Give me peace... or give me Percocet

On the 15th, I was subject to my first surgery. Here are my thoughts along this journey:

Mid November. Dermatologist's office.
Dermatologist says that the growth on my head that is causing the bald spot was a cyst, so he drained the spots, but instead of finding a cyst sac, he found blood, and blood clottings. At this point, he thought the growth was a hematoma and referred me to a Surgeon.

On the drive back, with the local anesthesia wearing off, I get a text from a friend who tells me he has jumped off single island, and landed in the arms of an amazing woman. Trying to respond, while driving with one hand while the other is trying to put pressure on the hole on the top of my head to slow the bleeding has proven to be a test of dexterity on par with trying to master the fushigi: while an impressive talent, completely irrelevant. So in my best Bergen County Jason Bourne impersonation, I make it home in one piece, without pissing off any angry almost New Yorkers.

Late Nov. Home
The surgeon explained the work being done and it sounded pretty simple. The removal of two sebaceous cysts from the left side of my scalp.
No biggie, I thought to myself. I'll just jump in my car, get local anesthesia, and be well on my way afterward.

Then came the pre-op letter from my surgeon a few days later... along with a script for percocet.

Just to clarify. Vicodin was the stuff that Gregory House is addicted to. Vicodin was also the stuff that made The Marshall Mathers LP divine... but it was also the stuff that set Eminem's music career on hiatus for a while and caused Relapse.

Percocet is the stronger of the two.

At this point, I realize my procedure is probably going to be an actual surgery, and after 5 minutes of freaking out, collect my thoughts and make appropriate plans.

Early Dec. work
People keep telling me I'm worried about the procedure and keep telling me that I shouldnt worry. All I could think about is the hospital scene in Analyze This.

Dec. 15. Site of Surgery
We (the mothership who is visiting the US for the holidays, and I) roll into the surgical center at 7:15 in the morning. The only other people here are the staff, who all ask each other, "what time did you leave last night?" I realize that the office Holiday party was the previous night, and I chuckle. Then my surgeon walks in and I realize I cant remember if he looked this groggy the last time I saw him. This is all in the background as I get to answer if I have a will drafted up, and if things go wrong, will I allow my organs an tissues to be used elsewhere.
I get IV'ed up, they put me under, and the last thing I remember is the OR nurse tying my legs up and placing a showercap on my head... for a procedure on the scalp.
When I come to, I hear two men talking and realize it is my anesthesiologist and my surgeon. I realize they are talking about a movie so I'm semi paying attention as they stitch up my head. I realize they are talking about the Sex and the City movies and I wish I were put back under.

Dec. 16 home
Have you ever wondered how many times you need to say the word loop over and over for it to be funny? Twice. Trust me, I've tried it. I spend my entire day on a legal high punctuated with sharp pain in my scalp, and nausea. It reminds me of a night in college that ended up with me on the bathroom floor of my friends place, and my roommate pretending he was lady gaga. There are lapses of self control, but I may as well have been a Yeerk host fighting for a second of freedom (yes. an Animorphs reference, K.A. Applegate FTW).

Dec. 17
Finally completely lucid, but now realize I can do some pretty stupid things for a little while longer and get away with it. Like yelling at the TV during the Syracuse Basketball game, or sucking at Words with Friends. I'll figure out a way to milk this for as long as I can.

edit note:
apparently the drugs havent fully worn off yet. excuse the errors. and enjoy this picture my mother took of me when I was a touch loopy (dont say you havent been warned). I wish I can say that I remember this. Also, I wonder if my mother was one of those moms that dressed their boys up in girl clothing as a child. I hear some parents do that.

Pop!(gasa) goes my heart!

Shout out to Jenny Kim and Grace Lee on the launch of their pop! gasa app.

For those of you in the dark, these two ladies founded a website, pop! gasa, that's been ferociously uploading English translations to the freshest of k pop tracks (read The Korea Times' article regarding the app launch).

This is the sort of thing this blog was made to share, things that bridge the gap between my two homes, and I, for one, could not be more proud of these girls.

Also, the fact that they decided to set their color scheme to orange? I cant believe it's coincidence. Love it.

A Jury of Popular Opinion.

I believe in Jim Boeheim.

While the investigation of Bernie Fine's misconducts continues, Syracuse University at the request of Chancellor Cantor has severed its ties with the accused.
Since the story broke that Bernie Fine had molested a number of former ball boys, Jim Boeheim, coach of Syracuse University's basketball team strongly defended his long time assistant and personal friend for over 30 years.

By strongly, I mean that he has probably said some things that he probably should not have. But he was the first one to admit to that.

