Letopho

Birthday Wishes from Dad

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Wed, 30 May 2012 14:48:00 +0000

My dad posted the above on my wall. I think he's giving me sign that it's okay... that I'm gay.

Yay. I'm officially 27.

February Recap

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 14 May 2012 00:13:00 +0000

Valentine's Day

Jimmy and I have made it a tradition to eat hot pot for Valentine's day. For any American holiday (Father's Day, Mother's Day) it only makes sense to go somewhere no white American would be. That means avoiding all popular American restaurants (Cheesecake Factory, Umami Burger) where something special means something stressful. Instead we hit up Asia town. Two second wait and we began our epic personal hot pot meal at Boiling Point. The pots sizzled and we were reintroduced to wonderful Taiwanese flavors. My love for you is represented in the steam rising from these mini fire hazards. One House Special and one Curry Fishball - delicious, flavorful, perfect date.

Gingerbread House Making

I love these activities. I've hosting Easter egg decorating, pumpkin carving, dumpling making... let's do something other than watch tv and go to the same fucking bars. Though it gets exhausting when I feel like we're the only one's looking for interesting things to do.

Though late, we finally made gingerbread houses from our WalMart kit. A colorful diaster, but rewarding. Sean admitted, "i called you guys because I knew you'd have something interesting to do." Yes.. yes. we do. Wholesome times experiencing a childhood that we're quickly growing away from.

Chinatown Adventure

Okay okay. I make my friends sound like users, but they do come up with some interesting things. David posted a gallery opening he wanted to check out on his facebook in Chinatown which became an epic Saturday evening chilling and making small talk at Mountain Bar, dancing in the street and saying hi to Macy Gray (who i spotted.) Large turn out, great weather and something definitely amazing.

February 2012 is now closed!!!!

Joshua Tree in February

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:44:00 +0000

Though we already went to Joshua tree in October, we took a day trip and hit up trails that we missed the first time.

This is my attempt at desert chic

I'm glad I dressed warmly. There was some snow on the trails.

We were determined to climb Warren Peak which was a 6 mile hike above a 5103 feet summit! We got lost, but found our way just in time for sunset. We rushed to get back because we didn't want to find our way in the dark. We were the only ones on the trail.

This does not do the view justice, but the mountain and valley was ours.

We found the other group who was sleeping over. We scurried away and wished them luck on their below freezing slumber. Some folks turned to sleeping in their car. Baiiiiiiii fellas!

Career Crossroads

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sat, 12 May 2012 21:43:00 +0000

The Wisdom Path - Hong Kong

If I knew what I wanted to do, it would be a different story.

I've been given all these quotes as of late from various people trying to help me find my way.

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
"A young person's downfall is early success"
"You're so young... what ever decision you make now won't be a bad one."
"The only person looking out for you... is yourself."
"People make quick decisions when they are just tired and frustrated."
"You can get any job you want right now... people want to hire you."

I'm the lead on my account. I'm the planner, supervisor, director and I never looked for guidance at my work because I just figured it out myself, but as I'm hitting my third year at the same company on the same account, I'm encountering fatigue.

I was convinced that I was done with media planning. The perks and adventures no longer offset the work hours and stress. The people that used to inspire me have all left and I feel trapped at my work place as more and more people jump ship for better opportunities. My assistant's last day with this Thursday... her vacancy has already put strain on me as I try to juggle multiple levels of project management and campaign optimizations. I'm putting together presentations while confirming billing. I train assistants while addressing client deliverables. My assistant left because my company no longer offered anything worthwhile for her. I should have done the same a year ago.

I've been headhunted so often by recruiters for higher paying jobs. But I always say no because it's all the same, just farther from my house.

My honesty was appreciated: I told my work that I was done... and they told me that they liked me so they will find something better suited... but I need to be patient. I'm pulled in two directions feeling as if I was respected and feeling used. My patience would secure the company survival since I am "the rock," the "cornerstone," the "glue" on the account that I had build on my own... helping the company garner millions of dollars with my work.

"You're impressive Chris.. you achieved so much."
"Great job up there, you're fabulous"
"I don't get it.. you were amazing in front of the client... you are heading so quickly towards success.. i don't understand why you don't want to continue... if it's support, i can help you... but if your heart isn't there.. that's a different story."

My heart... I think that's the problem. And all these compliments from VPs, directors, assistants and planners spin my mind in more circles.

"We really appreciate you."

But what does that mean? Do I ask for more money? For 2 years I've been doing the work above me, but I never asked for a promotion because I never wanted that responsibility... but they never adequately hired anyone above me so naturally I inherited the pressure without it reflected on my paycheck.

I feel respected, but I feel like I'm being taken advantage of. 4 more people are joining my team. I was doing the work for 4 people and now they decide to staff up and hire people below and above me. I have to train the new director... how to be a director.. i have to train my new supervisor.. how to be a supervisor... because I'm the only one that knows.

