OakMonster’s Den

It was hot as hell at AIDS Walk Long Beach. But we did it.

Yey, us!

The green X would be me and my friend Master Greg at George Michael concert next Friday, courtesy of the local news radio station whose promotions website I visited weekly to register to win something.

Oh, and today I bit into what looks to be a little pearl in my fried oyster. So technically I won something twice this week.
As a fan of Eli Stone, I BELIEVE!

So the Lesser Weevils had our little fundraiser dinner tonight at Thai Issan in Cerritos.  Samone and Tom, the owner, graciously donated 10% of our tab to AIDS Walk.

And they are promising 15% donation from now until June 27, one week after the walk (which I can still turn my money in, I think) at their other restaurant, the Delightful Crepes Cafe in Long Beach.  The Yelp review for the place is a little iffy.  Even I who had been there once think the place still needs a little work.  But they ARE working on improving the menu.  Give it a shot if you want to try something new.

Delightful Crepes Cafe
1190 Studebaker Rd
Long Beach, CA 90815

At least give a new place a try WHILE SUPPORT THE WEEVILS! Just tell your waiter that you’re supporting Oakley’s Team at AIDS Walk Long Beach, and they’ll make a note of it.

Or you can just donate to the Weevils directly and not try a new restaurant.  Up to you.  Any kind of donation helps.

I didn’t go anywhere near a mall, if you were wondering.

I am not THAT insane.  Thank you very much.

As a matter of fact, we had Shane over for a good part of the afternoon.  We were thinking of going to the movies, but changed our minds as we figured all the bored family members from out of town would be at the theaters.  Heck, that was what I did before.

Anyways, the boys played on the XBox 360 while I got my magazines and recipe folders sorted out. Later that night, we picked up Tamara and we all had dinner, some wine and played a little more games.

Despite the fact that we stayed home all day, I got 90% of my Christmas shopping done.  Oh yes, the old school online bargain hunter is back in her original form! Haha!

Back in my earlier days, November 1 marked the start of Christmas shopping. Well, for those my mom and I didn’t already shop for during my summer trip back to Thailand, that is. Most shopping will be done online or through catalog. By the weekend after Thanksgiving, I would be have the Christmas tree up and the gifts will all be wrapped.

Recent years, we have been giving home made gifts with the thought of it being more personal yet economical. But this year, we returned to the consumerism circuit. The past few years of giving homemade treats haven’t really been a success. I mean, some of the friends I won’t get to see for a while and therefore the goods weren’t fresh, or I had to bake according to when I would see them, also not horribly convenient.

Anyways. This year, I supported traditional consumerism.  And I’m pretty much done. There are still a few “hand made” items that need to be done for Brandon’s family. And I still have to put some more thoughts into what to get for a few more people. Other than that, we’re all set.

And to capitalize on other home shoppers like myself, Brandon handed me a few used games to re-sell on Amazon. Despite all the raves, we didn’t particularly like Halo 3 or Assassin’s Creed. Well, Brandon doesn’t like playing them and I got bored watching him play them.

Mind you, Assassin’s Creed is a marvelously beautiful game and the concept is pretty cool, but boy was it boring to watch. It’s like, go to this tower, now go to that tower, scale it and do all of this cool move and stuff and then go to the next one. You can’t even run if you want to keep your low profile so you saunter through a town. I’m sure there is more to this game but we were so done with it. But I digress.

So I put those games back on Amazon for sale on Thursday night. Not 10 minutes later, both of them were sold.

(And for those who are curious, we went out and bought Mass Effect to replace those two games we just sold. Brandon’s enjoying it so far and so am I.  It’s really awesome how everything is done. Just like what they said on the promo on SciFi channel, it does feel like you’re in a “Choose your adventure” movie instead of a game.  Everything is so detailed.)

The buy of Assassin’s Creed turns out to be from a military address.  If you know us, do you think we’re going to have a military personnel buy his own game this time of year?

That’s right.  I sent the buyer a confirmation email that his item has been shipped and that it is on us.  Merry Christmas is my message that I sent with the full refund.

Oh, and our Marine contact for this year’s Operation Jingle All the Way wrote me back! After a few years of sending stuff to the troops, this is the first time I actually got an email back from anybody.  (Well, except for Air Force Amy.  Then again, she’s a friend and not a random contact.)  Everything works out for him and his company. All the girlie things got distributed to the ladies and the boys surely will enjoy the loot.

