The Fresh Herb

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2012-02-05T14:53:00.001-08:00

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35 minutes to NaNo!!!

2008-10-31T23:23:00.000-07:00

I just finished playing FIFA! 2-0 win over Red Bull. I'm feeling good. I was debating whether to stay up to get a few hundred words in before I retire tonight. Now, that I'm up this late...might as well, right?

I'm getting nervous. I should have went to bed early, like La, to be 100% in the morning. But it going to feel badass to be typing at midnight with the rest of the West Coasters. The morning is going to be rough. I'll want to sleep in, but have NaNo on my mind. Also my competitive spirit will kick in. Knowing that La CAN wake up early to start writing, will motivate me to get up when she does.

I will finish 50k words this year.

My goal for the first week is 1800 words per day. That's only 133 more words than the daily average. But by the end of week one, I'll be a little less than 1000 words over average. No fuck it. Let's go for broke on the first week. 2000 words per day. That'll leave me at 14,000 by the end of week 1. A good 2331 cushion to slack off here and there. Man oh man...this is going to be tough. Wish me luck, folks.

And...if you hear any funny quotes, see interesting people, or hear any great stories, let me know. I need as many ideas as I can get. And away weeeeeee goooooooo...

Potato-looking Cheese

2008-10-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

For those who know me, two of my weaknesses are cheese and french fries. So you can understand unbridled joy when my coworker brought me a Nicaraguan cheese called Cuajada.
When I was looking for it in the fridge, all I found was a ziplock bag with this flat potato.

I opened the bag and knew instantly that this was going to be the best part of my day. This bad boy is smoked out more than most of the kids I see during the day. It has a spongy texture like fried tofu and is salty like a day at the beach.

I cut a few pieces of this unpasteurized goodness and ate it straight, at the disapproval of the Nicaragüense. "You're supposed to eat it with something. Beans or rice or anything." Now, I know why. But I'll let the unicorn tell you why.

Just write and press "Send"

2008-10-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

I know...I said I'd be blogging more. I had this great idea for an entry this morning, but it somehow escaped me on the drive over to work.

I'm typing this entry on my Neo Alphasmart to get into the practice of using this machine during NaNo. I'm getting more and more excited as the day comes closer. Lara got her grandfather to join in this year! Anyone out there want to join in with me? It's a painfully wonderful experience that I highly recommend.

I underestimated the difficulty in writing blog entries that steer clear from diary-ish (eww) or journal-y tones. My inclination is to always report what has been going on in my life, first, then see what comes up after that. I want to go the other way, then stop before I get to the life reporting. Yet, that's what blogs hove become. Or at least what most people expect. Blogs have replaced handwritten letters and even emails sent to an individual person. It's a way to keep in touch with a lot of people with minimal effort. That isn't a bad thing, just a shift in communication. It's even gotten extreme with micro-blogging (to which I am proudly a member) thanks to Twitter and Facebook status updates.

But then what's left to pique the interests of you, the reader? Blogging has always been a self-centered act. I write all of this for me, me, me. Having an audience is a perk, so I guess I should keep them in mind. So there it was...another boring stream-of-consciousness entry that helps clear the tubes of bullshit from the system in preparation for some high speed writing in 11 days.

Where's that horse?

2008-10-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

NaNoWriMo is coming in 27 days! Who's in with me? To get my creative juices flowing again, I've decided to get in as much writing as I can, in as many mediums as possible. The most consistent of my writings has been my tweets on Twitter, pretty much updating every day. I want to start writing more than the 140 characters but don't expect to be writing long narratives here.

I'm visualizing blogger as metaphorical push-ups one does first thing to start the day. Not necessarily to build muscle but more for maintenance and morale building. By the way, I haven't done a push-up since the first day I got Wii Fit. It wasn't pretty.

So keep your eye out on new posts. This time around, I'm going to try to keep them more like narrative commentaries, a little more memoir-ish, and a lot less journal-like. As you can see my descriptive abilities have gotten flabby. Lots of work to do.

Monday Jumpstart

2008-06-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share some fun links with people, on this dreary Monday morning. I didn't want to take up Facebook space with 3 links. So here they are. Maybe this will be a weekly thing?

She believes the key to relationships is "trust," whereas I've always felt the most important thing in a relationship is me.
-Dan Liebert on Relationships

LIT 101 CLASS
IN THREE LINES
OR LESS.

BY BEN JOSEPH

- - - -

1984

WINSTON: Don't tell the Party, but sex is way better than totalitarianism.

EVERYONE: Surprise! We're the Party.

WINSTON: Oh, rats.

The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe

C.S. LEWIS: Finally, a utopia ruled by children and populated by talking animals.

THE WITCH: Hi, I'm a sexually mature woman of power and confidence.

C.S. LEWIS: Ah! Kill it, lion Jesus!

Paradise Lost

ADAM: Paradise has arbitrary dietary restrictions?

DEVIL: They're really more like guidelines.

GOD: Incorrect.

Moby-Dick

ISHMAEL: I'm existential.

AHAB: Really? Try vengeance.

ISHMAEL: I dig this dynamic. Can we drag it out for 600 pages?

The Great Gatsby

NICK: I love being rich and white.

GATSBY: Me, too, but I'd kill for the love of a woman.

DAISY: We can work with that.

Oliver Twist

OLIVER: Poverty ain't so bad, what with all the Cockney accents and charming musical interludes.

ME: Thanks to movies, no books were read in the passing of this class.

PROFESSOR WATERMAN: You're half right.

- from McSweeney's

Taken at last week's A's game with the new phone

1282 17th Ave N minneapolis

2008-01-08T09:59:00.000-08:00

Go to 1282 17th Ave N minneapolis on Google maps (or click the link). Go onto Street View. Interesting.

Researching for the best fit

2008-01-07T15:33:00.000-08:00

http://www.dehp.net/candidate/ Respond to a short list of issues and it will tell you whose platform your views are closest. I like this site more than http://www.electoralcompass.com even though it doesn't look as pretty. The site is simplistic and should be considered only as a tool.

I'm in the process of researching whose policies I most agree. I usually keep my political views out of discussions because they have consistently led to arguments that many take personally, and end up with tense, awkward moments. I have seen political discussions even breaking up friendships. I'm tempted to share my views, here, but it's the same is true as it is in the real world. Maybe I'll share as the days come closer. But for now, I will remain shrouded in mystery.

The Mystery Of The Face On The Cake

2008-01-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

I came across one of those rare stories that make you feel good all over. I'm a sucker for father/son tales, too (go see Tell Them Who Your Are and make sure you watch the cut scene they included in the Special Features, which in my opinion made the whole movie worth it to me; I actually cried.) So you can tell that the story below got to me. I laughed out loud and smiled throughout the whole story. It has 3 short parts; there's a link at the end of each section. It's worth the time to read and is guaranteed to make you feel good. Enjoy.

The Mystery Of The Face On The Cake via TheSneeze.com

The Electoral Compass

2008-01-03T16:34:00.000-08:00

I just ran onto this simplistic survey of which candidate most agrees with your views on issues like immigration, health care and education. I'm just bummed that Kucinich isn't represented any where on the final quadrant.

via Electoral Compass USA

Happy 2008

2008-01-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

moar funny pictures via LOL Cats icanhasacheezburger.com

Husband isn't taking any chances

2007-12-28T16:24:00.000-08:00

A cute little piece abut a very smart man. I would usually include the jpg but for some reason, I didn't feel like hijacking another person's post. The pic is hilarious.
via Smackinthecrack.com

The beauty of being watched

2007-12-28T11:21:00.000-08:00

Check out this link

11 "Don't-Tell-the-Wife" Secrets All Men Keep

2007-12-24T09:36:00.000-08:00

I was having sushi at a local hotspot and overheard a customer whisper to the cashier, "Don't tell my wife that I ordered from you guys already this week." His wife shortly came over and the cashier smiled at her and gave her the receipt. The humor of that the phrase "Don't tell my wife..." became apparent and instantly became part of my excuses repertoire. I haven't been able to use it yet, but will be overjoyed when the opportunity presents itself.

This comes up (somewhat relatedly) because I just read the list of 11 "Don't-Tell-the-Wife" Secrets All Men Keep. I cannot confirm or deny whether all or some of these apply to me. Enjoy the holidays.

FreeRice.com

2007-12-20T13:27:00.000-08:00

Give free rice to hungry people by playing a simple word game.
For every word definition you get correct, 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Programme. At time of writing over 10 Billion Grains of rice have been donated.

You can prove how smart you are and that you have a sensitive philanthropic side of you too. The highest score I got was 40, but average 35-38.

Happy Holidays!

FreeRice.com

Neil Gaiman helps fan propose to girlfriend through book inscription - Boing Boing

2007-12-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

If you want an "awww" moment, watch the video. Gaiman was such a good sport about this. Click the link below for the full story.
via Boing Boing

w00t! I rock!

2007-12-13T10:23:00.000-08:00

I don't consider myself to be a hardcore gamer or a computer hacker. But when Merriam Webster chooses w00t as their word of the year, I have to pay homage to my 733t brothers and sisters out there.

Anyway...I haven't been blogging that much because I've been rockin' out on Guitar Hero 3. I was hesitant to get it because it was $100. But even after logging over 1o hours of it over the weekend, I'm still loving it. Aside from derailing my real world guitar skills, it has been a riot. I've noticed that I make the same dumb ass guitar face that I have when playing a real guitar. But now, I'm getting my poses, kicks and jumps down. \m/ \m/ Word up.

I've also fallen into the hole that is called Facebook. So sad. I keep it minimal but I can see the potential of it taking over a good portion of my day. Pray for me. Sorry for this lame ass post, but I'm at work and should be doing some.

Mr/Ms. T in training

2007-12-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

A video to cheer you up on this cold Monday

Gmail Adds AIM Support to Chat

2007-12-05T11:19:00.000-08:00

Google is ruling the internets! Now it has a way to consolidate my chat lists. I've been doing it with meebo at work, and Adium at home (both combine AIM, Gtalk, MSN, Yahoo and ICQ). But hey, if my gmail is already on, why not?

via Lifehacker

Funny quotes from the past few weeks

2007-12-04T15:28:00.000-08:00

"Biracial couples, ftw."
- V, during a chat session.

