My computer's been acting up the past few days and I have been unable to access some of my favorite things, one of them being this blog. No fear, once I get back in the flow there's no stopping me.
Time capsule to look back on of what happened in the whole wide world (and possibly a bit of the Sauce's World) sprinkled in there as well....
1.) Georgian luger dies on the test track at the Vancouver Olympics at the age of 21, signaling a somber start to the Olympics. U.S. goes on to the medal count lead at 36, but doesn't have as many golds as Canada's 13, which might add another 1 today in the highly-anticipated US v. Canada Men's Hockey final.
I don't even like hockey, but the game they played a week ago was exhilarating with Canada furiously rallying at the end but coming up short. This one should be epic.
2.) Stock market up and down on mixed economic news. So here's what I've gathered from this month's action: Oil prices are stubbornly staying still but we're gonna get higher gas prices soon this summer; unemployment is still down; Bernanke's holding the economy together by saying "we're not ready to raise interest rates yet." Greece's currency has a big impact on the global economy and can ignite huge rallies on the NYSE; investors are still spooked about a possible correction; solid earnings and balance sheets aren't yet enough to trump the predominant economic feeling. And it looks like we're gonna have an up-and-down 2010. Which is fine by me if 2011 gets off to a rip-roaring start.
3.) Survivor recruits most of its contestants nowadays. Alas, the sad state of things is that most people who send in applications for Survivor don't make it; it's the people who know people who get it, or people who meet a certain criteria like being a charming Southern belle, or just people looking hot walking on the streets of Santa Monica. Add that to the list of problems that Survivor has (see my post in October).
4.) It's not good to live in Midwest/ East Coast: Blizzards everywhere in February hitting major cities in Ohio, New York, Washington, D.C., almong others, forcing school shutdowns, road closures, and even Congressional pauses. I'm sure that people over there are proclaiming that Global warming is a myth. In friendly L.A., January and Feb. have been some of the rainiest in history, umbrellas have become standard protocol for people, and it's further clustered L.A. traffic. Sigh.
5.) Indianapolis Colts do NOT win Super Bowl 44: Every fiber of my being was lying to me as the Saints came from a 10-0 lead down stemming from an "ambitious" onside kick to start the second half, and the rest is history. Drew Brees, enjoy yourself. Pierre Thomas, represent (Illinois grad).
6.) "The Sauce" waiting on decisions on several places for the fall after finally settling on what he's gonna do this summer. Applied to take CBEST, test that certifies one for becoming a substitute teacher, applied to be an RA in my final year of law school, and thinking about externing with a federal court judge somewhere in L.A. area during fall semester --> leading to possible law clerk position after law school. Giving myself more options. And finally, waiting to hear from "the Big Life-Changing Kahunas" = (hint: Big Brother/ Survivor) that could literally change my life......low chance of success, big reward if actually occurs.....Again, let me repeat myself, have your people call my people, guys!
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Less Rejection
"History has shown that no army is invincible." - Joseph Stalin.
Playing the exciting, intellectually stimulating, strategically plentiful game "Axis and Allies" online with some of my buddies and currently assuming the role of Comrade Yan, controlling the Communist Hammer and Sickle of the Soviet Army. It's really been a back-and-forth see-saw battle over old-school territories like French Indo-China, Caucasus, and Ukraine (SSR). If anyone actually has played before, it's ridiculous how the game has evolved, with Germany controlling all of Africa but my Red Armies penetrating deep into Japan's territory with a strike on Kwantung. Insane.
Anyway, the title of the post suggested the opposite of the last, and a minor victory for the Sauce: ACCEPTANCE!!!!!! by a corporation in Irvine that does contracts and M&A work, which fits EXACTLY into my game plan for my career. AND it's paid. Cha-ching! The fact that it's in Irvine (40 miles away) and it's not a law firm somewhat detract from what is actually a very thrilling and comforting achievement for me: finding a summer job in this legal economy. Huzzah!
On a lighter note, computer got infected with malware over weekend and thought it would die cuz I couldn't open up any programs, but the tech guy at USC took the morning to look at it and fixed the problem. No biggie, good tech dept. comes through.
Big trades in the NBA paving the way for big moves up the fantasy ladder for some guys: I really don't think T-Mac benefits all that much from the Big Apple: has value is still mostly pts, which he'll get his fair share of, but I don't see his asst or steal numbers increasing very much.
Quietly, Rasual Butler lighting it up from three and really punishing me for BENCHING him this week already. Last 4 games, he's had either 3 or 4 trey's each, so watch out if this guy continues getting run.
Caron Butler: supposedly the new #2 option in Dallas not playing like it yet. C'mon, Caron, you OWE me!!!
Keep a close eye on Washington's situation. With Josh Howard getting injured tonight, there's a bunch of unusual suspects on the floor for them at all times. Seems like Andray Blatche has caught on to blood in the water and playing real aggressive as the team's new #1 option, but plenty of ball left for other guys like Mike Miller/ Randy Foye/ Al Thornton. I like Foye, the other 2 have values that are too tied to points.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Playing the exciting, intellectually stimulating, strategically plentiful game "Axis and Allies" online with some of my buddies and currently assuming the role of Comrade Yan, controlling the Communist Hammer and Sickle of the Soviet Army. It's really been a back-and-forth see-saw battle over old-school territories like French Indo-China, Caucasus, and Ukraine (SSR). If anyone actually has played before, it's ridiculous how the game has evolved, with Germany controlling all of Africa but my Red Armies penetrating deep into Japan's territory with a strike on Kwantung. Insane.
