Wayne

Jouyssance concert

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:34:30 GMT

The early music ensemble I sing in, Jouyssance, just completed a wonderful weekend of concerts of comedic/entertaining music from 1500s through the late 1600s. Here are some pics of our rehearsals and concert prep.

We've also just released our newest CD, A Tour of Christmases Past. You can hear samples and buy the MP3 album on Amazon
If you like what you hear please support our efforts of keeping this wonderful music alive.

The Age(ing) of Aquarius

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:24:30 GMT

As I'm rapidly approaching 40 (a couple of years), I've noticed an interesting phenomenon-younger cubs and chasers having been approaching me. I've never really considered myself a cub, but I know my Chinese Chicken days are long past. I've especially noticed it at work, where most of my coworkers (who are mostly in their 20's) stare at me blankly when I talk about Schoolhouse Rock or even Kick-the-Can (one younger (and CUTE straight redheaded cub) coworker answered with "Oh, I've heard my dad talk about that". I only hope he was teasing). Even with my 20th high school reunion coming up next year, I haven't really felt "old". I suppose we all have a sense of self that developed in our mid-20's, and continue to view ourselves at that stage of life. And as gay men we tend to couple later in life, and don't have children as most of my old high school friends already do (some in their teens!)

Mind you I'm not complaining at all about getting older, but when does one transition from cub/bear/whatever to daddy (is there such a thing as a daddy panda)? I don't think I'll ever get used to someone calling me "daddy" (no, it hasn't happened. Yet), and I know some people who are in their 40's who still consider themselves cubs. For those out there in LJ-land who are near my age, have you noticed this, too?

New Camera

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:30:09 GMT

We were given a digital camera as an award for winning a sales contest at work, so I've been snapping some pics. Here are some of a paella I made last night.

I heart Oz (no, not the country)

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:16:30 GMT

For the last few days I've rediscovered the HBO series "Oz". I watched it off and on when it was on its first run, and have always loved the human side of the storylines, especially between Chris Keller (Christopher Meloni) and Tobias Beecher (Lee Torgesen). It was TOTALLY fucked up, twisted, convoluted and destined for disaster (which it was at the end), but we all rooted tor them and wanted them to be a happy couple. Besides all the hot man-on-man action (Keller seemed to kiss A LOT of guys in Oz) they played them with real complexity and depth, struggling like real life couples. I've really fallen in love with the show and the two characters.

I came across quite a few fanvids on Youtube, but this one is probably the best one I've seen. This is a "rewrite" of the ending of the series with music set to "My Immortal" by Evanescence. It's made by a superfan and artist Colleen Detroit. It made me weep like a little girl.

NOTE: This video has lot's of men kissing-so may not be safe for work.

(Two thumbs enthusiastically) Up!

Fri, 29 May 2009 05:47:20 GMT

A friend had some passes to an early screening of Disney/Pixar's Up! and we saw it tonight. It was FANTASTIC!!! Definitely a must-see. Pixar has always had the knack of setting the emotional tone perfectly, and this was no exception. It was the sweetest, most touching movie, animated or not, I've seen in a long time. Sweet without being sacchrine, funny with heart, and well timed comedy relief to break up the heavy moments (much darker at times than I expect from Disney). And yes, I cried like a little girl. Several times. Great details including a quick shot near the climax that I won't spoil. Just look for the shot with the dogs around the table.

Highly recommended. Can't wait to see it in 3D

20th Century, here I come

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:02:40 GMT

I finally have DSL. I was pirating a very low signal wireless network before. Fast porn from now on...

I go topless!!!

Sun, 24 May 2009 05:05:57 GMT

Since I live in sandals when I'm not at work or have to wear dress shoes, I'm always on the lookout for comfortable and fashionable sandals. I came across these. Topless sandals. "Huh" you say? I was intrigued by them when I saw them online, and bought a couple pairs for the novelty (they were only $11 a pair).

