October 2006 Archive

There’s a lot of talk about citizen activity.

Citizen journalism. Citizen Branding. Citizen collaboration and development.

Put your ballot where your mouth is.

Do something trully citizen and VOTE.

I’ve been keeping up regularly with the following political organizations and recommend, that if you haven’t already, you do the same.

MoveOn.org

San Francisco People’s Organization and their most EXCELLENT voter guide

JaneKim.org

Asian Pacific Americans for Progress

League of Pissed Off Voters California Voter Guide More voter guides

I have finally finished up my absentee ballot and have used Jane’s excellent endorsement list as a guide along with that produced by the SFPO and the League of Pissed off Voters.
For those of you too lazy to click over, here it is.

Jane Kim’s Endorsements

Public Defender: JEFF ADACHI

Assessor-Recorder: Phil Ting

Board of Education: Jane Kim and Kimshree Maufas

Community College Board: Bruce Wolfe and John Rizzo

Board of Supervisor

District 2: WRITE IN CANDIDATE Dave Kiddoo

District 4: Jaynry Mak

District 6: CHRIS DALY

San Francisco Local Propositions

Prop A “SF Unified School District School Bond”: YES YES YES!!

$450 million bond raises needed money for improvements to schools across the district.

Prop B: No position

Absentee Supervisors

Prop C: No Position

Prop D “No disclosure of private information”: Yes

Prop E “Parking Tax Ordinance”: Yes

Currently, there is a parking tax of 25%. This would raise the tax to 35%. The revenue goes to fund public transit.

Prop F “Paid Sick Leave”: YES YES YES

Employers will be required to allow employees to accrue sick leave – one hour of sick leave for every thirty hours of work. Help keep workplaces and working families stay healthy.

Prop G “Limitations on Formula Retail Stores”: Yes

Chain stores subject to approval of the Planning Commission in a neighborhood business district.
Prop H “Relocation Assistance”: YES YES

Currently, renters are entitled to $1,000 in relocation expenses for a legitimate no-fault eviction. This proposition would increase this to $4,500 (per person, up to a cap of $13,500 per household). There is an additional $3,000 for each tenant aged 60 or older, disabled, or living with at least one minor child.

Prop I “Mayoral Appearances Mandated”: YES

Policy requiring the Mayor to appear before the Board of Supervisors. Gives supervisors and the public more access to the mayor to increase accountability and open government. Even the San Francisco Chronicle said YES to this.

Prop J “Calling for Impeachment of Bush & Cheney”: YES

Prop K “Housing Needs Of Seniors & Disabled Adults”: YES

SFPO’s State Voters Guide

STATE PROPOSITIONS

NO on 1A » Transportation Investment Fund

Mandates that all revenue from the state’s gasoline sales tax go to transportation funding only. Too restrictive of important state revenue and prevents funds being used in emergencies for human services more than twice in a ten year period. Not good for CA.

YES! on 1C » Housing and Emergency Shelter Trust Fund

$2.85 billion for affordable housing projects. Current funding will run out by the end of 2006.

YES on 1E » Disaster Preparedness and Flood Prevention Bond

$4 billion to maintain and repair our levees and flood control system.

NO! on 83 » Right-Wing Wedge Issue

Seeks to socially punish sex offenders & sexually violent predators without concrete solutions. It’s estimated this could cost $500 million – for a program with little evidence of success.

YES on 84 » Clean Water, Parks, and Coastal Protection

$5.4 billion bond to address maintenance of natural waterways, and includes funding for improvements to state park facilities.

NO! on 85 » Protect Choice and Teen Safety

Part of a broader campaign to chisel away at a woman’s right to choose and risks the health and safety of teens.

NO on 86 » Regressive Tax

Levies a $2.60 tax per pack of cigarettes but creates loopholes. We need real progressive tax reform based on income.

YES on 87 » Make Big Oil Pay for Cleaner Energy

It would provide $4 billion in revenue that would be used for alternative energy research, development and incentives.

NO on 88 » Regressive Tax

Levies a flat $50 tax, per year, on each unit of real estate. Makes homeowners pay the same as million dollar corporations. Downtown has to pay it’s fair share.

YES! on 89 » Clean Money

Establishes a voluntary public financing system for political campaigns of candidates running for statewide and legislative office.

NO! on 90 » Taxpayer Trap

Will gut rent control and worker protections. Severely limits residential zoning, and limits environmental protections.

And finally by the League of Pissed off Voters

Governor Phil Angelides (D) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Secretary of State Debra Bowen (D) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi (D) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Attorney General Michael Wyman (G) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Treasurer Mehul Thakker (G) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Controller John Chiang (D) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Insurance Commissioner Larry Cafiero (G) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Senate Todd Chretian (G) Endorsed Vote: Yes

Um.

