A striking pattern, anybody?

Or is it just me?

Memo to Anti-Death Penalty activists

Now that the dust in the aftermath of the execution of Tookie Williams has somewhat settled, it is time to follow my personal tradition to comment on a current event when it is not so current any more.

This is my unsolicited advice to the anti-death movement.

For a long time, I used to be a capital punishment advocate. But along with a myriad of other issues which I used to have bedrock solid positions on, this is now back on the table for reconsideration as I now find myself sitting on the fence.

So if you are an anti-death penalty advocate, you may as well listen to my take since I am now more sympathetic and openminded to what you have to say than ever before.

Nothing is more counter-productive for the anti-death penalty cause than focusing on individual death penalty cases and defending individuals about to be put to death. As noble as it may be on the humane level, the public's attention will inevitably turn to the unspeakable savagery of the crime which will weigh heavily against and dwarf the death row inmate's rehabilitation and remorse.

In Stanley Williams' case, various groups called for clemency inspired by his work to discourage youth from the gang life. But ultimately it was weighed against his murderous crime which the public's attention turned to in the end and the groundswell of support which his friends claimed never materialized.

As long as the spotlight is on individual cases, the pro-death penalty side will always enjoy the upper hand. The anti-death penalty side should shift focus from individual cases to the "big picture" of whether it is morally defensible for us as a society to condemn a person to death.

Note To Self No 4

When a "friend" shows a little too much enthusiasm in getting you to drink out of a specific glass, AND places that glass to face in a certain angle, PAY ATTENTION. You may be getting set up. Usually it's too late to do anything about it once the camera has flashed.


Yes, that is a Hello Kitty glass. But don't you worry about me. My masculinity speaks for itself, thank you very much. No, really.


I had a lovely time meeting up Elevated and Stacey (she is now listed as Mochinator on the blogroll) this past weekend and eating for four hours, but things got a little too "lovely" for my own good as you can see.

Your kind and tender comments will be greatly appreciated. I can use them more than ever to get through the night.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Am I the only one who instantly fell in love with her at first sight, and found himself rooting for her?

Yes, I have read the The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and I knew I was on the losing side.

Two thumbs up (****1/2) even though my girlfriend loses.

Seven Things

I have been tagged by Gary to do this, so here we go.

1. Seven things to do before I die:
- find a cure for baldness
- invent a cure for baldness if one is not found
- learn to be kind to those who are further down the road in baldness
- stop obsessing about baldness
- join the United States Supreme Court as the first Asian American Justice.
- after joining the United States Supreme Court, grope Justice Ruth Ginsburg and give Justice John Paul Stevens a big wedgie (Don't read into it too much, but I am kinda serious about the wedgie.)
 
- learn to ask for directions. It will become handy when I fulfill the dream of becoming a space ship captain. "Hey, wasn't that Saturn? I thought we were supposed to make a right after Saturn." "Shut up! I know what I'm doing."

2. Seven things I cannot do:
- drink coffee without spilling. I blogged about it here.
- cry to Hillary Duffy movies
- stop obsessing about the rapid depletion of my hair
- visit my dentist without getting yelled at (even though I brush and floss religiously)
- repair cars
- dance
- sing

3. Seven things that attract me to my wife:
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- N/A
- Okay, I guess I should mention at least one female trait that is sure to captivate and ravage my heart. Women who can write brilliantly with flair and creativity fascinate me endlessly. How a woman writes reflects not just her intellect, but also provides a glimpse into her inner beauty and heart. No matter how well men can write, I will never associate the term "inner beauty" with them because, well, they are men, and men are never beautiful to me. Sorry Brotha Buck and others like you. You too, Gary.

Now if you are a female blogger who feels tempted to think I am talking about you and to interpret my comments on your blog as romantic vibes, oh how presumptuous of you to do that. I mean, really.

4. Seven things I say most often:
- Shut up. I know what I'm doing.
- Okay, you win. I don't know what I'm doing.
- When is the baby due? (Actually not any more ever since the little episode involving a woman who wasn't even pregnant. I will talk about it one day, but not now.)
- I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and dogonit, people like me. (I say that just to be funny, not in pursuit of self-affirmation. Really. I'm serious).
- The Best Dog in the World
- That is ... like .... really weak. Truly feeble.
- I didn't do it (This after years of having a reputation of constantly plotting things).

5. Seven books (or series) I love
- The Lord of the Rings
- The Brothers Karamazov
- What is so Amazing about Grace
- Chronicles of Narnia
- Essays by Philip Yancy
- The Great Divorce
- The Screwtape Letters

6. Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over again if I had the time)
- Office Space ******
- Twelve Angry Men
- Forrest Gump
- The Fellowship of The Ring
- The Chariots of Fire
- The Fiddler On the Roof
- Amadeus

7. Seven people I want to join in, too:
- American Girl
- Brotha Buck
- Elevated
- Emerging Grace
- JRA
- Max
- Oricon

Noah - The Best Dog In The World

Many thanks to Elevated for taking these photos.

Now, how can you not be verklempt? Just look at that sweet, sweet face.






Okay, so Buster gets a mention too.