They feel REALLY weird-you feel bare feet yet you have cushioning on the bottom. And they do work (almost) as advertised; my sweaty feet cause them to start detaching after a couple of hours, but they do come off without leaving any residue. A gental washing restores the adhesiveness. We'll see if they hold up for the year that they claim.

(click on photo for more)

$200 for a bottle of WHAT!

Sun, 24 May 2009 04:51:53 GMT

A few months ago I had come into a bit of extra money si I decided to indulge myself on something I've wanted for a while- aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena; the "real" stuff from the Modena and Reggio Emilia regions of Italy.

And yes, I paid $200 for 3 ounces of this stuff, but it's not used like we use vinegar; it's drizzled over grilled meat, chunks of parmigiano reggiano and even strawberries (which was FANTASTIC!) It's now sitting in the back of my pantry away from heat and light, awaiting for a special occasion.

(More pics here)

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:34:09 GMT

Just a couple of coworkers' birthday celebration. Mmmm. Cupcakes.

30 random things about me

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 18:44:39 GMT

1. I was born/made in Taiwan

2. I was brought up Buddhist, but...

3. I went to a private Catholic kindergarten (why do we have to bring these eggs in a paper basket home?)...

4. Was an atheist (during my rebellious teenage years)

5. Was baptized Russian Orthodox

6. And was a cantor/choir director of an independent Russian Orthodox church for 6 years (the orthodox term is "Reader")

7. Now sings in an Anglican church (where Ted Shackleford is a member)

8. Can make kibbeh with the best of them (Lebonese/Syrian lamb "meatballs" More torpedo shaped, mixed with bulghur, filled with more lamb sauteed with pine nuts and seasoned with cinnamon and allspice)

9. Guilty food pleasure-Triscuit with Easy Cheese (trust me, it's neither easy NOR cheese)

10. Guilty food pleasure #2-Chef Boy-r-dee Beef Ravioli. There's just something about that slightly sweet, bright orange "tomato" sauce...

11. Can recite almost every line from 9 to 5, Mommy Dearest, West Side Story and Steel Magnolias

12. Has been friends with Don Foster longer than anyone else (since 1981, when my only word of English was "my name wayne"

13. Went to the same elementary, junior high, high school and college as Don Foster, AND played clarinet, too.

14. Favorite treat as a child? Chicken brains

15. Favorite treat as an adult? Ham steak and eggs from The Pantry

16. Dated a married man for 1 1/2 years. (He was in the middle of divorce, but not legally separated yet)

17. Spent 6 hours in Chicago (my only time there ever). All on the floor of O'Hare

18. Has been to 7 states outside of California, and 1 district (Washington D.C.)

19. Has performed on stage with Angela Lansbury, Jolie Fisher, Debbie Reynolds, Davis Gaines, Carol Channing, Christine Ebersole, Della Reese, Frieda Payne and many others that I've forgotten.

20. Has no internet access at home.

21. Tried the Master Cleanse (lemonade diet) and had moderate success.

22. At one time had 7 different coffee making devices

23. Would love to go to cooking school.

24. Was born 2 months early and weighed 2 pounds (my thighs were no bigger than my dad's thumb)

25. Wants to get SCUBA certified this summer

26. First celebrity crush was Erik Estrada

27. Is almost a perfect Kinsey 6

28. My ex's (who was married) youngest daughter is now my (fag)hag.

29. Would live in San Francisco if not in LA

30. My first car was a '81 white Chevy Malibu station wagon, which bizarrely (sp?) had a V8 (I could beat a Ferrari across any stoplight)

Update

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:46:29 GMT

Well, it seems to all happen during the holidays, doesn't it...

My father has been having bad hip pains for awhile and finally had some scans done. The doctor had thought it was something called Paget's disease (a strange disease where bone cells break down and are redeposited on the outside of the bone). It turns out to be cancer. And apparently it began in his lungs (he'd been a smoker for decades) and has now spread to his hip.

They're trying to get a specialist/oncologist who's a friend/doctor of someone they know but he's very busy with many patients and with Christmas a few days away it's been difficult getting a hold of him. The search continues today for someone else.

