Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Mayor Light's LiveJournal:

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Monday, December 7th, 2009
11:09 pm	It's that time of year again... When I play a certain Mariah Carey song to death a million times over. Current Mood: cheerful Current Music: Mariah Carey - All I Want For Christmas Is You (Comment on this)
Friday, December 4th, 2009
12:04 am	The Optimus Prime Assassination This parody of two my favorite shows, Unsolved Mysteries and Transformers Generation 1, made me LOL... Current Mood: amused (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, November 29th, 2009
7:10 pm	2012 I went out and watched 2012 last night. A decent thrill ride - definitely what I'd expect from the guy who brought us Independence Day 13 years ago. In reality, I personally think December 21, 2012 will end up being another Y2K - at least as far as self-fulfilling doomsday prophecies go. I do, however, believe that it will mark a significant turning point in human consciousness. Hopefully those who don't commit suicide or go out and do something stupid will see the folly in "following the script". I can't help but wonder if Jack T. Chick will try to cash in on the 2012 craze like Tim La Haye and so many other opportunists. Month-end madness at the office tomorrow - where a deluge of files to be processed is no doubt already waiting for me. More as the Wheel turns. Current Mood: artistic Current Music: JoJo's Bizarre Adventure - Capcom OST (Comment on this)
Thursday, November 26th, 2009
11:19 pm	Thanksgiving Thanksgiving was a simple affair this time around. With my father currently in Peru and my sister called in to work at Disney, it was just my mother and I today. I initially planned to take her to Mimi's Cafe, but once we saw the line of folks waiting, we decided to hit Hometown Buffet instead - which, I think, ended up being a better choice. No week's worth of leftovers this year! What I'm most grateful for this year is my current day job, which, without a doubt, is the best I've ever had to date - great company, great benefits, a personal trainer onsite, a complimentary lunch at the end of every month, and, most of all, a supportive boss and coworkers. Happy Thanksgiving! Current Mood: thankful (Comment on this)
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
3:23 pm	Pro Life my ass Earlier this morning as I was driving, I see this pickup truck in front of me with one of those "Abortion Kills" bumper stickers. Moments later, I witness this same truck cut off a pedestrian as it pulls into a parking lot - a pedestrian pushing a baby stroller! So much for "Pro Life". (Comment on this)
Sunday, November 8th, 2009
9:04 pm	A much needed break After the month-end madness at work, I was more than grateful when my boss gave me an extra day off this weekend. Unfortunately, I spent much of it nursing my back. As luck would have it, Thursday morning, as I'm setting down my pair of 15 lb. dumbbells, using my knees like I'm supposed to, I feel that ol' stabbing pain in my lower back. Nothing new. I just soldier on through the day. Originally, a coworker had put in to take Friday off, but said coworker's plans changed at the last minute, and Friday was open for me to take my day off. Needless to say, I was more than happy to spend it resting and recuperating. Saturday morning, I was still feeling sore, but well enough to venture out to Los Angeles for Pacific Media Expo - if only for a day. In the familiar halls of the Hilton LAX, I met up with my pal Bordin Marsinkul of and David K. Wong, both of whom were at Anime Expo's Artist Alley this past summer. I got commissions from each of them of my Dance of Fire heroine Amira... By David Wong: By Bordin Marsinkul: I spent a few hours watching the Filipino Martial Arts World Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Western Regional Tournament. Aside from the Dealer's Room, most of my time was spent in the console gaming room, where I finally got to sit down and enjoy Street Fighter IV (love Rose's alternate costume), The King of Fighters XII (love Leona's new outfit), and an oldie-but-goodie Elemental Gearbolt. Later that evening, I joined my parents and sister, along with her boyfriend, for dinner at Red Robin. Today, Sunday, I'd considered going out to the Aquarium of the Pacific for its Autumn Festival event, but by mid-morning, I'd succumbed to listlessness and just spent much of the day resting and recuperating some more - the better to be in optimal shape to face another manic Monday. And save my pennies. I did venture out this evening to watch the movie Surrogates, which I definitely recommend to any cyberpunk fan. Well, Morpheus beckons. More as the Wheel turns. ~Edgard Current Mood: tired (Comment on this)
Sunday, November 1st, 2009
8:07 pm	Channeling Asuka Langley Soryu A cube neighbor at the office, a lady who has never watched Neon Genesis Evangelion, let alone watched anime, is apparently fond of saying "What are you, stupid?" How befittingly that I'm currently reading NGE: The Shinji Ikari Raising Project Vol 2. Current Mood: amused Current Music: Cruel Angel's Thesis (Shinji Ikari Raising Project ver.) (Comment on this)
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
