How is it that you still manage to work your way into my head?
One night and one more time
Thanks for the memories
Even though they weren't so great
He tastes like you, only sweeter
One night, yea, one more time
Thanks for the memories
Thanks for the memories
See, he tastes like you, only sweeter
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Blimpy Burger on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives"!
Click on the above link to check out airtimes where Ann Arbor's favorite burger institution will be featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on the Food Network!
Courtesy of ArborWiki:
Double, triple, quad, quint. With cheese? Anything Grilled?
There's a fine art to ordering these burgers.
Blimpy has a dedicated and loyal following, and has won several awards such as "best burger in town" from Ann Arbor publications like The Michigan Daily and the Ann Arbor News. Their slogan for 50+ years has been 'Cheaper than Food' -- but the price of a typical 3-patty burger (don't be surprised, they're tiny) is somewhere around $4. You certainly get you pay for, and if you need just a tad more convincing, as stated on a sign on the door, they grind their own beef daily!
Jim Shafer, the founder, died in 2004.
Advice for Blimpy Newbies: Always grab a tray. Unless you're getting your food to go, that is. But if not, remember: it's one tray per person. Even if it's just a young child who is half the height of the counter, everyone must have one. Typically, avoid anything that isn't a burger for your main meal. With sides (like fries, onion rings, fried vegetables) being an exception, personally I would stay with the tried and true, which are their burgers. Don't order the cheese when you order your burger. This may sound strange, but there is an extremely particular order and format which you must follow in order to successfully order your meal, and avoid being scolded (no joke):
1. First, you'll want to grab a drink from the cooler, or as of late, get a cup and fill it up at the fountain (Coca-Cola and Coke products are exclusively available here).
2. After getting your drink and grabbing a tray, you'll be asked for your selection of items from the deep fryer, I suggest fries or onion rings.
3. Now is the moment you've been waiting for: ordering the burger; now pay attention here.
This is how you order your burger: State the number of patties you'd like (1-5, with it costing a dollar extra for each one after that), the type of bun you'd like (plain w/ or w/o seeds, or an onion, kaiser, or pumpernickel roll), and if you'd like anything grilled. DO NOT MENTION CHEESE, yet.
But there's more explaining to be done than just this. First of all, as stated earlier, the patties are quite small. Ordering just one isn't even allowed, unless you're under five. A double is a good amount for some, generally younger kids, ages 5-8, but everyone's different. Triples are the most popular, and in my opinion the perfect size. There's not any explanation needed for the bun, and as for grilled items, people have varying tastes. Grilled items include onions, mushrooms, banana peppers, bacon, egg, and salami. Shifting back to the ordering process, although you now know the format of an order, it's quite discourteous to the over-worked Blimpy staff to dawdle while you're ordering. Everything else is very fast-paced, so the ordering should be too. For instance, you shouldn't say, "Well...I guess I'll have a burger with some onions, and um...a regular bun, oh yeah, and make that a triple." It's not that that isn't a correct order, it's just too drawn-out. A good order would be, "I'll have a triple, regular bun, onions grilled."
4. As the burger is almost done being grilled (and this is entertainment in and of itself), you'll be asked what kind of cheese you'd like. There are quite a few selections, american, cheddar, swiss, provolone, blue, and feta.
5. After this, you will be asked for your condiments. Start with the wet stuff first (mayo, mustard, ketchup) then anything else you'd like (lettuce, pickles, tomato, olives, peppers, etc.) Don't just say you want everything because you probably don't. Then, finally, you are ready to feast upon your luscious burger. But don't forget to pay, and if you're feeling nice, give those great folks at Blimpy a tip.
Courtesy of ArborWiki:
Double, triple, quad, quint. With cheese? Anything Grilled?
There's a fine art to ordering these burgers.
Blimpy has a dedicated and loyal following, and has won several awards such as "best burger in town" from Ann Arbor publications like The Michigan Daily and the Ann Arbor News. Their slogan for 50+ years has been 'Cheaper than Food' -- but the price of a typical 3-patty burger (don't be surprised, they're tiny) is somewhere around $4. You certainly get you pay for, and if you need just a tad more convincing, as stated on a sign on the door, they grind their own beef daily!
Jim Shafer, the founder, died in 2004.
Advice for Blimpy Newbies: Always grab a tray. Unless you're getting your food to go, that is. But if not, remember: it's one tray per person. Even if it's just a young child who is half the height of the counter, everyone must have one. Typically, avoid anything that isn't a burger for your main meal. With sides (like fries, onion rings, fried vegetables) being an exception, personally I would stay with the tried and true, which are their burgers. Don't order the cheese when you order your burger. This may sound strange, but there is an extremely particular order and format which you must follow in order to successfully order your meal, and avoid being scolded (no joke):
1. First, you'll want to grab a drink from the cooler, or as of late, get a cup and fill it up at the fountain (Coca-Cola and Coke products are exclusively available here).
2. After getting your drink and grabbing a tray, you'll be asked for your selection of items from the deep fryer, I suggest fries or onion rings.
