I like my "embarrassing" interests

I used to HATE how I loved the quirky things in life... Yes, I love anime, I love Legos, Sanrio, and I always buy random cute things and put them around my apartment. We all have such a small time on this Earth; I decided I might as well fill it with things I enjoy. I am reminded of those people who don't like things because they are not cool or popular... or whatever. And it's like, damn, how sad is that?

I’ve tried to only like “age-appropriate” things a 35-year-old is supposedly supposed to enjoy, but it was so BORING. At the beginning of the year I discovered Legos, and now I have a few sets stashed and do part of them each day so I don't just finish them all—because I'm sorry, Legos are adult puzzles, and bless my friend for making that connection.

I always like to learn about people's hobbies, what drives them to continue life. I think anyone who is obsessed with work and has a corporate job is a freak, full stop. I don't care what problem you think you're solving—you're not. Anyway... I love when I meet people who are into things I have literally never heard of... So you're telling me you like to build replica models of boats? Hell yeah. You love to research hyper-specific fashion of the past? Okay, I'm intrigued, tell me more.

I think so often people try to fit into a box of what they think is cool, they are literally just a bland carbon copy of the next person.

I remember the first Sanrio thing I ever got when I was 7; it was a Keroppi box. I promptly broke it because I tripped on our stone floor in my house as a kid. I loved it still. We would always go to the Sanrio store as a kid and the owners remembered my sister and I; it was one place my mom would let me get a little something when we were out shopping. Now every time I go to the 99 Ranch, I always stop by this little trinket store in the shopping center whose only purpose is to sell cute things, and I pick up one Smitski. I love them. I have a little collection going now.

I recently started watching anime again too, and again, this is something I swore away because it's "too young" for me to like. But what does that even mean? Where do these arbitrary rules on life come from? So i’ve learned to accept, I like what I like. Here are 3 sports anime that I've enjoyed watching... I have a particular love of sports anime. Why? No clue, because I hate playing sports, but there is something about the story that gets me every time. Maybe it's the camaraderie or the fighting spirit, but I will literally binge-watch them all:

1. Blue Lock - It’s about soccer…

2. Run with the Wind - Quite literally could not pay me to run a mile, but did I think I could after watching this? Sure did.

3. Haikyuu - I mean.. volleyball is such an intriguing sport to me because it gives me trauma from HS. I was so bad and my team got mad at me once. So I just let the ball drop when it got near me.

Where I ate last week… 

Sun Moon Studio, West Oakland

images courtesy of KT, since I don’t take pictures of food

This is a delicious 4-top restaurant run by a couple in West Oakland. The interior is so cute, honestly kind of homey because every space is utilized thoughtfully. They serve a 13-course tasting menu. I have never had such an opulent meal before. I took my partner there to celebrate another revolution around the sun. I tried things I normally don't like: uni and duck. I can confirm that I still hate uni even when it's prepared in a beautiful way, but I can say that I may now like duck. They end the meal with a basket of fries, and they give you an olive cake to take home. I'd purchase that olive cake weekly if they sold it - it's so good.