dancing on the jelly

I made strawberry shortcake jellies today from a Martha Stewart's Living magazine recipe. It's a three layer dessert - the top is strawberry jelly (made of actual puree I made from fresh strawberries, not like strawberry Jello), the middle is panna cotta (one of my favorite newly-discovered desserts; I substituted my standby panna cotta recipe over Martha's), and the bottom is a pound cake (again from scratch).

It was very fancy and delicious. It took me pretty much all morning, but I am really enjoying making desserts. I have better luck with them than main courses. Saturday I tried to make Vietnamese grilled pork, and it only worked marginally. The nuoc cham concoction (fish sauce) I made that went with the pork and the cucumber/onion salad was good, but the pork didn't really resemble what you can get from a restaurant.

The strawberry shortcake jellies though are as good as any dessert I've tasted outside. And they are pretty to look at, which is always a good thing.

british wood

If I were...

a movie director, I would make a film version of Murakami's Norwegian Wood, but make it British (it needs to be in English, and it wouldn't make sense having a Japanese-set story in English) and set it in London in the 90's. I would cast James McAvoy as the Toru character, Kiera Knightley as Naoko, and Freida Pinto as Midori. I will have Damon Albarn do the music. It will be a subtle, grounded, humorous, touching love story, just like the novel. It will have lots of rain and trains and boarding school and late night diners and countryside mental institutions and old, dusty bookstores.

the drifter

I am finding it increasingly difficult to blog. I'm not in a good place right now. I know, when have I ever been, you ask? Well, this not-so-good place at the moment has got me in a blogging lull. It seems nothing is inspired. Whatever I type seems stale. But I will persist, as that's my promise to myself - to keep a record of things, for better or worse. So here is your dose of stale randomness: Jackie Chan says Chinese people need to be controlled, and that democracy has made Hong Kong and Taiwan chaotic societies. Jackie Chan is an idiot who makes dumb action movies and kisses mainland China ass...Madonna has been injured again in a horse riding-related accident. The horse was spooked when a paparazzi jumped out of the bushes to take a picture...How about that Susan Boyle gal - 47-year-old Scot spinster who can sing like an angel and wow'ed them on Britain's Got Talent??? Not that I am ever going to buy her record (not my style), but you can't help but root for a woman who's never been kissed!...Got my EW summer movie preview issue. The summer movies I am most looking forward to seeing are - Bruno and (500) Days Of Summer, neither of which involves special effects or explosions...My coughing just won't stop. It's been three weeks now, and it's pretty annoying. I saw the doc and he told me to take Zyrtec and antibiotic (Amox-Clav) together...I returned the peacoat I bought from Gap. I really like the lightweight part of it, but I don't like the fit. Even size S felt too roomy in the body for me. These days, I really like my clothes to fit just right...I had to buy a new hot water dispenser cuz I gave the one I've been using to my mom and then realized I actually can't do without one. So I splurged and bought the Zojirushi 4 liter one. It cost me about $140. I could have gotten a cheaper brand like Tatung but figured it will be one of the most used appliances in the house. Besides, I got my tax refund back and also got a few thousands bucks of bonus from work, so what the hey...Redbox is the new Netflix. I put my Netflix on hold and yesterday rented The Wrestler from the Redbox kiosk at Lucky's. I got a promo code so it was free; normally it's just a buck a night. It's got a rather limited selection, but good enough for me to catch up on major releases...The Wrestler was sad. I can't say I love it - like, it didn't wow me, but it was a very touching portrait of people whose best years have slipped them by and who are trying desperately to make that last connection before it was all too late. Marisa Tomei and Mickey Rourke are both great, and let me just say, if I ever get offered a lap-dance by Marisa Tomei, I wouldn't turn it down like those fools in the movies...Bea Arthur has died of cancer. I like her. I remember watching Maude reruns and then of course Golden Girls. She has a great comic delivery, sort of like Bob Newhart...I bought Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode's new cds. I feel as if it's the eighties all over again, except I have less hair and less homework and less hope...The last episode of Survivor was quite good, as Tyson got a dose of his medicine and got blindsided and eliminated. He was so freaky cocky at the tribal council that it was quite brilliant to see his face as his name is called one vote after another...I am rooting hard for Kris Allen on American Idol. He's got such a great vibe, like Jack Johnson and Jason Mraz. And he sang Falling Slowly from Once during movies night, while others sang Bryan Adams and Endless Love. He's the only one with good taste, seriously...And DWTS frontrunner has to be that French guy Gilles. I have to give it to him even though he is partnered with icky Cheryl Burks. I am also surprisingly fond of Lil Kim, partnered with Derek Hough. She is quite sweet, which I didn't expect of a woman who's been to prison and goes to most events with her boobs hanging out. And I am not too crazy about Julianne this season, mainly because she is acting too giddy with that boyfriend of hers. I don't like him, and thus I like her less for that...And there is no one left on Amazing Race I can root for. I know I am not fond of that deaf kid and his mother. I guess I should root for the Asian brother and sister, since I am Asian and all. Asians should stick together and fight the power...Just kidding about fighting the power. I am not too much for fighting these days. Like I said, I am just too out of it to fight. I just want to drift in a calm sea on a warm Saturday afternoon, without a care or a worrisome thought, without reflecting on the past or the future, just drifting to wherever the current takes me. Of course, with my luck, the current will take me to some island where cannibals dwell, and I will be someone's barbecued dinner.

