Meeting Conceptual Artist Christian Lorenz Scheurer

Queen Pingo, the Young

Crystal and I attended an art gallery exhibition in Alhambra that featured conceptual artist Christian Lorenz Scheurer (www.christianlorenzscheurer.com) who is world renowned for working on many big productions, like The Matrix, Animatrix, Titanic, The Day after Tomorrow and one of my all time favorite, Final Fantasy just to name a few . We enjoyed The Entropia, A Collection of Unusually Rare Stamps show and purchased the booklet. (www.radioentropia.com) Christian gladly autographed the booklet with an amazing 1 minute sketch. He was very patient in chatting with us and advising us how we should pursue our interests and do what we really want. Here I was, talking to THE MAN behind the conceptual designs of some of the most architecturally exciting spaces on screen and I had previously not even knew who he was. He carefully chidded us into publishing a webpage so that others can see our work. I have become so inspired and attracted to his drawings. Do check out the links above. ENJOY! (I have not started my webpage yet but yah... we would start soon).

Our first Ice Hockey together as the Lims (LA 2 Carolina 3)

This was the first ever National Hockey League game that Crystal and I attended. We got free tickets from Omega Stucco Company's Dave who gave us a lunch presentation at Arquitectonica the day before. Taesik and Suzanne gave up their tickets for Crystal and I during lunch. (THANKS GUYS!). We got the VIP booth so there was a free flow of Wienerschnitzel Hotdogs and deserts... which (in VIP fashion) came in a cart just outside the VIP room. Some smartie asked the host why did the cart park outside and not in the room. Anyway, the point of sharing this is that Crystal picked out these absolutely cute (and almost feminine) cookie KINGS. They do look like they were wearing skirts... don't you think so? Well, more feminine comments ensured as the lackluster play of the home team brought about chants of "Los Angeles Queens" from our fellow VIP room-mates.

My 2 Arquitectonica co-workers, Joyce Ip and Erik Hagen were there as well. They were of course much better behaved than I was. I think that these 2 colleagues probably never saw me so hyped up and screaming mindlessly every time the Kings smashed a Hurricane into the walls. My wife believes that she is getting deaf already no thanks to the volume of my "whispers" as I cheered for the Kings.

Players flying into the acrylic panels really seemed more exciting than the goal-less-ness of the first period... OK ... I take that back... the Hurricanes stormed out with a 3-0 lead after the first 2 periods... (I was referring to the Kings' drought). Then the Junior Kings came out to play at the first intermission and actually scored a goal in 2 minutes of play! I guess the adults took notice and jumped out in the 3rd period to score twice. Alas, my hopes for a come-back win from the Kings seemed too ambitious.

I did not notice that I have began to subconsciously consider L.A. as my home team. It was almost sublimal how attending the L.A. Kings Hockey game and previously a L.A. Dodgers game, made me think that I WANT my home team to win... it is so subtle but... am I actually calling Los Angeles my home??? hmmmm....

Relationships spelt out in building phases?

My co-worker made an interesting analogy today while driving me after work to Jawn's office. Thankfully I didn't have to take the subway today...phew! And yes, going to Jawn's office after my work also meant that he has to do OT today. I also realised that the number of times I post on the blog by myself were the number of times Jawn did OT. Oh I must also make another comment: this is the first time I saw an electronically operated seat belt in my whole life, cool! (basically with the touch of a button on the driver's side you are clicked on). It's probably not a big deal but considering the fact I have only started commuting in a car (taxis not included) on a regular basis at the age of 23, this is something revolutionary to me even though it's not a new technology.

Anyway(s), the analogy my co-worker made was that he analysed relationships in terms of building phases...not that i totally agree with it, but it's funny how he rationalised relationships to that extent. I think it's the occupational hazard. He said he's in 90% SD with his gf, (ok before I go further, let me explain the abbreviations used daily in the architectural field).
SD - schematic design (the first phase of design),
DD - design development (when some details are drawn),
CD - construction documentation (the package prepared for construction),
CA - construction admin (construction has begun and we deal with on-site issues).
So in his terms, DD is when you are officially dating each other, CD is when you are engaged and preparing to get married, CA is when you are already married.
According to him, one of our other co-workers is in 110% DD (i.e. should have been engaged long ago but not yet), while jawn and myself are in CA. I told him in a marriage we'll never be done with CA though. There are always areas for fine-tuning and things to work out.
Hmmm...

My Best Friend's (Akan Datang) Wedding

Hsia Pin and myself 10th Jan 2002

This is my best buddy from the School of Architecture in the National University of Singapore. He is about to be married to Eunice on the 10th Dec 2005 (which incidentally happens to be exactly 3 months after Crystal and I got married). An interesting point to note is that Hsia Pin and I were the orientation leaders for the freshman orientation group named Sottsass in July of 2000 where I met Crystal. Unromantically, Crystal and I did not fall in love at first sight. But of course... you guys know the rest of the story... :) . Hsia Pin is one of the privileged few who saw my emotions develop exponentially for Crystal. I have also followed Hsia Pin and Eunice's relationship like an eager fan chasing the latest tabloids. I am so glad that my buddy is marrying the woman of his dreams pretty soon! Congratulations (soon to be) Mr. & Mrs. Hsu!

(My wife censored alot of the other things I wanted to say... she thinks I am getting too mushy for her liking... oh well... guess this is what family blog is about... mutual edification. I love Crystal... I know you are reading this... OK OK stop hitting me on the head! OUCH!)

* Akan Datang is Malay for coming soon... often used for coming attractions or before movie trailers.

KOI FISH

Jawn's KOI FISH 2004

I have always liked Fish... One fine day in Dec 2004 I decided to have my own Koi Fish tank. Today, only 5 of these 13 Koi are still alive. However, they have grown astronomically (ok.. just twice their orginal size). I thought that perhaps today would be good day to remember the late annoynomous pet Kois that are featured here. I know that for pet's they are not the most ...well... pet-able... still there is a serene comfort that I get watching them endlessly for hours on end. Any fish lovers out there?