Anyway, the title of the post suggested the opposite of the last, and a minor victory for the Sauce: ACCEPTANCE!!!!!! by a corporation in Irvine that does contracts and M&A work, which fits EXACTLY into my game plan for my career. AND it's paid. Cha-ching! The fact that it's in Irvine (40 miles away) and it's not a law firm somewhat detract from what is actually a very thrilling and comforting achievement for me: finding a summer job in this legal economy. Huzzah!
On a lighter note, computer got infected with malware over weekend and thought it would die cuz I couldn't open up any programs, but the tech guy at USC took the morning to look at it and fixed the problem. No biggie, good tech dept. comes through.
Big trades in the NBA paving the way for big moves up the fantasy ladder for some guys: I really don't think T-Mac benefits all that much from the Big Apple: has value is still mostly pts, which he'll get his fair share of, but I don't see his asst or steal numbers increasing very much.
Quietly, Rasual Butler lighting it up from three and really punishing me for BENCHING him this week already. Last 4 games, he's had either 3 or 4 trey's each, so watch out if this guy continues getting run.
Caron Butler: supposedly the new #2 option in Dallas not playing like it yet. C'mon, Caron, you OWE me!!!
Keep a close eye on Washington's situation. With Josh Howard getting injured tonight, there's a bunch of unusual suspects on the floor for them at all times. Seems like Andray Blatche has caught on to blood in the water and playing real aggressive as the team's new #1 option, but plenty of ball left for other guys like Mike Miller/ Randy Foye/ Al Thornton. I like Foye, the other 2 have values that are too tied to points.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
More rejection
Kind of on a down note today, more rejection in the life of Bobby Yan. Nothing new, but flies in the face of my "2010 will be different" theory. Applied to the Hong Kong JD Study Abroad Program and got turned down, flatly.
My theory is this about applications: In law school, you're bunched in with so many other law students who have amazing credentials that it's just impossible to stand out. My own resume and lack of experience plays a part, but it's like comparing luxury cars: everyone has outstanding resumes that yours just doesn't seem very outstanding.
Not really my fault, but my resume is probably one of the least impressive out of anyone at USC Law. My undergrad was University of Illinois, which is no slouch and I love my undergrad, but just from an objective viewpoint it pales to the Stanfords and Harvards of the world. Didn't have any relevant work experience out of undergrad (nobody seems to like that I was a camp counselor, which in my opinion is one of the best things about me), didn't do any legal stuff until 2009, no international experiences, which really hurts when I'm applying to a STUDY ABROAD program, and I'm an Asian male, one of the most overrepresented demographics in academic populations. Also, not supermodel attractive: can't really impress anyone at an interview with stunning good looks. It's really a tough spot.
I keep going back to one phrase that keeps holding true: you gotta get an experience to have an experience. It seems that a lot of positions you apply for, they're looking for an experience in something previously, which you can't really have unless YOU'VE ALREADY HAD A SIMILAR POSITION before, which you need to have applied for where they're looking for experience......so it's really kind of a harsh cycle. Also, should have been a valid consideration before coming to law school, but most of the people who had work experience after undergrad went out and actually did things and can talk about them, versus the peeps who came straight out of undergrad and can still only talk about undergrad stuff. More of an imbalance and obstacle for me than I thought it'd be.
Ah, I wish "Fantasy Football Champion '09" counted for something. Alas, gotta keep taking the hits of rejection and continue to plug away. I will pop open a bottle of champagne the day I'm on the OTHER side of the fence looking back at others who haven't crossed yet.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
My theory is this about applications: In law school, you're bunched in with so many other law students who have amazing credentials that it's just impossible to stand out. My own resume and lack of experience plays a part, but it's like comparing luxury cars: everyone has outstanding resumes that yours just doesn't seem very outstanding.
Not really my fault, but my resume is probably one of the least impressive out of anyone at USC Law. My undergrad was University of Illinois, which is no slouch and I love my undergrad, but just from an objective viewpoint it pales to the Stanfords and Harvards of the world. Didn't have any relevant work experience out of undergrad (nobody seems to like that I was a camp counselor, which in my opinion is one of the best things about me), didn't do any legal stuff until 2009, no international experiences, which really hurts when I'm applying to a STUDY ABROAD program, and I'm an Asian male, one of the most overrepresented demographics in academic populations. Also, not supermodel attractive: can't really impress anyone at an interview with stunning good looks. It's really a tough spot.
I keep going back to one phrase that keeps holding true: you gotta get an experience to have an experience. It seems that a lot of positions you apply for, they're looking for an experience in something previously, which you can't really have unless YOU'VE ALREADY HAD A SIMILAR POSITION before, which you need to have applied for where they're looking for experience......so it's really kind of a harsh cycle. Also, should have been a valid consideration before coming to law school, but most of the people who had work experience after undergrad went out and actually did things and can talk about them, versus the peeps who came straight out of undergrad and can still only talk about undergrad stuff. More of an imbalance and obstacle for me than I thought it'd be.
Ah, I wish "Fantasy Football Champion '09" counted for something. Alas, gotta keep taking the hits of rejection and continue to plug away. I will pop open a bottle of champagne the day I'm on the OTHER side of the fence looking back at others who haven't crossed yet.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
"Be Excellent to Each other." - Bill, in "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." (1989). Not a Confucius quote, but spoken by a great man in a movie that had plenty of great philosophers.
Excellent movie, saw it last night. Basically what Superbad was in 2007, what Pineapple Express aspired to be in 2008. Widely recognized as Keanu Reeves's best (and only) acting role. LOVED Napoleon Bonaparte and riding at Waterloo, but seemed like it's probably one of those movies to be watched after fueling one's body with illicit substances. Not speaking from experience.