More to come...

Childhood Food Porn

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:09:35 GMT

As a kid, I LOOOOOVED Strawberry Quik. Chocolate was fine, but the pink stuff was my fave. And as someone who grew up in the Orient, milk was not a common drink at all. It was almost always sold flavored as a soft drink... A couple of weeks ago I made a chocolate torte for my church choir director's birthday and I served a raspberry sauce along with the cake. As Trader Joe's only had frozen black raspberries at that time, I made it with them. A few nights ago I was having a glass of milk and saw the leftover sauce in the fridge...A few tablespoons later and I was in lactative nirvana...It was like Quik, only more adult and WAYYY more sofisticated. I could have bathed in that concoction. Maybe I should think about commercializing it...

20 questions (+1)

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:15:55 GMT

I was tagged by colleenky

Rules:
A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question formulated by themselves.

B) Tag 8 people to do this quiz & those who are tagged cannot refuse. [Don't worry. Merely a request.] These people must state who they were tagged by & cannot tag the person whom they were tagged by. Continue this game by sending it to other people.

01. What is essential for your happiness?
Contentment. And butter. And chocolate.

02. What clothes are you wearing at the moment?
work clothes

03. What games did you recently finish?
haven't played in more than 2 years

04. What is your favorite scent?
Natural-citrus. Cologne type-Alfred Sung

05. What books are you reading at the moment?
Cookwise-Shirley O. Corriher

06. What do you drink the most?
water

07. Do you trust easily?
No.

08. Who was your first big crush?
Erik Estrada.

09. What did you want to be when you grew up?
Doctor (the medical kind)

10. Do you have a good body-image?
not really

11. What's your guilty pleasure?
Easy Cheese on Triscuits.

12. What websites do you visit daily?
LJ, aprilwinchell.com

13. random pet peeve?
stupidity

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is?
kind, (geekily) fun

15. What's the last song that got stuck in your head?
Ave Maria-Parsons

16. What's your favorite item of clothing?
comfy shorts

17. What's better: to give or to receive?
Tol give, but I AM a food bottom

18. What turns you on in your preferred gender(s)?
sexy hands and feet

19. Is there anything you want so bad right now?
health

20. What should you be doing right now?
going home

21. What's the meaning behind your LJ username/name/nicknames you go by?
It's my name in Taiwanese. As in Margaret Cho's "Moran". And it was also screamed across alleyways and streets in the suburbs of Taipei.

Tag, you're it!

anim8rbear , bearfuz , bobaloo , chris_gardner , liquid_wayno , popebuck1 , shake_it_up , uspinmeround

New Home!

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:39:25 GMT

Well, I've finally finished my move into my new apartment; a studio in Van Nuys. This is the first time I'm living alone (my last three places I had roommate), so I'm looking forward to that.

Here's my new address for those keeping score:

15240 Kittridge Street, Apt. 220
Van Nuys, CA 91405

Star Sighting

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 03:09:03 GMT

Being a (transplanted) Angeleno and having lived in this town for about 27 years, I'm almost never star struck. I think most of my friends' reaction (and mine) when seeing a caravan of trucks set up for a location shoot is "great, there goes traffic." Working at the FedEx Office (formerly Kinko's) in Woodland Hills, we see a few celebrities every once in a while. In fact, I've gotten somewhat friendly with Marion Ross, who lives nearby and comes in fairly often, and she usually asks for me to help her.