3. Now is the moment you've been waiting for: ordering the burger; now pay attention here.
This is how you order your burger: State the number of patties you'd like (1-5, with it costing a dollar extra for each one after that), the type of bun you'd like (plain w/ or w/o seeds, or an onion, kaiser, or pumpernickel roll), and if you'd like anything grilled. DO NOT MENTION CHEESE, yet.
But there's more explaining to be done than just this. First of all, as stated earlier, the patties are quite small. Ordering just one isn't even allowed, unless you're under five. A double is a good amount for some, generally younger kids, ages 5-8, but everyone's different. Triples are the most popular, and in my opinion the perfect size. There's not any explanation needed for the bun, and as for grilled items, people have varying tastes. Grilled items include onions, mushrooms, banana peppers, bacon, egg, and salami. Shifting back to the ordering process, although you now know the format of an order, it's quite discourteous to the over-worked Blimpy staff to dawdle while you're ordering. Everything else is very fast-paced, so the ordering should be too. For instance, you shouldn't say, "Well...I guess I'll have a burger with some onions, and um...a regular bun, oh yeah, and make that a triple." It's not that that isn't a correct order, it's just too drawn-out. A good order would be, "I'll have a triple, regular bun, onions grilled."
4. As the burger is almost done being grilled (and this is entertainment in and of itself), you'll be asked what kind of cheese you'd like. There are quite a few selections, american, cheddar, swiss, provolone, blue, and feta.
5. After this, you will be asked for your condiments. Start with the wet stuff first (mayo, mustard, ketchup) then anything else you'd like (lettuce, pickles, tomato, olives, peppers, etc.) Don't just say you want everything because you probably don't. Then, finally, you are ready to feast upon your luscious burger. But don't forget to pay, and if you're feeling nice, give those great folks at Blimpy a tip.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
you're still the missing line in my favorite song
I've started logging my workouts again, especially now that I'm back training on my own. Here's the link to my workout blog: Get Some, Go Again! Take a look, try some workouts, and let me know how it goes! As you'll see on that blog, I did a "Filthy Fifty" today, one of the CrossFit oldies-but-goodies, but I had to change some of the exercises because of equipment limitations. That didn't make it any easier, though. I must say doing 50 burpees as the next-to-last exercise on the WOD was the real kicker. I mean, 50 burpees for time is a pretty nasty workout in itself!
Other than that, not much to report. Although my roommate and I cooked dinner tonight - she made shepherd's pie and I baked this (courtesy of desertculinary.blogspot.com). It's a pretty tasty and easy recipe - you should try it for yourself and see how it turns out! Of course, it's probably not something you'd eat everyday (oh, the sin!) but it's great for kicks.
***
The moon blindsided the sky again
As we grabbed loose ends of the tide and then
The slippery slide
You know, I can't say when
I ever took a ride that could slap me this silly
With roiling joy
Lazy as sin
Lyin' up in heaven with my special friend
And the space he's in
It can make a girl grin
In the beginning of a lifelong fling
***
Over the Rhine - Lifelong Fling
Other than that, not much to report. Although my roommate and I cooked dinner tonight - she made shepherd's pie and I baked this (courtesy of desertculinary.blogspot.com). It's a pretty tasty and easy recipe - you should try it for yourself and see how it turns out! Of course, it's probably not something you'd eat everyday (oh, the sin!) but it's great for kicks.
***
The moon blindsided the sky again
As we grabbed loose ends of the tide and then
The slippery slide
You know, I can't say when
I ever took a ride that could slap me this silly
With roiling joy
Lazy as sin
Lyin' up in heaven with my special friend
And the space he's in
It can make a girl grin
In the beginning of a lifelong fling
***
Over the Rhine - Lifelong Fling
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
hit me with your best shot
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)
I know everyone has probably seen or heard this oft-used quote in one form or another, but I have to say it resonates with me. The past three weeks have been, frankly, one of the hardest times ever, but things are definitely looking up now and there are so many opportunities, far more than I ever imagined that there would be! It's funny how resourcefulness kicks in only when humans are pushed to their limits or their wits' ends. And after I've searched, I've realized that there are far greener pastures out there, just waiting to be explored. I've also come to realize that there are all sorts of people out there, some who are truly, indubitably great friends and people I'm incredibly thankful for, and others who are just looking to bring you down. To the former, thank you with all my heart. To the latter - I say it'll take far more than that to bring me down, and I only hope that you won't succumb to your own follies. Here's to great friends, an awesome final semester at U-M, CrossFit, olympic weightlifting, and everything God has blessed me with!