I'm overworked. Tired of working above my level without the appropriate compensation, the training or the confidence that should have come with it. But I don't know where to go. I just want to quit like many of my friends and just enjoy life, but Jimmy reminds me that I'm the type of person that would go crazy after the 2nd week fo doing nothing. And I've already been out of work for a year so it doesn't make sense to do it again.

I'm tired of low work morale and mountain of responsibilities that have been placed on me. I know what I'm good at... and I know what makes me happy so I'll just have to accept that I wouldn't be getting that 50% raise for doing something that I'm no longer interested in doing. But it's sad for me to realize that my potential to be successful on this path won't make me happy. At least I'm "young."

I don't feel young. Is it appropriate to start over in your late 20s? Maybe that's the quote I really need to be fed:

"you're ONLY turning 27 - start over and do something that makes you happy.... NOW"

I blame 30 for being such a scary number.

Once Upon a Time...

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Wed, 02 May 2012 06:05:00 +0000

Charles gave us literally 5 days after coming back from Asia to plan his conveniently themed Disney birthday. Challenge accepted.

First, decorations:

Enchanted forest and Tron Stairway Entrance

Hunky Heros Corner and Alice in Wonderland Tea Party

Mulan Mirror and Cinderella Mirror with suicide writing

Agrabah

Ariel's Grotto

There was also Nightmare Before Christmas Balcony, Princess Save Me Staircase and Peter Pan's London-view Window. If we had more time, we would have hung Rapunzel's hair out the window. There was little Pixar aside from a Wall-E on our trash can and Finding Nemo in our toliet.

Second, drinks:

Under the Sea: Hypnotic, Vodka, Champagne, Lime Juice
Poison Apple: Apple Vodka, Vinilla Vodka, Apple Liquor, Half and Half
The Great Wall: Beer, Lemonade, Plum Wine, Rose Water, Passion Fruit Juice

Third, Costumes:

Modern Mickey, hobo Ariel (folks kept calling me Poison Ivy), Chim chimney, and Pinocchio (who falls without his strings)

Maybe it was a bad idea to get most of my costume from the dollar store. The red "wig" made me look like my weave was broke and ghetto ... like I just got out of a drag queen fight and LOSt and the princess dress made for 8 year olds pressed really tight on my tummy making me look like a potato... at least my shell bra was even.

Ride the magic carpet!! Everyone! Put down your cigarette Cruella de Vil

Fourth, Cake for Princess Charles

And of course a photobooth! More creativity people! I know we're reaching our late 20's/early 30s/mid 40s, but don't be scared to wear some body paint.

OOo and a Disney Puzzle challenge

Happy Birthday Charles. I'm glad you had a Magical Time.

...stay young and silly

Old Zoo and Carousel

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:10:00 +0000

Jimmy and I explored the Old Zoo of Griffith Park back in February. Here we found abandoned cages and hiking trails.

Inside of the cages was some colorful graffiti and interesting lighting.

We walked to the old carousel and rode the antique mechanism.

There was a bench that was labeled as The bench that Walt sat on when he visited the park.

We decided to top our adventure with some classic nachos and chili.

It was the perfect date.

Sacrilicious

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:08:00 +0000

On the theme of offensive, I forgot about a birthday party I went to in February. I'll let you guess the theme. I'll give you a hint: that's blood and body in the form of Chicken in a Bisket and shooters.

Sarang Gay

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:58:00 +0000

In in effort to continue our exploration of racially offensive themed parties, we hosted a Gay Korean themed party back in February to welcome our two new Korean roommates Andrew and Charles.

Sarang Gay is a play on "Saranghae" which is Korean for "I love you"... and with all the soju pouring in from our friends (you cheap fucks) ...we really felt the love that night. It's like 2 bucks for each bottle. Mix it calpico and you got a group of drunks in 10 minutes.

Thanks Andrew for wearing a traditional hanbok which I must say isn't very flattering to the woman figure.

This is how I decorate - random Korean characters and Tae Yang. Done.

Set up the Karaoke

Arrange Korean snacks like banchan..

Do Korean bombs with beer and coke

And set up a photobooth:

Lots of props and if you noticed.. a sexy kpop wig

I hope everyone had a good time.. ended the night at a late night Korean restaurant. I wonder if the servers thought that wig was my real hair.

Learn korean in 15 minutes!

9 Ways Twentysomethings Screw Up Their Lives

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:52:00 +0000

After reading this article about how 20 somethings screw up their lives... I'm stressing a little more as my 27th birthday is coming up.

Twentysomethings are in almost constant communication with the same few people, but those who huddle together with like-minded peers limit themselves. New information and opportunities--and dates--come from e-mailing your aunt's neighbor or having coffee with that friend of a friend from college. The urban tribe is overrated. Twentysomethings who won't ask outsiders for advice and favors and invitations fall behind those who will.

