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As we all know, Friday Five is a meme that asks hard-hitting questions to give readers a glimpse of the real person behind the online journal. This week's set is especially revealing.

1. What was the last song you heard?
The chorus goes...

I'm addicted to you
Don't you know that you're toxic

I heard it for the first time this morning and liked it, but couldn't recognize the artist. After a quick search, I discovered the song was "Toxic" by Britney Spears. I worry about me sometimes.

2. What were the last two movies you saw?
A Good Lawyer's Wife and The Passion of the Christ. If you want a different answer, ask me tomorrow.

3. What were the last three things you purchased?
To set a good example for young people everywhere, I have taken the liberty of editing: A movie ticket, sushi, [edit], [edit], [edit], [edit] and coffee

4. What four things do you need to do this weekend?
Clean, run, read and sleep. That should keep me busy for two days.

5. Who are the last five people you talked to?
K, E, P, P and P. Different Ps, in that exact order.

The sky was full of gray clouds this morning and there is a chance of rain. The weekend must be near. This is a good time for something light-hearted, like the Friday Five!

At this moment, what is your favorite...

1. ...song?
"Hands Down" by Dashboard Confessional. The softly sung verses have this pent up energy that bursts forth during the choruses and peaks with the line, Hands down this is the best day I can ever remember. The song never fails to get me singing.

2. ...food?
Lately, I've been leaning towards chicken caesar salads. To keep things balanced, I've also been favoring chocolate cheesecakes.

3. ...tv show?
The O.C. cracks me up and is a great escape on Wednesdays. I can't decide between cheering on or choking Adam Brody's character. He's funny, but frustrating. The series also has one of my favorite theme songs, "California" by Phantom Planet.

4. ...scent?
Nothing beats the aroma of a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

5. ...quote?
"There was abuse in my family, but it was mostly musical in nature." One of many great lines from A Mighty Wind.

Five lists of five for Friday.

1. List five things you'd like to accomplish by the end of the year.

1. Finish NaNoWriMo
2. Learn how to use my wok
3. Learn how to snowboard
4. Write a song
5. This one is a secret

2. List five people you've lost contact with that you'd like to hear from again.
1. a couple of high school classmates
3. a couple of college classmates
5. and the girl I always used to see on the train (it was only visual contact, but still)

3. List five things you'd like to learn how to do.

1. cooking (above and beyond the wok)
2. play the guitar and ukulele (it gently weeps)
3. rock climbing (without the falling)
4. speak Cantonese
5. backpacking

4. List five things you'd do if you won the lottery (no limit).

1. buy a house for my sister
2. buy a house on the coast
3. open a beachfront cafe
4. travel, a lot
5. buy a baseball team and stadium (tacky corporate name will be removed)

5. List five things you do that help you relax.

1. drink coffee
2. read
3. hike
4. listen to and play music
5. run

Since I seem to be suffering from a brain drain today, let's do the Friday Five...

1. Do you watch sports? If so, which ones?
Primarily baseball, but I also watch hockey, soccer and figure skating (shh.). I began watching beach volleyball and curling this year, since NBC has no other real sports coverage. I'll watch football and basketball, but only if there is absolutely nothing else on.

2. What/who are your favorite sports teams and/or favorite athletes?
If I had to narrow it down to one, the San Francisco Giants are my favorite team. Some of my favorite athletes include Craig Counsell, Greg Maddux, Will Clark, Elvis Stojko and Michelle Kwan (shh!).

3. Are there any sports you hate?
My least favorite sports are race car driving and boxing. While I appreciate the effort and skill required for both, I just can't watch them.

4. Have you ever been to a sports event?
Mainly baseball (Giants and Athletics) and hockey (Sharks) games. I would love to attend an All-Star game, a World Series game and the Olympic Games at least once in my lifetime.

5. Do/did you play any sports (in school or other)? How long did you play?
In college, I played a little intramural softball and some sloshball (that's a sport, right?). In a few more months, I can probably add volleyball to the list.

Enough of my internal pep talk and on to something lighter. It's been a month since the last Friday Five and it's all about cleaning, the constant chore. So here we go...

1. What housekeeping chore(s) do you hate doing the most?
I know they're my toilets, but really, I'm not a fan of cleaning them. I usually get them done and over with first. Ugh!

2. Are there any that you like or don't mind doing?
Vacuuming is the best part of cleaning, no doubt. My vacuum cleaner is a mean, low-riding, four-wheel machine with headlight and powerful motor that is built to suck on all types of indoor terrain.

3. Do you have a routine throughout the week or just clean as it's needed?
I really should have a weekly routine. It would probably save me time. But I try to be a guy and avoid the cleaning for as long as possible. I can keep up that front for about two weeks before the dust, dirt and clutter get to me.

