June 18, 2002

INT., BARBER SHOP, DAY

ANDY drives profusely from barber shop to barber shop, looking for a place that is open on a Monday afternoon. He drives to one to another, finding them all closed. He resorts to a beauty salon next to a supermarket. The sign on the door reads: WALK-INS WELCOME.

ANDY enters barber shop, greeted by the BARBER eating lunch in the back.

ANDY
Hi, can I get a haircut?

BARBER
Ummm… (looks around the empty store and out the window, as if he is expecting someone) … sure I guess it’ll be okay.

ANDY sits down on a chair that is directed by the BARBER.

BARBER
So what’ll it be kid.

ANDY
Can you make the sides and back really short and thin out the top? A couple inches would be cool too.

BARBER
Do you usually part your hair like this?

ANDY
Um, no. I usually have it barely combable on top, and the front gelled up.

BARBER
Okay, okay. I got it. No prob.

Before ANDY takes off his glasses, he notices a large “Jesus is my Cornerstone” gold plaque next to the BARBER’S hair license. ANDY stares at it amusingly.

The BARBER starts by pulling out the razors. He skillfully places gel on the blade and proceeds to cut ANDY’S hair. Right before he starts to cut his hair, the BARBER’S head suddenly jolts to his right. ANDY becomes alarmed.

ANDY(to himself)
Oh my God, what the heck…

The BARBER finishes one stroke and right afterwards, his head jolts to his right again. The electric razor narrowly misses ANDY’S face. He continues to do this continuously stroke after stroke. ANDY’s breathing becomes heavier. After a while, the phone rings.

ANDY(to himself)
Please, please do not answer that.

The BARBER answers the cordless phone, places it in on his right shoulder, and continues to cut ANDY’s hair.

BARBER (head his still jolting into the phone while cutting ANDY’S hair)
Hello, barber shop… Well, it’s much easier to take appointments because I’m usually filled up… but today doesn’t look too bad.

ANDY(to himself)
I can’t believe this guy actually gets appointments. I can’t believe people actually return to him.

BARBER
Well, if you can get here within 15 minutes, I think I’ll be able to squeeze you in. I already had one cancellation. (jolts head again). Okay… Okay… Well if you get here than I’ll see you then. Okay…. Bye.

BARBER continues to cut ANDY’S hair. All of a sudden, ANDY needs to cough.

ANDY(to himself)
Oh please no, please no. Please, don’t cough… please hold it in…. pl-

ANDY coughs, and the BARBER pulls away.

BARBER
You okay there?

ANDY(to himself)
Maybe I should just tell him that I’m feeling really sick and need to go home…

ANDY
No, I’m fine, I’m fine. I think I just choked on my own spit.

BARBER
Okay then… you sure?

ANDY
Yeah, I’m sure.

ANDY stares intently at the “Jesus is my Cornerstone” plaque, repeating it over and over again in his head. BARBER continues to cut his hair, head still jolting. Another phone call comes in, asking if he has any open spots, while cutting ANDY’S hair, head still jolting. Time passes by, and the BARBER is finishing up. Another CUSTOMER comes in and asks if he is available. The BARBER tells the CUSTOMER to just sit tight.
The haircut is almost finished.

ANDY
Were you going to thin my hair?

BARBER (turning around with thinning shears)
I was just about to start that.

ANDY gulps. The BARBER approaches ANDY’s head with the shears, and ANDY closes his eyes silently praying to himself. He hears and feels snips with some pauses.
The clipping finally stops and ANDY opens his eyes.

BARBER
Well, that’s it.

ANDY has trouble seeing because his glasses are off, and can’t really tell what his hair looks like.

ANDY
Wow, looks great!

ANDY puts his glasses on as the BARBER wipes him clean with the brush. His hair is completely one length all around, not the hair cut he was asking for. His left side is a little higher than his right side. But he doesn’t really care because he wants to get the hell out. ANDY pays the bill, much more expensive than he expected, and leaves.

INT, SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT, DAY

ANDY walks along the terminal observing people as he waits for his flight to be called. He notice two MIDDLE EASTERN MALES, looking nervous. People in the area slyly look at them because they are nervous too. There is tension in the area. ANDY becomes nervous as well as thoughts come racing through his head.