Imagine Bill and Ted as a team on the Amazing Race...that would be another excellent adventure as well, indeed. Definitely a viewing treat, unlike some of the jokers we have on this season's cast of TAR. Cowboys, lesbians, the requisite dating models team (alas, this time with Miss Teen S. Carolina/ "the Iraq" in tow), grandma/granddaughter, and of course, better than Batman & Robin, Starsky & Hutch, or PB & J, America's team, Jeff and Jordan. NEVER underestimate the karmic value of one Jordan Lloyd, especially with this cast of nobodys. I always say the first episode race doesn't tell you who's gonna win, but does tell you who WON'T win......I'd say any of the 3 girl-girl teams left (not a sexist thing, a history thing), the undercover cops, and the daughter-father team (also a combo that's never won) are all non-factors. That leaves 5 teams to pick from. I'll say the fan favorite is still J&J, but like the guy-guy combo of Dan + (the other) Jordan.
Finally done with my note!!!...........rough draft. Phooey. 35 pages due April 1st, I've got 22 pages in the books now. The next part, though, is the hardest.....refining my arguments and getting my facts straight. Always difficult.
Watching Bill and Ted's Awesome Adventure made me think of "The Admiral" David Robinson and "The Mayor" Kevin Johnson. Here are some nicknames I dug up for some amusement. I skipped some of the easy ones you all know of like "The Answer" or "Vinsanity."
1. Anthony "Chocolate Reign" Morrow- the Chocolatey version of Lamar Odom?
2. Bobby "Chinese Food" Simmons- I hope he eats it with chopsticks.
3. Corey "Bad Porn" Maggette - Control yourself, Corey.
4. Daniel "Boobie" Gibson- Definitely wanna know the story of how he got this one.
5. Glen "Big Baby" Davis- it's true, he's been seen crying on the Celtics bench.
6. Jerome "Big Snacks" James- Who?
7. Juan Carlos "La Bomba" Navarro- the restaurant?
8. Samuel "the Haitian Sensation" Dalembert- or better, the Haitian Salvation. Thanks, Sammy.
9. Rasheed "Raw" Wallace- mine's better, "Wiley E. Coyote"
10. Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant- save the best nickname for the best player in the league.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Excellent movie, saw it last night. Basically what Superbad was in 2007, what Pineapple Express aspired to be in 2008. Widely recognized as Keanu Reeves's best (and only) acting role. LOVED Napoleon Bonaparte and riding at Waterloo, but seemed like it's probably one of those movies to be watched after fueling one's body with illicit substances. Not speaking from experience.
Imagine Bill and Ted as a team on the Amazing Race...that would be another excellent adventure as well, indeed. Definitely a viewing treat, unlike some of the jokers we have on this season's cast of TAR. Cowboys, lesbians, the requisite dating models team (alas, this time with Miss Teen S. Carolina/ "the Iraq" in tow), grandma/granddaughter, and of course, better than Batman & Robin, Starsky & Hutch, or PB & J, America's team, Jeff and Jordan. NEVER underestimate the karmic value of one Jordan Lloyd, especially with this cast of nobodys. I always say the first episode race doesn't tell you who's gonna win, but does tell you who WON'T win......I'd say any of the 3 girl-girl teams left (not a sexist thing, a history thing), the undercover cops, and the daughter-father team (also a combo that's never won) are all non-factors. That leaves 5 teams to pick from. I'll say the fan favorite is still J&J, but like the guy-guy combo of Dan + (the other) Jordan.
Finally done with my note!!!...........rough draft. Phooey. 35 pages due April 1st, I've got 22 pages in the books now. The next part, though, is the hardest.....refining my arguments and getting my facts straight. Always difficult.
Watching Bill and Ted's Awesome Adventure made me think of "The Admiral" David Robinson and "The Mayor" Kevin Johnson. Here are some nicknames I dug up for some amusement. I skipped some of the easy ones you all know of like "The Answer" or "Vinsanity."
1. Anthony "Chocolate Reign" Morrow- the Chocolatey version of Lamar Odom?
2. Bobby "Chinese Food" Simmons- I hope he eats it with chopsticks.
3. Corey "Bad Porn" Maggette - Control yourself, Corey.
4. Daniel "Boobie" Gibson- Definitely wanna know the story of how he got this one.
5. Glen "Big Baby" Davis- it's true, he's been seen crying on the Celtics bench.
6. Jerome "Big Snacks" James- Who?
7. Juan Carlos "La Bomba" Navarro- the restaurant?
8. Samuel "the Haitian Sensation" Dalembert- or better, the Haitian Salvation. Thanks, Sammy.
9. Rasheed "Raw" Wallace- mine's better, "Wiley E. Coyote"
10. Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant- save the best nickname for the best player in the league.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Change is good
"Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change." - Confucius
One of the nice little Confucius sayings that takes you like a second to think about, but the lesson is really good.
Examples of positive changes in my life:
1. Lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. Woo! Keep that off, now, Bobby!
2. My Chinese name was Yiqing, and I changed it officially in 2008 to "Robert." --> which led to an inumerable amount of nicknames, like Bobby, the Sauce, the Rat,
3. Used to be a dour, depressed kid in junior high with weight problems and glasses. One of the most unpopular kids in America, I'm not exactly Zac Effron right now, but in better shape and have a better outlook in life, fueled by my "You gotta laugh at least twice a day" motto.
4. Decided to come to USC Law School and the LA area after undergrad, to be closer to my family and be reunited with my parents, my grandfather, and my sister. Best decision I ever made, especially tonight, on Chinese New Year/ Valentine's Day.
Article I read recently says this, "Most people live in a complete daze. Actually, they don’t LIVE. They just ‘get by’ because they never take the necessary action to make things happen – to seek their dreams." So TAKE ACTION.
It also had this to say, " success hinges on the simple act of making a decision to live – to absorb yourself in the process of going after your goals.
