Daniel

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:02:41 GMT

My life in transit:

19:31 Few things I hate in this world, but of them are cell phone towers, expensive drinks, nonsense gadgets, and all the freeways in LA excep ... #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:02:57 GMT

My life in transit:

22:24 At the allhiphop sesac party, bumped into k-sly, and now heading to the def jam bet party. Gotta love party hopping #
23:19 At the def jam party at the avalon with Spitty from the Geffen days. Friends are moving, were all in transit. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:03:10 GMT

My life in transit:

16:47 Mourning for Michael Jackson. My first words in English were Beat It. How much he has influenced my life... #
17:26 as I inch along in traffic, his music broadcasts on every station, singing a praise anthem to MJ's universal influence. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:03:36 GMT

My life in transit:

15:14 My meetings today resembled a star of david tour across orange county and la. My car pleads for respite. #
20:19 Hosting a live chat at our FR*A loft. Come on over to www.framagazine.com. Danny Cho waxes his chest in a few minutes. #
21:51 Hanging with Ironworks, David Choi, Kaley, CS, and Lara at R Bar watching Jim Stapley. I love music showcases. #
22:17 R Bar at the Ironworks Records showcase of Jim Stapley with @davidchomusic and @kaleysmalley. Password: hello mcfly. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:04:00 GMT

My life in transit:

00:15 With @peachies in downtown driving to Karaoke Bleu. Monday song and drinks are glorious. #
00:50 Drowning in smoke, sapporo is staring at me in condescension and @eunlim lost her phone. A normal monday night engulfs my soul. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 17:02:59 GMT

My life in transit:

19:54 At the ford ampitheater about to watch aspiring hip hop artists and comedians kill it on stage. How the asian american music scene has c ... #
04:11 Baby powder splatter all over the interior of my car. How did this happen. #

And it continues.

women, brutality & eharmony

danielecho@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:14:32 GMT

So I went on eharmony twice in the past 7 days or so. Once when Eunice, Lara and Becky were at the loft, and the 2nd time was minutes ago.

Now, while I had what was 76 matches, I found 3 that were possible matches. This after spending countless hours on the site, merely trying to grasp the system, etiquette, processes and social mores, if they exist. One thing I had the most difficult problem doing was to view all the matches and purge mostly all of them from my Matches or Communicating lists.

Eunice and Becky told me, "Close Communication with them, Biatch."

I felt bad about closing communication, as it would come off as a veritable electronic rejection that, "i'm just not that into you". Wouldn't it suck to be rejected online, even without a simple hello or goodbye? Well, the girls didn't think so, and they guided me through the process of closing communication. The moment I really felt bad and confused was when you're prompted to cite a reason for the closing of communication, (although we never even started). Eunice told me to click on the box "other". What could "other" be inferred as? "You're ugly", "you don't eat fruit loops for breakfast so that's not cool", "you have all the makings of a crack dealer", or "you remind me of a stripper in vegas who stole all my money one drunken weekend"... who knows. But I guess it's quite common, and it's possibly the nicest way to say, "yeaaah, we're not going to hook up, you and I."

Thus started the monotonous process of closing all the matches clicking the box, "other", with the girls watching, always commenting on the photo first.

"yeaah, you need to close that now."
"wow, there's not way she's 29. more like 35. Close."
"anyone who puts up only a photo where half the face is overexposed...she's ugly. Close."
"wow, cute girl. tight little body. she's hot. Talk to her, Daniel!"

Now, I thought women were supposed to be sincere, kind, open, deep, understanding and devoid of seeking superficial aspects, but I now think women quite possibly are the most brutally honest and harsh species to walk this planet; well, other than penguins.

Imitators to Innovators, Fro-Yo & Korean Burritos

danielecho@gmail.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:09:16 GMT

It's a general consensus amongst many of my Korean friends that Koreans themsleves, aren't the best innovators; however, they are the best imitators of things proven to be successful and subsequently make it better.

Example 1. Gunpowder.

Now, while China discovered and used gunpowder in their fireworks, it was not weaponized. However, Korea was the first documented country to use gunpowder in a form of a weapon, using it to propel arrows at invading Japanese armies as well as developing the first rocket.

2. Electronics.

Before Korea was a veritable electronics giant it is today with LG and Samsung virtually on every other appliance or electronic item in one's possession, the country was known for simple manufactured goods, with modest exports. With the advent of high technology and Japan's immense success, Korea's conglomerate shifted in that direction, focusing on computers, electronics, nanotech, chemistry, robotics and aerospace.

3. Frozen Yogurt.

Now, Koreans are equal opportunity imitators, not just isolated to non-Koreans.

We are cannibals, syphoning off of one another's success and ideas, and ballooning into their own business. A lot of people aren't aware of this, but Red Mango was the original healthy frozen yogurt business in Korea. It wasn't until an aspiring Korean interior designer ported the concept and taste, and started PinkBerry in West Hollywood that the fro-yo delight was introduced and inadvertently became the widely popular dessert (or breakfast in my case) it is today.

Now, brings me to the latest example.
Tacos and burritos.

