What Are Your Hobbies?

A usual question asked when two or more people meet for the first or second time :D I ask myself what are my hobbies and how I spend my time enjoying my hobbies >.>

Japanese Anime. I wear costumes or cosplay, take pics of other cosplayers, and meet new people and hang out with my friends at anime conventions. I work full time and I have time to watch two episodes of anime. I rarely watch anime on the weekends and holidays. I read Full Metal Alchemist, Tsubasa Chronicles, Bleach, and Nana comic books or manga. For plushies or stuffed anime characters, I have 11 characters and a few stuffed animals including two Pikachus. My art book collection is small compared to die hard anime fans. My DVD collection fills almost four 12 gallon containers. I have about 175 anime and Japanese Popular (J-Pop) CD music, and most of my anime CDs are anime series from the 1990s and early 2000s. My J-Pop collection is small and not the latest and greatest artists. My cousin gives me most of her favorite J-Pop music in mp3 format. I have one PVC figurine and a small collection of plastic and resin figures. On my wall, I have one wall scroll and three posters. The older wall scrolls I gave away to my friends. I have one anime cel and a very small fan art collection. I have one anime PC video game. And I have three dounjinshi books.

I consider myself an anime fan who keeps up with the general trends and events. I'm above a casual anime fan and below a die hard anime fan. I download some the latest fansubs from Japan (I can't watch everything) and visit Anime News Network during my spare time. I purchase most of my anime online. I purchase authentic anime goods from Japan at anime conventions.

Comic Strips. I'm really a casual reading comic strips. I read the Sunday comics every Sunday and I read the weekday comics when I have free time. I own a Peanuts, Fox Trot, and a Dilbert book of comics. My favorite comic strips are Peanuts, Fox Trot, Calvin and Hobbes, Dilbert, Garfield, and The Far Side.

Working Out At The Gym. I work out three days a week. My schedule is Mondays and Wednesday 15 minutes on the treadmill and a beginning weight plan and Tuesdays 30 minutes on treadmill and 30 minutes on the stationary bike. I stretch out before working out. And I do abdominal crunches at home after the gym Mondays and Wednesdays.

Listening to CDs. I listen to classic rock, classical, anime, and J-Pop. I'm interested in listening to jazz currently. I have a book with a list of suggestions. I'm going to be a big time casual jazz.

My CD collection is about 150. Most of the time I listen to music at work with my mp3 player. I use Napster to download most of my mp3 collection.

Playing Video Games. Today, I'm really a casual video game fan. The latest video game I'm playing is Team Fortress 2 (TF2), and as of today I have not played for the last 30+ days. I played Starcraft and Command & Conquer for the PC a long time ago. I have the Gamecube, Dreamcast, Playstation 2 (PS2), and Sega Saturn, and I have no time playing those systems. I plan to sell my Dreamcast and Playstation 2 next year to buy a Wii. I had one PS2 video game I sold the game at Fanime Con'08. The last time I played video games consistently during my spare time was Fall 1996 while attending San Jose State University. I rarely play classic arcade games using meme on my PC. I play video games in the arcade once or twice a year. I mostly play the shooting games in the arcades. I don't play the fighting games.

I'm interested in playing Crysis after I build my new PC =__=

Reading Books. The books I read are business, investment, self-improvement, technology, and advice. I'm interested in reading fiction.

Cooking. I cook for my family many days when I get home from work and some weekends. I really want to cook stir fry. The problem is my Mom doesn't want to dirty the stove top =p Kitchens are meant to be messy to cook good food. Of course I'm responsible and I clean up when the situation calls for it ;) I also want to expand my limited cooking skills.

Games. I enjoy playing board games and playing casino games. I have been playing board games once a week with my friends. Also, I play with my friend from Washington when we hang out together. My favorite casino game is craps, and I only play craps.

Miscellaneous. Taking pictures of police cars, watching popular sports (football, baseball, basketball) casually and I follow the sport headlines, a few travel including Las Vegas and Seattle, and sometimes staying home and watch a movie (always keep an eye for $4-$5 DVDs). I browse the web with my friends such as watching YouTube videos or discuss the latest and greatest in anime and technology rarely. And sometimes I browse the web myself.