We have been emailing back and forth a little bit now.  Guys, I think we have just adopted a Marine.  :)   So, our Biker Marine, if you stop by, thanks for being out in the front line.  We’ll send you some more stuff soon!

As for tonight, it’s full moon in November. What do you think we’ll be doing after dinner?

Actually, I almost forgot about this year’s Loy Kratong if not for my former blogger friend Kitjar who popped in on my IM to say hi.

Wow. How this month has flown by. And Wednesday is the 100th day anniversary of her death.

3 months have come and gone. Holy cow…

Now you too can assist Southern Californians affected by the fire. The Red Cross guy did say that MONEY is the most needed, so off you go to donate!

Go to KROQ right now for the links on how to help!

First of all. Last night, it rained. Rain makes me happy. It was a good start for today.

And then, well, I’m going to jump the chronology here a bit because I’m a happy Trojan.

Like the text I sent to Amy the Gridiron Goddess…HOLY Sanchez Batman!

Mark Sanchez. Once that boy got going, he GOT going, didn’t he?

Yes, another squeaking victory. But consider that the entire offensive line is the back-up players and some of them are even the back-up of the back-up players, plus a brand spanking new QB, we did okay. Thank god, our Defense held even without Maualuga. [ETA: Amazingly, Amy the Gridiron Goddess said almost the exact same thing I said here over there.  LOL.  Now you see why we’re friends?]

And I made it home to watch the end of 2nd quarter all the way through the end. Yes, I REALLY need to watch my Trojans for us to win.

Where was I this morning? Well, that’s the second point that make today glorious.

Brandon had a side job out in the Palos Verdes Estates. Our client is hooking up his brand new house to an entertainment system that is wired into the internet and all that jazz. I lost count of how many flat screens he has in the place. But then again, I was busy hanging out with the guy’s lovely wife, their adorable 13-month-old baby little girl Mia and my new boyfriend Jake, the most lovable doggy in the whole wide world.

Jake followed me out of their house and looked longingly at me until I got into the car. That boy loves me! Well, I did give him the attention he has been missing since the baby arrived. Plus a few sessions of doggy massage. When we go back next week, I’m bringing him homemade doggy biscuits. And the Absolutely Weevils Cookies for the Client. He, like many of our friends and my husband, too is addicted to my baked goods.

Our clients not only love us for Brandon’s fabulous IT skills, but for the cookies that I bake. Hey, at least you KNOW they want to continue being your clients at least for the cookies. That’s good enough for me.

Now, on my 4th day of adding Adsense, I have $0.33 in the bank. Haha! No, it’s nothing to look at, but eventually all those cents from the ads and $1 each per Siamese Pixie purchase will add up to $10 and that’s another $10 donation to Thai Red Cross. The donation from YOU generous folks of the Blogosphere. I am just a vessel for your good karma.

And speaking of good karma. Finally, the cake topper for today. Hallmark is now a (Product)RED. Finally, a product I can actually afford! Hooray!

My friend Christine has always supported the Weevils since day one. And now, I am supporting her right back.

Besides, it’s a Star Trek related site! Do you think I’m going to let Captain Picard down? Never!

Take a visit to http://startrek.fanlib.com/ and http://startrek.fanlib.com/trailer.html
A little back story on the history of Christine and myself. Christine is a friend from HSX days. I partied at her place many a times. Lots of memories there. You’ll just have to ask me about it. Hehee…

Oh, and I’m back in my game somewhat tonight. Got groceries, started laundry (which Brandon helped finish…thanks babe!), made dinner, watched a movie, baked Absolutely Weevil Cookies…and I have to go back out there and do the dishes.

That’s the normal schedule. The whole eating out every night thing just wasn’t like us. I miss cooking a little bit.

The cleaning though, that’s the part I don’t miss much. LOL.

Much to share. But not first thing in the morning. I’m all about the happy post right now. More post to come!

First off, fresh from the LA Times this morning. If we ever have kids, I can see this happening…

Tea party at work went very well. I put a few pictures up on Flickr, so head over there. I worked my ass off at the thing, but it was so much easier with the help from the others at work.

When I got home, first thing I told Brandon is that, “We’d better go get dinner somewhere where someone serves me. And I need a drink.” We did go out with Justin & Olaina and Big Erik to Johnny Reb’s and stuffed ourselves silly.

Finally, I have just made the 2nd payment to Thailand Redcross from the profits I made at the Siamese Pixie Store. That’s $20 total so far! Hooray! And thanks for your support. Get on down that road and buy some stuff.

Oh, and while you’re in the charitable mood, donate some money or order some cookies to support the Weevils too, would you?