9:36 pm	Tightening the belt On my recent adventures in healthcare... Over the last month and a half, I spent over $500 to discover...I need to reduce the amount of red meat in my diet. An anomaly in my bloodwork results prompted my physician to order another set of tests to ensure that nothing was amiss with my liver. Ironically, I would learn from a coworker that one common cause of the anomaly is a build-up of fatty tissue around the liver, which could easily result from consuming large amounts of red meat. And lo and behold, such was the case with me. Thankfully, Anthem covered a good chunk of the expenses this time around, since something was clearly amiss. Of course, I still find it churlish that they're is suing the state of Maine to guarantee their desired profit margin. On the convention front... I passed on Ani-Magic this year due to time and budget constraints. I'm still going to try to attend Pacific Media Expo, if only for a single day. I'd hoped to get a room at the LAX Hilton and make a weekend getaway of it, but that does not seem likely now after my recent medical expenses. Which reminds me, I've still got a free flight from Southwest Airlines, which expires in June. I'd better use it while I still can. Now, more than ever, I'm doing my best to save my pennies and preserve my credit rating. Now remains as good a time as any to purchase a home. With the help of my realtor mother, I hope to purchase a simple, single-story house, much like the one I lived in while I was in Las Vegas three years ago. Damn, how time flies... In the meantime, I've got my Employee Evaluation in the morning. More as the Wheel turns... Current Mood: awake (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, September 27th, 2009
10:32 pm	Back online + learning from the classics Well, I'm back online thanks to the new power adapter I ordered for my DSL modem. Today, I decided to do something I've been wanting to do for quite some time - visit the Getty Center. www.getty.edu Admission is free of charge. The $15 parking fee is all one pays to get in. From the parking garage, visitors are treated to brief tram ride up the hill - at the very top of which, lies the Getty Center itself (along with a wonderful view of Los Angeles). It had been ages since I'd visited a museum of any kind. Thus, I made the most of it, taking my time and exploring each of the Getty's four pavilions as best as I could. Paintings, sculpture, decorative art, photography - there was so much to take in. Remembering my CN portfolio review at Anime Expo, I paid especially close attention to the anatomy, colors and composition in the paintings. Outdoors, there were plenty of beautiful gardens and statues. The architecture of the Center itself is a treat for the eyes - especially the fountains. Much to my delight, there was even a sketching room where visitors can sit down and sketch with materials provided by the staff. Needless to say, I got a good workout with all the walking I did. This is one place that merits more than one visit to fully experience. I'll be sure to bring my sketchbook the next time I visit - and grace the sketching room with my presence, even! Meanwhile, I've got to get ready for month-end at the office. More as it comes. Current Mood: sleepy Current Music: Guilty Gear - Writhe In Pain (Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
9:20 pm	If it's not one thing it's another... I come home from work and discover that I can't connect to the Internet. After performing the usual diagnostic tests, I call up AT&T. Talking with the tech, I determine that either the power adapter or the DSL modem itself has gone bad. I receive instructions to go test the power adapter at my local AT&T store. So I go to the nearest one, tell the rep what the tech told me, and confirm that it is indeed the power adapter that's causing the problem. Now here's the kicker...I can't buy a replacement power adapter by itself from the store. I'd have to call AT&T directly (contrary to what the tech told me on the phone). Oh well...at least I know what has to be done. In the meantime, I'm using my local Barnes & Noble to get online. Hopefully I'll get this all sorted out soon. Current Mood: awake (Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009
9:47 pm	Fuck you Quest Diagnostics Looks like I was wrong to defend that lab technician when I got my blood drawn. This week, I received a notice from my healthcare provider, Anthem Blue Cross, that it denied the claim from Quest Diagnostics due to "insufficient information". I call Anthem. The reason the claim was denied was due to "missing information" on the paperwork submitted by Quest. I call Quest. According to the rep I spoke with, they needed to specify the reason for the lab work being ordered from the referring physician. I call my doctor's office and ask them to contact Quest. Today, I called the doc's office again, and find out that Quest "needed justification" for the lab work the doctor ordered. Since when was "routine healthcare maintenance" NOT justification? Now I've also received an invoice from Quest for over $300. The icing on the cake...I've discovered via the Web that Quest has been pulling this sort of monkey business on its patients - submitting the paperwork to healthcare providers with incorrect information which results in the claim being denied, which, in turn, allows Quest to fraudulently bill the patient the full amount for its services. And folks wonder why so many people in this country are demanding healthcare reform... More as the Wheel turns... Current Mood: annoyed Current Music: Marilyn Manson - King Kill 33 (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, August 31st, 2009
