OakMonster’s Den

Two things I love most about October: Halloween and beer.

So far it hasn’t been a cold “fall”.  Heck, it was like 78 when I got to work at 7:30 a.m. this morning!  I think I will survive in my Princess Leia gitup after all.  Then again, I still have the Jedi cloak from last year to keep me warm and still in theme.

October is building up to be a busy one already.  The Bus Party tomorrow is cancelled in lieu of the debate, so that free up a bit of time.  Hopefully my newsletter will go to print on Friday.

Thriller practice this Saturday and of course, the Trojans are on and pissed off.  Watch out Oregon!

DMV Downtown on Monday…that ought to be interesting.  Haven’t been to that DMV since college!  The girls’ monthly dinner on Thursday and it’s our anniversary.  Another Thriller practice on Saturday on the beach followed by the K9 benefit show back in Fullerton.  Too bad I will have to miss the Long Beach Tweet Up!  Thrill the World LA barbecue on Sunday and, thank god, Columbus Day off.

Wednesday early board meeting.  Saturday USC at Washington and “Octoberfest” at a friend’s house who is a brewmaster.  Probably more Thriller practice in there somewhere through out.  A few Tuesdays at the Irvine practice probably.

Thrill the World on October 25 in the morning at USC at Arizona at night.

And finally, Halloween.

And after that, the Big Gala.

And after that, Thailand.

And after that, company’s holiday party I have to throw.

Not to mention my Monday dance classes.

Holy crap.

I’m a busy girl!

My most impulsive purchase of the year and my first ever full-made costume purchase finally arrived.

Also, probably the most unique wedding present ever bought.

I bought the costume set for my friend.  The groom is a Star Wars fan and the bride is a quite a knock-out.  Somehow, they never thought of dressing her in this.  And I thought of it for them.

A geeky good friend I am!

While at it, I bought me one.  Just in case somebody would invite us to a Halloween party this year, I would have something sexy to wear for a change.  Because, you know, Jedi wasn’t exactly a sexy outfit.

Funny enough, James and Aurora are dressing up Dresden for his first Halloween as Yoda.  At least I’ll be in on their theme!  (Tried to convince Brandon he should be Han Solo, but he didn’t want that.  Instead, he’s been growing his beard out so we’re going to make him Wolverine.)

I also think I’m going to do Thrill The World in this outfit.  A Leia Zombie.  I mean, I might as well maximize the money I spent, right?

James and Aurora came up with a great alternate universe back story for me.  Leia’s attempt to strangle Jabba the Hutt failed and instead he/his cronies strangle her instead!  The other two of my ideas were either that Luke missed the landing and Leia ended up eaten by the sand monster, or Leia showed up on Hoth in this outfit and died of hypothermia.

What’s your vote?  Or do you have an even better idea for a back story?

Now about this lovely gitup.  We will have to do some work on it after all.

I am so extremely grateful that the bottom part is not a thong but booty shorts.  Hooray!  The accessories are all different: they are all silicon rubber, and there is not chain attached to the collar.  The arm band looks a little funny being all rubbery like.

I must admit that the bra part is nothing like the picture.  AND for a small, the bra is fucking HUGE!  I mean, out of proportion to the booty shorts/skirt bottom.  What kind of a body image do these people have?  Sure, I could’ve gone with XS, but I was afraid my booty wouldn’t fit in them booty shorts…which I would’ve been right.

And the best thing about the bra top?  Velcro, baby.  Velcro and halter strings.  On Halloween?

A man must have concocted the assembly of this.  Yeah, let’s put the Velcro on the bra top.  Riiiight!

Brandon and I agreed that I might have to drop a few more bucks in a hunt for a substitute bikini top, farm the silicon rubber adornment off the original and sew/glue that onto it.  Because right now, my top doesn’t look anything like the picture.  It looks more like a faux camouflage granny bra from somebody twice my size with three times the boobs.

I also have to do something to fix the arm band part so it actually stays stiff instead of flopping around, or buy a real one and paint it gold.  Ditto the hair accessories.  The way they are now, I look like a rooster with floppy comb.  And I will need to find me some chains for the collar.

Work to do.  Work to do.

I don’t recall exactly the details of the conversation but I caught the new coworker looking at me funny.

“It’s okay. I’m weird, I know,” I told her.

“Oh, no, no.  You’re not weird,” she sputtered.

“Oh, no.  It’s okay. I’m okay with weird.  I embrace the weird.  You’re not insulting me.”