Helen Keller
US blind & deaf educator (1880 - 1968)
I know everyone has probably seen or heard this oft-used quote in one form or another, but I have to say it resonates with me. The past three weeks have been, frankly, one of the hardest times ever, but things are definitely looking up now and there are so many opportunities, far more than I ever imagined that there would be! It's funny how resourcefulness kicks in only when humans are pushed to their limits or their wits' ends. And after I've searched, I've realized that there are far greener pastures out there, just waiting to be explored. I've also come to realize that there are all sorts of people out there, some who are truly, indubitably great friends and people I'm incredibly thankful for, and others who are just looking to bring you down. To the former, thank you with all my heart. To the latter - I say it'll take far more than that to bring me down, and I only hope that you won't succumb to your own follies. Here's to great friends, an awesome final semester at U-M, CrossFit, olympic weightlifting, and everything God has blessed me with!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Isaiah 40
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Oceanside, CA
I flew into San Diego this afternoon to attend a CrossFit Level 1 Certification which begins tomorrow at Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base. The first thing that struck me when I reached California was the abundant sunshine and balmy temperatures - as always, a welcome change from the frigidity of Michigan. Somehow the lady at Enterprise Car Rental managed to wheedle me into renting a gleaming white '07 Kia Sportage SUV (I know, I know... but it handles well) for the three days I'd be here. I should have rented the Dodge Caliber instead - I've always thought it looked interesting, if not a vehicle that I'd want to drive in the long term - and it was probably cheaper. Oh well. I drove up I-5 to my hotel at Oceanside, CA, spent some time unloading, checking in, and expressing dismay at the high gas prices here, which were around twenty to thirty cents higher per gallon compared to back in Ann Arbor. I dropped in at CrossFit Encinitas, about twenty minutes south of Oceanside, to check out the facility and join the 5:00 pm class. The workout was simple but good - 3 sets of 5 shoulder presses, followed by a metcon component that comprised 3 rounds of 15 24-inch box jumps, 15 Russian KB swings with a 24 kg KB, and 15 ball slams with a 20# D-ball. After that, we did 5 sets of dead hang pullups to failure and practiced Turkish getups with a KB.
On my way back up north to Oceanside, I decided to drop by Pollos Maria, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place that specialized in charbroiled chicken. I had made up my mind to sample some authentic Mexican food while I was in Southern California, and a search on Yelp.com revealed this well-reviewed gem. I ordered a fish taco (I've heard you simply have to try fish tacos while you're in the San Diego area), a veggie taco, and a sweet tamale to go, and drove back up to Oceanside, parked a ways from the beach, walked down, and savored dinner amidst the cool night air and the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific. Oceanside seems to be a favorite of skater kids too, and as I was eating at a stone table by the beach, a gangly kid in skater garb told me to join him and his friends for drinks and more food if I hadn't had enough by the time I was done. Pollos Maria more than did the job, however (the fish taco was especially lovely, and it was my first time eating a tamale flavored with juicy chunks of pineapple and raisins), but I must say the casual invitation proffered by the youth really did make my day. Especially when I'd spent much of the rest of the day alone and had found it difficult to keep my mind from wandering towards the thoughts that had been plaguing me for a good while now. After dinner, I spent some time on the streets of Oceanside, dodging vehicles to cross the streets, and soaking in the atmosphere of the town. There were numerous watering holes, most of them seedy-looking -interspersed with military outfitters and barber shops who presumably catered to the large number of Marine servicemen in the vicinity. I wandered around for a bit, noticing the disproportionately large number of males who sported flat-top haircuts, before returning to my car and driving back to the inn. I'm looking forward to Day 1 of the CrossFit Level 1 Cert tomorrow. Imagine, seven full hours' worth of technique, skill instruction, and workouts! I'm pretty psyched.
On my way back up north to Oceanside, I decided to drop by Pollos Maria, a hole-in-the-wall Mexican place that specialized in charbroiled chicken. I had made up my mind to sample some authentic Mexican food while I was in Southern California, and a search on Yelp.com revealed this well-reviewed gem. I ordered a fish taco (I've heard you simply have to try fish tacos while you're in the San Diego area), a veggie taco, and a sweet tamale to go, and drove back up to Oceanside, parked a ways from the beach, walked down, and savored dinner amidst the cool night air and the sound of the crashing waves of the Pacific. Oceanside seems to be a favorite of skater kids too, and as I was eating at a stone table by the beach, a gangly kid in skater garb told me to join him and his friends for drinks and more food if I hadn't had enough by the time I was done. Pollos Maria more than did the job, however (the fish taco was especially lovely, and it was my first time eating a tamale flavored with juicy chunks of pineapple and raisins), but I must say the casual invitation proffered by the youth really did make my day. Especially when I'd spent much of the rest of the day alone and had found it difficult to keep my mind from wandering towards the thoughts that had been plaguing me for a good while now. After dinner, I spent some time on the streets of Oceanside, dodging vehicles to cross the streets, and soaking in the atmosphere of the town. There were numerous watering holes, most of them seedy-looking -interspersed with military outfitters and barber shops who presumably catered to the large number of Marine servicemen in the vicinity. I wandered around for a bit, noticing the disproportionately large number of males who sported flat-top haircuts, before returning to my car and driving back to the inn. I'm looking forward to Day 1 of the CrossFit Level 1 Cert tomorrow. Imagine, seven full hours' worth of technique, skill instruction, and workouts! I'm pretty psyched.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
"peace... which transcends all understanding..."
Wow.
"peace... which transcends all understanding..."
Wow.
We're driving, just me and God.