I think this happens more when you're comfortable with your life situation. You don't force yourself to talk and connect with new people because you're happy with the community that you built over the years. On facebook, I made a friend list called, "LA Reconnect." Which is composed of interesting people who were once really close to me, but lost touch because of life in general. I really need to take advantage of casual meals and drinks to get fresh perspectives. Though these folks are still "like-minded peers," they still offer something valuable.

"What would I do with my life if I won the lottery?" is about what you would do with your life if money and talent didn't matter. They do. The question twentysomethings really need to ask themselves is "What would I do with my life if I didn't win the lottery?" What do you do well enough to support the life you want and what do you enjoy enough that you won't mind working at it, in some form or another, for decades to come?

Jimmy said he never daydreamed about acquiring a large sum of money he didn't earn. It was just something he didn't think about. I guess with the probability being against us with every lotto ticket we buy, it's a waste of time to even pretend. But it doesn't hurt to just think about it once in a while right? It makes me think about my career and a lost opportunity to make 50% more than what I'm currently making... is it really about the money? It is! You work to make money to do things that make you happy unless you're lucky enough to work on something that makes you happy - in this case you're never really working at all. Lucky bastards.

Just some Sunday thoughts. Other points this article had I didn't have an issue with.
I can't believe this exists: http://www.ehow.com/way_5266881_th-birthday-party-ideas.html

Work Out

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:12:00 +0000

letopho: how did you lose your toe nail?

Gay Guy with Abs: got in a fight

Gay Guy with Abs: haha

letopho: damn girl

letopho: i hope it involved racism, homophobia or some other sort of injustice

Gay Guy with Abs: someone constantly telling me i'm fat

letopho: injustice. yes

Even though I don't know the whole story...

Don't forget that you also need to work out what's in your head while you work out your body.

A Kiss in Paradise

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:46:00 +0000

I thought that I had enough will power to overcome the JetLag back into the states, but my 3AM-7AM insomnia and 3PM power night at work proved me wrong.

Before the Tsunami warning, the above happened. Will document our escape into the jungles in a little bit.

Epic Asia Trip

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 06:06:00 +0000

In September 2011, Jimmy and I decided that we would hit up Indonesia the following year and stay with his family.

Since I was drunk, I tweeted something like, "Indonesia, it has to happen in 2012."

Little did I know, the trip has become a reality and we are set to leave tomorrow evening at 1AM, but instead of Indonesia it became a tour of Hong Kong, Singapore, Phuket and Bangkok.

Two main goals: eat and shop for cheap.

Inspired by Mony, I created a google docs that organized everything. I printed out all hostel confirmations and flight numbers and stapled it into a folder in chronological order.

Jimmy went on a shopping spree on Amazon investing in a heavy duty water proof backpack to protect his gear, space saving bags to help with the clothes we plan on purchasing and an extra camera battery in case the first one dies. We have 32 GIGs of memory and a tripod. Prepare for amazing photos.

We are packing light light light. Only the essentials which includes some anti-diarrhea and a skimpy bathing suit to even out our white thighs.

A peak at our schedule:

Los Angeles
Unfortunately I'm leaving work at a "bad time." But when is a "good time?" I'm worried about coming back and everything being on fire. After a full day tomorrow, Jimmy's mom will pick me up from 321 and we depart LAX at 1:40AM for an amazing red eye flight. Blessed with my, "I can sleep anywhere" talent I am excited for a cramped airplane with crying babies, suspicious smells and little to no leg room. The best 12 hours of my life.

Hong Kong
When I first moved to LA, I made friends with Jason, but he quickly went to Hong Kong for work and never came back. Lucky for us! He's going to meet us at the airport and is excited to show us a good time.

Eat Pork and Goose
Temple Street for "men's fashion"
Big Buddha
Ferry/Sky Tram (Skip the veggie lunch)
Victoria Peak
Chungking Mansions from Jimmy's favorite movie

Our Hong Kong Inn Hostel is right off the Causeway Bay stop so we should have no problem getting around and just for kicks we'll check out the gay club Propaganda. Why not?

Singapore

Apparently Singapore has the best airport in the world. Upon arrival I want to go on their large slide. Maybe check out a free movie in the airport theatre. Items on the list:

Helix Bridge/Sky Park
Bukit Tima Reserve
Arab Street
Hawker Center

Ever since watching Anthony Bourdain's No reservations, Jimmy and I have been salivating over the amazing food this man consumes on both the Travel and Food Channel. We learned about Hawkers which are outdoor food courts with only the best cuisines. Going to eat everything.

Phuket

The idea of being on a beach with a cocktail sounds so amazing to me right now. Phuket is where you go to get scammed but by avoiding the grudge of Patong we found plans to revolve around Koh Phi Phi. Jimmy found this amazing program aptly called Maya Bay Camping that has amazing reviews online. After an afternoon of snorkeling, the hosts cook you a meal and hand you a mat and blanket where you can fall asleep on the shore next to a camp fire; this is truly a "one with nature" experience. And also where Jimmy's water proof backpack will come very handy. Jimmy insisted that we be surrounded by islands so there was no way we were going to stay at just "another" beach.