"You look like you'd be perfect for a mugging."
- Coworker Jennifer, upon seeing me walking into the office with a briefcase in one hand, a travel mug and my lunch in the other, with a full bag over my shoulder.

"I'm an adult now. What's with this cherry crap?"
- a 12-year old client, on why his mother gives him children's cough syrup.

"I want a baby, now. But I don't want to want it like I want a Wii."
- me, on the differentiating the correct intentions of wanting to start a family.

Things I learned from my first NaNoWriMo

2007-12-03T06:29:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry to report that I didn't make it to 25,000 words. The final count was 22,303. Although I'm disappointed, I'm also very proud of myself for even getting that far. I'm already looking forward to next year and I'm certain that I'm going to continue writing (short stories, though) to keep the muscles warmed up for next November. I promised myself that I would close this one off at 25K, even if it's an abrupt, disjointed ending. La convinced me that it would give me some resolution and sense of accomplishment. Working without pressure, though, is just not the same.

Things I learned from my first NaNo that will help me complete it next year:

Start on the first of November. I started on the fifth because I was too nervous to get the first word down.
Don't have a New Month (eve's eve) party the night before the last day. I got way too happily drunk and couldn't function the next day.
Have a basic plot idea before the first of the month.
Don't get stuck in writing sequentially. I was bored with some sections at times, and should have just kept the momentum going by writing more interesting parts, then stitching them together in the right order after the thirtieth.
Toward the third week, start planning for the end. A few days ago, I made a list of all the loose ends I wanted to tie back up and where I wanted it to go. It was very helpful, but too late.
Don't do NaNoWriMo a month after you get married. Believe it or not, I was still recovering from the wedding madness, only to be thrown into NaNo madness.
I need to go to Write-Ins and NaNo events next year. I can see how they can be motivating.
Convince La to do it again next year. She was a major inspiration for me to write day in and day out. (I'm a bit competitive)

Overall it was so much fun. This is the first time I've ever done something like this. I've grown a new appreciation for books and their authors that you can only earn from trying to do it yourself. I'm happy that I finally participated and got the nerves out. Next year I'm going to kick some literary ass. If anyone participates next year, let me know.

Ninja Parade. Who said that?

2007-11-28T17:09:00.000-08:00

I saved this as a draft awhile ago and just found it. Genius!

Ninja Parade Slips Through Town Unnoticed Once Again
via The Onion

The Final Lap of NaNoWriMo

2007-11-28T08:43:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what a little indifference and disappointment can do to sideswipe my motivation to write my NaNo. Since my last entry, I've gotten back into playing FIFA 08, got caught up on Heroes, Man vs. Wild, and Pushing Daisies, watched 4 or 5 movies (go see The Mist), and gotten to know my new DSLR better. Not to say that I haven't written anything. At the time of this writing, I'm at 22,039 words with 2 days left. I've decided that I will try to make the 25K word mark. Halfway... Meh.

I'm in the process of closing down the story now. It's way premature, but I'm figuring that if I don't wrap it up now, I'm never going to touch the story again. I'm trying to convince myself that 25K words is pretty damn good for my first NaNo. Actually, my first piece of fiction ever written for leisure! I'm already psyched about next year.

But to close off a story, I'm realizing that there are too many loose ends to tie up in 3000 words and/or 3 days. I feel like I'm still developing the story. I'm trying to avoid those lame plot twists to speed up the pace. E.g., "and then he woke up." *shiver* What's sad is that there really is no climax to the story (yet. if only I had a few more weeks...), so there won't be much resolution. The outline of my story: Build, build, wait for it...wait for it...end. The building of the characters is rather good, in my opinion.

The characters had been leading the story thus far. I feel like I know them well enough and I've just been watching what they do. But now I have to intervene and burden them with artificial events. Again...meh.

Wish me luck on the next 3000. I'll be back with final report in a few days.

Short Update (or NaNoWriMo is taking over!)

2007-11-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

As you can tell from my latest status update, it's been all about the NaNoing. I'm way behind on word count. I'm supposed to be over 25,000 words by now, but I'm at 15,618. Not too shabby for my first NaNo, but not quite up to par. I've relented to the fact that I'm probably not going to finish the full 50,000, but I'm going to continue writing until the last day to see how far I can get.

I'm having flashbacks of writing my thesis. All the self-doubt, low self-esteem and stress have returned. But this time around it's fully voluntary with no consequences if I don't succeed. People have likened it to running a marathon. I can see that I'm already winning by getting this far. 15K words of fiction for leisure??? I never would have thought I could do that.

To help with the process, I have purchased a piece of gadget pr0n...the AlphaSmart Neo. It's a throwback to a pre-Internets age of single functioning instruments. It's a word processor...and that's all. But it's a damn good, full-featured one! I could go crazy on how great it is, but there are millions of others who have reviewed this wonderful piece of artwork. It's light and there are no distractions. I'm a chump for gadgets and this seems to be one of the gadgets many people are using strictly for NaNoWriMo.

This weekend will be some good catch up time, as will the Thanksgiving break. Wish me luck. And if anyone has any random writing prompts to help me write this story, please leave a comment.

2guys1cup

2007-11-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

Whoa...even John Mayer knows about 2girls1cup! (link NSFW!)

via funnyordie.com

NaNoWriMo Brainstorming...What if...?

2007-10-25T22:30:00.000-07:00

It's less than a week to the start of NaNoWriMo. I'm in the process of brainstorming ideas on where and how to start on the first of November. I want to follow the counsel of Stephen King, as he wrote in his book On Writing. The way he writes stories is to create a situation, first. Then place characters in that situation and narrate what happens.

A strong enough situation renders the whole question of plot moot, which is fine by me. The most interesting situations can be usually expressed as a What-if question: What if vampires invaded a small New England Town? (Salem's Lot)... What if a young mother and her son became trapped in their stalled car by a rabid dog? (Cujo)

I'm trying to think of interesting situations in which to eventually put my characters. Any ideas?

National Novel Writing Month

2007-10-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

I'm officially registered to be a part of this year's National Novel Writing Month. NaNoWriMo is something that I've wanted to do for awhile now. Last year, I was in the midst of planning a wedding (well, actually, La was), so I postponed. The year before was, "I'll do it next year." Yet, it's NaNoWriMo's vision to eradicate that exact attitude.

So here's the skinny on NaNoWriMo. Every November, this Oakland based non-profit organization holds an event that motivates people to write a 50,000 (175 page) novel in 30 days. They define novel as "a lengthy work of fiction." It's to get what's in, out. No worries about quality, just quantity. How many areas in life can you say that?

I can't explain it as well as they do on their FAQs and About page, so here's a few quotes from them:

"Let's write laughably awful yet lengthy prose together."
"People who take their writing (and themselves) very seriously should probably go elsewhere. Everyone else, though, is warmly welcomed."
"Novel writing is mostly a 'one day' event. As in 'One day, I'd like to write a novel.'"
Aiming low is the best way to succeed.
"NaNoWriMo is all about the magical power of deadlines. Give someone a goal and a goal-minded community and miracles are bound to happen. Pies will be eaten at amazing rates. Alfalfa will be harvested like never before. And novels will be written in a month."
"The other reason we do NaNoWriMo is because the glow from making big, messy art, and watching others make big, messy art, lasts for a long, long time. The act of sustained creation does bizarre, wonderful things to you. It changes the way you read. And changes, a little bit, your sense of self. We like that."

So who's in with me? I'll be strictly focusing on word count for this first year of participation. Plot, character development, theme, blah blah blah is all peripheral. I can picture some of the people who read this as good candidates (*ahem* V). Let's get this novel writing shit done!

Register at http://www.nanowrimo.org/

On a hike, a year ago today...

2007-10-23T07:38:00.000-07:00

Today is the anniversary of the day I gave a ring to La. Now I wear a ring, too.

I know I haven't written much about the wedding. This isn't the place where I would go into detail. If you want full details, email/call or write me a letter. But I'll humor those who won't do any of those things, albeit briefly.

The wedding ceremony couldn't have been more perfect. My sister married us off. I looked out to the small crowd of about 80 family and friends, lots with pints of Guiness and glasses of wine. The ceremony took no longer than 20 minutes. I got to talk to and enjoy all of the company that were invited. It was a good day.

Today is the celebration of what started it all.

Val and Albert are my brothers

2007-10-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

This is probably not new to many of you, but my co-worker just came in here cracking up about doing this all weekend.

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Blue Steel! I am a hottie!

http://www.myheritage.com/collage

Blog Action Day (or: Back from my honeymoon at a Costa Rican Eco-Lodge)

2007-10-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

We arrived back in Oakland at 2am. We started our return home from the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica at 6am (local) with a stopover in San Salvador, El Salvador. I left work this morning at 7:45.

I am exhausted. I've been staring at my computer screen all day in a daze. As tired as I am, I wanted to make a small contribution to Blog Action Day about the environment.

My honeymoon at Lapa Rios is the easiest way to link my recent happenings with this blogging cause. But please excuse my crude description. Pictures and stories are to follow.

The pictures on the Lapa Rios website tell the story better than I ever can right now. In fact, pictures 3, 5, 6, and 8 on the bungalow description pag e show the room we stayed in. Yes, I am that lazy right now.

The highlight of the trip for me were the hikes we took in the rain forest. The first one was a night hike where we walked in and up a river. At one point we turned off our flashlights. I couldn't see a foot in front of my face. It was terrifying to have no sight, by which the noises of the night seemed to become deafening.

On the other tour on our last day, we walked down the same river, sometimes thigh-deep, to a couple of waterfalls. We climbed one and swam by the other. Words fail me now. But even if I was rested, I couldn't fully describe the beauty and power of the Costa Rican rain forest.

We received, as part of our wedding registry, a sound machine clock (that also projects the time on the ceiling!) that has a "rain forest" soundscape. It's pretty close, sans howler monkeys and those "tink" frogs. It makes me want to visit Costa Rica again soon.

