As I think about what to sum up for 2005, I am resorted to the Time magazine, hoping to find a cheat sheet for all the major events this year, that is until I was distracted by the well placed ads from American Express, starting with stunning picture with Ken Watanebe, a horse and a dog.
So, let me start with the movies then....
Favorite movies of the year (I love movies.)
King Kong
- I am a sucker for animals and why did the have to kill him :( he just wanted to be closer to the one creature he shared the sunset with, god, where is my tissue. We want alternate ending!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- The darker and fast paced Harry Potter installment kept me fully entertained and on the edge of my seat even though I've read the book before. Favorite one so far, hope they keep it up!
Saving Face
- Finally, a fun lighthearted romance involving same sex couples. The interaction between mother and daughter is not as profound as the father and son in The Wedding Banquet, but fun to watch regardless. The portrayal of awarkwardness of the initial dates and the first dinner meeting with parents is charming.
The Chronicles of Narnia
- haven't seen this yet, but I am sure I'll like it
Brokeback Mountain
- haven't seen this yet, but I am sure I'll like it
Darkest Moments
The Fire
- The fire that almost took my parents. I have never felt so scared when I heard that there was a fire and there were people that died. When giving people news, give them the good news first!
The Hurricanes and the Aftermath
- Communication was key as many Americans found out during this Hurricane season as we witness in realtime a city incapacited in live TV and lives lost. The aftermath was the main ordeal. That is when I experienced how incredibly stubborn hardwired my father is and how frustrating it is to be on the other end worrying.
Aunt's Cancer and Passing
- Losing anyone close to you is hard. Although I believe I'll meet her again in the future lives, letting go is not easy. The earth keeps rotating stopping for no one. Time passes and we go on.
I put a picture of her and her family up today. She looked good in the picture, that's the aunt I'll remember.
World Events
In 2005, mother nature left a lot of scars and took a lot of lives.
The Hurricanes
- The hurricanes that destroyed much of the southern coastal communities reminds us humbly the force of nature and alerted the entire world the lack of preparedness US for these natural disasters.
The Avian Flu
- The impending pandemic, I've got this on my mind as I am about to embark on my journey to the east. Hope WHO and scientists around the world will produce something soon to help combat the spread.
The Earthquakes and its Aftermath
- Pakistan and India earthquake shook the entire world as the death toll keeps climbing, I can only shake my head as I wonder how many more types of natural disaster will we see this year.
Looks like time is running out.. I've got to sign up my dad for Medicare Drug Prescription before I leave the states. Always leave the important things to the last minute.. that and I need to give my cousin my will.
Now where is it.. one can never be prepared.
I'll finish wrapping up the year when I get back. I am thankful my parents and brother are relatively fine this year. So that's the most important thing.
Until next year.
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
The First Regret
I dozed off watching TV in bed.
Woken up by the vibrating sound of my cellphone, I figured it might be mom calling since she usually calls around this time. So seeing the caller id, I was bit surprised.
I picked up the phone and my brother tells me 2nd aunt passed away early morning Saturday.
I think I was at a party while she left this earth. I was in denial or it didn't sink in until I typed in a message window to a friend telling him that my aunt passed away.
I did not make my weekly call and didn't call back to grandma and to Taiwan this week. Should've talked to her again earlier, no matter how hard it is to hear her weak voice and how awakard it is to say things that we both know is probably not going to happen.
I talked to her last during Thanksgiving week. God, has it been that long since I last called? Excuses and procrastination.
This marks the first regret of my life - not aving enough conversations with my aunt.
She said she would wait for us to go back. One more week, she didn't hold on for another week. I hate this fucking year.
I guess my dad's fear came true. He said to me in the train on the ride to New York before he headed back to Flushing 2 weeks ago, he said that he's afraid my aunt won't last until my brother and I go back.
I asked her to wait for us to bring back lots of pictures to show her while we visit her in the hospital.
I know she wanted to see us before she leaves. I am sorry. I am so sorry we didn't get to say goodbye in person. I am so sorry.
At least she's not in pain anymore. The cancer was terminal and it had paralized her for months, since August, before she passed away. We lost another family relative to cancer. Now my cousins are orphans. Cancer took both of their parents away. Cancer almost took my dad as well.
At least pop is around to help take care of the funeral and what to do properly. So will the aunts be there, first 1 out of the 5.
I think what saddens me also is that I have to go through this at least 10 or 20 more times for relatives that are close to me.
It's a race against time, ever since we are conceived the countdown begins. The only thing is that we don't know when the alarm will sound.
I think my aunt had no regrets. My cousin came back at the end and I hope she was at peace when she passed. Prehaps her biggest worry was how my cousins are going to handle everything in life.
I don't know what's harder, leaving people or being left behind. On one hand you'd worry about all the loose ends that needed tying up. On the other hand you have to live on and with you the only thing you have left are your memories of them, and what could've been. But you'll have the memories. That phrase right, it's better to have loved then not have loved at all.