“No.  I didn’t mean you’re weird.  You’re not weird.”  The girl was still trying.
“Sweetie. It’s okay. I would be offended if you think I’m normal,” I ensured her.  “Because normal is fucking boring.”

I think the cowroker was a little startled at the F bomb, but she’ll get over it.  That’ll teach her to stop patronizing me again when it comes to embracing my quirks.

A while ago I wrote a mini manifesto on coming out of the geek closet.  Since then, I haven’t made an excuse for being a blogger/Tweeter/gamer.  But I found myself having to defend my other choices that Normal People call “weird”.

Like dressing and talking like a pirate.  Like doing Thrill the World.  Like loving chicharone (fried pork skin).  Like knowing there is such a thing as bacon of the month club.

Blogger friend Pond has raised the question on weird recently as well.  I told her I was drafting up a manisfesto on the war on Normal.

I started writing it, and it’s pretty much the same as the Geek’s Declaration of Independence I just wrote.  Substitute geeky for weird and there, you have it.

I must admit it’s a bit sad that I’ve been out of high school 13 years and I just now realized that John Mayer was half right, there is no such thing as the real world.

The “Real World” is actually High School 2.0.

And I’m done being in high school.

Again I will say, fuck Normal.

*Warning: Gross Girly Girl Content*  Out of respect for my manly man readers, ladies, please highlight the following content to continue.  We’re discussing navigation of the crimson waves here, fellas.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

So, ladies. Ready to give me some girly advice?

I’ve just switched up my Pills for the past two months.  The side effects so far have been minor weight gain and, to my husband’s rejoice, a little bit of boobage.  Also to Brandon’s rejoice, the mood swing is gone.However, the cramps have gotten worse.

It used to be a mild pain, enough to let you know it’s there and be irritable about it, even before the Pills.  An Aleve would have taken care of it.  It’ll go on the day before and be done within 36 hours.

But now, it’s a hard hitting come-and-go squeezes that, while not completely dehabilitating like some of my friends have, it was a lot more than I was used to.  If contractions are 10 times worse than the pulses I’ve been getting, I’m seriously happy I’m not planning on having kids.  Last month, the pain came and went within 12 hours.  So far, it’s been 24 and hasn’t gotten all that much better.

Oh, and I never crave chocolate like this before.  I held out the best that I can before giving in yesterday and had me some chocolate ice cream.

Brandon said that he is willing to do anything to help me with the pain and to get the chocolate as long as the mood swing stays away.  As much of an inconvenience and, well, how fucking hurts it is, I actually have to agree.  The mood swing afflicts both of us while the cramps only affects me.  It’s better for everyone involved.

So, this morning I’m armed with 2 Aleves, a ThermaCare heating my belly, and grande soy green tea latte.  I know it’s a little late to throw in the soy PMS therapy, but it feels/tastes good.  It’s down to the nagging bit, but that makes me question what it would have been without the 2 Aleves.

Is it really going to be worth it, trading this for a mood swing? I really don’t want to lose the mood-swing free…nor the boobs. LOL.

What’s your strategies to deal with your cramps?

I found this Hanna Montana “microphone shaped” candies at my local CVS.

I really had to read the packaging to confirm that what I saw was a “microphone”.

Apparently, I’m not the only person noticing this.  Here’s one.  And here’s another.

…figuratively and literally.

It’s been a crazy week at work that ended with Talk Like A Pirate and bridal shower Friday in the office.  I threw some mean party, y’all!

Pirate by day and zombie by night, later on on Friday night, I trekked down to Irvine to practice with Thrill the World OC at Atomic Ballroom.  They have a big group going.  LA Team: We have to catch up!

My right shoulder-neck muscles hated me.  So did my thighs.  (Lots of squats and deep knee bends in this dance!)

Saturday, off to Brenda and Jon’s reception at Astor Classics.  Awesome collection of everything from antique phones, model trains, to classic cars. It was a low key, super casual event.  Pretty much it’s a big family gathering with food and wine not cooked by the bride and beer not brewed by the groom.  No dancing. No pomp.  It was fun just sitting around and yapping with our friends.

Sunday, Brandon and I vegged in a grand style.  The usual hefty breakfast and the rest of the day foraging for snacks in the fridge and the pantry to call a meal.  Hehe.

Monday, we worked.  I started with a few sneezes around the office.  The inner ears didn’t start itching until I got back from lyrical jazz with Sizzle.  Since Debi wasn’t there, it was a one-on-one class.  Much awesomeness! We did Martha Graham style choreography to Lion King theater show soundtrack.  Lots of twisting and jumping.

