Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Questions to Asian Males About AMWF Relationships
A fellow YouTuber sent me a link to the video below. I watched her video several times so that I could rephrase her questions in my mind. The second video below were my responses.
I became aware of Asians and White people co-mingling in the early 1970's. This was a time when Vietnamese refugees were arriving in the United States by the thousands. For years, Servicemen were bringing home Asian brides from Korea, the Philippines, and Japan. Predominantly, couples were made up of White men and Asian women. The reverse, Asian men and White women, was an extreme rarity.
Only in the last ten years or so, have Asian American men been able to rise in status in the USA. This has been accomplished partly due to rising prominence in business, sports, entertainment, and intellectual opportunities. Some may also note that perhaps it is just "our time" to enjoy the chance of becoming a popular option for not just White women, but for all kinds of women.
The old stereotype of Asian men being geeky, nerdy, and low on self-esteem is out the window. These stereotypes were actually prejudicial interpretations of Asian character. What was most offensive was the perception of "low self-esteem." In Asian culture, "humility" and the ability to humble one's self is seen as a virtuous trait in a person.
In the USA, according to the current socio-economic norms, if I want to succeed in the dating scene (to attract Asian women AND other ethnicities), I need to be boisterous, self-centered, and treat women like objects. If this is true, I'd rather go on living lonely and alone. That's not who I am. I'm a warrior and gentleman which means I approach everyone with a measured cup of respect.
One last note: Even tough guys need to be rescued. Please ladies, sweep me off my feet!
I became aware of Asians and White people co-mingling in the early 1970's. This was a time when Vietnamese refugees were arriving in the United States by the thousands. For years, Servicemen were bringing home Asian brides from Korea, the Philippines, and Japan. Predominantly, couples were made up of White men and Asian women. The reverse, Asian men and White women, was an extreme rarity.
Only in the last ten years or so, have Asian American men been able to rise in status in the USA. This has been accomplished partly due to rising prominence in business, sports, entertainment, and intellectual opportunities. Some may also note that perhaps it is just "our time" to enjoy the chance of becoming a popular option for not just White women, but for all kinds of women.
The old stereotype of Asian men being geeky, nerdy, and low on self-esteem is out the window. These stereotypes were actually prejudicial interpretations of Asian character. What was most offensive was the perception of "low self-esteem." In Asian culture, "humility" and the ability to humble one's self is seen as a virtuous trait in a person.
In the USA, according to the current socio-economic norms, if I want to succeed in the dating scene (to attract Asian women AND other ethnicities), I need to be boisterous, self-centered, and treat women like objects. If this is true, I'd rather go on living lonely and alone. That's not who I am. I'm a warrior and gentleman which means I approach everyone with a measured cup of respect.
One last note: Even tough guys need to be rescued. Please ladies, sweep me off my feet!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
World Have Your Say - Are We Over-Educated?
Earlier today, I was listening to National Public Radio. They were carrying the BBC Radio's production of World Have Your Say. It's a public call in show that receives views and opinions from around the globe on a variety of topics. Responses can be phoned in; text messaged in; or emailed via their blog site.
One subject they were discussing, pertaining to Africa but open for general discussion, was the topic of over-educated Africans. The dilema, as discussed by on-air talents, was over-educated Africans are not able to function in the "real world" where people must work the available jobs that don't require a PhD. Hosts and callers pointed out that mainly taxpayers covered PhD candidates' expenses and complained that after graduation, graduates leave Africa because they cannot find work in their field of study.
That got me thinking: Are we as global citizens over-educated? How many of us are over-qualified for the job we have (or had)? In the BBC blog, one commentor stated that "education" is for the enrichment of the mind and soul. Education should not have anything to do with "vocation." I didn't get into an argument with anyone, but fifteen years ago, I would have wholeheartedly agreed. After suffering through underpaying jobs, piling debt, and dismally apparent job dissatisfaction, I wholeheartedly...semi-disagree now(eh?).
Committing four (or more) years and tens of thousands of dollars (or more) to one's higher education, in my opinion -these days- cannot be separated from one's vocation. Think of it this way: An insensitive manager at a business demotes a junior back to hourly employee status and says, "Don't take it personal, it's just business." Dammit! If that happened to me, you bet I'd take it pesonally. I spend more time at work than with my family and my friends. Given that analogy, I view university education as practice for working life. School is "on the job training," and work is "training on the job." (Yes, that's what I meant!)
Here's what I had to say on World Have Your Say: BBC Radio Blog
One subject they were discussing, pertaining to Africa but open for general discussion, was the topic of over-educated Africans. The dilema, as discussed by on-air talents, was over-educated Africans are not able to function in the "real world" where people must work the available jobs that don't require a PhD. Hosts and callers pointed out that mainly taxpayers covered PhD candidates' expenses and complained that after graduation, graduates leave Africa because they cannot find work in their field of study.