Why do we humans, or I guess other forms of live capable of emotions invest in something that will cause us so much inevitable pain at the end? It's the quality not the quantity that counts I suppose.
I believe that life never really ends, more of the Eastern philosphy approach to life. We are just going around in circles, being recycled. So I know I'll meet up with my aunt someday, maybe in my next life. In my next life, hope the time spent will be longer, and that I will treasure time more and not take it for granted. There might not be one more day to procrastinate, to make that call, to write to the people, to hug them and tell them how you feel.
I don't know what my cousins are going through.. after so many months of seeing your mother in pain, I wonder if they feel it was better for her to go. The parting would've been so hard. But to see able to sleep in peace I hope that gave them some sense of peace as well.
Aunt have lived a fun life I think with her kids and goddaughter and godson. I hope she was happy for the most part until the cancer hit. She went on trips and had fun. She was well loved by her family, friends, and sisters, and my grandma.
Out of the 5 sisters, my mom and my 2nd aunt are the closest. My mom, I didn't call her yet. I need to get all this out before getting on the phone with her. Having a major breakdown is not going to help her grieve. What do I say? She would have so much more memories than I to reminensce. And each scene or flashback would trigger another heartache. I can't image the pain.
Grandma, this is her first child she will help bury. 百髮送黑髮人. 2nd aunt was closest to my grandma. She's the one who took care of her the most all these years. The one who would go over and talk with her and cook her food and take her out. How is my grandma going to cope with the loss. I don't know what it'll be like to loose your own flesh and blood.
I am looking at this latest set of pictures from her. My aunt and her kids went to a photography studio to have some pictures done, where they are all dolled up. She looked great in these photos. And with these photos, that's how I would like to remember her - a fun, loving mother of 4, great mom to them all, a great friend to have, best sister to my mom, and a great aunt to me.
I'll miss you and you get some rest enjoy the time off until we meet again.
Woken up by the vibrating sound of my cellphone, I figured it might be mom calling since she usually calls around this time. So seeing the caller id, I was bit surprised.
I picked up the phone and my brother tells me 2nd aunt passed away early morning Saturday.
I think I was at a party while she left this earth. I was in denial or it didn't sink in until I typed in a message window to a friend telling him that my aunt passed away.
I did not make my weekly call and didn't call back to grandma and to Taiwan this week. Should've talked to her again earlier, no matter how hard it is to hear her weak voice and how awakard it is to say things that we both know is probably not going to happen.
I talked to her last during Thanksgiving week. God, has it been that long since I last called? Excuses and procrastination.
This marks the first regret of my life - not aving enough conversations with my aunt.
She said she would wait for us to go back. One more week, she didn't hold on for another week. I hate this fucking year.
I guess my dad's fear came true. He said to me in the train on the ride to New York before he headed back to Flushing 2 weeks ago, he said that he's afraid my aunt won't last until my brother and I go back.
I asked her to wait for us to bring back lots of pictures to show her while we visit her in the hospital.
I know she wanted to see us before she leaves. I am sorry. I am so sorry we didn't get to say goodbye in person. I am so sorry.
At least she's not in pain anymore. The cancer was terminal and it had paralized her for months, since August, before she passed away. We lost another family relative to cancer. Now my cousins are orphans. Cancer took both of their parents away. Cancer almost took my dad as well.
At least pop is around to help take care of the funeral and what to do properly. So will the aunts be there, first 1 out of the 5.
I think what saddens me also is that I have to go through this at least 10 or 20 more times for relatives that are close to me.
It's a race against time, ever since we are conceived the countdown begins. The only thing is that we don't know when the alarm will sound.
I think my aunt had no regrets. My cousin came back at the end and I hope she was at peace when she passed. Prehaps her biggest worry was how my cousins are going to handle everything in life.
I don't know what's harder, leaving people or being left behind. On one hand you'd worry about all the loose ends that needed tying up. On the other hand you have to live on and with you the only thing you have left are your memories of them, and what could've been. But you'll have the memories. That phrase right, it's better to have loved then not have loved at all.
Why do we humans, or I guess other forms of live capable of emotions invest in something that will cause us so much inevitable pain at the end? It's the quality not the quantity that counts I suppose.
I believe that life never really ends, more of the Eastern philosphy approach to life. We are just going around in circles, being recycled. So I know I'll meet up with my aunt someday, maybe in my next life. In my next life, hope the time spent will be longer, and that I will treasure time more and not take it for granted. There might not be one more day to procrastinate, to make that call, to write to the people, to hug them and tell them how you feel.
I don't know what my cousins are going through.. after so many months of seeing your mother in pain, I wonder if they feel it was better for her to go. The parting would've been so hard. But to see able to sleep in peace I hope that gave them some sense of peace as well.
