Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Less Than 48 Hours

It's been a weird week, full of good things and not so good things. But all the feelings pent up inside will be let go at about 8pm at BC Place Stadium when I watch the concert with the most important person in my life. Through good times and bad, she is still there by my side. Thanks baby.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Countdown

3.5 more days until the concert I've been waiting 25 years to see. "Time goes by, so slowly..."

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Newton

"For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction". - Sir Isaac Newton
Jason's Corollary: "For every happy event in my life, something really pissy happens to counter that".

Friday, October 24, 2008

Road Ahead

The past month has been filled with such wonderful feelings, and the month will end with more changes, especially at work. It's amazing so many things have happened to me this month. Maybe it's fitting that the month will end with the concert I've been waiting 25 years to see, with the woman I've been waiting 42 years to be with.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Vegas: October 17

Joe had to leave early (11am) as he had the early flight. So I got to spend a day alone in Vegas just absorbing everything that had happened to me, and to think about so many things happening in my life. I had lunch at the MGM Grand Buffet and just walked around. I spent my last few moments at Mandalay Bay, buying some souvenirs but disappointed that the Mamma Mia! gift shop wasn't open.

And then before I knew it, I flew home. Alas.

Vegas: October 16

SHOW 12: Price is Right Live at Bally's

Yes, we went again. And it seemed that some of the prizes were the same as the Tuesday show. We even got seats right up front. We were hoping that maybe this time. And then they called the four names for the last game. And then as if it was meant to be:

"Jason Feng, come on down!". It was like a dream come true. I couldn't believe it. I wish my Grandma were still here because she would have been so happy. Unfortunately I forgot the price of the tabletop wine cooler that WAS ON THE SHOW TWO DAYS AGO. They are $130 if anybody wants to know. And I would have been on Plinko too. Oh well, at least I got a T-shirt.

--
No show here, but I finally got to meet my friend Michael Shackleford, also known as the Wizard of Odds. He has by far the best website on casino information and odds on the Internet. Visit him at Wizard of Odds and tell him I sent you! We only met for a brief time as we had other engagements to attend to, but I'll be sure to see him again on my next trip.
--

SHOW 13: Le Reve at Wynn

While technically not a Cirque du Soleil show, this had a lot of its elements. The "stage" was water-based and most of the show involved the water, but there was also a lot of aerial performers. It was very well-done and as usual, the performers were amazing. This show was probably my favorite.

SHOW 14: Zumanity at New York New York

Thanks to Joe, we had seats at the very front, in couches. Thanks to Joe, this meant that we would be embarrassed twice during the show. Zumanity is a burlesque-themed Cirque du Soleil show. There was a guy in drag who was the host. At the pre-show, some Chippendale dude walks by us and says "oh the gay section". Wonderful. Then near the end of the show the drag queen said the same thing. Thanks Joe. But it was a very riveting show with the usual amazing Cirque du Soleil performers. Wow.

Vegas: October 15

SHOW 8: Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum at Venetian

I knew I would have a good time if the first figure I see at the front was that of Marilyn Monroe. Unfortunately there wasn't an Audrey Hepburn figure or I would have been in heaven. I took pictures with Jenna Jameson, Angelina Jolie and Madonna (see you next week!). There were some quite realistic looking figures (and some not so realistic).

SHOW 9: Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Harrah's

Mac King was a popular magician years ago, and had appeared on the Tonight Show. He was from the old school of comedy and magic and his show was quite delightful. I commented to Joe that we'd had a lot of good luck with the cheaper shows.

SHOW 10: Mamma Mia! at Mandalay Bay (730pm)

Do I really need to review this one? I missed out on the show in June and I knew I couldn't do it again. Unfortunately we were in a bit of a rush and missed the end part where everybody got up to sing.

SHOW 11: Blue Man Group at Venetian (10pm)

We didn't realize Mamma Mia! would have taken so long but we had to rush to the Venetian to catch our next show. We were actually late by about 5 minutes but managed to get ourselves seated and not miss much. The Blue Man Group was a very interesting show, weird at times but overall very enjoyable. They are good at what they do.

Vegas: October 14

SHOW 4: Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas

After breakfast at Bill's we were pretty close to Paris so we decide to go up the Eiffel Tower and see what this whole awesome view things was all about. Wow! Although the tower is only a quarter-size replica of the real thing and obviously the sights were different, the view of Las Vegas atop the Eiffel Tower was breathtaking. As much fun as it was to go with Joe, I kept thinking how wonderful it would have been to be with Amy. That's all I was thinking of.

SHOW 5: Price is Right Live at Bally's

I go back in time to 1974 when my Grandma and I would religiously watch The Price is Right with Bob Barker. It was so much fun. Although this wasn't the "real thing" it was as close as possible. I was hoping so much to hear those words "Jason Feng COME ON DOWN!". It wasn't meant to be. But Joe and I enjoyed the show so much we decided we'd come back later in the week if it was at all possible.

