told myself I'd write one more blog before leaving, but I actually can't think of anything to write about.
Convenience of Culture - Visiting Another chapter closed. This time all of Europe. I've seen a lot of cities, a lot of cultures and met a lot of people and it is my time to go. I will especially miss Europe for its food and its infrastructure. I haven't lived long on my own, in my own place and with my own responsibility and Europe has made a lot of things easier, simpler, automatic. Just the fact that Denmark does your tax return for you and getting medical attention is literally swiping your card, has been a huge surprise and smile on my face. For some reason, I'm more fearful of getting bogged down by some of annoyances the Western (North American) world has gotten used to than perhaps my future and career. Maybe because I've experienced the anxiety of one and not necessarily the extra work of the other (Apparently you have to show proof of good credit to rent in the US? What?).
To give context, I haven't worked in the US in about 12 years and I only recently visited it (Tallahassee, Florida) this year after 6 or 7 years of never returning. Two weeks ago, I took a trip to Los Angeles to check out the area and get set up with basic accommodations. I tried Cheesecake Factory for the first time and it was perhaps the worst meal I've ever had in almost a year (outside of my previous company's menu). Someone told me to try it and that it was known for Italian food (wut?), the menu was unnecessarily long that I just got the simplest thing I could find: Tomato Basil Spaghetti. Can't fuck that up right? Wrong. It was a monster of a thing with Spaghetti, Tomato and Basil AND GRILLED CHICKEN AND PESTO AND MELTED MOZZARELLA AND GARLIC AND SHITTON OF OTHER CRAP. I couldn't even finish the damn thing as the amount of salt and flavour pouring out exhausted me to no end.
Ah, here is the song I wanted. From Chris Botti: When I fall in Love. I love his trumpet, it comes in strong, but still mellow.
It didn't help that the next meal I tried was Fuddrucker's (Ruddfucker's?). They make you wait 30 minutes for your Rib Steak Sandwich and then you have to add the vegetables on yourself. I was severely disappointed. I also tried In-and-Out, but apparently I fucked it up because I didn't get a monster thingy that's on the secret menu. Why is there a secret menu? The fries were lackluster, but if I'm honest about the burger; good for its price, nothing 'holier than thou'. So we will see. I didn't have a lot of time to find the right restaurants in the Sherman Oaks/Burbank area, but I will fix that when I relocate permanently. Still very happy that a lot of my favourite cereals are still around (Fruity Pebbles) and all new flavour of potato chips are around for me to try. When it comes to restaurant, I like the Michelin Star places, but I also like the junky homegrown places. Those holes in the walls that looked like they stopped giving a shit because they know their pulled-pork sandwiches are what people come for anyways.
But I will miss Europe. Most of all Denmark. Despite how small the city was, it has perhaps been the most comfortable and enjoyable cities. I would never visit it as there is absolutely nothing to do here. But if I was given a choice to live here for a decade or so, I would probably accept. Taxes are stupidly high, the supermarkets are a bit better than Berlin (but shitty compared to North America); but the people, way of life and their demeanor is very accommodating, almost too passive. Even in their displeasure they are quiet, to themselves and maybe more sarcastic than sarcastic funny.
The office looking over the sea towards Copenhagen Central. Loved my train and walk to it every day.
The Danes love for Pastries and sweets surpasses my own. Everything a bit too sweet for my taste, but they do display it scrumptiously. Their sandwiches are also supreme as I have fallen absolutely in love with their sauce: "Remoulade". Just amazing.
First Impressions Los Angeles is two words: Loud and Hot. As soon as I landed, I felt the weight of the heat kill me. Here in Copenhagen, it's a very nice Autumny feel, a bit chilly, but overall; nice. I love the rain, and I don't drive. So moving to and from the Los Angeles areas was hell. Also got to use Uber for first time and ended up meeting a fellow Sociologist! How rare is that?
That's really all I got to say about Los Angeles. Loud and hot. I'm still figuring out how to find apartments and just how brutal it will be not knowing how to drive or car (let alone owning one), so we will see. In terms of view, it's not exactly Switzerland, but looking out to the Beverly Hills as the sun sets is a memorable Kodak moment for me. Same as when looking over the river in Berlin or checking out the sea in Copenhagen; Sweden being just outside the door.