I think that's a very important lesson. I'm not Dr. Phil, I'm not your career counselor, your life coach, or your financial adviser, but I think anything that you want to accomplish in your life, you gotta go after it, and it's important to take that first step. You know how many times I've applied to stuff and gotten rejected in the past year, especially 2009? I'm not fazed by it, because I know that once I do get lucky and get something, it'll be something really good, something I really want, and it'll fully justify the power of positive change.
It's a very simple lesson. Think about famous people, or just normal people in your life who've met with a lot of success. CEO's are ordinary people who make a difference in their organization. Superstar basketball players are those who make changes in their work ethic to be the best they can be. Barack Obama ran his whole campaign on the theme of "Change" while embodying the word "change" in his own life. Living life IS having the willpower to change, and you gotta get started now.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
One of the nice little Confucius sayings that takes you like a second to think about, but the lesson is really good.
Examples of positive changes in my life:
1. Lost 15 pounds since the beginning of the year. Woo! Keep that off, now, Bobby!
2. My Chinese name was Yiqing, and I changed it officially in 2008 to "Robert." --> which led to an inumerable amount of nicknames, like Bobby, the Sauce, the Rat,
3. Used to be a dour, depressed kid in junior high with weight problems and glasses. One of the most unpopular kids in America, I'm not exactly Zac Effron right now, but in better shape and have a better outlook in life, fueled by my "You gotta laugh at least twice a day" motto.
4. Decided to come to USC Law School and the LA area after undergrad, to be closer to my family and be reunited with my parents, my grandfather, and my sister. Best decision I ever made, especially tonight, on Chinese New Year/ Valentine's Day.
Article I read recently says this, "Most people live in a complete daze. Actually, they don’t LIVE. They just ‘get by’ because they never take the necessary action to make things happen – to seek their dreams." So TAKE ACTION.
It also had this to say, " success hinges on the simple act of making a decision to live – to absorb yourself in the process of going after your goals.
I think that's a very important lesson. I'm not Dr. Phil, I'm not your career counselor, your life coach, or your financial adviser, but I think anything that you want to accomplish in your life, you gotta go after it, and it's important to take that first step. You know how many times I've applied to stuff and gotten rejected in the past year, especially 2009? I'm not fazed by it, because I know that once I do get lucky and get something, it'll be something really good, something I really want, and it'll fully justify the power of positive change.
It's a very simple lesson. Think about famous people, or just normal people in your life who've met with a lot of success. CEO's are ordinary people who make a difference in their organization. Superstar basketball players are those who make changes in their work ethic to be the best they can be. Barack Obama ran his whole campaign on the theme of "Change" while embodying the word "change" in his own life. Living life IS having the willpower to change, and you gotta get started now.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Why LOST is like the WWE
Just got done watching the season premiere of Survivor All-Star 3. And for a bunch of the cast, it's their THIRD time on the show. That bothers me a bit, and actually it should bother most of the 3rd-timers too: If you haven't won the show by the THIRD time, what does that say about you? And really, nobody is on that show to take 2nd place, except maybe Sugar......who was VERY expectedly the 1st person voted off (how'd she get invited to All-Stars?). Unless there was a massive tempering of expectations, a lot of peeps are gonna be disappointed.
Please, please, PLEASE don't let Boston Rob be evacuated next episode.
Colby admits he's 10 years older than when he first played, and talks like it: busting out "sustainability" to describe his tribe. Did he get a 2nd degree from Texas Tech during those 10 years too?
Especially the ladies: Cerie and Amanda talking about long-term strategy and how they're "in it to win it this year." Sorry to break it to you, ladies, but that 5-person Flower Power Alliance in Micronesia's probably never gonna happen again, girls get taken out often and early in all seasons of survivor now, and you'll be lucky to get to the merge especially with more physical girls like Steph and Candice on your tribe. I mean, do you REALLY expect the tribe to agree to vote out JT, or James, or Tom before you? Be realistic.
Rupert looks like a shell of his 2003-form. I never liked him, but at this point I want to see him voted out to save his reputation.
Notable absences: No Johnny Fairplay (perfect villain), nobody from Survivor: Fiji, no ASIANS. Really, Survivor? I understand Yul probably didn't want to come back, but no Yau-man? No Frosti? Pei Gee? Ken? Frighteningly, this is the 3rd straight season w/ no asian representation. Uncool, Survivor, uncool.
Anyway, main idea of this post: LOST. My disclaimer on LOST: as much as I like the pageantry of LOST, the water-cooler-talk-generator aspect of LOST, the wow-didn't-see-that-coming-part of it, it's not my favorite show. Much like Jack, its main character, it is very flawed, with boring stretches of the season with lots of filler, bad storylines, new questions to things that never go anywhere. It also has the quality of bars /clubs that you don't like: It knows you're gonna come, so it charges whatever it wants (LOST knows you're gonna watch, so it does whatever the &*$^ it wants.)
1. The characters of LOST are like the "superstars" of WWE: all have their own separate storylines. Each sort of gets a different segment of the show that is different than what the other characters in the show have, their own private place. Many times, these storylines intersect, and charcters collide.
Also, on WWE, there's tiers of superstars, with the best being in the "main event" and always contending for the heavyweight championship, like the Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Edge. These guys get a lot of attention and as a consequence get hyped up more.
Meet the Oceanic Six of LOST. Jack, Sayid, Kate, Hurley, Sun. Add a few other guys like Locke, Ben, and Sawyer, and that's the core of the show. They get the most air time, everything revolves around them.
You've also got the middle-tier guys in the WWE, think like CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, John Morrison. The equivalent of LOST's Miles, Claire, Desmond. Not entirely necessary for the show, and sometimes doing stuff totally different from the main guys.