After camping on the beach we are spending a day at a beach side resort doing resort-y things as a treat to ourselves since we are in hostels in HKG, SIN and the first night in HKT (Phuket). It's the romantic part of the trip. I think the goal here is to buy cute swim wear and flip flops and to reenact a scene from the movie The Beach or Castaway.

Bangkok

The biggest reason we are going in April is because of Songkran or Thai new years which is a city..actually country... wide giant water fight. Bloggers say that it's impossible to stay dry during this weekend. Luckily I'm borrowing Alysia's waterproof camera (even though it's also good photo quality proof as well.)

We're meeting up with blogger Thwany for two days and a night. I offered to bring him stuff from California since he hasn't been back in a long time. His request: Bayer Aspirin and a large bottle of Sriracha since it's manufactured in Southern California. You didn't know that, did you? Read the bottle next time you have pho, it says, "Made in Rosemead." The bottles were just made to LOOK imported. A gift to you fellow blogger.

The rest of our stay in Bangkok is blurry, but Thwany recommended we keep it open ended because the city was built for backpackers. But a couple of things we had jotted down include:

Grand Palace
Open Flea Market (Chatuchak)
Khao San Road
G Circuit - the largest circuit party in... i have no idea.. and why not.
Night markets
Taylor a Suit?

Once again lots of eating and buying cheap goods to fill our space saving bags

Beijing

Surprise. Surprise. Our connecting flight back to LAX was canceled so our 6 hour layover in Beijing turned into 13 hours. And according to this, we can sneak out of the airport on a Stopover permit to explore the Forbidden City. If we don't come back, you'll know why.

We will arrive at 6:30AM and plan to dash on the subway to explore the Forbidden City, the Hutongs and any other temples we can squeeze before our 9PM departure. Oh and a quick delicious meal of course.

I'm the most nervous about Beijing because of the huge language barrier and the potential of being stranded. But I feel like taking this risk since we won't be returning for a while.

And there you have it.

In between I will be meeting up with Mony and some SF gays to chill and hang. We've decided that we are only eating local, and checking out what the McDonalds menus... McFriedRice? McDimSum? McPadThai!? I can only imagine the bastardized delicacies of America + Asia.

Please leave some tips and suggestions for any of these places. I would love to hear it!

See you in a couple of weeks!!!!!!

Shotgun!

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 09:35:00 +0000

Guns are terrifying, but if we ever found ourselves in a Walking Dead - like zombie apocalypse, I will be ready to protect my man.

My heart was beating so fast and I was having a lot of chest pain because of how nervous I was. There was nothing stopping the guy next to me from aiming his gun at me. The tutorial was short and we were handed buckets with the guns we rented for the evening. We were told to go to "lanes" 5, 6, and 7.... lanes... like bowling lanes. But without the neon lights and bowling balls

After I got over my nerves, I was able to take aim at the business man target that I selected. When I shot the first bullet, I stood in shock for a couple of seconds at the power that was sitting in my hands. I was careful with where I placed my thumbs as the instructor told us that we could break our fingers if we were holding it improperly. I also loaded my bullets backwards and jammed the gun. Oops.

I remember the first time I held a gun. My friend was dating a marine and he just had a gun in the living room that he would play with. I remember how uneasy I felt especially since we were planning on drinking that night.

The boys insisted that I try a shotgun. Boom.. it felt like a bazooka was resting in my arms. One shot was good enough and I handed it back to my coworker who was a loving the experience a little too much. That was a trip.

There were kids there - no age limit to shooting, just owning apparently. There were also chicks in heals and some high schoolers that were looking for something cool to do after school. The whole site was baffling.

There were no real safety precautions in place anywhere and I was just on edge praying for no accidents.

I'm happy I did it. Checked that off my life to-do list and made it out alive. But if I was asked to in some situation, I can say that I have shot a gun before and maybe I'm less useless for it.

Liquid Diet

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:26:00 +0000

TMI POST

I have to drink one gallon of laxatives to clear my system before my colonoscopy today. This liquid diet isn't for vanity ... it's for health.

Looks like Jimmy and I are becoming old men really fast. The waiting room was full of old people. Apparently pooping problems is an old person issue.

Have you ever heard a girl go pee? They make... SHHHHHH sounds. My guess is instead of a smooth stream it's like someone set the hose nozzle to mist. Anyway, I was experiencing that after my first 2 pints of liquid hell. I was also starving. I don't know why I was reading food blogs when I wasn't allowed to eat anything by chicken broth for 24+ hours. Complete self inflicted torture. Things that I normally find revolting like pastries in the morning or Cheesecake Factory was making my mouth water.

=

For years upon years, I've had hemorrhoid issues. They come and go and I go on with my life. My lack of fiber could be to blame, but it's come to a point where I really really hurts to shat. Like, dude, something is wrong. Maybe it was how I was sitting instead of squatting.