Aunt have lived a fun life I think with her kids and goddaughter and godson. I hope she was happy for the most part until the cancer hit. She went on trips and had fun. She was well loved by her family, friends, and sisters, and my grandma.
Out of the 5 sisters, my mom and my 2nd aunt are the closest. My mom, I didn't call her yet. I need to get all this out before getting on the phone with her. Having a major breakdown is not going to help her grieve. What do I say? She would have so much more memories than I to reminensce. And each scene or flashback would trigger another heartache. I can't image the pain.
Grandma, this is her first child she will help bury. 百髮送黑髮人. 2nd aunt was closest to my grandma. She's the one who took care of her the most all these years. The one who would go over and talk with her and cook her food and take her out. How is my grandma going to cope with the loss. I don't know what it'll be like to loose your own flesh and blood.
I am looking at this latest set of pictures from her. My aunt and her kids went to a photography studio to have some pictures done, where they are all dolled up. She looked great in these photos. And with these photos, that's how I would like to remember her - a fun, loving mother of 4, great mom to them all, a great friend to have, best sister to my mom, and a great aunt to me.
I'll miss you and you get some rest enjoy the time off until we meet again.
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Ma Jiang and My Father
Who had ever thought that a computer game is a way to bridge the gap between 4 decades?
My father is staying with me here for 2 weeks until he heads back to Taiwan. During this time, in my measly apt, there's not much to entertain him with. Anyone with asian parents might experience the same lack of conversation between parent and child. Why, I guess it's just that we haven't found a topic that both sides can maintain for more than 5 minutes.
Feeling guilty for neglecting my father while I have to work on the week days, I installed this computer Majiang game on my computer. Bingo! He's addicted. I have created a monster. It's pathetic at the same time that my dad is more awake while he's playing the game than the rest of the day when he's not clicking away.
Earlier today, took him to Best Buy to search for a digi cam. After 1 hour of looking at the various models there he was saying he's tired and his neck is sore. So we head back and after a brief lunch from Papa John's he's on the computer playing along with the electronic political player figures.
He's on there for the next 3 hours.
Tired my butt!! I think he has selective fatique factor.
So, but at least we made progress. Found that he needs an LCD screen bigger than 1.8, and that his big thumb won't cover any unneeded controls during normal operation.
At the end of the 2 hours my throat was tired as well. I am not used to using my voicebox for that long of a duration.
So now my dad is pretty happy and keeping himself might amused by playing the game.
Good. Glad he has some stuff to do when I need to work or when I don't have other ways to engage him in some conversations.
My father is staying with me here for 2 weeks until he heads back to Taiwan. During this time, in my measly apt, there's not much to entertain him with. Anyone with asian parents might experience the same lack of conversation between parent and child. Why, I guess it's just that we haven't found a topic that both sides can maintain for more than 5 minutes.
Feeling guilty for neglecting my father while I have to work on the week days, I installed this computer Majiang game on my computer. Bingo! He's addicted. I have created a monster. It's pathetic at the same time that my dad is more awake while he's playing the game than the rest of the day when he's not clicking away.
Earlier today, took him to Best Buy to search for a digi cam. After 1 hour of looking at the various models there he was saying he's tired and his neck is sore. So we head back and after a brief lunch from Papa John's he's on the computer playing along with the electronic political player figures.
He's on there for the next 3 hours.
Tired my butt!! I think he has selective fatique factor.
So, but at least we made progress. Found that he needs an LCD screen bigger than 1.8, and that his big thumb won't cover any unneeded controls during normal operation.
At the end of the 2 hours my throat was tired as well. I am not used to using my voicebox for that long of a duration.
So now my dad is pretty happy and keeping himself might amused by playing the game.
Good. Glad he has some stuff to do when I need to work or when I don't have other ways to engage him in some conversations.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Riots, Terrorists, and Pirates
Seems surreal when I open up the news page this morning. It's like a page ripped out of an testosterone filled movie script.
What the hell is happening.. we got people torching across hundreds of towns in France, terrorists planning to launch massive attack in Australia, and then pirates! Pirates! Attacking cruise ships on outskirts of Africa.
Pirates belong in the movies not in real life. Okay yah I might be naive, one can dream of an utopia right?
Mother nature doesn't need to help, I think men are well on their way to curbing the human population.
I better live to 67 at least or else I'll be royally pissed when I can't touch the savings reserved for retirement. Been wondering about that a lot recently, should I really save for 40 years down the road? Will I even be around?
What the hell is happening.. we got people torching across hundreds of towns in France, terrorists planning to launch massive attack in Australia, and then pirates! Pirates! Attacking cruise ships on outskirts of Africa.
Pirates belong in the movies not in real life. Okay yah I might be naive, one can dream of an utopia right?
Mother nature doesn't need to help, I think men are well on their way to curbing the human population.
