Asian Dad

call me Lester Burnham

Asian Dad — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:29:29 +0000

For the last couple weeks, I’ve been taking the boys to an indoor pool for swim lessons every saturday. It’s run by a local swim team and the instructors happen to be volunteers for the team. Initially, I dreaded being the designated chauffeur for the kids but then I realized that their swim instructors were fit, young girls in swimsuits. Yes, call me a dirty ol’ man but sometimes I still feel like a horny teenager. Is it so wrong to be watching my kids learn how to swim and not turn away when their instructors’ toned bodies get in the way? my favorite part is when she comes out of the pool to show the kids some techniques. Come on, is it not akin to watching “Dancing with The Stars” for the eye candy? Just call me Lester Burnham, the sad middle aged dad in the film American Beauty.
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an awkward moment at lunch today

Asian Dad — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:29:08 +0000

yikes. I just spotted my ex-girlfriend from high school while eating lunch with my coworkers today. we were trying out a fairly new eatery nearby when I happened to notice someone that looked vaguely familiar. It took a moment or two but it finally clicked. It was indeed the girl I dated for two years while in high school (and overlapped into the first year of college). Of course it ended badly way back when so I didn’t want to risk embarrassing myself in front of my colleagues by trying to say “hi” to her. Boy, did she look old(er) now. but I suppose she’d probably say the same about me. I tried not to stare and I’m not even sure if she noticed me there or not. It sure did feel awkward knowing she was in the same room. I couldn’t even enjoy eating my chicken panini…

Waiting is the hardest part

Asian Dad — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:11:01 +0000

Man, I really thought that the experience of blogging all these years would help make it a little easier writing up twenty-odd pages about how I’m qualified for one of the remaining positions left at work. I was wrong. It was still pretty difficult to write out my job experiences and expertise without sounding like it’s a bunch of BS. Well, I’m still not too sure if I’m coming across as a big headed nincompoop or not. But I’m just glad I’m through with the forms. and now it’s just a matter of waiting for the decisions to come down from on high. As Tom Petty sang oh so long ago, the waiting is the hardest part.

work update…

Asian Dad — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:26:13 +0000

Well, things are getting a bit solemn around here at work. We just had a meeting where we were presented the proposed structure of the new group and the positions/grade levels for each spot. As expected, it’s a bit awkward knowing that I’m competing with my colleagues for the available slots. I guess I should be glad there’s a position that I’m eligible for. Some folks down the hall were told their roles have been completely eliminated and that they’re not in the “candidate pool” for the remaining positions. To add insult to injury, these folks are required to stay here until they get the official notice in December. That truly sucks. But back to the proposed structure for my group - there’s a role that seems tailor made for me so it seems that I’m a shoe-in. But I won’t boast about it or even think it until I see it in black and white. I suppose anything can happen from now until the final decisions in December.

But it’s clearly evident now that some other groups in our building have already been through this process because when I come in to work in the mornings now, the main parking lot, which normally is pretty full when I get there, is now half empty. It’s now a daily reminder of what’s going on in this company at the moment. ugh.

just in time for the holidays…

Asian Dad — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 16:12:00 +0000

well, as expected we received some bad news at work. our work group will be cut back by 50%. The difficult part is that the whole process will take weeks. At the earliest, we all might find out if we have a job or not in December, right in time for the jolly holidays. ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas indeed! We essentially have to “apply” for the remaining positions so it’s going to be a bit awkward to be competing with colleagues that I’ve known and have become close to over the years.

I’ve got a bad feeling about this

Asian Dad — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 20:48:33 +0000

crap. There’s word that upper management will be coming down to our site this coming tuesday to speak to our division about some upcoming “changes”. No one in our group seems to know what those “changes” will be but we all get the feeling it’s going to be bad. We’re expecting layoffs but not sure the percentage of our group that’ll be affected. could be 40%. could be 100%!! nothing’s certain at this point. so, say a little prayer for me this tuesday. hopefully, I’ll make the cut.

money is the cure

Asian Dad — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 16:22:57 +0000

damn. I found myself taking out my frustrations on the kids again last night. I feel like shit for doing that. Our ever-looming financial burdens are just getting to me again. the wife is pressuring me to seek some sort of anger management course. I’m not sure what good that’ll do. I KNOW the solution to my anger and frustration. It’s money. If someone could get rid of my debts, take care of my bills and place a nice comfortable lump of green back in my bank account, I’d definitely be able to manage my anger!! ..but for now, just call me ANGRY asian dad.

the geniuses at the Today Show

Asian Dad — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:06:40 +0000

OK. So, let me get this straight. Not only do I have to deal with ignorant, racist people here at work and around town but I also have to watch self-absorbed morons make unfunny racist jokes on TV as well???? you got to be kidding me!?!??!