We're driving, just me and God
It's raining, it's raining hard
The windows are steaming up
The bridge engulfed by fog
The rust of the metal bridge
It beckons, it blows me in
I argue, I scream at God
And what he's offering
My hands fly off the steering wheel
Can't recall getting here
If I could, I would reach behind
And turn my light on
My thoughts run off the beaten track
There's no light
How's the way back
Take the hand of God and bite the feeder
No more lingering
This song from Darren Hayes' latest album, "This Delicate Thing We've Made", is achingly beautiful - it's been on repeat ever since I first listened to it four days ago. Just a couple evenings ago, I was sitting in my car in an empty, darkened parking lot with the engine running and the headlights turned off, as the haunting melody cut through what seemed at that moment (oh the irony!) to be an interminable silence.
I'm driving, I talk to God
He's screaming, I only nod
I need to be where you are
The leaves and trees are shaking
It's raining, the bullets melt
The hunger, of hunger itself
It's draining but pain has reservoirs
It keeps for itself
I'm falling, I'm not myself
I'm diving, I'm underneath
The huddle of a mighty ship
That steams away from here
The bubbles, the surface waves
They're shining, they replicate
I hear it
The voice of God is laced with
Sarcasm in your head
I'd give anything to retrace my footsteps and start all over again. I should have stayed, stopped to smell the roses, and bent over to retie my loose shoelace, before continuing on my way - instead of rushing along blindly and tumbling headfirst into a thorny bush after tripping over my undone sneaker.
My thoughts run off the beaten track
There's no light
How's the way back
Take the hand of God and bite the feeder
No more lingering
My hands fly off the steering wheel
Can't recall getting here
If I could, I would reach behind
And turn my light on
Sunday, January 13, 2008
i'll be calling your name as i float through your window
Today was a good day.
Benchmark WOD:
2000 m row
WOD:
5 sets of 5 reps -
Front Squat
Overhead Squat
Finished my 2k row in 8:01.3, giving me a split of 2:00.3, which is better than I've ever done in my life, even when I was rowing for Michigan. I think my previous PR was 8:08 or so. I surprised even myself there! The squats were good as well. I worked up to 145# for my last set of 5 front squats, and up to 105# for my last set of 5 overhead squats. After that, I stayed behind to practice clean and jerks under Patrick's expert eye. My previous PR for the C&J was 125#, but I amazed myself once again when 130# went up without much difficulty. On my first attempt at a 135# C&J, I made the clean but missed the jerk. On my second try, though, I made both! And so now I have a PR of 135# for the C&J. Sweet. It's funny, because I took about a month off O-lifting as well as hardcore CrossFitting since returning to Singapore (where I did more middle-distance running and long swims, and only one CF WOD a day, which was more metcon and less strength-centric), and yet everything seems to have improved. I remember being slightly burnt out right before I left for Singapore, and so I cut back on the CF WODs while incorporating more endurance training. Maybe I've discovered what it is that makes me tick.
I only wish the rest of my life would sort itself out as nicely. I can't believe the number of times I've been hitting the "refresh" button today. It doesn't make any difference at all, I know it doesn't. Sigh.
We're driving
Just me and God
It's raining
It's raining hard
The windows
Are steaming up
The bridge
Engulfed by fog
Benchmark WOD:
2000 m row
WOD:
5 sets of 5 reps -
Front Squat
Overhead Squat
Finished my 2k row in 8:01.3, giving me a split of 2:00.3, which is better than I've ever done in my life, even when I was rowing for Michigan. I think my previous PR was 8:08 or so. I surprised even myself there! The squats were good as well. I worked up to 145# for my last set of 5 front squats, and up to 105# for my last set of 5 overhead squats. After that, I stayed behind to practice clean and jerks under Patrick's expert eye. My previous PR for the C&J was 125#, but I amazed myself once again when 130# went up without much difficulty. On my first attempt at a 135# C&J, I made the clean but missed the jerk. On my second try, though, I made both! And so now I have a PR of 135# for the C&J. Sweet. It's funny, because I took about a month off O-lifting as well as hardcore CrossFitting since returning to Singapore (where I did more middle-distance running and long swims, and only one CF WOD a day, which was more metcon and less strength-centric), and yet everything seems to have improved. I remember being slightly burnt out right before I left for Singapore, and so I cut back on the CF WODs while incorporating more endurance training. Maybe I've discovered what it is that makes me tick.
I only wish the rest of my life would sort itself out as nicely. I can't believe the number of times I've been hitting the "refresh" button today. It doesn't make any difference at all, I know it doesn't. Sigh.
