The Wonders of Money and Work

Now, I am not going to post my normally long and eloquent dissertations on the state of my life, but this dawned on me while at the gym the other day. I was speaking with a corporate recruiter who also happens to workout at the same place that I do, and somehow it ended up with us exchanging business cards, and its now likely that I am going to be working somewhere else come fall 2006. Now, this just seems like I took advantage of a networking opportunity that came up, and I am maximizing my time by working out and looking for new work, but the thing is, I wasn't looking for a new job. Yes, I was interested in moving into something else, but I wasn't actively looking. But I was presented with the opportunity to get a significantly large pay increase, so I took it. Which brings me to my point; I used to hope that I would end up in a job that would make me happy, and that I would wake up every morning and enjoy going to work. By used to, I mean this was my hope a few short years ago (like 3 years), but the more I worked, the more I realized that I won't ever get that, and its probably best that I just make as much money as possible because cash about the only thing that I enjoy about work. Of course, the new job will come with more responsibility, and I will be able to get in there at a higher management level. I'll have even less work activities, but I'll have to deal with more shit. The upside of that is that I won't have monotous activities to slough though (reviewing people's work is boring, but it beats doing it yourself), plus I will make more. Anyway, I just wanted to express my shock at having become a complete and utter mecenairy. Honestly, I will work for the highest bidder, and I don't feel at all connected to my work environment. I wonder how many other people are like me out there. Personally, I think this disconnect between organizations and employees is going to grow, but who knows. All I know is that every year is a free agent year for me, and to be honest, promote and pay me, or I'll find some place else that is willing to cause I realize that I don't even know what work loyalty feels like.

Chinese-Canadian Classifications

So I am going to be starting a new series of posts (not sequential) about all the different labels and classifications that Chinese-Canadians, and Asian-Canadians especially, place on themselves. Yes, I know this post seems high minded, and is a deviation from the normal drivel that I write about, but I thought I'd share my views on this subject since its my blog.

First off, this past weekend, I learned that the term "dumpling" meant a Asian meathead. I'd like to point out that I know ALOT of racial ephitates, and I probably use more racial slurs than the average person. However, even I have never heard of the term dumpling. Basically, when a guy is called a dumpling, it implies that he is stocky, short, probably Chinese, with a modified car (a civic if he's poor, or a BMW if he's of a higher class), a shaved head or short spikey hair, a proponderence for hip hop fashion and music, and a high maintence Asian girlfriend that is wayyyyy uglier than she thinks she is (mainly cause she erroneously believes she is hot). We've all seen this guy before, I believe his favorite hangouts tend to be karoke bars, asian nights at some random Toronto club, all over Scarberia (Markham too?), and probably at Pacific Mall (not sure because I have never been).

Curiously, my friend Warren pointed out this sub-spieces to me, which I find odd because he does fit many of the dumpling characteristics, but he is definitely not one. First, he does have a modified BMW, is on the shorter side of the height scale, used to work out (so he was stockier, now he has settled into mid-20's weight), occasionally spikes his hair, and definately has a dating blind spot for high maintence Asian chicks. Of course, he is a classical music lover and a metrosexual dresser, so many of the dumpling characteristics do not apply.

Anyway, the point of this story is to show how often Asian-Canadians as a group enjoy labelling each other. I have been labelled as "white washed" because my girlfriend is blonde and not exactly from the "East", I enjoy going to Muskoka in the summer (the 'rents have a place up there), apparently I'm a jock and that doesn't jibe with the Asian flow, and I don't hang out with droves of Asian people all at once (mainly because I only have like 5 Asian friends). Yet, I can speak Cantonese fluently (usually only to my parents because I find speaking to people my age in Cantonese to be profoundly weird), and I suffer from the Chinese birth defect of general loudness (which is embrassing, but whatevs).

What I really want to know is if there are other labels for Asian I don't know about? What might these labels be? Does anyone know? And ultimately, do any of us actually fit neatly into one of these boxes, or are these labels merely used by us Asian-Canadians to point out those of us whose familes have integrated successfully and those of us whose familes haven't exactly lived the Canadian Dream (its like the psuedo-American Dream, but less ambitious and more compassionate)? Questions to ponder until next time.