Keeping my head up

2007-10-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Bulleted update:

5 days until the big one.
Last weekend was my bachelor party in Vegas. Still recovering.
Parents are here. Future parents arriving tomorrow.
New DSLR in the mail from future parents! Say Word!
Still catching up on old notes. Preventing me from stressing out properly about wedding.
Haven't played Halo or watched a football match in ages.
Raiders won me some money in Vegas. First place?!!?!

To try to keep centered, I'm trying to do things to keep me laughing. These three videos always make me smile. (kinda says something that 2 out of 3 videos are of babies) Enjoy. Wish me luck. Send over good vibes.

Single Digits

2007-09-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my world of the single digit countdown to my wedding.

Where is everyone?

2007-09-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

An oddity in the world of teh internets...

My buddy list only has one person on it. Hello? *echo* hellooooooo? *crickets* It feels eerie to be in IM isolation.

Please come back.

Hey firewall...let people back in!!!

Recovering from Halo

2007-09-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

I stayed up until midnight playing Halo 3. That may not sound like much to a lot of you, but I've waking up at 6 every morning for the past 2 weeks. My body is programmed to wake me up around that time no matter what time I go to bed. Which leaves me to how I'm feeling now. A big M-E-H.

I'll spare you the details about the video game itself because I'm sure you're already sick of the Halo hype. I have to admit, though, I had a good time last night. I was getting housed left and right. I was hesitant to play online because I knew that Halo addicts would be storming the servers. But to my delight I got 4 kills in my first match. Godawful for most folks, but an amazing start for me. It all went downhill from there, but I can't wait to get back on.

Genius in Simplicity

2007-09-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Chris Glass was fed up with mice crawling up his chair and hiding in his sleeves.

via chrisglass.com

Wow...High School Reunion

2007-09-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

Right before I was about to post something about a 5-year old neighbor of mine, I routinely checked my buddy list. Since I'm not on my personal computer nicknames don't show up. I saw a screenname that I almost recognized that took me awhile to guess who it was.

It happened to be a woman that I had a crush on way back in high school. It was an innocent crush, one that I knew wouldn't go anywhere because she was dating a friend of mine. As we chatted and caught up on our adult lives, a barrage of old memories about high school came back. The joy. The pain. The torment of adolescent life. The testing of different roles and personalities. The complications of friend dynamics.

I realized that I draw on the experiences of my high school years in doing the work that I do now. In fact, I've shared the story of love unrequited of this woman whom I just chatted, to a client of mine who was going through a similar situation. "This is too confusing to explain," he told me. "Do you get what I mean?"

"Do I!?!?!?..."

I've been going through spurts of reflecting on my past during these last weeks before my wedding. My childhood: High school, Undergrad, even Grad School. Marriage is such a grown-up thing to do. *shiver* Am I a grown-up? It feels like this marriage will seal the deal.

Ten years ago?

2007-09-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

While I was writing my backed up progress notes yesterday (yes on the weekend *grrr*) I was listening to the 90s station on Music Choice. (on a tangent...Music Choice on Comcast is pretty good. I've been listening to it a lot recently because my room hasn't been set up yet to access my external harddrive where my music is. So I just turn on the TV and turn up the volume. I have my tv connected to external speakers, so it sounds great.) I was transported to a 90s state of mind. A barrage of songs that I listened to during that era rushed into my head. They weren't even playing on Music Choice. I took a lot of them down to get later, but I had to see the video for Natalie Imbruglia's Torn. It was such a visual experience back then...

TEN YEARS AGO!!! It's been that long. Fuck.

It brought back memories both good and bad. But the song itself makes me happy. The video makes me happier. Oh Natalie! Why do you have to be such a cutie with your short hair, hooded sweatshirt and silly closing guitar solo dance that I love to imitate! Don't worry, I'll take care of you and put you back together with scotch tape.

The 12 most ridiculous similies in music

2007-09-21T09:53:00.000-07:00

I really miss my Mac. I'm at my new job right now and forced to use a PC. Maybe it's because I'm so used to Mac OS that I'm whining, but the PC is so awkward. It's like riding a bike. I remember how to do everything and can do it with some thought. But it's so not intuitive.

...says the Mac snob

I came across this article in Cracked Magazine. I've always thought of Cracked as the Mad Magazine wannabe. This article is hilarious, though. Two of my faves are their description of Patrick Swayze's "She's like the wind" and Alanis Morrisette's "Ironic:"

Has anyone, in the history of mankind, ever needed a knife and ironically wound up with 10,000 spoons instead?
We're trying to imagine the circumstances, but each scenario seems more unlikely than the last:

You work at the spoon factory, and the only way to unjam a cog in the spoon-making machine is to grease it by spreading butter over it.
You invited the band 10,000 Maniacs to a dinner party, and the caterer, worried that they were in fact 10,000 maniacs, thought it best to limit their access to sharp items.
You are armed for an invasion of Cereal Land, but the gates are being guarded by two juicy 72-ounce steaks.

via Cracked

Poor Rich People

2007-09-17T16:13:00.000-07:00

In The Know: Are America's Rich Falling Behind The Super-Rich?
via The Onion

Twitter 6th sense

2007-09-16T07:24:00.001-07:00

This is a great Wired article for all those twitter naysayers who complain that 0ne line "tweets" can never tell a full story about someone's life. These same folks don't see the need for a play-by-play of everyday life. But it's not in the individual tweets, but all of them as a whole that creates what the article calls "social proprioception:"

They give a group of people a sense of itself, making possible weird, fascinating feats of coordination.

Twitter and other constant-contact media create social proprioception. They give a group of people a sense of itself, making possible weird, fascinating feats of coordination. For example, when I meet Misha for lunch after not having seen her for a month, I already know the wireframe outline of her life: She was nervous about last week's big presentation, got stuck in a rare spring snowstorm, and became addicted to salt bagels.

So why has Twitter been so misunderstood? Because it's experiential. Scrolling through random Twitter messages can't explain the appeal. You have to do it — and, more important, do it with friends. (Monitoring the lives of total strangers is fun but doesn't have the same addictive effect.) ... It's practically collectivist — you're creating a shared understanding larger than yourself.

And now...a shameless plug to gain social proprioception into my world.

Status Update

2007-09-16T07:23:00.000-07:00

as of 16 September 2007

* Twitter status: Alvin... blog post and status update (less than a minute ago)
* On repeat: Doo Wah Ditty by Zapp & Roger, Bubbly by Colbie Caillat
* Reading: The things they carried
* Current Obsession: Wedding in 21 days
* Last unnecessary purchase: Football beads at the Raiders Season Opener

My Morning People

2007-09-16T06:40:00.000-07:00

I've developed this habit of opening the slatted windows in the bathroom while I'm taking a piss. Partly because I can. Partly because I want fresh air while I urinate.

During the morning, though, another strange habit has consequently appeared. I've been trying to get back on the "early riser" routine, again. My first piss arrives around 6:30am. Even today, a Sunday I was doing my business with window open soaking in the morning air.

But I noticed that I've been keeping tabs on who has been awake around the same time as I am. It's just dark enough that people's lights have to be turned on. If I'm lucky, I can still see inside their dwellings.

In my split second assessment, I make my rounds from window to window. It's liking taking a roll call:

Shitty apartment dweller, who uses their deck as a storage area.... Here!

Nice apartment on the opposite hill with party lanterns hanging from their front window... Present!

The back of a poorly designed 60's apartment with a forrest on their deck... Awake!

Buhler...Buhler...Buhler...

I have an intimate knowledge of their sleeping habits. Or at the least, their lighting-usage habits. They are unknowingly part of my morning community and my morning routine. We are closer than they'll ever realize. Every morning for about 20 seconds we share the start (or end ) of the day together. I close the slatted windows and I start my day.

Tired but Funky

2007-09-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow...readers are coming out! Thanks V and Jas for the comments. The video below is dedicated to you two.

If I felt South Carolinish a couple of weeks ago, I feel like this today:

Well, not entirely. I stayed up last night until 2 in the morning playing FIFA 07. I created myself and put me as a striker for Arsenal. I made myself around the same height and build as my real world greatness. But...I made myself 21 and souped up my attributes. My victory dance is The Robot followed by the Running Man. Being 5'4" no matter how good you are doesn't give you much of an advantage when you're running against 6-footers with 4-foot legs. I couldn't win a match until 2.

Now I'm at my old job finishing notes. I'll be here for another month. I'm that behind.

This weekend was full of celebration and drinking. Friday was my going away/marriage license party. Lots of free drinks and good people. Saturday was the last Victory match. We lost, but went out with alcohol, semi-pitch invasions, flares and smokebombs. I got two jerseys from Chucky Kim! They smell like death but their mine! Sunday was the Raiders home opener. More drinking and yelling. After the game I felt so ill that I had a quarter of a head of iceburg lettuce for dinner.

I've been heavily relying on the services of Twitter. So all of you loyal followers...all 4 of you...you can keep up to date with me there. I will try to post more interesting entries soon. I only really have time for updates.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!

2007-09-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

This week is going to be crazy. As much as I would want to post, I don't think I'll have enough time. It's my last week at my current job. I'm so backed up on paperwork that it's sick. I'll be doing paperwork well after my departure. I'm also trying to transition to my next job...getting fingerprinted and going onsite for the first time on Monday.

Friday I will be applying for my marriage license. Wait...that didn't come out right. Friday I WILL BE APPLYING FOR MY MARRIAGE LICENSE!!! Thank you, I feel better now. Plus lots of drama going on with the wedding planning which is too deep to get into here.

Twitter is your best bet in finding out what's been going on with me. I update pretty consistently. The one line aspect of it makes the commitment a lot easier and stress free. You can either log onto this page and look at the top of the blog or go directly to http://twitter.com/alllgood And if you're really nerdy you can subscribe to my twitter feed.

Disgrace under pressure

2007-08-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

First...a shoutout to Lelie and La. Two people who I recently found out read this blog. I feel that since I've left xanga, I've been writing for myself but with delusions that millions of readers visit this blog. I don't get many comments anymore, which leads me to assume that no one reads this. I'm glad you two are reading the fruits of my procratination.

