On the Universe & Being Shameless

OakMonster.com - Talk Like A Pirate Day - Krispy Kreme - Captain Bubbles

It was Talk Like A Pirate Day last week. Since I’ve learned about the holiday 7 years ago, I’ve transformed into Captain Bubbles and gone to work as such. Every year. Last year, I sailed to the township of Long Beach to plunder a pastry shopped called Krispy Kreme. Since I was rogue at the time, I brought the booty to my good friend Doctor Justin to take to work.  This year, Captain Bubbles, now employed, repeated the raid and came away with pastries for her shipmates. One of my coworkers asked, “Where did you rent your outfit from?” “These...
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Be Kind for Khun Noi

OakMonster.com - Be Kind for Khun Noi

Please join me in remembering my mom, Noi, on the 6th anniversary of her passing by doing something good for others. Treat your coworkers to donuts. Donate to charity that is not yours. Give money to a bum. Etc. Share your act on the event’s Facebook wall, if you’d like. Dedicate your act of kindness to the wonderful Khun Noi who was always generous to her family, friends, and those in need....
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My Reading Evolution

OakMonster.com - Doctor Who - Silence in the Library

Brandon reads on average a book and a half a week. You wouldn’t believe how much of a relief it is when he got a Kindle for Christmas the year it first came out.  Our shelves were overflowing with books back then. We were taking boxes to our friend’s used bookstore or local library. At one point, I started re-selling them on Amazon. As for me, as you know, my goal is ALWAYS to read 12 books a year. Some years I did well. Some years I didn’t. So far, this year I’m on a pretty good path. Thanks to...
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Crushing on Superman

Henry Cavill - Man of Steel

Then again, who isn’t? Am I right? It’s been well documented that I love me the dark haired, blue eyed boys. So it shouldn’t surprised anyone that I walked out of Man of Steel with a crush. Hi, Henry. Yeah, you, sir. Clark Kent. Kal-el. Superman. (Nerd note: They’re just calling him “Kal”? That bugs the living hell out of me, by the way.) (More nerd note: Yes, I kind of like the new back story of Man of Steel. So I thoroughly enjoyed the movie up until he and Lois met, and it pretty much went downhill from there...
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Friendship is Magic

OakMonster - Otto and Bob's Big Boy

I was told a few times that my life would make for a great reality television show.  All the things I do are fascinating, they say.  I am quite certain someone else’s life is probably a hell of a lot more interesting than mine. But mine really ain’t that bad. But none of that fun stuff wouldn’t happen without my awesomely diverse group of friends I have come to know. I mean, what got me to write this post is this twitter conversation. Sure. You’d laugh at that little miscommunication about a recipe for the world’s hottest chile pepper.  But...
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I don’t take compliment well

OakMonster.com - Disapproving Asian Father

It definitely is an Asian thing to ALWAYS be humble. Humble even though the other side of the humble facade is the push to be the best at everything. Get straight A’s. Excel in music. Be the best at dance. Win all the medals. But NEVER tell anyone that you’re the best or agree with anyone else who tells you that you are the best. Your parents and teachers always tell you that you’re good but not THAT good, and that you need to do better.  All at the same time, be humble about how good you are. Even if...
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