Since Sunday, when audio of Fine's wife admitting to knowing of the misconduct happening under her own roof surfaced, Boeheim has issued a statement changing his views on the subject.

The allegations that have come forth today are disturbing and deeply
troubling. I am personally very shocked because I have never witnessed any of
the activities that have been alleged. I believe the university took the
appropriate step tonight. What is most important is that this matter be fully
investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so
that the truth can be found. I deeply regret any statements I made that might
have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of
abuse.

-Jim Boeheim

What I dont understand is why people are clamoring for Boeheim to be made an example of, and are asking for his resignation when it appears to me is that he is a perfect example of the general public. Matter of fact, as far as I can tell, Jim Boeheim did exactly what I would have done.

Allow me to explain:

If I were Jim Boeheim, and my knowledge of the situation was limited to the investigation that my employers conducted in 2002, which found no concrete proof, I would be defending my closest friend of 30 plus years without a moment's hesitation. The difference between the Penn State case and the Syracuse case is that in Penn State, it was becoming apparent that there was a conspiracy to hide the fact that this sort of action was taking place. With the Syracuse case, as of now, it appears that the University officials are working in full cooperation with the authorities. If Boeheim did not know what was happening, how could he have stopped anything? In fact, Boeheim has said that until more information was available, his opinion would remain steadfast in defending his lifelong friend.
More information has become available, and Boeheim has apologized for what he has said.

I could only imagine that Bobby Davis (one of the victims accusing Bernie Fine of molestation) saw Boeheim's statement as a huge win. He has expressed that one of his hopes for stepping forward with this information was to let other people know that molestation of minors is happening. He wanted to make himself vulnerable so that other children wouldnt be hurt.

Apparently, this stuff happens. Not only amongst associate coaches at the collegiate level, but it happens more than we would all like to admit. This is what Law and Order SVU makes a living off of. In fact, even It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia had an episode where the plot revolved around a PE teacher allegedly touching students (albeit in a comedic manner, it still was the topic at hand). If Boeheim were like the majority of us, he probably didnt see this coming, least of all, from some one who he believed to be a close friend of over 30 years. But he has since admitted mistake, and appears to be ready to set things straight. This is where I believe Jim Boeheim can be a HUGE advocate for Bobby Davis' cause.

I believe that mistakes are learning opportunities, and that the action of one after a mistake speaks volumes about the content of one's character. Boeheim has taken the first right step of issuing an apology. I think that the next step in the right direction would be for him to become involved with an organization advocating for the well being of sex abuse victims. Boeheim's biggest mistake was not calling Bobby Davis a liar, but of reminding many sex abuse victims the harm that can come from telling the truth. Essentially, Jim Boeheim's only mistake can be traced back to his jumping to conclusions. But how can anyone blame him, when considering the times we live in? With twitter, and many other outlets, many forget due process, and scream whatever they may feel at the moment anything happens, but I digress. I believe Boeheim going through his process of redemption in a high profile setting would be the most beneficial "product" to come from his mistakes. What's done is done... but we have to move forward. Asking for resignation seems premature at this point, when so much good can come from an alternative.

On the other hand, if Boeheim knew what was going on, resignation should be the least of his worries. Unfortunately, the only people who know what really went on were those directly involved, beyond whatever the investigations may or may not uncover. Dostoeyvsky wrote of the unbearable mental anguish of those who commit crime. It seems fitting that Syracuse's desolate weather seems to invite comparisons to Dostoeyvsky's native lands, as the guilty are going to find out, it is going to be one hell of a cold, lonely winter.

I have a confession to make: I had a debilitating fear of vampires growing up. Particularly Dracula, but as most Korean Ghost stories had female ghosts, I frequently imagined my doom to a really pretty woman ripping my head off and sucking the blood from my still spurting aortal loop. Seriously, these quasi- rapists of the night wanted nothing less than to suck you dry of your own blood. This being the case, vampire movies have had a powerful effect in scaring the daylight out of me. It's been a while since I've been petrified about the thought of a vampire, but when a group of my co-workers (grown ass Guatemalan men) pleaded that I go with them (being their ride) to the new Twilight movie, I found myself shaking in fear with what was inevitably to come.

After watching Breaking Dawn Part 1, I found myself, like Lucy Liu here, looking for a way to wash my mouth clean of the massacre that was a fluff vampire movie. So, without much further ado, some Old Fashioned Vampire Fun.

1. Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Gary Oldman's performance in and of itself should be enough to sell this. Plus, I wonder how many are actually familiar with the classic gothic horror tale that redefined the genre.