I've put it off, but thankfully my coworker has his checked without any shame sending a mass email to everyone.

"I'll be out of office today for a Colonoscopy. Let me know of any projects beforehand." This email elicited some hilarious feedback such as:

"Can't you just take this during your lunch?"

With that, I sat down with him, asked him about his experience and went to his recommended doctor. Lucky for me I was able to get in appointments by stating the emergency: Rectal Bleeding. Apparently you can get to see the doctor the next day if you're having a period through your butt. And the next weekend, I'm scheduled to have a camera go up my butt.

"What if I have booty hole cancer?" I asked Jimmy.
He responded, "you don't have cancer. One of the main symptoms is weight loss... you DEFINITELY don't have that." #rude. His response made me feel fat... but better about the situation. Especially since WebMD was telling me that I had 6 months to live.

It all has been a joke at 321 - Jimmy taking pictures of me drinking laxatives. Telling me, "don't worry baby, I'll turn the music on really loud so we don't hear you." Yeah. Hilarious.

Everyone having a good time

==

Another coworker pulled me to the side and asked me, "could you tell me why you're going to the doctor... if you don't mind? I'm curious." In a whisper tone in her cube, I told her what was up and she was thankful because she was experiencing the same things. Her biggest question, "so what made you decide to go to the doctor? At what point did you say that this needed to be checked."

And to be honest, it was because of the first coworker who spoke so candidly about it made me feel like this needed to get done so that I know that everything is okay with my body. That I wasn't the only one with a hemmy problem that needed to be checked out.

==

I guess that's the problem with feeling "alone" so to speak. It prevents you from taking the necessary steps to resolving it with your body, your mind, your spirit.. whatever. But the fact is.. there are billions of people in the world and you're not the only one a "problem." This can be applied to anything I guess.

In a couple of hours, I will have this checked off my to-do list and I can concentrate on other life things with out struggling with this one hurdle which is costing me $450 btw. Thank you insurance (ugh). That's how much my flight to Asia was (with years of rewards points.)

I'll tell you how it goes. ... and after this, I have to figure out how to file my own taxes. #firstworldproblems

Sleep In.

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 18:25:00 +0000

I spent the morning blogging in bed next to Jimmy. Thinking if he'll get weirded out about my grindr post.

It's 11AM and I've been up since 8AM, dying to be productive, but unable to wake him up because he needs the sleep.

During the weekdays he wakes up at 4AM. While he gets ready I murmur, "have a nice day." When he overslept the other day, I called his work to make sure he made it in okay. He thoroughly appreciated it.

"Thanks for checking up on me baby," he responded. I worry about his rush in the morning on the freeway; if some asshole hits him while Jimmy tries to make it to work on time. "I hate bad drivers, they are inconsiderate because they are putting my life in danger," he declares. I cringe because I'm a bad driver.

Despite waking at 4AM, Jimmy tries to keep up with us 9 to 5ers. Or rather 8:30 to 7 for me. So he stays out with us until midnight getting only 3 hours of sleep a night and shooting 4 shots of espresso just so that he can make it through the day. He's been complaining about heart burn and his heart beating irregularly.

The other weekend on the freeway Jimmy blurts, "can we find urgent care? I can't breathe." I toss my iPhone to the backseat and ask a non-smart phone user to find something close by because I was driving. "My heart is beating so fast... I can't breathe." Jimmy started to panic. I ask my friends to call 911, but knew that mobile - 911 is delayed because they have to track where you are.

"OMG." I remember uttering those words in a shaky voice. I exit the freeway and park at a fast food joint. "Can I recline my seat?" Jimmy's hand is cold and he is moving around uncomfortably. I ask if his left arm was numb and he declares that he was having a heart attack.

I storm in the restaurant while the back seat passengers where silenced by the emergency. I slam my hand on the counter and slap it 10 times as if it were a buzzer. "MY FRIEND IS HAVING A HEART ATTACK. CALL 911." The cashier picks up the phone, the patron is shocked, but then is served by someone else. My friend walks in and I point to him go back to the car and check on Jimmy.

I come back after the call had been made. Jimmy is shivering. I grab my ski jacket in the trunk to cover him. His face is distressed. I hold his hand. "I cant afford this baby," he states.

"Don't worry about it Jimmy. Please. I have money, I can take care of you." I tear up a little. I look up what to do on my iPhone - "call 911." Okay... done. I direct my other friends who were in another car to where we were using Yelp. My friends in the backseat were basically useless. It felt like the gears in my head were turning quickly while my friends' had mental constipation. But not everyone had lifeguard training.

(CPR to the Rhythm of the Bee Gees, "HA HA HA HA STAY ING A LIVE STAY ING A LIVE HA HA HA HA STAY ING A LIVE." Or alternatively, Another one bites the Dust. But that's my least favorite.)