You've also got guys who just show up randomly sometimes that no one cares about. Brian Kendrick, Funaki in WWE; Rudzinsky, Walt, I'm looking at you.
You've also got a big boss man of the WWE, the creator, the man behind it all, the puppetmaster, Vincent Kennedy McMahon. On LOST, his role is played by Jacob, the man presumably behind everything that happens on the Island. What were Jacob's motives, what does he do behind the scenes, and most importantly, what does he have in store for our characters? Nobody really knows. Vince McMahon pulls the strings as well as anybody.
LOST is also a show about drama. It really reminds me of the daytime soap operas I (used to) like to watch: All characters co-exist within one little town, but they all have little problems with each other, tales of greed, lust, revenge, jealousy, and most importantly, POWER. And sometimes, two characters who've been really hot for each other get stuck in a cave somewhere thinking they'll never be able to escape and finally profess their love for each other. See Kate + Sawyer season 2, Jack and Kate season 4, Sawyer and Juliette Season 5. Ick. So like a soap opera, LOST operates on drama, on character studies, and people's interactions with each other.
The WWE claims it is "sports entertainment," but really it has the same qualities as a soap opera, checking in on every character's storyline once in a while and advancing it just a bit each time to keep people watching. I feel like a fish in the sea who's perpetually biting the worm on the hook.
O, yea, and the cliffhangers. O boy the cliffhangers. It's like there's a department of employees at LOST who are devoted to the singular task of making sure EVERY episode ends on a cliff-hanger, no matter what. Don't even mention the season finales; I wouldn't be surprised if this season's LOST somehow ended with Jack and Kate suspended in mid-air, the only 2 people left in the world and the only hope for civilization, they show Kate's hand slip, and the season ends. Seriously, that's a possible ending to the whole LOST thing. At least Wrestlemania is the Super Bowl of the WWE and there's somewhat of a conclusion to the whole thing. LOST makes me wonder, by the way it's supposedly "answering questions" 3 episodes into its last season, whether it will EVER get all the through. Maybe that's the point of LOST, is to keep us in suspense. It's like magic: you got the pledge, you got the turn, but once you let everyone know the prestige, they won't care about the show at all. Consider that, LOST fans.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Please, please, PLEASE don't let Boston Rob be evacuated next episode.
Colby admits he's 10 years older than when he first played, and talks like it: busting out "sustainability" to describe his tribe. Did he get a 2nd degree from Texas Tech during those 10 years too?
Especially the ladies: Cerie and Amanda talking about long-term strategy and how they're "in it to win it this year." Sorry to break it to you, ladies, but that 5-person Flower Power Alliance in Micronesia's probably never gonna happen again, girls get taken out often and early in all seasons of survivor now, and you'll be lucky to get to the merge especially with more physical girls like Steph and Candice on your tribe. I mean, do you REALLY expect the tribe to agree to vote out JT, or James, or Tom before you? Be realistic.
Rupert looks like a shell of his 2003-form. I never liked him, but at this point I want to see him voted out to save his reputation.
Notable absences: No Johnny Fairplay (perfect villain), nobody from Survivor: Fiji, no ASIANS. Really, Survivor? I understand Yul probably didn't want to come back, but no Yau-man? No Frosti? Pei Gee? Ken? Frighteningly, this is the 3rd straight season w/ no asian representation. Uncool, Survivor, uncool.
Anyway, main idea of this post: LOST. My disclaimer on LOST: as much as I like the pageantry of LOST, the water-cooler-talk-generator aspect of LOST, the wow-didn't-see-that-coming-part of it, it's not my favorite show. Much like Jack, its main character, it is very flawed, with boring stretches of the season with lots of filler, bad storylines, new questions to things that never go anywhere. It also has the quality of bars /clubs that you don't like: It knows you're gonna come, so it charges whatever it wants (LOST knows you're gonna watch, so it does whatever the &*$^ it wants.)
1. The characters of LOST are like the "superstars" of WWE: all have their own separate storylines. Each sort of gets a different segment of the show that is different than what the other characters in the show have, their own private place. Many times, these storylines intersect, and charcters collide.
Also, on WWE, there's tiers of superstars, with the best being in the "main event" and always contending for the heavyweight championship, like the Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Edge. These guys get a lot of attention and as a consequence get hyped up more.
Meet the Oceanic Six of LOST. Jack, Sayid, Kate, Hurley, Sun. Add a few other guys like Locke, Ben, and Sawyer, and that's the core of the show. They get the most air time, everything revolves around them.
You've also got the middle-tier guys in the WWE, think like CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, John Morrison. The equivalent of LOST's Miles, Claire, Desmond. Not entirely necessary for the show, and sometimes doing stuff totally different from the main guys.
You've also got guys who just show up randomly sometimes that no one cares about. Brian Kendrick, Funaki in WWE; Rudzinsky, Walt, I'm looking at you.
You've also got a big boss man of the WWE, the creator, the man behind it all, the puppetmaster, Vincent Kennedy McMahon. On LOST, his role is played by Jacob, the man presumably behind everything that happens on the Island. What were Jacob's motives, what does he do behind the scenes, and most importantly, what does he have in store for our characters? Nobody really knows. Vince McMahon pulls the strings as well as anybody.
LOST is also a show about drama. It really reminds me of the daytime soap operas I (used to) like to watch: All characters co-exist within one little town, but they all have little problems with each other, tales of greed, lust, revenge, jealousy, and most importantly, POWER. And sometimes, two characters who've been really hot for each other get stuck in a cave somewhere thinking they'll never be able to escape and finally profess their love for each other. See Kate + Sawyer season 2, Jack and Kate season 4, Sawyer and Juliette Season 5. Ick. So like a soap opera, LOST operates on drama, on character studies, and people's interactions with each other.