I've been pretty busy lately with many life-changing events and haven't had much time to update myself here. I've moved into a new apartment, have a new job and am 40 days away from my wedding. I've been pretty swamped with errands and emotions. This video captures how I've been feeling lately. I thought AC Slater was a meathead. His reaction speaks, "Wow...I am smart." This video is painful...please refrain from watching if you have a weak heart.

Drew Carey - Footy Ambassador on Letterman

2007-07-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

Drew Carey was on Letterman (last night?) talking about being the new host of the Price is Right. The topics of sports comes up and he goes into this 4-minute brilliant monologue on why soccer is his sport. Explains it in a way that the American audience could digest. True footy fan through and through. On Beckham..."I'm gay for him." Awesome!

(via Throughball.com)

Recycling

2007-07-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

I might be late on this but I only recently came across an SFist blog entry featured this YouTube video mashup of Gwen Verdon renditon of a Bob Fosse dance called "Mexican Breakfast," and DJ Unk's song "Walk it out." The video is most likely from a 60's talk show and you can find the original version here, with original flute-driven 60's background music.

(via SFist)

Update:
Here's another one with the Teletubbies. There's another one with "Happy Feet" but isn't as good.

4.2 at 4:42 and April 2008

2007-07-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Like the rest of the Bay Area blogosphere, I am posting about the crazy earthquake that happened this morning. The epicenter was about 3 miles from where I live. I think I slept through the first second of it. The second 4.2 wave definitely shook me awake. Things fell off shelves. La grasp my arm. A second later it ended and I fell right back asleep. I guess I'm becoming a true Californian.

In other Earthquake news, the San Jose Earthquakes are definitely coming back in 2008! I already got my season ticket reserved! I'm so excited about the MLS coming back to the Bay Area. I'm a bit worried with what the fate of the California Victory will be. People have told me that traveling to SJ from SF or Oakland gets old pretty quickly. And that there's a certain pride of the Victory being SF's team. The Vics will have to do some amazing things to prevent turnover from ruining the club. Right now, the crowd averages a little under 1000. Who knows what that will become when a club that knows how to handle its business and its fans comes back into town.

Why America should fall in love with football (soccer)

2007-07-14T17:52:00.000-07:00

I rarely post whole articles on this blog. And for that matter, I've never posted a whole article about football. Mostly, though, because many of you could care less about it. But this is a great one that I came across from an Orlando Sentinel soccer blog called "The other football." With big names coming into the MLS, I really do feel that America is slowly coming around to being a part of the world's game. And the momentum is building from the US's Gold Cup win, and the US U-20 team getting to the quarterfinals of the U-20 World cup. Enjoy

Why America should fall in love with football (soccer)
Posted by Brant Parsons on Jul 12, 2007 7:30:00 AM

Have you been to an NBA game recently? Judging by the empty seats I've seen at the few Orlando Magic games I've attended, I'm guessing your answer is no.

But if you had, you would have been treated to constant artificial noise in the form of sound effects and music. Every single touch of the ball, every single possession has something played loud enough to drown out all possible normal thought.

The only time the crowd noise rises above a murmur is when free (and worthless) t-shirts are being tossed into the greedy hands of the crowd or when a meter is put on the scoreboard to measure "crowd noise." A blind person could go to an NBA game and know when those two things were going on because that's the only time the crowd wakes up.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because Major League Soccer sent out an edict to all of their clubs this season to eliminate artificial noise and music and to limit their use of PA announcements.

So at a Major League Soccer match you won't have some overweight blowhard telling the crowd to "Get up and Cheer for their team!"

This is what American pro sports have had to resort to just to keep the interest of their fickle fan base.

Here's another. You're watching yet another boring game in the National Football League forced upon you by the TV networks. A team scores, then there is a two minute plus commercial break. They kick off. Another commercial break. Then a play or two and a time out. Another commercial break.

In ten minutes time, there probably has been about ten seconds of action. And this is the country's most popular sport?!?

In a regulation soccer match, there is one break, halftime. There are no timeouts, no chances for coaches to extend the final ten seconds to a half hour. It is constant movement, constant gameplay.

There are no loud beer commercials, no inappropriate ads for sexual inadequacy and you always know how long a match is going to last - less than two hours.

Tomorrow in Los Angeles, the U.S. mainstream world is going to be introduced to the biggest soccer star to come to America since Pele in the 1970s when David Beckham is announced as a new member of the Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

The press conference alone will get more coverage than the MLS Cup last season. Curious eyes will look upon the beautiful game for the first time ever, and I think it's about time that America fell in love with this game and what better time than now.

This isn't about Major League Soccer, it's not about the World Cup or any other competition the U.S. men's national team is in. This is about the world's most popular game finally taking hold in America.

And why shouldn't it?

There are no TV timeouts in soccer, there isn't 35 seconds between plays, or 12 seconds between pitches. The noise made at matches is real and from the fans that support the club, not some preprogrammed sound effect blasted through over-amplified speakers. But most importantly, the action of the field is superb.

Soccer has a free flowing nature, always moving, always changing. It can be an elegant ballet or a gritty, physical jazz number. Its athletes are some of the fittest in the world, possessing skills that have taken lifetimes to master and it shows during the course of a match. It is a game that can go minutes at a pedestrian pace only to light up like a firecracker with a simple touch of the ball.

There will be those that complain about the lack of scoring in soccer and my guess is they have never watched a match, for while there might be only a few goals, there are plenty of game-changing moments. There are the times that the heart stops as a ball goes wide or when one's spirit drops as a game-winner ricochets off the post.

Because of these near misses, when a goal is scored, it is truly a masterful moment.

Can you really describe the moment when your club scores a match-winning goal. Or when you finally equalize against your hated rival after countless attempts fell just short. I can't, at least not with any words. It's a feeling that you can only share with someone that has felt it before, that has watched 89 minutes in misery only to have one kick give them a week of euphoria.

In my years of following sports, I've yet to find a moment that can lift or break me quicker or more powerfully than a goal scored.

But unlike basketball, or football - the scoring is just one aspect of the game that brings me back week after week, night after night. It's the intricate pass through the midfield, the determined header from a stout defender and the brilliant cross that lands perfectly on a teammate's boot from 40 yards out.

It's this entire ninety minute experience that enraptures my soul and fuels my obsession. From opening kickoff to the final whistle it's the most complete sporting experience out there and it's time America took off their blinders and let it in.

Because once they do, they'll find out why the world loves football. And they'll notice one other distinct thing, the noise made by the fans is of their own as footy fans don't need a noise meter, or free t-shirts or annoying fat PA announcers to make them stand up and cheer because it's already in their blood and it's the game that turns them on.

And if David Beckham opens this door for them, and let's them into this wonderful world, then Becks signing with Los Angeles is the greatest sporting moment this country could have and every single person that he touches with this gift, will agree with me.

Good luck Becks. America is ready.

I'm sorry for being part of the hype...

2007-07-13T14:10:00.000-07:00

Mirror images and Status update

2007-07-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

1) Yesterday, I saw a deer crossing in front of a deer crossing sign.

2) I've experimentally uploaded most of this blog on my experimental WordPress.com experiment.

Status Update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... yawning on my 2nd Monday of the week(5 minutes ago)
* On repeat: Wilco's new album
* Reading: The West with the Night by Beryl Markham
* Current Obsession: footballing
* Last unnecessary purchase:football boots (soccer cleats), soccer ball, soccer socks, and a ball pump

101

2007-06-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

There are 101 days before my wedding day! As a number like that, it seems more real. Tomorrow will sound even more dramatic. It's hard for me to believe that it is a little over 3 months away. That's just around the corner.

Excuse me as sit with this.

ScribeFire/WordPress/dot mac

2007-06-19T12:06:00.001-07:00

Note: I'm testing the Firefox plugin ScribeFire (previously Perfomancing) to post to Blogger. This entry is solely to test out the plugin. The content below is a boring stream of thought account of myself looking for a new hosting account.

Update: I can tell already that I don't like using ScribeFire

I've been looking at new blogging software, lately, because my dot mac account will expire in October. I'm trying to figure out whether there are other and/or better alternatives to dot mac's lame features. The only reason I'd stay with dot mac is the ease of synchronizing data and its seemless integration with I already have. Laziness aside, dot mac is very limiting.

I've been looking for hosting packages that could support alternative services. So far, no luck in finding comparable packages that are easy to set up. I'm pretty proficient in the ways of the computer, but a lot of these tweaks require a Unix geek. I could move away from dot mac, but that would entail learning a foreign language.

If I do subscribe to a new host, I would like to add the blog to it. I could use Blogger to run the blog on my own host. The only alternative that I would be willing to try is WordPress. Open source, good. Free (as in both freedom and beer), also good. I've read a couple articles comparing WordPress and Blogger. Both have their respective strengths. I opened a WordPress.com blog just to play around with the WP interface. It's not the same as the WP package that would be installed on your own host, but pretty similar.

This reminds me of my gradual shift from Xanga to Blogger. I started on Xanga for the ease of use and the community. I opened a Blogger account to see what it was about, but it laid dormant for a couple of years. I eventually realized that Blogger offered a lot more features that I wanted and now I use them like crazy. Is WordPress the next progression in my blogging career? We'll see in a couple of years.

Technorati Tags: testing

The Campaign is over

2007-06-17T22:28:00.000-07:00

The Hyphy FC Champions League has ended. *sigh* We went down with guns blazing, though. We beat Inter to get a Golden Ticket to get into the group stage. We beat Werder Bremen in the first knockout round 3-3 (agg), on away goals, by the skin of our teeth.

In the quarterfinals, we met AC Milan. They housed us at home 3-2. The final match I rallied back to tie up the aggregate at 4-4, but their 3 away goals beat our 2. Fuck! I know, it's only a video game. But now I have to earn another 40 points for another Golden Ticket, so I can compete in it again. 40 points in "World Class" mode will take forever. Even if I go winless from now on, it'll take 14 match wins!!!

I'm still getting over the loss. Give me a minute...

She is so punk rock!

2007-06-15T13:28:00.000-07:00

Something to cheer you up...

I love it when she sings about "La" and when she brings us back to "Do!" \m/ \m/ Rock on, little one!

Taking showers in the dark

2007-06-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

This is definitely going to be a TMI entry. You can stop now.