We're driving
Just me and God
It's raining
It's raining hard
The windows
Are steaming up
The bridge
Engulfed by fog
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Darren Hayes - Sing To Me
You step behind a curtain
In a moment you were gone
Nothing's ever certain
And it's hard to carry on
This is not what we planned
And I know it's hard to understand
But if this isn't what you want then
If this isn't what you need
Pry my fingers from your hand
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe you'll find a way to haunt me
Come back and sing a melody to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Maybe I'm holding on to driftwood
And I'll be alright if you could
Sing to me
Sing to me
You step beneath the landslide
Nothing feels right when you're wrong
And try to find an upside
Try to sing without a song
This is not what we planned
And I know it's hard to understand
But if this isn't what you want then
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe you'll find a way to haunt me
Come back and sing a melody to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Maybe I'm holding on to driftwood
And I'll be alright if you could
Sing to me
Sing to me
I keep seeing flashes of your hands
When I close my eyes
And I don't know why
And I don't know why
Help me make sense of what I don't understand
'Cause I've gotta know why
I've gotta know why
Tell me
Why do you sing to me
And maybe it's just meant to be
That you would sing to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Could you come sing for me
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Would you come sing for me
Sing for me
In a moment you were gone
Nothing's ever certain
And it's hard to carry on
This is not what we planned
And I know it's hard to understand
But if this isn't what you want then
If this isn't what you need
Pry my fingers from your hand
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe you'll find a way to haunt me
Come back and sing a melody to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Maybe I'm holding on to driftwood
And I'll be alright if you could
Sing to me
Sing to me
You step beneath the landslide
Nothing feels right when you're wrong
And try to find an upside
Try to sing without a song
This is not what we planned
And I know it's hard to understand
But if this isn't what you want then
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe you'll find a way to haunt me
Come back and sing a melody to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Maybe I'm holding on to driftwood
And I'll be alright if you could
Sing to me
Sing to me
I keep seeing flashes of your hands
When I close my eyes
And I don't know why
And I don't know why
Help me make sense of what I don't understand
'Cause I've gotta know why
I've gotta know why
Tell me
Why do you sing to me
And maybe it's just meant to be
That you would sing to me
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Could you come sing for me
And maybe it's just meant to be
Maybe we're just lost at sea
Would you come sing for me
Sing for me
Thursday, January 10, 2008
can't believe that i'm the fool again
i'm so tired. and upset. and disappointed. in myself.
tell me, what will it take to make you come back?
tell me, what will it take to make you come back?
Saturday, January 05, 2008
that girl, stealing every daydream
Time in Singapore has gone by like a whirlwind. I can hardly wait to be back in Ann Arbor, though (despite the snowstorms, blustery winds and the thought of having to excavate my car from beneath the snow and ice). Last term as an undergraduate! I must treasure the remainder of my time in Ann Arbor, quite possibly the best college town in all of America. I know there'll be people who might be disinclined to agree, but personally I think Michigan has been an excellent fit for me. Go Blue!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Over The Rhine - "Christmas is Coming "
You've seen me sweaty, exhausted, happy, cocky, lethargic, excited, bashful, vulnerable, needy. It's amazing how you make me feel so comfortable about myself. I enjoy every moment with you. I am so extremely glad things turned out the way they did. Good things get better with age, and I think this beautiful thing we have is no different.
***
So it’s been a long year
Every new day brings one more tear
Till there’s nothing left to cry
My, my how time flies
Like little children hiding their eyes
We’ll make it disappear
Let’s start a brand new year
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing
Darlin’ the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky
If I could have anything
What would I want this new year to bring
Well, I’d want you here with me
Tear these thorns from my heart
Help the healing to start
Let’s set this old world free
Let’s start with you and me
***
***
So it’s been a long year
Every new day brings one more tear
Till there’s nothing left to cry
My, my how time flies
Like little children hiding their eyes
We’ll make it disappear
Let’s start a brand new year
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Salvation army bells are ringing
Darlin’ Christmas is coming
Do you believe in angels singing
Darlin’ the snow is falling
Falling like forgiveness from the sky
If I could have anything
What would I want this new year to bring
Well, I’d want you here with me
Tear these thorns from my heart
Help the healing to start
Let’s set this old world free
Let’s start with you and me
***
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Over The Rhine - "The World Can Wait "
if this should end tomorrow
all our best laid plans
and all our typical fears
am i running out of lifetimes
this is not the first time
something ends in just tears
but tomorrow i can't imagine
how am i supposed to know
what's yet to go down
is there only one religion
the kind that whispers
when nobody comes around
the world can wait
the world can wait
i want to drink the water from your well
i want to tell you things i'll never tell
the world can wait
the world can wait
i'm wide awake
and the world can wait
i want to feel and then some
i have five senses
i need thousands more at least
every day a page of paper
every night a photograph
a moveable feast
so fade to black and white now
roll the movie of my life
inside of my head
'cause like all true believers
i am truly skeptical
of all that i have said
the world can wait