2. Preacher

Recently, I've allowed myself to dabble in comic books again. Not heavily, as I had no intention of being that guy who is at the comic book store every Wednesday for new comic books. Why? because I am trying to get back into school. not end up living in a Fortress of Solitude build up solely of comic books and toys. I've been getting into more plot focused titles that have more of a Watchmen like feel rather than grabbing a random Spiderman or Batman book.

Having said that, Preacher may be the best written title I have ever read. It isnt a "vampire" centric work, but it certainly is fun. It follows Jesse Custer, a down and out preacher from a small town in Texas, who gets hit by a supernatural being that burns down his congregation and gives him speak with "the word of God," forcing people to do what he says. At this time, God disappears, and Jesse makes it his personal goal to find God to fess up to how terrible he's been. and his friend is an irish vampire.

3. Blade 2

This one's here for my weak spot for super masculine action flicks. Personally, I think my favorite Wesley Snipes movie may be Demolition Man, but Blade 2 is a close second. Plus, I think this would have made a phenomenal movie. It is in this light that the Underworld movies appeal to me. That... and a Kate Beckinsale thing.

Honorable mention:

The Hannibal Lecter movies. Now, Hannibal Lecter is not a vampire, but cannibalism sits in the spot that vampirism did when I was younger. I might even go forward to say that the moment I realized Vampires were not my main fear was the moment I watched the "crucifix scene" in The Silence of the Lambs for the first time.

I've realized long ago, that people are much scarier than any figment of one's imagination.

Hence, cannibalism? Fux that noise. I'm out.

Superficiality does not cut superficially

Work brought me to the Upper East Side, and not really knowing how much time I was going to have, I picked up the latest issue of Wired magazine (Muppets talking about science? Yes Please!) and sat myself down in a nearby Starbucks to enjoy a few moments. However, there was a short article that tickled my fancy. It claimed that in a study, kids relied on the order in which search results were displayed more so than the credibility of the source when asked to search for something online. In other words, in these days where we are bombarded with information at every turn, kids were unable to grasp the important and sift out the unimportant, and correlated the order in which something was displayed with importance.

Of course, this caught me by surprise. Was convenience really trumping credibility? Do we live in a world where ignorance is not death, but ignorance is bliss?

The implications found here of course spans beyond the first page of any Google search. High schoolers all know the top 40 hits. But do they really know what these songs are about? I was driving with a family member a while back when they sang along with Katy Perry about streaking, skinny dipping, and having a ménage à trois. When asked if any of those terms could be defined, there was a blank. Would they really be singing about these things in front of their parents if they knew what these things meant? Perhaps, but how could they LOVE a song they dont even understand? Similarly, Rihanna's S&M. Is she really talking about enjoying Sadomasochism? After everything that happened with Chris Brown a few years ago? Maybe they were just having some fun at her request.

Beyond the music of the times, the TV networks are playing this game to fill their pockets. The "comedy" of The Big Bang Theory comes to mind. The reason I loved the first season of the show was because it showed interactions between people. Specifically, it allowed one to laugh at others trying to deal with very difficult people.

But somewhere along the way the creators of the show realized they were sitting on a goldmine. While the show was going on, Geek culture entered the zeitgeist, and it became cool to be geeky. After a while, the laugh track was cued after any science term that was uttered in a middle school classroom.

• a mere mention of schroedinger's cat= laugh track
• someone says the word neanderthal= laugh track

Now. please compare that with the work put into a split second on Futurama. Now I'm not gonna pretend that I understood EVERYTHING that went on there, but I'll be damned if its not appreciated.

Community recently aired an episode engaging Chaos theory, and of course, displayed the many multiple dimensions/universes that it referred to.

Therein lies the difference between saying that a rock is funny, and using the rock to add to the humor. Friday Night Lights did the same thing. It certainly was a football show, but you'd be terribly amiss if you said it was a show about football. It used the subject of football as a plot device, instead of a cheap ploy to get jocks to watch the show. Similarly, Arrested Development is the most incredible show in this aspect of there being more than just humor in your face. In an ideal world, everything shouldn't be taken at face value. There should be more than meets the eye. And the world should be more like onions. or parfait

Is curiosity dead? No. But the pursuit of the answers to our curiosity may be, simply due to the lack of convenience. People taking what's given to them and being content with it, judging a book by its cover, call it what you will, but shouldnt it be an essential skill to be able to go beyond face value and question what is easy?

Now, those of you wondering why there's a picture of G-dragon here... he wasnt essential to my point, and he was just there. Doesnt make too much sense does it? Nor does The Big Bang Theory's popularity.