Or go on. You've been warned.

My last "tweet" was "about to take a shower in the dark." I thought it was worthy of explanation. About a month ago, when I was about to take a shower, I noticed that the sun was reflecting off the skylight alley of my bathroom window. The light was bright enough to light the bathroom but just dim enough that reading would be difficult. The electric light was already on, by habit. I decided, then, to turn off the light and take a shower in the reflected sunlight.

Interestingly, the shower had a different feel. It could have been because my sense of sight was dulled and I took more notice of my sense of touch. Or it could have been that the muted natural light was calming. Whatever it was, it just felt good. I was refreshed in a new way.

Since then, I've done it whenever there is any sign of light in the alley. There have been times in the morning when I can barely see what I'm doing. I highly recommend trying it at least one time. If you do, please make a comment and tell me how it was.

Hyphy FC 5-2 Inter (or: I skinned my knee playing video games)

2007-06-14T08:19:00.000-07:00

It was a crazy match this morning before work. I had to sign a new physio doctor because the contract of my previous one ran out, and I couldn't get a new contract card. The match opened up with a Park Ji-Sung header, that gave us a 1-0 lead. Gilardino scored quickly after. By halftime Park scored another. 3-0 into the second half, I was pretty psyched.

Morale got low with two successive Inter goals. Another goal to Gilardino. Then in the last 5 minutes Park scored his hat-trick and I jumped from the couch in excitement skinning my knee on the wicker coffee table.

7 points away from the Golden Ticket. And I got an achievement unlocked - 4 goals in a Professional match. Go Dork! Go Dork! Go Dork! *running man*

RBNY v. DCU update
La won the first leg of our MLS bet with a 4-2 DCU victory. Those 2 away goals can help pull the Red Bulls out of the hole. I did the dishes that day. *sigh* Next match 22 July. Oh shit! There's another one after that?!? I'll have to talk to La about that. We might have to renegotiate the bet.

Hyphy FC update

2007-06-08T23:34:00.000-07:00

I haven't reported how my own squad, Hyphy FC is doing (on Champions League on the 360). We've made it to Level 5 and I now have access to purchasing gold packs. The team is beginning to gain some chemistry. With the acquisition of Stephen Gerrard, Park Ji Sung and Alberto Gilardino, Hyphy FC is becoming a force to be reckoned with. Although, we lost the last match to AC Milan 3-1, the previous wins against Arsenal (1-0) and Inter (2-0) definitely is giving us hope.

I've changed from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 during the match against Milan. That could have been our downfall. The two previous wins inflated my ego and I thought we could attack a bit more. The competition has been getting rougher, it almost feels like an MLS game. I've had 3 guys injured in the last two matches. Arsenal and AC Milan were fouling like crazy; Senderos even got red carded for taking out people. Next match will be with Man U. Gotta rest up for that one.

The beauty in everyday life

2007-06-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

You have to view this picture by unaesthetic on flickr, in full screen. It's mesmerizing.

To put you in a more zombie-like mood, check out life from a cat's point of view.

Status Update (or: Sports Day, the Vics Win)

2007-06-08T09:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I took a day off from work. I've had a cold for the last 4 days. So to cure my illness I went to the A's game vs. Red Sox. It was a mostly boring game, other than Schilling almost having a no hitter until the bottom of the 9th.

We finally got our first win!!! And to the defending champions! I'm so glad that at I was at this match. I was feeling very ill (I have a cold) but it was well worth it.

I'll leave the commentating to those who could give it justice. But from my observations, this is the first time the boys looked competent on the pitch. They had possession more consistently and on our 1/3 of the pitch. They seem to be working the flanks a lot better and attempting switches more often. The back field is finally gelling and they are getting more creative in the front. Most of the attempts were for naught, but it's refreshing to see that they now have the courage to try to make some good plays.

I feel somewhat better today. I think I'm kicking this cold.

Status Update:

* Twitter status: Alvin... celebrating the Vics first win 3 minutes ago
* On repeat: Cover songs: Crazy by Ray LaMontagne, Creep by Damien Rice and Nothing Compares 2 U by Stereophonics
* Reading: The West with the Night by Beryl Markham
* Current Obsession: California Victory's first win
* Last unnecessary purchase: Kubb set and an Oakland A's cap

Mini-me

2007-06-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

I just had a Sara Lee Mini Bagel. I was quite surprised. Not because it was moist and delicious. But more because it was the perfect size for me. These lovely rounds can fit in the palm of your hand. The minis are a bit bigger than holes of some "normal" sized bagels, but was perfect to satisfy my hunger.

In looking for a picture for this entry, I found an article that claims that bagels are two to three times larger than a decade ago. Were these minis the size of bagels when I was growing up? In a very surreal way, the Alvin-to-Bagel ratio has stayed frighteningly consistent. *shiver*

Status Update (or: Twitter on NPR?!?!)

2007-05-25T10:36:00.000-07:00

I just got to work. I was listening to an NPR podcast that announced a "new" trend of a type of short, real-time blog that is catching on these days. Twitter.

C'mon folks!!! Join twitter already and become my twit! I know that I've pushed you hard in the past to recruit you. But if it's on NPR it's about time. It's kinda like when formerly hip and socially acceptable phrases turn up on balloons, greeting cards and posters with animals: "Totally Awesome!" "What's up dog?" "Phat!"

Get on it!

Status Update:

* Twitter status: Alvin... just heard about twitter on NPR?!?
* On repeat: Everything reminds me of her by Elliot Smith
* Reading: The West with the Night by Beryl Markham
* Current Obsession: California Victory
* Last unnecessary purchase: USMNT Scarf and a P-touch Labeler

Addendum to Last Post

2007-05-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

I've got a fever...

More Cowbell!

2007-05-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

I unleashed the cowbell on Saturday when the Vics hosted the Whitecaps. I never realized how much power that thing holds! The chants were sporadic and a few came up spontaneously sans cowbell. But the supporters really came through when I started beating on it. I was a bit tentative about using it this first time. I didn't want to be annoying. But without taking the lead, the group was too quiet. This coming Saturday, I will have had all the nerves shaken off and will try to fill the air with noise as much as I can.

Sadly, the Vics lost 3-1. I was pretty tipsy throughout the whole thing. After the match, got more beverages at the pub. I talked to a few of the players and might have been a little harsh. But I snapped out of it and told them that we were out there for them and will always be cheering for our team.

This is my drunk ass trying to start a wave in the crowd. The guy behind me is whaling on the cowbell to rile them up. I was surprised how unresponsive the crowd was and how out of shape I really am. We'll see how they react next week.

Status Update (or: My 2 new obsessions)

2007-05-17T15:32:00.000-07:00

Hey Folks,

Things have been crazy lately on both the football and personal level. So all my writing, both here and journal, have been suffering. I went down to L.A. for a friend's graduation, but also got to see a Galaxy match. It was amazing to see 22K people to watch a football match! I really hope that the Quakes come back.

In local football, Victory aren't doing so well. Even so, I've caught the Victory fever. And I bought the only prescription to cure it...a cowbell. I went to the first match on Cinco de Mayo against the Mexican team, Necaxa. It was fun to meet other fans that I met on the discussion boards. Our group even made the SF Chronicle. I'm the fool in the back with the scarf La knitted for me.

I missed the home opener (I was at the Galaxy match) but I will try to make as many of the home matches that I can fit without La getting mad at me.
I'm still very active on the BigSoccer discussion boards. I seem to be checking and replying for most of the day. The supporters' group hasn't yet gone "official" with it's name, but it seems to be "1906." I don't like it, but whatever the name is I will still support the boys for the whole 90. This weekend they play the Vancouver Whitecaps (last years champion). If you're down to go, let me know. We need all the support we can get.

Another strange update is that I started playing Gears of War. I'm behind about 6 months. One day one of my clients starts talking about Counterstrike. He tried to convince me to get on it so I can play with him. The same night, I find out some friends in NY have it. They are gung-ho first person shooter fans (I, more of a sports video game player), and talked me into getting it. I have to admit, it is enjoyable. I might put down a deposit for the upcoming and highly anticipated Halo 3. Even now, after a few rounds of GoW, I take comfort and wind down by playing a few matches on UEFA Champions League.

Finally, my status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... typing notes in the dark (undefined)
* On repeat: Here Come The Victory
* Reading: The Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine
* Current Obsession: California Victory
* Last unnecessary purchase: A Cowbell and Gears of War

Victory Fever

2007-05-02T16:56:00.000-07:00

4
The number of times per minute I refresh a discussion board page.
I've been very active on the BigSoccer forums for the California Victory, bordering on obsessive. The first home match, a friendly with the Mexican club, Necaxa, is this Saturday, Cinco de Mayo!

On the boards, we've been discussing potential names for our supporters' group. I've been brainstorming like a madman. A lot of my suggestions are being incorporated. I think my suggestion for the name of our area of the stadium is sticking: The Praetorium. Just enough intellectual esotericism to keep people on their toes. I'll be totally psyched if that name gets finalized.

It's so much fun being a part of the birth of a supporters' group. All the power and potential of creation in the hands of those who are most enthusiastic. It'll be a little weird meeting these people that I've been chatting with on the boards. Brings me back to my days of IRC. Ah...those were the days.

Status Update

2007-04-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

* Twitter status: Alvin... writing progress notes *ugh*
* On repeat: Happier by Guster
* Reading: West with night by Beryl Markham
* Current Obsession: Dorodangos
* Last unnecessary purchase: Red Bull New York T-shirt.

FCD 0-1 RBNY Boo Yah!

2007-04-27T07:10:00.000-07:00

Not to rub it in anymore than I need to, but the Red Bulls are still unbeaten and still haven't conceded a single goal yet (an MLS record). 10 points and #1, thank you.

DCU had a bye week, but will be playing Columbus on Saturday. They better win, because this RBNY/DCU rivalry is getting a bit boring *yawn* I sort of want them to win, so that La doesn't get so downtrodden and hopeless. But, I really do want that jersey.

Second place, Fire, will be playing Dynamo. Dynamo is pretty pissed that Red Bulls beat them, so I'm sure that they'll be coming out with guns blazing. It's going to be a fun weekend.