the world can wait
i want to drink the water from your well
i want to tell you things i'll never tell
the world can wait
the world can wait
i'm wide awake
and the world can wait
haven't i said enough
haven't i said far too much
haven't i done enough
haven't i done far too much
far too much
the world can wait
all our best laid plans
and all our typical fears
am i running out of lifetimes
this is not the first time
something ends in just tears
but tomorrow i can't imagine
how am i supposed to know
what's yet to go down
is there only one religion
the kind that whispers
when nobody comes around
the world can wait
the world can wait
i want to drink the water from your well
i want to tell you things i'll never tell
the world can wait
the world can wait
i'm wide awake
and the world can wait
i want to feel and then some
i have five senses
i need thousands more at least
every day a page of paper
every night a photograph
a moveable feast
so fade to black and white now
roll the movie of my life
inside of my head
'cause like all true believers
i am truly skeptical
of all that i have said
the world can wait
the world can wait
i want to drink the water from your well
i want to tell you things i'll never tell
the world can wait
the world can wait
i'm wide awake
and the world can wait
haven't i said enough
haven't i said far too much
haven't i done enough
haven't i done far too much
far too much
the world can wait
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Over The Rhine - "Birds"
***
fall on me
fall on me
birds of a feather and a featherless cap
poor lovers breed songs in a two-room flat
moist hands fold to pray for a painless truth
we dance on the tracks of a train called youth
truth's on the table like a toxic spill
and we wrestle in the sheets with our own freewill
if we never shake hands with a phantom called fame
I'll still have your picture in a picture frame
if you should fall
fall on me
forty-acre farm we can call our own
with a chocolate lab and no telephone
the full moon's leering in a lover's swoon
and the apple tree's swaying to a windy tune
(save me I'm falling for you)
but we won't get to heaven if we just sit still
if we don't cry murder maybe no one will
we're riding tandem down Sycamore hill
if we hit the brakes we're gonna take a big spill
if you should fall
fall on me
and if my hand were taken hold of
I'd slip away with you love
slip away with you love
***
fall on me
fall on me
birds of a feather and a featherless cap
poor lovers breed songs in a two-room flat
moist hands fold to pray for a painless truth
we dance on the tracks of a train called youth
truth's on the table like a toxic spill
and we wrestle in the sheets with our own freewill
if we never shake hands with a phantom called fame
I'll still have your picture in a picture frame
if you should fall
fall on me
forty-acre farm we can call our own
with a chocolate lab and no telephone
the full moon's leering in a lover's swoon
and the apple tree's swaying to a windy tune
(save me I'm falling for you)
but we won't get to heaven if we just sit still
if we don't cry murder maybe no one will
we're riding tandem down Sycamore hill
if we hit the brakes we're gonna take a big spill
if you should fall
fall on me
and if my hand were taken hold of
I'd slip away with you love
slip away with you love
***
Sunday, November 18, 2007
I feel you breezing through my mind.
It's been far too long since I met someone who makes me smile the way you do.
You've got a way of spreading magic everywhere
Anywhere I go, I know you're always there
It sounds ridiculous
But when you leave a room
There's a part of me that just wants to follow you too
You know I miss you
This is all I wanna do
I know it doesn't sound too cool
But maybe I'm in love with you
And when you're walking out the door
I know I miss you
You make me wanna ask for more
I just miss you
You've got a way of spreading magic everywhere
Anywhere I go, I know you're always there
It sounds ridiculous
But when you leave a room
There's a part of me that just wants to follow you too
You know I miss you
This is all I wanna do
I know it doesn't sound too cool
But maybe I'm in love with you
And when you're walking out the door
I know I miss you
You make me wanna ask for more
I just miss you
Saturday, November 10, 2007
It's already November and 2007 is drawing to a close. Funny how time seems to speed up as I get older. I wish I had savored my childhood more, sometimes! College is going well. Classes are fantastic and I'm fortunate to be taking classes from some of the best faculty around. My thesis is shaping up nicely and I've got some ideas that I intend to develop further. Hardcore CrossFitting provides a respite from the burdens of schoolwork, and the folks at the gym are some of the best people I've had the good fortune of meeting.
As for Ann Arbor dining, I've made up my mind to try as many of the reputed establishments as possible. We did Carson's American Bistro last week, Lotus Thai in the last two weeks, plans are being made to visit Cafe Habana for some good Cuban cooking in the near future... Zingerman's Roadhouse is still a must-try - if only it wasn't so crowded all the time! After discovering Yotsuba sometime in September, I've been back for their delectable sushi rolls four more times and plan on many repeat visits. Pacific Rim by Kana beckons on Dec 14th - kinda pricey, but I've heard good things about the Asian fusion fare they serve. Weekends are reserved for food adventures!
Walk on broken glass make my way through fire
These are the things I would do for love
Farewell peace of mind kiss goodbye to reason
Up is down the impossible occurs each day
This intoxication thrills me
I only pray it doesn't kill me
As for Ann Arbor dining, I've made up my mind to try as many of the reputed establishments as possible. We did Carson's American Bistro last week, Lotus Thai in the last two weeks, plans are being made to visit Cafe Habana for some good Cuban cooking in the near future... Zingerman's Roadhouse is still a must-try - if only it wasn't so crowded all the time! After discovering Yotsuba sometime in September, I've been back for their delectable sushi rolls four more times and plan on many repeat visits. Pacific Rim by Kana beckons on Dec 14th - kinda pricey, but I've heard good things about the Asian fusion fare they serve. Weekends are reserved for food adventures!