rum hee

New music and video from Shugo

put your records on

Chester French - She Loves Everybody


La Roux - Quicksand

Little Boots - New In Town

Fol Chen - No Wedding Cake


Bill Callahan - Sycamore


Daniel Merriweather & Adele - Water And A Flame

Royksopp featuring Robyn - The Girl And The Robot

M Ward - Rave On

Kings Of Leon - Use Somebody

hey that's no way to say goodbye

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
yes, many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
but now it's come to distances and both of us must try,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I'm not looking for another as I wander in my time,
walk me to the corner, our steps will always rhyme
you know my love goes with you as your love stays with me,
it's just the way it changes, like the shoreline and the sea,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

I loved you in the morning, our kisses deep and warm,
your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm,
yes many loved before us, I know that we are not new,
in city and in forest they smiled like me and you,
but let's not talk of love or chains and things we can't untie,
your eyes are soft with sorrow,
Hey, that's no way to say goodbye.

survivor: office

Watching Survivor tonight, I remember why sometimes I cannot stand reality shows. Coach and Tyson are the most obnoxious, annoying people you can ever encounter, and there they are, apparently in control of the game, with a bunch of idiots following their lead. I just cannot wait for the table to get turned on them and they get their smugness slapped off of their faces. It seems the people I tend to like never get too far, cuz they are just not manipulative enough. This goes to show, it's very rare that good, deserving people triumph over evil. Evil always has an upper hand in games like this, and in life in general.

Speaking of evil, my level of hate on L.G. just got raised to orange level. I have been sick and coughing up a storm, so I actually bowed out of my coworker's retirement party today. Even though I don't enjoy these things, I would have gone if I felt good and healthy. And I admit, I did use my sickness as a way out. Nonetheless, what I choose to do is my own business. But I heard at the party, L.G. made some comments to my coworkers about how I was anti-social. What a fucking bitch! I am contemplating whether I should open up a can of whoop ass on her and confront her about it. But I know you should always play it cool. See, with people like her, it's much more delicious to play the game under the table and not show your hand. I can slowly undermine her and discredit her instead of trying to "talk" to her to resolve our conflict. Being up front just won't work with people who have an agenda. I will cut her at the knees and she won't even know what's coming. She's playing with the wrong guy. I may be an easy going dude on the outside, but little did she know that inside broods a vengeful beast who will eat her up alive, even the crunchy parts. (Insert evil laughter here.)

Oh by the way, it's Good Friday tomorrow. Happy holy holidays, everyone! May peace be with you. What a guy - that Jesus!

i got chills, they're multiplying

Weather: Fair but clouds drifting in
State: Sick as a dog
Music: M Ward's Hold Time
Last Movie: Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist (it's okay)
Last Pleasure: Finishing my taxes. Well, not pleasure, but extreme relief
Last Worry: My mom's feet troubles
Looking Forward To: Receiving my Gap online orders (I hope that summer cloth peacoat turns out nice)
Not Really Looking Forward To: One of my coworker's retirement parties (I hate work parties)
Tired Of: Coughing and headaches
Gas Price: $2.37/gallon
Clothes: Light blue graphic tee from Old Navy, old jeans from Gap
Today's Headline: Strong Quake in Italy Kills Over 150, Wounds 1,500
Current Desktop Wallpaper: Where The Wild Things Are
Last Website Visited: youtube, for this
Last Meal: Fish/pork ball porridge
Last Purchase: Tee, with Chinese Coca-Cola logo, from Target
Item Off My Wishlist: WD external hard-drive (dang internet porn takes up so much room)
Latest Evidence It's A Beautiful World: Those houses in Newport Beach on The O.C. (I am rewatching)