That got me thinking: Are we as global citizens over-educated? How many of us are over-qualified for the job we have (or had)? In the BBC blog, one commentor stated that "education" is for the enrichment of the mind and soul. Education should not have anything to do with "vocation." I didn't get into an argument with anyone, but fifteen years ago, I would have wholeheartedly agreed. After suffering through underpaying jobs, piling debt, and dismally apparent job dissatisfaction, I wholeheartedly...semi-disagree now(eh?).
Committing four (or more) years and tens of thousands of dollars (or more) to one's higher education, in my opinion -these days- cannot be separated from one's vocation. Think of it this way: An insensitive manager at a business demotes a junior back to hourly employee status and says, "Don't take it personal, it's just business." Dammit! If that happened to me, you bet I'd take it pesonally. I spend more time at work than with my family and my friends. Given that analogy, I view university education as practice for working life. School is "on the job training," and work is "training on the job." (Yes, that's what I meant!)
Here's what I had to say on World Have Your Say: BBC Radio Blog
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Ernie Replies to GirlTalkMD
The Girls at GirlTalkMD (on YouTube) subscribe to my YouTube channel. They're a mother-daughter team, and they're both a kick in the head. Recently they posted a video called "What's in Our Purses?" Responders, mostly women, have to disclose the contents of their purses.
My buddy, RetardedMango and I, as far as I know are the only guys to participate. Mango described his "purse" as a MAN-BAG. And, I said guys don't carry purses, but I opened up my fannypack for public inspection...
[Double click the frame above to go to YouTube to find links to the original GirlTalkMD video as well as other responders.]
My buddy, RetardedMango and I, as far as I know are the only guys to participate. Mango described his "purse" as a MAN-BAG. And, I said guys don't carry purses, but I opened up my fannypack for public inspection...
[Double click the frame above to go to YouTube to find links to the original GirlTalkMD video as well as other responders.]
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Ramune Soda in the USA
I've seen posted on YouTube clips of kids in the USA trying to open bottles of Ramune soda from Japan. Up until a couple of hours ago, I haven't been able to find a store in my neighborhood that carried the brand.
Well...
Thanks to Sangria USA, Inc. of Torrence, California for bringing this shower in a bottle to America!
I need to get these babies iced down. Taste test coming up! Stay tuned.
Well...
Thanks to Sangria USA, Inc. of Torrence, California for bringing this shower in a bottle to America!
I need to get these babies iced down. Taste test coming up! Stay tuned.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Tim Tam Slam-a-thon
Sorry for not posting for awhile. I've been doing some heavy research and video editing for an upcoming project.
On another note, my "Triple String Nunchaku" video tutorial on YouTube has surpassed 5,000 views. It also has been featured on AOL Video, Truveo, Freestyle Nunchaku Forum, and I've received several emails from nunchaku enthusiasts around the world.
To celebrate this achievement, it is customary on YouTube to "glut-o-nize" yourself on some kind of food. I've seen people eat big buckets of chicken wings, an extra large pizza, tubs of this-n-that.
I'm going to binge on Tim Tams from Australia. But, I'm going to "slam" each Tim Tam. "How do you slam a Tim Tam?" you ask. Easy. Bite the ends off, get a cup of your favorite hot beverage, and sip said beverage with the Tim Tam as if t were a straw. When it's filled, it'll start to melt. So, you have to quickly pop it into your mouth where it will EXPLODE with orgasmic deliciousness.
I now present to you, my Tim Tam Slam-a-thon (with musical accompaniment by the B-52's performing "Rocklobster."
On another note, my "Triple String Nunchaku" video tutorial on YouTube has surpassed 5,000 views. It also has been featured on AOL Video, Truveo, Freestyle Nunchaku Forum, and I've received several emails from nunchaku enthusiasts around the world.
To celebrate this achievement, it is customary on YouTube to "glut-o-nize" yourself on some kind of food. I've seen people eat big buckets of chicken wings, an extra large pizza, tubs of this-n-that.
I'm going to binge on Tim Tams from Australia. But, I'm going to "slam" each Tim Tam. "How do you slam a Tim Tam?" you ask. Easy. Bite the ends off, get a cup of your favorite hot beverage, and sip said beverage with the Tim Tam as if t were a straw. When it's filled, it'll start to melt. So, you have to quickly pop it into your mouth where it will EXPLODE with orgasmic deliciousness.
I now present to you, my Tim Tam Slam-a-thon (with musical accompaniment by the B-52's performing "Rocklobster."
Friday, May 23, 2008
Okinawan Pork Products
I bought one of these four years ago:
...and I ate tebishi two years ago!
But Aviva wins the pot pie contest with THIS ONE.
...and I ate tebishi two years ago!
But Aviva wins the pot pie contest with THIS ONE.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wiggle Your Big Toe...
I'm not going to try and gloss this over with humor and whimsy. This is one of those mid-life crises we all dread:
What am I going to do with the second half of my life?
Job satisfaction diminishes exponentially. Where are all the women I'm supposed to be compatible with? And 29 years of martial arts training (and all the injuries that comes with it) doesn't exactly have me jumping out of bed in the morning all sprite and ginger.