4. Do you have any odd cleaning/housekeeping quirks or rules?
My only rule is to work from the top down. Dust and then vacuum.

5. What was the last thing you cleaned?
My backpack. There was a nasty Gatorade spill and I tried my best to clean it, but it still smells like orange.

It's already August and I'm amazed how an entire new month could just sneak up on me like that. Because it's Friday, it's time for a light-hearted five.

1. What time do you wake up on weekday mornings?
I wake up around 6 AM, give or take thirty minutes.

2. Do you sleep in on the weekends? How late?
On Saturdays, yes. I'm up just in time to watch Kim Possible (around 10 AM). What? On Sundays, I'm up between 8 and 9.

3. Aside from waking up, what is the first thing you do in the morning?
You mean after my eyes are open? I do a big full-body stretch. Then I fall out of bed.

4. How long does it take to get ready for your day?
Without distractions, about thirty minutes, including breakfast. But remember, I'm easily distracted.

5. When possible, what is your favorite place to go for breakfast?
The local House of Bagels, which serves Peet's and a wide assortment of bagels and sandwiches. It's in the heart of downtown and just up the street from the train station.

Here's hoping for a happy August.

Too many distractions and obligations have gobbled up my time today. But it seems that a few minutes have escaped the evil clutches of my responsibilities for me to share this hairy Friday Five.

1. Is your hair naturally curly, wavy, or straight? Long or short?
If I let my hair grow out, it gets wavy, too wavy.

2. How has your hair changed over your lifetime?
After college, I started going with a much shorter, cleaner look. Before that, it was always big and wavy, with sideburns.

3. How do your normally wear your hair?
Short on top, with a slight part on the left side, and shorter all around the sides. My sideburns are even with the top of my ears. There is about a quarter inch gap between my hair and the frames of my glasses as they go behind my ears.

4. If you could change your hair this minute, what would it look like?
Hmm... I would perhaps give it blue highlights just for laughs. But otherwise, I would keep it simple and boring.

5. Ever had a hair disaster? What happened?
My hair really doesn't have disasters. In grade school, when it was longer, it was prone to cowlicks, but that was the extent of it. My hair has been very lucky... so far.

I always have such a tough time choosing songs. This may explain why a Friday Five is showing up on a Saturday. Ask me again tomorrow and I'll have different answers. Here we go...

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.
"Irresistible" - The Corrs

2. Name two songs that always make you cry.
Okay, not cry exactly, but sadden me.
"Bright Eyes" - Simon and Garfunkel (remember Watership Down?)
"The World I Know" - Collective Soul

3. Name three songs that turn you on.
"Carry Me Close" - The Basics
"Sweet Surrender" - Sarah McLachlan
"When You Say Nothing At All" - Ronan Keating

4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.
"Fernando" - ABBA
"Dreams" - The Cranberries
"Good Vibrations" - The Beach Boys
"Lazy Days" - Enya

5. Name five songs you couldn't ever do without.
"In My Life" - The Beatles
"Only Happy When It Rains" - Garbage
"Undone" - Weezer
"Misirlou" - Dick Dale & His Del-Tones
"Last Beautiful Girl" - Matchbox Twenty

1. What was the last TV show you watched?
The latest episode of Friends. Poor Ross was vying for the attention of a female paleontology professor who had dated only geniuses and Nobel Prize winners. Talk about tough competition.

2. What was the last thing you complained about and what was the problem?
There is something about timing and honesty. Had I answered this question a couple of hours ago, my complaint would have been about people who believe that age gives them the right to be condescending and disrespectful to others. But truthfully, the last thing I complained about was how Andrew chose Cristina over even Liz, a completely trivial matter.

3. Who was the last person you complimented and what did you say?
Grace. "Those are new glasses, yeah? They look very stylish on you." It's true, she looks extremely nice in them.

4. What was the last thing you threw away?
A plastic fork used to eat a piece of chocolate cake for a belated Secretary's Day celebration.

5. What was the last website (besides this one) that you visited?
makahiya. I was looking at a photo of strawberries, whip cream and chocolate syrup. To avoid the temptation, I averted my eyes and saw the link to the Friday Five.

I have other things that I want to write about, but this was simple enough to type and post in between other activities. A Friday Five for entertainment purposes only.

1. What was the first band you saw in concert?
Sublime.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now?
The flavor of the week is Linkin Park with an Evanescence aftertaste.

3. What's your favorite song?
Today it's "Like A Stone" by Audioslave

In your house I long to be
Room by room patiently
I'll wait for you there
Like a stone
I'll wait for you there
Alone

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
The dobro, think Jerry Douglas.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why?
Although he hasn't reached "icon" status yet, I would say Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty. He is one of many talented songwriters that I admire.

