Hay guys! I'm back in the lower 48, waiting at the SeaTac airport, enjoying the wifi. Oh internet, how I missed you.

A couple things:

1) I uploaded pictures from PAX to facebook. They are public, so you can view them even if you don't use the facebook (http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2477317&id=5102860&l=c8f4f9fa98). I was going to cross-post them here, but I don't know if it's really worth the effort. Plus, I don't know if facebook supports remote linking.

2) I've been out of the media loop for a couple weeks since I've been on vacation. What happened with Kanye "interrupting?" And then something about Obama. I am so confused. I could just google it, but my LJ audience does such a better job of delivering the news.

Sup, LJ? I'm here in Seattle at PAX (Penny Arcade Expo). It's lots of fun.

I'm doing micro-updates on my twitter and syncing them to facebook (I'm so high-tech). So, either follow me on twitter since my tweets are protected (http://www.twitter.com/forkyfork) or add me on Facebook. Weee.

The highlight of the trip so far has been meeting Reggie Fils-Aimé at the Nintendo booth. It was completely random. He was just hanging out, checking the sites, and I did a double-take when I saw him. I'm not sure if people even knew who he was. I tried my best not to turn into a screaming fan girl, but it's so hard. I'd hate to see how I'd react if I met Steve Jobs.

I did get a picture, but I'm far too busy to upload it right now. It was pretty awesome, though, I assure you.

Hope everyone is having a lovely Labor Day weekend. I can't believe my vacation has barely started.

James, a friend and I took a road trip up to Scranton, PA for the long weekend. We are staying at my friend's parents house and have a lot of stuff planned. I want to do Bingo tonight but we are all pretty tired. We will see.

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Tags: via ljapp
Current Location: US, Pennsylvania, Wayne, Ridgewood Cir

I saw the Star Trek movie last night on opening night. But since it was such an odd time (8:30) the theater was kinda empty. But the movie was good. I want to discuss it, but I know a lot of people haven't seen it yet, so I'll wait.

I do want to talk to people on here who do see the movie but don't have much prior knowledge of Star Trek (does that apply to ANYONE on my friends list??). I haven't seen many Star Trek episodes, so I went into the movie with a pretty clean slate.

To all hard core Star Trek fans - do not expect an exact replica of the show. There are a few key differences. There was one BIG difference in fact. It made James (a Star Trek veteran) go "WTF how can they do that?!" but I was unphased since I thought it was necessary to advance the plot of the movie.

For those who have seen it.. what did you think?

Also, Tyler Perry is in the movie. James and I found this hilarious. Madea goes to Starfleet. Lulz.

I made my gadget purchase of the year. I've been eyeing e-book readers for a while, and I decided to buy the Amazon Kindle. I also bought a nifty case for it. So far, it's pretty neat :)




Yes, it's a bit pricey compared to a book, but it can also do a lot more than a book too. I like how it can surf the web using the Sprint network (instead of Wifi) but I don't have to pay a subscription fee. It makes it easy to use it without needing a computer.

I was a bit hesitant to buy one because you can't see them anywhere in a retail store. But, Amazon has a generous 30-day return policy, so I'm making good use of that. I'm only a week into it, but I think I might just keep it. They seem to have excellent resale value.

I'll keep you posted :)

I had to think about this one for awhile. Originally I was going to say "salmon", because I really love salmon. But the truth is, when I'm feeling down, the last thing I want to do is put effort into cooking salmon! Plus, salmon is kinda expensive.

So instead, I'm going to say potatoes. Man, I love potatoes. I wish potatoes were healthier, because I would eat them all the time. I mean, they're not terrible for you, but they are awfully starchy. I love potatoes all ways - seasoned, mashed, french fried, pancaked. I also like sweet potatoes.

Ever since I've refined my eating habits, I had to take a drastic cut on potatoes. I used to eat them everyday, but now they are a rare treat. After writing this entry, I could really go for some potatoes. Maybe I will.

Tags: food, solace, writer's block

I just broke a key rule of mine. I made - not one - but two significant purchases after midnight :(

First, I bought an 8gb refurbished last gen iPod nano. Apple has a longer return policy for the Christmas season (minus a 10% restocking fee, of course), and I really need to play around with both the new and the old gen nanos to see which one I like better. I think I am going to end up choosing less space and more compatibility for $100 less, but we'll see.

Then, I bought a bunch of stuff on Amazon. There was a really good deal on a Bodum Coffee Press that came with double-walled glasses (I've always wanted these things!). They also had these crazy Silicone Baking Mats that sound cool. Originally I was just going to order 1, but instead I cashed in on the 4-for-3 promotion figuring that I could keep extras or give them to friends. I also bought a space heater since I refuse to use the heat in my house when I only really care about heating my bedroom.

At the last minute I thought of a cheap book I could have added to my order, but I suppose it's not that big of a deal. There is always the library..

I just bought this shirt from Woot. For those who know me, it is very appropriate.



Also, I had a sudden consumer urge the other day and decided to buy a new 16gb iPod nano. Thanks to Sam's Club lenient return policy, I have three months to decide if I really want it. I'm also considering downgrading and getting one of those square 3rd generation nano's, instead. It's cheaper (refurbished) but it's only 8gb. Oh, dilemmas, dilemmas. Any advice?

Wow - Newsweek was very popular with my last entry. That went fast! Sorry I can't give everyone a subscription, but the next time I see a "free subscription" link, I'll let you guys know.

All magazines are claimed, except I still have "Star" up for grabs. Someone, please take it. It's free, it's trashy, and you can use it however you wish. I just don't want to let it go to waste.

I also found that I have a "Shape" subscription that is good until Feb 2009. Someone please claim that as well.

