Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Letter Of The Day Is "I"

*I like taking naps. Everyone should even at work.

*I'm clumsy at love, but I'm a quick learner.

*I plan ahead. If my plans aren't working, I either rewrite the plan or forget it.

*I always find ways to avoid the usual daily life. I'm open to new ideas.

*I make mistakes and learn to be a better person.

*I enjoy both the indoors and the outdoors. Sometimes I feel like watching TV in the family room. Sometimes I feel like watching a movie in the theatre.

*I have the nerd and geek inside me.

*I'm a straightforward person. I suck at lying; although, I'm improving the little white lies ;)

*I enjoy random walking with random conversations. Quiet walking bothers me.

*I workout three days a week. Two days weights and one day cardio.

*I'm a do it now person.

*I'm a night (knight) driver.

*I actually like shopping. Reasons include I'm out of the house, I see the latest trends, and I see any goods I use with practical reasons. I never buy goods I see as junk in the future.

*I prefer to avoid eating Americanized Chinese food.

*I like to talk or I like to listen. I don't like silence.

*I eat hot dogs and fries plain.

*I wear boxers.

*I live life 80% with my gut feeling and 20% critical thinking.

*I began my wonder years in eighth grade. I'm a late bloomer.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Can I Find And Make New Friends Who Are Like Me?

This is a personal critical thinking question. To avoid misunderstandings and miscommunications, I cherish, respect, value, appreciate, earn, and never take for granted my friends. I continue to be a friend and I hope my friends continue to appreciate and to accept my friendship. If you're on my Facebook, have your cell number, or we keep in touch in some way, then you're a part of me. Thank you!

I ask the question because the groups of friends I spend time with I'm the lowest common denominator. In other words, I have the least common interests, hobbies, experiences, attitudes, and personalities among my group of friends. There are times I feel left out. One can say I'm the quietest. It happens to all groups. I'm sure I'm not the only one with the same feelings. There are times I feel lonely because there are some activities I'm not invited for good reason since I don't do that or I'm doing something else my friends don't do.

Where are the people who are like me? Are there people who watch anime, play board games, read books, and also workout at the gym, listen to classic jazz (started Nov'08), cook, ballroom dance (started Jan'09), hike (started Apr'09), visit random places (want to visit more), and/or follow sports (I follow the headlines in football and baseball and some basketball and little hockey).

I just thought of a better question. Where are the people who have interests besides anime, board games, and reading books, and can I find them? For example, can I find somebody who works out at my gym and become friends? Almost everyone who works out workout alone anyways. Bad example. How about visiting new places in the Bay Area? How about going to a San Francisco Giants ballgame or watching sports at a sports bar?

I want to meet people who enjoy other hobbies I like to do. I must be having bad luck. Or maybe it's me not being good enough to attract more people and making more friends. The search continues.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Monday, December 21, 2009

What Is My X Factor?

Bill Gates' X factor is Microsoft. Kobe Bryant's X Factor is basketball. Meryl Streep's X factor is acting. Bill Clinton's X factor is politics.

What's my X factor? I don't have one, yet. I can't describe myself like those people above. I continue living my life finding what I what to do and what I'm going to do. Those answer what my X factor is.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Positives Sat Dec 12-Fri Dec 18, 2009

*Attended my sister's dance performance.

*Purchased new digital camera for . . .

*. . . the Washington Canada '09 vacation. Visited my friend in Seattle. Highlights included visiting the Kinokuniya Bookstore; visiting Victoria, BC, Canada; and watched Point Break, Casablanca, Monty Python And The Holy Grail, Mr. Bean's Holiday, and a samurai movie.

*Purchased a second pair of jeans and a new watch for hiking and working out at the gym.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Positives Thur Dec 3-Fri Dec 11, 2009

*Attended winter cosplay gathering at Christmas In The Park in Downtown San Jose. I'm a geek. We're geeks. I'm lost. Where's the exit?

*Completed Fall Quarter '09 at De Anza.

*Rearranged the furniture in my room. I used a new table for the Gaming PC including dual monitors using my old 19 inch flat panel.

*Tried Post cereal Waffle Crisp. Tasted like maple syrup.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

What Is Your Uniqueness?

My uniqueness is lots of little things:

*Anime: Cosplay, cosplay photographer, Weiss Schwartz card game, host a panel, organized a cosplay gathering, watch videos, read manga.

*New Hobbies: Hiking, ballroom dancing, Japanese Mahjong, listening to classic jazz, reading fiction books.

*Me Online: Two blogs, personal webpage, Facebook, Twitter, AIM.

*Personality: Good conversationalist, kind, gentleman, action speaks louder than words, calm, positive, optimistic, observant, good guy.

*Long Time Hobbies: Working out at the gym, reading books, playing video games (not much, but still), cooking, playing board games.

*Looking Forward To: Learn more ballroom dancing, cosplay #7, catch up on anime, skydive, eat new foods, make new friends, visit new places to hike, watch a ballgame, grow up,. . . look forward to many more as I find new ideas.

We all change. Our uniqueness can change for the better. Always find new and better uniqueness infinitely. I always seek bigger and better uniqueness.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Positives Fri Nov 20-Wed Dec 2, 2009

*Played video games at Golfland for the first time in 2009. I played Razing Storm, a shooting game.

*More Ovaltine, Please. Drank the chocolate for the first time since I was a kid.

*Played Rat A Tat Cat card game for the first time.

*Purchased a squeegee for my car. My last squeegee the handle broke.

*Visited Gilroy Gardens with family.

*Met a friend from Southern California since last Thanksgiving. We ate at Yumi Yogurt.

*Caught up on writing blogs. Expect more blogs to be posted. I write a blog idea on paper. The problem was either I thought of a better blog idea and choose to write it or there was no time to write my backlog of blogs.

*Happy Thanksgiving Day. My family and I celebrated at my brother's place. We ate turkey. We watched our traditional movie, "Planes, Trains & Automobiles." I did different activities including playing video games and playing more video games.

*Black Friday Best Deals. Purchased GPS, a leaf blower, and 2.1 speakers. I looked at the Sunday ads following Black Friday. The Sunday ads deals sucked.

*Ate dinner at Clover, the first time I ate dinner. Usually, I buy their bakery breads. The dinner was delicious. I realized coffee is not for me.

*Went to Aki's Bakery and purchased a huge chocolate chip cookie and a cinnamon twist. Both were delicious. I can't wait to try their cakes.

*Registered for Winter Quarter '10 at De Anza college. I'm taking Financial Accounting II, Payroll and Business Taxes, Peachtree Software Training, Social Dance, and Beginning Singing. Beatles Rock Band!

*Participated in my dance classes Dance Demonstration, a dance event held once every quarter session. I danced the Nite Club Two Step and Cha Cha Cha.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Friday, November 20, 2009

Positives Thur Nov 12-Thur Nov 19, 2009

*I must remember to use olive oil more often to cook.

*Went to a birthday gathering. Ate a Chinese restaurant. The won ton soup was great. Went to a crepe place afterwards.

*Hiked at Castle Rock State Park wearing my new hiking jacket.

*Tongue Cleaner. Buy a tongue cleaner. It's located in the toothbrush aisle.

*Learned the importance to wash my face before shaving.

*Met with a friend I haven't seen in over a year. Ate at Red Robin for dinner. Tried the freckled lemonade for the first time. Then we went to a gaming gathering. I played Bang! and Dominion for the first time.

I Continue To Innovate Innovating Common Knowledge

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Positives Sat Oct 31-Wed Nov 11, 2009

*Tried strawberry lime soda and gelato for the first time.

*Created a Twitter account. Tweeting is great!

*Checked first aid kit, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and flashlight batteries.

*Routine car maintenance. Tire rotation, tire with two screws fixed, and front end alignment. I may have front end alignment checked every 10,000 miles instead of 5,000 miles.

*Jogged to post office. Next time wait at least 30 minutes after a meal. Make sure my nose is clear of sinus.

*Ate at Ramen Halu for the first time. Best ramen I ate ever. Also ate at Red Brick Pizza. Pizza restaurant used non-real cheese.

*Won my first Japanese Mahjong (Riichi) hand.

*Watched Helvetica documentary. I watch again.

*Cleaned up my desk throwing away junk.

*Purchased UP! movie.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Friday, November 6, 2009

Update The Introduction To Say You're Human?