In other football news...
I just received the season tickets to Victory. It's so sweet to hold a whole season's worth in one fist. I'm so psyched!

Dorodango, anyone?

2007-04-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

I so want to do this! I apologize for my enthusiasm to those who are already familiar with Dorodango. This is the coolest thing ever! It is a traditional pastime of Japanese children. It is simply a ball of mud shaped by hand, dried and polished to shine.

There is a simple process that a Japanese Developmental Psychologist outlines (as part of his research) to create these shiny balls of mud. I'm a bit skeptical, but would be willing to try. All you need is dirt, water, plastic bag (optional) and most importantly, time.

There is another site with a tutorial that includes videos. I will post my creations when I have time to do this. If you decide to do this please send me your work.

Teen Witch

2007-04-23T17:22:00.000-07:00

Tag line: To her, trouble comes super-naturally.

Due to the surprising recognition of the clip I posted a while back, I put this movie on my netflix queue.

It wasn't bad...as long as you're middle-school girl in the 80s wondering how it might be in high school with Wiccan powers. The lighting, the music, and the clothes are so 80s that it's hard for me not to think that the movie is not a caricature of some 80s movie.

I had my share of laughs, mostly from disbelief, looking through the fingers of my hands. If I had a nickel for every pastel article of clothing and shoulder pad...

Evie is still my all time favorite teen with supernatural powers crush. *touches fingertips together*

My first In-n-Out experience

2007-04-23T13:45:00.000-07:00

Grilled cheese...ANIMAL STYLE.
Fries...ANIMAL STYLE.

Good going IN. Scared of it coming OUT.

I feel so greasy, now.

Place your bets!

2007-04-21T14:32:00.000-07:00

There is quite a rivalry brewing within my household. Red Bull New York versus D.C. United. La is from the DC area and I from NY. The teams hate each other. Historically speaking, DC has dominated the MLS and the Red Bulls.

This year is different.

Already in week 2, Red Bulls are #2 in the east (only because the Revs played one more game than RBs) and DC, a very sad and pathetic #6...out of 7. RBs 1 win and 1 draw. DC *whispers* 2 losses. But then again, it's only the first two matches.

It can't be denied that DC is a scoring machine. 99% of all the bloggers and MLS gurus have predicted them to finish #1 in the eastern division. Red bulls, 4th or 5th. But that's okay.

For all of you to witness, and to officially declare the conditions of the bet, I present the following:

Bet #1 (2 parts)
1) Red Bulls will finish the season either 1 spot under DC, or beat them.
2) Red Bulls will finish with more goals (including a handicap of 6 goals [1/2 the difference of the goals DC had over RBs last year])

If part 1 is won then........

UPDATE:
I didn't get to finish this post before the RBs match started. La is just finishing the last of the dishes from the bet she just lost, as the RB won YET AGAIN. They are back to number one! Still undefeated for 3 weeks!!!

As I was saying, if only Part 1 is won, then the loser has to buy the winner a piece of gear of the winning club. If both Part 1 and 2 are won, then the loser has to either buy the winner a jersey of the winning team (if I win) or buy club gear and a night out on the town (if La wins).

Bet #2
Whoever wins an aggregate score of the two matches that RBs and DCU have this season...
Ya know, we didn't decide the prize yet. That derby will be a lot more exciting! I have to admit, I'm a little scared of the match-up. We'll cross that bridge...

In other football news, both La and I bought season tickets for California Victory! I'm so excited. Got such a deal on them. I can't wait.

Victory! kind of...

2007-04-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

I was in a state of panic when I heard the news that the deal that the San Jose Earthquakes will play in Spartan Stadium for next season did not go through. Big Lew has said that he has "other options" but really what can they be?

I'm really jonesin' to watch live footy. While I'm down in LA for a friend's graduation in May, I'm gonna hit up Galaxy match. The USMNT v. China is coming up in June. I totally forgot that the California Victory is having their inaugural season as an expansion team for the USL! They're going to be playing in SF, just a hop skip and car ride for me. As for every expansion team out there, there's not much expectation that they will be good this year. But professional football in the Bay Area is good enough for me. It's unfortunate that their first home match will be the same day that I'll be watching Galaxy. But their next home match is a Friendly with Necaxa on...

*wait for it*

Cinco de Mayo!

Who's with me?!? I've been up on the message boards of Victory fans. It's been fun to witness the birth of a fan club. They've been discussing what their name should be, organizing chants, finding meeting places and deciding where they want to be in the stadium. I can't wait for the season to start!

Status Update

2007-04-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

* Twitter status: Alvin... just finished with "difficult" client. Not so difficult *brushes shoulders off*
* On repeat: Some Devil by Dave Matthews Band
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: Red Bull New York and the MLS
* Last unnecessary purchase: Red Bull T-shirt.

No Boxspring Bird within earshot

2007-04-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Upon coming home from the laundromat (yes, the damn apartment washing machine is still broken), La noticed that our upstairs neighbor was all done up and leaving the apartment with a date. It was a Sunday, just like the last time she uncaged the Boxspring Bird (ee EE ee EE ee EE!). I was hopeful and expecting a late night wake up call.

I know I should be minding my own business. I'm just rationalizing that it becomes my business when the sound waves travel through the ceiling. They're my sound waves, now! Over the past few weeks a story has unfolded in my mind about her life. You can tell a lot about a person through the sound they make above you.

She gets up in the morning around 7, and for some reason her feet weigh 50 pounds heavier than at night. Right out of the shower, she must put on her high heels because for the rest of the morning I can track exactly where she is in her hardwood floor apartment. She slams open the garage door that make a distinct noises that sound like 3 deep heartbeats. Then, her car starts with an odd wheezing yelp. It's a noisy morning. On the last 3 or 4 weekends (after the moaning marathon), she has been blasting sad music in her living room. I must have heard Beck's Sea Change album on repeat on at least 4 occasions. It made me want to see if she's okay or even just give her a hug. This is what made me root for her last night.

Around 11pm last night, she came home with another set of footsteps and a deep voice. Giggling ensued. It was going to be so on! I fell asleep waiting for something to happen above me. I think I might have heard a moan, but that was probably a dream. 7am this morning, she got up, the deep voice still present. No morning nookie. I can't help to feel disappointed for her. For all I know, it could have been the story of bad intentions turning into a sweet "let's just hold each other" night.

I'm still rooting for you, girl!

Gum jingle or Pussycat Dolls song?

2007-04-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Get your skis shined up. Grab a stick of Juicy Fruit.
The taste is gonna move you.
Take sniff. Pull it out.
The taste is gonna move you when you pop it in your mouth.
Juicy Fruit is gonna move ya.
It chews so soft, it gets right to ya.
Juicy Fruit...
The taste, the taste, the taste is gonna move ya.

The images aren't even implicit or subliminal. I haven't seen this commercial since Saturday Morning cartoons of yesteryear. I have to admit, I got a little hot and bothered watching it.
I swear...put a Neptunes or a Timbaland beat on this with Justin Timberlake rapping the lyrics...certified platinum!

It's like watching a car crash. Top That!

2007-04-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

It's so bad, it hurts.

"Look how funky he is! I will never be hip."

Word. Nobody puts Baby in a corner.
"I don't really give a ... about tryin' to top that." Ooooooooooooh, snap! PWND!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WKa83iK7R4
UPDATE: One of my groomsman, just admitted to me that he and his sister used to watch this movie all the time! That is so bad...but sooooo good.

UPDATE: Another friend, in SF, just told me that she used to watch "Teen Witch" everyday for a couple of years.

UPDATE: Another friend just put "Teen Witch" on her Netflix queue. Her friend said: "it's so bad that it's yummy. Fuck, that movie is insane!"

Who knew this movie was such a phenomenon?!? I just put it on top of my Netflix queue. Netflix will have a big WTF on them.

LibraryThing v. GoodReads

2007-04-10T19:53:00.000-07:00

***Edit***
As I finish writing this entry, I've realized that it is more a promotion of LibraryThing, than a comparative review of LibraryThing and GoodReads. I guess I didn't realize that I had already made a decision!

One of my latest obsessions is comparing LibraryThing and GoodReads. These are two sites that are used to track and catalogue your personal library. That's where the similarities end. There are unique features that set each one apart. I registered at both sites and still am testing them. The cons for each site is mostly the features that the other site has. Here's my assessment, so far.

GoodReads
Definitely has the social networking thing down. It lets you add a profile picture. You can add friends and explore friends's friends myspace-style. It lists your friends on a sidebar. When you first log on, the opening page shows new friend book reviews and/or additions to their library.

LibraryThing
Definitely has the bibliophile thing down. It's for people who really want to catalog their books (specific down to the isbn and edition and cover). It supports tagging, which for me is almost a decision maker.

The "zeitgeist" tab is an amazing collection of lists like the standard "25 most reviewed books," and "top 25 books (by star rating)." But also cool ones like "50 'completists' authors" (avg number of different books held by people who have any books by the author), and "50 lowest-rated authors."

As for social networking LT has support for groups and message boards (especially cool if you want to have a discussion about a particular book with other readers). The book view also has (editable) links to online bookstores, including my fav bookfinder.com.

The best feature, though, is the "Suggestions" tab. There are 3 ways that LT suggests books. First is called "LibrarySuggester" and is based on your own personal library. It's most similar to Amazon.com's "people who bought this also bought..." It even has "most popular books you don't have." Second is called "BookSuggester." You put in a book that you like and it spits out (among other things) suggestions from other people who liked that book, Amazon.com suggestions, books with similar tags, and books with similar library subjects & classifications. The last one is called "BookUnsuggester." Similar to the previous one but takes the book that you don't like and spits out similar books that you are more likely to enjoy!!! (it also lists other books that you will definitely not like. Hilarious!)

I'm in geek heaven.

Well, you can see that LT definitely has the features. I wish it had the social networking that GR has. The biggest con of LT is that it's free only until 200 books are cataloged. Then it's either $10/yr or $25/lifetime. Brilliant marketing, LT!