Is Twittr confused? Cuz uh…
Last week or so I decided to sign up for a Twitter account.
Apparently, my phone number was already registered and it needed to send my phone a PIN password.

After some delay, I finally get the PIN password.
After a greater period of delay, I finally log in.

My mobile number + twitter’s password = Profile for GLENDA BAUTISTA?!

With glenda’s *old email address* ?

But *my* phone number?

For damn’s sake. Just cuz we’re friends and apa women in the internet space does not mean we’re the same person or interchangeable!

And glenda thought that someone was impersonating her for a bit.

(insert “but they all look alike” joke here)

So: cartoon crimefighters

Who signed us up like this?? When? How. And how f’ed up is this for weirdness?

Logos that shouldn’t look the same but do.
Note: Newly launched MingleNow

And uber oldschool geeky

Mobile Monday

It’s not just the swoomy soft m’s.  But the colors too. Hmph.

MJ, T-Shrit Ninja Extrodinare!

Originally uploaded by kev/null.

Do I look scary?
I put the costume together in like 15 minutes.
Thanks to KC for the Sai~!

So sometime in May I went to my very first Eyelash Extension session.

It was, of note, delovely.

I posted a full detail rundown on the process
I posted an afterphoto

I posted a review on Yelp which wound up being used in a Weekly Yelp Newsletter.

Making me even micro-content famous among yelpers for a week.

I’ve been offered a free lash set for a class.

I’ve referred 3+ clients to the place where I get my lashes done.

I’ve answered emails from other Asian women about the process.

And I’ve been distantly observing the war of lash peeps (including an email from a lawyer) regarding comments made ON MY BLOG IN MY COMMENTS.

Excerpt

lash queen Says:
September 21st, 2006 at 8:49 pm e

NovaLash has sunk to a new low. Their web site now proclaims at the top of their home page that “NovaLash is the ONLY lash extension product that is AEWCA-approved”. One is left wondering who is AEWCA? I did some checking on this. It is the “American Extended-Wear Cosmetics Association”. Their web site is www.ae-wca.org. Their web site “looks official” and “sounds official”. It “warns” against using any eyelash extension product that is not made by NovaLash.

Email from Lawyers 09/25/06

Dear Min Jung Kim-

I represent the Houston-based company, NovaLash, which is referenced on your page with the following link:

www.minjungkim.com/2006/05/27/check-em-out-they-look-totally-natural-not-dra
gqueen-esque/

The information posted by Lash Queen regarding NovaLash is obviously disparaging to my client, and false.  We respectfully request that you remove this disparaging post from your website as soon as practicable.  In addition, we request that you provide any information as to the identity of Lash Queen.

We appreciate your cooperation.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
David T. Dorr, PE
Law Office of David T. Dorr, PC
2020 North Loop West, Ste 230
Houston, Texas 77018
(713) 957-4413 tel.
(713) 957-8297 fac.
mailto:dtdorr@sbcglobal.net

10/20/06 Comments Entry

Sophy Merszei Says:
October 20th, 2006 at 1:03 pm e

In response to a recent blog posting regarding the integrity of NovaLash and its products, let me say that thousands of satisfied customers can tell you our company produces and sells only the highest-quality eyelash extension products. NovaLash is the only company offering formaldehyde-free adhesives, keeping consumers safe from potential allergic reactions and any associated cancer risk. Formaldehyde is not something you want to put in your eyes. As the only American-made lash extension product on the market using U.S. pharmaceutical grade (USP-Class VI) ingredients for greater purity, NovaLash extensions are only distributed to licensed professionals, guaranteed.

Latest Comments

Lorianne Says:

October 25th, 2006 at 9:43 am eDear Ms Merszei,

Thank you for replying to the blog posting regarding the integrity of NovaLash and its products. While I appreciate your reply, some of your statements raise questions that I, and other beauty professionals have, that need to be answered objectively.

I am a Registered Nurse, and an eyelash extension professional. I love providing eyelash extensions as a service and my clients love them. In fact, I have tried several eyelash extension companies including yours in my effort to provide the best.

The intention if this blog entry is not to bash your company or any other. The intention of this entry is to ask you objective (factual) questions in an effort to understand more.

Ms. Merszei, in your blog entry you state:
“NovaLash is the only company offering formaldehyde-free adhesives, keeping consumers safe from potential allergic reactions and any associated cancer risk.“

Ms Merszei, please provide us (via this blog) scientific evidence that your adhesive is the only formaldehyde-free adhesive.

