Real Life Beats Shakespeare's Tragic Irony

"The key to a happier world is the growth of compassion. We do not need to become religious, nor do we need to believe in an ideology. All that is necessary is for each of us to develop our good human qualities."--The Dalai Lama

How appropriate I came across this quote as I recently read a story about a little girl in China being hit by two trucks and having no less than 18 people heartlessly passing by her before a scrap peddler lady pulled her off the street.

This tragic story demonstrates the ills of humans on so many levels.
1) How are you going to pass a completely helpless human being, without a soul in sight to help her, and pretend like you didn't even see them? She's paralyzed, lying in the middle of the street. She...was...fucking...run...over. By a truck. A two year old. What if it was your kid? Would you pay attention then?
2) How are you going to sit behind your computer, like the asshole coward you are, and post shit things like this woman only saved the child because she wanted to gain financially from doing it? WOW, masters of cynicism, where are you? You guys have got the act down, perfect 10. Don't hide like a coward behind a computer screen posting disgusting comments like that. Not only would you never, NEVER have the balls to commit a courageous act like that, you probably don't have balls, period. They probably were cut off and shoved into your mouth and that's why you're so bitter.
3) When did it become human nature to do a cost-benefit analysis before helping someone desperately in need?

Some arguments have been brought in that I think are just bullshit.
1) Lack of a "good samaritan" law that protects rescuers, because in China there have been incidents where people passing by tried to help old ladies who had fallen and then later got sued because the victim accused them of causing the injury. Because of these incidents people in China are hesitant to help others in need for fear they might get their asses sued.
2) This utilitarian culture that has been pervasive in China since the onset of economic reforms. Values that teach people to pursue pure material gain and take on a utilitarian mindset. Everything is cost-benefit. There is no such thing as altruism. In fact, it's considered a sign of weakness.
I don't deny the two are complicating factors. But when it comes down to it, I can't imagine any mentality as an alternative to instinctively wanting to help a person you see who desperately, unequivocally, absolutely needs your help. If they don't get your help, they will die. If that's not enough for you to intervene, then what is? Don't give bullshit reasons. Either do the right thing, or don't. This is a basic decision that should appeal to your conscience if you are HUMAN. Not if you are Chinese or American. If. you. are. human.

Wow, shit. New low. My faith in humankind to do the most basic, decent thing like save a badly injured, helpless 2 year old toddler can't even be satisfied. Each time I think I discover the rock bottom of the dark side of humankind, nope. It has this ever-expanding quality, like the universe. Just...shit.

Sigh.

Watching the Murder of an Innocent Man

While reading this story on the New York Times today this was the ad running alongside it.


Today is not a good day for my faith in humanity to be affirmed. Must be because it's a Monday.

Why I Get Palpitations When I Drive in the 626

Have you seen her?



Have you seen him?




If you have, chances are you have been in the 626--what some Angelenos would informally refer to as the Asian-populated bloc of cities east of Los Angeles proper. It's close to where I grew up. Well, hopefully you don't drive around that area often, because it's enough to turn even the most patient competent driver into a ball of rage. I don't consider myself overly angry on the road, but driving around this area just seems to bring out a completely different side of me. I understand where the stereotype about Asians being bad drivers comes from. And of course I know the fault with all stereotypes is that they do not apply to many of the people they target. Well, don't be all huffy about it until you've had a trial run down Valley Blvd. Then we can reevaluate. And I'm not saying ALL Asians are bad drivers. It's a pretty select demography within the general population--typically the middle-aged, Darth Vader-visor donning (if it's a lady), Toyota/Mercedes-touting Asian that could very well be your mom or my dad. (Actually both my parents probably fall into this group, God bless them). Because of this frustration, I have to succinctly delineate in a blog post why driving in the 626 drives me up the wall. And I am probably not alone.

1. Driving at speeds turtles can probably beat
I will be driving behind said Asian driver where the speed limit is 35, but the perpetrator is going at 20. When I become exasperated and change lanes, I pass them to see a 10-car wide space between them and the car in front. Why must you go so slow?? No wonder there are always traffic jams during the day on weekends and it takes 15 minutes when the real time to get from Point A to Point B is 5 minutes. And when it comes time to make a right turn, they have to start braking about 1000 feet in advance in order to make a turn that is painfully slow.