Walk on broken glass make my way through fire
These are the things I would do for love
Farewell peace of mind kiss goodbye to reason
Up is down the impossible occurs each day
This intoxication thrills me
I only pray it doesn't kill me
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Darren Hayes - The Heart Wants What it Wants
You say one thing and then I go turning around again
Working things over better left unsaid
Spinning around in my head
Taking a moment too personally
I have told you just half the words
I've wanted to get to you
Fear of rejection keeps my heart at bay
Things I'd rather not say
I'd rather have you close
Than never at all
But every now and then
When my world is closing in
I feel you breezing through my mind
I can attempt to close my eyes
I can avoid the wrong or right
But something deep inside
Says my heart wants what it wants
Baby, stay away
Do the right thing
I know I should run
But my heart wants what it wants
Baby, stay away
Do the right thing
I know I should run
You know the heart wants what it wants
You do one thing and then I go always imagining
Reciprocating feelings that aren't there
Sometimes I think you're aware
Your body language, it gives you away
Maybe I should run
Turn my back, head for the sun
Feelings left to come undone
Maybe you like what's going on
Deep down inside I know it's wrong
I know I should run
But the heart wants what it wants
Working things over better left unsaid
Spinning around in my head
Taking a moment too personally
I have told you just half the words
I've wanted to get to you
Fear of rejection keeps my heart at bay
Things I'd rather not say
I'd rather have you close
Than never at all
But every now and then
When my world is closing in
I feel you breezing through my mind
I can attempt to close my eyes
I can avoid the wrong or right
But something deep inside
Says my heart wants what it wants
Baby, stay away
Do the right thing
I know I should run
But my heart wants what it wants
Baby, stay away
Do the right thing
I know I should run
You know the heart wants what it wants
You do one thing and then I go always imagining
Reciprocating feelings that aren't there
Sometimes I think you're aware
Your body language, it gives you away
Maybe I should run
Turn my back, head for the sun
Feelings left to come undone
Maybe you like what's going on
Deep down inside I know it's wrong
I know I should run
But the heart wants what it wants
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Band of Brothers
"Anything was better than the blood and carnage, the grime and filth, the impossible demands made on the body --- anything, that is, except letting down their buddies... They also found in combat the closest brotherhood they ever knew. They found selflessness. They found they could love the other guy in their foxhole more than themselves. They found that in war, men who loved life would give their lives for them."
- Band of Brothers
- Band of Brothers
Monday, October 29, 2007
Memories
想回到过去
试著抱你在怀里
羞怯的脸带有一点稚气
想看你的看的世界
想在你梦的画面
只要靠在一起就能感觉甜蜜
想回到过去
试著让故事继续
至少不再让你离我而去
分散时间的注意
这次会抱得更紧
这样挽留不知
还来不来得及
想回到过去
Memories from the past...
- Yami Yogurt, Subway subs, ban mian (and cheese fries... oh the horror) times after training at the basement of Suntec
- Getting hit by shampoo and soap bottles being tossed blindly between cubicles at the National Stadium showers
- Sprinting 200 yards from the stadium to the bus stop to catch Bus no. 16 to Suntec, because if we missed it we'd have to wait forever
- RJC 13
- Doing weights at the National Stadium Clubfitt before water training and regretting it immensely afterwards
- Cold Milo at the coffeeshop near old SDBA
- Canal routes with Weiqi (remember the time we smoked it because we were running at top speed and neither of us dared to admit to the other that we were about to perish)
- Lat pulldowns in the RJC weights room with GS's ponytail in my mouth (uggghhhh)
- Jiaolian making us swim across Kallang Basin - which saw most of us floundering helplessly from one end to the other
- Banana bread and Glucolin before races
- Practicing race starts in the pouring rain
- Visualizing races to the sound of Justin's voice, using sticks as paddles and benches as kayaks, in the RJC sports hall
- Being tekan-ed by the seniors during canoeing camp who made us hold the pushup position for what seemed like an eternity
- Alcoholic (and not so boozy) smoothies at the place in Millenia Walk which I can't remember the name of
- Rummaging through the pile of life jackets in search of the one marked RJC 10 and for Leqi's tattered Bananaman life jacket
- Shaun Ho making us run endless rounds around the school track
- Our team runs - drinking Milo right before the canal route gave me the worst stitch of my life; 20 rounds around the track and Vania having to make frequent pitstops at the sports block toilet to poop
- Stoning at the canoeing table before assembly
- My locker as a common gathering place and dumping ground for valuables
- Tubes and tubes of sunblock, an abundance of caps and visors, and not-so-glamorous canoeing jersey tans
- Spying on other schools' K2 pairs and trying to guess the lineups for competitions
- Raffles Canoiest (this speaks for itself)
- Photos being stolen from our canoeing board (none of Vania's were stolen, she was understandably dismayed)
- Machine Rowing championships and beating the track&field people
- Team dinners and desserts being consumed in twenty seconds flat by twelve ravenous canoeists
- Jiaolian (as well as us all) extremely amused at Lydia's hairdos
- Being unlucky at dragonboat races
- Lots of sharksfin soup for supper at Zhen's house courtesy of Carol Chan and her aunt's restaurant
- Walking for an eternity before deciding on a place to have drinks and chill after Nats
- Staying over at the suite in Pan Pacific and being relegated to the floor for the night because someone fell asleep, occupying the entire bed
- Shine's perpetual niceness (until she called someone 'stupid' once, hahahahaha)
- Two-star course at Changi/Pasir Ris and engaging in an potentially injurious game of no-holds-barred Canoe Polo (ha ha)
- Long walks and talks with my K2 partner and treasured friend (you know how much you will always mean to me) - remember how we got scolded by Huilin once for disappearing? Lol.