Today began typically for a Friday; harried customer needing things done before the weekend. I was near the front counter during the afternoon when three or four people walk up. I see the man in front and greet him; average looking guy-a little shorter than me, about 5' 8", slightly husky, backwards baseball cap, glasses, white long sleeve T. He puts down a box with some documents in them and asks for them to be bound. I notice the voice first. Very distinctive, but I haven't placed it yet. I know I've heard that voice before, and start looking at him closer and at the document (scripts). The eyes, the lips....OMG Becky, IT'S SEAN ASTIN!!! Samwise Gamgee right in front of me...I SOOO fell for him in Lord of the Rings. He was so cute and cuddly and adorable. Still keeping my cool and acting professional, I get started on his job and still haven't fawned over him.
After I rang him up (actually his wife) and thank him and gushed a little (the standard "I really enjoy your work") He reaches out and shakes my hand at that [<sigh>I'll never wash this hand again...] He then asks my advice on how to place a label for his production company on the scripts I just bound. I nervously blabber out some placement ideas and stupidly say "I don't want to take sides" (his wife, assistant (I think) and even his daughter were giving different opinions). So I think the exchange is over and move on to other customers. As I'm working with other patrons he and his troupe are putting packets together, writing personal notes to include in them and I hear a snippet of his cell phone conversation about having to get this script to Beverly Hills quickly. As I'm consulting with another customer he waves at me and I respond with the "I'll be with you in a minute" palm salute. When I finally get back to him he asks if he could leave a package to be picked up by a messenger. I, of course, say yes and walk over to get the envelope from him. He hands me the packet along with the card you see to the left <sigh> (the "Band Rocks!!" is a reference to a brief exchange we had earlier about my being a band geek in high school and his trying to play trumpet but failing.) He even wrote his cell number on the back in case anything happened and I needed to get a hold of him. They finally leave the store and me with stars in my eyes.

Moving day!

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 01:10:51 GMT

Here we go again. I'll be moving to a new place on Tuesday, July 1. If any LA LJ'ers are available mid-morning, I'd love some help in moving. I don't have a lot of furniture (couple of dressers and a bed), and will be quite a few boxes. If anyone can help around 10am please send me a note. I'll have cold beer!!!

Repeat Meme

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:46:43 GMT

Okay, here's the meme/answers from shake_it_up

a) Tell you why I friended you.
b) Associate you with something - fandom, a song, a colour, a photo, etc.
c) Tell you something I like about you.
d) Tell you a memory I have of you.
e) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you.
f) Tell you my favorite user pic of yours.
g) In return, you must post this in your LJ

</a></b></a>shake_it_up wrote:

Jun. 23rd, 2008 05:31 pm (local)

a) ...why I friended you. Well, I enjoyed meeting you in person, this is a way to keep up.
b) ....associate you with something - fandom, a song, a colour, a photo, etc. I associate you with singing in the chorus.
c) .... something I like about you. You've got good energy. Engaged, funny....
d) ... a memory I have of you. (Thinking- I have only seen you outside of Tuesday dinners once, right?)
e) .... something I've always wanted to know about you. Just how sensitive is that nipple?
f) .... my favorite user pic of yours.

custom Star Wars Crawl

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 03:31:18 GMT

Okay, let's try this again. Thanks to e_ticket here's my (VERY geeky) custom Star Wars crawl. (BTW Jouyssance is an early music ensemble I sing in)

If you don't see the window (again) try this link

Baby got ...

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:18:02 GMT

Got this when I was surfing through The Jesus Chris Show website (a show on KFI). Thought it was funny and very clever.

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:15:49 GMT

Jesus driving

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 07:05:56 GMT

Gakked this from another blog. A parody of Carrie Underwood's Jesus Take the Wheel.

VERY funny.

Ah Food, Glorious Food

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:56:34 GMT

Last weekend my roommate baked a ham so I made my homemade green bean casserole to accompany it.

This is a recipe I came up with about 10 years ago for Thanksgiving and I've been making it ever since. It's 1000 times better than that canned/frozen crap on the back of the soup can. One year someone had the unfortunate luck of bringing one made from canned soup and canned beans to the same Thanksgiving that I made this. Hers was inedible. If anyone would like the recipe send me a message and I'll email it to you.

I also baked a apple cranberry pie for dessert

This is from the November 2007 issue of Bon Appetit. It was mighty good.