Last note:
Originally, I was only going to log in the books that I'm currently reading, on my "to read" list, as well as the ones that I've read since I had registered on LT. But now I think I'm going to log in all my favs to get more accurate suggestions. This could take awhile. I could buy a bar code scanner! Oooh la la! Gadget! LT sells a cheap one for $15. yeee haw!

Rushed update

2007-04-10T09:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in awhile (how many people are actually reading this. hands? hands?). I've been feeling ill and called in yesterday, as well as today. Since I haven't written in awhile, I feel as if I need to report what's been going on. Let me purge, bulleted:

31st Birthday was great. Hike in Big Basin, followed by unexpectedly large after party.
CONCACAF Champions Cup sucked ass. Both U.S. Teams lost. Dynamo game was awesome!
MLS Kickoff was cool. Good to see DC lose (sorry La)
Arsenal doing horrible. Last draw should have been a win. La got me a Fabregas jersey. Very nice.
Bought UEFA video game. Awesome new trading card feature. I've created my first club, Hyphy FC. Still below average but getting better with age.

Although I'm ill and should be resting, there are two UEFA quarterfinal matches on today, at the same time: ManU v. Roma and Valencia v. Chelsea. I'll be flipping back and forth. Oh happy day off!

My latest status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... is trying to fix adium message history. (undefined)
* On repeat: The Luckiest by Ben Folds
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: LibraryThing.com and UEFA Champions League (watching the real thing and also the video game)
* Last unnecessary purchase: UEFA Champions League 2006-2007 video game.

MLS Kickoff

2007-04-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

I'll be the first to admit that I am a baby footie fan. Ever since I caught the fever, though, during the last World Cup I've been devouring football like a crazed madman. The EPL, UEFA Champions League, and CONCACAF Champions League has had me enthralled in front of the TV. In two days, the MLS 2007 season begins. I'm glad that I got on board the soccer train during this time period, because it is looking like the MLS is getting things right this season. My fingers are crossed that the U.S. will finally join the rest of the world's love with the sport.

There has been a lot of positive hype other than Beckham coming. SuperLiga will start in the Summer. DCU made it to the semis of the CONCACAF Champions cup (lost this week. Damn) Houston still has a chance to win a finals spot, tonight against Pachuca. Reyna & Mathis to the Redbulls. Blanco to Fire and Fred & Emilio to DCU (Fred just goes by "Fred," which cracks me up. Those crazy Brazilians). The EPL leagues are making professional associations with a few MLS teams, which hopefully will create a Big Brother/Little Brother relationship.

And that's what it is really. At least for now. We're the little, tag-a-long brother in the football world. I'm excited that there is even recognition of the potential of greatness. There was a NY Times article about what the MLS is doing right. It sounds hopeful:

But we don’t believe any one thing will make soccer or M.L.S. one of the dominant sports in this country in the short term. A lot of individual things are happening at a slow, steady pace. Over the next 5, 10, 20 years, we have no doubt that this will be a dominant league in this country. It is not a matter of if, but when.

This weekend will be filled with football love. MLS Fantasy Football also just started. My team will be full of random and arbitrary picks. But who cares? Anyone care to join me?

Status Update

2007-04-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

Happy New Month, y'all! I don't have too much time right now other than to do a status update and some other random updates. I had an awesome birthday weekend! The Mexico v. Ecuador match was insane! (I just found out that I can attend the US v. China in June! Anyone down to go?) Get on LibraryThing; it's my newest obsession (more to come on that). And...I added new things on the sidebar of the blog, so check it out.

Status update:
* Twitter status: Alvin... is sniffling after a weekend of good times.
* On repeat: The Luckiest by Ben Folds
* Trying out: Bob Schneider
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: LibraryThing.com
* Slang I last used in a session: That girl seems messy.
* Nice things said to me this past week: "When I hear David LaBruyere, I think of you" and "You're like an uncle to me."

1 out of 47,416

2007-03-28T09:45:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be at the sold out Mexico v. Ecuador football match tonight! I can't think about anything else. I'm in the nosebleed section of the Oakland Coliseum, so I'm going to have to be twice as loud. I've got my Cruz Azul scarf on today to support Mexico. Tailgate starts at 3, but I have to be at work until 5. Damn.

So here's my dilemma: I want to support Mexico (sort of arbitrarily because they are our neighbors and I happen to watch Mexican football every now and then). Their colors are green, red and white (they'll probably wear their green home jersey). Ecuador's colors are blue, yellow and red (they'll probably wear their blue away jersey).

Now...the San Jose Earthquakes are hosting the event, even though they are no longer playing in the MLS. But rumors say that they have a good chance of returning to the Bay for the 2008 season. There is this campaign to wear Earthquake Blue to show support for the Quakes and to give a message that there is a plentiful fanbase in the area.

What should I do?

I am a WINNER!

2007-03-26T22:00:00.000-07:00

I finally won an online soccer match on the Xbox 360!!! I am a golden god!

I haven't owned a gaming console since Nintendo 64, back in undergrad. I bought the 360 while I was acting out during the moving-in-with-the-girlfriend process, in October. So I'm a bit rusty.

I got FIFA 07 a little before Thanksgiving (the greatest game in the world), and then my future brother-in-law *shiver* got me an Xbox Live year membership for Christmas. Since then, I've been rocked by better opponents; destroyed by sedentary snot-nosed kids who live in Xbox world.

Tonight, all that has changed. And...2-0 on top of that! You should have seen the last minutes of the match. Eyes wide open, tearing so that I wouldn't miss a beat. Girlfriend comes in to say goodnight. HOLD ON! DON'T DO ANYTHING! At the final whistle, I was a little schoolboy jumping up and down in ecstasy and disbelief. I wanted to scream out loud, but it was already late...and it would only make me look and feel cooler. So I resorted to controlled heavy breathing and violent arm thrusts in the air. Winner!

Spring 200

2007-03-21T22:10:00.000-07:00

Happy Spring! My second favorite season of the year! Fall, my first, of course. Today also happens to be the 200th day until the Big Day! I bought daffodils for the fiancée to commemorate the occasion. But don't tell her. She still isn't home yet.

I also made a lot of potato salad. I bought a gigantic bunch of dill and was longing for something spring/summer-y. I remembered something I saw on youtube and can confirm that the technique works!!!

Which situation would you prefer?

2007-03-21T13:55:00.000-07:00

You could be in a committed long distance relationship with a really hot Spanish chick that you where introduced to when you were an exchange student. Best sex you ever had, but aside from maybe you going to see her once every few years or her stopping to see you when she comes through the States occasionally for work, your relationship is limited to early a.m. phone sex (due to the timezones) on the weekends.

You could be in a relationship with a local woman who is attractive for sure, but no supermodel (although she appears to be maturing gracefully). Not only do you see her regularly, but you know her family, friends and have a fairly normal relationship. Although she is no pornstar, you do get to sleep with her on a regular basis.

This was the brilliant answer to the question of "Why do we watch the MLS?" by a person who calls himself Shopping Cart Man on Bigsoccer.com. Gotta support the home team!

Status Update

2007-03-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

* Twitter status: Alvin... baked oatmeal and apples (2 minutes ago)
* On repeat: LDN by Lily Allen
* Reading: Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
* Current Obsession: my 31st Birthday
* My mood as a irrational number: π
* Last unnecessary purchase: Oven safe bowls

Stephen King marathon

2007-03-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, I finally finished Stephen King's "It." It is the longest book I've ever committed to and finished...1090 pages. I'm a slow reader. I started it on the last days of December. It took only two and a half months! I've recently become Stephen King fan ever since I read his writing book "On writing" and got to know his writing style and writing philosophies. It was sad to finish the book because I've gotten to know the chararcters so well. The story reminded me of my own childhood, its wonders and beliefs.

It eerily reminds me of the time my friends and I took our own expedition into our neighborhood sewers! From an entrance that measured maybe 3 feet, that tapered to around a foot an a half, my friends and I crawled what seemed to be miles (probably less than 100 yards) to the first open sewer grate on Queens Court. As an adult, I can't figure any logical reason for doing that. As a kid, it made perfect sense. Even more creepy, my life reflected the book in the way we built a dam out of sticks and rocks at the opening of the sewer.

On the night that I finished the book, "It" happened to be on tv. I had about 50 pages to go. So during the commercials, I read as much as I can. I finished the book before the end of the 3 hour movie. As always, the book was better.

In other Stephen King news, I also finished the first of the Dark Towers books, "The Gunslinger," on audiobook. On to book 2!

Not burnt umber (revisited)

2007-03-16T14:06:00.000-07:00

In a previous entry, I had tried out a site called StorySquared by starting a story. The whole point of the site is to have a fun way to write a story with others, in a "telphone game" style. It ended up being too complicated for what it was worth. Although the collaboration features were cool, it seemed like a waste.

One of my friends, A1, was really intent in tacking on her addition, so I'm reposting the story in its entirety (thus far).

Feel free to comment your own contributions (which I will add and update later):

Not Burnt Umber

Time and time again, Lisa has been told not to do crossword puzzles in the bathroom. She was feeling particularly skittish this rainy Monday morning and tiptoed into the bathroom with a Pilot gel pen (red) and the whole morning paper.

Why crosswords? Why the bathroom? She had no answers. No clues were offered to keep her intrigued. The thought escaped her. The grey sky from the overcast day, brought her endless streams of raindrops that seemed to whisper, “Think, Lisa. Think. Think. Think.” They slapped against the glass of the tiny bathroom window that gave her just enough light to write. Raindrops chanted as she focused on the first clue. Could they be cheering? Maybe she was mistaken. Time was not on her side. She had to complete the crossword---fast. First clue down or across? She breathed deeply and thought. And thought. And thought. Then, the light bulbs. Her mind opened. Scribbles from her left hand quickly covered the rough newsprint, and the red, shiny, glistening gel smeared her fingers. She smiled, of course. This one was easy. It was only Monday. The easiest known day for crosswords. Everyone knows that.

I was mowing my lawn for $10 a week

2007-03-13T13:35:00.000-07:00

FC Barcelona just signed a 12-year old boy to join their club!

Muhammad Dermirci will start off with a monthly wage of £ 1200 (a little over $2Gs) but will have to pay £2 million (close to $4 Million) to get the BOY transferred to the club. That's a lot of video games. Wait...he'll soon be in a video game!