The WWE claims it is "sports entertainment," but really it has the same qualities as a soap opera, checking in on every character's storyline once in a while and advancing it just a bit each time to keep people watching. I feel like a fish in the sea who's perpetually biting the worm on the hook.
O, yea, and the cliffhangers. O boy the cliffhangers. It's like there's a department of employees at LOST who are devoted to the singular task of making sure EVERY episode ends on a cliff-hanger, no matter what. Don't even mention the season finales; I wouldn't be surprised if this season's LOST somehow ended with Jack and Kate suspended in mid-air, the only 2 people left in the world and the only hope for civilization, they show Kate's hand slip, and the season ends. Seriously, that's a possible ending to the whole LOST thing. At least Wrestlemania is the Super Bowl of the WWE and there's somewhat of a conclusion to the whole thing. LOST makes me wonder, by the way it's supposedly "answering questions" 3 episodes into its last season, whether it will EVER get all the through. Maybe that's the point of LOST, is to keep us in suspense. It's like magic: you got the pledge, you got the turn, but once you let everyone know the prestige, they won't care about the show at all. Consider that, LOST fans.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Monday, February 8, 2010
LASIK surgery
"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." - Confucius.
O boy, I hope I can one day fulfill this quote.
So I've been getting asked about this ALL THE TIME recently, and personally it's a nice icebreaker for me to have...LASIK eye surgery. People I talk to either 1.) have heard of it but are scared of doing it for fear of going blind, 2.) have heard of it and are thinking of doing it in the next year or so and just want to get advice, or 3.) have gotten it already and so we compare stories. It's one of those. Out of the 3, I'd say #1 was me for a long time, because I thought there had to be some risks to this, they're messing around with your eyes! But here's the scoop...
So I originally wasn't planning on LASIK for awhile, but my mom's health insurance had a $3,000 fund saved up for 2009 that would have evaporated anyway if we didn't spend it, so I decided to put away my glasses (hopefully forever) and get the treatment. This was like Nov. 24, too, that I decided this, so stuff happened fast.
It's important to get the right eye doctor. I looked online and just straight Googled for LASIK, which is probably not advisable. In LA, the most popular peeps are probably the Laser Eye Center. I went there first, but didn't really appreciate them. Honestly, the actual device and equipment was probably going to be same, and price was a little better, but the attitude at the place was like going to the meat market and pulling a number: not personal. And when you're the people who are going to be messing around with my eyes, you better be personal.
Then I went to a place in West L.A. called LA Sight with Dr. David Wallace, and I liked him cuz 1.) his name is the same as a cool character on The Office, and 2.) He shook my hand, spent some time talking, and 3.) didnt' try to impose any extra charges. Granted, the surgery's not cheap, you're looking at probably something like $2000 to $2500 for ONE EYE, but I appreciated no hidden fees.
OK so the actual process:
1. 2 different tests to examine your eye before the actual day of testing, not much of a hassle.
2. Day of exam, have friend drive you to eye center.
2a. Make sure friend is not drunk/ impaired.
3. Go in for last-minute tests to make sure your eyes didn't go blind in anticipation of the big day.
4. Sit in a calming room alone with your thoughts about the impending surgery. My room had a calming little pond and non-dirty magazines.
5. Doctor is ready for you, go into surgery room.
6. Bunch of dudes around the operating table with masks on, shake doctor's hand before surgery. Make sure to breathe.
7. Lie down and get a big stethoscope-looking thing in front of your face, locked in around your eye.
8. Open eyes wide, device props your eyelids open so you can't blink.
9. Not painful.......yet.
10. Doctor tells you to look at green laser.
11. Nurse gives you a pillow/ soft thing to squeeze.
12. Doctor cuts flap in your cornea to open up for the laser to go through. This takes about 2 seconds and you do feel it, it's like the dentist prodding your mouth.....somewhat painful but not screaming painful, that's what the pillow is for.
13. Laser hones in and does the work. Make sure you stare at the green laser or you MAY GO BLIND. Lol, not really.
13a. You smell the laser doing its work on your eye. It's not pleasant.
14. This is all within a minute, one eye is done.
15. Switch to other eye, repeat process......
Except this time you anticipate the cutting of the cornea open, and you're really clutching the pillow.
16. Done.....whew.
17. See better.......X-ray vision.
18. 2 months later, I have great vision and just praying that for the next 10 years my prescription doesn't change.
* Individual results may vary. See doctor for local procedures.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
O boy, I hope I can one day fulfill this quote.
So I've been getting asked about this ALL THE TIME recently, and personally it's a nice icebreaker for me to have...LASIK eye surgery. People I talk to either 1.) have heard of it but are scared of doing it for fear of going blind, 2.) have heard of it and are thinking of doing it in the next year or so and just want to get advice, or 3.) have gotten it already and so we compare stories. It's one of those. Out of the 3, I'd say #1 was me for a long time, because I thought there had to be some risks to this, they're messing around with your eyes! But here's the scoop...
So I originally wasn't planning on LASIK for awhile, but my mom's health insurance had a $3,000 fund saved up for 2009 that would have evaporated anyway if we didn't spend it, so I decided to put away my glasses (hopefully forever) and get the treatment. This was like Nov. 24, too, that I decided this, so stuff happened fast.
It's important to get the right eye doctor. I looked online and just straight Googled for LASIK, which is probably not advisable. In LA, the most popular peeps are probably the Laser Eye Center. I went there first, but didn't really appreciate them. Honestly, the actual device and equipment was probably going to be same, and price was a little better, but the attitude at the place was like going to the meat market and pulling a number: not personal. And when you're the people who are going to be messing around with my eyes, you better be personal.