I better live to 67 at least or else I'll be royally pissed when I can't touch the savings reserved for retirement. Been wondering about that a lot recently, should I really save for 40 years down the road? Will I even be around?
Monday, November 07, 2005
Meaningful Conversations
I made a resolution, or I should say a promise to myself, after coming back from a long overdue visit to Taiwan 2 years ago. It was an eye opener to go back and visit my roots. A lot of things have changed. Tall buildings erected, old railroad tracks now paved and converted into 3 lane highways. Some things are oblivious to time's hand. The packed temples and the religious followers. The night market is still bustling with people and motorists and stray dogs.
The biggest impact was made when I visited my grandma. There she was in her 80s, living in 3 story house, alone.
I've always been in touch with my sensitive side and the trip back home upped it a notch. It gave my tear ducts quite a workout. My grandma was the one who looked after me in my early years. I spent a good deal of time at the grounds. A lot of precious memories were made there. From the pig slaughter for annual festivals (okay this one not that pleasant), to singing with all the dogs in the courtyard at dawn, chased by ferocious ducks during feeding time, marveling after the locust bugs when they shed their skin, plucking chicken in the backyard, and firing up clay mounds in the fields to cook yams. All these images and memory attack me as I stepped out of my aunt's car and took my first step into the yard. Out comes my grandma, she's been expecting us. Eighteen years is a long time. Sure, she made couple visits to the states during those years but this is the first time we've been home.
She shrunk. Her hair is a bit whiter, and her face more wrinkly. As my brother and I spent a precious week with her, I get to see first hand how lonely she is even with one of her five sons living right next door.
Due to old age, the joints are starting to go so she has trouble lifting her arms above her shoulder. She's gone weeks without washing her hair because her arms are not able to reach her hair. I found her awake at wee hours in the nights, sitting in the living room using the electric massager on her shoulders in hopes of alleviating some of the pain so she can get back to sleep.
She wakes up by 5 AM in time to watch her grandkids get on the school bus, then she sits in the living room waiting for the time to pass. That's her normal daily routine she said.
I broke down several times during my visit with her. I try not to cry in front her. She doesn't need a sobbing grandchild to remind her of state.
I feel anger toward my uncles who are suppose to take her. She had 5 sons. None of them checks up on her on regular basis or took her into their homes. Instead they left their mother, alone, in a 3 story house which has stairs she can barely climb.
I am sadden by the thoughts of all the elders who are alone.
That's when I made myself promise that I would be a better grandchild, I would make a call to my grandma at least once a week to talk to her.
I've kept my promise, pushing it at times.. but I call every week to chat. There's a language barrier, but I think I have improved a lot in my grandma's native tongue. At least listening wise. Most of the time I open with the questions: Have you eaten? How are your legs and arms? If the weather is too cold or not? Then I try to bring up some of the topics that she might have seen in the news or even confide to her my frivolous troubles about job dissatisfaction, lack of bonus, and weight gain. I am thankful her mind is still sharp as ever as she tells me I can't eat and just sit there that way I'll get fat. Or that I can't quit my job yet cuz I am so young. I laugh when she says if the company is not paying me overtime then don't work that much.
Those 30 - 60 minutes are the most meaningful conversations I have every week.
The biggest impact was made when I visited my grandma. There she was in her 80s, living in 3 story house, alone.
I've always been in touch with my sensitive side and the trip back home upped it a notch. It gave my tear ducts quite a workout. My grandma was the one who looked after me in my early years. I spent a good deal of time at the grounds. A lot of precious memories were made there. From the pig slaughter for annual festivals (okay this one not that pleasant), to singing with all the dogs in the courtyard at dawn, chased by ferocious ducks during feeding time, marveling after the locust bugs when they shed their skin, plucking chicken in the backyard, and firing up clay mounds in the fields to cook yams. All these images and memory attack me as I stepped out of my aunt's car and took my first step into the yard. Out comes my grandma, she's been expecting us. Eighteen years is a long time. Sure, she made couple visits to the states during those years but this is the first time we've been home.
She shrunk. Her hair is a bit whiter, and her face more wrinkly. As my brother and I spent a precious week with her, I get to see first hand how lonely she is even with one of her five sons living right next door.
Due to old age, the joints are starting to go so she has trouble lifting her arms above her shoulder. She's gone weeks without washing her hair because her arms are not able to reach her hair. I found her awake at wee hours in the nights, sitting in the living room using the electric massager on her shoulders in hopes of alleviating some of the pain so she can get back to sleep.
She wakes up by 5 AM in time to watch her grandkids get on the school bus, then she sits in the living room waiting for the time to pass. That's her normal daily routine she said.
I broke down several times during my visit with her. I try not to cry in front her. She doesn't need a sobbing grandchild to remind her of state.