I am also looking forward to meeting with some old friends and making new ones. With Europe, while I loved the day-to-day life, it was very isolating and ultimately, very quiet for me due to language issues. Being in an all-English country will be something I'll have to get used. Usually what happens is that I go out with friends or co-workers and unless I inject myself into the conversation; they'll default back to their language (it's only natural). I'm used to it since it was like that back during my school years when I was still learning French and the only way for me to communicate was through cheap humour, but it will be different (or will it?). I had a talk with a newly-made friend during my stay in Los Angeles who told me that Westerners don't actually like to go out (he's a Korean from the East-Coast, but has worked for several years in Korea) after work and such. Any truth that? Could be because we're in a sector of gaming, so naturally most people want to go home and play games. Something we'll have to see as I am definitely looking to try restaurants as I have in Copenhagen.
Starting Up
It is almost taboo to say you liked Speed Racer, the movie. A forgotten Wachowski Siblings film, Speed Racer is mostly disliked, however for me: I like it for everything but the racing. It's over-saturation of colours and its near one-dimensional characters; it strangely has a lot of admirable qualities in its story that I can relate to, or hope to aspire to. Kind of surprising to realize when this is obviously a movie for children. Yet, as the film concludes with this scene, it emulates a blissful ambition that does away with the politics that tries to keep his simple goal down and moves past a history of happy memories, tainted by corruption and collusion. Speed Racer does what he does best and no matter how much happens in the story, the point is the same and the moral of the story is as obvious as they come.
I always laugh thinking about this and I think about it maybe once a month. It's filled with so much outsider truth and cynicism that I can't help but laugh at its straight-forwardness (but agree with its sound logic). In the end, even in the great failures there is some success. I've come from a long history of failures both in school, family, sociability, etc. To leave a project, with all of its faults and the only thing I get to say is that I made an event/show/magazine/team/tournament/guide is perhaps more than I've done in the first half of my life. For a good part of that life, it was about overcoming some inane family or social issue: getting used to a new country, language; a new family situation to get accustom to. Graduating from school, completing my university degree. I don't consider these anything more than what I'm suppose to do, basic issues everyone faces by some degree or another. But now! Now I get to say I made this product, service. I helped this idea get off the ground (for a short while, even barely perhaps). I got to do it and it's out of my element, out of my educationally-built knowledge (Sociology, lol) and its in my interest.
That's plenty for me. There is personal success in even the greatest failures. Won't mention those who revel in those failings, cynical and sarcastic for the sake of a "told you so" or "he deserved it", because I'm just a passing comment to them and they're a passing thought. It's a mutual lack of respect and a lack of knowing one another. I will admit, I hate the instability of start-ups, but I also can't deny how start-ups are representative of myself and many like me: Away from the center of the attention (but perhaps wants to be in its success, thinking its the only thing that has something going on) - has to prove itself and it still has a naivete of a new business, albeit sometimes the wrong attitude and understanding of the community it wants to accommodate.
Not sure what I'm trying to say here but I guess in the end, I am still as immature as that Speed Racer movie. Pride in the smallest accomplishments and desire to stray away from the center, but still seeking for importance among those who I work closest with.
LA is freaking awesome for food. It doesn't have the Michelin rated celebrity chef restaurants if that's what you are looking for. However, it has decently authentic ethnic restaurants for plenty of different ethnicities. It does skew more towards the Asian and Latin American side if that's what you are looking for.
Wurstkuche in Venice/Little Tokyo and Pink's for sausages and hot dogs Orochon and Shinshengumi in Little Tokyo for ramen Green Island for chinese food that's open til 1am Seafood Village is my personal favorite for their seafood tofu hotpot Mama Lu's for dumplings and potstickers. Din Tai Fung is pretty famous and growing for potstickers Oko Cafe, Half and Half, and Ten Ren Tea Time for Boba Tito's Tacos O Dae San, Castle 2, Gen KBBQ, and Ma Dan Sae for KBBQ Porto's Bakery is awesome
There's so much more stuff to eat and explore there since the city is so huge. Yelp is pretty good at pinpointing you in the right direction, and there are a ton of neighborhoods with good food (make a decent effort to avoid the bad neighborhoods btw lol).
On September 29 2015 06:12 NihiLStarcraft wrote: Nice blog, thanks for the shoutout (my first ♥)!
