moleman's Xanga

Monday, September 21, 2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 02:30:50 GMT

The opposite of love isn't hate, it's indifference

It’s hard to believe that it’s been three years since I moved to New York.. everything seemed like it went by so fast. A lot of exciting things have happened since graduation… I kicked off a career, ran a marathon, made some great friends, and just recently moved into my own place. However, there is one aspect of moving to New York that continues to bother me. And that’s the overwhelming cynicism that seems to be inherent to anyone who has lived in any of the five boroughs for at least a year.

Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being a part of this area. There are many things to do, and no where else in the world can you find a bustling city composed of an amalgam of people with different racial, social, and economic profiles. But lately, I noticed that my character has changed quite a bit; I feel like I’ve become less patient, less trustworthy of others and more cynical in general. For instance, have you ever walked down the street with me? It’s quite a site to be seen… How did this happen? Can it be avoided? How does one become less cynical? Can it be done without being taken advantage of? My mama ain’t raise no fool.

To be clear, I don’t mean to mistaken pessimism with cynicism. While there may be some aspect of pessimism in me, it’s not entirely the same. Pessimists expect all things to go wrong, but will be pleasantly surprised when things go right. Cynics believe that nothing can possibly go right and often have a lack of trust for others. And as a result, cynics become impatient, selfish and uncaring.

The first two never seemed to bother me as they aren’t anything new, but the third seems to strike a chord. Tim Keller has always said that the opposite of love isn’t hate; it’s indifference. As believers, we’re supposed to be salt and light to this world; but how can you accomplish this when you simply don’t care? Shockingly, I’ve seen this transformation in other people as well, many of whom I would never expect to have this characteristic.

I’m not quite sure how to handle this change. I have to say, I’m still a fairly happy person, much more so than I was in college. I’ve even become more laid back, regardless of having a job in a usually-stressful environment. So what should I do? Am I doomed to become a cold-faced New Yorker? Should I move to LI, Jersey or Westchester? Maybe I should start walking around the city with a big smile on my face.

Suggestions are welcome - Please email me directly.

Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 12:28:47 GMT

What would you do if you were in NYC and had the day off?

Monday, March 03, 2008

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:04:00 GMT

http://www.mybrokenleg.com/mike2

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:40:45 GMT

my foot hurts

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:04:00 GMT

Just an update on my training progress - 6 days left until the Marathon!!!

Training has been going well so far- I've completed several long runs and am on track to run a 9 min/mi pace on race day. Fortunately, I haven't faced any major injuries and am very excited/nervous about sunday. =p

In addition, many people have asked where they can go to cheer me on on race day. For those who will be in the NYC-area, I've created a map outlining the course and my estimated time of arrival for each mile (plus 5-10 min depending how long it takes to get across the startline). I've also highlighted some of the less-crowded cheering areas in central-park in light blue. If you do come out, I ask that all my supporters stay on the left side of the course- thereby making it easier for me to spot you. Furthermore, ING has designated a few 'official' cheering zones for spectators to create posters and other fun things, and Dunkin' Donuts will be giving away free coffee along various points on the course. Please click the link below for details.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=112823085590322719345.00043d56a8af43e0fc06c&ll=40.691833,-73.958244&spn=0.190812,0.32135&z=12&om=1

Finally, a special thanks to everyone who have generously supported me in my fundraising efforts. Your contributions/comments have all been a strong encouragement to me throughout the training process. But for those who wish to contribute, but haven't - please visit my personal page on the Team Continuum website at http://www.teamcontinuum.net/athlete_page.asp?eid=3&uid=82244 and make a donation online. Again, your contribution goes towards a great low-overhead organization where 97% of the proceeds goes directly to the patients and your donation is completely tax-deductable.

Once again, thank you for your support!! =D

-Mike

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 03:35:41 GMT

This year, I’ve decided to run the NYC Marathon coming up on November 4th. At first, I thought running my first marathon would be a great way to challenge myself and get back into shape. But looking back now.. wow.. I was so naive. I don't think I fully understood what I was getting myself into. 26.2 miles is A LOT longer than I thought! While training, I often think twice about my decision- but then I’m reminded of the story of Paul Nicholls- Team Continuum's founder.

Four years ago, Paul had stage 3 Myeloma and asked his doctor if he would be able to run in the NYC Marathon. At first his doctor thought he was out of his mind, considering that he was about to have a stem cell transplant, surgery on his left arm and a few rounds of chemo; But after his doctor realized he was in fact serious, he was so inspired that he decided to run with him, and raise money doing so.

Since then, Paul and his volunteers have raised over $3.5 million to help families battling cancer and provide funding to improve cancer patient care programs at some of the largest cancer treatment facilities in the country. Please note that Team Continuum is not a research organization; though they’re fully grateful for it, their focus is on helping today’s cancer patients and their families.

I thought Paul's story was incredibly inspiring and have decided to partner with Team Continuum to assist their cause. I’ve committed to raise a minimum of $2620 or $100/mile. I have also set a goal of finishing within 4.5 hrs, but the competitor in me won’t be satisfied unless I finish under 4.

Training for the marathon has been a huge time commitment, and my sore body is a testament to my rigorous training. But my blisters, cramps and aching muscles end at 26 miles; the patients I'm running for aren't as lucky.