And, please provide us with scientific evidence that your adhesive is in fact formaldehyde free. From my research into cyanoacrylate medical adhesives, I find that a small amount of formaldehyde is found in all cyanoacrylate adhesives. In fact, higher concentrations of formaldehyde may be found in many cosmetic and household items that we use everyday, such as nail polish, shampoo, dishwashing liquid and cosmetic powders.

My only comment at this point is – wow. All sorts of Dynasty/Falcon Crest style drama shit.

Let me go batt my eyelashes elsewhere now.

I can’t articulate why I find this ad so iritating.

Mariah Carey – Black, Venezuelan, Irish.
Is it because it’s asking us to identify and some ways judge based on ethnic characteristics in a child, or because it’s forcing us to question the racecard on musical talent.

Or that it’s advertising Olive Garden.

Dr.Mcnerdynerdy what he thought of the list I put together for my post on blogher.

The short list of what *really* matters

1. Emotional Availability
2. Emotional Maturity
3. Ettiquete and Manners
4. Ethics and Spiritual/Moral allignment
5. Composure and confidence
6. How well you fit into each others’ lives
7. Sex appeal
8. ShortTerm/LongTerm possibilities/enjoyment
9. Endurance – as in, you won’t get bored with this person over Hors’doerves
10. Do you think that the L-word could be on the horizon with this one.

And he said “Baby, I’m a catch.”

Which made me laugh, because I swear to gawd, he’d let out the most vicious fart just moments before.

And yeah, I know, it’s all sorts of gross. (As in ewww gross and squishy gross)

And on Squishy and PDA etc.

PDA = Public Displays of Affection.

That stuff is wacktacularly unnatural for me. And it’s weird being smitten and in a healthy relationship. After all, my last significant relationship involved a guy, blogger, who was either cheating on his exgirlfriend with me or cheating on me with his next girlfriend and had asked me, nay — begged me, never to blog about him, link to him, or act that he existed on the internet. Actually, the asshole told people that I was a hallucinating/hystrionic liar who had manufactured the entire relationship when people pointed out references to him on this blog.
But that’s neither here nor there. And I do thank the heavens above that I’ve wasted *wasted* no more time in my life or emotional bandwidth on that individual who could treat me and my emotions so carelessly.

So I’ve been cautious and reticent re: writing about personal things and my personal life on here. The occasional bon mot, yes? But the inner workings of my head? Well… yeah. Definitley more reticent about that.

It’s not that I don’t think things are going well. In fact, the opposite. I feel wildly bulletproof re: my emotions in this situation. It’s something I’ve never felt before. But it’s that I still like the notion of intimacy. (And the fact that I’m blogging about my feelings on the notions of intimacy is the meta discussion vs. actually gushing re: my intimate guts — there *is* a difference there.)

My personal relationships are not for public consumption or broadcast. There’s no PR in my romances. I find it horrifically offensive when people put broadcast spin of a web 2.0 nature on their personal relationships. *That*, I find really gross.

For instance, I received a sms msg via Dodgeball from someone I know stating “@ a very romantic place! having a brilliant conversation with my amazing boyfriend”
To which I thought the following:

a) But not saying where you’re at, you kinda defeat the purpose of using dodgeball for its intended purpose

b) if the conversation is so brilliant, why are you dodgeballing in hoping someone will track you down to join you?

c) how amazing is it that this social utility, dodgeball, has been tweaked for such anti-social behavior

d) ok. you guys are squishy. we get it. now can we move on with our lives because the rest of the world really *really* isn’t that interested in your love life. i mean, it’s not like you’re tom cruise and katy holmes. and even them – i don’t really care much about. Not even in that (and don’t draw parallels here) train-wreck kinda way.

I mean, I’ve seen public blog relationships come and go. WTF is the novelty in it and why should anyone care?
Which maybe makes me sound catty.

Or – just too happy in my own situation to wonder why people have to broadcast and rub your nose in their rose garden.
Frankly – it gives me the sneezies.

Space 180

Starting very soon.

This is the closest to live blogging as I’m goign to get a chance to tonight.

Mad crazy busy. Lateness.

Dead phone. Favorite fun peoples. Tech difficulties.

Cold beer. Snark snarky.

Etc.

Tags for photos = lappop3

That’d be me today.

Also,

Lucky. Lucky. Lucky.

