March 22, 2012

  • time enough to be crazy

     I'm been really, really busy with work lately.  [read: excuse for not blogging]. 

    + I had a great White Day (3/14).  Kyohei surprised me with some flowers from my friend's shop and then we went out for a nice dinner.  It hailed too.  It was a great date.

     

    + I decided to move ahead with the lasik eye surgery plan (since the one to buy a house is on hold).  I can't wear contacts for 2 weeks leading up to the exam.  I've been wearing glasses for 9 days so far and I still hate it with ever fiber of my being.  It is seriously cramping my lifestyle.  Oh well, means to an ends, right?

    + I went all-out for St. Patrick's Day.  Perhaps I'll see the photos my friend took eventually.  Maybe I don't want to.  I don't remember getting home, but I do remember a couple of Turkish words I picked up that night.  Halfway through the night I was drunk enough to just take my glasses off and walk around blind.  I think that was a worthwhile experience to have before I correct my vision-- even though it lead to some real close-talking.  "Wait, who are you again..?" lol

    + I've been a foggy haze.  Who gets Spring-fever?  I DO. 

    Symptoms: vanity and shopping increase, daydreaming and consumption of alcohol and art dramatically increase along with heart rate whenever that hot guy walks by (or breathes, or emails or merely exists in my mind).  Work productivity, reading, planning for the future and other rational thinking comes and goes in spurts. 

    Treatment: unknown

    Prognosis: wait until summer.

    + All of my weekends are booked! Despite being slightly unhinged and out-of-control I'm high in demand!  Hooray. 

March 17, 2012

  • no one saw this coming.... [eye roll]

    North Korean Announcement of Missile Launch


     

    Press Statement

    Hillary Rodham Clinton
    Secretary of State
    Washington, DC
    March 16, 2012


     

    North Korea’s announcement that it plans to conduct a missile launch in direct violation of its international obligations is highly provocative. UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 clearly and unequivocally prohibit North Korea from conducting launches that use ballistic missile technology. Such a missile launch would pose a threat to regional security and would also be inconsistent with North Korea’s recent undertaking to refrain from long-range missile launches. We call on North Korea to adhere to its international obligations, including all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. We are consulting closely with our international partners on next steps.

     

March 12, 2012


  • I love this article!

    Why We Should Not Be 'Leaping' for Joy at the North Korea Deal

    Posted: 03/ 9/2012 5:03 pm

    The recently announced deal between Washington and Pyongyang, in which North Korea will suspend its nuclear activities and implement a moratorium on long-range missile tests in exchange for food aid, has been applauded by many North Korean observers, who see this as a hopeful sign of a genuine thaw in the Hermit Kingdom. However, the "Leap Day" deal is objectionable on for a variety of reasons.

    We are surprised that such a deal has been reached so quickly, and question some its basic premises. Given North Korea's lengthy history of stringing out the negotiation process with West to deliver little or nothing in return, and given its history of reneging on previously agreed deals, we are skeptical that this deal will achieve what the Obama administration hopes it will. Consider the timing of the deal. Optimists would say this is a sign that the 'new' regime in Pyongyang might be open to changing the tone of its bellicose relationship with the West.

    However, young Mr. Kim was selected to inherit the mantle of the Kim dynasty by his father on the presumption and belief that he would continue the unfortunate example set by his father and grandfather not only vis-à-vis relations with the West and development of the country's nuclear program, but also with respect to the continued enslavement of its people.

    We find it hard to believe that Mr. Kim has, in the space of a few months, had a genuine change of heart, and are mindful that he is in fact being influenced, if not controlled, by his 'minders,' who have certainly not changed their tune. The likelier result of the 'food for sanity' swap is that Pyongyang's elite will be the primary beneficiaries of the aid -- as has been the case in the past -- and will use the new 'understanding' with Washington to extract further concessions.

    It is important to point out that short of a successful invasion of North Korea -- which would be very difficult to achieve, given the size of the country's million-man army, even if the U.S. had the political will, resources and cojones to do so -- there is no avenue to actually halt North Korean enrichment activities or prevent further medium or long-range missile tests. And there is no mechanism embedded in the new agreement to actually verify that Mr. Kim is abiding by his commitments. How on earth can this deal have been reached on the basis of 'trust' with what is arguably the worst regime in the world?