Sorry I wasn't able to play CSGO with you recently, I was on vacation. Sad to see you leave this continent. All the best in LA!
Thanks a lot, it was so much playing with you guys. Definitely what I wanted most in online friends.
On September 29 2015 07:00 andrewlt wrote: I usually get the Jambalaya at Cheesecake.
LA is freaking awesome for food. It doesn't have the Michelin rated celebrity chef restaurants if that's what you are looking for. However, it has decently authentic ethnic restaurants for plenty of different ethnicities. It does skew more towards the Asian and Latin American side if that's what you are looking for.
Is the Jambalaya spicy? I'll go back if someone goes with me because there's no way I'm sitting in their bad one-person booths again.
I mean, Michelin-Star restuarants are just a hobby of mine, but I like to know good restaurants regardless! I love Asian food and the only Latin American food I know is my mother's. So I'm all for it!
Any suggestions is appreciated!
On September 29 2015 07:19 FuDDx wrote: Next time I head over to the Magic Castle youll have to join me for an evening of fancy suits, food, drinks and magic!!
Good luck getting acclimated to the LA life. There is so much to love there and so very much to hate.
What's the magic castle? If that's an official invite, I whole-heartedly accept! I actually just got some nice blazers from Jack and Jones that I'm looking to work out (casual blazers!)
There's plenty I hate about LA, so finding things to love will be the challenge.
On September 29 2015 14:05 y0su wrote: Not exactly LA, but a friend of mine owns the salted pig in Riverside. I highly suggest it (and the bacon ice cream). + Show Spoiler +
In-n-out fries are bland because they use healthier oil or something and I've never liked cheescake factory or fuddruckers either.
That explains the fries. Fuddruckers had salads, but they looked incredibly unhealthy. Can do that myself, thanks!
I want to try your suggestion, but it may be too far for me as I will not have a car ):
On September 29 2015 18:46 loginn wrote: Shame. Hopefully sometime you'll come over anyway. GL&HF in the US
Send me a gun skin so I can continue to rank up, it's the only way I succeeeeeed
On September 29 2015 23:09 imBLIND wrote: Wurstkuche in Venice/Little Tokyo and Pink's for sausages and hot dogs Orochon and Shinshengumi in Little Tokyo for ramen Green Island for chinese food that's open til 1am Seafood Village is my personal favorite for their seafood tofu hotpot Mama Lu's for dumplings and potstickers. Din Tai Fung is pretty famous and growing for potstickers Oko Cafe, Half and Half, and Ten Ren Tea Time for Boba Tito's Tacos O Dae San, Castle 2, Gen KBBQ, and Ma Dan Sae for KBBQ Porto's Bakery is awesome
There's so much more stuff to eat and explore there since the city is so huge. Yelp is pretty good at pinpointing you in the right direction, and there are a ton of neighborhoods with good food (make a decent effort to avoid the bad neighborhoods btw lol).
Also, GL with the traffic lol
Saving this for later, I will be trying your places, I promise!
On September 29 2015 23:57 oGoZenob wrote: that sandwich looks awesome. fuck i'm so hungry
Very famous Danish sandwich place in Copenhagen. They make great NY-style sandwiches. Been there at least 20 times.
On September 30 2015 00:23 Ragnarork wrote: Nuuuuuh how am I gonna laugh in my CS games now?
Gl <3
(And you mispelled my name )
EDIT: I realise we missed each other in Frankfurt as well. Damn. But we weren't doing stupids on CS at that time already, so...
Probably in victory! haha
Fixed your name.
I'll be very likely going to more events (: So let me know where you're going next mon ami!
The Jambalaya in Cheesecake Factory is pretty spicy.
On September 29 2015 23:09 imBLIND wrote: Wurstkuche in Venice/Little Tokyo and Pink's for sausages and hot dogs Orochon and Shinshengumi in Little Tokyo for ramen Green Island for chinese food that's open til 1am Seafood Village is my personal favorite for their seafood tofu hotpot Mama Lu's for dumplings and potstickers. Din Tai Fung is pretty famous and growing for potstickers Oko Cafe, Half and Half, and Ten Ren Tea Time for Boba Tito's Tacos O Dae San, Castle 2, Gen KBBQ, and Ma Dan Sae for KBBQ Porto's Bakery is awesome
There's so much more stuff to eat and explore there since the city is so huge. Yelp is pretty good at pinpointing you in the right direction, and there are a ton of neighborhoods with good food (make a decent effort to avoid the bad neighborhoods btw lol).