A fire truck and ambulance comes in 10 minutes. Sirens can be heard from where we were. Firemen come to Jimmy - "how old are you."

Jimmy states, "25." They smile, walk to ambulance, mutter something and drive off. Jimmy is walked into the ambulance so that they can check his vitals.

==

Jimmy had an anxiety attack. Since he wasn't admitted into the hospital there was no charge. His fear that he was having a heart attack caused his body to think that it was. Though he is taking medication to regulate his heart rate.

In the evening Jimmy told me that he was stressed. Stressed about a lot of things. About expectations and about keeping up with our friends which compromised his sleep patterned. He was stressed about me being upset because I get angry that he sleeps in so much, that he naps all the time because I think it's a waste of time, but Jimmy needs to sleep in. His body needs to recover.

So it's 11:23AM and I'm still in bed next to him kissing him on the cheek and telling him that I think he's so handsome (which I've been doing since 8AM). After posting this, I'm going to cook him eggs and sausage and just set it by the nightstand so that he can eat when his body is ready instead of forcing him to wake up with me like I usually do.

I worry about him being okay... and just want him to enjoy his mornings his way.

Grindr Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 17:38:00 +0000

My grindr profile reads:

Looking to explore hidden LA.
For easy going friends. Echo Park resident.

And I mean it!

Gay Coworker: Does your bf know you're on grindr?
Me: Yes, he's on it too
Gay Coworker: Why?
Me: Dunno to see who's gay around me. Plus it's all for friends anyway
Gay Coworker: But it's really not

Gay Coworker has a point. (BTW, I'm discovering my company likes hiring gays.) Most people aren't on grindr JUST for friends, there's always some sort of sexual interest. Whether you act on it or not depends on how loyal you are to your boyfriend. I rationalized, "it's like interactive porn." But like porn - just look, don't touch and of course watch it together if you want.

But then read this profile above "Not here to hook-up." Then... why are you showing off your greek god abs? I should submit this to Douchebags of Grindr. I really don't get why there so much contradiction in the gay community. I guess we are just unable to admit the reality of our own true motives. And it's more appealing when the dude isn't such a blatant hoe. "Just looking for friends huh...? That's hot."

Even if you're really just looking for friends. It's usually attractive friends so you (the inclusive you) block the uglies. Why does it matter?

The contradiction!!!! *DEAD* Our "Community" #ashamed

The other day, someone on Grindr texts me: IM JUST LOOKING FOR FRIENDS TOO! Without looking at his pic, I give him my screenname and we chat a little bit at work where I find out the following:

He works in the same industry
He recently had a chat with my VP
He's going to the LGBT Film Festival which is featuring my roommate's short film
He walks his dog

And he logs off. Perfect. Another candidate to shirk my already small gaysian world. I think if I were in a straight relationship, this would not fly, but I think that we're gay, we're social, we're always trying to build a family because we've felt so outcasted growing up. And any medium that offers that is utilized - (or maybe that's just me being an extrovert). I've made friends through youtube, downelink, Grindr and met Jimmy by finding his Tumblr. So there, I made a potential friend, but forgot his name and was too busy stressing about life to really indulge in any conversation.

So can you chat platonically on Grindr? Yes.

...does that mean I will I meet up with this randO? Not unless he knows something about LA that I don't... and that's my motive (#user). And I'm bringing Jimmy because we've come to a point in our relationship where we replaced the pronoun I with WE. (or maybe that's a bad idea). Maybe I'll invite him to a 321 party and see him stir the pot. I love bringing new faces to my circle and watching my single friends jump on them like starving vultures.

Grindr is useful. I encourage all gay friends to just be on it... like the Mutant Registration Act.

===

Found an interesting gaysian, Justin Huang who writes for huffington post: http://www.iamyellowperil.com/

Channel Islands

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 16:37:00 +0000

Not sure why it took me so long to blog about this, but in August 2011 Jimmy and I took a mini vacation to check out the Channel Islands. It was meant to be a 6 month celebration, but it was difficult to pick the perfect weekend.

I don't remember if it was intentional, but we dressed alike for the day. The one hour boat ride was thrilling because of all the bouncing. We went through Island Packers. We ran around the boat like little kids and tried to reenact the iconic Titanic scene at the bow of the boat.

Upon arrival we discovered that this National Park was full of trails and nature. There were these AZN kids with speakers blasting terrible dance music from their portable speakers. Jimmy and I hauled ass to get away from them. Stop ruining nature!

See my candid duck face and Jimmy showing off a little bootay.

There were great views off the cliff where the ocean met land.

There were a lot of photo opportunities, but we were hikers that day, not models.

I surprised Jimmy with a cupcake during our lunch picnic. That shit hard to hide.

Muah muah muah. JIMMYYYYYYY

This year Jimmy wants to hit the Channel Islands again, but bring some friends along for a day trip. We only went to Santa Cruz Island so there's more to explore. Come join us!