I feel anger toward my uncles who are suppose to take her. She had 5 sons. None of them checks up on her on regular basis or took her into their homes. Instead they left their mother, alone, in a 3 story house which has stairs she can barely climb.
I am sadden by the thoughts of all the elders who are alone.
That's when I made myself promise that I would be a better grandchild, I would make a call to my grandma at least once a week to talk to her.
I've kept my promise, pushing it at times.. but I call every week to chat. There's a language barrier, but I think I have improved a lot in my grandma's native tongue. At least listening wise. Most of the time I open with the questions: Have you eaten? How are your legs and arms? If the weather is too cold or not? Then I try to bring up some of the topics that she might have seen in the news or even confide to her my frivolous troubles about job dissatisfaction, lack of bonus, and weight gain. I am thankful her mind is still sharp as ever as she tells me I can't eat and just sit there that way I'll get fat. Or that I can't quit my job yet cuz I am so young. I laugh when she says if the company is not paying me overtime then don't work that much.
Those 30 - 60 minutes are the most meaningful conversations I have every week.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
Once You Pop You Can't Stop
Dam Pringles and whoever makes them.. I just inhaled 3/4 of the can. God I am going to be so zit faced tomorrow. I did not inherit my mom's genes when it comes to facial complexion. Unlike my mom and my brother, I am very sensitive to fried items, or any snacks that taste good for that matter. One would think a person approaching 30 will stop breaking out.. but no, not I.
I can't help it! Shoprite was having a sale on these things, 3 for $3. That's how they get you.. hit you where you are weak.. cheapos like me who usually don't buy snacks looks at the tag and try to justify buying 3 cans at a time. Dam marketing!
I have to say it was quite good.. my taste buds thank me at least. I'll be in front of the mirror tomorrow night popping out zits. Yes they grow that fast! Nasty little buggers. Oh well.. once in a while is not bad right? right.
I can't help it! Shoprite was having a sale on these things, 3 for $3. That's how they get you.. hit you where you are weak.. cheapos like me who usually don't buy snacks looks at the tag and try to justify buying 3 cans at a time. Dam marketing!
I have to say it was quite good.. my taste buds thank me at least. I'll be in front of the mirror tomorrow night popping out zits. Yes they grow that fast! Nasty little buggers. Oh well.. once in a while is not bad right? right.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
You Are What You Eat
Wonder who said that line first? "You are what you eat." Did it evolve from mothers who used scare tactics on their children? Or something else?
Wonder if I can Google it? Good grief I am so bloated. Which brings me back to my point.. so I had a craving for red bean soup.. hmm hmm hmm.. last night I made half a pot of red bean soup and pretty much took the entire day today for me to finish it. It was breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack and dessert before dinner. Then for dinner went out to have Indian and stuffed myself.
Gluttony, Oh woe me, I have committed one of the 7 deadly sins and as punishment, gas form of my dinner and the digested beans are making their way out.. from the top. I guess that's better than farting for others at least. I mean come on, what's the difference between burping and farting?
So here I am 4 hours after dinner and still bloated. I gotta get me some of those anti gas stuff.. or prehaps set 2 bowls of red beans at max for a day.
Bless the internet! From The Phrase Finder :
Wonder if I can Google it? Good grief I am so bloated. Which brings me back to my point.. so I had a craving for red bean soup.. hmm hmm hmm.. last night I made half a pot of red bean soup and pretty much took the entire day today for me to finish it. It was breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack and dessert before dinner. Then for dinner went out to have Indian and stuffed myself.
Gluttony, Oh woe me, I have committed one of the 7 deadly sins and as punishment, gas form of my dinner and the digested beans are making their way out.. from the top. I guess that's better than farting for others at least. I mean come on, what's the difference between burping and farting?
So here I am 4 hours after dinner and still bloated. I gotta get me some of those anti gas stuff.. or prehaps set 2 bowls of red beans at max for a day.
Bless the internet! From The Phrase Finder :
Origin
Originated in the hippy era in the USA. The food of choice of the champions of this notion was macrobiotic wholefood.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Typical Day of Working From Home
You ever wonder what really goes on during conference calls? For thos of you who do not have the luxury/punishment of working from home, let me give you sneak peak. Following depicts conference calls and sametime messages in a typical workday for me.
Legend:
st - sametime
cc - conference call
[8:30 - 9 AM - roll out of bed]
Take 3 steps to the desk, turn on the laptop
Do my morning routine
Log on via VPN, turn on sametime
[9:15 AM - getting ready for market open]
- turn on personal pc
- get the streaming quotes going
- read up on stock news
- watch cnnfn
[9:30 AM - opening bell]
- ping pong eye action between streamer and sametime
- nice green tickers nice..
- bad red tickers bad!!
[9:45 AM - in front of desk]
With the toothbrush still in one hand and mouth foaming I finish reading e-mails and did some work.
