Reflections

It's been almost a year since I moved to Dallas, so I thought I'd share some of the more interesting and memorable things that I've done.

a polo match, 2 Mavs games, a musical at Fair Park, 2 concerts (Sting and Ludacris/Ciara/TI/Mike Jones/Bobby Valentino), an art festival, an Asian festival, 2 musuems (Kimball and DMA), Easter Symphony Concert, Carly Patterson parade/rally, Texas State Fair, 4th of July fireworks in Plano, Christmas festivities in Richardson and Plano

Not bad for my first year, considering that there isn't much to do in Dallas. It seems that lots of people here go to Cowboys and Rangers games, so that might be something to check out too, even though I don't like football or baseball.

Well, Dallas, I'm here for another year. Let's see what you've got.

Memorial Day

woohoo for memorial day..

here's to all those who've lost their lives fighting for america! it's because of you that we get a day off from work!

(don't worry veterans, we'll remember you guys in november... not so fondly though, since we still have to work ;)

Shreveport

Went to Shreveport with some friends for Memorial Day weekend. It was me, a family friend from Austin (who lives in Dallas now), a co-worker, and the co-worker's friend from high school.

Besides losing a lot of money, it was a pretty fun trip. Mostly because I had never heard of Shreveport until I moved here, I was expecting a sketchier version of Las Vegas, but the majority of the casinos were actually relatively decent.

I don't think it's worth a return visit (unless some great new casino opens up or there's some event happening there) mostly because the city has nothing else to offer besides gambling. I also didn't like the fact that the casinos were spread out across three different exits from the highway.

So, if you wanted to go from one casino to another, you'd actually have to get back on the highway and then exit again.

I came up with a great idea to solve this hassle: "boat taxis" between casinos. Apparantly, all the casinos in Shreveport are on riverboats, so this plan is similar to the monorail service in Las Vegas.

The casinos could collectively fund the taxi service, and the company operating it could be bankin'.

American Idol

I have a bet with a co-worker that Carrie Underwood will win American Idol on Wednesday.

I've only seen the show while flipping channels, but whenever I do, Carrie is always singing. I don't really think she's that good, and I have no idea who this Bo guy is, but I still have a lot of confidence that I will win.

Never understimate the power of a hot girl who has a decent voice.

Wal-Mart vs. Target

If you're looking for cheap stuff, go to Wal-Mart.

If you're going there for good quality, the atmosphere, and the service, go to Target.

At Target (the scanner couldn't read the barcode):
Cashier: These things are a pain in the butt. Pardon my language.
Me: It's ok. I think I'm old enough.
Cashier: I said 'butt' one time and this lady got all offended. She went and told my manager.

Wow. You can't even say butt any more? I guess it all depends on the context. "Hey lady, you've got a nice butt."

Oh, and another thing about Target. The cashiers all seem younger and happier to be working there.

Chaotic Review

First, some thoughts on Britney herself. Although most people don't believe me, I actually first became a fan because of her music, not because of how incredibly hot she was. I then saw her Las Vegas concert on HBO, and was hooked. I began watching interviews, and other shows ("documentaries" on MTV, VH1, etc.) about her, and have been following her ever since, mostly because a) her music rocks, b) she's hot and c) it never ceases to amaze me how Britney Spears can switch between being cute/goofy and sexy. Oh, and she also has been quite successful at conveying an image of being a regular down-to-earth person, as opposed to the images that the media portrays (she's a whore, a bitch, etc.).

So, on to the show. The majority of it is filmed by Britney, and it seems that other shows held back (perhaps out of fear of embarrasing her). She is actually much more open and even a bit annoying as she asks anyone who will listen incredibly personal questions "What's your opinion on marriage and commitment?" "What's your favorite sexual position?"

Within the hour, Britney goes from feeling lonely and empty to inviting a guy she hardly met (Kevin) to come tour with her. It's a bizarre transition for what will probably be a bizarre show. Then again, it is quite entertaining, mostly because it's Britney Spears.

Grade: A+ (If Britney just sat on her sofa and stared at the camera for an hour, the grade would be the same)

Britney on TV!

It's been far too long since Britney Spears' last appearance on television.

I'm really looking forward to getting an in-depth view of her life after marriage and her thoughts on being a mother. If ever there was a model mother/wife, I think Britney would be it. She is one of the most eloquent, and deepest celebrities that we have today, and I think it would be a shame not to learn from her experiences.

She's a true inspiration to us all, and I don't think it's a stretch to say that "Britney and Kevin: Chaotic" (tomorrow on UPN 9 pm ET) might be the best show ever.

For those who miss the television event of the century, I'll post a review.

I went to an Asian Festival yesterday. It was pretty interesting. They had a bunch of booths set up by various organizations/companies in the Dallas area, and two stages showcasing dances from all across the continent. The ones I saw were performed by really young girls, and they weren't synchronized at all, so it was a bit of disappointing.

From the booths, I got two free t-shirts (one from Western Union, and one from the Crow Collection of Asian Art), a teddy bear (from State Farm), and a tape measure (from Verizon).

Any day when you come back with good quality free stuff is a good day :)

An Open Letter to Paris Hilton

Dear Paris,

First of all, congratulations on single-handedly changing the face of American pop culture. We no longer need to idolize people who have accomplished something (starred in a movie, made an album, etc.). We are now content in creating celebrities who are famous for just being hot.

As a dedicated fan of the Simple Life, I urge you to reconsider your decision to replace Nicole Richie. Although you were the marquee name when the show first debuted, I think it is fair to say that she embodies the true essence of what the show has become. It is her personality and interaction with the various people of the series that really carry the show.

I haven't heard much about the friend you want in place of Nicole, but I think one of the great things about the Simple Life is that the audience gets to see this pair of friends through all of their adventures, and bringing this other friend would ruin the whole experience. In fact, I know I will be wondering how Nicole would act in every situation.

I realize that whatever happened must be a huge issue for this lifelong friendship to come crashing down. However, for the sake of the show, and for all of your fans, I strongly urge you to make up with Ms. Richie.

4 Things

There's a site called 43 Things that lets you set goals and then connect with other people who have similar goals or who have already accomplished these goals. Seems like an interesting idea.

So far I have 4 goals:
1) Go to Vegas (my parents, my sister and a co-worker went this year -- not together haha -- and now i want to go too)
2) Learn guitar (a different co-worker got me one for my birthday and now i need to learn)
3) Work out at least 3 times a week
4) Get a tattoo (haha.. yeah we'll see if this one actually happens.. if i did get one, very few ppl would know about it ;)

You can see my progress, and new goals if I add them, here:

http://www.43things.com/people/view/Klert

I would really like to get an animation cel for my apartment. Something like a cel from Fantasia or any other Disney or Warner Bros. cartoon (Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, etc.)

I went to an arts festival today in Richardson, where artists from all over the country had booths set up to display/sell their works. My favorite pieces were the ones that were more fantasy-oriented/fanciful. I liked this bronze sculpture of Humpty Dumpty the best. Too bad I don't have 12K to spare.

One day, though, when I do have that kind of money, you can expect to find lots of crazy sculptures and animation cels throughout my house. You just wait.

Decisons Decisions

I've never had to make any major decisions.

I was only accepted to one college, and only had one job offer upon graduation.

Some people get to choose the direction of their life. They get accepted to multiple colleges, or have multiple job offers that they consider.

I am not here today because of any choices. I've never had the option of turning down a job offer, or even imagining what life would be like if I went to another college since that was never a possibility.

I wonder when I will get to choose the path my life takes.