Keep Laughing

Another week passed without anything is writing here. I have become such a slacker. An evening can easily slips through my fingers when I surf the Web or doing something nothing, if not going to movies. But, I think it is okay. Due to my problem with Firefox 3.0, I upgraded to Firefox 3.5. However, that breaks my Sage-too add-on for reading my RSS feed. Without reading my daily feed, I should have more time at hand, right? Nope. I don’t understand why my time simply disappears without checking with me first. On 4th of July, Sean and Alex took me shopping, mostly groceries in East Bay. When I saw uni in the Korean grocery story, I grabbed a box right the way—it should not be skipped. I made uni sushi after I came home. After dinner, I didn’t go to the beach to watch the fireworks, because I saw some low fog in the sky. I was afraid that I would not be able to see even I joined the crowd at the water. It was also an excuse not to walk after dinner for the 15-minute-long fireworks. Instead, I watched the fireworks from my apartment window. It was perfect! I didn’t even have to put on a jacket. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf In the end, I shot a video that captures a few pretty good explosions. Last Sunday was a museum day for me, instead of a hiking day in Marin Headlands. The original plan was to go to museums first and then to the San Francisco Symphony‘s performance at Stern Grove Festival. Of course, things won’t go according to plans. Tan and Jay were late, and they didn’t feel like going to the concert. So, just the museums. http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf Then I headed to Sean and Alex’s house for dinner. That’s when the "fun" began. We were drinking Er Guo Tou(二锅头)—a strong Chinese liquor made from sorghum. I didn’t feel much when I was taking shots with Ryan and Alex, but it hit me later even before I knew it. At one point, something made me laugh. So I laughed, but then I couldn’t stop. I laughed so hard that I couldn’t even breath, and my stomach muscles hurt much more than working out in the gym. I laughed myself literally onto the floor. Sean captured all of my laughter on his camera, because he thinks I was drunk and wants to document it. On Monday morning, when I woke up, I realized that I had a little too much fun on Sunday night, I didn’t even remember what happened after I got home, and how I emailed, made phone calls etc. Well, at least I laughed, as shown in the video. Every time I watched that video, it makes laugh again, but I still cannot recall what makes me laugh so hard. No, I wasn’t stoned. Thanks Sean. I think that video is the only thing I want to play at my funeral after I die. I am extremely saddened and devastated by the violenc in Ürümqi (乌鲁木齐), China. My heart goes to victims and their families. When can we live in peace without hatred? Sitting there, all I can hear in my mind is John Lennon‘s "Imagine": … Imagine there’s no countries It isn’t hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace… You may say I’m a dreamer But I’m not the only one I hope someday you’ll join us And the world will be as one … Despite the troubling world, I still manage to find peace in my kitchen. I cooked a dinner, even just by myself tonight, including eggplant with carrot, bitter melon, and fish belly. Not only the food, but the process makes me happy. Last time when I was buying fish, the gentleman behind the counter gave me a piece of fish belly to try out, telling me that it’s loaded with fish oil. I sliced them and pan fried tonight. Delicious, although I don’t even remember what fish it is. Life is precious, enjoy it and live full of it when I can. And, laugh loudly. Often, drunk or not.