In the same vain of taking a concept which is proven popular and successful and creating a new business on it, is the taco truck in Los Angeles. Now, tacos and burritos are one of my favorite things to eat, hands down on any occasion. Add in some new spices and flavors, and you've got something quite possibly better. In the case of fusing the cuisines of Korea and Mexico together into one, that concept was literally so stupefyingly metoric that it's likened to the collision of matter & anti-matter in the Large Haldron Collider in recreating the Big Bang, potentially causing the entire universe to implode and explode simultaneously. Except, in a taco truck.

So yes, I tried the Kogi Truck after much fanfare and praise, and it was good. I was hoping for more of an astonishing explosion in my mouth, but I was fairly pleased. Now, I might be criticized, hated, chastised and censured for this comment, but the Kogi Truck does not merit all the hype it gets. The flavors aren't uniquely Korean, the taste can become a bit monotonous, the items are overpriced, and the wait is too long. However, in an environment where you are the monopoly, you have no other choice but to frequent the sole business in the landscape.

In following the innate affinity for imitation, a new truck has popped up out of nowhere, called Calbi BBQ; I assume the G in the phonetically correct galbi was lost in translation, the same way Kogi was with the G.

Singer/songwriter, FR*A artist model, and friend Bobby aka Big Phony, initially told me about the truck a week ago, anxiously telling me and everyone around about his discovery, as a born again Christian would, spreading the gospel to all in nervous excement. Wholeheartedly trusting him as a connoisseur of fine food, or at least, of taco trucks, I was able to find the truck at the corner of 7th and Vermont. (Like the Kogi truck, the moving fusion of food on wheels travels to different places around LA)

I immediately noticed 2 things as I parked my car and walked over to the truck. The line that plagues the Kogi truck, was non-existent. This could have been auspicious of a bad meal or simply a sign that it has yet to be discovered, nevertheless Yelped. Luckily it was the latter as I was soon to find out. The second thing I noticed was the prices. While tacos were $2, consistent with the Kogi truck pricing, the burritos were all $5, arguably normal price for a burrito at any reputable taco and burrito establishment. As I walked up to the window to order, a older Korean woman greeted me in Korean, and asked me what I wanted. I politely ordered the galbi burrito, still unable to shake the stringent conditioning of formal speaking to anyone older than my age, and patiently waited, while the elderly Korean man in the truck began to concoct the divine burrito I was to eat in mere minutes. 2 minutes and 23 seconds after placing the order, my burrito was out, along with a small container of Sriracha sauce.

I eagerly drove home, counting the minutes till I would bite into the burrito. At last, I was home, and opened the paper and aluminum wrapper, and took my first bite. Immediately, it was better than any burrito I had eaten in my entire life.

The meat was marinated to perfection, with a perfect combination of soy sauce and sweetness, ginger, spice and herbs. The fillings screamed of goodness, encompassing the array of rice, lettuce, parsley, garlic, and onions, wrapped in a layer of flour tortilla that futilely imprisoned its divine perfection. Within 3 minutes, the burrito was fully consumed, and I was left with only wrappers and sauce, torn to shreds. In a state of epicurean euphoria, nothing could phase me, whether the Lakers lost, or the world imploded, for I had achieved my lifelong goal of finding the perfect burrito at a tender age of 29. I was only saddened by the fact I did not have another, and I nostalgically wished for more.

I wish for this experience of epiphany to be shared and spread amongst the masses, or at least of the Los Angeles basin. Come one, come all, for imitation has achieved innovation, in a wholly new genre of food. No longer called, the Korean BBQ Burrito, an homage to the original Mexican burrito, nor an imitation of the Kogi burrito, but it is what I now deem and dub the Korean wrap.

www.calbibbq.com

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 17:04:21 GMT

My life in transit:

18:43 Driving back from La Crescenta through Silverlake. How has indie become so cool? #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:04:07 GMT

My life in transit:

23:57 At hotel cafe watching Price with Bobby.music is the pure reflection of ones soul. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:02:48 GMT

My life in transit:

17:04 Furniture shopping for the FR*A office #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:03:17 GMT

My life in transit:

19:32 Its just one of those days #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Sat, 30 May 2009 17:02:32 GMT

My life in transit:

12:03 As I'm browsing through eHarmony, I'm wondering how many people in this world are looking for love. Well, I'd rather it find me. #
01:46 Cardinal rule. You never allow a friend to tell a girl he has an infectious disease so your doctor friend can say that he is a miracle w ... #
05:32 530 am and I'm still up when I have to be up in 3 hours. These moments wish I were a robot. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:02:36 GMT

My life in transit:

01:28 Has my life come to intermittent stints of friends, alcohol and music within a tidal wave of work? God bless these moments. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Sat, 23 May 2009 17:03:33 GMT

My life in transit:

00:08 At broadway bar with Kaley and Danny for Eileens birthday. This must be the most amount of Asians to invade a downtown establishment sin ... #
00:09 At broadway bar for Eileens birthday. This must be the most amount of Asians to invade a downtown establishment since the Edison. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:04:27 GMT

My life in transit:

17:45 At the tv station with lara taping the show on art and design. My twin sense tells me she a little nervous to be on camera. #

And it continues.