Then I went to a place in West L.A. called LA Sight with Dr. David Wallace, and I liked him cuz 1.) his name is the same as a cool character on The Office, and 2.) He shook my hand, spent some time talking, and 3.) didnt' try to impose any extra charges. Granted, the surgery's not cheap, you're looking at probably something like $2000 to $2500 for ONE EYE, but I appreciated no hidden fees.
OK so the actual process:
1. 2 different tests to examine your eye before the actual day of testing, not much of a hassle.
2. Day of exam, have friend drive you to eye center.
2a. Make sure friend is not drunk/ impaired.
3. Go in for last-minute tests to make sure your eyes didn't go blind in anticipation of the big day.
4. Sit in a calming room alone with your thoughts about the impending surgery. My room had a calming little pond and non-dirty magazines.
5. Doctor is ready for you, go into surgery room.
6. Bunch of dudes around the operating table with masks on, shake doctor's hand before surgery. Make sure to breathe.
7. Lie down and get a big stethoscope-looking thing in front of your face, locked in around your eye.
8. Open eyes wide, device props your eyelids open so you can't blink.
9. Not painful.......yet.
10. Doctor tells you to look at green laser.
11. Nurse gives you a pillow/ soft thing to squeeze.
12. Doctor cuts flap in your cornea to open up for the laser to go through. This takes about 2 seconds and you do feel it, it's like the dentist prodding your mouth.....somewhat painful but not screaming painful, that's what the pillow is for.
13. Laser hones in and does the work. Make sure you stare at the green laser or you MAY GO BLIND. Lol, not really.
13a. You smell the laser doing its work on your eye. It's not pleasant.
14. This is all within a minute, one eye is done.
15. Switch to other eye, repeat process......
Except this time you anticipate the cutting of the cornea open, and you're really clutching the pillow.
16. Done.....whew.
17. See better.......X-ray vision.
18. 2 months later, I have great vision and just praying that for the next 10 years my prescription doesn't change.
* Individual results may vary. See doctor for local procedures.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Super Sunday
I'll make this short and sweet: The Indianapolis Colts will win the Super Bowl tomorrow. I don't know by how much, I don't know if the final score will add up to be over 57, I don't know if Pierre Garcon will score the first TD, I don't know how many times CBS shows Archie Manning's face during tomorrow's telecast. All I know, with every fiber of my being is, the Colts will win. Colts, Steelers, Patriots. Best teams of the last 10 years.
"Forget injuries, never forget kindness." - Confucius
I'm actually not very sure where my fave philosopher was going with this one, but at least the first part applies directly to Dwight Freeney tomorrow. For an injury that usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal, Freeney's winging it and giving it a go tomorrow. That's really forgetting injury and doing all it takes to the promised land. Hey, I don't wish for it to happen, but if he suffers a career-ending injury playing for the winning team, I consider that not a bad way to retire. On top.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Friday, February 5, 2010
Timing
"To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage."
Urg, just found out that the Amazing Race application was due YESTERDAY!!!! NOOOOO!!!!! I'd say this is officially the first setback of 2010 for me. Although the deadline has been extended the past two times TAR has done a casting call, the problem still remains that I don't have an available partner. My friends in ILL are too far away to make a video with, and my roommate's timing invovles going to his summer associate position right after finishing up the semester. So it's a matter of timing, and it's not right. This goes against my overriding principle, my whole philosophy, of always applying for things because you have 0% chance if you don't, that after turning 21 I will apply religiously to my Top3 shows, so it's truly agonizing. But I think the right move here was not to force my roommate to apply for the show w/me; one man's will cannot dictate two people's time.
Setbacks, though, while inevitable , are not insurmountable.
Timing, much like luck, has an aspect of being beyond human control. It works in mysterious ways; sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it goes against you. But it's very, VERY important, whether it be for jokes, getting on LA traffic, or taking hacks at Tim Lincecum fastballs, timing controls whether you succeed or fail. Timing has also dictated a large part of my law school experience: Had I been born three or four years earlier, I would currently be in good position at a solid law school with great career prospects in a booming economy; unfortunately this is 2010, not the best time to be a second-year or later law student or anyone who doesn't have a job yet. Did I have a lot of control over that? Not really. Unless I was a master prognisticator of economic trends and could have predicted the 2008 global economic disaster, I guess. Maybe then I could have controlled the timing. But otherwise, no, I went to college at the standard time, went to law school at the standard time compared to my age.
My story is just one example how timing and luck play a large part in one's life. To be clear, I'm not one of those who think they're just unlucky; there's plenty of things I've gotten lucky with: Being born to great parents, being able to grow up in the U.S., going through my teen years in suburban America, having the financial resources to obtain a bachelor's degree and go on to law school, and of course a masterful ability to craft fantasy sports blog articles. All those things were not courtesy of me; I did not have to do with themk they either had to do with luck (my parents applied for student visa and were one of a few who were accepted, parents' first job landed in the Chicagoland suburbs) or timing (parents immigrated during a time with lots of opportunties to immigrate, able to get into USC with a 167 LSAT score when in a few years that score might be inefficient).
So in essence, my message is this: Whether we like it or not, sometimes we just need to get lucky, get a helping hand from gratuitous forces. It reminds me of the ending sequence of "Match Point" when the protagonist has gotten away with murder: When his son is born, the godfather proclaims, " I'd rather him be lucky than good." Agreed, sir, agreed. Let's hope some more good luck and timing is on the way in 2010, MY year.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Urg, just found out that the Amazing Race application was due YESTERDAY!!!! NOOOOO!!!!! I'd say this is officially the first setback of 2010 for me. Although the deadline has been extended the past two times TAR has done a casting call, the problem still remains that I don't have an available partner. My friends in ILL are too far away to make a video with, and my roommate's timing invovles going to his summer associate position right after finishing up the semester. So it's a matter of timing, and it's not right. This goes against my overriding principle, my whole philosophy, of always applying for things because you have 0% chance if you don't, that after turning 21 I will apply religiously to my Top3 shows, so it's truly agonizing. But I think the right move here was not to force my roommate to apply for the show w/me; one man's will cannot dictate two people's time.