2. Excessive braking
I hate it when people brake for no apparent reason. I not only feel bad for myself and the cars behind me which now have gotten caught up in the chain effect of having to brake, but I feel bad for the perpetrator's car as well. All that braking must really wear down the pads. Asian drivers seem to do this quite well. Traffic is smooth, there's a green light, and then...BRAKE! Few minutes later...BRAKE! Again! Wtf man. You don't NEED to worry about hitting the car in front of you when they're like a block away and traffic is flowing.

3. Stopping in the middle of the road/lane/parking lot without probable cause
Err. This one really annoys me. Go right. Go left. Go straight. Do not, for goodness sake, STOP in the middle of the road and become confused. Pull over if you are lost. Do not risk a traffic accident by stopping without signal. Do not stop in the middle of the parking lot trying to decide where to go. When a lane is coned off for construction purposes, do not stop in the lane next to it trying to get in. It will not happen!

4. Inconsiderate parking



What is this? Why do I see it so much in parking lots driving in the 626? When did marked spaces not mean anything anymore? This especially makes me want to have an aneurysm when it is the only open space left in the entire parking lot. And I can't park in it. Because someone decided to invade the space next to them.

I rarely experience this anywhere else I drive in LA. Sure, there are traffic jams--LA is one of the top dogs when it comes to ugly traffic--but that's because it's a legitimate jam. Too many cars, too many drivers. The traffic jams in the 626 are a whole different monster. They're totally preventable! Sure, there is a lack of parking. But that's because there is just more demand than supply. Not the case here.

I feel a lot better venting. Driving in the 626 will probably shorten my life span in the long run, but at least the awesome food there is worth the sacrifice.

What is the Burning Question?

Mental impasse. Analyze, don't describe, is the mantra. I seem to be failing at it. I have amassed a ton of information and data, but have hit a brick wall in terms of formulating a puzzle out of it. I feel like Dennis in Run Fat Boy Run, when he hits the mental wall.


Yet another reason why I am not qualified, at this point, to have the three little P, h, D, letters trailing after my name.

Oh, inspiration, come to me in a dream! I need to breathe you in, soak you in, absorb all your enigmatic goodness.

I'm Sorry You're Stupid

Sometimes to get by in life, you just need to learn to laugh at yourself. Or...I guess, like this woman, you can try to file an unfounded lawsuit and pin your own stupidity on others. Either/or.

I Don't Like This

There are almost no classes for me to take next semester. In addition USC has canceled my school account because records have indicated I've graduated. What is this blasphemy?

They Make it Look so Romantic in the Movies

My sister's flight from Shanghai to Hong Kong was this morning at 9 00 AM. I got up and left my apartment at 7 50 thinking that would be enough time to get to the airport to see her off. NO. It wasn't. What ended up happening was me huffing and puffing up stairs and escalators to arrive at the departure terminal and discover (although I already knew when I got off the subway at 9 17) that her flight had taken off. Plus I was sweating a storm. How does the person in the movies and dramas always manage to narrowly catch their lover at the airport to confess their feelings or tell them not to leave? And look good doing it? URBAN MYTH!!!

Hypochondria

When you work with literally thousands of people each day it's only a matter of time before you get sick. I am no exception. It could be worse. Some friends have been sick since we've gotten here, some have even been in the hospital because of pneumonia. But I developed this nagging cough and semi-sore throat (feels more like a lump in my throat whenever I swallow) and then today in a matter of hours my left leg swelled up like a balloon due to--and I have narrowed it down to three probable causes--1) an allergic reaction to something, maybe cats I played with on Sunday (why do you think I am not a fan of felines?), 2) a severe reaction to mosquito bites (although I don't think this is likely since I've been bitten before and not experienced anything like this), or 3) bacteria developing from a pedicure I got in the Expo Village (I really hope this is not the case because I think I will throw up). O_o So which one is it? I just want to be healthy! Is that too much to ask for?

Seriously, I blame the aircon in the office. After 7 it becomes exponentially colder, and by the time 10 30 rolls around my brain is frozen so that I can't think anymore. I'm pretty sure other students have had health issues with the aircon as well. Maybe we can unite and demand it be turned down (or kept at an acceptable level).

Anyway, I hope I don't die. Being sick is an anomaly for me (thankfully) and so every time I feel slightly under the weather I can't help but make the situation more severe than it is. But if you saw my leg you'd probably tell me to go see a doctor. I'll post pictures on that later.