Runner. Masochist. Call it what you will. I finished my first 20 miler this weekend. And surprisingly, my heart and lungs felt fine. The legs, on the other hand, told me a different story. So, I gave this post-run ice bath a shot, to recover more rapidly.

My running buddy Christine mentioned to me earlier last week about the benefits of ice bathing. She used to do that before her high school cross-country meets.

I got home after the 20 miler, filled up the tub to leg level and added the goods. Sat down to soak the limbs. Definitely shaken and stirred. My first reaction...

"ARGH!!!"

Didn't last too long as a polar bear. How on earth did Christine endure the chill factor?

The next day, I did notice that my legs were not as sore as my previous long run (18 miles). Looks like it does make a difference. Now if I can only develop a better tolerance to cold environments. (That totally sounds like a Southern Californian, no?)

About two years ago, I mentioned how uber-animation studio Pixar was seeking other distributors, and dissolving their successful partnership with Disney. I seriously questioned Disney's mindset, noting their recent struggles of producing successful, in-house animated films.

Well, it was in the works for a while, but now it is official: Yesterday, Disney bought out Pixar for (Dr. Evil Voice and pinky finger to mouth) "$7.4 billion dollars!" Pixar and Apple CEO Steve Jobs must be singing his way to the bank!

I was talking with some rollerhockey buddies over team dinner last night about the deal. While most of us were in agreement that it was mutually beneficial, I wondered whether some of the creativity and independence would be lost for Pixar under Disney ownership.

Don't get me wrong. I like every Pixar/Disney collaborated feature (and own them all on DVD). I just thought it would be nice to see Pixar's technology used to create a film that may not center around a family market, like a stylish film-noir.

Eat:

Anyone who has been a regular at our church knows that our senior pastor has a great appreciation for good food. You know that is so when a regular expression of his is about Jesus doing a high percentage of ministry through eating (i.e having meals with others).

He and his family are also quite the hospitable types, as they annually host a dinner for the entire congregation. And after a long, hard week, I definitely appreciated stopping by their home Friday evening for a sumptuous meal (see picture below). You can find more pictures of the dinner at our resident photophile's xanga.

Play:

It's mid-January, so that means it's time to celebrate the birthdays of Josh (17th) and Robin (20th). Stan (Robin's husband) always plans something fun for them and everyone else. He took us back to the old school (literally) as we had a "recess party" on Saturday afternoon, with the standard elementary school games of 4 square, kickball, Steal the Bacon, and dodgeball ("Joanie loves Chachi!"). Also in a nostalgic sense, several old friends from the Bay Area were in town over the weekend and stopped by; it was great to seem them too. Special thanks go out to Rujiya for taking recess photos.

Can't Catch Me!: Birthday boy Josh uses his deft skills to steal the bacon from an extended Elissa.

Ditto!: And birthday girl Robin is speeding back to her team, elusively avoiding the tag from Leslie. Notice how eerily similiar these two pictures look?  

Last Stan(d): Besides the birthday kids' shots, this is one of my other favorite pictures from Steal the Bacon. Here we have Stan and Ted (in coincidentially matching gear) jockeying for position around the bacon. Despite feeling under the weather and thus wearing a heavy jacket, Ted pulled off a successful grab!

"No one makes me bleed my own blood!": I don't know why Josh is smiling in this picture, because he looks like a prime target for Victor to hit! Surprisingly, we had no injuries for dodgeball. But we had some minor "boo-boo's" during kickball and Steal the Bacon.

After a post-recess dinner at Papa Cristo's, we brought the games back to the present day with a low-stakes (as in no money) Texas Hold'em poker game at Michelle's place. Sure, there was no cash involved, but I thought it was crazy the way most of us played seriously; the game lasted until 2:30 a.m.! Appropriately enough, the birthday kids finished 1-2.

Work:

Unfortunately, I had to head in to work again this weekend after church service. As a sports fan, I missed out watching some good championship football games, and Kobe dropping 81 points () on the Toronto Raptors.

Sleep:

With all the activities that went on this weekend, I did not get much shut eye. So, time to say, "Good night, Gracie"

Passed half a month into the year 2006? Time to drop an entry like it's hot and take a break from my busy life.

One of my usual New Year's resolutions is to look less like (in the words of my sister), a "grumpy gus".

grump·y gus n.

1. An individual with a continual scowl for a facial expression.
   
2. emoticon:   (contemporary) or >=( (traditional)

Unfortunately, ever since the start of the new year, it seems that I have felt perpetually like this, and I am worried that it has recently been a increasingly negative effect on others (i.e curt responses, looks of disdain). Working overtime these past two weekends had some part of it. Tight deadlines can do that to a person.

I am also aware that I take things too seriously, and still need to learn to "lighten up". Even with all that is going on at work, my boss (of all people) was trying his best during a staff meeting this week to get a "mickey smile" out of me.

mick·ey smile n.

1. a facial expression characterized by the upward curving of the corners of a mouth, with the optional displaying of the teeth, indicating a continually pleasant disposition.
   
2. emoticon:  (contemporary) or =) (traditional)

Origin:  December 2004, Orlando, FL. Expression coined by Mom during a vacation trip to Walt Disney World's Animal Kingdom.

Personality-wise, I know that I will never be accused of being "bubbly". But, I figure that I don't have to look unpleasant all the time. So, to humor me, whenever you see me as a grumpy gus, say "Mickey smile!", and maybe I'll flash those pearly whites for you!