INT, AIRPLANE, DAY

ANDY sits down in his nice business class seat. He wonders how he ever got these seats – and figures that there was a mistake in his seating. A very tall and built, bald, MIDDLE EASTERN MAN comes and looks at ANDY and the seat next to him. He moves on to the back of the plane. ANDY does not think much of it and starts to play with all the gadgets the plane comes with. While he is playing with them, an AIRLINE ASSISTANT comes from behind escorting the MIDDLE EASTERN MAN and seats him next to ANDY. ANDY gets a little nervous.

ANDY(to himself)
Geez, would you stop? There is nothing wrong with this guy, you are just over reacting. I can’t believe you’re acting like this – calm down.

MIDDLE EASTERN MAN
So, where you headed?

ANDY
Newark, New Jersey. How about you?

MIDDLE EASTERN MAN (mumbles quietly)
Afghanistan.

ANDY (starting to tense up again)
Oh, really? Wow.

MIDDLE EASTERN MAN
Yep.

ANDY
May I ask what for?

MIDDLE EASTERN MAN
I’m going there to help set up the new government, economy, and help the women how to learn independently – I’m in business and have some time to spare.

ANDY
Oh wow, that’s really awesome. I remember reading about a group of people from the bay area going there to help out in the paper.
MIDDLE EASTERN MAN
Yep. That’s me.

ANDY and MIDDLE EASTERN MAN continue conversation about their jobs, the economy, and cars. ANDY feels incredibly stupid and ashamed, while at the same time, relieved. He has been reminded to stop judging people.

cnn.com just posted a story about a study that concluded that "spanking is a no-no." (http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/parenting/06/25/spanking.study.ap/index.html) it's interesting on many different levels because first of all, i abhor the phrase "no-no." i don't even like it being used in baseball. my father always used the phrase to describe everything in tennis. "you're moving your arm too much - that's a no-no." "your toss is off - that's a no-no." "you're jerking your head again - that's a no-no" he'd even shake his index finger left to right in conjunction with shaking his head. it got to the point where we had an argument about it where i told him that nobody uses that phrase anymore and that it's annoying and that he simply says it too much. that night on the news, i remember the news anchor describing something as a no-no. my dad immediately pointed to the tv screen and said "see! they even say it on tv!" it was the finishing blow. TKO, my dad.
secondly, i am a child raised by spanking all the way till high school. i must say there definitely are different types of spanking that can be done to a child from a parent. i can only remember three distinct times that left a mark (emotional mark, i should add) on my life. the first was when i lied to my mom, probably around 5 years old since it was in san diego. she got the clothes hangar and hit the bottom of my feet. i really don't remember it hurting, but more of a shock value i guess. the second time was with my dad, when i lied to him about using his credit card. that was probably the most scarring since it was with so emotional ... my dad couldn't believe that his son would lie to him and he almost cried right in front of me. it makes me feel weird just thinking about it right now. the third time was when i stepped on a textbook while walking on it - not kicking it, not using it as a stepping stool, just innocently walked on it - and SLAP right in the face by my mom. she told me never ever to step on a book because it's so disrespectful.
ever since then, i am shocked when people step on books and have never done it since. i will not tolerate lying, and will also stress to my kids that no matter how bad it is - never to lie. i guess it is natural for kids to lie and i will expect it, but i guess big things like breaking the law or stealing from someone or playing hookie or cheating... i'll probably discipline them.

so this brings up the next question. HOW will i discipline them? the study shows that spanking, while bringing "quick compliance with parental demands" will have larger and greater negative effects in the long-run. will i spank my kids? honestly, i can't imagine hitting my kids, but i'm sure most parents are that way. i really hope that it will be a last resort. i've been spanked, my sister has been spanked and i think we've turned out fine. okay, exaggeration - my sister has turned out fine. aileen has never been spanked in her life, and she has also turned out well.

so for conclusions...
1) it all depends on the parents and their relationship with their kids
2) why the hell am i thinking about parenting

NEW DSL CONNECTION.

i have a lot to post - but they are on my laptop. as soon as i get it connected to our NEW DSL CONNECTION, it'll be online. again, our NEW DSL CONNECTION is the factor. count on that.

in the meantime, i am at work right now still adjusting to my 5 days off from new jersey. it was an awesome trip. i only managed to piss off my sister once (as far as i can tell).