1 lb green beans, trimmed
2 tbsp + 4 tbsp butter
1 onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb mushrooms, sliced
4 tbsp flour
2 c milk (or half-n-half, to be decadent)
1 1/2 c french fried onions
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Spray a 13 x 11 baking dish or casserole with non-stick spray.
Blanch green beans in big pot of salted boiling water for about 3-4 minutes or until still slightly al dente. Shock in ice water and drain. Melt 2 tbsp of butter in large dutch oven and saute onions over medium high heat until beginning to brown. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add mushrooms and continue cooking until mushrooms are browned, about 8-10 minutes, seasoning with more salt and pepper. Push mushrooms and onions to side of pan and melt remaining 4 tbsp of butter. When foaming subsides add flour and stir to combine with butter (making a roux). Cook until lightly colored, about 2-3 minutes, then stir into mushrooms/onion. Slowly add milk (or half-n-half), stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to simmer and cook until thickened, about 8-10 minutes, adjusting seasoning, about 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. Stir in green beans and 3/4 c french fried onions and pour into baking dish (you can stop at this point, cover and refrigerate until needed.) Bake until bubbly and heated through, about 25-35 minutes. Sprinkle remaining 3/4 fried onions and bake 8-10 minutes more or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

My brother got married!

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 06:33:48 GMT

My parents hit the jackpot with that-first born is male and straight and married a woman...Last weekend my parents and I flew up to Oakland to attend my brother's nuptials at the lovely Wente Vineyards in Livermore (30 miles east of Oakland).

We arrived on Saturday afternoon and settled in at the Walnut Creek Holiday Inn. We then headed over to a Chinese seafood restaurant for the "rehearsal dinner" (it wasn't really a rehearsal since we were just having dinner) and the families met for the first time. Since most of our family members are in Taiwan it was mostly her aunts and uncles and cousins. Trying to keep track was a real task, but I'm sure we'll meet again at future events. After 9 (yes, NINE) delicious courses ranging from the typical jellyfish salad to the unusual mustard greens with bamboo fungus (almost like white tree ear fungus) and duck and crab finishing with warm red bean soup with boba we all retired back to the hotel for an early morning (the ceremony was at 9 am!)

We got back to the hotel and I just had to grab the car keys and leave for a while for some time away from my parents...I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing or maybe they're just negative people, but almost everything out of my dad's mouth is a criticism of something. Luckily they mostly speak Chinese so the in-laws didn't hear them, but I was just getting extremely angry and had to get away. After finding a Walgreens for some one-time-use cameras and a Starbucks I loaded up on a decaf-venti-soy-180-sugar-free-white-mocha (what's the point, right?) and drove a bit. I headed back to the hotel to try to get some rest for the big day.

We got up really early and checked out for the short drive to Livermore. Wente Vineyards is set at the foothills just south of LIvermore, among some beautiful mountains and a lake. It was a truly lovely place for a wedding. The ceremony was setup outside on the big lawn with a small archway on one end. After all the wedding party and guests arrived we got in line for the procession. I went first escorting Romy's (the bride) sister, Jovie. We were followed by my parents who walked with my brother, James, then came Romy's father and his wife. Finally Romy was walked down the aisle by her mother. Her lovely Nicole Miller gown was just perfect on her in white stretch silk jersey with a small train. James' and Romy's hapkido instructor, Norman Link, officiated the ceremony. Quoting historical tidbits about weddings and adding his own humor and touching anecdotes of the couple, Norm announced their official couple-dom and sent them down the aisle amid cheers and applause and tears.

More photos

The reception was simple and elegant and LOT'S more food! They chose to have it buffet style so everyone can have whatever he wanted and more of it (yay for buffets). The menu included a risotto salad, Caesar salad, rustic bread, roasted salmon, pork loin with mango chutney, steamed vegetables and probably more that I can't remember. After cutting the cake we slowly wrapped up everything so we can go back to my brother's place for a quick rest before driving to the airport. And that's when the drama begins...