I chose a lifestyle (or did it chose me?), to follow a humble path of the minstrel-warrior, and have found that I live paycheck to paycheck; I'm up to my neck in debt; My creative juices have become bitter-sweet because the American work ethic demands I work myself dead-tired before I attempt anything I really enjoy; If I ever have children, I'll be too old to play ball with them; And, I'll consider my self lucky if there's anyone present at my funeral (which should take place approximately another 40-50 years from now).
My birthday is a couple of weeks away. I'm like a Klingon from Star Trek, when it comes to birthdays. I don't like parties, or cakes, or gifts. I like quiet meditation (or if I were a Klingon, I'd gloat and wonder why I didn't die a glorious death in combat), and watch some DVD's or catch up on some books I've been meaning to read. Many years ago, my good buddy and his wife took me out to dinner a few days before my actual birthday. They're sneaky like that. At the time, I was in my survivalist-mountainman yamabushi phase. So, they bought me a watch with all the gismo MacGuyver features on it. I put it to good use until it finally ticked its last tock. Sentimentalist I am, I still have it. And that's as far as I'll allow my birthdays to go.
California (SF Bay Area) is becoming increasingly more difficult for single people to stay. I check Craigslist almost everyday for used audio, video, and photographic gear. Artists and engineers are leaving California everyday, dumping their old gear before they go. I've picked up some really good bargains, in the hopes of building a side business in order to raise enough funds to move out of state as well with some savings as a buffer. California is too expensive, overcrowded, drought-prone, under-educated, air polluted, too many bond-measured, and lately - over rated.
As a trained audio recording engineer, people here in the Bay Area have said "Go work for Lucas." Yeah right. There's a group of former Skywalker Sound people that started their own recording studio because of the constant state of fear under Lucas. These guys named their studio: Banned From the Ranch. I tried getting in with these guys and found shut doors there too. [Curiosly, I work with a guy who is cousins with a BFTR guy. He mentioned me to his cousin and forwarded my complaint that "Banned" is just as closed door and arrogant as "Skywalker." His cousin's answer was: Yeah. That's about right.]
Sheesh!
Thank goodness for Blogger and YouTube. Great places to vent and be creative. Thank goodness for friends and family. AND...Thank goodness my one and only student chose me to be his teacher.
Like the character Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill Vol. 1 said after coming out of a coma and struggling to get back on her feet, "Wiggle your big toe." All I have to do is get past the hard part...Everything else gets easier.
We hope!
What am I going to do with the second half of my life?
Job satisfaction diminishes exponentially. Where are all the women I'm supposed to be compatible with? And 29 years of martial arts training (and all the injuries that comes with it) doesn't exactly have me jumping out of bed in the morning all sprite and ginger.
I chose a lifestyle (or did it chose me?), to follow a humble path of the minstrel-warrior, and have found that I live paycheck to paycheck; I'm up to my neck in debt; My creative juices have become bitter-sweet because the American work ethic demands I work myself dead-tired before I attempt anything I really enjoy; If I ever have children, I'll be too old to play ball with them; And, I'll consider my self lucky if there's anyone present at my funeral (which should take place approximately another 40-50 years from now).
My birthday is a couple of weeks away. I'm like a Klingon from Star Trek, when it comes to birthdays. I don't like parties, or cakes, or gifts. I like quiet meditation (or if I were a Klingon, I'd gloat and wonder why I didn't die a glorious death in combat), and watch some DVD's or catch up on some books I've been meaning to read. Many years ago, my good buddy and his wife took me out to dinner a few days before my actual birthday. They're sneaky like that. At the time, I was in my survivalist-mountainman yamabushi phase. So, they bought me a watch with all the gismo MacGuyver features on it. I put it to good use until it finally ticked its last tock. Sentimentalist I am, I still have it. And that's as far as I'll allow my birthdays to go.
California (SF Bay Area) is becoming increasingly more difficult for single people to stay. I check Craigslist almost everyday for used audio, video, and photographic gear. Artists and engineers are leaving California everyday, dumping their old gear before they go. I've picked up some really good bargains, in the hopes of building a side business in order to raise enough funds to move out of state as well with some savings as a buffer. California is too expensive, overcrowded, drought-prone, under-educated, air polluted, too many bond-measured, and lately - over rated.
As a trained audio recording engineer, people here in the Bay Area have said "Go work for Lucas." Yeah right. There's a group of former Skywalker Sound people that started their own recording studio because of the constant state of fear under Lucas. These guys named their studio: Banned From the Ranch. I tried getting in with these guys and found shut doors there too. [Curiosly, I work with a guy who is cousins with a BFTR guy. He mentioned me to his cousin and forwarded my complaint that "Banned" is just as closed door and arrogant as "Skywalker." His cousin's answer was: Yeah. That's about right.]
Sheesh!
Thank goodness for Blogger and YouTube. Great places to vent and be creative. Thank goodness for friends and family. AND...Thank goodness my one and only student chose me to be his teacher.
Like the character Beatrix Kiddo in Kill Bill Vol. 1 said after coming out of a coma and struggling to get back on her feet, "Wiggle your big toe." All I have to do is get past the hard part...Everything else gets easier.
We hope!
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)