Sat night antics

The party never ends for us single folk. While the married haters like tom may mock at the wasting of life and what not, thats how it is if you are single, what else u gonna do? Marry some filipino import or just sit at home and do nothing?

So sat night had a bday party of a FoF. There was a gal there named JE that this girl KOKO was trying to set VIG up with. They already went out once on a group date, and VIG already met her before so whatever. So at this party KOKO is like in his face, "what do you think, do you like her? blah blah blah" and hassles him all night. To make matters worse some drunk smelly skank was all over Vic that night so KOKO was like, "who is that girl???" to VIG like 10times and txt's/calls him later when we disappear, and everyone was asking 20-questions the next few days. Haha, the price of hanging w/ skanks!

The skank's friend was a JAL flight attendant and seemed pretty cool at first, like a nice sweet gal. The kind I like. But as the night progresses I see they are bitches but at that point we are stuck w/ them thru ramen and karaoke.

Things that turned ugly:
1) The skank turns to me and says something about how she accidentally ordered a drink and its 1000Y and asks me to pay. I'm like wtf? u don't have 1000Y ? But not wanting to mess up VIG's drunken action I say shit ok 1000Y.
2) The JAL girl and I are talking food and we discuss sushi and she says she knows great places in Ginza. Hmm.. Ginza sushi is like 20,000Y / head, and she says "you wanna take me?" -- maybe its a joke but I think its a bad one.
3) JAL and skank girls later eats ramen w/ P, VIG and I and the girls pretty much walk out leaving the boyz w/ the bill. wtf??
4) During karaoke same bitchy attitude, keeps talking about how we should "send her home" meaning pay for her taxi home. wtf????? JAL eventually leaves and doesn't leave any money for Karaoke. geez what users, this girl isn't even hot.
5) Anyways P and I leave early so VIG can get his groove on w/ the skank.

Another topper that night on my getting burned by lame chicks:
1) its a bday party so I offer up shots for me, KOKO, VIG and the bday girl. What does moron KOKO do? she calls over people to say, "hey he's buying shots" -- so I'm like stuck buying 7 shots instead of 4. I find that fucked up, esp since KOKO is somewhat of a friend of ours.
2) later KOKO finds me and says something about needing drinks. I'm like what are you talkinga bout, and it seems she wants me to buy 6 drinks for her and all her friends. So i'm like, "what? i'm leaving see ya" -- wtf kind of thing to ask is that? what a weirdo sheesh.
3) vic also confirms that KOKO was hitting him up for free drinks too. hello can you bitches buy your own drinks? damn, our pal M would never do that, 'cause she is a class act.

But it was fun so whatever. Karaoke is cool I enjoy singing "In the end.." linkin park -- the rap/talking bits anyways.

To America and Back...

I took a 10 day vacation, 11 if you count flying time and crossing of the international dateline, etc.

First stop was SoCal to visit my dear sister and her husband. Pretty mellow, went to the beach, shopped a heck of alot (but alas not enough), did my taxes, visited the Citi financial advisor, and saw Kawakkas and baby P. Overall a relaxing time in SoCal. Good times. Got my new T2010 laptop too.

Next stop was SF, tom was kind enough to pick me up at OAK and not make me wait over an hour like how he made Kenken wait last time. Went to eat noodles because I had a last minute opening to see the dentist @ 4pm. I realized how bad traffic has gotten in the area.. sheesh. Anyways did more shopping and got home around 9pm. Visited some of my old coworkers, but really didn't have time to look everyone up. Barely had time.. but I did see Chuck and the O-gang, which is always nice.

The finale was Vegas! The same gang from last year, the O-boyz + the supermodel and her sister were all present. A few new faces like Tom, Kenken, Veritas-P, supermodel's 21yo bro, and some folks from Chicago joined us so it was a huge crowd. Its nice to just hang at the pool, in the cabana, etc and relax, eat, drink, have fun, etc. The gang almost got into a brawl because the supermodel/vixen was teasing some irishmen and our hulkster pal KRS1 was a bit drunk and overprotective. Took 4 of us to hold that bastard back, but in retrospect we should have let him kill those stupid irishmen. Punk asses. Shoulda shown him asian power, and the asian way of fighting which is to gang attack rather than this 1-on-1 bullshit.

Anyways what really happened?