Please consider partnering with me for this great cause. This is a very low overhead organization where 97% of the proceeds go towards the patients and your donation is 100% tax deductible. To learn more about Team Continuum and make a donation online, please visit my personal page or click the link below. If you don’t feel comfortable making a donation online, please reply back to me and I will mail you a donation form.

http://www.teamcontinuum.net/athlete_page.asp?eid=3&uid=82244

Thanks for your support!!

Monday, August 27, 2007

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:22:18 GMT

b o n z a i 68 1 (11:11:01 PM): as i was running in central park today
b o n z a i 68 1 (11:11:11 PM): the song 'what's my age again' came up on my ipod
b o n z a i 68 1 (11:11:17 PM): by blink182
netdanny (11:11:20 PM): yeah?
b o n z a i 68 1 (11:11:29 PM): all of sudden i had an urge to run around naked
netdanny (11:11:34 PM): hahahahahahaha
netdanny (11:11:37 PM): nice
netdanny (11:12:00 PM): i must say i have not had that experience
b o n z a i 68 1 (11:12:18 PM): yeah..
b o n z a i 68 1 (11:12:28 PM): i was able to resist the temptation

Monday, July 23, 2007

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:43:25 GMT

Cereal Commercials

so I was walking around the cereal section in a grocery store, and it dawned upon me: Why is it that I don't see cereal commercials as often as I used to when we were kids?

Is it because I don't watch cartoons anymore? Or is it because air-time got so expensive that cereal companies stopped using tv commercials? Someone please tell me, becuase I'm kind of offended- I feel so ignored. Why don't these cereal companies want my business anymore?

Or maybe because us twenty-somethings aren't a targeted audience. I assume most cereal companies probably make the most money marketing their products towards kids. Cause seriously... cap'n crunch? WORST cereal ever.. it tastes like cardboard AND it cuts the roof of your mouth. but I guess quaker oats came up with a pretty good character geared towards kids. that cap'n crunch was one cool dude. he could sell me anything.

and just for kicks, i've compiled a list of fun 90's cereal commercials below. (best viewed in IE)

kid's tested, mother's approve
just follow your noooose
gotta have my pops
hey, they're frosted.. hey, we're clay! - personal favorite
barney...!
go green one...
monster mash
silly rabbit....
here... crunch this as part of your balanced breakfast

anyways.. i bring this up because i spent a reallly really long time trying to decide on a cereal to buy at the grocery store. I had it narrowed down to three that day: Corn Pops, Fruity Pebbles (even tho it turns your dookie funny colors), and Kix. I think I decided on Corn pops because fruity pebbles was too sweet and I already just finished a box of Kix. Had I saw a really really cool commercial that day.. maybe I would've been swayed into buying something else. Someone please bring some insight into this situation and take my poll below!

1.) What was your favorite cereal as a kid?
2.) What is your favorite cereal now?

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Wed, 04 Jul 2007 04:16:03 GMT

Second yankees game this week.. (yay for holidays and early closes =p)
Chien-Ming Wang!!!

some notable events:
- holding up the ROC flag inbetween innings (let me know if you saw us on tv!)
- getting random fobs to pose with us for pictures!! (not shown)
- doing role call for Torii Hunter
- chanting "you're not jeter" ::clap clap, clap clap clap:: when bartlett tried to do the 'jeter move'
- "sieve sieve sieve... it's all your fault, it's all your fault!"
- and of course... winning 8-0 =P

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Wed, 16 May 2007 03:23:30 GMT

Pictures!!

will do...... mmm.. chicken.

prounounced 'da san ba'.. which sounds like 38 (san ba).. which is slang for 'easy woman'. add 'da' infront of it and... hehehe...

me in mong kok.. but check out my shirt! it says.. white person can't read.. heh heh

so you know how i was gonna bring back a wife?.. i actually met this really cute girl at ocean park in hk

...so i thought i'd get to know her better

...buy her a drink

and success!!

taken at great wall in beijing.... china has wayyy too many people

quite amazing..

panda taking a dookie. he's also got a brown streak on his back...

this was definately the most beautiful place i've ever visited: Taroko National Park. More pictures in the link below.

::drool::

ooooooooh.... so good

side view: after one dinner...

front view: looks like im 3 months pregnant

boba tea comes in jumbo mugs =D

click here for more pictures

Notes:
-fly cathay pacific whenever possible
-taiwanese girls are really really really cute
-if you're up by $200 at a casino in macau... stop. $200 is good enough, stop being greedy Mike.
-hk has the cleanest and most efficient subway ever
-china has A LOT of people
-meat on a stick is always worth it on the way down... but not on the way out.
-chinese stomach medicine is useless
-never visit the great wall on May Day ever again. people in china have no understanding of personal space... not to mention their wonderfully fragrant body odor...
-don't ever think about bringing back a girl from China. their parents will probably follow and move in with you.
-they broadcasted every yankees game in taiwan. chien ming wang is like a superhero over there
-taroko national park is the most beautiful place i've ever been
-someone cut open a durian on a train back to taichung. i wanted to knee him in the face.
-chen shui-bian and the dpp are causing a lot of unnecessary trouble....
-i discovered an ice monster in taiwan and it is wonderful.
-always remember to bring tp to the bathrooms in china. always.