The hobbies above I have been doing for a long time. I have not found any new hobbies. It's time for something new to do for my spare time. I have been talking about expanding interests and learning new skills in my Innovating Common Knowledge blogs. I fail :< I have not been expanding my interests and learning new skills myself. Now is the time to open up and find something that interests me. Man, my life has been boring for the last two years =p For starters, I'm interested in reading fiction :>

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Positives Tue Oct 21-Sat Oct 25, 2008

*Lost three pounds the last time I checked my weight at the gym.

*Updated my webpage Innovate Infinitely.

*Completed draft templates for my department's quarterly report.

*Another busy week at work. Work kept me busy during the daytimes and taking a time out from my life outside work ~~

*Reorganized my book shelf and gathered old electronics for recycling on Sat morning.

*Moved all my anime fansubs to my 500GB external hard drive and backed up data to my other flash drives.

*Purchased video card for my new PC on sale and new headphones which is water resistance for working out. My old headphones the rubber securing the headphone on my ear broke.

*Purchased two new sportshirts and a wool top coat. And purchased a new bed sheet set.
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Positives Sat Oct 18-Mon Oct 20, 2008

*No more paragraph format when I create and reply to emails XD

*I’m one step closer to building my PC thanks to Appu and gmontem’s coming with me to Fry’s organized Sat morning.

*Triple shot watching movies. I watched Batman Begins with Appu at gmontem’s house, Indiana Jones IV, and The Godfather Part II.

*Purchased 500GB external hard drive for backups.

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What Is Your Gut Instinct In Life?

I completed an Innovating Common Knowledge blog post on fear and instinct. After I finished writing the blog, I realized my life has been living on my gut feeling, my intuition, my instinct. Many situations and instances I’m lost or I’m clueless, my intuition takes over my thinking, my speech, and my actions. My intuition has saved my ass many times for better or for worse.

Going forward, my way of living life is going to be from my gut instinct, my gut feeling. I was never a smart person in school. I’m growing up and I depend on my gut instinct. I trust my gut instinct.


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Positives Thur Oct 16-Fri Oct 17, 2008

*Completed 95% of my surveys assignment I started on Monday. Work was normal on Thursday and light today.

*Also completed my initial research building a new PC. I read articles I printed and it’s time to browse and shop.

*Caught up on my emails from earlier in the week.

*Take out for dinner. Going for Chinese for my Dad and I. Why were there so many cars on a Friday night after commute hours? WTH! And the roads I drove were roads not used to drive out of town.

*Caught up on my expense database. My expense database tracks my expenses including gas, food, anime, and bare necessities. I thought about the year 2008 going faster than 2007 because it felt like yesterday I finished my Dec 07 bills :P

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Positives Mon Oct 13-Wed Oct 15, 2008

*Purchased Mr. Mom DVD for $5. Mr. Mom is a classic movie in my childhood. And purchased Indiana Jones IV.

*Exercised after missing a week and a half from fatigue.

*Work has picked up I looked forward to. Work occupied my thoughts of life outside work for better and for worse.

*Purchased new shirt and new blanket. And purchased frozen chicken tender strips for the family.

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What Are You Doing To Change Your Daily Presentation?

Here is one way I’m changing my daily presentation. I retired my black mail bag on the left and replaced with a green backpack on the right. The mail bag is the NERV logo from the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. I presented myself not as a grown up and not as a mature person. I carried the mail bag everyone I went including inside stores, banks, and even casinos -__-

The backpack has more advantages. The backpack is bigger. The backpack portrays me not as a loser as if I’m carrying the mail bag. The backpack portrays me as an adventurer, a person who’s outgoing, a person looking to explore new places and try anything new, and is prepared for almost any crisis. I put the backpack in the trunk in some situations such as entering a retail store, restaurant, or a formal occasion. I wear my backpack when I’m outdoors or traveling :>

I admit the backpack is not a daypack some sporting goods store sells. The size of the backpack is perfect. Even though the backpack was mid 1990s style, I’m confident nobody judges a person by his or her backpack. If I see a good deal for a more practical backpack, I’m buying =)

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Positives Sat Oct 11-Sun Oct 12, 2008

*Attended No Name Anime Club to watch anime in a library.