Yes. I'm like the person next to me, you the reader, and everyone's cute faces I see daily.

I'm Raymond Mar. I'm a human being growing up and I'm tired of acting tough 24/7. I have strengths, weaknesses, and problems. I live to battle my weaknesses and solve my problems to become stronger. I'm lonely. Like millions of other people, I don't know what to do. There are new adventures, new skills, and new people to meet and to encounter. I continue to loosen up, be positive, be kind, and be optimistic. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

Here is the old one:

I'm Raymond Mar. I'm unemployed, live with my parents. I'm still growing up. I'm lucky I realize I need to and I am! Everyone has problems. I'm lucky my problems are really not that bad. I still seek new adventures, learn new skills, and meet new people and make new friends. I'm one of millions of people who don't know what to do. You're not alone. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. I'm loosening up. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Sunday, November 1, 2009

I'm Human Just Like The Person Next To Me

Everyone around me is human. We are happy, sad, depress, cheerful, frighten, brave, angry, forgiving, lonely, friendly, crying, understanding, gloomy, laughing, lost, (have) resolve, loving, hating, respectful.

Humans are not perfect. We make mistakes and we learn from our mistakes. Gather courage to make mistakes and be wise to learn from them. Dealing and overcoming the pains determine how much we grow up. Walk tall with our backs straight up and our eyes watching, ears listening, and hands feeling.

We are lonely. Everyone is going to be lonely. Everyone is going to experience the lonely feeling. We meet new people and make new friends so there is one less lonely person in the world.

Humans have weaknesses. We gain strength overcoming their weaknesses, and that's victory. I'm tired of acting tough. I must be brave to show, to express, to tell everyone my weaknesses. My weakness is loneliness. I feel better letting it all out.

I want to tell everyone in the world I'm a human being. To avoid misunderstandings that really affects me, from my perspective, too many times for me. I'm a person looking for something. I don't know what. So then, what's holding me back?!?

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Positives Mon Oct 26-Fri Oct 30, 2009

*Tried a cheaper milk brand. I saved at least a $1 a gallon. The cheaper milk is good.

*BevMo! Run. BevMo sells more than alcoholic beverages. I selected three sodas I drink for the first time. There is a decent selection of non-alcoholic beverages to expand your horizons. Avoid purchasing brand name sodas and bottle water because they're overpriced. Buy Ramune at a Chinese or Japanese store.


*Accutane. Doubled the dosage to 40mg.

*Ate at The Mini Gourmet, a 24 hour restaurant for the first time.

*Finished watching Bakemonogatari (Ghost Story).

*Helped a friend move to a new place.

*Borders Bookstore 40% coupon weekend. Purchased two Japanese comic books (manga) and checked out their free wifi with my laptop.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Monday, October 26, 2009

Positives Fri Sep 25-Sun Oct 26, 2009

*Played Balderdash board game for the first time.

*Learned how to play cribbage. I want to get a cribbage scoring board.

*Ate a falafel for the first time. Also drank strawberry milk for the first time.

*Also ate at La Val's pizza in Alameda, CA. The pizza place was the first time I saw Gauntlet I and Super Sprint video games. And I ate at Tsing Tao, a Chinese and Korean restaurant.

*Princess Bride. Finished reading the book. I watched the movie the next day. Highly recommended! As you wish . . .

*Pan fried tilapia fillets. I forgot to add ginger when I heated the cooking oil on the pan.


*Purchased a new pair of sneakers for casual outings. Also purchased a t-shirt. The last time I purchased a t-shirt God knows when. And I purchased a pair of jeans. The last time I wore jeans was in Aug 2005.

*I started to wear my wallet at my rear right pocket, the correct wallet pocket and I clip my cell phone on the right side of my belt. I'm now comfortable wearing shorts and pants.

*Watched Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs and Where The Wild Things Are movie.

*I now brush my teeth left handed. I read an article brushing your teeth with your opposite dominate hand is one way to keep your mind sharp.

*Hiked at Castle Rock State Park. Minor incident. My car was stuck in a ditch. I called AAA for a tow truck. Then I hiked including visiting Varian Peak and climbed on top of Goat Rock for the first time. My shorts tore and I got a replacement at REI.



*Anime marathons. Finished 07-Ghost with a marathon eps 2-8. Finished The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzimiya with a marathon eps 6-14. Caught up with Fullmetal Alchemist 2 with a marathon eps 20-28. Finished Tokyo Magnitude 8.0.

*Visited Queen's Donuts, a 24hrs donut shop. Also visited Mousier Beans, a coffee shop with wifi and power stripes.

*Found out my cell phone records video XD

*Accepted a challenge to learn Japanese Mahjong in ten days. I completed a cheat sheet to help learn.

*Tried apple and vinegar Kit Kat candy bar.

*Took my first mid-term. It was my first mid-term since I graduated San Jose State. I aced it.

*Dried clothes with Bounce for the first time since I was a kid. I think I need two sheets.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Answers

Here are the answers. I hope you did well and at least scored above 1,000pts ^____^

100pts: Where did Raymond Mar graduated college in 1997?
a. San Jose State University (BS Economics, Minor Mathematics)
b. Stanford University
c. Washington University
d. West Valley College

200pts: What car does Raymond drive?
a. Ford Crown Victoria
b. Toyota Camry
c. Honda Civic
d. Chevrolet Malibu

300pts: Titanic was a movie Raymond watched twice in theatres? What was his second?
a. UP (Actually, it was The Fugitive starring Harrison Ford in 1993. I didn't want to count it, lol)
b. Star Wars I
c. The Departed
d. The Matrix Reloaded

500pts: What dance did Raymond learn first?
a. Fox Trot
b. Lindy Hop
c. Nite-Club Two Step
d. Salsa

1,000pts: Who was Raymond's first character he wore a costume (cosplayed)?
a. Edward Elric (He saved me from quitting anime.)
b. Toushiro Hitsugaya
c. Haku
d. Tuxedo Mask

2,000pts: What is Raymond's favorite color?
a. Red
b. Blue
c. White
d. Brown

3,000pts: How much did Raymond paid for a cinnamon roll in 6th grade school cafeteria?
a. $.15
b. $.30 (The donuts, waffles, and cinnamon rolls were big and delicious.)
c. $.40
d. $.50

5,000pts: Raymond took three years of R.O.T.C. in high school. What was the highest rank he achieved?
a. Cadet First Sergeant
b. Cadet Second Lieutenant
c. Cadet First Lieutenant
d. Cadet Captain

10,000pts: What anime series did Raymond started becoming an anime fan?
a. Sailor Moon
b. Robotech
c. Tenchi Muyo
d. Ninja Scroll

25,000pts: What soda Raymond prefers for an ice cream float?
a. 7-Up (Critically speaking, 7-Up best soda. Just so refreshing! Nobody can't like 7-Up.)
b. Root Beer
c. Mountain Dew
d. Pepsi

50,000pts: What was the first fiction book Raymond read after college
a. The Catcher In The Rye
b. Lord Of The Rings
c. The Shack
d. The Choice (Reading fiction is a better way to learn life compared to nonfiction IMO.)

100,000pts: Raymond used Snoopy as a name for a business he played as a child. What was the business?
a. Supermarket
b. Bookstore
c. Discount department store
d. Used car dealership (I started playing Snoopy's Car Dealer after my parents purchased the family's first station wagon, an Oldsmobile `__^)

250,000pts: Who hit his first career grand slam at the Giants vs. Phillies game Raymond Mar's family attended for the first time in 1989?
a. Will Clark
b. Kevin Mitchell
c. Brett Butler
d. Greg Litton

500,000pts: Who was the make believe name of the criminal Raymond played cops and robbers in third grade?
a. Jimmy Brown
b. Owen Black
c. Edward D. Lewis (I even drew a picture who he looked like.)
d. Ronnie Silverman

1,000,000pts: Raymond almost repeated a grade in elementary school. What grade was it?
a. 1st
b. 2nd
c. 4th (It's true.)
d. 5th

Did you win 1,000,000 points? XD

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire . . .

. . . in points! :D I finished reading Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Q&A inspired the movie Slumdog Millionaire that won Best Picture in 2008. Here is my version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire in points. The points mean nothing. It 's just for kicks, lol! The lifelines are unlimited. Just browse around my blogs or my website. There are a few who knows my other sites since only a few reads my blogs, and I thank them for reading ^__^

BTW, I didn't sit in front of a computer all day thinking of the questions. I thought in the back of my mind daily and I write down good questions.

