Saturday Night's Dinner

Monday was a holiday and I had a long weekend. Usually, I won't bother about what to eat since eventually I'd be waking up late and sleeping early on holidays. Friday night, my brother invited me to Sakae Sushi with his family. Although I had already ordered dinner and was waiting for the delivery, I was thinking I should go. It's been a while since I had Salmon Sashimi (*starry eyes*) . It was good. Even though I hate to say I really despise the current shoyu at Sakae Sushi.

I went to Tesco and I decided to cook dinner on Saturday and invited my brother and his family to my apartment. I haven't been in the kitchen since my mom was here and I thought I must do some cooking or else my skills will be gone with the wind. Although I started at 4.30pm, I must say I did pretty well and everything was done before 7. I made Roasted Beef, Baked Potatoes and Savoury Rice.

Baked Potatoes ala Akira

Recipe for the Baked Potatoes:

Ingredients:

3 cleaned potatoes
2 teaspoons of dry basil
2 teaspoons of dry thyme
3 small cubes butter
canola oil
salt

Wash the potatoes and deep-cut potatoes (do not slice it) . Drizzle some canola oil on top of the potatoes and sprinkle dry basil, dry thyme and salt. Put the cube butter on top of each potatoes and wrap them in foil. Bake in the oven (200^oC / 392^oF) for about an hour. Easy Breezy.

Roast Beef ala Akira

This one's easy breezy too:

Recipe for the Roast Beef:

Ingredients:

500 gm australian beef
2 teaspoons dry oregano
2 teaspoons dry thyme
2 teaspoons Italian herbs
salt and pepper
olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix all together. Put in the fridge for 24 hours. Then later in the oven for about 1 1/2 hour, (200^oC / 392^oF). Slice the beef when it's done. Easy??

Savoury Rice ala Akira

This ones pretty easy too:

Recipe for the Savoury Rice:

Ingredients:

2 cups of fragrant Rice (lightly washed)
1 bulb onion (chopped)
2 carrots (cubed)
chopped basil leaves
melted butter
salt
4 cups water


Fry the rice together with chopped onion and carrots with the melted butter. Add in the chopped basil leaves and add water slowly. Put the lid on and leave it on slow fire. I'm not sure how long it takes to cook this but, I assume maybe 20 mins.

You can try if you want. At least I know it's not poisonous. Hahaha!

Reading Situation and Having a G*D*mn Good Timing

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I don't know about you , but I am one of those people who actually do not observe my surroundings. Yup. I don't. Sometimes I'd be in a place, empty-minded and then I'd go "What am I doing here?". Eventhough I'm such an idiotic piece of wood a blockhead, sometimes I do read situation perfectly. Sometimes.

Someone I know told me that I've always do things that people want me to do as a favor without noticing that I'm actually just being used as an excuse. People don't actually care about what shit I'm in as long as they get what they want. I've never actually thought of it that way until I was told, then I came to my senses. I've always thought that doing a favor means, you're helping people without asking for anything in return. I've always been thought that way and it has always been this way ever since 1984 (for me).

But she also told me this: "Doing someone a favor means you're nice. Being used as an excuse means you're stupid. You don't have to think about being given anything in return. Those people who owes you shit should know."

I was surprised that someone actually thought about these things for me. I mean, someone's thinking about my feelings. I realized that I didn't want to feel like that because it's not right. And being an ignorant fuckhead someone who's always put aside the ridiculous thought, I finally understood what she meant. I've encountered this before and it's been going on and on and on and she said maybe I should put a stop to this. I told her, I should not put a stop to anything because nothing is wrong. It's just maybe those people should know how to read situation.

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Girl: I can't believe this
Boy: It's not what you think
Girl: She sat on your lap
Boy: I'm serious. It's not what you think.
Girl: I hate you
Boy: But it's not what you think

-stare. long stare. Looooong stare-
Boy holds girl's face, leaned forward -

Dad: There you are! Let's go home!
Girl: =_="

Hahaha.... Happened to me before. I perceived this as "being saved from having a future that is going to be painful". When I look back, I'm thankful that it never happened. (I was a bit disappointed though). Hehehe.

