Bento Box

The Union

Kevin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 23:58:38 +0000

One of the best documentaries about the history and impact of marijuana. Understanding the comparisons to alcohol during the prohibition era is particularly startling. Like many issues and topics in our society, our beliefs have been ingrained through institutional schooling and marketing campaigns. Obviously those videos of our youth that were meant to “scare us straight” don’t apply when it comes to marijuana. So why is it still illegal in our country? Watch the video and see. The short answer: Big Business. Why are diamonds the expected form of engagement gift? Big Business. I hope during my lifetime we will see perception changes (and more importantly, policy changes) regarding marijuana and same-sex marriage. Even if only for medical purposes, it would be a huge leap forward.

During my mom’s battle with cancer she used marijuana as a form of pain and nausea relief. As hesitant as she was about using it at the beginning, I’d like to believe that she came around and accepted the medical use of it as well. It was gut-wrenching for me to see her in pain and to offer up other prescription pain meds but she would turn them down because of the side effects or that they were ‘too strong’. Difficult doesn’t really describe what it’s like to see your mom choose discomfort and pain over the limited offering of ‘legal’ medicines we had.

This is another one of those things that I stumble across in daily life that remind me of my mom. From watching a documentary about marijuana or putting away dishes that she bought for my home.

The Union – Marijuana History Documentary

Die Antwoord

Kevin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:07:53 +0000

Ears being trolled on some next level shit. Die Antwoord is out of this world. South African Zef-rap from Cape Town.
Via their wiki

Die Antwoord performs “Zef” music, Zef being an Afrikaans term which loosely translates to the American equivalent of Redneck. Their lyrics are funny and explicit, and performed in both Afrikaans and English.

Update: HA! I knew it!

Kaveh Cohen – Hellbent

Kevin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:41:33 +0000

http://www.myspace.com/kavehcohen

Listen to Hellbent. This guy is good. Reminds me of the Tyler Bates soundtrack of 300.

Found the youtube:

Staind – True Colours (cover)

Kevin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 21:10:34 +0000

from the Howard Stern Show. Awesome performance.

Refreshed the stick

Kevin — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 02:11:54 +0000

In preparation for Super Street Fighter IV, I modded the TE stick. Added a black full panel plexi, laser etched button labels, no middle screws. Went with the full panel so that my palm-sweat wouldn’t so easily get to the metal underneath… it was pretty gross when swapping bezels.

and my other beauty

Me and dad at Maggianos

Kevin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:42:52 +0000

Mafioso style

Meh

Kevin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 05:10:55 +0000

Funny video from The Onion. It got me thinking. I was using Friendster and Myspace back in 2005 as well. Feels weird that it was 5 whole years ago. I certainly don’t feel like the same person I was 5 years ago. Even looking back at my blog posts from Xanga and my super old blog (can’t even find the url for it, thought it was rehosted on acks-effect for awhile), I don’t recognize the person I was back then. Strangely enough, my tastes and interests haven’t changed much. I feel that I am not the person I will be in the future either. My future 40-year old self is unimaginable to me. Maybe that’s partly why I don’t fear death. My elderly self will differ so much from my current self that I feel like I’m not the one who is going to die. I’m definitely not the same person I was 18 months ago when I found out Mom had cancer. Something definitely changed inside of me as I read those words of 100% mortality on Wikipedia. The past year+ and even now most things feels more dull . Like I can’t reach my previous levels of enjoyment out of activities or happiness. During that year, everything fun I did felt like only a distraction from an impending sadness and emptiness to follow. 3 years ago I was certainly more boisterous around friends, but now I’ve either matured, grown up, dulled, or become affected. Life feels different now that Mom is gone. I used to call her daily when she was sick and still very often when she was healthy. Not having her there to call feels empty. Changing the name from Mom Cell in my phone to Dad Cell felt weird too. I was sad when I lost the voicemails from her since ATT deletes them automatically. In a few years I’ll probably look back at these blog posts and feel like I’m reading the writings of a stranger. Maybe the feelings of longing will be farther removed and I’ll wonder how I felt as I was writing this. I find solace in that I’ll be a completely different (and better) person in a few years. I bet I’ll still agree about the Worst Songs of 2009.

The Zutons – Valerie

Kevin — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:41:33 +0000

Lately, my only exposure to new music is through music games… sad. Back when I worked at Real, Rhapsody would run continuously and I’d get into lots of new music. This isn’t even new, just new to me.

The Zutons -- Valerie

Fanatec and DiRT2

Kevin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:00:04 +0000

Games are a welcome distraction this winter break. Things are slowing down and life is returning is normal. I don’t play with the wheel as much as I would like but the next two weeks I should have lots more free time. Here’s DiRT2 with the Fanatec. The FF is much stronger than in Forza, especially in Drift mode.

FF in game @ 70%, wheel FF @ 66%, Drift mode 1

I love you Mom

Kevin — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:53:14 +0000

Yuk Lin Wan Passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, 2009 with her family by her side. Yuk Lin will be missed by Yu Chee, her husband of 43 years; her five children, Cecilia, Kenneth, Tim, Cheuk, and Kevin; her son-in-law Edward, her daughters-in-law, Anne, Susan, and Helga; her six grandchildren Tabitha, Elizabeth, Katherine, Aaron, Wyatt, and Anthony; her mother Poon Ah Hing; her sister Pei-Lin; along with her extended family and many friends.
Born in China on September 25, 1946, Yuk Lin moved to Hong Kong at a young age and immigrated to San Francisco in 1979. She devoted herself to being a good mother and homemaker. She also loved children and was a teacher’s aide at Sutro Elementary School for 17 years. In later years, she enjoyed travelling with her husband and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She will be loved and missed by all who were touched by her generosity and graciousness.
A service will be held for family and friends on December 12th, 10am at Cypress Lawn Funeral Home, 1370 El Camino Real, Colma CA. Burial to follow at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her loving memory to Sutro Elementary School PTA at 235 12th Ave, San Francisco, CA

Obituary printed in the SF Chronicle Wednesday December 9th, 2009