OK, let's play who wants to be a millionaire . . . in points!!!

100pts: Where did Raymond Mar graduated college in 1997?
a. San Jose State University
b. Stanford University
c. Washington University
d. West Valley College

200pts: What car does Raymond drive?
a. Ford Crown Victoria
b. Toyota Camry
c. Honda Civic
d. Chevrolet Malibu

300pts: Titanic was a movie Raymond watched twice in theatres? What was his second?
a. UP
b. Star Wars I
c. The Departed
d. The Matrix Reloaded

500pts: What dance did Raymond learn first?
a. Fox Trot
b. Lindy Hop
c. Nite-Club Two Step
d. Salsa

1,000pts: Who was Raymond's first character he wore a costume (cosplayed)?
a. Edward Elric
b. Toushiro Hitsugaya
c. Haku
d. Tuxedo Mask

2,000pts: What is Raymond's favorite color?
a. Red
b. Blue
c. White
d. Brown

3,000pts: How much did Raymond paid for a cinnamon roll in 6th grade school cafeteria?
a. $.15
b. $.30
c. $.40
d. $.50

5,000pts: Raymond took three years of R.O.T.C. in high school. What was the highest rank he achieved?
a. Cadet First Sergeant
b. Cadet Second Lieutenant
c. Cadet First Lieutenant
d. Cadet Captain

10,000pts: What anime series did Raymond started becoming an anime fan?
a. Sailor Moon
b. Robotech
c. Tenchi Muyo
d. Ninja Scroll

25,000pts: What soda Raymond prefers for an ice cream float?
a. 7-Up
b. Root Beer
c. Mountain Dew
d. Pepsi

50,000pts: What was the first fiction book Raymond read after college?
a. The Catcher In The Rye
b. Lord Of The Rings
c. The Shack
d. The Choice

100,000pts: Raymond used Snoopy as a name for a business he played as a child. What was the business?
a. Supermarket
b. Bookstore
c. Discount department store
d. Used car dealership

250,000pts: Who hit his first career grand slam at the Giants vs. Phillies game Raymond Mar's family attended for the first time in 1989?
a. Will Clark
b. Kevin Mitchell
c. Brett Butler
d. Greg Litton

500,000pts: Who was the make believe name of the criminal Raymond played cops and robbers in third grade?
a. Jimmy Brown
b. Owen Black
c. Edward D. Lewis
d. Ronnie Silverman

1,000,000pts: Raymond almost repeated a grade in elementary school. What grade was it?
a. 1st
b. 2nd
c. 4th
d. 5th

Answers appear in 4-5 days XD

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Friday, September 25, 2009

Positives Tue Sep 8-Thur Sep 24, 2009

*Ate at St. John's Restaurant in Sunnyvale. Great place to watch sports since I don't have cable, lol ^^ Great daily specials.

*Watched 9 movie. First midnight premier.

*Purchased Blues Brothers on DVD.

*Learned new techniques to keep my teeth clean.

*It's all in the cards. Played 13, Spoons, Egyptian War, and Liverpool Rummy. It's the first and only time I played with faggots `__^

*Tried Earl Grey drink at Tap-X for first time.

*New HVAC for home.

*Played Rock Band Beatles. I was vocals XD Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and Back In The U.S.S.R. were my best songs I sang.

*Celebrated my nephew and niece birthday with my brother's family, local families, and his friends' families.

*Updated my webpage www.innovateinfinitely.com.

*Finished Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. Great action at the end. Looking forward to Inkspell and Inkdeath, part II and part III.

*Attended the Monterey Jazz Festival in Monterey, CA. Ate dinner with a good friend afterwards.

*Family in San Francisco. Walked around Pier 39, Fisherman's Warf, and Ghirardelli Square. I ordered the Fudge Sundae. Delicious and rich! Then I visited Japantown and visited Viz Video building.



*First Day Of School. Fall '09 at De Anza College. I'm taking Financial Accounting 1A and Social Dance.

*Doing something different. Watering plants for my parents and at my Aunt's house.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Random Questions #3

It's been a while. Here we go:

What do you want to do for the rest of the year? Climb a wall, hike in San Francisco, walk the Golden Gate Bridge, and attend a Giants game (that is the best since there's 7 home games remaining in the season.)

What next book do you want to read? Lord of the Files by William Golding, Inkspell by Corneila Funke, Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout, and a Malcom Gladwell book. There are many more!

Is your second major going to be accounting? We see what happens in Fall'09.

What anime cons were you sick? Fanime Con '98. Thank goodness I was sick once.

Who was your first baseball card? Cal Ripken, Jr. from the Baltimore Orioles.

Favorite James Bond movie? For Your Eyes Only.

Hot or Cold? Cold, cold, cold!!!

Your braces were removed on Mon Aug 17. What are you looking forward? A successful Accutane treatment.

How do you like to eat your hot dog? Plain.

What do you miss at Cisco? The free bottle water, lol =)

While at Blockbuster, what was the only efficient procedure? Transferring or firing incompetent or bad workers.

What do you take for pain? Advil.

If you had kids and wanted to name them from anime series, what are the choices? For a boy, Chrono from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha. For a girl, Hikaru from Magic Knight Rayearth, Hitomi from Vision of Escaflowne, Rally from Gunsmith Cats, or Belldandy from Ah! My Goddess.

Remember the following game: If you and a group of people are bored, play the random question game. Everyone writes ten questions on index cards and ask everyone the question. Great conversation starter, get way to get to know each other better, and a simple activity requiring no money (well, food and drinks of course cost money ^__^).

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

You Have Spare Time. Do You Want To Review A Couple Of Lessons?

Yes, reviewing is good. The first lesson took place on Sun Apr 19, 2009 at the San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival. The 90 degree weather taught me never be a stuck up. Hot weather makes me act grumpy T__T

Sunday, April 26, 2009
What Did You Learn On Sunday April 19, 2009?
I learned to be honest with myself. I learned to trust myself and trust my gut feeling. Speak up and have courage to make mistakes including talking, conversing, and asking questions. And cheer up!!! Don't be a stuck up.

The second lesson took place on Wed Oct 1, 2008 at home. I talked to a Southern California friend. My friend told me I raise my voice even when I'm not angry. (I take it from my Mom *__*) I still raise my voice much, much less often. I continue to improve raising my voice unnecessarily.

Thursday, October 2, 2008
Clarifying A Couple Of Misunderstandings
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

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Positives Fri Aug 28-Mon Sep 7, 2009

*Ate Japanese maple bread, New York pizza, and calzone for the first time. Ate ramen at Kahoo Ramen. First time I ate ramen since before I wore braces back in Jan '07. And I tried 5 Gum Solstice flavor and sampled tea at Teavana at Valley Fair.

*Watched Inglorious Bastards. Highly recommended! Avoid drinking milk before the movie. I snuck Junior Mints in the theatre for the first time.

*Also watched Gunfight at the OK Corral starring Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.

*Purchased two portable chairs and a water bottle at REI. The portable chairs stay in the trunk for my outdoor adventures.

*Accutane. Continued taking Accutane once a day. I take it before breakfast instead of before dinner.

*Facebook has benefits. Ate free burrito at Baja Fresh, a Facebook member promo.

*Car stuff. Replaced the two outer break lights on my car. Purchased a case of Castrol oil with coupon at Kragen. No more $.50 oil rebates.

*Going back to my youth. Purchased Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen, and Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans. I never read Where The Wild Things Are when I was a kid. I'm ready for the movie released Fri Oct 16, 2009. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NOkQ4dYVaM

*Won my first Weiss Schwarz game. Chun went easy on me.

*Tried a protein bar after working out for the first time. Protein bars are expensive. I continue trying a protein bar and see what happens.

*Cleaned my retainer with Efferdent.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Finding Raymond Mar

Raymond Mar is finding himself. Here's what he found so far:

*A clean kitchen is good. A dirty kitchen smelling like dinner impresses me.

*Everyone must have jazz or jazz related music in their collection. You realize what a wonderful world it is.

*Junk is junk. Get rid of it.

*I play casino games to win, not just to have fun. Craps is the best casino game.

*People who grown up or are growing up have a greater chance to be great people.

