March 3, 2006

Introduction

With Carms out of the way, the next biggest obstacle is LMCC (Medical Licensing Exam) that will occur in May 3 or May 4^th. It seems so far away, yet everyday, it looms.

However, now that I know I will be in Vancouver for the next couple of years, I’ve begun to move on with my life. First off is figuring out what I want to do in my spare time this summer. No doubt, I will be rejoining my colleagues in roller hockey in Richmond. The fun and exciting sport of hip checking and scoring. Another sport I’d like to try is either Ultimate or Curling. I wonder if there is even curling in the summer? I’ll have to look into that.

My Boardgame Collection

For the last few weeks, I have been evaluating my boardgame collection. In preparation for Spring Cleaning, I have decided to look at my boardgames and get rid of (trade) the ones that are unnecessary. I know some people out there have 100s of boardgames. However, I don’t prefer this hoarding method because the games just accumulate and never get played, and that is just wrong. Well, that’s what I call materialism or boardgamism ß(trademarked!).

In order to see what games I will keep and which ones I will get rid of, I have had to analyze: a) which games do I enjoy playing and b) my gaming group. Face it, to keep games where I hate to play is not enjoyable. However, to keep games that nobody else will play with me is rather stupid as well. In next month’s issue of my blog, I will tell you how this ‘Spring cleaning’ is going.

The DiceTower

A lot of readers have wondered where I get a lot of my boardgaming news? Well, I have previewed boardgamegeek before. This is the best site to take a look at a game, game pics, and gaming details. Others have asked me how I get the latest news in gaming? And to that answer, I say, go to boardgamenews. This website is the premier website that tells you what the newest games coming down the pipeline are. Additional trivia: it’s set up by local Vancouver boardgamer Rick Thornquist.

Alright, I know the inner geek in all of you are still shy and would never want to be caught surfing such sites. What to do? What to do? Well, the solution is to download boardgaming news onto your MP3 and listen to geek talk on your Mp3 players or Ipod. NO ONE would ever suspect! So what podcast do I suggest? How about the dice tower? Each week, Tom and Joe and guest star Sam, review boardgames and wargames. They usually give their top ten games for various categories, and as a bonus, audio boardgaming news from North America and Germany from other contributers. Alright, no need to get too excited. Just thank me by getting me a boardgame!

David Du Talks about Love!!!

In our last blog, there was a rip-roaring approval of Jimmy’s interview session where he discusses his travel plans to Japan. Well, Jimmy wants to say that he is doing well. He has found two bed time buddies and there is a girl from Toronto in his group. However, his real prize is at the school where he hopes to find some ‘hot chicks.’ Good luck Jimmy! Remember that March 14 is White Day in Japan and that means an opportunity to express your love to a Japanese girl by giving her chocolates.

Figure 1. The Love Cantina. From the left side of the table to the right. Love potential #1, Jimmy Lee, Love potential #2, Too Dark to Love, Toronto girl!!!, Another Asian!!!, Love Potential #3.	Figure 2. Jimmy’s love shack. Getting to work quickly, Jimmy does not waste time. Two beds, two partners. Time is money! Time not in bed = lost opportunity.

This week, fan feedback has been strong. In continuation from last week, we have invited David ‘Danger’ Du to discuss tips on Romance and Love! David Du has been on the dating scene for the last 28 years. He is daring and dangerous and not hitched. Livin’ solo is his style. As a result, the man with ‘Danger’ as his middle name has a lot of experiences about Romance and Love. I was able to procure an interview slot with David Du, and I attempted to obtain as many secrets for you bachelors as possible. Viet Le? Listen up!

Anson: Hi David Du. Thanks for helping me with my blog site. Before we start off, I’d like you to share with the audience something about yourself that makes you irresistible and dying-to-date-for.

David: I am a quiet fun easy-going guy. I like to travel and to learn more about different cultures and people.  I enjoy reading, and playing computer games and board games.

Anson: I see. So the secret is that real men play boardgames.

David: Exactly.

Anson: Alright, so what exactly in your mind is a perfect woman? What is the goal for every bachelor? What is the type of woman that Viet should be looking for?

David: A creative but practical, fun but down-to-earth person that is understanding and caring towards others (filial piety) and is low-maintenance.

(David stresses on the words: LOW MAINTENANCE.)

Anson: Wow, those are some really stringent qualities. Does such a person even exist? Have you ever met this person?