Kathy Lee Gifford imitates Al Roker imitating chinese people

See, the AAJA’s response letter concerning this incident.

and it doesn’t end there. Al Roker (along with Hoda Kotb) goes for the bottom of the barrel by attempting “Lee” and “asian straw hat” jokes. now, who the fuck thought this segment was going to be funny? Did it take a team of Today show writers to come up with this crock of shit?

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Samurai Girl

Asian Dad — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:22:09 +0000

It’s always surprising to see a former resident from the overpopulated “reality TV world” actually crossover and become legit. As you know, the streets over in “reality TV world” are lined with casualties of those that have long used up their 15 minutes of fame. But every now and again, someone squeezes through and this time it’s none other than the korean-american from Real World: San Diego, Jamie Chung. Apparently she has been working pretty steadily since her time on the MTV reality show, making appearances on shows like Veronica Mars, Greek and even CSI: NY. But now she’s hit the big time starring in the ABC Family miniseries Samurai Girl. The six-episode miniseries which begins September 5th is based on the popular series of books by Carrie Asai. Personally, I’m not so keen on seeing another asian stereotype (i.e. samurais, ninjas, martial arts) being perpetuated by a TV show but since asians are severely under-represented in the media, I suppose we just have to take what we can get.

Samurai Girl promo

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I’m flawed

Asian Dad — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:07:52 +0000

You know, I try to envision myself as some smart, handsome, giving, thoughtful guy that’s got great taste in food and music and as an added bonus, a loving husband and father… but sadly, I don’t even come anywhere close in reality. yup, I’m one flawed, damaged individual.

Let’s take a moment to delve a little deeper into my flaws.

why, you ask?

maybe to better understand myself? exploring the depths of the darkness within might let in some light. revealing one’s shortcomings to others is therapy, is it not?

aww, who am I kidding?

Let me just blog some more of this nonsense and be done with it…

-I procrastinate with the best of ‘em. work. home. bills. family. friends. they all suffer from my extraordinary talent.

-envy. when I see neighbors, friends, acquaintances, even strangers much more well-off than I am, I get pissed. there’s so much I want and want to do but unfortunately we’re so strapped financially which is totally stressing me out. a big phooey! on all those that are financially sound. … phooey! on all those that seem to live happier lives than me. … and phooey! on those that are better looking than me!!

-two-faced people piss me off. extremely. like I get off-the-handle-crazy if I find out about someone being that way to me or my family. …but the sad fact is that I’m probably guilty of being two-faced to others…

-I lie more than I would like to. to my family. friends. and especially to my spouse. it comes too easy. sometimes uncontrollably. and I don’t know why! makes me sad at times.

-I also cuss more than I should. especially while driving. motherfuckers!

-I’ve never cheated on the wife but I have come dangerously close. the wife knows about what happened and will *never* forgive me for it. she will *never* forget about it and not a week goes by without her reminding me about it.

-and even though I love the internets and all, I have to admit that it also allows me to indulge the darker, seedier side of me. sometimes I feel like I’ve got multi-personality disorder. good vs. the-not-so-good. I can see myself starting on that long, lonely, desperate road to the looney bin.

-I have grown to extremely dislike my parents. due to the strife they cause within my marriage.

-I have lost my faith. After attending church for most of my life, I’m no longer part of any organized religion. partly due to my lack of effort in reading the bible and praying. and partly due to the two-faced Christians that have all let me down at one point or another. I’m hoping to find my way back somehow but for the moment, I’ll stay lost.

-I find myself lusting after my boss from time to time. (it’s not a guy if that’s what you’re thinking.) Especially when she wears her short skirts. Nothing will become of it, I’m sure. but I do have my fantasies…

-I get depressed and defeated too easily. it doesn’t take much to get me there.

-I have no patience. that’s definitely why I’m not a teacher. but those that have to learn from me at work or even my kids at home have to suffer for my lack of patience. I get frustrated so easily.

-I feel like I’m running on some sort of hamster wheel. running endlessly and going nowhere fast. spinning my wheels for no good reason. just more fuel to add to my bouts of depression.

-I worry that I can’t have a real conversation with my wife anymore. a decent conversation not having to do with the kids or the house or errands or what’s for dinner or what’s on TV.

-I keep secrets from the wife. stuff that I’d hate for her to know about. … like this blog, for example.

-I’m not a good friend. apparently. since I lost touch with the majority of my so called friends over the last ten years.

-trust issues. can’t seem to be able to put my trust on anyone or anything for that matter. no one’s reliable these days.

-I’ve inherited my dad’s temper. most of the time I have it under wraps but every so often I go into an uncontrollable rage at very inappropriate times. for instance, years ago I went totally berserk on a Mickey D’s drive-thru employee not b/c of something they did but b/c I was mad at the wife. scary stuff.

-I fantasize about not being married and not having kids but then feel totally guilty about having those thoughts.

-I have a tendency to admit things to total strangers on a blog that I would NEVER reveal to someone in person.

OK. that’s about it. So, how do you like me now?