*I never understand how hermits live because I never absolutely live life alone. I must have people in my life.

*Schools teach ABCs, 123s, George Washington, H2O, etc. Schools don't teach how to learn from mistakes, self-confidence, meeting new people, and financial educational. And schools are never going to. That's the parent's job.

*Everyone encounter jerks, bitches, and crazy people. There is no law against being crazy. I make sure I'm none of these people.

*I'm not a nice guy. I'm a good guy.

*One of the best ways to improve yourself is to innovate your signature.

*Good things come to those who wait. Waiting while watching TV doesn't count.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Friday, August 28, 2009

Positives Mon Aug 24-Thur Aug 28, 2009

*Figured out my cell phone plays mp3s. I save the mp3 files in My Sounds instead of My Music =P Also customized the wallpaper and colors. I never customized my past cell phones.

*Watched Citizen Kane. Great movie!

*Drank orange flavored Ramune.

*Ate Milky Way and dark Milky Way candy bars. I couldn't eat Milky Way when I wore braces.

*Finished Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Q&A inspired the movie Slumdog Millionaire. The book is good. Courageous, sad, brave, and creepy. The problems in India are similar almost everywhere.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Monday, August 24, 2009

Positives Thur July 30-Sun Aug 23, 2009

*Watched my sister compete in the International Ballroom Challenge. She won 1st and 3rd place in her competitions!

*Watched Transformers 2, UP! for the second time, and District 9 in the movie theatres. And I watched All Quiet In The Western Front (1930) at home.

*Ate a Cinnabon for the first time. I declare a Cinnabon the apology food. Give a Cinnabon as a complement to apologize, to say you're sorry, to someone.


*Hiked at Castle Rock State Park with Bash and gmontem. The next hike is either in San Francisco or another trail in Castle Rock leading to Goat Rock.


*Drank Thai ice tea for the first time at a Thai restaurant. The last time I ate Thai was in 1999. Spicy food!

*Started to read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke and The Princess Bride by William Goldman.

*Completed minor room adjustments including my dresser. There was extra space on top of the dresser after I transferred the data from floppy disks to a CD.

*Celebrated my birthday with family and friends. For my family, we ate pizza, corn on the cob, and ice cream cake at my brother's house. I tried Dr. Pepper for the first time. I must remember to bring my Gamecube controllers ^__^ For my friends, we ate at a Thai restaurant.

*Visited my dermatologist for an emergency appointment. Needed treatment for dermatitis and eczema.

*Played Weiss Schwarz for the first time, a Japanese card game with anime characters. Also purchased my own Weiss Schwarz card set. My set is from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Strikers.

*Attended the San Jose Jazz Festival, my first jazz festival.

*Ate a cinnamon raisin bagel for the first time. I don't like raisins; however, raisins tasted good in the bagel.

*Registered for classes at De Anza for Fall '09. I'm taking Financial Accounting I and Social Dance. Maybe accounting is my second major.

*Zapped Those Enemies! Played laser tag at Laser Qwest with Chun., mDuo13, Spiritsnare, mDuo13, and Tsubasa.

*Got a haircut with the setting at zero for the first time because . . .

*. . . I debuted my cosplay Ikkaku Madarame from Bleach at the Nor Cal Cosplay Picnic in Kelley Park in San Jose.

*Celebrated my Dad's birthday and his new job at my cousin's Japanese restaurant in Pinole.

*Purchased new socks, the ankle size socks. I also purchased a new hiking hat from REI.

*One of my happiest days in my life. My braces were removed. I wore my braces Jan 24, 2007-Aug 17, 2009, a span of 936 days or 2.56 years. I wear a retainer for at least two years. The retainer is actually the invisible braces Invisalign. I'm applying Crest Whitestripes to whiten my teeth. The braces were worth it!!! Smile :))


*Cleaned and rearranged the DVD shelf in the family room.

*Broiled chicken using the Trader Joe's 21 Salute Spice mix.

*Ate dinner at Curry House. The last time I ate curry was when I wore my braces early in my treatment. Curry stains my braces.

*Had lunch with a classmate from De Anza in my Business Plan class in Winter'06.

*Ate at The Olive Garden restaurant with family, my brother's family, and my uncle and aunt.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge

Monday, August 10, 2009

An Example I'm Growing Up

Blogger's Note: The blog applies to both Innovating Common Knowledge and Finding Raymond Mar blogs.

Mon August 3 was my birthday. I celebrated my birthday with my family and my friends. My family and I celebrated at my brother's house. We ate pizza, corn on the cob, and an ice cream cake. The pizza was something different. We always ate at a restaurant. And my friends and I went out for Thai food and we hung out afterwards eating Beard Papa's eclairs.

I forgot the last time I celebrated my birthday with anyone. My past birthdays were sad I didn't celebrate it. Some people believe birthdays are just another day. I believed that during my college years and thereafter. I realized I was wrong after I began to grow up. Birthdays are like a personal holiday. Birthdays are the day you choose what and how to have fun. You choose the people to share your personal holiday.

Birthdays are not just another day. I was a child my family came to celebrate another Raymond Mar's fun year of living. I received gifts and toys, ate a big dinner, and ate birthday cake. Birthdays are happy days, especially getting the GI JOE and Transformers I wanted.

I'm growing up now. I corrected the mistake birthdays are just another day. Birthdays are special days I celebrate. People who wish you a happy birthday think about you and remember who you are. Gifts are optional since my house has lots of stuff, lol ;) My birthday I do something different. I take a break from my everyday life and do something special. I forget my worries and my problems. I'm unemployed so my specials were minimal. And I take a moment to reflect what I did from my birthday and my last birthday. What did I do wrong and how do I correct? What did I do correct and how do I improve or innovate? What adventures I did and what new adventures do I want?

The idea, the concept of birthdays as a kid is the same as an adult. The day is your special day. People celebrate your birthday with you. They have fun with you. They laugh with you. They remind you that life is really not that bad.

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Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Isn't It Time To Update The Intro?

Yup, time to update the intro.

I'm Raymond Mar. I'm unemployed, live with my parents. I'm still growing up. I'm lucky I realize I need to and I am! Everyone has problems. I'm lucky my problems are really not that bad. I still seek new adventures, learn new skills, and meet new people and make new friends. I'm one of millions of people who don't know what to do. You're not alone. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. I'm loosening up. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

Here is the old one:

My name is Raymond Mar, and I’m still growing up. I have two life desires. My first desire is closing the holes currently in my life. I want more experiences, learn new skills, and live life with more stories to share. My second desire is to meet new people and make new friends. I continue to make mistakes and I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. My behavior is maturing. My wisdom is growing. Never take anything and anyone for granted.

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Positives Thur July 16-Wed July 29, 2009

*Visited the Charles M. Schulz museum in Santa Rosa, CA with Bash and gmontem.


*Updated my webpage http://www.innovateinfintely.com. I uploaded My Cosplay pics from Fanime'09.

*Purchased Coraline DVD collectors edition and a new hat for hiking at REI. Read the Coraline book first.

*Family Portrait. My parents, sister, brother's family, and I took a family portrait.

*Shopped at IKEA for the first time. Went with Bash, mDuo13, Spiritsnare, and Tsubasa. Awesome store! Want to go back and eat their $.99 breakfast that we missed.

*Tried Pho for the first time. Pho is Vietnamese soup.

*Played board games at Ultimate Gaming Night gathering.

*Basic Car Maintenance. Changed oil, air filter, and cabin air filter. And applied Armor All to the dashboard.

*I'm lifting heavier weights at the gym now I'm going back for full workouts.

*No More Floppies. I transferred all the data from floppies to a CD. It wasn't boring because I watched Coraline, Wall Street, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Transporter movies. I have more free space now.

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Saturday, July 25, 2009

Update: What Are You Missing In Your Life?

Blogger's Note: I asked myself the same question on Mon Mar 23, 2009. Click here to read. Here is an updated answer to the question.

I'm missing a person who is like me, a go-to person I call anytime to ask "Are you free?" The person is free 90% of the time and we do something together. We have our families and other friends, too. We introduce our friends to each other to expand our circle of friends.

