About Matt

General

Keeper of the Molekine notebook. Voracious reader. A bookworm. Goof-ball. Seasoned traveller. Citizen of the world. An average guy who doesn’t belong to any scene. He just completed the graduate degree in comparative literature and is aspired to be a teacher and writer. Most likely be sighted at the local gym improving his physique if not buried in school work and the concomitant academic obligations. In short, eccentric, spontaneous, reticent, and bookaholic.

Why This Blog

I like to read—classics, historical fiction, contemporary literature, and literary fiction. Moleskine used to freelace for SparkNotes, TestMagic, and Amazon, and decides to launch book blog on his own. This is a reading history of a book worm who wants to say a few things about the book he reads.

100 Things [June 2008]

1. At the time of writing this post, this blog has 100,505 hits.
2. I believe in love at first sight.
3. I wear my heart on the sleeves easily.
4. Toilet paper: always over the top.
5. I have always traveled alone except for one trip.
6. Being gay is a life, not a lifestyle.
7. I despise loud cellphone users.
8. I take people too seriously.
9. I don’t believe in marriage.
10. More a thinker than a talker.
11. Extremely claustrophobic.
12. Compulsive obsessive syndrome.
13. Obsessed with interpreting language.
14. Bed-time is usually before 9:30 pm.
15. Always sleep on my stomach with hands under the pillow.
16. Despise those who don’t yield seats.
17. Fear of height. So absolutely no helicopter.
18. Atheist.
19. Believe in incarnation and karma.
20. Always prefer quiet and secluded places.
21. Fed on baby formula only until the age of 6.
22. Part-Han, part-Mongol.
23. I don’t mind going to movie alone.
24. Aspired to write and publish a book.
25. I’ve been using the same bag, a Timbuk, for 9 years.
26. Number Twelve.
27. I like my all-seed bagel double toasted.
28. God knows why I name my labrador after George Michael.
29. Stop by at least one bookstore a day.
30. Becoming addicted to crossword puzzles.
31. Always fly business for long-hauls.
32. Read 424 out of the 1001 Books You Must Read.
33. Best quality is a big heart.
34. Absolutely no rap and hip-hop.
35. Please be on-time.
36. Never order from the menu at Chinese restaurants.
37. I don’t wear cologne.
38. “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens…”
39. Used to play piano.
40. Prefer dogs over people. Seriously.
41. Tailgating should be punishable by death.
42. Diva: Sandy Lam.
43. Always the one who gives more in a relationship.
44. Because of (43), that’s why it hurts so bad.
45. Prefer text messages over phone calls.
46. I do not like airport goodbyes.
47. Never leave the house without hand lotion.
48. Ideal job is one that doesn’t require suit and tie.
49. Music in the 80s makes up a huge chunk of my iPod.
50. Not materialistic.
51. Scorpio: highly passionate, imaginative, determined, persevering, inflexible.
52. Swimming, hiking, working out.
53. Like taking long walk at the beach.
54. I rather hear “I Need You” than “I Love You.”
55. I don’t abide anything mainstream: bestsellers and blockbusters.
56. I was due on Halloween, born 18 days later.
57. I don’t mind people smoke, but I do mind their being drunk.
58. Had two surgeries, both on knees.
59. I can have Thai and Japanese food everyday.
60. I’m allergic to hard-shell fish and pine nut.
61. Always take vacation in sunny, warm places.
62. Prefer shorts and sandals over layers.
63. I used to weigh 215 lbs about 8 years ago.
64. Cocktails and martinis, but no beer.
65. I keep a written diary, besides the blog.
66. I always get 8 hours of sleep.
67. Crew cut is the way to go now.
68. If I can have a power, I would like to be able to discern people’s thoughts.
69. I’m afraid to lose the ability to love.
70. I’ve been a Best Man 4 times.
71. Eccentric and spontaneous.
72. Experienced the tsunami in Thailand in 2004.
73. If I pick a different career, I’ll be a chef.
74. Don’t like to be greeted by salespersons. They overwhelm me.
75. A jealous person.
76. Why are Canadian customs and immigration so annoying?
77. “I’m so afraid to show my feelings. I have sailed a million ceilings in a solitary room…”
78. Photogenic memories.
79. This means it’s hard for me to let go of things.
80. Paradise is in the arm of someone you love. And Hawaii.
81. Hate the sounds high-heels make.
82. Indecisive in making choices of restaurants.
83. Delicate and tender heart, cry easily.
84. Usually pay by cash or debit.
85. Two cups of coffee everyday: a latte and an au lait.
86. Soy milk and no sugar, prefer steamy hot.
87. Prefer to listen and observe than to contribute.
88. Fare better in a small group of friends than a huge party.
89. Don’t like going to bars and clubs.
90. Average 1-2 books a week depending on the subject matter.
91. Always look at a guy’s legs first.
92. What attracts me the most are intelligence, kindness and sincerity.
93. Usually don’t walk into a store without any customers.
94. Have no patience for waiting in line, especially restaurants.
95. I don’t care for the presidential election any more.
96. Not very good with names.
97. Always finish a book I pick up, even if I hate it.
98. Still can’t get over my mother’s passing after 8 years.
99. Don’t have a sweet-tooth.
100. I can’t believe this takes so long.