While we were changing at the apartment Romy discovers that she left her purse back the the wedding site. It wouldn't be a big deal except her IDs and credit cards and the present my mother gave her are in it. She quickly calls around and one of her friends is close by and would go back and check. After finding out that it was picked up by the vineyard staff and was being kept safely they breathe a sigh of relief. At this time I discover that I left my sandals back at the hotel, but that's not a big deal. So we finally wrap it up and leave for the airport (BTW, our rental car had a Magellan GPS. SOOO cool. No more need for maps. I may have to get one for myself) We get to the airport and I go up to my airline counter and check-in. When I walk up to my parents my mom is frantically going through ALL her luggage looking for her wallet. With her ID in it. When it doesn't turn up she's wracking her brain trying to figure out where it might be. She finally figures out that she left it in my cousin/her nephew's car...He and his wife drove up to the wedding from LA and had them bring a pair of shoes for her that she couldn't fit in her carry-on. During the course of the weekend when she got her stuff out of their car she unknowingly left her wallet in the trunk.

I suggested that they rent a car and drive home, since there was no way of getting the wallet (my cousin had left much earlier and were already passing Magic Mountain) and the soonest they could FedEx it to them would be Tuesday. My dad was too tired to drive and didn't want to stay the night in a hotel. We then conjure up a plan for them to take the bus back to LA...I call Greyhound and found that there was a bus leaving in 2 hours from a station not too far away. We quickly get a cab and I send them to the bus station. I would've gone with them but I had to work the next day and couldn't get the day off. They call me half an hour later and confirmed that they had 6:30 seats for the ride back to LA. I can finally go to the gate and get on my plane. But more was waiting for me back in LA.

I had taken the Flyaway from Van Nuys for this trip, not really thinking that it was Easter weekend. When I get off my plane at about 8:30 I had just missed the bus. I saw it pull away and cursed at the fates. I should have flagged it down-little did I know I'd have to wait for about 2 hours for another. The airport was an absolute zoo; traffic was a nightmare, including the 405 (big surprise) It took at least 45 minutes for the next one to come, but it was already full (I flew United, so was at the end of the loop) so it didn't even stop. We all finally get on the next Van Nuys bus (they have them from Westwood and Union Station now, too) at 10:15 and it takes us close to an hour to get back to the station. I finally pull in my driveway around midnight and collapse into bed...

All in all, the wedding and reception was a FABulous success. Thank goodness the drama didn't happen until afterwards. I'm very happy for my brother and his wife. They seem like a great couple.

P.S. My mom called at 4am, having arrived safely and was on their way to pick up their car...

The Whacky Japanese (and our bad translation)

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:16:48 GMT

I just saw on April Winchell's blog (and she saw it on Craigslist) that an American production company is casting this:

I saw the original broadcast of this. Very whacky. Let's see how screwed up we can make it.
God help us.

Songs Meme and Quote (sort of)

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:57:38 GMT

I've finally got around to do this ITunes thing (and I had to skip SOOOOO many Kyrie's and Adagio's and Finale's, along with too many foreign language arias (that's my life...) to get this to work, plus I had to skip quite a few from the same piece with lot's of parts (Mozart's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, i.e.). And I'm combining it with the movie quote thing, except I'm asking you to identify the work the song is from and I'll post the correct answers (and yes, some of these are VERY difficult.)

1. "The Hut on Fowl's Legs" in my pants
2. "He That Dwelleth in Hell" in my pants
3. "You Never Say Good Luck on Opening Night" in my pants
4. "A Bit of Earth" in my pants (I wash, once a month, whether I need it or not.)
5. "Ol' Man River" in my pants
6. "Prisoners of Love" in my pants
7. "On My Own" in my pants (ain't that the truth...)
8. "For He Shall Give His Angel's Charge Over Thee" in my pants (WOO HOO)
9. "Hark! I Hear The Harps Eternal" in my pants
10. "The Promise of Living" in my pants (hmmmmm)
11. "Behold, God The Lord Passed By" in my pants (boy, did He)
12. "Lily's Eyes" in my pants (get out of there, woman)
13. "Tonight" in my pants (is awfully lonely)
14. "Some Fun Now" in my pants (sigh)
15. "God Bless America" in my pants ('nuff said)