The go-to special person, a best friend, and I have similar living situations (think George from Seinfeld: Hello, I'm Raymond, I'm unemployed and I live with my parents.). We have a list of new things we want to do together, share new experiences, and have similar hobbies. We share our happiness, our laughers, frustrations, and help each other correct our mistakes. The person is very close to who I am. Personally speaking, I'm missing out many places, many activities, and many adventures. Examples we do together include attending concerts, random walking in cities and downtowns especially new places, chat in bookstores, cooking, ballroom dancing, playing games, watching anime, hiking . . . anything new, anything outdoors, anything indoors.

Nobody can live alone—live like hermits. Think of the most successful people. They succeed with help from other people: friends, family, co-workers, partners, close people, networks, acquaintances, and a special person.

I was alone 98% of the time while I was a college student. I missed out many adventures and experiences in my 20s. Given my current life situation, it's highly likely I'm going back to school. I need people, friends, family of course, and a special person. My future successes depend on people.

I continue to meet new people to expand my circle of friends, my networks, my acquaintances, and in time I meet my special person. I failed to meet new people in my 20s. I'm correcting my mistake today meeting new people.

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Thursday, July 16, 2009

Positives Thur July 9-Wed July 15, 2009

*Finished watching the anime series "Strawberry Marshmallow" and "K-On." For Strawberry, kids should live their lives just like the character in the series. For K-On, the character Mio is awesome because she's left handed.

*Finished rereading "Seinlanguage" by Jerry Seinfeld. The book was not funny as I read it the second time. My brother and sister gave me the book for Xmas a long time ago.

*Ate Costco chicken gyoza for the first time. Need more experience using the frying pan ^^

*Mini family get together. One of my uncle's family and my brother's family visited for the weekend. I hung out with my two cousins. We played Settlers of Catan and Betrayal At The House On The Hill. We played Mario Kart and Smash Bros on Gamecube. We watched "The Dark Knight." And we played Fluxx. We had epic games as we all tried to win by "All You Need Is Love." Everyone caught up on the latest and one of my cousins did magic card tricks.

*Went back to the gym since middle June. I have been sick and fatigued from Anime Expo. I did a light workout. I'm eager to get well soon to continue my weight training =)

*Good news. I'm almost guaranteed my braces are removed on my next ortho appointment on Mon Aug 17. I have my list of food I eat after my braces are removed :{}

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Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Positives Sat June 27-Wed July 8, 2009

*Updated my webpage www.innovateinfinitely.com.

*Celebrated my Mom's birthday with two of my uncle's families at my brother's place. Watched movies and played Settlers of Catan with my cousins.

*DrankPocari Sweat for the first time.

*Helped Appu moved to his new place.

*Attended Anime Expo'09 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Satisfactory experience! Highlights were the cosplayers, Fullmetal Alchemist gathering, and meeting new people. Visited Little Tokyo for the first time afterwards.

*Ate grits for the first time.

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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Positives Thur June 18-Fri June 26, 2009

*Ate dinner at Com Tam Thanh Vietnamese restaurant with Appu, LastExlir, and Tsubasa. Great value and tasty food! We went shopping afterwards.

*Hiked at Castle Rock State Park in Santa Cruz Mountains. Total hiking 6 miles from the parking lot to Castle Rock Trail Camp camping grounds round trip.

*Spent Father's Day watching UP! Feeling down? Then get up . . . get up and go see UP! Watch the movie UP!

*Finished my Spring '09 classes at De Anza. Found my max bench press is 200lbs. Not too shabby for a geek ^^ I go back to my gym to keep in shape =)

*Finished reading "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick. Excellent book! I predict a movie based on the book. You can make up your own story when you look at a photo.

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Thursday, June 18, 2009

Positives Thur June 11-Wed June 17, 2009

*Realized yogurt is a healthy food to cheer me up, to wake me up, and to energize. Strawberry and lime flavors are awesome!

*Spent a day with a high school and college friend. We ate lunch at my cousin's restaurant Happy Sashimi (2718 Pinole Valley Road, Pinole). Then we played pool and watched Star Trek.

*Purchased "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick.

*Purchased Frank Sinatra double CD "My Way" and "Live At The Meadowlands."

*Tried 5 Gum Cobalt made by Wrigley. Best gum!

*Shopped at Big Lots for the first time. Man, there are some really good deals $-)

*Learned some intermediate Waltz moves in dance class.

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Thursday, June 11, 2009

Positives Thur June 4-Wed June 10, 2009

*Began sewing baby pants for my nephew. The sewing is practice for two more anime costumes.

*Attended free salsa lesson in Japantown Downtown San Jose. It's interesting and I attend more lessons to see if it's worth going there regularly.

*Played card game "Lifeboat" for the first time.

*Hung out with Appu and gmontem. We watched IP Man and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. We played Settlers of Catan watching Wheel of Fortune and then Star Trek.


*For the first time: drank chocolate milk and ate Toblerone.

*Somewhat positive. My braces were supposed to be removed on Tue June 9. My ortho delayed the removal at least two months. Want to get it correctly the first time ^__^

*Played Team Fortress 2 (TF2). The last time I played was the first week of March. It was a good time to distract myself.

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Sunday, June 7, 2009

Take Five

* When my braces are removed, I celebrate eating curry and eating a Milky Way candy bar.

* I play craps only when I gamble in a casino. If the casino is in California, then I play $1 slots.

* I missed one Super Bowl since becoming a football fan. The Super Bowl was XXXII in 1998 the Denver Broncos defeated the Green Bay Packers. I had to cover a shift at Blockbuster Video, my part-time job. The store manager scheduled all female workers for the morning and afternoon shifts, LOL!

* Edward Elric from Full Metal Alchemist is my signature costume (cosplay).

* I was an extra in the San Jose Cleveland Ballet “Giselle” in 1994. The San Jose Cleveland Ballet is now called Ballet San Jose.

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Thursday, June 4, 2009

Positives Sat May 30-Wed June 3, 2009

*Registered for Anime Expo'09 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It's my 10th Anime Expo. Number 10 is my division number for my Hitsugaya cosplay ^^

*Watched Blue Hawaii starring Elvis Presley. Film released in 1961, and one of the first movies my Mom watched when she lived in Hong Kong. Elvis: "I've got to get a job. . . . [Not my father's pineapple plant] Hawaii has a big future. . . . I'm young and healthy. . . . I'd make a good tourist guide."

*Applied fuel injection cleaner to my car.

*Completed my take home exam for my Strength Development class.

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Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Positives Tue May 19-Tue May 26, 2009

*Finished watching Fullmetal Alchemist 1 on DVD to remember the series.

*Wore makeup to cover my unclogged pores for the first time.

*Used Old Spice after shave.

*Fanime Con 2009: took pics of cosplayers, I cosplayed three characters, sold items in Swap Meet, met new people, hung out with friends, saw friends I never saw in a while, attended Black & White Ball, Anime Fans Over 30 panel, and purchased items from friends in the Artist Alley.

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Monday, May 18, 2009

Positives Wed May 13-Mon May 18, 2009

*Cooked Teriyaki Pork Chops. I marinated, tenderized, and cooked on George Foreman grill. Yummy!

*Visited dermatologist for routine accutane appointment. I'm now experiencing some common side effects dry skin and being thirsty.

*Cleaned car. Got car washed and applied Armor All to the interiors.

*Purchased tabi (Japanese socks) at San Jose Japantown. The tabi is my backup pair for my Hitsugaya cosplay.

*Purchased 8GB compact flash card for the family camera. I purchase another card. You never have enough memory.


*Hiked at Uvas Canyon County Park. I hiked a longer trail. My next hike is another location. I'm thinking Castle Rock State Park.

*Watched Revenge Of The Nerds. I'm a nerd, and I'm pretty proud of it.

*Prepared items I sell at the Swap Meet at Fanime'09.

*Haku cosplay is 95% completed. Need sandals. Ready for Fanime'09 regardless. I catch footballs, jump up to stages from the seating area, shoot basketballs, dodge people in a crowd. I have trouble sewing such as tying threads together. I continue learning sewing in the summer. Avoid listening to Celine Dion when sewing. *yawn!*

*Emergency ortho appointment. Braces are removed in June. Saw co-worker from Colliers. We have the same orthodontist.


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Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Positives Fri Apr 17-Tue May 12, 2009

*Cooked Teriyaki Pork Chops. I marinated, tenderized, and cooked on George Foreman grill. Yummy!