How would you react to this situation?

And I secretly wanted it to happen somehow. It's not wrong to dream. =P


Think about it...

Getaway. Hideaway.

What makes someone feel useless?


Ah well, I feel that most of the time. Though I know it's bad for my mental health at least I don't have to be fucked up trying to impress every single living creature in the whole world. What makes me feel useless? First is when I'm at work. Give me 30 mins to solve a bug. When I can't figure it out, I'll have these thoughts in my mind "All the 4 1/2 years hard work are thrown in the gutter", "Ah... am I just plain stupid?", "Ah... Tennen baka dakara". And it goes on and on and on til I get a migraine, white-faced, feverish and waiting to explode. But it's only me, that's how i get my adrenaline pumping to solve something. When I feel used and abused.... Yeah. That's the worst. Being used is useless? yeah... Useless because I'm too nice. (Really now?)



What makes someone feels like shoving a broom up someone's a-hole?

• Being irritated is one.
• Other than that is being told of things I don't bother to know. You know, things like who are in American Idol or stuff. (Maybe it only works for an ignorant walking ball of wrath like myself).
• Other than that is, when I somehow (accidentally) bother about things or being concerned about anything and being shoved aside. That kinda hurt.
• Also, being cornered with bothersome questions when you know it's written all over my face "Do I look like I give a shit?". Hmm.. Oh... there are more.
• When an idiot actually made the biggest mistake in his/her life (a.k.a a smart ass in studies, an idiot in life, a total loser) tried to make me look miserable in front of the entire world.
• When someone talks too much about their brain and how smart they are and are quite talented of being a jerk half the time.
• and the list goes on...

I totally suck . . .

• at quarelling. When I'm being attacked with words, I'd be speechless
• at controlling my temper (Saint Angst?)
  
• when coming up with excuses and lying
  
• . . . enough already...

I'd be jumping up and down like an idiot and running around the house naked(feet)...

• when new SDK volume's at Kinokuniya
• when my anime list is updated
• when I bought new books/anime/manga

10 ways to quick cash:

1. newspaper routing?
2. garage sale?
3. sell your brother's skateboard collection
4. sell the XBOX
5. be a pusher?
   
6. break a leg and claim insurance (haahahha!!)
7. help your neighbour to mow her lawn
   
8. bake cookies?
9. sell your Gundam (desperate measures)
10. sell you baby brother/sister/niece/nephew

what a dope... Warning: Do not try all the above.

Mizu no sei da

I don't remember how many times it happened... but all I know is that it will happen every year. And last night, it happened again. It's total suicide I tell ya. It began with the feeling of hatred. The 'tap.. tap' sound ticked me off. I was busy preparing for today's lunch. However, the tapping sound really got me into 'killing mode'. As usual, when the killing mode is switched on, I'm a walking ball of wrath. I ran to the toilet and then "BAMMM". The next thing i know, I was on the floor, all wet in my pajamas.

Yeap. I slipped.

On Monda, Negishi told me that he's quitting. And he'd tender his resignation. I was damn sad. Seriously. My cubicle mate, my anime-mate. I'm gonna be totally bored when Negishi leaves. Tori-san told me that another colleague is quitting soon. There less than 10 people in the office now. How sad is that. I'm sure everyone will be in burakku moddo (BLACK MODE). Especially me.

Ah man.... I've lost my mood to write now..

Until next time.

The Soba, The Croquette, The Tausa and The Trip

I've been yapping "Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba! Soba!" the whole week. My dream of having it for lunch yesterday afternoon was crushed by another trip to McDonald's (coz my boss wanted to eat Chicken Prosperity Burger...*pfft*). But last night finally, I was able to devour it, together with the forever indescribable goodness of Croquette at Sushi King. I never knew the Croquette was so good to be eaten together with Chicken Teriyaki Soba. The best word to describe it: "Subarashii". It was like heaven... Epiphany maybe?