Here is something lighter and happier. A Friday Five that hits home.

1. How many houses/apartments have you lived in throughout your life?
I've lived in only two houses, both in the Bay Area.

2. Which was your favorite and why?
My current residence. It's my plot of ground.

3. Do you find moving more exciting or stressful? Why?
Moving is exciting, at least on paper. All of the possible furniture layouts could keep me entertained for hours. The physical act of moving is much more stressful and prone to injury.

4. What's more important, location or price?
Location! Price determined where I live today, but location is where I want to be.

5. What features does your dream house have (pool, spa bath, big yard, etc.)?
If money and guilt over extravagance didn't matter...

I envision a winding path through lush gardens and fountains leading up to the front door. A place with high ceilings and cozy corners, where sunlight and shadow play off the walls, an environment that would foster creativity and comfort.

It would have a music room, with a wall of sound and maybe a small stage for private performances. It could be a full multimedia room, with a wall that slid away to reveal a flat panel screen to view movies, sporting events or play video games.

I picture a library, think Beauty and the Beast, with a reading area that extends into a semi-circular cove with floor-to-ceiling windows that adjust to the daylight and can be opened to a patio that overlooks the beach.

I envision an espresso bar stocked with syrups and coffee beans from around the world. It would be next to the gathering room with a burgundy-clothed pool table, sofas and a grand piano in the corner.

sigh I've gone on long enough and I could daydream further, but I'll stop now.

Today was way too busy. For a brief break and distraction, I peeked at the Friday Five and was unimpressed. I followed the submitter's link and found her original questions. There was one in particular that I wanted to answer.

4. Name a special teacher who inspired you as a child or adolescent.

In the 6th grade, there was Mr. H, one of the most creative teachers I ever had. He introduced me to the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien and John Steinbeck. He was an aspiring writer and would read chapters from his book every now and then. He also helped foster my love of history.

My most vivid memory of his class was Habitat City. For one month, our classroom became a little town. Each student was tasked with making a shop out of a refrigerator box that would go over each desk. Every student had a unique business or function within the town.

There was an elected mayor, an electric company (which controlled the light switch) and a garbage company (the trash can). There was even a toll we had to pay just to enter the classroom.

I remember that my business was the second most successful one. I rented out comic books and View-Master reels. For the record, the tollbooth was the most profitable and successful business in town. The kid whose seat was by the door owned it, which proves again that it's all about location.

I understand that Mr. H is now a professor at a local university. I'm sure he continues to educate and inspire students fortunate to have him.

The last day of winter went by without much fanfare. As you can see in the photo, spring arrived so quickly that it took all of the trees by surprise.

I wasn't hot on this week's Friday Five, so I dug around for an old one from January of last year.

1. You've just won a complete collection of movies starring one actor - what actor would you pick?
Harrison Ford is the first actor that comes to mind. Audrey Hepburn is the first actress that pops into my head.

2. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?
Charlotte Sometimes

3. What was the last video or DVD that you bought?
Gosford Park

4. What movie could you watch over and over again and not get sick of?
Lord of the Rings, either the Fellowship or the Two Towers. But really, I'm sure there would be a point where even the wonders of Middle Earth would wear thin.

5. How do you plan to spend your weekend?
If everything goes as planned, I will be seeing Les Misérables on Saturday. I'll also be assembling a hall tree with storage bench, similar to the one shown here. It includes the flip top but not the hat.

Since I am still working out kinks in a couple other entries (because they are just so darn deep and insightful, aren't they? ha!), I thought I would post the Friday Five from last week.

1. Explain why you started to journal/blog.
It was another way to express myself and address my social anxiety (another term for being inexplicably shy). It is a way for me to open up in a, perhaps deceptively, non-threatening environment.

2. Do people you interact with day to day or family members know about your journal/blog? Why or why not?
No, as far I know. Why not? I think I'm just not bold enough or wanting to draw attention to myself in that way. If they were ever to find out about this place, I wouldn't hightail it (at least I hope I wouldn't). The longer that this site goes undetected by the people around me, the harder I laugh, because it is rather hidden in plain sight.

3. Do you have a theme for your journal/blog?
It is personal in theme. It is about my thoughts (I have those), interests, quirks, aspirations, and opinions (I have those too). I try to stay away from getting too editorial on world events because I think the Washington Post and New York Times do a much better job.

4. What direction would you like to have your journal/blog go in over the next year?
Will it last that long? You might as well ask what direction I would like to see my life go over the next year, because that is where this journal will be. Hopefully one that becomes less lonely, less self-conscious and less naive about people, places and emotions. One that is higher in quality. Oh, and one that takes on a more sarcastic, critical and humorous edge every once in a while.