*10th Division From Bleach. Received Toushiro Hitsugaya goodies and more waraji shoes for his cosplay. Also received a Rangiku Matsumoto PVC figurine, my second PVC figurine.

*Celebrated Mother's Day with family. I gave me mom "The Girls from Ames" book by Jeffrey Zaslow and cash. We all tried El Polo Loco chicken for the first time. Purchased book at Borders. Must have been my cell phone.

*Found out 91.1 FM played jazz, not smooth jazz. Station saved in my car radio.

*Caught up on Fullmetal Alchemist manga. I begin catching up with Bleach manga.

*Went to Dance Boulevard for a beginning dance lesson on Salsa and Waltz with my sister.

*Attended dance fund raiser event at Just Dance in Alameda with my family. First experience dancing live on a dance floor. Thank goodness my partner was my sister who helped me. I was nervous and forgot some moves. She quickly taught me some Samba, Salsa, and Merengue.


*New Daytime Backpack. Purchased new backpack at REI.

*Half Way Done. My orthodontist gave me good news. My braces are removed on Wed May 27. My number one moment is my braces removed for a beautiful, handsome smile and my acne cleared from my face.

*Prepare For More Hikes. Purchased hiking shirts, shorts, and a new pair of hiking boots at REI. I'm appreciating REI. Use coupons and take advantage of sales.

*Successfully got free coupons and free 2-piece meals for the Oprah Kentucky Grilled Chicken promo.


*OMG! A Childhood Snack. Purchased finger biscuits, a snack I ate when I was a child. LOL, I imagined I smoked when eating the snack that might explain why the snack is available in Chinese stores only ;)

*New Tires. Three new tires for my car. Michelin Energy MXV4 S8. Tires were very close to the 3/32 inch mark. Also got tire alignment. It's not a gorilla, then what is it? An elephant.

*Five Year Anniversary. My web page www.innovateinfintely.com celebrated five years online. The webpage is updated.

*Ate the frosted animal cookies since Mother's went bankrupt. It appears Nabisco purchased the rights to make a classic Mother's snack.

*New Spring and Summer Clothes. I purchased more new clothes at Kohl's. The donation clothing pile is growing.

*Started to learn the West Coast Swing at De Anza and my sister teaching me.

*Grocery Shopping. Appu and I went to Costco for groceries. Then we ate dinner at Carrows. Our conversations were serious: economy, college, jobs, family, and cost of living.

*Began another beginning workout I downloaded at www.bodybuilding.com. Workout involves free weights. Good time to try in my Strength Development class. So far, so good. And adopted a warm up exercise a classmate taught me. The soccer student is Pablo in the locker room. I began in a friendly way, he introduced himself and asked my name.

*Hiked at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill, CA. I'm going to hike more trails around the Bay Area.

*Watched Memento and Transformers with gmontem and Appu. We played Settlers and ate at IHOP. The Settlers game was weird >__>

*Tried Indian food with Appu, Spiritsnare, and Tsubasa. Also drank San Pellegrino soda orange flavor.

*Purchased another pair of boxers at The Gap. Boxers have roosters printed. Roosters, lol?!? Also purchased a new "Indiana Jones" like hat for hiking, traveling, and walking anywhere outdoors. I purchase more "Indiana Jones" hats for a small collection XD

*Cosplay #2 upgrade. Purchased new boots for my Syaoran from Tsubasa Chronicles cosplay.

*Dropped Beginning Japanese. I learn on my own. I purchased Genki, beginning Japanese book at Kinokuniya. (May be the best decision I made in 2009.)

*Cosplay #5. Last minute choice to make a fifth cosplay. It's Haku from Spirited Away.

*Time To Stop Holding Back And Take Next Step. I ran the treadmill at 5.8 mph, the highest speed ever! My highest was 5.2 a long time ago. Have courage to jog faster and faster.


*Cooked teriyaki steak. I cut the steak in half length wise. Next I tenderized. Then I marinated with soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, onions, garlic, and sugar.

*San Francisco Cherry Blossoms Festival. Great seeing my friends, fellow cosplayers, and meeting new people. Arrived home at 11:30pm after late dinner with Chloe and Oshu I haven't seen in at least a year and gmontem and Appu. Tried green tea ice cream for the first time.

*The camera battery for the Canon 20D arrived. Battery is used as backup.

*The Sign Of The Times. I was at the gas station getting gas. A person asked for money. The person looked legit being a person struggling. I gave $2.00.

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Monday, May 11, 2009

I Change My Daily Presentation Again


On Mon Oct 13, I posted a blog changing my daily presentation. I changed my anime black mail bag to a green backpack. On Sat Apr 9, I changed my green backpack to a blue hiking/day use backpack.

My new backpack is bigger and more comfortable. Much more comfortable. I have more options and pockets. I'm ready for more hiking and carrying big items. I transferred my items to my new backpack. I purchased it at REI's annual sale. BTW, REI kicks ass big time. The prices are expensive; however, save money by signing up at REI.com to receive coupons by email.

Like my green backpack, the blue backpack portrays me as an adventurer, a person's who likes to spend time outdoors, and visiting new places. It's time to go outside and do something, anything.

Side Note: I promise my next blog entry is the Positives.

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Sunday, May 10, 2009

How Do I Stop Thinking Too Much?

If there was something I learned from my Japanese class, it was a negative attribute I must correct. I think too much. The teacher told me straight forward I think too much. The teacher was correct. I think too much. I think too much making many events, moments, and situations in life too hard.

So how do I stop? I tell myself, "stop thinking too much" when I think too much. What do I think about? Anything. Examples include what I'm going to do tomorrow, sad thoughts such as being unemployed, worries about being lonely, family, hobbies, and blogs.

Saying "stop thinking too much" is successful. I feel better and less stressful. I also take a deep breath or take three or four deep breaths. Thinking of a song is another technique. Any technique that wakes me up, to make me be here now, to relax and open up, to become me, to express myself, to get in the rhythm, to finish whatever I'm doing now NOW, I use it to stop thinking too much. I must trust my gut feeling more.

Maybe philosophers get away thinking too much. No more excuses thinking too much if I make a mistake. I correct my mistakes. The last three weeks have been more relaxing because I'm fighting to stop thinking too much.

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Saturday, May 2, 2009

Finding Raymond Mar Trivia

Let's take a break from the self interview questions. I have one more question entry and then I continue the positive blog entries. (Thur Apr 16 was the last day of positives.)

I got the trivia idea from watching Mad Max starting Mel Gibson. I was just taking it easy and playing around with the DVD special features. I selected "Mad Facts Trivia Track." Then the movie started playing and trivia appear throughout the movie. I watched the movie and wrote down my life trivia I thought about on paper. Here we go:

* My signature good bye is "see ya around." The first time I said it I was in 8th grade. BTW, my late grandfather's signature good bye was "thanks a million."

* My left leg is bent unconsciously when I'm in a good mood driving. My left leg is straight if I'm in a bad mood. I straighten my left leg consciously to stretch.

* My first buzz cut was in late Summer 2004. I love the buzz cut since. I choose the cut for a new look and my hair line has been receding.

* I thought about buying a Honda Accord in 2001 at Max's Restaurant. Looking back, I'm glad I didn't. I waited six more years to buy my first car, a 2005 Toyota Camry used from my neighbor who moved out of state. My dream car today is the Audi A8.

* My first anime convention was Fanime Con 1997. I started making friends in anime cons at Japantown Anime Faire 2 on September 2004.

* My first book report was "The Magic Fish" in 4th grade. I barely passed because the book was less than 100 pages long.

* One time I wrote a false book report in 4th grade. The book was "The Fat Cat," a mystery novel. Not only did I not read it, I never knew the author. I made up the entire report.

* In 8th grade, my nickname was "rapid" because when I play lunchtime football, I run, catch, avoid tackles, and score touchdowns and touchdowns and touchdowns.

* I never had any friends visit my house when I was a kid. The word "playdate" never existed during my childhood.

* The first movie I watched in the movie theatres was "Raiders Of The Lost Ark" in Dublin, CA. I never understood the plot and never realized who Harrison Ford was. I enjoyed the fighting scenes and the scenes where the Nazis transported the ark.

* I never drank a cup of coffee in my life. And I never had a Cinnabon.

* My first girl I danced was the 7th-8th grade Halloween dance in junior high.

* The longest I stayed awake was 27 hours at Fanime Con 2004.

