城市裡的影子

Cigarette Diaries, Week 9.

Tue, 25 May 2010 16:48:46 -0700

5/10/10: 9 cigs.

PotentialI spent the day sleeping writing thank you notes. I don't think not having school anymore has changed my daily routine much.

5/11/10: 8 cigs.

I need out. Badly.

5/12/10: 8 cigs.

Foraging on ahead. Monster must be sick of me now.

5/13/10: 9 cigs.

The night consisted of looking forward to the new pool table at the Helms and even more genuine and heartfelt congratulations from rest of the crew. Hearing these congratulations made the finality of it all that much sweeter.

5/14/10: 10 cigs.

I don’t remember much from tonight, so it must be a standard Friday night.

5/15/10: 8 cigs.

Erlan was genuinely surprised by everyone's presence. And even when he's past drunk, he still had time to mess with my car, which he claimed to be the works of Wiper Gnomes, indigenous to El Segundo, I'm sure.

5/16/10: 5 cigs.

I slept all day. Mission accomplished.

Cigarette Diaries, Week 8.

Sun, 16 May 2010 23:14:38 -0700

5/3/10: 9 cigs.

Potential lead. And I'm glad my classmates understand the pressure of orals.

5/4/10: 8 cigs.

I think I slacked off a little too much today.

5/5/10: 8 cigs.

Not much going on besides breaking the quota and studying. I think I'm finally getting burned out after two and a half years on work and school.

5/6/10: 9 cigs.

12 hours until the last hurdle before getting yet another suffix appended on my name. I'm doing everything in my power to distract myself, including ironing my shirts. In fact, I ironed 2 shirts, quite professionally, I might add.

The uneasiness isn't helped by disgusting curry (courtesy of SanSei. Do not eat there) and excessive amount of caffeine in my system.

5/7/10: 10 cigs.

I fucking deserved this overage.

5/8/10: 8 cigs.

I'm getting spoiled by being able to spend so much time with Michelle. Four of seven days in a working week is just unheard of.

5/9/10: 5 cigs.

Graduation, art show, and Umami Burgers. That's how the day should be spent.

I also received a hearty congratulations from all of the Helms men, and of course that involved drinks, pool, and a bar.

Cigarette Diaries, Week 7.

Sun, 16 May 2010 23:07:59 -0700

4/26/10: 9 cigs.

En route to my second to last final of my LMU career. This cathartic feeling will last until I walk for my commencement, I presume.

4/27/10: 8 cigs.

Now that the quest is on track, I need to decide in which of the two paths lie the greatest potential for me. Without experience in either of those two fields, it is starting to feel like a shot in the dark.

4/28/10: 8 cigs.

Just an oral exam and a project to go.

4/29/10: 9 cigs.

Almost hit some OC sheriffs on my way back from lunch. Not a fun time. I did, however, got off with a warning. It’s a good thing I didn’t dick up the car like the sheriffs said I’d do.

All I can do now is wait.

4/30/10: 10 cigs.

Missed Murder City Devils for the second time due to professional credential tests.

Damn you LEED!

5/1/10: 8 cigs.

Took and passed the LEED Green Associate certification with hours to spare.

5/2/10: 5 cigs.

Sister found a great omelet place; however, it just got served its 30 day notice yesterday. Sad situation of affairs.

Cigarette Diaries, Week 6.

Wed, 12 May 2010 21:44:20 -0700

4/19/10: 10 cigs.

Finally visited Stephen's new place for his birthday. Did not realize Long Beach had apartments over 2 stories tall.

Way over the limit. Oh NOES!

4/20/10: 10 cigs.

Organized my past notes into ancillary classes and core classes. It's not looking as daunting as I thought.

4/21/10: 11 cigs.

Finally scored an interview after many many tries. The place, however, does not look very promising long-term. I just might be a hard sell.

4/22/10: 10 cigs.

Went well, still don't know why they were so impressed by my resume.

All I can do now is wait.

4/23/10: 10 cigs.

Sonata Arctica is just as awesome as the last few times I've seen them. Metal band singing a impromptu blues as an encore? Followed by Hava Nagila? awesome!

Too bad the opening bands has such crappy names I cannot get into them. Shotgun City, are you for reals?

4/24/10: 8 cigs.

The wedding was rather exciting due to the open bar. In between scotches and mojitos I saw people, chatted with people, and were constantly reminded of why I didn't keep in close contact with some of those people. I've also realize my grasp of Chinese idioms has deteriorated to essentially nonexistent.

4/25/10: 4 cigs.

Studied for finals and my oral. Just like last couple of weekends. I'm over feeling over the stress, if that made any sense at all.

Cigarette Diaries, Week 5.

Wed, 12 May 2010 21:37:40 -0700

4/12/10: 10 cigs.

I think it's time to take the quota down to 8 cigs. It was as hard as I imagined it to be. But it is only the first day.

With Lab Michelle was out sick, and Leilani didn't get in until noon, I didn't know if that woman felt comfortable with just the boys holding down the fort, but E and I managed. With flying colors.

4/13/10: 10 cigs.

Applied for more jobs and faced more rejection. Made more chemistry models and cursed the 14 carbon limit. I then fell asleep to season 10 of South Park with Michelle's giant face on my computer.

4/14/10: 11 cigs.

As I paid for a Rockstar and 2 packs of cigarettes ($1.47 off at your neighborhood 7-11!), I realized I don't remember the last time I bought cigarettes. It's a good thing, I think. I can't imagine going lower than this, but eventually I'll have to. I guess pacing is the key. She already likes how I smell less like cigarettes.

4/15/10: 10 cigs.

Axiom in life: Ramen are best served in a dingy hole in the wall place.

And I just realized I'm down to half of what I used to smoke on a regular basis.

4/16/10: 10 cigs.

Went to the wrong hotel. I guess even GPS cannot prevent me from getting lost.

4/17/10: 8 cigs.

Sitting in a hotel in Pomona waiting for Michelle to finish her 8 hour Fundamental of Engineering exam. I'm glad I don't have to take this test. With many hours to go, I think I need to tackle some homework. Pandora and free wifi connection is a good combination.

There are some young fraternity clad Adonises wrestling in the pool area. I suppose the Greek influence never really dies, it just remains subtle and ironic. Two hours later, as I smoke another cigarette on the balcony, the boys are still cajolin' and a-wrasslin' in the pool. Oh youth and their endless energy.

4/18/10: 4 cigs.

Drive-in movies are really just as fun as Fonzie would have you believe, especially when your sweetheart is sharing an iced tea and nachos with you. How to Train Your Dragon is just as good as the reviews. Clash of the Titans, on the other hand, thoroughly sucked even with all the sweet Greek mythical references.

Mission Tiki Drive-in in Pomona. Highly recommended. Their Mexican food is exceptional.