Much is happening around me since the busy Memorial Day weekend.

Since we last spoke, I have started playing Lego Star Wars again, but this time the original trilogy. It was on sale. We couldn’t resist. Yet, another hobby I shouldn’t have picked up. But it’s just too much fun!

Justin and Olaina will be up in town for the next few weeks with his mom. They’re just waiting now. Olaina is sharing the experience over at her place. Please keep “Superman” Justin and his family in your prayer.

I got Aunty Tim addicted to the new Almond Blueberry cookies. She has been telling her friends about them and about my Team Lesser Weevils’ fundraising efforts for AIDS Walk Long Beach. The other night she placed an order for 4 dozen. As of yesterday, the order is now 8 dozen–4 of Almond Blueberry and 4 of the original Absolutely Weevil Cookies. If you need me on Saturday afternoon, I’ll be in the kitchen baking my head off. Hey, whatever it takes to raise the dough, my friends. Speaking of which, won’t you come on by and donate a few bucks?

Finally, the bridal shower for the coworker is tomorrow. For a 1-hour informal event, this sure took a LOT of energy! My Bridal Tea Committee has been hard at work for at least 2 weeks. Pat has been bringing in just about every pretty little things she has to the office, a little bit at a time. Ditto me with hauling up on the bus my teacups and platter PLUS gazillion presents for the bride, 2 bags at a time. (Why? So I don’t have to drive on Friday!) Celeste is going to bring a surprise something to pretty up the drab conference room. Yes, our office LOVES a party. They went a little nuts with contribution to the gift pool. I damn near cleaned out the Costa Mesa Crate & Barrel with that!

I promise to upload the pictures of J.C. and Josh tonight. Well, given that I have time. Brandon was thinking of grabbing his friends for impromptu dinner at Naples Rib Company. If that is a go, after dinner I still have to make the food for the bridal tea tomorrow. (Oh yeah, we are catering the tea ourselves.)

Stay tuned, y’all. Let’s see if I survive to have myself a little break this weekend to clean the house and do laundry.*sigh*

I. Baked. 10. Dozen. Cookies. In. One. Sitting. Since. Around. 7:30.

Oh, I also made bacon and rice for dinner while whipping up the batter as well. Talk about multitasking!

The last 2 dozen of the almond blueberry are cooling right now. By the time I’m done here, I can wrap that up and go to bed.

Oh hell no. I’m not doing dishes tonight! I did rinse everything out though.

So, the sample batch of Absolutely Weevil cookies (chocolate chips + English toffee) are ready. And I am introducing the more dainty, and at the moment unnamed, almond blueberry cookies as well.

(Hey, why aren’t YOU donating the money to the Lesser Weevils yet? You know you can get those yummy cookies I mentioned for $10 per dozen, right? You have to leave a comment or email me if you want them. Shipping maybe extra.)

Aunty Tim stopped by to pick up both kinds a while a go. She had the first batch of the almond blueberry which were still warm. A few minutes after she left, she called to report that she ate half of the blueberry ones already. LOL.

Today has been a long ass day. Nhien left for Spain, leaving me with loads of things to do on top of my existing to do list. But, you know me. Busy is always good. Because boredom–like scanning documents–sucks. Heh.

Brandon called and reported in. He had a long day too. Not entirely productive. But his new hotel is one of those suite hotels. Much improvement from the one he was at last night where they duct taped the batteries into the remote. He did get to meet new people and networked. So that was cool.

I also called home and I got to say a few words to mom. She doesn’t talk today. Not even a word. Pueng, the maid, put her on the phone with me while she went to get dad. I thought I was just on hold, but I had a feeling that mom may not be in the mood to talk. The background voice of the caregiver telling mom to say chat with me confirmed it. Mom was listening. But she wouldn’t talk.

“Hello beautiful? How are you today? Are you going to tell me how you are? Are you going to chat with me today? What’s for lunch?”

Silence on the other end until I heard dad coming for the phone.

“She didn’t talk, did she?”

“No, sir,” replied the caregiver.

“Noi, I’m going to talk to our daughter now. Okay?”

Dad picked up and after he was out of earshot reported that mom hasn’t talked to anyone in the past few days. Not even with her friends.

This is where I envy Justin a little bit. His mom is sick like mine. But at least he is only 2-3 hour drive away. I can’t even get on a plane in that amount of time.

Anyways. I’m going to put the cookies away and go to bed. Maybe tomorrow is a better day.

A girl can hope. Right?