News on the Duke Lacrosse Persecution

Note that I said persecution not prosecution. What is happening to the Duke Lacrosse team is a horrendous miscarrage of justice. Some individuals in the media would like you to think that this is a racial issue, its not, the incident in a gender issue, and more importantly, its an issue that perfectly demonstrates that unequal treatment of men when faced with a female accuser (not victim). The feminist movement seized control of the media, and created a PC feeding frenzy on the backs of these innocent male students. DNA evidence has now proven that the players are innocent beyond a shadow of a doubt (the only people who disagree were probably on the OJ jury). None of the players' DNA matched samples taken from their accuser.

What does this mean? Hopefully, it means that the fem-nazi movement will have their knives blunted a little, and they'll think twice before blindly attacking any man who stands accused of anything by a woman. Unfortunately, nothing will change and these banshees will continue to be a bain on men everywhere. For now, brothers I would like to point out that there was a victory today against the feminist horde, and that should not be taken lightly as the fem-nazis will continue their attack on male rights.

As an aside, with the DNA evidence exonerting the Duke Lacrosse team, I find it interesting to see what the reaction will be from the feminist movement. From the very beginning the feminist movement has driven the hysterical reaction to what "alledgedly" happened. I think that the lacrosse players are owed a big apology espeically from the feminists since it has been scientifically proven that the "victim"/liar/opportunist/profiteer conjured up the entire scenario in her twisted mind.

Some more interesting facts:

• According to the FBI, one of every 12 claims of rape filed in the United States are later deemed "unfounded," meaning the case was closed because the alleged victim recanted or because investigators found no evidence of a crime.
• In Maryland, Howard County Police classified one out of every four rape allegations as unfounded in 1990-91.
• Citing a recent USA Today article, discussing the miracle of DNA and FBI studies of sexual assault suspects, DNA testing exonerated about 30-35 percent of the more than 4,000 sexual assault suspects on whom the FBI had conducted DNA testing over the past three years.
• According to Purdue sociologist Eugene J. Kanin, in over 40 percent of the cases reviewed, the complainants eventually admitted that no rape had occurred (Archives of Sexual Behavior, Vol. 23, No. 1, 1994).
• In 1985, the Air Force conducted a study of 556 rape accusations. Over 25 percent of the accusers admitted, either just before they took a lie detector test or after they had failed it, that no rape occurred.
• In 1996, the Department of Justice reported that of the roughly 10,000 sexual assault cases analyzed with DNA evidence over the previous seven years, 2,000 excluded the primary suspect, and another 2,000 were inconclusive.
• Linda Fairstein, who heads the New York County District Attorney's Sex Crimes Unit and is the author of Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape, says, "there are about 4,000 reports of rape each year in Manhattan. Of these, about 50 percent simply did not happen."
• Craig Silverman, a former Colorado prosecutor known for his zealous prosecution of rapists during his 16-year career, says that false rape accusations occur with "scary frequency." Silverman noted that "any honest veteran sex assault investigator will tell you that rape is one of the most falsely reported crimes." According to Silverman, a Denver sex-assault unit commander estimates that nearly 50 percent of all reported rape claims are false.

The Po Po Suck

Well here in Toronto, there was a gang killing on the weekend that saw 8 bikers get executed in an "internal cleansing". Why am I pointing out such a morbid piece of news? The answer to that question lies with what happened yesterday at the Mississauga Courthouse.