[10 AM - Ellen is on]
- finally rinse my mouth
st - manager - let's get on a call to catch up on status
st - moi - sure
cc - blah blabh blah
[10:30AM - 1 PM]
work work work
[1 PM - 2PM]
eat and work eat and work, it's amazing how long i can nurse a bowl of food
[3:30 PM - 4PM - watch ticker]
- always fun to watch the stock action toward end of the trading day
[4 - 7PM]
- work work work
This of course is one of the slower days.. that I get to do this much stock watching, sometimes it's just all work and no play for 14 hours.. which makes it a very frustrating day.
Legend:
st - sametime
cc - conference call
[8:30 - 9 AM - roll out of bed]
Take 3 steps to the desk, turn on the laptop
Do my morning routine
Log on via VPN, turn on sametime
[9:15 AM - getting ready for market open]
- turn on personal pc
- get the streaming quotes going
- read up on stock news
- watch cnnfn
[9:30 AM - opening bell]
- ping pong eye action between streamer and sametime
- nice green tickers nice..
- bad red tickers bad!!
[9:45 AM - in front of desk]
With the toothbrush still in one hand and mouth foaming I finish reading e-mails and did some work.
[10 AM - Ellen is on]
- finally rinse my mouth
st - manager - let's get on a call to catch up on status
st - moi - sure
cc - blah blabh blah
[10:30AM - 1 PM]
work work work
[1 PM - 2PM]
eat and work eat and work, it's amazing how long i can nurse a bowl of food
[3:30 PM - 4PM - watch ticker]
- always fun to watch the stock action toward end of the trading day
[4 - 7PM]
- work work work
This of course is one of the slower days.. that I get to do this much stock watching, sometimes it's just all work and no play for 14 hours.. which makes it a very frustrating day.
Friday, October 28, 2005
At It Again
There's something inherently wrong with this picture.
A healthy 20 year (okay fine approaching 30 year old) is lifting dumbbells around midnight to workout muscles wasting away after 14 hour work day while the 50 year olds neighbors next door are getting their cardio exercise in a much different format from what I can hear.
Just not right.
Why not?
1 - apt walls are just way to thin, I truly do not need those kind of vocals at midnight
2 - it's midnight! Shouldn't they be sleeping right now?
3 - my God, when is it going to end! It's been 4 times.. wait make that 5 times already
4 - amazed at their stamina, wondering if they are taking anything
By no means I have no qualms with older people getting it on.. just .. just.. ..
So on goes the iPod... wonderful little invention, keeps unnecessary images away..
I need to get out.
Well a co-worker sent out a goodbye note tonight. He's leaving the company after 8 long years. In his note, he mentioned the long hours and the long travel hours put in all these years. Well good for him! Glad someone got out. Just hope I am next.
Time to feed Monster.
A healthy 20 year (okay fine approaching 30 year old) is lifting dumbbells around midnight to workout muscles wasting away after 14 hour work day while the 50 year olds neighbors next door are getting their cardio exercise in a much different format from what I can hear.
Just not right.
Why not?
1 - apt walls are just way to thin, I truly do not need those kind of vocals at midnight
2 - it's midnight! Shouldn't they be sleeping right now?
3 - my God, when is it going to end! It's been 4 times.. wait make that 5 times already
4 - amazed at their stamina, wondering if they are taking anything
By no means I have no qualms with older people getting it on.. just .. just.. ..
So on goes the iPod... wonderful little invention, keeps unnecessary images away..
I need to get out.
Well a co-worker sent out a goodbye note tonight. He's leaving the company after 8 long years. In his note, he mentioned the long hours and the long travel hours put in all these years. Well good for him! Glad someone got out. Just hope I am next.
Time to feed Monster.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Back to Normalcy
After working hard for 3 weeks, putting in awful 14-16 hours a day for many days, finally I have my personal time back. So what do I do? Well like any normal human being, I cleaned and I organized. Living in a studio apt, one can image the mess created by weeks of neglect.
So today, I strapped the heavy duty 3M mask around my face, armed with Comet and a scrubber, I attacked my tub with fury. Finally after some elbow grease, the tub regained it's natural color - white.
Next the sink, with the vinegar and the baking soda, down it goes through the pipe bubbling and making hissing noises. Love it!
The floor vacuumed and the litter removed, the living room/dining room/bedroom finally saw the light of day. Then came the scanning and sorting through all the paper stacked on the desk. It's amazing how much paper one gets just within 3 weeks. Scan they go for the bills or some other important documents. I love organizing and categorizing. It soothes and relaxes me believe it or not.
Now I am pooped. Falling asleep now, yes just now as I finished typing the previous sentence, Morpheus paid a visit.
I had something profound to say I thought. Nope, just going to bed.