January Recap

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 07:15:00 +0000

Let's be honest. I just eat. January's highlight is this Bi Bim Bap dish that Jimmy whipped up at home. He made the sauce from scratch and grilled the pork. One of the best meals I've had. Especially since he adds that one special ingredient that you can't get from any restaurant.

Other meals worth noting:

Exorbitant Cheese plate and wine pairing from Providence
DineLA at Spice Table in Litte Tokyo - Finally got to try Laksa which was delicious! (Thought about celebrating national noodle month, but then realized that I always celebrate noodles.) The Lamb skewers were my favorite.
Ethiopian dinner from Meals by Genet - going clubbing after was a terrible idea since the sponge bread made us al bloated. We all looked like we wanted to die.
Enjoyed my afternoon Tea set at Chado Tea Room
Had the WORST brunch ever at Canele (not everything written in LA Weekly is credible... my rant is on Yelp)
Enjoyed a Taiwanese brunch at Huge Tree Pastry and a late night snack at The Prince

I eat so good, it hurts so bad.

We checked out the Culver City Art Walk which is much better than the Downtown LA Art Walk. People in Culver City seemed to appreciate the art more rather than just wandering around because it's cool like they do in downtown. Also, folks looked like they were from New York wearing tons of black and layering while they criticized objects that don't affect their lives.

We also checked out the Digital Darkroom exhibit at The Annenberg which I thought was very interesting. "Digital Darkroom features the work of 17 artists from around the world that explore the intersection of art and technology." Lots of photoshop.

...and in between was lots of chilling in my Russian hat and girdle.

Ignia Leap Year in LA

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 05:54:00 +0000

Sandy, her boyfriend and Aaron decided to visit me at the same time! Both parties had cars. Perfect - here are our spare keys and you're on your way. What a way to vacation in LA: rent a convertible.

Angelina Jolie's leg also came to visit us.

I'm showing off my Giraffe Socks! Thanks Sandy!

We ate:

Marouch Restaurant - Very filling Lebanese (not Lesbian food)
Marielas Tacos - Amazingly cheap Wet Burritos
Hwang Jang - Used to be my favorite AYCE KBBQ until it got really popular

We viewed some art:

Sliding around the Getty Villa

Made Art at the MOCA

Found a hidden village in the Fashion District.

Reenacted school life @RoyalT

It was really bright. Jimmy so handsome

A week later Sandy mailed us a thank you goody bag! Her favorite coffee, jam, tea, oatmeal and bread. So sweet.

December Recap

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:18:00 +0000

This is what I ate:

Claypot Catfish @Tai Sui
Apple Pie @ The Apple Pan
Indian Buffet @ The Indian Restaurant
Lulu and Lamb @ Elena's Greek Armenian Cuisine
Homemade Tamales from our neighbors!
Shaking Beef @ Tai Sui

This is what I made:

This is where I went:

Saw Brandon Boyd at the Rose Bowl Flea market.. didn't know who he was so I went up to him and asked to take a picture for my friends who were bashful teanie boppers. Yallz owe me one.

Winter Wonderland

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:24:00 +0000

3 months behind. But Merry Christmas everyone! It's become a tradition to have these makeshift photobooths at 321 parties, but the results are hilarious. I told Jimmy that my "budget" to buy props for the booth was no more than a dollar per item. Apparently that's not a real budget because I probably purchased 20 random objects for this thing.

What added to the diaster was fake snow and shipping peanuts. The room was a diaster after the evening, but we got some good American Beauty shots.

Tradition has it to play white elephant. TWO rounds, but while I was a bit too drunk really to facilitate. But it was 2 hours of hilarity.

Everyone except Ed...per usual

321 Family Grows

The thing about 321 is that it fosters conversation... even between rooms and hallways.

Jingle Juice got everyone all loose and in the spirit.

:D

Year of the Dragon

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:51:00 +0000

Kevin texted me to go a random Chinese New Year festival in Rosemead. He reminded me how much I LOVVVVEEEEE festivals.

Something about the booths and bad entertainment and the house clutter that's passed around.

I think it's a great way to spend the day signing up for things you're not entirely interested in and watching this Chinese woman since La Bamba... except she was actually singing La Lamla... because she couldn't pronounce the Bs.

Epic.

Spent the evening playing Bầu Cua Cá Cọp which is a Vietnamese gambling game, majong and other board games.

The week after I went to the Downtown LA Chinatown parade.

White ppl in Rice Hats look funny

Confetti shooting from dangerous $3 cannons. I have one in my car.

Lion dance

Small Talk

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 18:45:00 +0000

Jlo can't make small talk. As a result he ends up having deep conversations with people in the most casual settings such as bars and lounges. But somehow it's always natural.

Last night in Chinatown Jlo was able to get me to talk to him about relationships. He gave me such an amazing perspective because he experiences the same first hand dating my other roommate Andrew.