I had to take my lunch hour to go into the court house to book a date to fight a traffic ticket that I got because I pulled into the Carpool Lane on the 403 (the reasons why I did pull in will not be discussed, since Big Brother may be monitoring my blogging, and I need to protect my defense...yes, I am super parnoid of the government or any institution in general that wants to track me). While I was there I bumped into Steve Kao, who is an acquaintance of mine, and he was there to challenge a speeding ticket. Now, on the radio I am told that the OPP is streached to the limit, and gang killings like the one noted above may happen because they just don't have the manpower to deal with all of these problems. BUT the OPP does seem to have more than enough time to harrass motorists who are either going to work or coming home from work, and generally are very productive citizens. In the summer they also plan on conducting traffic blitzes to ticket as many people as possible on May 24, Canada Day Weekend, etc, and they are now trying to enforce more speed controls over the QEW. So let me get this straight, the OPP doesn't have enough manpower to stop one of the worst mass murders in Canadian history, but it has the officiers to spare to issue hundreds of traffic tickets to people who are trying to go on vacation or harmless commuters! Hmmmmm, and the police wonder why people hate them, and want to spit on them, fucking PIGS!!!!!

The police in the province need to step up and deal with real crime, sitting under highway underpasses, drinking coffee and eating donuts, while waiting to trap people for minor driving infractions is an utterly ridiculous way to use our limited capabilities. When are they going to start punishing the real criminals instead of regular citizens. Listening to the politicans defend the police is even more pitiful. Toronto Mayor David Miller has actually said that all other crimes except for violent ones (homicide, assualt, etc) have been lower this year compared to last year. Really? I'm sorry, I am so glad that more people are getting speeding and parking tickets instead of seeing gang members put away for shooting up Yonge Street on Boxing Day!!! The leaders of Ontario/Toronto need to get off their asses and focus on what's really ailing this province, busting drivers so they can increase their ticket revenues is utterly ridiculous.

My Outfield and Pitching Staff

Here is my final entry about my baseball team.

CF - Carlos Beltran: I think he is due for a bounce back yet. Getting the $100 million contract probably set him up for failure last year. No one lives up to those contracts in their first years, but I think Carlos will step up in a much improved Met's lineup.

OF - Jason Lane: One reason - Minute Maid Park. That ballpark is smaller than an arena, its ridiculous, seriously if the roof is open, and the wind is carrying that day, I think a bunt might reach the warning track.

OF - Rocco Beldeli: Hopefully, he comes back 100%, but if he breaks down again, which is totally possible since he seems somewhat injury prone, I have Delmon Young on my team to pick up the slack

Pitching:
Since my strategy is all about building an All-Star Offense, I have to gamble with young pitchers, hopefully, I don't get burned. I'll cover the top 4 starters, and my best reliever (to keep this blog sane)

SP - Felix Hernandez: Every baseball person on Earth is calling him the second coming of Doc Gooden (who's in jail now, and that's about the saddest thing, when he was K'ing 2 guys an inning, did anyone think it would end like this?). Anyway, he is a flamethrower, and he plays in a pitcher's park, that's all I really needed to know.

SP - Dan Haren: Decent year last year, doesn't get the hype that Rich Harden does (shout to to a future Canadian Cy Young winner), but he is solid. He'll eat innings and get me a good share of wins and K's, can't ask for much more out of my #2.

SP - Javier Vazquez: Every year since he left Montreal (R.I.P. - Expos), he's been a disappointment. Do I think this year is going to be different? Probably not, but he always starts the year off on fire (see Yankees and D-Backs), so I figure, I'll trade him at the All-Star break for an up and comer, and maybe some more outfield help.

SP - Kerry Wood: Remember 16 K's in one game? I do, but it seems like a lifetime away. I am not counting on Kerry to be old Kerry, but if he does bounce back in June, maybe he dominates down the streach. Maybe he doesn't, I am expecting little, so if he isn't a cadaver on the mound, its a bonus.

RP - Jon Palpebon: The leader of my motely crew in the bullpen. I don't have any closers, but Keith Foulke is beyond done at this point, and it is only a matter of time before Palpebon is closing. He'll be lights out, and I'll be racking up the saves since Boston's defense is atrocious.

I know I hate the Red Sox, and I now have 2 on my team, but I can explain. One, Big Papi is not like Jason Veritek, Big Papi is actually good. Plus he isn't white, and I kind of like all the Red Sox who aren't white, I think its cause I imagine Boston to be a real cracker town. Two, Palpebon throws in the high 90's. I love pitchers who throw in the high 90's like I love RBs/WRs/CBs who run 40's in the 4.2's - 4.3's.