So today, I strapped the heavy duty 3M mask around my face, armed with Comet and a scrubber, I attacked my tub with fury. Finally after some elbow grease, the tub regained it's natural color - white.
Next the sink, with the vinegar and the baking soda, down it goes through the pipe bubbling and making hissing noises. Love it!
The floor vacuumed and the litter removed, the living room/dining room/bedroom finally saw the light of day. Then came the scanning and sorting through all the paper stacked on the desk. It's amazing how much paper one gets just within 3 weeks. Scan they go for the bills or some other important documents. I love organizing and categorizing. It soothes and relaxes me believe it or not.
Now I am pooped. Falling asleep now, yes just now as I finished typing the previous sentence, Morpheus paid a visit.
I had something profound to say I thought. Nope, just going to bed.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Sleeping Pandas
I feel like a voyeur. What am I saying? I am one! Right now I've got 2 screens open to pandacam, brought to you by the wonderful folks at Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Holly cow! Panda I mean, it moved!! It moved! Finally after several hours of watching the giant sleeping pandas, the mama stirred from her slumber.
They sure sleep a lot.
The two live webcams are focused on the sleeping quarter of the mama Mei Xiang and her new baby male cub.
It's quite relaxing.. (yah I think that's the word I am looking for) to glance up from my resume editing and watch the pandas sleep. Mama panda is just like us humans. She changes sleeping positions quite often. Sometimes she lays on her side, then flips onto her back, roll onto the stomache, or something in between.
I love animals, especially the ones with fur.
Tonight work ended earlier, around 10 PM. And no, I don't work the night shift. I am a corporate worker bee, so supposely I should've been done by 6 PM at the latest. But like many consultants out there, the boundary of work and personal time seem to be blurred and smudged with personal time loosing ground, fast.
So here I am working on my resume, trying to shrink it down to 1 page. From what I hear you are suppose to keep everything under 1 page if possible. Very exciting time for me, after 5 years I might actually be interviewing again if I play my cards right.
Wish me luck.
They sure sleep a lot.
The two live webcams are focused on the sleeping quarter of the mama Mei Xiang and her new baby male cub.
It's quite relaxing.. (yah I think that's the word I am looking for) to glance up from my resume editing and watch the pandas sleep. Mama panda is just like us humans. She changes sleeping positions quite often. Sometimes she lays on her side, then flips onto her back, roll onto the stomache, or something in between.
I love animals, especially the ones with fur.
Tonight work ended earlier, around 10 PM. And no, I don't work the night shift. I am a corporate worker bee, so supposely I should've been done by 6 PM at the latest. But like many consultants out there, the boundary of work and personal time seem to be blurred and smudged with personal time loosing ground, fast.
So here I am working on my resume, trying to shrink it down to 1 page. From what I hear you are suppose to keep everything under 1 page if possible. Very exciting time for me, after 5 years I might actually be interviewing again if I play my cards right.
Wish me luck.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
The Prince of Egypt and I
Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawd.. it's freaking 3 AM!!
Another day/night lost to work. I skipped gym 5 days in a row now. Can't blame that on work for the first 3 nights. Another night spent with my headphones on listening to the soundtrack The Prince of Egypt. Excellent soundtrack if you like Hans Zimmer or just enjoy great music. This is my all around fav album. It has a wide range of emotions which is great late at night while I hunch over my laptop pounding away and cursing at the slowness of the remote system.
One of my favorite track is hands down The Plagues, especially the chorus sections:
I would jump up from my seat whenever this part comes on and wave my arms wildly in the air as I turn blue trying to keep up with the chorus spitting out the curses. Directing them towards whatever ills me at this hour.
More incentive to get that resume ready to look for a new job. Wonder if corporate world is all the same. Grass always look greener on the other side. I know people who have left my company and found happier/more rewarding (either monetary or job satisfaction). I also know those that have left and decided to come back. And then, there are those of us stuck in the neither lands. Oh we stay sandwiched for various reasons: afraid of adapting to new environments, not wanting to give up the cushy salary (this is not one of my factors), too many ties with current job/workplace, or simply not sure what are other options to pursue. Which brings me to my quarter-life crisis -- what am I to do?
Another day/night lost to work. I skipped gym 5 days in a row now. Can't blame that on work for the first 3 nights. Another night spent with my headphones on listening to the soundtrack The Prince of Egypt. Excellent soundtrack if you like Hans Zimmer or just enjoy great music. This is my all around fav album. It has a wide range of emotions which is great late at night while I hunch over my laptop pounding away and cursing at the slowness of the remote system.