Once again, I'm hip but don't even know it

2007-03-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well, as hip as the technogeeks at the latest SXSWi Festival. As the C|Net Article titled "To Twitter or Dodgeball at SXSW" begins:

AUSTIN, Texas--One question heard more than any other this week at South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi), "Are you on Twitter?"

I've been trying to get people to join Twitter for the longest. At the time of this writing, I have 9 Twitter friends. Some of which haven't posted in awhile. *nudge* And some who haven't made their first entry, yet. *nudgenudge* I've checked out Dodgeball, but it seems too complicated and too much like Friendster and MySpace. I'm sticking with good 'ol Twitter.

Murderer!

2007-03-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

I decided to bring my baby grass to work, today, to not only show it off, but also to see how it would look in my office. I left it in my back seat parking in the shade and cracking the windows so that there would be enough air. Later on during the day, a better space opened up and I moved my car into the sunlight. I didn't think it would get so hot.

The high today was in the 70s.

By the time I realized this, the grass had wilted a bit. I was horrified. Two of my co-worker's kids were in the office and I showed them my grass. The 8-year old boy, who is an avid reader and a bit dramatic, pointed at me and yelled in a deep voice, "MURDERER!" Duh, duh, duh!

I rushed to get some cold water from the cooler and sprinkled some on the wilted blades, and poured the rest in the soil. I placed it out in the waiting room where there is plenty of light with the hope that I will return to a plant that has forgiven me.

On another funny note... I was planning to make Guinisang Mungo (a filipino dish), tonight. I started soaking the beans in a bowl this morning. The beans were near the top of the bowl and I covered the beans with water. I knew that the beans would absorb the water and expand. When I got home today the bowl was heaping over onto the counter and the floor. Mental note: use bigger bowl next time.

23 doesn't make you Jordan

2007-03-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

O Schadenfreude!

Status Update and Grasswatch!

2007-03-10T09:35:00.000-08:00

* Twitter status: Alvin... first cup of coffee on a lazy Saturday morning (3 minutes ago)
* On repeat: Ang Huling El Bimbo by The Eraserheads
* Reading: Still...It by Stephen King (page 859 of 1090!)
* Current Obsession: growing grass and Dance Dance Revolution
* My mood as a a song from DDR: Saturday Night by Ozomatli
* Last unnecessary purchase: Grass seed, potting soil, and a pot

Pictures taken this morning. Up to 4 inches! (Click for larger picture)

It's like watching grass grow

2007-03-09T07:17:00.000-08:00

As requested by A1, I took pictures of my grass, yesterday. The pictures came out unexpectedly amazing! There's something about growing something from a seed that seems to be dead, into something green and alive. I can understand the passion people have for growing flowers or planting a garden.

I've been a little kid all week, checking up on its progress. Every morning I've gone to the living room, have lain down on my stomach to examine its growth. I've watched the seeds sprout fine white roots and new green blades emerge. I've easily spent 10 minutes exploring an 8x5 piece of soil. It's fascinating!

The pictures below are from yesterday. I took about 20 pictures, but these are the best 8. The grass has since grown half an inch in the last 24 hours. I'll give another picture update next week. I'm so proud at how much they've grown. *tear*

Click on each to see full sized picture:

Becks is coming!

2007-03-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

Even though he's not the greatest footballer there is, he definitely has the Hollywood charisma that will bring some attention to the MLS. Oh, how I hope that it is successful. Since the rumors of Zidane have quieted, it seems like Beckham is (sadly) only our hope, for now.

As part of the media hype, Becks is infiltrating our Saturday morning cartoons!

I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for these meddling kids!

Growing Grass

2007-03-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Last week, my coworkers and I took a mental health break from the office. Our office was recently flooded by a blown water heater. What used to be a claustrophobic, windowless workplace was transformed to a moist, dank claustrophobic and windowless basement (not to mention the discovery that the walls were filled with asbestos).

All of us were shared the boxed-in feeling of death and dying. We decided to go to Home Depot.

One of my coworkers was intent in buying something alive and green. We're both outdoorsy people and I understood how she missed being out in the wilderness. I also thought it would be a good idea to buy a plant to remind me of the outdoors. But instead of buying a simple houseplant, my dorky ass decides to grow a pot of grass. I buy a planter, two bags of potting soil, and some grass seeds. Brilliant!

I got home and researched growing grass indoors (here are two articles). Apparently, it's not as dorky as I thought. Some people grow it for the sheer pleasure of bringing the outdoors in, but I also learned that others use it for their cats. Who knew I shared interests with cat people!

I am proud (as a kindergartner) to report that the seeds have sprouted! I beginning to see some green blades coming out of the soil. I'm sure you're as excited as I am, so I'll make sure to update you on it's progress. Yes, I'm dork.

5 things I learned playing DDR for the first time that are similar to sex

2007-03-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

It might be more fun with a group (but solo is fun)
I can drink beer while doing it
I look like a spaz while doing it
Practice makes perfect
Playing a few rounds before work is fun

Happy New (Electronics) Month!

2007-03-01T07:40:00.000-08:00

I just got my DVR last night. I never thought I'd ever get one. I can pause live tv now! AHHH! As La always says, "there's something wrong about messing around with time." It's not TiVo, so I've escaped that craziness for now (It's the proprietery Comcast DVR. But I've read news that Comcast will be soon using the TiVo operating system). For those who already have been on the DVR train for awhile, please excuse my nascent excitment.

I am so psyched that I can tape football matches now. Because of the time difference, I could never watch a live match because they're always on in the middle of the day. But a new era has begun. Now I can watch all the EPL matches I can handle when I get home from work. I will tape two Champions Cup games today (DC United v CD Olimpia and Houston Dynamo v Puntarenas...go USA!), and already have one Arsenal game to watch on the hard drive! I think I'm going to faint.

Today, I am also picking up my copy of Dance Dance Revolution: Universe, for Xbox 360!!! I already have the additional dance pad. For New Month, I am going to have a DDR party! Woo hoo! I've never played it in my life, not in the arcade or on any console. So I will not only be busting some moves, tonight, but also will be busting my DDR cherry, with friends and alcohol! Hey Danny Terrio, put me on TV!

Status Update

2007-02-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

Twitter status: Alvin... high on Vietnamese coffeeeeeee
On repeat: I know what kind of love this is by Cry Cry Cry
Reading: Still...It by Stephen King (page 751 of 1090!)
Current Obsession: Crosswords, twitter.com and football (i.e. soccer)
My mood as a a character from "Heroes": Claire Bennett
Last unnecessary purchase: Dance Dance Revolution for Xbox 360

And as another (literal) sidebar note, I added a countdown timer to my wedding on 7 October 2007 which reads:

The Final Countdown
221 days until my wedding.

StorySquared

2007-02-27T10:56:00.000-08:00

Those who know me know that I consist of four core components:

I am a dork (especially when it comes to anything digital)
I am social
I like to write
I am a procrastinator

What better way to combine all 4 by joining me on some collaborative writing at StorySquared. I haven't figured out fully how to work it. I think it's by invite only, which is bull. The more that I write about it here the more that I think that this could be done right here on this blog, sans StorySquared. The benefit on doing it on that site is that it manages contributions in a more efficient manner than I ever could.

If you're down, let me know. I'll invite you to my next story.

My first story on StorySquared:

Not Burnt Umber

Time and time again, Lisa has been told not to do crossword puzzles in the bathroom. She was feeling particularly skittish this rainy Monday morning and tiptoed into the bathroom with a Pilot gel pen (red) and the whole morning paper.

The Fresh Herb

forslagmottas@hotmail.com wants to be your friend on Windows Live

35 minutes to NaNo!!!

Potato-looking Cheese

Just write and press "Send"

Where's that horse?

Monday Jumpstart

LIT 101 CLASSIN THREE LINESOR LESS.

BY BEN JOSEPH

1282 17th Ave N minneapolis

Researching for the best fit

The Mystery Of The Face On The Cake

The Electoral Compass

Happy 2008

Husband isn't taking any chances

The beauty of being watched

11 "Don't-Tell-the-Wife" Secrets All Men Keep

FreeRice.com

Neil Gaiman helps fan propose to girlfriend through book inscription - Boing Boing

w00t! I rock!

Mr/Ms. T in training

Gmail Adds AIM Support to Chat

Funny quotes from the past few weeks

Things I learned from my first NaNoWriMo

Ninja Parade. Who said that?

The Final Lap of NaNoWriMo

Short Update (or NaNoWriMo is taking over!)

2guys1cup

NaNoWriMo Brainstorming...What if...?

National Novel Writing Month

On a hike, a year ago today...

Val and Albert are my brothers

Blog Action Day (or: Back from my honeymoon at a Costa Rican Eco-Lodge)

Keeping my head up

Single Digits

Where is everyone?

Recovering from Halo

Genius in Simplicity

Wow...High School Reunion

Ten years ago?

The 12 most ridiculous similies in music

Poor Rich People

Twitter 6th sense

Status Update

My Morning People

Tired but Funky

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills!!!

Disgrace under pressure

Drew Carey - Footy Ambassador on Letterman

Recycling

4.2 at 4:42 and April 2008

Why America should fall in love with football (soccer)

Why America should fall in love with football (soccer)

I'm sorry for being part of the hype...

Mirror images and Status update

101

ScribeFire/WordPress/dot mac

The Campaign is over

She is so punk rock!

Taking showers in the dark

Hyphy FC 5-2 Inter (or: I skinned my knee playing video games)

Hyphy FC update

The beauty in everyday life

Status Update (or: Sports Day, the Vics Win)

Mini-me

Status Update (or: Twitter on NPR?!?!)

Addendum to Last Post

More Cowbell!

Status Update (or: My 2 new obsessions)

Victory Fever

Status Update

FCD 0-1 RBNY Boo Yah!

Dorodango, anyone?

Teen Witch

My first In-n-Out experience

Place your bets!

Victory! kind of...

Status Update

No Boxspring Bird within earshot

Gum jingle or Pussycat Dolls song?

LIT 101 CLASS
IN THREE LINES
OR LESS.