Fantasy Baseball Draft

So I had my Fantasy Baseball draft this weekend, and I am very pleased with the team that I drafted. I was able to follow through on my usual baseball draft strategy: solid proven offense early rounds (1-4), upper tier young pitchers middle (5-6), young high ceiling position players (7-11), relievers/young pitching prospects (12-14). Now, this strategy has worked for me in every baseball pool that I have ever been in especially since I have never not finished first in a baseball pool. Its really amazing, I have no idea how I do it, I mean if only I could have that kind of drafting ability in football. Alas, fantasy baseball seems to be my skill.

So here are the 2006 Prodigal Champs:
1B - David Ortiz, Boston
(I know he isn't actually a 1st baseman, but he does have eligibility there. Big Papi is the core of my offense, I am expecting 45 HRs, 135 RBI, with a decent average. Papi is a hitting machine, my biggest worry is his new contract, hopefully he won't get lazy, but he doesn't strike me as the kind of player that would. A great 1st round pick)

2B - Richie Weeks, Milwakee
(Here is one of the young high-ceiling guys I was talking about. He had a decent OBPS last year of about .780, and great hitters tend to have an OBPS of about .825, so Richie is on the cusp. He is only in his 2nd year, so I really expect him to make the leap this year, and become one of the top young 2Bs in the league. Big minus? He's a Brewer, that's never a good thing)

SS - Bobby Crosby, Oakland
(I am pumped about Bobby, I had him a couple of seasons ago when he was a rookie, and he was great. I mean, he never played for me because I had Micheal Young, but he would've been great if he did. He had a lot of injuries last year, but I think he is going to bounce back. He has great OBPS and he is hitting in a great spot to rack up RBIs, so I am hoping for him to take that step towards super-stardom.)

3B - Scott Rolen, St. Louis
(Bring back that old-school flavour with Rolen. When he's healthy, I would argue that Rolen is one of the best third basemen in the MLB. Only problem is that he keeps getting hurt. Hopefully, his torn shoulder is back to normal because if you look at his OBPS and where he is hitting in the Card lineup, Rolen could have quite a memorable season. Having Pujols and Edmonds hit around him is very comforting.)

C - Victor Martinez, Cleveland
(The crown jewel of the team along with Big Papi. Martinez is a monster at catcher. I had him during his rookie season, and he was amazing. Since then, he's actually gotten better. He is the best offensive catcher in the league, bar none. I know I could've had Joe Mauer a little later, and I could've taken another power OF bat, but Victor will give me such an advantage at a weak position, that he can take me all the way to the promise land.)

I'll be breaking down my outfield and pitching staff later in the week.

More Details about My Place

So, I have more details to share about my new loft. Turns out that it is about a 5 minute drive from my building to the lake, which should be nice since I'll be able to do my running along the lake now. Its about 1010 sq ft, and that's divided up between the 1st and 2nd floors about 60%-40% respectively. The second floor sits on top of the front entrance, so the dining room and living room area is open all the way to the top, which means that I have 16 ft of windows for my main living space!!! Upstairs there is an enclosed master bedroom, and a second bedroom that is open to below. Its a really nice room, and I think I'll be turning it into a sitting area, so I can put up some bookshelves to take advantage of the open concept. All the appliances are stainless steel which is awesome, but I think I might redo the kitchen a little bit before I move in cause I want one of those monster vents, so my house won't ever smell like food. Man, I can't believe that its still going to be 2 years before I can move into it, but I'm still very excited!

I Am Now a Homeowner

Yes, incredible I know. I am now the proud owner of an iLoft. More details to follow, but suffice to say, I am excited. This is totally awesome. It is the perfect exposure, and the exact layout that I wanted. Its a thrill when a property that you really want actually becomes available. Tune in tomorrow (same bat time, same bat channel) to hear more updates about my new pad!!!!