Basically he made me aware of the errors of my thinking. He made me aware that even though I claim to be an astounding communicator I'm actually just a great (small) talker. Listening... is something I still need to work on. So that night, I actually listened to Jimmy instead of just listening to myself and I have to say, Jimmy is a superhero for dating such an asshole.

To be less vague I've made Jimmy feel that his insecurities were invalid. I've said word for word to him in pure aggression. "Your feelings ARE invalid." But Jlo repeated to me the point that Jimmy has been trying to make for months - Feelings are NEVER invalid because you can't control them.

"I know you'll work it out because I know you love him." Jlo said to me. So that night I let Jimmy know that I love him with all of my heart and did my best to listen to everything that he had bottled up for a very long time. That's what happens when your boyfriend refuses to listen to you.

All I can say is I'm sorry, but I'll work on it to make things better.

Doing the Cha-cha

I make small talk. I make small talk at work, I make small take with my friends in LA. And I always make note about how I really don't know much about my friends. The stereotype in LA is that we are superficial. Aside from being vein, it's also an issue with surface level friendships. To be honest LA was boring me, but actually talking to Jlo about something that mattered to me made me realize that I need to put more effort into getting to know my friends beyond throwing kick ass house parties with amazing themes.

I think my quest to explore LA should encompass the exploration of people beyond "how's your day" and "how is work."

In Chinatown when our boyfriends got shy, Jlo and I danced in the streets to the rhythm that surrounded us.

There's me as a gazelle.

I tweeted that it was a "feel-good" saturday because Chinatown surprised us with raw hidden LA. Stress-free cheap dinner, art galleries along Chung King road and a DJ playing sexual healing jams at Mountain bar.

Found Live Music

Giraffe T-shirts

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 17:39:00 +0000

Rose bowl flea market find - couldn't justify the purchase, only the picture.

I think there comes a point in every blogger's life where you just stop posting as often. I think I came to realize that not everything I do is worth sharing and I cut back organically. Also, I get so overwhelmed with consuming content in its various forms that I don't make time to create content. And to create content was something that I found very satisfying. I guess with the advent of social networking the general population gets validation by the amount of shares, comments, likes, reblogs they get and really 15 minutes of fame turns into... just your general internet footprint.... and how much klout you have. Like a mini internet celebrity, but not really because everyone else is doing the same.

So I apologize to myself for not allowing myself to use this medium of expression. But recently I've felt like a lost soul. Blog - please be my guide.

"Where do grown ups shop for clothing?" I asked Alysia as we walked into Aeropostale, PacSun and American Eagle. "And why, after almost a decade, are these clothes still the same?" I noticed polos and graphic ts that haven't evolved. "Because they are classics?" Though I guess boring tops with obnoxious brand logos is a "classic" form of attire.

The other day tommy commented on my yellow polo that I took from Monyrith when he was clearing his closet years ago. "I have that shirt... like.. sometime ago in high school." With a charming smirk he adjusted his very fashionable.. i don't know what he was wearing, but it looked good.

Why am I still wearing children's clothing? I have a mountain of giraffe t's and just ordered another one from threadless. And with my growing gut, the fitted look is "fitting" in the wrong places. My pecs have mushed together and moved south towards my naval.

How does one make a conscious effort to be more fashionable, to dress their age if they have yet to develop that taste?? I really did try though- went to New York and got some Uniglo button-ups. decided that henleys were grown-up and ordered a ton of those from Urban Outfitters online. Stepped into H&M, but stepped out after realizing that it's the official uniform for the gaysian american of 2011-2012.

If you have tips, please help me out but so far I need the following:

khaki pants because I only own jeans
plain shorts because all my shorts are... plaid shorts
boat shoes? Is that what I should be wearing?

k, that's all I got. It's sad- I inherited my little brother's trench coat because his ex-girlfriend gave that to him and he can't bare to reminded of her. Thanks for the wardrobe upgrade brother who is 6 years younger.

Joseph Vincent in My Bed

noreply@blogger.com (letopho) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:24:00 +0000

Youtube is my entertainment and Joseph Vincent has been one of my favorites ever since his cover of Replay and Rude Boy. He was also featured on Ellen!

He started producing originals - If You Stay is pretty good.

So when his production company contacted us to use our bedroom as the opening scene for his latest original video, I got really excited! They were looking for bachelor pad and I guess the angles in our attic room was perfect.

Hours of filming and they got 30 seconds of my bedroom into the video. That giant light machine made night look like morning.

I was going to suggest dropping down to my underwear as well, but decided not to be so ridiculous. Our friend Ben snuck into the video shoot and posed as our 6th roommate. He was squealing like a tween the entire time and got JV to sign his iPhone case and autograph a picture he had printed.

I'm trying to get Joseph Vincent to go to WeHo one day or at least one of our house parties. Those gaysians would eat him alive.

Check out 321 in JV's latest video:

I'm really amused that the video cuts to him leaving our house into the suburbs. Psh - if you really exited our house, you'd be in the hood.