Both sides of my neck and shoulders now hate me too.

But this morning, I could barely opened my eyes.  My nose started to stuff up around 3 a.m.  I didn’t get much sleep.  And my entire body ache in a way that I can’t really tell it was the Martha Graham’ing or something else.  I decided to stay home.

Here I am, giving you guys a catch up post as I’m slowly waking up from the Benedryl long nap and still fighting the haze.  It seems to be a horrible allergy attack than a cold.  I’m so drowsy right now so I can’t really tell…

Excuse me.  I think the couch is still calling.

Ahoy me hearties! Me colors be raised this dawn!

Updated: Captain Bubbles and the trusty Parrot Pat!

Official Talk Like A Pirate instruction from the creator of the holiday, Capt’n Slappy and Ol’ Chumbucket.

A favorite and very educational instruction video.

Talk Like a Pirate Day is tomorrow, y’all.

And I’m throwing a bridal shower in the office instead of the pirate party.  (Hey, the bride happened to pick that date…and she couldn’t (or wouldn’t?) change the date!)

Obviously,  Captain Bubbles, the Jolly Pirate of the South China Sea, will be presiding the bridal tea luncheon.

Oy, lassie! Yer wanna another cuppa?

Heeeheee.

With less than one hour notice, I rushed off this afternoon to join a few people in practicing the Thriller dance on the beach at Dockweiler State Park.

Yes, you heard me.  Thriller. On the beach.

I am joining the Los Angeles group in Thrill the World 2008 where folks gather in full make up and costume to dance to Michael Jackson’s Thriller at the exact same time all over the world.

For LA it’s Saturday October 25 at 11 a.m.

I saw the video last year and have always wanted to do it.  Finally here’s my chance!The LA group is trying to break the record of having 200 people at the event.  The Irvine one is closer, but I’m all about breaking records so I will be joining the crew to the north.  Still, I’m hoping to be able to practice with the south crew so I don’t have to drive too far.  We shall see!

There might just be an event in your neighborhood, so check out the World Event section.

Thailand hasn’t signed up for an official event yet.  It’ll be Sunday, October 26 at 1 a.m.  But I’m sure someone is going to start it up.  (I’m so sending this to Kitty’s magazine!)  Can’t you just see a herd of zombies doing this down Kao San?

No, those in yellow shirts at the Government House doesn’t count.  That said, it would be a lot better for everyone if instead of stirring shit up, they would learn to do the dance instead.  But I digress.

The Christian God has been vying for my soul a bit heavily these past few weeks.

Observe the long list of Catholic and Christian coincidences.

#1

August 6 was the day of the dinner party with people on my last bus home. The bus was so unusually full in the morning that Tony who always sit in the back ended up in the front. Next to him was Robert, a gentleman who used to ride the bus when I started. We work in the same building. Since then he had stopped taking the bus, only popping up on the bus a few times a year.

The last time he was on the bus, he asked me to pray for him as he was going in for a lung biopsy. After that few bits and pieces of news were passed around on the bus that it was cancer, but he was okay. No one on the bus had seen him until that day.

Tony, being a friendly man, went ahead and invited Robert to our cliquey little bus party after the last bus. So I gave him my card so I could call me later.

Robert didn’t make it to the party. However, he asked if I would like to be his carpool buddy the following day on the way home. Of course, I said yes.

On our ride home that day, Robert told me about his cancer and the surgery. His case was eerily similar to my mom’s. About the same size, about the same spot, but I’m not sure if it was the same type. He currently is not doing chemo, again, similar to my mom’s case.

Not wanting to scare the man, I didn’t want to tell him about my mom. But the inevitable question of “Are your parents still in Thailand?” led to “If you dad and your brothers are there, where’s your mom?” And I had to tell him.

Robert was very grateful that I shared my mom’s story with him, and he was sorry that he asked so many questions. Then he mentioned something along the line that his view of religion has changed since his surgery.

And then he mentioned that he is Catholic.

#2

After the bus party, I came home to discover that Joy’s Mom Mary’s blog was coming to life. I set her up with the blog and am staying on as administrator to guide her (and a few of her children who are helping) through the wonderful world of blogging. However, her 5 posts a day was disconcerting to me. Perhaps :Mommy” didn’t get the idea of one or two entries a day is enough. So I wrote her an email full of tips for new blogger.

