The Chase

Everybody loves surprise presents.  That initial rush you get as it’s unexpectedly first handed to you.  Your pupils dilate, your heart beats faster, you start mouthing unintelligible words, and your mind instantly runs through the millions of possibilities of what it could be.  Then as your trembling fingers rip through the shiny wrapping paper, your curiosity is whipped into a frenzy and you reach an almost zen-like state with only one intelligible thought racing through your mind.  ‘What is it?’ The anticipation of what could possibly be inside is worth almost as much as the gift itself.  Then as quickly as it erupted, the torrent of anxiety quickly subsides and gives way to feelings of tranquil elation as you gaze upon your actual gift.  It doesn’t matter what it is (though if anyone cares I would love a pair of those Bose QC15's), it always makes your day a little brighter and puts a little bounce in your step.  

This rollercoaster ride of emotions isn’t constrained to just one aspect of our lives.  It directly applies to another facet of our existence.  Throughout the last year and a half I’ve grown a little and tasted the many flavors of life’s palette.  And in this theme park we call life, I stood in line time and time again to ride one particular roller coaster ride.  The disclaimer at the start of the line says, ‘Do not ride if pregnant, have a history of heartache, or are younger than the age of 18.’  It's definitely not a ride for the fainthearted because it's an intense experience every time.  Sometimes I come out trembling and choking back tears.  Sometimes I feel like I got thrown into a ring and went 12 rounds with Evander Holyfield.  But nevertheless I keep coming back (slightly masochistic I know). The reason I keep coming back and why the line is so long, the reason why it’s the most talked about thing on the planet, is because of that one in a million chance where after the ride you walk out and feel like the world is beautiful and filled with nothing but rainbows and puppy dogs.  This particular roller coaster ride is called, ‘The Chase.’ 

The chase is the best part of single life.  Dressing up and going out every night with the possibility of meeting someone new.  Looking in the mirror each morning, wondering who might turn the corner and walk into your life today.  And when you finally find a girl you like, the anxiety multiplies tenfold.   Should I call? Should I not? Does she like me? Was I too forward?  Were my jokes funny? What did she say she liked?  And then comes that first date.  You’re always a bundle of nervous energy.  My heart beats so fast it’s like the Energizer bunny shotgunned a can of Redbull then flipped the switch on for NOS.  Then on the way to meet her you run through your mental checklist.  Breath? Clothes? Wallet? Keys? Anything in my teeth? And finally you rehearse that initial compliment, the stories you plan on telling, you’re hobbies and interests, strengths and weaknesses, when you've shown leadership skills in a team setting…  It’s like a job interview… for love.

For some, whether or not it works out is secondary.  They thoroughly enjoy the chase.  I liken them to Sergeant James of the movie, Hurt Locker.  Whether or not they win the war is of no consequence.  He needs the adrenaline rush of living life on the edge to feel alive.  The only difference between Casanovas and adrenaline junkies is the type of pain they flirt with.  Casanovas tango with emotional pain and the junkies two step with physical pain. Personally, I believe that it’s all a means to an end.  So every time I arrive at the restaurant and step up to the (dinner) plate, I'm swinging for the fences.. that white picket fence with a dog and a two car garage.  But sometimes the journey is even more memorable than the destination.  So until I pull into that two car garage, I’m just gonna ride top down with the sun at my back until I meet the Sally to my Harry.  Oh and 'Sally', if you're out there... hurry up and call me.

Grandpa Lin's Eulogy

My uncle asked all the grandchildren to write a short excerpt in remembrance of our grandfather.  Here's mine.

Note:

In Taiwanese,
Agong means Grandpa
Amah means Grandma

The Generation Gap

Every time I visited Agong we would attempt to bridge the seventy odd years of experience between us.  Dad would send me out to talk to Agong and fill him in on the happenings of my life.  I would tell Agong that I got into UC Berkeley!  That I got a girlfriend! That we broke up!  That I'm following in his footsteps studying as a civil engineer!  Whenever we had these chats Amah would always be fretting to and fro nearby, constantly moving, constantly busy, but always chiming in with translations of what Agong was telling me.  Agong's heavy accent was already hard to understand and it was further exacerbated by the fact that he had such a large repertoire of languages at his disposal.  He would start out with English, revert back to Taiwanese, and at times, slip in a couple words of Japanese.

I was often frustrated by our language barrier and am thankful for the supplemenation of Amah's relentless record keeping and amazing memory.  Time after time she would pull out a book or photo or her handwritten records of Agong's accomplishments to elaborate on Agong's words.  Little by little I learned more about Agong's life and why all the older folk in Tainan respected Agong and went out of their way to attend to his family.  Learning how he negotiated water rights for the city, visiting the museum that exalted his political career, and hearing the stories that led to Taiwan winning the world little league championship under his guidance made me stand a little straighter, walk a little taller, and smile a little wider at my good fortune to be part of the Lin family.

Agong you've accomplished so much and lived such a full life, it's no wonder that in the rare times I saw your typically stoic face break out into a smile, it also brought a knowing twinkle to your eye.  I now know that hidden behind that twinkle was a powerful politician, a thoughtful leader, a caring husband, and a loving  father.  Someday I hope to also leave my mark on the world, but at my current 25 years of age, I'm content, and proud, to call myself your grandson.

-Kuanhung

Memorable Quotes

The following are anonymous quotes that were randomly recorded by me.  They were spoken by one of us three, but I'm not going to say who.  Hopefully you'll find these as as amusing as we did.


12/29/09

• "They don't even want our money! Makes me want to buy it even more."

12/30/09

• "You sir are a gentleman and a scholar... and a whore"
• "All a brother needs is a crease.  Just lookin' for a crease"
• "Thicky Henderson, Thicky Lake.  That's an awesome name for a fat girl.  I'm so clever.  Man.. I crack myself up."
• "Su-wah-tee cup these balls!"
• "Spicy on the way in... Spicy on the way out..."
• "Hey! stop hitting me with your sausage!"
• "That's not even that big.  I've seen helluva lot bigger before." "Have you now..."

12/31/09

• "I'm sleepy, hungry, and have to take a shit.  I'm full and empty at the same time.  It's a weird feeling"
• "Hey what can I say?  No really... I have nothing to say."
• "Air Asia is good but it's no Virgin." "yea, but you can only fly Virgin once"
• "I hate it... but I love it!"
• "Morals? I didn't check that box"

1/1/09

• "Got in a fight last night... with the ground.  Never fuck with gravity"
• "Wow... look at this guy... " "Only the best for me!"