5. Pimp five of your favorite journals/blogs.
First of all, I don't think I've ever used the word "pimp" before. It seems to have a rather negative connotation to me. Instead of choosing only five sites, let me list five qualities I'm looking for in a blog.

• ones with honesty and modesty
• ones that are humorous and don't take themselves too seriously (which I tend to do way too often)
• ones that provide insight into what they think or feel
• ones that showcase and appreciate talent and expression (be it music, writing, photography, etc.)
• ones that open my eyes to new ideas or things I've never experienced

For examples of these qualities, just take a look at the sites listed under "Catch a Wave" to the right. Come to think of it, this list is not a bad start to what I'm looking for in a girl as well.

Why am I still up? I'm not sure, but since I am, here is a Friday Five...

1. As a child, who was your favorite superhero/heroine? Why?
Superman... because he was the Man of Steel. Christopher Reeve had just starred in his first Superman movie and I had a pop-up book where when you pulled the tab, Clark Kent would slide into the phone booth and Superman would slide out almost instantly. I bet I still have that book packed away somewhere around here.

2. What was one thing you always wanted as a child but never got?
A Yamaha synthesizer. I thought it was a necessity even though my parents had invested an enormous amount of money in a piano. They knew better and told me that I could get one when I moved out on my own. They would also mention something about learning the value of money, but I don't think I was paying much attention by that point.

3. What's the furthest from home you've been?
Hong Kong

4. What's one thing you've always wanted to learn but haven't yet?
I've always wanted to learn what women want, but if that isn't possible, then I've always wanted to learn guitar.

5. What are your plans for the weekend?
Other than looking for an old Superman pop-up book and scrounging around for money to buy a synthesizer, I plan on celebrating Chinese New Year.

Not every Friday Five piques my interest and most I find difficult to answer in complete honesty. There was one about jewelry and tattoos recently that I would need to make up answers for just to finish and really... what fun is that? But I can find responses (beyond a simple "no") to the five questions this week...

1. What is one thing you don't like about your body?
It has a tendency to be clumsy and uncoordinated.

2. What are two things you love about your body?
It has a high metabolism rate and above-average finger dexterity for typing and piano-playing.

3. What are three things you want to change about your home?
Were cost not a factor, I would hire an interior decorator to help me with an oceanic/beach theme for a few of the rooms in the house. I would clear the clutter to make it easier to clean. Oh, and there would be a pool table in the spare bedroom.

4. What are four books you want to read this year?
The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Tishomingo Blues by Elmore Leonard and Sula by Toni Morrison.

5. What are five promises you have kept to yourself?
Promises I've not told anyone else? Hmmm... eliminate procrastination, avail myself to new people and experiences, stay focused on the task at hand, smile more and continue to seek happiness.

Trust me, the Friday Five could not come fast enough. This week, it is all about television, so here we go...

1. How many TVs do you have in your home?
Three. A new 27" Sony, a small television/vcr combo (a gift from a generous neighbor) and a smaller black & white that I'm "borrowing" from my sister.

2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week?
Way too much. I counted 12 hours of shows that I consider "must-see" television. Very, very bad.

3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children?
Generally, no. There are plenty of solid educational and entertaining shows out there for young kids. Too much television, though, is definitely bad, especially if it is not balanced with plenty of sunlight, water and outdoor activities.

4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you're heartbroken?
Smallville, Scrubs, Firefly and Whose Line is it Anyway?.

5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like?
Start with anything from Gene Roddenberry (Star Trek), add anything from Joss Whedon (Buffy), hold everything from David E. Kelley (Ally McBeal), sprinkle it with superheroes, smart comedies and improv, then stir!

For me, growing up on television was part of the family bonding ritual. It is a family custom to eat dinner together in front of the television. For my parents, it is their form of relaxation and entertainment.

I recall times when my mom would get mad and question why my sister or I weren't watching television with the family. If either of us wanted to go out and asked her to tape a show, she would often refuse. It was as if she thought we were being disrespectful to her and the family if we weren't participating in the "custom". I also remember her not being happy if we decided to watch something else in a different room. She would say, "Why are there so many TVs on? You're wasting electricity. Turn some of them off."

That is what I seriously need to do now, turn the the television off. Better yet, never turn it on in the first place.

Aww... this is my first Friday Five, so let's see how successful I am, shall we?

1. If you could only choose 1 CD to ever listen to again, what would it be?
Good golly, how do you expect me to choose just one!? If you twisted my arm, I'd say What A Crying Shame by the Mavericks.

2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be?
The Princess Bride and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be?
Chinese broccoli and black mushrooms, coffee, water, and minestrone soup.

5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be?
I'm not brave enough to touch this one.