*Purchased men’s sleep wear set and wear for the first time.

*Watched Godfather Part I. It was hard to recognize Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton. Part II is next weekend ^__^

*Acquired new jacket for chilly days. My old jacket is for emergencies in my car >.<

*Purchased new light jacket for cold days at Mervyns. 50% off regular price $-)

*Purchased a new bed sheet set for my bed. Nice and comfy =__=

*Shopped with my Dad buying the light jacket and bed sheet set. Dad is sick and needed fresh air. We also went to Safeway for groceries.

*Cleaned up my room removing and recycling junk.

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Positives Fri Oct 10, 2008

*Successfully arrived for a 7am meeting.

*Great idea. I bring face towels with me when I'm out of the house. I sweat easily ;__;

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Oh, crap! Your intro is negative. Do you agree, Raymond?

I agree. Time to rewrite the intro. Here is the new one :D

My name is Raymond Mar, and I’m growing up. My personal project is to find who I am, the best good guy and never stop innovating my good guyness. I’m open minded. I let everyone be themselves because I want them to be so I learn their thoughts, knowledge, and experiences. I make mistakes and I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. I want to try anything new. My behavior is maturing. My wisdom is growing. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

Here is the old one:

My name is Raymond Mar, and I had been an immature good guy. My indefinite goal, my personal project is to find who I am, a mature good guy. I’m open minded. I let everyone be themselves because I want them to be so I learn their thoughts, knowledge, and experiences. I make mistakes and I do stupid moves I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. I want to try anything new. My behavior is maturing. My wisdom is growing. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

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Positives Tue Oct 7-Thur Oct 9, 2008

*Removed black and white photo I took for photography class in high school in my room and replace with anime character plushies

*Other than that I have been taking it easy as my Dad is sick and I have been experiencing fatigue. I take it really easy this weekend and hopefully workout next week. Maybe light workouts.

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What Is The Greatest Moment You Want To Experience?

There are two. The first greatest moment I want to experience is my braces are removed. I have straight teeth and the best smile. I'm going to wear a retainer for either two or three years. I forgot. Straight teeth and a nice smile are huge for me. People who wore braces told me they gained more confidence. And I want to whiten my teeth. I seek my ortho for advice and suggestions. I anticipate my braces are removed January 2010.

The second greatest moment is my face is free of blackheads and acne. In addition to my face having blackheads and acne when oil and dead skin cells clog up my pores, I believe I have blackheads and acne because I'm still a child, a kid—I have the mentality of a child who needs to grow up. I'm taking Tazorac in the morning and Benzoyl Peroxide at night topical creams. Grow up, dammit! I don't know when my face is free of blackheads and acne.

In a way, my greatest moment is a handsome face without plastic surgery ^_^

Edit 10/14/08: Grammar errors XD

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Positives Mon Oct 6, 2008

*Learned for real people come and go in our lives from a brief 15 minute encounter, acquaintances, friends, family, co-workers, loved ones . . . any relationship among ourselves. I just never thought it happens to me. It does and have been for a long time. Stupid thought that I keep in touch with everyone I know.

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Any Success Finding Yourself?

I’m happy I’m one step closer to finding myself. What did I find? I realized I had been an immature good guy. I realized I need to grow up and mature. I have lots of catching up. It’s time to grow up and be a man. Many people think I’m cool and I’m a nice guy. I’m glad to hear those first impressions ^__^ I now have to act, to behave, to gain knowledge, and to have the mentality of a mature man.

I continue to be 100% alcoholic and drug free. I continue to seek everyone’s opinions about me. I continue to find new hobbies and new lifestyles. I continue to meet new people. I continue to start conversations by asking questions. I continue to find weaknesses and do research to work on my weaknesses. I continue to try anything new. If I need to spend money, I consider spending as an investment. And I continue to make mistakes and learn from the mistakes.