Well, I missed a New Year's resolution by one day. Ran 17 miles this morning in the rainy weather. At least I ended the year on a good note. Let's hope I don't end up with a cold to start off 2006.

If I don't see you, have a great New Year's Eve!

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas!

Our family kept things low key, as we all enjoyed fiddling around with our new family present, and took in our traditional Christmas movie viewing.

This year's choice was a decent one. It was a beautifully shot piece of work. I didn't have too much of a problem with the casting (although the non-natives' Japanese dialogue was noticeably off, even for a Nisei like myself), and the acting performances were great, especially Suzuka Ohgo who played the young Chiyo (Zhang Ziyi's character), and Gong Li as jealous rival Hatsumomo. With nearly a 2 1/2 hour running time, it dragged in some sections, but the cinematography was done so well that it warrants a trip to the theatre.

Has anyone not participated in the annual holiday "tradition" of the White Elephant gift exchange? I've already done it twice (once at work, and once with friends at Michelle's party) this Christmas season, and plan on another go after Christmas Eve service.

Just thought I would share some of my observations from the recent (as well as memorable, past) exchanges.

Forrest Gump said it best, "...You never know what you're gonna get". Last weekend's game at Michelle's had some unusual gifts. I came home with an aromatherapy sugar scrub from Bath and Body Works (pictured right). All I can say is that at least this is more useful to me more than the baby blue Parisian purse that I initially selected (Thankfully, that was stolen!). But, the gifts that got the most reaction were this, and pairs of garments from this store (I wonder if a "tanned" Bruin friend would care to comment? ).

One new way to avoid having a gift stolen; The "kid defense": A coworker's wife opened up a cute reindeer toy with lighted antlers and played "Jingle Bell Rock". They handed the gift to their three year old daughter, who immediately took a liking to it. Another coworker's spouse, who either in his "tipsy" sense or dry humor, "attempted " to take the gift (presumably for his two grandchildren, present at the get-together). The girl started to cry, and wrapped her arms around it tighter! Thankfully, she left the party with her toy, but I don't ever recall her ever letting loose her grip of the reindeer through the rest of the evening!

And finally, Good White Elephant Gift Exchange strategy = Good Survivor strategy: That's right. Serious players who plan on going home with favorable gifts will form alliances. I've seen the whole gamut: couples, roommates, family members, friends, and yes, even hated coworkers (from a previous job's exchange) who normally couldn't stand each other (and no, it didn't involve me!). Ironic that it took a "stealing" game to get them into the spirit of the holiday season. Either that, or they really wanted a good gift. I prefer to think the former.

You people are hilarious! I certainly appreciated all your entries, and even if you did not submit one, I hope you had fun at my expense!

And without further ado, the winning thought is... (drag your mouse below to reveal the winner)

"I may be wearing an ugly SC jersey, but at least I'm taller and sexier than these two trojans. Peace out, homey." - shard7734

Thanks to everyone for playing, "What is Akio really thinking?"! And Merry Christmas!

For next time...Tis the season for "stealing"?

As mentioned from the last blog entry, here is that picture below. I am flanked by Trojan alumnus, Samwise, and current $C student, Hannah. Bruin readers, shield your eyes!

To bring some light onto this "darkness", I have decided to do another blog contest. I had a lot of fun doing this (and it seems that you have too) on previous entries, so why not another? This is also a good "study break" for those of you cramming for final exams.

Even though I may appear to be a serious Trojan fan, a picture cannot reveal my thoughts. For this blog contest: Answer the following question, as creatively as you can, in relation to the above picture...

"What is Akio really thinking?"

Comments must be made by Thursday, December 15, 11:59pm. One entry per person, and my judgment is final. The "winner" will be announced sometime Friday morning, December 16, and will receive an early, surprise Christmas present. (Don't worry, it will be a nice gift; you can ask previous contest winners!) Have fun with it and Merry Christmas!

One last thing...

I couldn't bear the thought (pun intended) of having this entry be entirely Trojan-centric. So, here below is a picture to wash out that bad taste. Or, you can always check out a previous entry from last year. Touche!

It's nice to have tangible evidence that these weekly, 7am Saturday morning training runs are paying off.

Last Saturday morning down in Irvine, I successfully finished my first-ever half-marathon race.

I was feeling it. Sure, my knees were a little sore from the continual impact of the concrete roads. I lost a little steam on the last 2 miles. And I choked on some Powerade at the Mile 8 water station. (You try running and swilling down electrolytes!) But no matter. I zipped down the last straightway to the finish line, fists pumped in the air, and completed the race under my 2 hour time goal.

Now, all I have to do is, (in the words of my coach, Pat Connelly), "turn around, and do it again!"

Then Things Got Ugly

After the euphoria of finishing the race, consuming post-run recovery fuel, and cleaning up at a friend's apartment, I crashed. By the time I woke up from my eighty winks, it was nearly kickoff for the annual UCLA-U$C football game. I was still half-awake but figured the day was going well and I was ready to see a great matchup.

I should have stayed asleep. Final score: U$C 66 UCLA 19.

One of my nightmares will come true this Sunday at church. I made a bet with fellow drummer (and Trojan) Samwise before the college football season started on who would win the big rivalry matchup. I obviously lost, so expect a really hideous picture of me to appear here soon.