    The Obama administration would have been well advised to use this once-in-a-generation transition in Pyongyang to change the terms of the debate between Pyongyang and Washington, rather than embrace the decades-old song sheet that is clearly out of tune and ineffective. As John Bolton noted in his recent op-ed in the Wall Street Journal:

    What we should have done is concentrate on finding ways to exploit the North's leadership transition in order to hasten Korean reunification. Unfortunately, last week's deal is visible proof that President Obama never seriously contemplated undertaking this arduous but vital effort, which is now a lost opportunity. Instead, we have strengthened the DPRK's confidence, sustained its nuclear-weapons and missile programs, and prolonged the agony of its people.

    If the Obama administration considers this a template for dealing with Iran, we believe they will find themselves mistaken. North Korea and Iran have much in common in terms of how they have deftly played the negotiation card with a naïve and subsequently emasculated West. In both cases, the West has too patiently presumed that good faith negotiations with intransigent states will ultimately yield the desired result. Instead, of course, it has resulted in a strengthened set of playing cards for the most reprehensible leaders and governments on the planet.

    What will likely happen in the short-term is that Pyongyang will give no overt sign that it is continuing with its enrichment program, and in the absence of any new long-range missile tests, Washington can say that Pyongyang has abided by the terms of the agreement. What will then follow is a new round of concessions by Washington -- presumably, again, without a proper means of verifying Mr. Kim's 'promises' -- the resumption of six-party talks, and perhaps (a few months or year later) an abrupt cessation of the talks and resumption of bellicose rhetoric from Pyongyang.

    How can the Obama administration possibly believe that young Mr. Kim, who was handpicked by his father to inherit the Hermit Kingdom, who is the physical embodiment of his grandfather (they could have been twins at the same age) and wears a Mao suit (even his father did not do that), is really the negotiating partner they would like him to be? Mr. Kim and his minders must be dancing for joy at the ease with which they obtained the food aid they need to claim they are improving the lives of the starving North Korean people. Perhaps Mr. Kim is indeed a god.

    We would be delighted to be proven wrong in due course -- but we don't think we will.

    *Daniel Wagner is CEO of Country Risk Solutions, a cross-border risk consulting firm based in Connecticut (USA), Director of Global Strategy with the PRS Group, and author of the new book Managing Country Risk (www.managingcountryrisk.com). John Lyman is Editor-in-Chief of the International Policy Digest.

March 8, 2012

  • thriller

     Cirque du Soleil, what can I say; it was AWESOME.  They had everything; sparkling costumes, flying people, a midget dressed up as MJ's chimp, a double jointed pole dancer, fog, a one-legged hip hop dancer, a monster-contortionist, pyrotechnics, afros, a full orchestra and two hot Asian women playing an electric guitar and an electric cello (very Wayne's World) and all of this was in front of their amazing sets and videos. 

    By the end of the show everyone was on their feet dancing and singing and shouting and cheering....  it was great.  If you get a chance to go to this, you should.

    They highlighted MJ's greats, his lesser known music, and his humanitarian concerns for racial equality, environmental protection and feeding starving children.  After the show people were so pumped up on the "Man-in-the-Mirror-effect" that they were even giving money to the bums.  Incredible.   

    Since I never got to see MJ live, this was definitely the next best thing.  This also bumped me back into the wife with the awesome surprises from my Japanese-husband reputation.  SCORE

    __________________________________________________________

    Speaking of pole dancing (and MJ, incidentally), 

    This past Saturday I drove down to Orlando to see my friend compete in the 1st Annual Orlando Pole Fitness Competition.  She did wonderfully, btw. 

    Anyway, it was AWESOME.  Everyone there was so cool, it made me long for an alternative lifestyle (I want to run away and join the Cirque).  They had judges who I've seen on TV too; Stephen Retchless-- the dude from America's Got Talent, Natasha Wang, who I saw on The View (omg, omg, I breathed the same air as someone who breathed the same air as the women on The View), and this other women who was recently on CBS from the Jungle Cirque du Soleil.  So the judges did a showcase after the competition.

    I think I have a girl crush now:

    In case you like watching pole dance as much as I do now, here is the lovely women who beat my friend.  She did super well :)

March 7, 2012

  • today in history

     Special Envoy for North Korea Human Rights Issues Ambassador Robert King and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Jon Brause will travel to Beijing for meetings with DPRK officials to begin on March 7. These meetings will focus on administrative details for a nutritional assistance program targeting DPRK populations with the most need.

    And I will surprise Kyohei with a trip to Cirque du Soleil, Michael Jackson Immortal Tour!

    I've actually managed to keep this a secret from him since October.  Amazing.

March 6, 2012

  • therapy

     I just got a friendly call letting me know that the job I interviewed for was offered to someone else.  Since it is only noon, I can't really reach for the bottle.  BUT, I am on the internet.