I rewrote my introduction. Here is the old introduction:

My name is Raymond Mar, and I’m lost and I’m a wimp. I’m a good guy working to be a better guy and I’m a terrible guy working to be a great guy. My indefinite goal is to find who I am. I’m open minded and I seek people’s thoughts and knowledge how they live their lives. I make mistakes and I do stupid moves which I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. My behavior is maturing. My wisdom is growing. I recently learned never taking anything and anyone for granted.

Here is the new introduction:

My name is Raymond Mar, and I had been an immature good guy. My indefinite goal, my personal project is to find who I am, a mature good guy. I’m open minded. I let everyone be themselves because I want them to be so I learn their thoughts, knowledge, and experiences. I make mistakes and I do stupid moves I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. I want to try anything new. My behavior is maturing. My wisdom is growing. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

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Positives Friday October 3, 2008-Sunday October 5, 2008

*Finished watching “Special A” anime series.

*Tried Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits, a Pillsbury food for the first time IIRC.

*Completed car maintenance new windshield wipers thanks to my Dad’s help and tire rotation and alignment.

*Accomplished a significant piece of my puzzle to find myself. The piece is shared in the blog titled, “Any Success Finding Yourself?”

*Played Rock Band for the first time singing, playing drums, and playing bass.

*Played World of Warcraft board game with a friend I have not seen in a while.

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Positives Wednesday October 1, 2008 and Thursday October 2, 2008

*Helped my Dad drive my Mom to my brother’s house. My Mom is helping my brother’s family with their newborn.

*Realized I raise my voice when I’m angry or frustrated which I’m really not. I’m learning to speak calm at all times.

*Watered my Mom’s garden while my Mom was at my brother’s house.

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Clarifying A Couple Of Misunderstandings

Two questions for the blog entry regarding people misunderstanding me.

Man, you're angry and talking loud. It's scary :O What are you pissed off at? It's no big deal. I know it's not a big deal. I'm not really pissed off. Really, I'm not. I'm speaking the truth.

The misunderstanding is I raise my voice unnecessarily. I tend to raise my voice even when I'm ticked off at the littlest stuff. I'm really not pissed off. I know it's not going to matter one year from now. It's a family attribute passed on to me portraying me raising my voice pissed off which I'm really not pissed off. Thanks, Dad =P Yeah, many people misinterpret me as a psycho person who gets pissed off at anything. I'm an easy going guy who forgives and forgets the big stuff and the small stuff.

My face shows my anger easily and straightforward. In 99.9% of the situations, inside me, my heart is not pounding and my stress level is not going up. Trust me. It's my face portraying the wrong anger, the wrong frustrations for most big problems which are really small and forgettable hours later or the next day.

To prevent the misunderstanding in terms of any negative feeling including anger, frustration, and betrayal, I keep my voice calm and cool. I maintain a calm speak tone, except when I'm happy of course ^__^ Be calm. Be calm, act calm, think calm. And remember to breath :O

Are you a quiet person? In a few situations, yes, I'm a quiet person, such as when I'm with a group of people I never met before and in a meeting. The two situations I mention I'm quiet because I observe the whos, the whats, the wheres, the whys, and the hows within a group of people. It's who I am. I acquire the information I'm witnessing in the social or professional situation. I behave, speak, and think appropriately after I receive information.

I'm not a quiet person. Sometimes I'm a loud person who talks too loud, LOL. My loudness is another topic *hee, hee* And my uncontrollable laughter =] I'm working on beating my scary or wimpy attitude and becoming more proactive and taking the initiative. I'm creating action truly and I'm not just saying to create action. I'm consciously finding ways to act anywhere and anytime. And I'm not shy!!!

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Positives Monday September 29, 2008 and Tuesday September 30, 2008

*Worked at home for half a day. I’m old school meaning I work at work and I relax at home; however, I’m trying to bring variety to my life recently

*Completed a full workout using a new workout plan for the first time and using the new workout plan for the second time

*Picked up my Mom from my brother’s house after work

*Started researching for my new PC planned for completion before December 31, 2008

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