* I wore a retainer on my upper teeth when I was a kid. My parents did a bad job maintaining the retainer and I did a bad job wearing the retainer. There were many times I took the retainer off and forgot to put it back in my mouth.

* Fall Semester 1993 was the worst semester while I was a student attending San Jose State. The semester should have been a wake up call to take my classes serious and not take college for granted. Thinking back, I failed to learn those lessons.

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Friday, May 1, 2009

Why Do I Cosplay?


On Sun Apr 19 around 6:45pm, I was in San Francisco outside Japantown where the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival took place. I was walking to a restaurant to eat dinner with my friends. I thought of a random question: "Why do I cosplay?" My reply was, "Holy shit. I forgot why I cosplay?" Here are the reasons why I cosplay. First, a brief history how I began cosplaying.

I almost quit anime after talking to an old friend at Fanime Con '04. He graduated at UC Irvine and had a full time job. He was phasing out of anime. After the conversation, I thought about quitting. On day 3, I watched 17 episodes of Fullmetal Alchemist. The 9th episode I said to myself, "I'm cosplaying Edward Elric." The months of July and Aug I researched how to make the cosplay. My Mom was nice and did a great job making the red coat and black vest. I cosplayed Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist at Japantowne Anime Faire in Sep 2004 that saved me from quitting anime. I also cosplayed Syaoran from Tsubasa Chronicles, Toshiro Hitsugaya from Bleach, and Chrono Haralown from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha.

The number one reason why I cosplay is to meet new people. I forgot the number one reason since Fanime Con '08. I did meet new people at Fanime '08. I should have met more new people. I also cosplay to hang out with my friends who cosplay. And I also take pictures of cosplayers. I have dual roles—I cosplay and take pics of my fellow cosplayers.

I want to share one of my favorites bittersweet moments. In Fanime '05, I was shopping in the dealer's room for bargains on the last day. A random group of cosplayers asked me to join them for lunch. I was tired hosting Texas Hold'em in Tabletop Gaming the night before and I politely refused. Thinking back, I should have joined the cosplayers.

Obviously having fun is another reason I cosplay. I'm happy I remembered why I cosplay. Fanime'09 takes place Memorial Day weekend. Now I remember the reasons why I cosplay. I'm ready to have fun, open myself up, hang out with my friends, and meet new people. Yay!

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Sunday, April 26, 2009

What Did You Learn On Sunday April 19, 2009?

I learned to be honest with myself. I learned to trust myself and trust my gut feeling. Speak up and have courage to make mistakes including talking, conversing, and asking questions. And cheer up!!! Don't be a stuck up.

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Friday, April 24, 2009

What Is The Real Reason You Dropped Japanese I?

It's true the instructor went too fast. I say 20% of the class dropped out during the second week. And my friends advised me to drop out after they looked at the syllabus.

The absolute reason I dropped is no freedom. I want to learn JP on my pace and on my time. I choose when to study and what to learn for the day. I'm a slow learner; however, when I learn it, I master it. Learning Hiragana and Katakana in a few weeks is doable. Unfortunately, not for me. I learn my way.

Could The Lack Of Freedom Explain Why Your Jobs Were Boring?

Good question. My job and responsibilities at Grubb & Ellis, Colliers International, and Cisco were overall boring. I didn't have control over my career. I mastered the job in months. Cisco took almost a year. Thereafter, there was nothing more for me to do. I browsed the web and watched YouTube videos for days at Cisco, especially when new management started in my department. I had no work practically for weeks.

I had no freedom to venture out for additional responsibilities and learn new skills working at the three companies. Everyone knew I'm good and they wanted to keep their jobs and responsibilities. They didn't want me to do their jobs or at least help them out.

Was The Class Stimulating?

Well, there was student interaction where the instructor required all the students to ask questions and to answer in Japanese. Hmmm . . . my answer is no. I just couldn't get into the class. Likewise for my jobs. It's like I go to work and then . . . so what. What's next?

What Are You Going To Do For The Rest Of Spring'09?

I continue to take Strength Development and Social Dance I Part B. I learn Japanese on my own and at my pace continuing through the summer. I purchase additional learning material at Kinokuniya, a Japanese bookstore. I reviewed vocabulary and practiced learning A-O, KA-KU, and GA-GU hiragana yesterday. I must spell out the vocabulary in Romanji.

Are You Going To Take Beginning Japanese in Fall'09?

Of course.

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Thursday, April 23, 2009

What Is A Weakness You Have Known You Just Realized Again?

I'm behind in life. I'm behind in knowledge, skills, experience, everything in life for a 34 year old. I feel I'm running to catch up to the moving car containing my true life. I'm growing up meaning I have the wisdom of an 18 year old. I feel inferior most of the time when I converse and hang out with people. I feel they know what they're doing they say, act, behave, and do it with confidence whether they're right or wrong. I see no weaknesses.

Is That Why You're Depressed?

I guess.

What Do You Mean You Guess?

I'm in denial. Yeah, I'm depressed. I do everything I can to avoid depression. I'm proof everyone experience depression many times. The best people overcome depression as quickly and efficiency as possible.

Accutane Is Causing You To Be Depressed?

Nope. If the reason is accutane, then I don't admit my personal weakness. I have a reason being depressed.

What Are You Doing To Conquer And Defeat Your Weakness?

I continue living life by meeting new people and learning anything new. I know depression is temporary. I want to meet people with similar lifestyle and current life situation like me. I have bad luck. I have met nobody to expand my circle of friends.

Do You Blame Your Parents For The Lack-ness In Your Life?

I forgive them. If I assign a letter grade, I give them an incomplete. They never completed raising me and nurturing me. They earn an A grade if I'm confident, moved out, successful in my dreams and whatever I do today. They earn an F grade if they abuse, neglect, being losers, and lazy at home.

What Is Hindering You From Catching Up?

There are two. One is freedom. The second is meeting new people.

Freedom: I live at home. Enough said. Honestly, it's not bad. The recession and the high cost of living, living at home is acceptable. I accept anyone who lives at home with their folks.

On the other hand, living at home I'm limited in learning anything new such as cooking new dishes, my house has too much junk and clutter, and the mood in my house is gloomy. My friends are not invited to my house. I have limited flexibility to seek new adventures and experiences.

Meeting New People: My closest circle of friends rock. Without them, I'm a loner with too much time in his hands. Among my closest friends, I'm the one with the least amount of common interests, yet they welcome me. I'm grateful. I must be doing something correctly. Yeah, having a bigger and more circle of friends with similar living situations, interests, hobbies, and lifestyle helps me catch up in life and helps me grow up.

When Are You Going To Grow Up?

I have no timetable. Live life one day at a time. Be patient. My moments are coming.

The Key Is Confidence. Get Confident, Man.

Very good. So true. I think about it more and follow up.

Are You Thinking Too Much?

Yeah, it's a weakness. I follow up how to solve thinking too much.

Is All This Part Of Growing Up?

Yes!!!

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Saturday, April 18, 2009

What Are You Feeling Now?

Blogger's Note: I'm posting the blog at Innovating Common Knowledge and Finding Raymond Mar. The difference is the title.

I feel lonely. Recently, I know other people who shared they're feeling lonely. Now I'm feeling lonely. Why do I feel lonely?

*Thur night after Japanese I felt overwhelmed with the upcoming homework assignments and quiz. The homework is going to take time and I'm sure I'm not going to comprehend the concepts. Thank you to my friends who gave me information how I approach completing the assignments and handling the class.

*I updated my Facebook (FB) status and I was polite to read the status updates except the quizzes and spam from my friends. 95% of the status updates are a waste of my time including the quizzes and spam. I stand by my belief FB is best used for posting your updates and telling your FB friends what you have been doing recently. Posting pictures is OK.

*I ate a bad lunch and felt weak throughout the afternoon.

*I ran errands after lunch. I got a haircut, and I got a different person. My regular was doing something on a laptop. Then I went to a surplus store to buy a new pair of boots for one of my anime costumes. The store didn't have my style. I visit the store again to find a substitute. After the store, I got gas. One person was asking people for money. I gave her $2. She seemed legitimate. Finally, I went to Nob Hill to buy milk and garlic salt. The supermarket sold out on the big garlic salt container. WTH!!!