The soba was superb (I bet it was not as good as the ones you can find in Japan a.k.a The Original Teriyaki Soba) but it was okay to kill the craving attack. The soup was slightly sweet and the soba noodle itself was quite soggy (they probably overcooked it). I still prefer cold soba over this but it was not a deep disappointment for me as I was fired to the max to dig in the Croquette.

Figure 1 : Sushi King no Tori Teriyaki Soba

I started with 4 pieces of sushi while reading about Liesel and Tom, and when the 'main course' arrived, i started mixing the wasabi and shoyu.... drooling... ;P I poke the Croquette with my chopsticks. It was crunchy on the outside and inside was soft. And the smell...oh, the smell~

Figure 2: Sushi King no Croquette

Dipping the Croquette in the Wasabi + Shoyu mix was brilliant. The sweet taste of the soft taro and the crunchiness of the breaded surface was heaven. (I'm seriously out of words to describe it). The taro melted in my mouth! (Okay... i exagerate a little... a lot). But it was good, i tell ya. After a few cups of hot green tea, I left with a big smile painted on my face. It was great.

Last night, my mom's aunt called her and invited all of us to go to Seremban during the Chinese New Year break. She called me yesterday too, to make sure I was free. My parents talked to me about it last night (I couldn't sleep, coz I was too excited about today*.) I deliberately reject the idea. I just wanted to see their reaction. That's all. Hahah!! Boy, was Chichi-ue mad. He really wanted me to have a good break, as in a little vacation for myself. Haha-ue was trying so hard to make me say 'Yes'. But the thing is, they didn't know that I do want to go and even planned a little trip along the way (like.... going to Melaka perhaps...). I told them "I'll think about it. Let me sleep". Hahaha.

This morning, I had my favourite Tausa Pao. It's been a while since I had it. I call it "Taisa-dono" coz it does sounded like Taisa a little. I was happy that i get to eat it today. I wanted to buy it yesterday but when i reached the shop that sells it, it was too early and they were still steaming it.

Pic 3: Tausa Pao

*Today: I can't wait to go back today. I'm gonna go pick up my manga and I'm gonna meet my old friend.

To all my friends who celebrate Chinese New Year: Gong Xi Fa Chai
Have a prosperous one!!

Until next time.

* wasabi - japanese horseradish
shoyu - soy sauce
soba - buckwheat noodle
subarashii - wonderful
Tausa Pao - Red Bean Steamed Bun
Taisa - Captain (Navy)
Liesel and Tom - Characters from the book I'm currently reading

Stress plus bossa

I've always been moved by the tunes of bossa nova. It's sorta like cool jazz, samba fusion tune which is relaxing and kinda take you away from the hassle of the city (and mind). This unique mix got me stuck in this mode (relax and lazy) for a while and it's kinda a temporary substitute (temporary AND substitute?? what the..) for my current mind-relaxing method (sleeping). A change of taste u say?? No. No. No. It's 'diversification'.

Bossa nova tune.

Basically what I know is, bossa nova comes from Brazil. That's as much as I know about it. Period. (I'll write more about it once i get my hands full of the details, but for now, let's just enjoy the music :P ) Regardless of the history and the fascinating story behind the genre, I'm very much in love with it.

A few days back, I was at MPH with my parents (yes...I bought books... it's Stress-Relief Therapy). I was enjoying the music that they put on in MPH, seriously, I was fascinated by it. The first thing I had in mind was "Deja Vu... ka?". It's like the same thing had happened to me before. Then I realized, it's just like the first time I heard the Ginza Bossa Nova. The music was awesome. I even asked the counter for the CD, and it's Brazillian Bossa Nova. Coolness, I thought. But I just left it to that... My mind keeps on thinking about it though. I even thought of buying the CDs. Hahaha... This week, my eveyday life seems to be much associated with this genre. I wasn't aware of it at first, until yesterday. (Not really...) I've been downlading bossa tunes for a while now and very much satisfied with it. So, the other day, I was re-running Chobits (I'm collecting the manga now.... talk about addiction) coz I thought I haven't watched it for quite a loooong time. I realized the theme songs for this anime (BGM especially) are mostly bossa tunes. What are the odds~ Hahaha...