Also, GL with the traffic lol
Gonna add to the list: Daikokuya in Little Tokyo for ramen Marugame Monzo for udon - the uni (sea urchin) udon is awesome Honda Ya Izakaya and Musha - Izakaya (Japanese style tapas) Gaja - Okonomiyaki Tasty Garden is a good HongKong-style cafe Boiling Point for Taiwanese style hotpot (you can smell the stinky tofu, hope you're adventurous) Ham Ji Park for Korean bbq (pork dishes are their specialty including bbq and gam ja tang) Mirak for Korean black goat stew Ttu Rak for Galbi Jim (Korean hotpot/beef stew) Ahgassi Gopchang and Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong for Korean bbq Raffi's Place for Persian Habit Burgers for a good burger chain Boiling Crab for Vietnamese Cajun seafood Saladang for Thai Daw Yee Myanmar Cafe and Yoma Myanmar for Burmese
Just Yelp some random Mexican or Pho places. I'm currently forgetting the name of specific ones.
Pricier options include Malbec for Argentinian and Fogo de Chao for Brazilian.
And if you're going to Mama Lu's for dumplings, the original location near the corner of Garvey and Garfield is much better than the newer one a few blocks away.
On September 29 2015 23:09 imBLIND wrote: Wurstkuche in Venice/Little Tokyo and Pink's for sausages and hot dogs Orochon and Shinshengumi in Little Tokyo for ramen Green Island for chinese food that's open til 1am Seafood Village is my personal favorite for their seafood tofu hotpot Mama Lu's for dumplings and potstickers. Din Tai Fung is pretty famous and growing for potstickers Oko Cafe, Half and Half, and Ten Ren Tea Time for Boba Tito's Tacos O Dae San, Castle 2, Gen KBBQ, and Ma Dan Sae for KBBQ Porto's Bakery is awesome
There's so much more stuff to eat and explore there since the city is so huge. Yelp is pretty good at pinpointing you in the right direction, and there are a ton of neighborhoods with good food (make a decent effort to avoid the bad neighborhoods btw lol).
Also, GL with the traffic lol
Gonna add to the list: Daikokuya in Little Tokyo for ramen Marugame Monzo for udon - the uni (sea urchin) udon is awesome Honda Ya Izakaya and Musha - Izakaya (Japanese style tapas) Gaja - Okonomiyaki Tasty Garden is a good HongKong-style cafe Boiling Point for Taiwanese style hotpot (you can smell the stinky tofu, hope you're adventurous) Ham Ji Park for Korean bbq (pork dishes are their specialty including bbq and gam ja tang) Mirak for Korean black goat stew Ttu Rak for Galbi Jim (Korean hotpot/beef stew) Ahgassi Gopchang and Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong for Korean bbq Raffi's Place for Persian Habit Burgers for a good burger chain Boiling Crab for Vietnamese Cajun seafood Saladang for Thai Daw Yee Myanmar Cafe and Yoma Myanmar for Burmese
Just Yelp some random Mexican or Pho places. I'm currently forgetting the name of specific ones.
Pricier options include Malbec for Argentinian and Fogo de Chao for Brazilian.
And if you're going to Mama Lu's for dumplings, the original location near the corner of Garvey and Garfield is much better than the newer one a few blocks away.
Thanks for the suggestions! I'm going to try and get it all in this year!
On September 30 2015 06:17 nunun wrote: I pass by your old office several times a week. Funny how everything on the internet seems so far away, until it isn't.
I really enjoyed your blogging about Denmark.
Have fun in LA.
You should have come and said hi ):
Thanks a lot (:
On September 30 2015 19:43 pebble444 wrote: Great pictures of Denmark 5/5
Thanks!
On September 30 2015 21:22 Ragnarork wrote: \o/
I'll be at ESL NY this weekend :D Let me know if you'll be there! Then, I don't know yet for the next ones...
I wish!!!
On October 01 2015 01:37 sabas123 wrote: Good luck in LA!!!!
I dont think I will be ever able to forget our awesome csgo moments <3
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