Comments are screened again :)

I need to cut back on my magazine subscriptions. But rather than just canceling, I thought I would give them away to my wonderful livejournal friends.

Below are the magazine subscriptions I have and when they expire. Comment with which ones you want and your address. All comments are screened.

Newsweek - May 4, 2009
SEED - Jan/Feb 2009
Star - Apr 2009
Interview - Apr 2009


First come, first served so I can't guarantee anything.

Because I seem to be noticing a trend with my friends, I had to ask..


Poll #1277739 Motivation
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: None, participants: 33

In this past 30 days, how much have you experienced a general lack of motivation?

After a year, I reorganized my speed dial. I have people attached to numbers that I haven't called for a long time.

I find it funny that more than half of the people on my speed dial have names that start with the letter "J". I always thought it was a cool letter.

I saw this ad on the facebook marketplace. I'm not sure if the guy is serious or just joking. Either way, it's amusing:

"I needs somewheres to live!

I gots mad bank. Sometimes I like to party and get crazy, but only on weekends, I'm a working professional, and if I ever party and get crazy, It'll be an all expenses paid trip if you and any other roomates wish to join me!

I can afford proetty much wherver, but it has to be close to my job. Also currently I'm on house arrest for the next like 100 days, but that shit is no big problem at all, it just keeps me in line.

I'm a programmer (PHP/MYSQL/CSS/XML). If you live with me, you get all the latest cds, movies, books, and whatever for free, all the time, the best quality, the best everything, and all the laptop and desktop repair work you could ever need done, free of charge.

I'm really clean. The only problem is sometimes I share the same bed with lots of different random people and some people are highly offended by my promiscuity. I just like to have a good time, and whatever is whatever.

If you are looking for more than $1000 for a 1 bedroom for me, forget it, I'm not stupid."

Current Mood: amused

I would absolutely love to go to this, but I have work that day, plus I know it will be a big hassle to get in.

http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/flwjcorlando

It's days like this I wish I were a college student again :( .. For my friends in the Orlando area who can make it, I hope you go. I'm sure it will be awesome.

I hope I get to see Obama speak before the election in November. As much of a hassle as seeing Kerry speak was four years ago, it was really a neat experience.

Here I am at the Osaka airport with plenty of time to spare before my flight. I just left Kochi, how sad.

You may be wondering how I am able to use the internet. Well, Japan and its awesomeness has free internet at the terminal. How amazing is that? You are only supposed to use it for web search and e-mail, but with my powers of awesome I was able to use livejournal on it, too.

My flight from Kochi was nice and short. I tried to sleep, but since it was only 35 minutes, I did not sleep much. I think I will also try and sleep in the terminal. I hate doing that, but I am supposed to be in bed right now in the states, and I want to try and get a somewhat normal sleep schedule. Yeah, right.

I am already starting to see lots of foreigners. I feel at home already.

Let us hope everything goes smoothly. And just for fun, here are some random japanese characters - あせえれふぇ ... whatever that means.

Well, this is it. Today is the day I leave for Japan and go back to the States. But first, here's a little recap.


Things I will miss about Japan:

• Ann :(
  
• Onigiri
  
• Chip 'n Dale Stuff everywhere!!
  
• Avoiding responsibility
  
• Using my limited Japanese and everyone being impressed
  
• Capsule toys
  
• Everything being so cute-ified
  
• Engrish
  
• Everyone thinking I'm cute for messing up, because I'm a foreigner
  
• Karaoke
  
• Having the tip and sales tax included in the price
  

Things I will be glad to come home to:

• Water fountains!
  
• Western toilets
  
• Forks
  
• People a variety of different shapes and sizes
  
• Being able to ask for what I want and not having to rely on someone else to translate
  
• Air conditioning!!
  
• Comfortable chairs (or chairs at all, really)
  
• Not having to take off my shoes when I enter a room
  
• Being in the same time zone as my friends
  
• Whole-wheat products
  

I will miss you Japan. You were a pretty awesome way to spend a 2-week vacation. But now I have to go back to the real world. Damn :(

Last night was a REALLY fun time in Japan.

Even though the day started in the afternoon, I got to go to the mall and do more shopping. I bought even more Chip 'N Dale crap (of course). I also got lots of paper flyers. I hope my friends like paper. It's all the things you guys know and love, except there is Japanese on it. I think it's cool.

And then after that we went to karaoke. I'm not a huge karaoke fan, but man this was so friggin' awesome. You actually get your own room with people and we picked lots of songs. They had "I'm Free (Heaven Helps the Man)" by Kenny Loggins!!!!!! I got it on video. It was awesome. I also got to sing "Footloose" (my karaoke staple) and "Move Your Feet" by Junior/Senior. And a bunch of other songs. Complete with a tambourine and maracas. And it was with a bunch of people I didn't know, but the were still awesome.

Of course, my throat was kinda sore before the event, and it was really bad afterward. But it was so worth it.

One of my favorite things to do in Japan has been to shop. And for those that know me, you know how much I hate shopping.

Shopping in Japan is so awesome because there is Chip 'N Dale everything and all sorts of video game character trinkets. Plus, who can forget the awful and awesome Engrish. Oh god, the Engrish. It never gets old. Like, "Let's cooking". It's awesome. Plus the capsule toys provide endless hours of random amusement.

I've bought a lot of crap (some of it gifts for others, of course) and I have no idea how I'm going to get it home. My best find so far was a Chip 'n Dale puzzle that has a heart in the center for putting your own picture in. I even bought a frame for it. I can't wait to put it together.

Tomorrow I am going to go to the Aeon mall (isn't "Aeon" some Final Fantasy thing?). There is a giant Toys 'R Us. I have a feeling I am going to spend more money. Goodbye my yen. I loved you so.