I really don't like writing these... feels like a resume. But here goes. Probably the best word to describe me is idealistic. By that I don't necessarily mean I think all my dreams will come true or anything, but rather that in the face of a world that would try to (and many times does) extinguish your hopes for what you want for your life, happiness and significance lies in trying to achieve it anyway. Even if everyone cheats, it's still worth it to be honest. Even if everyone only looks out for themselves, it's worth it to help others. If you were to ask me why that's the case, well... that would take a lot longer. :)

I guess the flip side to this is that I'm pretty judgmental. There's a lot of things that I don't like, so why should I go through life pretending I'm ok with them? I realize, however, that in many cases harboring ill will and resentment in the end really only puts me at a disadvantage. It's something I'm still trying to get a handle on.

I prize respect the most. I don't need to be liked by everyone, but I do feel compelled to be recognized as competent. In the same vein, I am a sucker for someone with great skills. It doesn't necessarily have to be something that I am into myself (though honestly, that's not that hard. I have pretty wide and varied interests), but someone who has a skill that they've cultivated... I think that just makes them really attractive. :)

Programming social networking apps for mobile phones. Yeah, I know, sounds a little niche, but it is interesting and hey, it pays the bills nicely. But of course it can never be that simple. On top of that, I'm starting my own business. I think it's time for arcades to see a revival! The building is under construction right now, so I know that if I think I'm busy now, this is nothing compared to what's coming up. :D

Fixing stuff. Hacking stuff. Making stuff. Generally I'm good with my hands. A lot of stuff I do mostly out of the "I wonder if I can" motivation. As in, I know I could just buy another lamp from Ikea or wherever, but it's so much cooler when you fix a broken one. :)

That I'm asian, and speak english? When people ask "Where are you from?" I delight in telling them "Chicago."

I was told by a friend once that the first thing she noticed was my "air of authority," but I have no idea what that means. :)

Books: The Prophet by Khalil Gibran, the Ender's Game series by Orson Scott Card, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, The Hitchhiker's Guide by Douglas Adams, No One Writes the the Colonel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, The Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot, Moral Politics by George Lakoff.

Movies: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, The Professional, Moulin Rouge (I hate musicals, but this one I liked for some reason), Pi, Office Space, What Dreams May Come, Death to Smoochey, Swingers, Pulp Fiction, Lemony Snickett's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Hot Fuzz, Serenity...

Muisc: U2, Creedence Clearwater, RHCP, Thievery Corporation, Rachmaninov, Mozart, Bach, Basement Jaxx, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Stacey Kent, Weezer, Creeper Lagoon, Led Zep, Ugly Duckling, Aesop Rock, old No Doubt (before Gwen started going crazy), to name a few.

Food: Oh, all sorts. Everything. There's very little that I don't enjoy.

And more stuff (because we all love lists)

Games: Panzer Dragoon Orta, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, ESPGaluda, FFVI (or III, for the US folks), Mana Khemia, Gradius V, Duel Savior, The Last Blade 2, Escape from Monkey Island, Guilty Gear XX, Street Fighter, Burnout 3...

Anime: SaiKano, Scrapped Princess, Fate/Stay Night, Hellsing, Samurai Champloo, Kino's Journey, Planetes, Last Exile, School Rumble, Starship Operators...

How about 4? Less is more and whatnot... :)

1. The net. With a net connection I can pretty much do anything.

2. My toolbox.

3. My USB key.

4. My laptop.

The people in my life. I always have ideas about what I think makes them tick, what motivates them, what they fear... But I always wonder if I'm right.

How misguided singles can be in their search for the other. Just to be clear, I'm included in that. :) I wonder how many times people are turned off to another because of a misunderstanding. It can be really hard to get out of your own head and see other perspectives, especially with something so personal.

Burned out from the week, so I'm kicking back and masterminding shenanigans for Saturday.

Sometimes I wish I had a smoking habit. Not so much because it's cool or anything, but more because I wish I could carry something in my pocket that would instantly calm me down when I needed it.

You feel like it. If you share any of my hobbies and/or think my opinions about them suck. :) You enjoy Spider and Scorpion, the web comic