one night, "The thought of your marriage makes my heart uncomfortable." She thinks that I got married too early. Last night she suddenly said, "You should think carefully. This is a lifelong important step!"

This is weird. She won't be happy no matter whom I marry, will she?

Walking out of the door this morning, I no longer feel regret. My whole heart desires him. The special feeling from his eye is for me only. Only now do I realize how little I knew about us, that there is something special inside his eyes that is only for me, that is different from sweet words and honeyed phrases. It can't be faked.

After getting the red book [marriage registration document], he looked at me and smiled. I smiled too. We held hands and walked out of the marriage court. We went to a travel agent to get forms traveling overseas. At the end of August, we plan to travel to ten countries in Europe. I'll be 29 and he'll be 32. Our birthdays are just one day apart.

In October, we plan to have the wedding. We're thinking of renting the entire hall at Jing Ling Restaurant. We hope to try a fresh idea---something like a buffet dancing party. Still need to check with the Jing Ling Hotel. It seems easy to have gotten to this stage. Suddenly I feel busy.

Like David said: "We'll have many happy days ahead, so we must enjoy them slowly."
____________________
Her newer pix. As always, click for full-size:



My favorite of her older pix:

Posted 11:16 AM by Blah blah

Dance Night At Starlite! (includes dance lessons)

I just posted this event on MixerMixer. Please join us!:

Friday, Jul 25, 2003, 7:15 pm
Starlite Dance Club
Map to club
Sunnyvale, CA

This Friday, come do some Cuban hip motion with Mariah and I at MixerMixer's first big BALLROOM DANCE event! This event is both for complete beginners as well as experienced dancers. Feel free to invite anyone you wish.

Starlite is the Bay Area's largest dance club! They have three different rooms where you can dance. Here's their schedule for Friday:

In "Rhythm Street" side room:
8:30-9 pm Beginning Salsa lesson
9-9:30 pm Intermediate Salsa lesson
9:30-midnight Latin Dance Party (Mariah teaches you. Beginning and experienced dancers mix)

We plan to mostly stay in the "Rhythm Street" room from 8:30 pm onwards.

In "Main Street" (the largest, main room):
7:15-9:15 pm Beginning Waltz, Rumba, and Cha cha lesson
********************
HERE'S THE PLAN. We come at 7:15 pm and dance wherever we like. Then from 8:30-9:30 pm, we ALL go to the "Rhythm Street" room to dance the beginning and intermediate salsa, plus we get to know each other. Afterwards, we mainly stay there for the Latin Dance Party. Mariah is willing to teach people who want personal dance help after 9:30!
********************

Mariah and I are hosting this event. She'll be in Rhythm Street from 7:15 pm onwards, where they will teach Lindy Hop from 7:15-8:30 pm. I'll be in the Main Street room from 7:15-8:30 pm.

At the front door, please tell them that RAYMOND REFERRED YOU. Then they will tell you where to find Mariah and me. Mariah will wear a black shirt, black pants, and black shoes. I'll wear a white shirt, white pants, and black shoes.

Mariah was the captain of the Yale Ballroom Dance Team. She taught dance in New Haven, and she's very friendly and willing to teach anyone the basics. I've been dancing on and off for at least two years and, though not a competitive dancer, am about intermediate level. We've also invited several other great dancers: people from both the Stanford and Yale Dance Teams, as well as friends like Patrick, who travelled around Europe dancing with a bunch of excellent swing dancers.

Please invite anyone you wish! Complete beginners are welcome! After 9:15 pm, many experienced dancers will come to the party, and it will be pressure on the beginners. We hope to stick with you beginners and support you then, to make the experience as comfortable as possible!

We ask that all experienced dancers who come try to spend time to help beginners in our group.

Please ask at the front desk for me, Raymond, and let's all have a wonderful Friday night together!