Weekend

Day 20 – The meaning behind your blog name.

'Keipop' was coined back in college to express what is popular with Kei. 'Nation' was a common suffix we used to add to words for emphasis, like 'homework nation,' as in 'I'm in homework nation,' or something like that. I think that was high school vocabulary that survived into college. My blog is the land of all things popular and mainstream with me. 

Day 21 – A photo of something that makes you happy.

Well, obviously Mitsu makes me happy, so I will post something else in addition. 

My home. There are 2 cherry trees in the back. Maybe it's more like 1.5; the other one is like, half alive, or clearly missing a big branch. I like the plastic grocery bag that is caught in, or decorating, the tree at the very top. I am very grateful for this home and try to treat it right, but I'm so messy and lazy. When I clean, Mitsu looks worried. I think she's used to the clutter that accumulates; she certainly likes her toys all over the floor. I think she's also concerned that the vacuum cleaner will come out. She gets angry at it when it's on, and then sniffs it when it's all over.

Her nose drips when she's in the car, sniffing out the window. She tries to get a handle on the nose juices by spraying it outside, but the wind usually pushes it back on my face.

Yesterday

Day 19 – Another picture of yourself.

This is another Nodame/Rachel Berry-esque dress I was wearing yesterday. We went to Bistro Margot with our GROUPON and watched "No Country For Old Men" last night. Carla Jean Moss is amazing.

Day Eighteen

Day 18 – Something you crave a lot.
 

This was taken when I ate with Joe's mom at the McDonald's in the loop. I ran into her randomly one day two years ago.

More than anything, I crave McDonald's (preferably large) fries (preferably with a Filet-O-Fish). Runners up include Golden Nugget's Guadalajara Skillet, Culver's butterburger basket, French macaroons, and Thai food (preferably Naomi's mom's). But none of these things beat McDonald's fries, stateside or in Japan, as something to just grab, go, and be entirely satiated by. In fact, I tried to get some today in between buses, but I knew my Halsted bus was coming and the line was too long. I've still got the $1.10 loose though, so maybe tomorrow will be my lucky day!

Day 17 – A photo of you and your family.

I won't subject my parents to the Interwebs, though there are probably traces of them here and there anyway. I like these photos, which I'll post instead. These are the characters I see and deal with everyday, myself included.

Day Sixteen

Day 16 – Your celebrity crush.

Can you see my heart fluttering?

On a maybe-related note, I remember in eighth grade when Ms. Crushshon said that she was in love with Sydney Carton of A Tale of Two Cities. I'll never forget how seriously I took her words and feelings, and how it did not matter that Carton was a fictional character. It was admirable; I remember wanting to feel that way for something or someone, with such strong conviction, the kind that dumbfounds a naive thirteen year old kid.

Day Fifteen

Day 15: Something you don't leave the house without.

I don't leave home without my keys, phone, wallet, lip stuff, my super chic eczema meds, and thoughts of Mitsu. Is she winking? Or partially falling asleep?

Oblivious

Speaking of the Meat Stew, we bathed her for the first time this weekend. Generally, she is a pretty clean dog. She doesn't smell doggy and she licks herself clean frequently, I guess not unlike a cat, which I've read is a common trait among Shibas. But I wanted her to get used to bathing, or at least treat it as not a big deal as you are apparently supposed to do with everything. On Saturday morning, we took her to Soggy Paws, where they provide everything except labor. She didn't seem to mind the water or the shampooing--I imagine she secretly enjoyed the massaging, but she didn't want to let it be known. But after we rinsed and towel-dried, we blow-dried her fur, which scared two poop nuggets out of her! Poor thing. I think we'll be DIYing washes in the backyard during the summer so she can air dry, and if she must be bathed in the winter, peanut butter may help, but we may get special presents regardless if we attempt to blow dry.

Help?

Help! I feel funny.

Day Fourteen

Day 14 – A TV show you’re currently addicted to.

Glee! I was definitely more addicted to (and obsessed with) the first season than the second, but I'm still addicted to it, especially to Rachel Berry and her outfits. 

I'm also starting an addiction to Giada de Laurentiis and her TV shows on the Food Network and The Cooking Channel. I'm not sure I'd ever want to meet or hang out with her (you see, I'd hang out with Paula Deen in a heartbeat; and I'd hope she'd kiss me like she does some of her guests on her show), but I do admire her sense of joy for food and life, even if there's a little too much enthusiasm that often manifests itself rather obnoxiously through her horse teeth or excessive cleavage. I saw a couple of episodes of the weekend getaway show, and she was wearing these gigantic earrings. I thought, I want to wear some gigantic earrings! See--I'm hooked. I need to find some gigantic earrings.

Day Thirteen

Day 13 – Your favorite musician and why?

