Sunday, November 19, 2000:
Happy Birthday to:
My brother Mark! We're the same age now (29)!
Wondering: How many 3/4 Asians are out there.
We might be in our new house in: February.
Saw today: Princess Mononoke (excellent!!).
NO-SHADOW HOME
"So, what do you you think?" the home builder asked as we stood in our future foyer.
"I like it, it’s just that …," I was staring at the long cathedral-style window above the front door.
From outside you could easily see the staircase inside through that window. I imagined Amy walking down the steps naked (as she does now) and some slimy peeping tom outside with binoculars getting excited in a dangerous way.
"Do you have drapes or blinds for that window at night?" I finished.
"Uh … no, with that semicircular design and the height its really more trouble than its worth … but we could do it if you really wanted to," he answered.
"I like the window the way it is," Amy said.
The skinny windows in the basement bothered me too. I kept thinking someone thin enough could squeeze in one.
Still, I really loved this house. It was at the end of the street. With a creek and trees on the end side. Good for privacy and quiet.
Amy had done most of the leg work and narrowed the selection to two or three houses for me to choose from. It was almost as easy as getting married (Amy took care of the planning then too) except in that case, I didn’t have two or three "choices" … I just had to show up.
It also had a little library-type room in the front. This was already designated as my study / art studio / computer room by Amy. She thought the door to the study might be a problem, since it was a framed window and half the time I’m half-assed naked when I’m at the computer.
I guess Amy and I will just have to wear clothes more often.
While at the builder’s office, somehow the topic of Amy being Korean came up.
"Ohhh … you’re Korean?" The builder seemed very surprised like he was certain she was Chinese or Filipino or something.
Amy noticed the odd reaction too and said, "Do you know any Koreans?"
"I used to teach a Tae Kwon Do school," the builder began.
He talked about his days of martial arts training and demonstrating. Throughout the conversation he kept saying things like "— but you know all that" as if Amy and every Korean-American grew up trained in Tae Kwon Do. I liked this guy but despite all his Eastern culture and martial art training, he still had the same old stereotypes in mind.
"So, did you learn it because you just wanted to beat people up?" Amy asked half-jokingly. I just looked at her, shocked. This would have been the part of a kung fu movie where he’d beat his chest and say, "Prepare to die!"
He replied graciously,
"Nah, not me. But you know … most American students have the wrong attitude about the martial arts. They think that once you get a black belt, you’re done, so they quit and brag about it. Getting the black belt means you have only just begun to crawl or walk. That’s really when you are able to start learning. Kids these days don’t get it."
This would explain why every "friend" I knew who had a black belt growing up got his ass kicked worse than Stock Thug No. 3 in every real fight.
"Did you used to chop wood too? That isn’t *hard* wood though, right?" Amy instigated again. I just shook my head.
He showed us his permanently degpigmented knuckles caused from punching rocks and wood. (Our second guess was lupus.)
"I had to quit. The higher levels are pretty deep … really intense mentally. I was meditating for hours a day before another three to four hours of training. Once I got married, I didn’t have time for it. I do this now," he said almost wistfully.
"Well, once you get your mortgage approved, we’ll be all set," he closed, and added,
"That shouldn’t be a problem with you being a doctor, right?"
"No, it shouldn’t be," Amy laughed.
Later that week, Amy paged me at work,
"OH MY GOD!! The mortgage agent said that your credit is soooo bad! We got declined!"
"Are you sure?" I asked … not overly surprised.
"Yeah, I thought you said you were paying all your loans," Amy said.
"Well, I have been … just never on time," I stated sheepishly.
"Bayy--bee!! … She said we can reapply under my name only."
"Hmm. A doctor who can’t even buy a house," I mused.
"I don’t believe it! … Baby, I still love you though, but not … The LIGER! What would you do without me?" she asked.
"I guess … The LIGER! and I would be homeless. Will prescribe drugs for food."
"How about ‘Will do rectal exams for food?’ Heehee!"
"Right. I’ll start tonight when you’re asleep."
Assuming that the mortgage goes through, I'm very excited about the idea of moving into our own house. I can't quite imagine it yet, though. And I sure as hell am NOT looking forward to mowing lawns and trying to play Mr. Fix-It (unless it's as the porno version of Mr. Fix-It ... "You wanted the pipes cleaned, Miss Hancock?").
I never quite understand those people who think that getting married, buying a home, and having kids is some societal constraint. Sure, after the kids and the home, you’re left with "growing old and dying," but that’s going to happen regardless.
"Settling down" isn’t the end of one’s life; it’s the beginning.
Kind of like the first black belt of growing up.
(My baby and I are going to kick some serious ass.)
"Hey, get this crazy striped monkey off my back!"
Lessons from MY FAVORITE BABY JOURNAL
... and she's not even born yet."I actually have gotten your Uncle Joe to a point where he will not play video games with me becuase [sic] I pound on him so badly. We played John Madden Football back in I believe 1993. I shut him out 10-0. Your Uncle took the cord from his controller and tried to choke me with it. There have been times that he has thrown the controller at me and times that he has just walked away in disgust. God I am good.
We love you baby! [Molly]"
-- Danny, Nov. 12, 2000.
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