*My family and I ate another lazy dinner. I'm sad. I feel family dinners must be prepared with care and effort.

*I was sad to hear a group of my friends organizing another get together had problems.

*I thought about what if I'm 40 years old and I still live at home in the back of my head. Shame. What if I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life? Legitimate concern. What if I don't meet new people and make new friends? Another legitimate concern.

*Sun Apr 19 is the Northern California Cherry Blossom Festival in San Francisco, CA. The last two cosplay events I felt lonely. I'm worry I'm going to be lonely even though I have friends coming with me.

Looking at the events Thur and Fri I really don't know why I'm feeling lonely. Maybe it's not the events rather it's just something in my body making me feel lonely. Can it be accutane? I doubt it. I watch myself regarding my loneliness continues next week.

Feeling lonely is normal even though a lonely person has family and friends. I repeat. Feeling lonely is normal, and I had experience loneliness before. The lonely feeling passes in time as long as we stay busy and stay active doing activities.

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Positives Fri Apr 10-Thur Apr 16, 2009

*Uploaded YouTube Video Nor Cal Xmas Gathering.

*Uploaded 98 songs to my mp3 player.

*My sister taught me the cha cha cha. Need more practice and more lessons on the dance.

*Started to watch Full Metal Alchemist 2. Full Metal Alchemist is my all time favorite anime series. I also started to watch K-On.

*Cooked tenderized and marinated steak on a pan. Yummy!

*Purchased dance shoes for my dance class.

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Friday, April 10, 2009

Positives Tue Apr 7-Thur Apr 9, 2009

*Purchased new shirts for the warm spring and hot summer days. I donate my old polos.

*Purchased Japanese dictionary 30% off at Borders instead of the bookstore $-)

*Tried new after shave moisturizer balm.

*Tried new calf press machine at my strength development class for the first time.

*Used the Iron Gym doing push ups and sit-ups. The dips are terrible.


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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Positives Thur Mar 26-Apr 6, 2009

*Uploaded two videos to My YouTube Water Show #1 and Water Show #2 from the Bellagio casino from my Las Vegas Dec '06 vacation.

*Watched my sister won first place in a dance competition.

*Watched The Rocky Horror Picture Show movie.

*Ate a Giant Burger hamburger for the first time.

*Finished "Love Walked In" by Marisa De Los Santos.

*Uploaded my updated resume and cover letter to my job websites I have an account.

*De Anza opened a second class for Beginning Japanese. I signed up. Also, I switched my Strength Development class from Tue and Thur noon hour to Mon and Wed late afternoon.

*Learned the change step waltz and the tango walk dance.

*Cooked teriyaki chicken on the George Foreman grill. Needs improvement `__^

*Finished watching Toradora and Clannad: After Story anime series. Clannad is on my all time favorite anime series list.

*Listening to a business radio station 1220AM. Got it from my Dad.

*Hung out with Appu and gmontem. Ate dinner at Ocean Blue Sushi Club. Spiritsnare, we get you next time.

*Going back to school. It's not a big deal, yet. Taking strength development, social dance, and beginning Japanese at De Anza College. Times have changed. Students didn't have cell phones and laptops during my college days. Only a few had cell phones and they were bigger than a cordless phone. Today, I see students browsing the web, checking email, and chatting on their laptops. I see students talking and texting on cellphones.

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Sunday, April 5, 2009

Name Five Qualities That Make You . . .

. . . unique, make you attractive, make you proud of yourself. The five qualities are I learn from my mistakes, I have above average observation senses, I think about the other person's welfare, I explain anything I understand fully from point A to point B, and I'm growing up.

I Learn From My Mistakes

The biggest mistake I learned is never take anything and anyone for granted. Never ever. You must earn everything and everyone in life. Go with the flow, but never depend on the flow for your happiness. You must earn happiness.

I feel I have a second chance to make up for my mistakes. I'm unemployed and with the economy in a recession, today is the opportunity to go back to school and earn a second college degree.

I rarely make the same mistake twice. I make mistakes to learn better. I welcome failure to learn. The next quality helps me learn from my mistakes to avoid repeating.

I Have Above Average Observation Senses

Eyes, ears, hands, nose, and mouth. My five senses are above average. Keeping focus on learning from your mistakes is important. I focus to learn and ask follow up questions. I write solutions to my mistakes if I can. My sense of awareness is high. Anytime and anywhere I focus on what I'm doing, in the back of my mind my eyes are seeing, ears are hearing, hands are feeling, nose is smelling, and mouth is communicating (and tasting) anything and anyone within my surroundings. Perhaps, my keen senses enable me to listen to music while studying. My sense of awareness explains my third quality.

I Think About The Other Person's Welfare

It's just me. I think about other people when I'm with them. I rarely think about myself. It's natural for me to be a helpful guy, not a guy to be taken advantage. If something is wrong, I pause, think, and ask myself "Is everything OK?"

There are a few people I don't think about their welfare as much. The reason is I know them for a long time and I know they are strong enough to take care of themselves. Regardless, my senses are always focused on the few people and I ask, "What's going on? Is everything OK?" Then I act accordingly.

I Explain Anything I Understand Fully . . .

. . . from point A to point B. One of my pet peeves is wasting time. I remember the classes I took in high school and college the instructor was a poor teacher and explained the concepts poorly. Waste of time. When I self study, I forget about the unnecessary facts and details and summarize the concepts from point A to point B. There is no point C, point D, etc.

Getting to the point is one of my qualities for the successful final semesters in college and for the successful jobs I worked. The companies I worked required critical analytical and reasoning skills I mastered. I received complements from others for explaining and detailing the reports and procedures in my departments.

I'm Growing Up

Sat Oct 4, 2008 was the day I start becoming a man. No more naive Raymond Mar. It's time to grow up.

I consider myself lucky and fortunate I realized I must grow up. I know people and I see people older than me who are acting and being weird, immature, and/or a jackass. I bet there are successful people (rather so-called successful people) who are not grown up. I have not met any of these people and I know I'm going to meet them in the future.

Since Oct 4, 2008, I have done the little changes and innovations such as new clothes, trying new foods, and creating a Facebook account. I have done the minor changes such as buying a new bed, new gym workout, reading fiction, and a new PC. I'm going to do one major change that is going back to college. The second major change is finding a second college degree.

Other qualities that make me unique, attractive, and proud are I always find something to talk about in a conversation, I look younger than my age, and I never get lost. Hmmm, I must expand these three in another blog ;)

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Thursday, March 26, 2009

Positives Wed Mar 18-Wed Mar 25, 2009

*Daylight Savings Time. Checked all flashlights, smoke detectors, and wrote list of outdated drugs to purchase for the family first aid kit.

*Purchased a Nike workout tee to compare the difference between Nike and Champion workout tees.

*Sleeping with two pillows. I heard sleeping with two pillows slows aging ^__^

*Updated my resume and cover letter and uploaded both to the major job searching websites, San Jose State University career center, and my LinkedIn account.

*Celebrated my niece's six month birthday at my brother's house. Two of my uncle's families celebrated with my family. We did two activities. The first was . . .

*. . . watched Slumdog Millionaire. Great movie. I think about reading book . . . although I should >.< The second was . . .


*. . . playing an epic Settlers of Catan. The best game I ever played so far. I played with my three cousins. The final scores were 10, 9, 9, and 8. I was the 8 =( We has a string of six 7's rolled and seven out of ten rolls were 7's. The resource shortage fluctuated like every four or five rolls. For me, there were no 8's rolled during the final stretch. I needed 8's for wheat. And I got the two worse development cards which were Road Building. Road Building cards were useless in our game.

*Created a Facebook account. Please visit my Facebook. I invite more people, respond to invites, and send more invites. I'm still working on my first post.

*A half circle, a U-turn is 180 degrees.

*Purchased new headphones for my mp3 player. The new headphones are water resistant and the cord is 2ft long, perfect when running on the treadmill at the gym.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Hey, Raymond, Do You Want To Update The Intro?

I found two desires in my life to live currently, yes, let's update the intro.

My name is Raymond Mar, and I’m still growing up. I have two life desires. My first desire is closing the holes currently in my life. I want more experiences, learn new skills, and live life with more stories to share. My second desire is to meet new people and make new friends. I continue to make mistakes and I learn when realized. I have a positive and optimistic attitude. 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’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.

Visit my first blog Innovating Common Knowledge