Mariah Carey, because she wrote and provided hit after hit throughout my childhood, adolescence, and into my adulthood; because she's got a way with words ("dem babies" were finally born today); because she has a strong sense of self (even if it's crazy--aren't we all crazy? oh we're not? oops); because she appreciates us lambs; because she's got the greatest voice ever in the history of pop music.

Day Twelve

Day 12 – A photograph of the town you live in.

Days Ten & Eleven

Day 10 – A photo of your favorite place to eat.

I was upset that I ate my Filet-O-Fish without taking a picture of it for my Day Ten post. Then I got over it, because everyone know what McDonald look like!

My other favorite places to eat are my house and my parents' house.

Day 11 – What’s in your makeup bag?

The other day, my mom's friend in Japan sent me a bunch of things from the 300 yen store. One was a pencil cup holder-type thing, and another was a makeup bag. This was exciting to me for some reason even though we have such things here in the States. So I cleaned up my makeup area (stuff piled on a TV dinner table from Target). 

This is not a representation of what I actually use in one day, even a fancy day; the bag is just huge and fits anything that I currently use. There are eyeshadows: Visée neutrals, Laura Mercier's Black Karat (more like khaki greenish bronze), MAC's "My Dark Magic" featuring Maleficent of Sleeping Beauty (a shimmery, gothy purple). There's blush by a Japanese company (I accidentally bought the refill without ever having a case for it) and the Chanel case is Orchid Rose. There are four tubes of mascara: Maybelline's standard Great Lash but BIG mascara (whatever), Maybelline's the Falsies Volum' Express (horrible, flimsy wand), a sample of Laura Mercier mascara, and Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara. I love the last two and am done with drugstore mascara. There are two lipsticks: Shiseido's Perfect Rouge in RD305 (bright berry red as seen here) and MAC's Siss (pale beige), recommended to me by my cousin. I see some nail stuff--cuticle cream and nail strengthening cream. I try to keep my nails nice but it's a tough battle. I also see four eyeliners--two liquid eyeliners (Japanese drugstore--the skinny pink tube is a winner!), Bobbi Brown's creamy liner in a pot, and a smudging eyeliner (also from Japanese drugstores). There are also three lip medications: Blistex (I think that's Mordo's), Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, and skinny Carmex in a tube. I also spy my handy eyebrow pencil with the brush at the end from Sephora. And there's the French lotion in a stick thing (looks like a mini-deodorant) that I should use more often.

I love makeup, but it's so expensive and I don't carve out as much time as I would like for it. I'm sure I'll come back from Japan feeling naked and ignorant though, and will be revitalized in my efforts this summer.

Day Nine

Day 9 – A photo of the item you last purchased.

I have no photo of the small coffee (cream + sugar) that I bought form Dunkin' Donuts this morning.  When I got my little cup, I wondered why I didn't get a medium. 

 

This evening I went to a Rockies vs. Cubs game, brought to MordeKei by Big John and Little Debby's (Mordo won these tickets). Finally, I made use of this hat (last picture). I was decked out in various non-matching shades of purple. Everything went pretty well--my grandma hooked it up with parking nearby; the Rockies won; I saw CarGo; I may have been on TV briefly in the background of a child boasting his eighth birthday with a giant home-made poster; I ate a slice of pizza and nachos, and I got to smell red rope nearby (I probably would have gotten/felt sick if the guy came around one more time because I would've bought some); Mitsu was fine at home alone while we were gone and seems to be doing well. So, the last thing "I" bought, by which I mean "we," but which I mean Mordecai, was nachos. I have no photo of this purchase either, so instead, I present to you two pictures from the game.

Tomorrow I 'defend' my topical. Can't catch up on the latest 90-minute episode of Glee until that is over.

Day Eight

Day 8 – A song to match your mood.

I don't know that either of these songs 'match my mood' but they have been in my head for the past week. Dan gave me Adele's '21' album, and I've been listening to it in the car nonstop. I keep forgetting to bring it in and copy it onto my iTunes so that I can pass the good shit on to Emily. I like to listen to the songs and arrange the lyrics to Mitsu's circumstances or personality. "Rumor has it...rumor has it...rumor has it Mitsu has some tummy troubles~" "There's a fire, burning in my dog!" And so on. 

Bonus factoid: Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" was actually written for the only real "little monster" who belongs to no one but herself--Mitsu. I imagine she sings the song with amended lyrics when, say, the vet says to me and Mordecai that we're raising her well. "It doesn't matter who my real parents are...or who my human parents are...I'm putting my paws up...Ms. Vet, I was born this way! I was born this way, I was born this way...My name is Mitsu Scheckter, I was born this way!"

Days Five, Six, Seven

What a blogging-delinquent weekend. It was a cooking-heavy weekend, as well as puppy health issues-heavy weekend. Mitsu has been having some tummy troubles, and she also had a random allergic reaction to something on Saturday night. I'll be calling the vet soon; I hope the desk attendants are like, "Oh poor Mitsu! Bring her in right away." She hung out with them when she got spayed. Anyway, here are Days 5 through 7 in one post.