Setbacks, though, while inevitable , are not insurmountable.
Timing, much like luck, has an aspect of being beyond human control. It works in mysterious ways; sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it goes against you. But it's very, VERY important, whether it be for jokes, getting on LA traffic, or taking hacks at Tim Lincecum fastballs, timing controls whether you succeed or fail. Timing has also dictated a large part of my law school experience: Had I been born three or four years earlier, I would currently be in good position at a solid law school with great career prospects in a booming economy; unfortunately this is 2010, not the best time to be a second-year or later law student or anyone who doesn't have a job yet. Did I have a lot of control over that? Not really. Unless I was a master prognisticator of economic trends and could have predicted the 2008 global economic disaster, I guess. Maybe then I could have controlled the timing. But otherwise, no, I went to college at the standard time, went to law school at the standard time compared to my age.
My story is just one example how timing and luck play a large part in one's life. To be clear, I'm not one of those who think they're just unlucky; there's plenty of things I've gotten lucky with: Being born to great parents, being able to grow up in the U.S., going through my teen years in suburban America, having the financial resources to obtain a bachelor's degree and go on to law school, and of course a masterful ability to craft fantasy sports blog articles. All those things were not courtesy of me; I did not have to do with themk they either had to do with luck (my parents applied for student visa and were one of a few who were accepted, parents' first job landed in the Chicagoland suburbs) or timing (parents immigrated during a time with lots of opportunties to immigrate, able to get into USC with a 167 LSAT score when in a few years that score might be inefficient).
So in essence, my message is this: Whether we like it or not, sometimes we just need to get lucky, get a helping hand from gratuitous forces. It reminds me of the ending sequence of "Match Point" when the protagonist has gotten away with murder: When his son is born, the godfather proclaims, " I'd rather him be lucky than good." Agreed, sir, agreed. Let's hope some more good luck and timing is on the way in 2010, MY year.
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
Monday, February 1, 2010
LOST
"He who learns but does not think, is LOST!" - confucius
In anticipation of the 2-hour Lost season premiere tomorrow night, here's a comparison of characters dwelling on the LOST island with the inhabitants of the island that is fantasy basketball.
Jack: LeBron James- the leader of any fantasy basketball team, Lebron slices through defenses like a surgical knife and looks good doing it.
John Locke: Chris Paul- The counterhero to Jack, the natural other #1 pick is Chris Paul, who's fantasy life this season is in jeopardy, much like Locke's is as last we saw, he was in a coffin. (the other guy was an imposter).
Ben: Kevin Garnett- O how the mighty have fallen. Once one of the kings of fantasy island, now relegated to making tiny moves like acting as a pawn and spitefully killing Jacob.
Miles: Yi Jianlian- only legit Asian in the NBA, naturally falls to him.
Sayid: Devin Harris- loves to torture you as to whether he'll play this week or not, and also with his atrocious FG%.
Sawyer: Monta Ellis- very, very sexy to own, you take the good (Pts, assists) with the bad (turnovers0.
Kate: Marc Gasol- hottest player in fantasy right now, topped by a 25 and 16 effort on Sunday.
Richard Alpert: Jason Kidd- the ageless one, and seems to get better with time.
Charlie: Damon Stoudamire- Gone but have fond memories of the Mighty Mouse.
Hurley: Zach Randolph- Once the jolly fat giant of the island and usually called for comic relief, I think it's time to take both Z-Bo and Hugo seriously, no?
Walt: James Harden- just a kid with a lot of growing up to do, but will he factor into the end-game plans of both lost and the Thunder?
That's it for now. Lost is on at 9/8 c tomorrow. Lost parties everywhere rejoice!
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
In anticipation of the 2-hour Lost season premiere tomorrow night, here's a comparison of characters dwelling on the LOST island with the inhabitants of the island that is fantasy basketball.
Jack: LeBron James- the leader of any fantasy basketball team, Lebron slices through defenses like a surgical knife and looks good doing it.
John Locke: Chris Paul- The counterhero to Jack, the natural other #1 pick is Chris Paul, who's fantasy life this season is in jeopardy, much like Locke's is as last we saw, he was in a coffin. (the other guy was an imposter).
Ben: Kevin Garnett- O how the mighty have fallen. Once one of the kings of fantasy island, now relegated to making tiny moves like acting as a pawn and spitefully killing Jacob.
Miles: Yi Jianlian- only legit Asian in the NBA, naturally falls to him.
Sayid: Devin Harris- loves to torture you as to whether he'll play this week or not, and also with his atrocious FG%.
Sawyer: Monta Ellis- very, very sexy to own, you take the good (Pts, assists) with the bad (turnovers0.
Kate: Marc Gasol- hottest player in fantasy right now, topped by a 25 and 16 effort on Sunday.
Richard Alpert: Jason Kidd- the ageless one, and seems to get better with time.
Charlie: Damon Stoudamire- Gone but have fond memories of the Mighty Mouse.
Hurley: Zach Randolph- Once the jolly fat giant of the island and usually called for comic relief, I think it's time to take both Z-Bo and Hugo seriously, no?
Walt: James Harden- just a kid with a lot of growing up to do, but will he factor into the end-game plans of both lost and the Thunder?
That's it for now. Lost is on at 9/8 c tomorrow. Lost parties everywhere rejoice!
Fantasize on,
Robert Yan
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