in an old blog, i wrote how everytime i come back home there is always something new. the last time, it was a new sony wega (flatscreen tv.. that is just.... huge.) and this time... this time takes the cake...so far. a new powerbook G4 titanium (www.apple.com/powerbook) and a new iPod (www.apple.com/ipod) and a new leather couch set. if you know me at all, i'm in love with apple products. i have always used apple products ever since i was a young kid. in my house, we have 6 powerbook laptops - every generation, a Macintosh SE/30 and one of the first power macs. crazy. just friggen crazy.

but in any case, it's 3am right now.... but here are things to write about:
my really cool friends and my business class flying experience sitting next to an Afghani.

during the sermon yesterday, the pastor said "in christianity, prayer is the one thing you don't do for show." i think that should be very applicable to my past.

while driving down 101 South with my usual everyday routine (zoning out with Howard Stern on the air, weaving through traffic because i'm late for work, etc) a memory rushed into my head that was more like hitting a brick wall rather than wading slowly into the deep end of a pool: i never got the super nintendo.

when i was in middle school, my parents would reward my sister and myself 100 dollars for getting straight A's for the marking period. the only catch was, we BOTH had to get straight A's - otherwise, nobody would get 100 dollars. my sister has gotten straight A's all her life - from K through 12 and probably through college and beyond. i, on the other hand, did not. 7th grade i would get a few B's each marking period, and i would have no idea why. my parents were definitely not happy about it, and i was certainly depressed and embarrased about it. that is when my parents introduced the idea of bribing me to get better grades and adding even more pressure because 100 dollars was on the line for my sister. in middle school, i remember getting straight A's only once - there could have been more times, but i don't really remember. what i DO remember was my parents sweetening the deal because my sister would complain all the time that she gets the good grades but i would get one B and screw us both over. so to encourage me to get straight A's, my parents proposed this: get straight A's and we'll buy you a super nintendo. needless to say, my sister and i were both ecstatic at the idea of THE hottest game system in our very own home.
time would pass, and the grades would roll in. straight A's for my sister, and one B for andy. my sister was furious... and i felt bad. she did all her work (yes... all the hard work that comes in 4th grade) and i could not hold up my end of the bargain. my parents reverted back to the 100 dollars per marking period after that and kept it all the way till high school. my mom would remind me every now and then, even in my senior year, that the 100 dollar policy is still in effect.
my sister and i never saw it again since middle school - and all because of me.

the date: june 1st.
the time: 330 AM.
the problem: i'm sick and yet i refuse to sleep.
the reason: i am addicted to my new computer.

my eyes are bloodshot, and my head hurts. there is a pain whenever i swallow. the cure? go on to my computer while watching SNL reruns (currently, Lothar the Hill People is on... i don't think anyone really remembers Mike Myers as Lothar, or Dana Carvey as Lyle the Effeminate Homosexual). On another channel is Wild on E!, a show on how people live this carefree partying life reminding me the life i will never live. A world where hot girls in bikinis (and sometimes even less) are ubiquitous and the norm. "A normal day - is JUST a normal day at the exclusive water dance party on Ibiza" says host Brooke Burke (another person who reminds me that i will forever remain a geek and not a stud). What a job... just traveling around the world documenting the worlds greatest parties and resorts. Anyone ever been to the island of Mauritius, where you can just run into swimsuit models left and right while going underwater scuba diving in crystal clear water or petting wild monkeys? Brooke Burke and the Wild on E! crew has. Twice.

in any case, i should be going to bed. it's almost 4 am. so before i turn this computer off... here's a quick thought:

what does "are you sure?" really mean?

here's an example:

scenario1:
#1: hey, do you mind if i borrow your homework?
#2: umm... actually, i'm not sure if i should.
#1: oh... okay, no problem at all.
#2: well... i guess you could.
#1: no no, it's okay.
#2: no, i'm sorry, it's just stupid homework anyways.
#1: oh... well... are you sure?
#2: yeah, i'm sure... it's cool.

scenario 2:
#1: how much did the check come out to?
#2: no, don't worry about it, i got it this time.
#1: what? don't be ridiculous. how much is the total.
#2: haha, no, i got it man. it's my treat.
#1: well... are you sure?
#2: yeah, of course. no problem.

what are you supposed to say after "are you sure?" it's the resolver. it's the situation killer. it's the dispute ender. the gavel. you get the point.

when is being courteous and polite not really benig courteous and polite? by the way, these are really hypothetical situations and don't really constitute how i feel at this time.
just a quick thought, that's all.