Day 5 – A photo of yourself two years ago.

Two years ago, I wore bright colors and frequented Golden Nugget more than I do now. I still get the Guadelajara Skillet.

Day 6 – A photo of an animal you’d love to keep as a pet.

I think Mitsu would have a ball with another creature in the house, but I think capybaras are really mellow and would want nothing to do with Mitsu-like creatures. I think her ideal companion would be an equally enthusiastic-for-life!!!!!!!111 male Shiba or a Jack Russell Terrer. But I also think I'd die if I had to take care of another dog. 

Day 7 – Your dream wedding.

 

Been done did it!

Day Four

Day 4 – Your favorite photograph of your best friend.

A typical answer: the person who has been condemned to live with you for the rest of their life. Here, Mordo is in a batting cage. I think he has a good batting stance; at least, it looks better than certain professionals (namely, Kevin Youkilis). So in work clothes, his batting stance appears particularly handsome to me.

Day Three

Day 3 – Your idea of the perfect first date.

Perhaps these '30 Day Challenges' are meant for young, free spirits, i.e. unmarried. In any case, I guess my idea of a perfect first date (or a place to receive your engagement ring) would be the Art Institute of Chicago. If I get tired, you (Mordo) can take me across the street to Bennigan's. Or we can walk the rest of the block and you (Mordo) can take me to McDonald's for an even cheaper, more satisfying  meal.

Ideally, the museum would not be crowded, and would be soothing, like Ando Tadao's Museum of Modern Art in Forth Worth. You wouldn't have to wait in a line that wraps around a giant cement upside cone thingie and then snakes its way up the escalators, like I had to last summer at the National Art Center in Tokyo for an exhibition of stuff from the Orsay.

If you are not Mordo, and you want to take me out on a date, a perfect one would be to a White Sox game. But I think the only other 'dude' who is permitted to take me out, by MordeKei standards, would be Southpaw.

Day Two

Day 2 – A photo of something you ate today.

For 'breakfast,' I had tea, honey roasted peanuts, and some Peppridgefarm goldfish. All donated kindly by Mordo. 

For lunch, I had a Dunkin' Donuts eggwhite flatbread sandwich and a chocolate frosted donut. I like egg white more than egg with yolk a lot, so this product appealed to me. I'd say that they're fine for something to eat on the go, but in general, they're pretty salty, and it is depressing to see all the items heated up. Or 'nuked,' as Shaun said the other day of all DD items.

The weather here is dreary today, as it was yesterday. I've been out in my North Face jacket, which I knew not to put away. I try not to let it get me down--once you make that decision in your head, and when you're armed with Ann Sather's cinnamon rolls or have a Shiba puppy by your side, it's slightly easier to follow through.

Day One

I got this idea from a blogger I randomly came across long ago. She is an absolute stranger to me but she's pretty and she has pretty jewelry, bags, and shoes, so I check her blog a lot. She once commented on this here blog. Let's see how far I get with these daily tasks.

Day 1 – A photo of yourself and a description of how your day was.

Here are 2 photos of me today. Mitsu has amazing teeth. She also smelled my eye for a while.

This morning I got some work done at Argo. I stepped into Rugby across the street for a few minutes and found some nice khaki pants, which I touched. I also saw some nice shirts on sale, but decided that theoretically, if I were to buy anything, it'd be the more practical or needy item, which would be the pants, as opposed to the wanty items. My current pants all fit weird because I've recently gained a significant enough amount of weight to notice such things. I also need nice pants, pants I can teach in during the summer. But I don't live in a theoretical world, so when another customer came in and occupied the employee, I slipped out. I'll probably be back though; let's just face the truth.

I went to yoga later in the afternoon, where I was the only person in my class. It was a lot harder than last week, which was good. But in order to fit into certain pants again, I figure I'll need to go again this week, or add another aspect to my exercise regimen that is not walking Mitsu around the neighborhood for fifteen to twenty minutes once or twice a day. I dread running, and we no longer have a VCR so I can't do "Buns of Steel" from the early 90's and even if Naomi returned Wii Fit (I think I kind of instructed her not to), that'd be of no use to me. To be continued.

Recent photos

Playing now

It's taken weeks, maybe a couple of months, but I'm finally playing this up to speed. Obviously not with wisdom, knowledge of much beyond what keys to hit when, or with the kind of emotion that lifts me from my piano bench. I remember when this song came out in Japan back in the day, when it dominated the mainstream charts despite having no vocals or lyrics. I think part of the appeal was its promotion in a commercial for an energy drink or something, but also that it soothed many overburdened, stressed out Japanese souls. There is indeed something soothing about the melody, like menthol, but there's also something catchy, popular, dare I say "easy," too, like candy.  Basically, what I'm saying is, this song is a good cough drop. As with all other non-Beethoven pieces I play, Mitsu is not interested, so there are no videos of us jamming together on this one.