- Unashamedly capitalizing on the free bread provided by Cafe Cartel
- Philip's polaroid photo of us pre-Nats (we were young then)
- Soccer with the canoeing guys on the RJC field
- GS' skirt with the multiple zips (wink wink)
- Lydia capsizing when Kay Wee canoed past and how she had a chronic crush on just about every J2 guy
- GS's idea of a nude calendar with strategically-placed paddles and lifejackets covering the important bits (if I recall correctly, she volunteered to be cover girl)
- Replacing the sliced bananas on Carol Chan's waffles at Cafe Cartel with the ones we had left over from dragonboat competition!
This list will grow as I recall more fond memories!
试著抱你在怀里
羞怯的脸带有一点稚气
想看你的看的世界
想在你梦的画面
只要靠在一起就能感觉甜蜜
想回到过去
试著让故事继续
至少不再让你离我而去
分散时间的注意
这次会抱得更紧
这样挽留不知
还来不来得及
想回到过去
Memories from the past...
- Yami Yogurt, Subway subs, ban mian (and cheese fries... oh the horror) times after training at the basement of Suntec
- Getting hit by shampoo and soap bottles being tossed blindly between cubicles at the National Stadium showers
- Sprinting 200 yards from the stadium to the bus stop to catch Bus no. 16 to Suntec, because if we missed it we'd have to wait forever
- RJC 13
- Doing weights at the National Stadium Clubfitt before water training and regretting it immensely afterwards
- Cold Milo at the coffeeshop near old SDBA
- Canal routes with Weiqi (remember the time we smoked it because we were running at top speed and neither of us dared to admit to the other that we were about to perish)
- Lat pulldowns in the RJC weights room with GS's ponytail in my mouth (uggghhhh)
- Jiaolian making us swim across Kallang Basin - which saw most of us floundering helplessly from one end to the other
- Banana bread and Glucolin before races
- Practicing race starts in the pouring rain
- Visualizing races to the sound of Justin's voice, using sticks as paddles and benches as kayaks, in the RJC sports hall
- Being tekan-ed by the seniors during canoeing camp who made us hold the pushup position for what seemed like an eternity
- Alcoholic (and not so boozy) smoothies at the place in Millenia Walk which I can't remember the name of
- Rummaging through the pile of life jackets in search of the one marked RJC 10 and for Leqi's tattered Bananaman life jacket
- Shaun Ho making us run endless rounds around the school track
- Our team runs - drinking Milo right before the canal route gave me the worst stitch of my life; 20 rounds around the track and Vania having to make frequent pitstops at the sports block toilet to poop
- Stoning at the canoeing table before assembly
- My locker as a common gathering place and dumping ground for valuables
- Tubes and tubes of sunblock, an abundance of caps and visors, and not-so-glamorous canoeing jersey tans
- Spying on other schools' K2 pairs and trying to guess the lineups for competitions
- Raffles Canoiest (this speaks for itself)
- Photos being stolen from our canoeing board (none of Vania's were stolen, she was understandably dismayed)
- Machine Rowing championships and beating the track&field people
- Team dinners and desserts being consumed in twenty seconds flat by twelve ravenous canoeists
- Jiaolian (as well as us all) extremely amused at Lydia's hairdos
- Being unlucky at dragonboat races
- Lots of sharksfin soup for supper at Zhen's house courtesy of Carol Chan and her aunt's restaurant
- Walking for an eternity before deciding on a place to have drinks and chill after Nats
- Staying over at the suite in Pan Pacific and being relegated to the floor for the night because someone fell asleep, occupying the entire bed
- Shine's perpetual niceness (until she called someone 'stupid' once, hahahahaha)
- Two-star course at Changi/Pasir Ris and engaging in an potentially injurious game of no-holds-barred Canoe Polo (ha ha)
- Long walks and talks with my K2 partner and treasured friend (you know how much you will always mean to me) - remember how we got scolded by Huilin once for disappearing? Lol.
- Unashamedly capitalizing on the free bread provided by Cafe Cartel
- Philip's polaroid photo of us pre-Nats (we were young then)
- Soccer with the canoeing guys on the RJC field
- GS' skirt with the multiple zips (wink wink)
- Lydia capsizing when Kay Wee canoed past and how she had a chronic crush on just about every J2 guy
- GS's idea of a nude calendar with strategically-placed paddles and lifejackets covering the important bits (if I recall correctly, she volunteered to be cover girl)
- Replacing the sliced bananas on Carol Chan's waffles at Cafe Cartel with the ones we had left over from dragonboat competition!
This list will grow as I recall more fond memories!
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