Prince Charming

I had the happiest dream last night, but also quite creepy for the person involved. I was a little bit sad to wake up and find out it was only just a dream.

Continuously Edited List

Things I will miss about Socal:

Good boba
Yoga studio that I go to regularly
Sunny Octobers and Novembers
Cheap and delicious Asian food

My Run-in With Karma

Today I went to return the rental car I used for my Norcal trip. On the way there, I struck a curb and blew the front left tire. It was really bad. Like, really, really bad. The hubcap popped off and the tire went flat instantly. I was like, did I really just do that? I drove this car over 800 miles for 6 days and right when I reach the front door of the car rental office to return it, my driving incompetency exposes itself? I was really glad no one else was there with me, because it was so embarrassing. But most of all, I was like, aw damnit, I'm going to have to pay major damage fees.

I told the guy inside what happened and after laughing his ass off, he gave me a quote of $160. It was almost double my rental fee, but I guess it could have been worse. I was getting ready to pay it, when he printed the invoice and showed it to me. I looked at it and was confused. The damage fees weren't included in the total. I asked him where they were and he told me not to worry about it. I was like, whoaaaaaa. REALLY?!?! This is the luckiest day of my life!

Well, the actual reason is because when I first went to pick up the rental a few days ago, I gave this couple a ride home who couldn't get a ride from the rental company because they had returned their car past opening hours. The guy thought it was nice that I did that, so he waived my fees.

I am now a believer in karma. And I will never run over another curb again.

Gap, Uniqlo, Fire & Ice

I've been wanting to post this for a while but forgot it was on my desktop. I thought it was interesting.

Uniqlo was just about the only store I would shop at in China's department stores because they sold stuff I thought I might actually wear back in the States. Everything else usually was too...exotic for my taste.

I'm going to listen to Kaskade's new album now. Sooooooooo happy I got my hands on it!

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.

In My Quest To Find a Roommate(s)

If someone tells you they are drama-free and/or easygoing and repeatedly emphasizes it, don't believe them. Real drama-free and easygoing people don't work that hard to prove a point.

Oink Oink

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.

***Update*** After I watched Contagion eating pork just made me feel bad. How can delicious meat come from such adorable creatures? Maybe it is time to start cutting out the pig from my diet.