7:33 am	The world is your fast food restaurant...NOT! So last Saturday I went to have blood drawn for regular health maintenance. As I entered the lab lobby, I come upon an argument in progress between a patient and the lab technician at the front desk. Apparently, the patient was bitching out the lab tech for the latter not being discreet about mentioning the former's lack of health insurance. Normally, I would avoid butting in. I held my peace as both women (both of them Asian) continued their exchange. But then after a few moments, the patient said to the lab tech... "You have to tell me nicely! It is part of good customer service." Maybe it was the patient's inflated sense of entitlement. Maybe it was her obnoxious tone of voice. At that point, I couldn't take it anymore. In my best David Hayter/Solid Snake impersonation, I said to the patient... "Lady, this ain't Burger King." That shut her up. She didn't even look at me. The icing on the cake - the lab tech I stuck up for was the one who drew my blood. Needless to say, she was grateful for my earlier intervention. Current Mood: awake Current Music: Juno Reactor - City of the Sinful (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
8:32 pm	The Lion now rests Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy Feb 22, 1932 - Aug 25, 2009 Rest in peace. Current Mood: awake (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
9:42 pm	Jolly good A cashier at my local Target apparently thought I was a Brit from the way I talk. Current Mood: amused (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Friday, August 14th, 2009
11:02 pm	Yo Joe! Caught G.I. Joe this evening at the AMC at the Block at Orange. Like Transformers, G.I. Joe was one of the animated cartoons I grew up with during the 80's. I only collected one action figure - Crazy Legs - which I ended up breaking on accident after a few years. Looking back, I realize what enjoyed the most about the whole G.I. Joe franchise - the whimiscal villains that made up COBRA (whom I actually remember more easily than the good guys!) Ray Park certainly did not disappoint as Snake Eyes, and neither did Lee Byung-hun as Storm Shadow. Joseph Gordon-Levitt's performance as Cobra Commander likewise impressed me, although part of me did long for Chris Latta's shrill, nasal voice. Definitely not Star Wars or The Matrix, but a fun thrill ride nevertheless. Critics and purists say what they will - I enjoyed it for what it was. I hope we get to see the Crimson Guard and the Dreadnoks in the sequel (and Zarana!) Current Mood: content Current Music: whistling For He's A Jolly Good Fellow (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009
6:47 pm	Empowering the next generation I had a rather memorable encounter today during my lunch break. I'd just finished my Sourdough Jack Combo at a nearby Jack In The Box and went to get a refill before returning to the office. As I approached the soda fountain, a young fellow, perhaps in his early 20's, was about to fill his cup with ice. When he saw me coming, he immediately yielded. I told him to go ahead (after all, he was there first), but he insisted on letting me go instead because "I was dressed all business-like." (I was wearing the standard collared shirt and tie I do Monday through Thursday). I filled my cup, and then I turned back to him and said... "DUDE, don't EVER let a tie and a collared shirt intimidate you. If it were up to me, I would NOT be wearing this garbage." We both shared a light chuckle. I was in a hurry, so I couldn't stick around to offer another pearl of wisdom. At the very least, I hope that I empowered that young man, if only a little bit. Current Mood: awake (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
6:27 pm	A co-worker said to me today: "Thanks for not being an asshole." Obviously, she did NOT see me 4 days ago... Current Mood: amused (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, August 1st, 2009
12:01 am	Farewell Matrix Online Goodbye, Mega City. Goodbye, Vixens. Goodbye, my fellow redpills. Thanks for all the memories. Current Mood: sad Current Music: Rocky Horror Picture Show - I'm Going Home (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, July 18th, 2009
5:43 pm	It has finally happened... Well folks, I've taken the plunge... I'm now the proud owner of a new MacBook Pro. Current Mood: content (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, July 12th, 2009
11:37 am	Endings With The Matrix Online ending this month, I've been busy helping my faction mates throw one last in-game party - farming money, items for party games and prizes, writing haiku clues at the last minute, etc. I hope to participate in whatever final live event the (remaining) development team decides to give us dedicated players - with a co-worker taking a vacation later this month, I may have to put in a few extra hours at the office. On another note, with the impending closing of Geocities later this year, I shall bid farewell to the first website I ever created: New Cosplay City. http://www.geocities.com/mayor_light/ 9 years ago (damn, how time flies) I decided to create a fansite dedicated to the New Cutey Honey OVA series. I enjoyed the English dub so much that I even interviewed members of the cast - Jessica Calvello, Tiffany Grant, Tristan MacAvery and Brett Weaver. With its "civic" theme, I earned my web moniker "Mayor Light." I remember obsessively poring over each episode and researching on the Internet (on a dialup connection) all of the miscellaneous elements often overlooked by American viewers (considering that New Cutey Honey was produced with fans of the original 1970's TV series in mind). Identifying the cameo appearances of characters from Go Nagai's other series earned me a few kudos from dedicated fans. Then I finally got to the point where I simply ran out of material to add to the site. Around the same time, I'd also launched my short-lived personal website Studio Ifrit. With my attention focused elsewhere, I all but abandoned the site I'd invested so much time and energy into creating. Although I've kept the original (coded from scratch!) HTML pages and images archived, I feel it is time to draw the curtain on New Cosplay City. On that note, I've been considering changing my web moniker... Still a lot on my plate. More as it comes... Current Mood: busy (2 Comments |Comment on this)