    Nothing says "I-didn't-really-want-that-job-or-your-approval-anyways" like

       patent leather ankle-strap pumps. 

    I feel better already.  I'll feel even better in 2 days when www.endless.com ships them to me for free.

    That's it, I'm going to lunch.

March 5, 2012

  • about a year

     ...ago (March 11, 2011) Japan was hit by the triple disaster; earthquake, tsunami, nuclear meltdown.  Whereupon I had my own personal mini-meltdown.

      Kyohei found this nice video:

February 28, 2012

  • good help

     Kyohei and I started watching The Help last night.  I'm really enjoying it, though also appalled.  It is somewhat comforting to know that even if I lived in the 50s in the South, I would have never been rich enough to have any maids.  phew. 

    After the movie I was washing the dishes and Kyohei decides to stand there and criticize me. 

    "Is that how you wash the dishes?  See white people are bad at cleaning, it's in your DNA"

    Guess who was doing the dishes 3 seconds after he said that.

February 27, 2012

  • Gina Jones and who knows who

      I had a phone interview for the job that has a lower rank and salary.  I killed it (I should) and was set up with an in-person interview (this will happen tomorrow).  I'm not blaming this, but just trying to set the stage for the weekend; flailing desperation.

    Thursday night was a girl's night out / farewell party for a friend, 'Miss V' from the flower shop of days gone by. 

    We started out at sushi and graduated to Munnegin's, the bar where Miss V works.


    I sang karaoke, had fun and became progressively drunker until someone in the group suggested we have one more before we call it quits.  "A White Russian!" I shout.

    Instead of coming back with 3 normal sized cocktails, we were presented with this:

    A GIANT pitcher of White Russian (me with one of Miss V's friend's boyfriends, who incidentally was made to pick up the tab for the entire night, sucker)

    The last thing I remember before I blacked out was picking on some cute guy by offering mean and unsolicited advise.
    "Why would you wear those pants out?"
    "Why are you smoking?  Is anyone stupid enough to start this habit?  really??"
    "What are you drinking, a Bud Light?  Are you serious?  You realize that is like the Wal-Mart of beer, right?  Do you hate good beer and America?"
    "What is your job--fabrication!?  Fabricating what?  Lies??" 
    "No, what you need to do is stop smoking, get a better job and help your grandma out with the rent!"
    ____________

    When I woke up to my alarm Friday morning, I was fully clothed, wreaked of smoke, unable to speak and in absolute pain.  I showered and emailed into work with laryngitis.  As I laid on the couch, I could not understand why, even I, would drink so much.  Nor could I remember how I got home.  I was too embarrassed to ask Kyohei, so I didn't.

    When he got up and came over to me in my miserable state and said,

    "You!  You are the opposite of a Japanese wife-- you are a Japanese husband!!"

    Then I got a text from Mandy-- "Did I tell you we have a ticket for you for La Cage Aux Folles tonight?  Can you still make it?" 

    Technically, I wasn't at work, so I could leave early and make it down to Tampa, but could I?  Seeing an amazing musical was enough to get me to rally.  By 3pm, I was re-showered, dressed, packed, on the road and managed not to throw-up.  Rock Star!


    Worth it; a fabulous show and good times with my friend.


    I even got a funny t-shirt

    __________________________________

    I slept over there, and was back on the road to the flower shop Saturday morning.

    I actually did a lot of physical labor at the shop.  I couldn't decide whether I was coming down with a cold or not, so I tried to take a nap.


    Later, Buket and I rallied and went downtown to a bar.  I told her that tonight I really needed to drink in moderation (why not try something new?).  Then she informed me that this was the night she was taking me out as a thank-you for doing her taxes.  Damn.  Moderation = 6 beers.  Not tooooo bad, but definitely not what I would call moderation. 

    Sunday found me laying on the couch again.  alas.

February 22, 2012

  • I could be that

     OK, besides being a co-host on The View, I don't think I have a so-called "dream job."  Perhaps my complete lack of focus and direction is what landed me in an administrative desk-jockey position in the first place.

    whatevs

    BUT! Now that I am facing immanent dismissal, I've started really looking for jobs.  I think I found one that I would actually care about doing-- working at the Dept. of Parks and Recreation!!!!  I already love that show AND I've grown to love the city I live in, so why not?  My goal is to finish my cover letter today. 

    I even took a quiz to see how well I would do in this new setting:

    Which Parks and Rec Character are you?

    parksrec_leslie

    See?!  I could RUN this place!  I'm so happy I get to be Amy Poehler

justgotspaid

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