1. Had a 40min craps roll. Netted like $1300 on that run.
2. Total net from gambling was well within budget (loss).
3. Tom had alot of glitter on his face after the gents club.
4. Almost got into a brawl.
5. Saw some skank bachelorettes get wild on our 21yo pal.
6. Did alot of chilling and laughing.
7. Bought 2 suits, 2 shoes, 1 shirt, 4 ties, 2 cuffs, 4 underwear, 6 socks, shorts, cap, t-shirt, dress 2 polo dress shirts, 2 belts, a duffel bag, soap.
8. Should have also bought, dress shoes, puma socks, puma shoes, ipod, backpack, ....

No complaints about life. I'm headed to Vietnam on Friday. Its called BACK TO BACK vacations. Thats my new thing, B-2-B. Hit it hard.

Random pics

Vegas was a blast, this is the majority of the gang right before we almost got into a brawl due to the hulkster and the vixen.


The A-game


This girl is really gorgeous isn't she?

Weather

From the weatherman (movie).

Do you know that the harder thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing? Nothing that has meaning is easy. "Easy" doesn't enter into grown-up life.

Hmmm... interesting thought.

Revelations

It'd be nice if, during vacation, that one could come up with a revelation of sorts.

But alas.. vacation should often just be treated as simply what it is.. a vacation.

So far, there is not much revelation to be had. I have done alot of shopping though.

Flow of Money

Well from a money update, one thing has come up... I've found it is nearly impossible to get a loan in todays market for an investment high rise condo. Why I don't know.. but 3-6 months ago it was very feasible. Today the brokers are telling me.. "likely not possible" and thats it he worst environment they've ever seen for sourcing loans. Wow that is really jacked up.

Seems if I put 50% down I can get some loans. Other loans I will have to pay 7.25% + 4.5pts which would amount to ridiculous sum. I guess I'm going to have to walk on my condo and lose 3% ! Hmm i am not that concerned because A) its only money B) market is dumping, I am probably down 5% on this property as it is. Consumer credit market is really bad. I can now firsthand say I've experienced it. Tombo even said he had to put a huge down payment to get a loan his new house and this is for owner occupied! What the hell?

So I guess I blow another few 10's of $K. Hmm the past 2-3 years I've been blowing some good cash on random nonsense. While its not the best thing.. I suppose I'm not starving and my 401k/IRA's are well funded so who gives a shit really. If there is one thing my ex-gf/breakup taught me is to enjoy life a little more and not be so obsessive about building a money empire. So its a minor annoyance at worst. W/ the JPY2USD hovering at $1:100 can't ask for much more.

This friend who just left my company (friend of VIG) is interesting.. he makes a base sal of about 250k + bonus so total comp picture is 350k-400k (I think -- because dunno his bonus but i do know his base). To his relief he landed a new job after being pushed out that pays a base of ~325k -- it was a relief because the jacked up part is he says he only has enough money saved to last a few months w/o working. We are all shocked at this.. his lifestyle is so high for he and his wife that he only has a few months of cash saved when he makes 300k+ a year?? Damn that is pretty jacked up.

Goes to show.. some people will always spend all the money they earn. Need to focus on the basics. Enjoy life, but don't build your life of enjoyment around big spending habits!

Why Asia is Where Its At!

I forget how to capitalize a title...

Anyways. I have had some deep thoughts lately about asia and why its a great place for me to be given my new drive to go into management. Simply put.. I look around, I see very few people who can communicate well, build relationships, and run a team effectively.

There are two types of managers I've had. 1 is a good communicator/manager who happens to be in the industry or entered the industry late (kinda like me). Lack of domain expertise in banking is holding them back. The other (more common type) is someone who has been around for a while and knows the systems and business and has slowly but surely graduated to the top due to many factors (attrition, length of stay, acquired knowledge, etc). The latter is not a good manager and often not even a good people person, communicator, mentor, nor leader.

Asia has a significant dearth of leadership in general. It makes it clear to me why my future in Asia is very bright simply because I have the significant edge in ability to communicate in this still white-man's world (at a US bank). Why? Its simple.. I look around.. about 1/2 immediately are disqualified because they can't talk, dress, walk, etc... speech problems, no charisma.. etc etc. The drive and dedication is often there... but honestly, without too much pride, I say that I lead 98% of these guys around me. Ie, I could be running the show here in 3-5yrs. But don't get me wrong its not just me. You put Kawaker or Wonger in the same position and no doubt in my mind he would be running a group just like me in a few years. Tombo I'm not sure, but yeah why not. Haha

When I was in SF, there were leaders everywhere. Lots of smart, ambitious, well rounded folk all competing like bloodthirsty hounds so much so that I was happy hacking code and not having to deal w/ the bullshit of political BS (bullshit + backstabbing) to reach the top.

Things change.. I need to arrange to meet w/ my old Global Head for coffee or something. Relationships are key.