David: Yes and yes.

(I think David was pointing to himself when he says this.)

Anson: Okay, lets get to the crux of the topic. What preparatory work do you do before asking someone out?

David: [I dress] a more professional look...  Still in my semi-formal work attire except I change out of my steel-toed boots. [You gotta look like] during high school.

(David Du’s attire in high school consisted of sweat pants and runners.)

Anson: Okay, so dressing nice is important. I think all guys know that. Lets talk about knowing the girl. What tips do you have?

David: [Re: Cyberdating.] Nothing wrong with cyberdating, but hard to really know the truth especially behind a computer screen.

(David states that the best thing to do is ask them out to the night market and take a peek at how they look in real life. If they are ugly, dump them.)

Anson: Wow, that’s a really low-risk high-benefit tactic. Do you have any others?

David: Matchmaking from friends.

Anson: Really? What people would make good matches in your opinion?

David: Nurses and med-school colleagues.

(David explains that people in the health profession make big bucks, and are so tired from shift work that you can leech their money from under their bellies without them noticing.)

Anson: Wow, I never knew about this! Amazing. So after reading Jimmy’s interview last week, do you have any tips for the man? He intends to find a girl while doing private tutoring sessions. What do you think?

David: No.  Wrong place to be looking.

Anson: Really? Then what would you do if you were in Jimmy’s shoes?

David: Not sure what my style would be...  Easiest in a classroom setting?

Anson: Sodesuka. But seriously, I don’t think the classroom setting is the safest place to do this kind of thing.

David: Why not? [Just] take some kung fu!

Anson: But I think Jimmy would be afraid if someone came into the classroom and you know…what if they saw? Sounds like some peep show.

David: [Hey], I would consider watching it even if it did not win best film of the year!

Anson: Alright, so why do you think Andy and Viet are having problems finding girlfriends?

David: Have not met the right one and expectation of being rejected.

Anson: Yeah, rejection is awful. Some guys can take it real hard.

David: Badly... Yes.

Anson: Okay, lets talk about the competition. Some guys see girls as a prize. You have to steal the prize and get as many as you can get. What is your view on this?

David: I don't believe in competition.  If a girl is willing to leave her current boyfriend for you, what makes her not leave you for someone better.

Anson: Well, I guess that sounds righteous. But how will we find the perfect one? I mean, virtually every good girl is taken! At least it seems that way.

David: (sigh) Start out as friends.

Anson: And then?

David: Never wrong to have too many friends.

(David explains that after the friendship stage has developed, you seduce the girl to leave her ex-boyfriend for you!)

Anson: Wow, that’s not really fair to the original guy! OMG.

David: Not fair but life.

Anson: True that. Okay, a lot of girls have been worried because there have been recent rumours regarding you and some online-girlfriend. Girls like Lisa and Monica want to know if you are taken? Is it true?

David: Yes, I will squash the rumour.  Not going out with anyone.  Who has been spreading that rumour?  Know anyone to introduce me?

Anson: Okay, stop kidding me Mr. Danger. You don’t need me to play matchmaker for you. Oh but wait, I’m in the healthcare field and I know…Er…lets talk about the variety of girls. There’s a lot of stereotypes out there. What is your ranking on ethnicities anyways?

David: Cute Korean, Sailormoon-Japanese, Gold-Digger Chinese, Rebellious Vietnamese, and Gothic Cambodian.

Anson: Very interesting choices.

David: What happened to the cute chinese girl?

Anson: Taken?

David: habe Holz oder benötigen Schafe.

Anson: What did you say? Is that ‘have wood, need sheep?’ Anyways, I will not allow profanities in my interview. By the way, would you consider ever marrying a Caucasian?

David: I have to admit that mixed children are the prettiest.

Anson: Well, time is almost up. I have to go soon. Any last minute advice that I neglected?

David: [Remember] A professional woman that works, makes a lot of money and very independent.

Anson: And low maintenance?

David: Yes.

[The following interview was conducted over writely.com. All of the following statements were at one time stated. They may be in the wrong order and may have been truncated, but the words spoken by David are reliable and accurate. If you would like a word format for Mr. Danger’s list of advice, please email me. My email is at the bottom.]

Conclusion

Well, that’s it for this week. In the next blog, I will continue with my ‘Spring Cleaning’ and maybe outline my summer plans. See you soon!

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[Comments?  Feedback?  Email me at ansonli at gmail dot com.]