Twenty Things About Matt (September 2007)

1. What’s the first thing(s) you read in the morning?
Hmmm…let see, that would be the label on my toothpaste. No!? My Email first, just to see who have written me. Then proceed on to CNN.com for domestic news and Yahoo! Hong Kong to see what’s happening over at home. I also check new comments on the blog.

2. What’s your favorite guilty pleasure website?
Sheesh…do you really want to know my dark secret? To spare you from the gory details, I say book sites where I usually spend my money to order books. I also find myself surfing Flickr pages of friends with whom I need to catch up.

3. What job do you fantasize about having?
Airport control tower dispatcher. I know it must be a stressful job which requires undivided, perspicacious attention, but the thought be being on top on the roof of an airfield directing air traffic just thrills me.

4. Last movie you saw?
Together directed by Kaige Chen (Farewell My Concubine) at the condo in Kauai. It’s about a 13-years-old violin prodigy and his father heading to Beijing seeking fame and fortune. Before they find it in a world of cut-throat competition, they re-discover something that is more precious.

5. Last book you read?
Shadow of a Man by May Sarton for the Outmoded Author Challenge.

6. Best show legendary biz/movie star encounter.
Most of you will not be familiar with her since she’s a pop diva from Hong Kong. Last year I drove up to Lake Tahoe for Sandy Lam in Concert. After the show, I ran into her not too far from the back stage access. So nervous was I that I forgot to ask for an autograph! I’ll see her live in Hong Kong this winter.

7. Proudest media moment?
I’m not really a celebrity…

8. Ever had a brush with the law? Describe.
I got a $104 ticket for stopping on a busy street in Oakland. That was back in 1995, when I dropped off a friend to the YMCA.

9. If you got a unicorn what would you name it?
I don’t know. Maybe Winnie (as in the Pooh).

10. What does your TiVo think about you?
It would probably feel lonely, alienated, uncared for and underappreciated since I hardly watch TV. I could even do without one these days with all the books I’ve got to read.

11. Character of fiction you most resemble?
I honestly don’t know because there are so many characters. But the first one that comes off my head is Maurice in E.M. Forster’s Maurice, for he was rewarded with true happiness after much unrequisited love. Hopefully that will be the case for me.

12. Who plays you in your bio-pic?
I simply don’t understand what this is getting at. Of course it’s me!

13. What’s your ringtone?
It’s the generic office dood-dood tone called provincial by Verizon. I’m not crazy about all the crazy, annoying, loud MP3 ringertones.

14. Favorite electronic device?
That would be my iPod nano, it’s a great travel companion and the solution to shutting off loud conversation that I don’t care for in public places.

15. What do your friends say is your best quality?
I’ve been told that I’m reliable, kind, patient, and compassionate.

16. What do your enemies say is your worst?
Probably stubbornness.

17.What natural talent do you wish you had?
To be less inept in sports, to be more able to play more musical instruments.

18. What’s your theme song?
Haydn Symphony #22 – The Philosopher.

19. Do you believe in love at first sight?
You bet, all the time. Maybe that’s why I’m cursed in love life! But I also believe that personality opens the door and character is what keeps it open.

20. When is the last time you volunteered? Where?
About two weeks ago at the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library annual book sale. It was a great experience to meet other book lovers and have the sneak preview of all the books that were on sale.