SHOW 6: Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Joe had told me a lot of good things about this so we went. It was a really nice attraction and worth the small admission fee (as opposed to the Secret Garden). I took some nice pictures which I'll either post here or on Facebook later.

SHOW 7: Phantom at Venetian

This is the only time that Joe and I separated, as he was off to get kissed by Marie Osmond. But I knew that this trip I had to see Phantom so after dinner he went to the Flamingo and I cabbed to the Venetian. What a beautiful hotel and what a wonderful theater. Even though I'd seen the show so many times, the Vegas experience is always the best.

When I went home I gave in and called Amy. We weren't going to talk to each other during this trip but there's only so much I could take.

Vegas: October 13

The day began at around 9am. We had breakfast at Bill's Gambling Hall (in fact, we ended up having breakfast/brunch every day here).

SHOW 1: Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden at the Mirage

There was nothing special about this, especially since we had to pay $15. There were some cute dolphins and some nice animals, but they were so far away I couldn't get a good enough picture of the lions and tigers. The Lion Habitat at the MGM was so much better (and free!)

SHOW 2: Greg Popovich's Comedy Pet Theater at Planet Hollywood

We couldn't find a decent afternoon show so we decided on this. It was actually pretty good. Greg Popovich was one of those old-school jugglers who could do amazing things with hoops and boxes and things like that. He also trained a lot of cats and other animals to do cool tricks. We got a good deal on the tickets so why not?

SHOW 3: Criss Angel Believe

It's bad when you step into a cab and when the cabbie asks you what show you're going to see and you say Criss Angel he pauses and says "Good luck". We'd heard nothing but bad reviews about the show so we went not expecting much. I guess if you are a fan of Criss Angel (which I am not) you might like it but the show was not much Cirque du Soleil and more Criss Angel. The best part was probably the pre-show where a number of Cirque performers entertain the crowd. I even learned a magic trick that Joe would also be more than happy to show everyone.

Vegas: October 12

Nothing much happened. I met Brett and Joyce at the airport and that was the last I saw of them. I called Joe, we met at the Carriage House (where we were staying), and by then it was 11pm so we went to FatBurger. Then I called it a night because I knew the next few days would be very hectic. And I texted Amy because I missed her.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Mixed Feelings

I should be excited about getting away from work and going to Vegas for five nights, but I'd rather be here with Amy. Nevertheless, I think the trip is a good way for us to take a breather from an amazing two weeks. There is a lot to think about. I miss you already.

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Get Well Stan

One moment there were twelve of us at Boston Pizza getting ready for our hockey pool. We had just chosen the order of picking and then my friend just started shaking. Thankfully one of my friends is a doctor, but nevertheless, before I knew it, my friend was having a seizure. It's one of the most scariest things to see, especially when it is happening in front of you. But everything turned out OK, the ambulance arrived and took Stan to the hospital, where he will stay overnight. He'll be OK. The pool was obviously postponed. Get well soon, Stan.

Yes

"I wondered if it was true, if in this 21st century reality there is a person out there who could possibly be your other half." - Amy Mak

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

The Neverending Story

1) She emailed me
2) I emailed her back
3) We met at Starbucks, then a movie
4) I asked her out to dinner, and she said yes
5) I looked into her eyes and she looked back
6) I held her hand and she didn't let go
7) We walked along the pier in the rain
8) We kissed and held each other under the stars
9) We fell in love

And now the story continues, and so far it's been the most beautiful story I've read. Thank you for coming into my life, Amy.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

The Search is Over



How can I convince you
what you see is real
Who am I to blame you
for doubting what you feel
I was always reachin',
you were just a girl I knew
I took for granted the friend I have in you

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes,
I can see forever
The search is over,
you were with me all the while

Can we last forever,
will we fall apart
At times it's so confusing,
the questions of the heart
You followed me through changes,
and patiently you'd wait
Till I came to my senses,
through some miracle of fate

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
Now I look into your eyes,
I can see forever
The search is over,
you were with me all the while

Now the miles stretch out behind me,
loves that I have lost
Broken hearts lie victims of the game
Then good luck,
it finally stuck like lightning from the blue
Every highway's leading me back to you
Now at last I hold you,
now all is said and done
The search has come full circle,
our destinies are one
So if you ever loved me,
show me that you give a damn
You'll know for certain the man I really am

I was living for a dream,
loving for a moment
Taking on the world,
that was just my style
When I touched your hand,
I could hear you whisper
The search is over,
love was right before my eyes

Friday, October 03, 2008

Summary of My Night

In the words of Mr. Miyagi's dying father in Karate Kid II, "If I am dreaming, let me never wake. If I am awake, let me never sleep."