So yesterday I went to Borders, looking for Chobits manga. But unfortunately, they don't have Volume 1 in The Curve. So I booked it online at Kinokuniya, KLCC together with Samurai Deeper KYO Volume 32. (Yuan is fighting Hotaru in this Volume...ooopsss... OOT Pulak~*OOT - Out of topic* ) and will be picking them up this Friday. (Hurry Friday!! a pun?! )

CORRECTION: Yuan is fighting Hotaru in Volume 31. Too excited about getting Volume 32 and as usual, my buffer #31 has not been read. Will be reading it once #32 is in my hand.

Frustrated with Borders... I went to Sun Comic and picked up some new anime. AND 2 CDs of Chobits OST. I was really happy yesterday (Happiness: MAX). After I paid, i realized that I also wanted Code Geass OST and there were 4 of them in the store. I told myself "Maybe i should get it the next time I come". The guy at the cashier keeps on talking to me about Samurai Deeper KYO (how the anime sucks bla bla bla... Tell me something I don't know) and also about Blade Of The Immortal (again.. about how the anime sucks... I doubt he read the manga, coz when I talked about the manga he went "blank"). He was a cheerful dude and because of the none stop talking, he accidentally put an extra DVD in my bag. I realized it after i finished a few plates of sashimi at Sakae Sushi (I was checking on the Chobits OST i just bought). It was raining heavily so I refused to go back to Cineleisure. Maa, ii ka~ I'll just give it back the next time I go. (It's some gaming DVD I think.. not that I have any use of it)


Anyway, here's a couple of songs from Chobits OST (bossa tunes) for you to enjoy. These 2 are my favourites. Saa, kitte kudasai. Douzo~

Until next time.

Soul full of hope is soul full of shit

"Soul full of hope is soul full of shit". Which is true. Hoping Sucks. When you stopped hoping, reality hits you in the head and says "Where have you been all these while punk!" Is it wrong to be hoping for something? Hope will mislead you. I think. It's not logic. But I guess it depends rite? Sometimes, hope will make someone wants to live more than dying.

Have you ever encounter people who talks funny? I mean, sometimes, no, most of the time, you can't catch up with what they say or mean. For example, one time, they tell you they don't like this gang because they like to bully and talk shit about them. The next thing, they're eating ice-cream at McDonald's together. You know, it's really weird. People say things they don't mean all the time. But this one is seriously funny (as in bizarre). If you don't like that person/group of people, why would you wannna hang out with them? Don't give excuses like "I don't have a choice" because it's serious bullshit. After a session of story-telling with you, they HOPE you'll give full attention to them... ONLY. (hope to them = want and a must) You know, like, suddenly when you flip your books their names are written in there as well. Something like this "XXXX " It's annoying really!

When you forget about them for a while they'll say "How could you forget about me?" or when you hang out with people they have problems with they'll think you hate them. For goodness' sake... Some people are so weird. The best solution is to ignore them. But since it's kinda weird, I guess I should just say what's on my mind.

The title was inspired by an old number from Marilyn Manson - Rock Is Dead.

"1,000 mothers are praying for it
We're so full of hope And so full of shit"
-Rock Is Dead by Marilyn Manson

Anyway,
I'm so bored today. (Tell me something I don't know...) It's the first week of the year 2009. I just got off the phone with the Perodua guy and the Insurance company. And they told me Midou can be release this Saturday (if there's no other problem) !!!! (I hope...) No. No. I can't use that word anymore. Nothing much to do at work and I'm beginning to re-arrange my schedule. (Not like I'm ever organized before.) I've dozens of organizers and there is one that I like the most. It was a present from Fuyuko's mother. Every year I will buy new refills for it (because the paper gets yellow not because it's full). I've never really utilized the thing they call 'Organizer' and this year, I'm trying to use it as much as possible. I also got myself a 'Journal'. I use it to keep up on the events and ... (wait.. wait... why am I explaining all these here?) I can't wait for Midou's return. I'm counting the days.