Tweets In Transit

danielecho@gmail.com — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:03:23 GMT

My life in transit:

14:52 With Lara shopping for her wedding shoes and bridesmaid dresses. I think I'd rather be in the office right now. #

And it continues.

finding love is confusing.

danielecho@gmail.com — Tue, 12 May 2009 18:07:15 GMT

i'm fairly busy and I don't have too much time to dilly dally on the web as of late. Unfortunately, eHarmony requires my constant and undying devotion to the site to check out the matches I get, or to respond to the communication or the array of confusing actions I'm supposed to do or not do on the site. So there were matches, and 7 days later after I've last been on the site, communication was closed, although I had never communicated with anyone. Perhaps my definition of communication as passing information to another is skewed. I am so confused.

Potential matches: 1
Time Spent: 2 hours (approximate)
Member since: 16 days
Confusion Level: 10/10

1 match

danielecho@gmail.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 02:02:16 GMT

I've spent a cumulative 1 hour and 23 minutes on eHarmony over the last 3 days and I've found 1 potential match. Now what do I do? Any eHarmony veterans, please tell me, what the hell do I do on this site?

--

We just launched version 2 point zero of FR*A magazine. I had to develop a bio, as a contributing writer, and this is what I came up with:

I like to play video games, and have been hooked on Gears of War 2 for the past 6 months now. My social life has been suffering, relegating myself to the couch for countless hours rather than the clubs, bars and lounges. However, all is not lost as I have met a lot of friends on XBox Live, namely, FelinePunter (a nine year old kid in Riverside), HermesAddict (a 28 year old former fashion designer in NorCal), and IsoGen (wait, that's me). Add me on Live if you have it and we can be XBox buddies.

Hulu.com is my favorite site of the year, the Blackberry Storm was the biggest disappointment, the Google G1 has yet to truly catch fire, and women are likened to a bottle of liquor. It's great to have in moderation, but too much and you'll end up constantly hungover, an alcoholic and singing the songs to She Wants Revenge while pondering how you got to that point, reeling back and forth in fetal position.

--

Now, the last sentence of the paragraph makes it seem I have a distaste for women, or perhaps have a chip on my shoulder. Perhaps so, and perhaps that's why I'm trying to find redemption in a soul caught, confused, enraptured, held hostage, and ultimately lost to vacuous girls from Hawaii, promiscuous women from Koreatown, insecure and dubious dilettantes from USC, and superficial women in most metropolitan centers in the US.

eHarmony, save me.

54

danielecho@gmail.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:13:38 GMT

I have 54 matches on eharmony. Egad, it takes too long to go through all of them.

I think I've read 5 so far and I've wasted 23 minutes.

Time consumed: 23 minutes
Potential Love found: 0

eharmony

danielecho@gmail.com — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 08:08:19 GMT

eHarmony sent me an email with a promotional offer to try it for 3 months at 9 bucks. Wanting to see what all the fuss is about, I went ahead and signed up.

I'll have to report back on the eHarmony Daniel experiment as weeks go by. Maybe I'll find someone, or maybe I'll just waste my time. Ah, what we do for curiosity and the hopeful potential of love.

Breakups & Makeups

danielecho@gmail.com — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:51:07 GMT

Korea has met Japan in the 2009 World Baseball Classic 3 times and have won 2 of their 3 meetings. Combine their 2006 WBC games, and Korea has a record of 4-2 vs the nation just across the pond.

Having played Japan 3 times, Korea can meet 2 more times in the World Baseball Classic tourney, and responding to that is Ichiro:

"There is a destiny," Ichiro said. "It's like a girl you said goodbye to, and then you bump into the same girl again on the street so many times, because there's a destiny to meet again. Maybe better, might as well get married if we are going to meet this frequently."

But what if you don't want to meet them, moreover, marry them, as it's just a detrimentally dysfunctional relationship where the wife beats on the husband and husband beats on the wife so frequently, that they just forget the world around them. It's just something no one looks forward to experiencing.

Well, that is, unless the makeup sex is phenomenal.

tokyo and back

danielecho@gmail.com — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 03:04:14 GMT

back from tokyo with Ed, I feel tired.
also seems my body had departed Japan before waiting for the brain to catch up.
So in the meantime, and the betweentime while I wait for arrival, here's a few photos.

childhood nostalgia

danielecho@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:41:51 GMT

being a fan of anything nostalgic, 2009 will harken back to my childhood days.

I'm talking about the releases of G.I. Joe and Transformers 2 this Summer.
Just thinking about them makes me pee in my pants in excitement.

Kinda reminds me of kindergarten when Ms Johnson refused to let me go to the restroom during homeroom because I was being punished. I wonder if she's still torturing students causing gallstones to form in their poor pre-pubescent bodies. What a beesh.

Ahh nostalgia and gallstones.

childhood nostalgia

danielecho@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 03:39:14 GMT