“Mommy” wrote back a few days later telling me that she didn’t post the entries. Her younger daughter Jan was working on the blog as a Mother’s Day surprise present, but didn’t know that I would be monitoring the movement. “Mommy”, a devout Catholic, has told me that God must have sent me to help her because I kept popping in at all the right time.

The day after this, Robert from #1 called me for that fateful drive home.

And of course, in true fashion, I passed along Mary’s blog address to Robert.

#3

The auspicious August 8, I was at my friend Katie’s wedding. It was a Catholic one. I needn’t say more, but there was more.

When I attend a mass with Nora, during the Communion, I would always go up for a blessing. At Katie’s wedding mass, when the priest blessed me, I felt something. The religious would say I felt the Spirit. But it was like a cool breeze washes over me and I felt a little shaky.

Brandon said the blessing might be exorcising the demon out of me. After all, I did make a joke in mass. Kind of.

I misheard the lyric in Here I Am, Lord. The actual lyric is “Is it I, Lord?” but what we heard was “Is it time, Lord?”

I leaned over to Brandon and asked, “Did they just sing, Is it…Time Lord?”

What self respecting Dr. Who fan wouldn’t crack up at that!

#4

August 12 was Thai Mother’s Day. So I blogged about waking up humming Que Sera, Sera, one of my mom’s lullabies.

My brother Onk emailed me later on that as he was reading my post, his MP3 collection pulled up Que Sera, Sera! A jazzy-bossa nova version of it that he didn’t know he had.

Okay this is not a Catholic/Christian coincidence, but hey, it was a MAJOR coincidence!

We both missed mom horribly that day, by the way.

#5

That same day, we were at Sony Studios for work. There were two brief studio tours given. Me and 25 people went on the early one. Naturally, when it was announced that the second and last tour was available, the rest of the people rushed for it. They ended up having to split the big group up into 2 smaller groups.

Somewhere in there, half of the first group got lost. They tried to join the second group but the guide told them to go back to their original group. Unable to find the first tour guide, the separated came back to the party. The second group also returned to the party close to closing time.

What we didn’t know was that the first group’s guide, probably thinking the second half went to join the other tour, kept going with the tour with only a handful of people. (They actually got a better tour than the rest AND caught a glimpse of Tom Cruise!) The rest of us, having heard the story of the separated half, thought that everyone had returned to the party which was now being herded out of the premise. So we packed up.

We found the Coworker’s canvas bag but she was nowhere around. Being it a canvas bag, not a purse, we thought that she might have gone home and forgot the bag. Before we left the office, the Coworker and I swapped phone numbers. I gave her a ring, but no answer. (As we found out, the phone was on mute, naturally.)

So we loaded up Celeste’s boss’ car (for easy unloading at the office the next day) with all the stuff including the bag. We didn’t really pry and see what all else was in the bag. We just checked that there was no food container. We didn’t hear any plastic thunking and we saw the bible on top, and that was enough for us.

Celeste and I stayed behind a bit to talk and to discuss my best route home from Culver City. I was following her car around and out of the parking lot when I spotted our guests waving at Celeste. At first I thought they were waving goodbye, but they were actually yelling FOR her. (Later Celeste told me she thought they were waving goodbye as well so she waved back and continued on her way.)

I stopped and asked if something was wrong.

“A girl, your coworker I think, is missing her bag,” he said through my window.

Oh my god.

The Coworker was still on the tour. Her phone was in the bag as that bag WAS her purse! Her wallet, her keys, everything was in the bag. She would’ve been completely abandoned without the bag.

Here’s the freaky part.

Earlier that morning, I went to the flower mart with Celeste. She was driving so she couldn’t call her boss, so I called her from my cell phone. The Boss’ number otherwise wouldn’t be in my contact list.  I would’ve had to call Celeste for the Boss’ number, but she couldn’t really answer because she didn’t have a hands-free device.

I did get in touch with the Boss and to top it all off, she lives in Culver City.  She was not too far away, so she turned right around with the Coworker’s bag in minutes.

The Coworker is a very spiritual Christian.  I’m thinking God was on HER side more than mine on that one.

#6

You might have seen a seemingly angry comment on my Olympics post. Just like any other comments (with return email address), I replied personally. I told Robert I agreed on all counts why China shouldn’t have the rights to host the game. However, I support the Olympics and the original Olympics spirit, just not this year’s host.

Robert wrote me a very touching reply and apologized for his knee jerk reaction to my post. He also offered to light a candle for my mom at church and kept her in his prayer as the anniversary dawns tomorrow.

A Christian friend from the blogosphere I just made today.

*

I’m telling you. God is gunning for me.