8:30 AM – leave for work from SF

9:22 AM – low fuel light goes on

9:30 AM – arrive at work in palo alto

11:30 AM – move car – stupid palo alto purple zone

2:30 PM – move car – stupid palo alto coral zone

4:30 PM – move car – stupid palo alto green zone

6:30 PM – leave work

6:31 PM – low fuel light goes on

6:36 PM – dig through purse

6:39 PM – pull over into gas station. pop open trunk

6:45 PM – ransack trunk to realize that wallet must have been left at home this morning

6:47 PM – get back in car, start up engine, decide to drive up el camino slowly and do approximation math on how many miles i could go before running out

6:52 PM – call friend to see if they’re in the area and could spot me some cash. busy signal.

6:53 PM – swear. profusely

7:00 PM – start praying

7:10 PM – start digging around for spare change

7:22 PM – contort oneself to check other car pockets for change

7:31 PM – count in one hand the amount of change available to purchase gas.

7:36 PM – pull over into gas station. recount change.

7:37 PM – spill exactly $1.87 onto counter of cheapo gas station

7:38 PM – fill up exactly 0.72 gallons into car

7:40 PM – recalculate approximate available milage and approximate distance home

7:41 PM – pray. again.

8:10 PM – arrive at home. rummage through apt and find wallet.

I’m one *very* lucky kitten.

Min Jung Kim and mysterious man…

Originally uploaded by cin-dicated.

He’s so funny when he’s being shy.

Knowing that I’m pretty smitten and being totally non-neurotic about it.

Yeah. I know. Pretty fricking wierd.

DrunkenMC’s

From the closing night of Apature.

 Glenda and myself being jackholes.
Look for similar shenanigans when Ernie & I co-MC Lap-POP! 3.0

10/21

I am guilty of introducing the following words/phrases into the world and I needed to put these all in one place. There are others but I forget them right now.

ChaMaMa – Cage Hoochie Momma

Dating for Sushi – When people go out on dates for the food rather than the company

Dating for Tech Support – An excuse to spend quality time with nerds to “help” fix comment scripts or install a 2nd harddrive in your desktop while you stare at their butts crouched under your desk

Dodgeball Desperado – Gangleader on Dodgeball that brings all the boys to the hood. Because their milkshake is so better than yours.

Geek Betty – A la Surf Betty or Skater Betty. But on a whole other type of Rails.

Geek Girl Collission: Definition Where utter geekitude and utter girlitude collide.

Exhibit A: Describing a haircut by how much hair is left on the floor of the salon. Measured in tribbles. As in: “I got two tribbles cut today. I was really aiming for a tribble and a half but Armand, my stylist, really insisted.”

Exhibit B: Describing a need to think about a crush without doing anthing about it in Dune analogies. As in “Thinking about a boy is like.. spice. I’m stuck on Dune. I can’t function without thinking about him. And I can’t change that. It’s sick I know. But now I have superpowers like… horny boy ESP and fetishist ESP. I can sniffem out. Would I look pretty in blue contacts?”

Geektastic – Geeky and fantastic. C’est FantasTEEQUE!

Foblish – Intentionally and poorly accented Engrish style diction. Becausing I can use da Foblish better than you can do dat ting. I am understanding Foblish and speaking like dat because I knowing better how speak Engrish and Foblish prum yearsuh ob experiensuh.

JAWBHOM – Just another white boy hitting on me

LDR – Long Distance Relationship

Lessentree – Less than 3 – Love. <3

NaWookie – Sex with an exceptionally hirsute individual

Slacker-Savant –Is typically highly resistant or abhorant to conventual management or provintial ideology. One that manages to get “promoted” inspite of themselves when they “save the day” while wearing flipflops and hung over.

SLAM – Sexy Little Asian Men

Startup Widow – Girlfriends or Wives of entrepreneurs that never see their respected love honies

TacoFest – The opposite of a sausage fest. ie: Lilith Faire is such a taco fest.

And you? Have you other similar phrases/definitions?

The problem with hanging out with McNerdyNerdy is that they’re always right.
And know way more than you.

And go off about south african genicidal maniacs or thermodynamics and the differences between precision and accuracy and all you can do in response is maybe, maybe, *burp*.

*Harumph*

To which, when they buy you a cup of coffee, and ask how you like it, all you can pretty much say is  “Oh, I take my coffee black.  And strong.  Like,uhm, you know, c*cks”.

Because that one tiny gratifying moment where you make that person speechless is, well, totally priceless.  Or worth avogadro’s number in ounces of platinum.

I’m just sayin’.

Happy Birthday Om! (I know it’s belated)

Got to meet the most excellent Digg Boys last night

And the cool peep behind Zooomr

And hear Michael Arrington tell Nick Douglas that he’s talented – but arrogant, but then again, that makes him quite good. (and there was no punching involved!)
And see Eddie and Irina look rockstar fabulous~!

And. And. And. And. And. And….

Le Sigh!