One of my favorite track is hands down The Plagues, especially the chorus sections:
I send a pestilence and plague
Into your house, into your bed
Into your streams, into your streets
Into your drink, into your bread
Upon your cattle, on your sheep
Upon your oxen in your field
Into your dreams, into your sleep
Until you break, until you yield
I send the swarm, I send the horde
Into your house, into your bed
Into your streams, into your streets
Into your drink, into your bread
Upon your cattle, on your sheep
Upon your oxen in your field
Into your dreams, into your sleep
Until you break, until you yield
I send the swarm, I send the horde
I would jump up from my seat whenever this part comes on and wave my arms wildly in the air as I turn blue trying to keep up with the chorus spitting out the curses. Directing them towards whatever ills me at this hour.
More incentive to get that resume ready to look for a new job. Wonder if corporate world is all the same. Grass always look greener on the other side. I know people who have left my company and found happier/more rewarding (either monetary or job satisfaction). I also know those that have left and decided to come back. And then, there are those of us stuck in the neither lands. Oh we stay sandwiched for various reasons: afraid of adapting to new environments, not wanting to give up the cushy salary (this is not one of my factors), too many ties with current job/workplace, or simply not sure what are other options to pursue. Which brings me to my quarter-life crisis -- what am I to do?
Sunday, October 09, 2005
Earthquake
Read the news regarding the earthquake that killed so many people in Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Is it me or does anyone else think mother nature is really lashing out this year? 18,000 people, 18,000 and the death toll is still expected to climb. I cannot fathom eighteen thousand people. Actually, I can. I just remembered the images of the football domes filled with Katrina evacuees. That was what around two to three thousand and that's with cots almost next to one another on the football field. So potentially we can have 20 astrodomes filled with casualties from this natural disaster.
The image saddens me. I hope the search and rescue teams will be able to save those who are still trapped quickly.
The image saddens me. I hope the search and rescue teams will be able to save those who are still trapped quickly.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
The 180
Part I
Stock market in the US today was not glamourous by far for majority of the day. I think we were only up by 30 points max. However that was enough for me. Having finally placed an order to buy SIFY after 3 days of good run and high volume, I was cackling when I saw it went up 40 cents. The rest of my stocks were ticking green so I was one happy camper. Thought I would finish City of God before sending it back to Netflix, I was lost in Rocket's accounts until ooh around 3 PM. That's when I noticed the first 180. The market is now negative 80 points.
The market handed me a slap in the face.. "think you got me figured out eh?" it's telling me. Sometimes (wait what am I talking about), all times I wonder why do I do this to myself. I am no professional money manager, why bother with individual stocks with my measly funded accounts? Whoever wrote index funds are boring is right, it is boring. For me investing and hitting that "Buy" or "Sell" button is a terrible exciting action. I have to say that I am much more cautious and smart with decisions when it comes to investing today than when I was back in college. Nonetheless, despite the known advantages of index funds, I am like a moth drawn to the flame, tempted by the idea that I, I can time the transactions to make some dough in shorter periods of time.
Stock market in the US today was not glamourous by far for majority of the day. I think we were only up by 30 points max. However that was enough for me. Having finally placed an order to buy SIFY after 3 days of good run and high volume, I was cackling when I saw it went up 40 cents. The rest of my stocks were ticking green so I was one happy camper. Thought I would finish City of God before sending it back to Netflix, I was lost in Rocket's accounts until ooh around 3 PM. That's when I noticed the first 180. The market is now negative 80 points.
The market handed me a slap in the face.. "think you got me figured out eh?" it's telling me. Sometimes (wait what am I talking about), all times I wonder why do I do this to myself. I am no professional money manager, why bother with individual stocks with my measly funded accounts? Whoever wrote index funds are boring is right, it is boring. For me investing and hitting that "Buy" or "Sell" button is a terrible exciting action. I have to say that I am much more cautious and smart with decisions when it comes to investing today than when I was back in college. Nonetheless, despite the known advantages of index funds, I am like a moth drawn to the flame, tempted by the idea that I, I can time the transactions to make some dough in shorter periods of time.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Dreamers of Toilets
Alright.. whew... that took a while. First I have to say, thanks to those that posted comments! I was so excited to read comments from real people instead of being splogged.
After skimming and reviewing blog search results, about 100 of them, I finally compiled a list of bloggers who have dreamed of finding an usable toilet.
Tada! .. visit the blogs of fellow dreamers in the links to read their accounts.
We are not alone.
After skimming and reviewing blog search results, about 100 of them, I finally compiled a list of bloggers who have dreamed of finding an usable toilet.
Tada! .. visit the blogs of fellow dreamers in the links to read their accounts.
We are not alone.
Neptune, Pluto... Xena and Gabrielle?
Hahah... oohhh gosh, to see this headline on the web tonight just tickled me happy.
Full article provided by CBC News:
Neptune, Pluto... Xena and Gabrielle?
Excerpt:
"Neptune, Pluto... Xena and Gabrielle?
Full article provided by CBC News:
Neptune, Pluto... Xena and Gabrielle?
Excerpt:
"Neptune, Pluto... Xena and Gabrielle?
CBC News
Astronomers say Saturday that an icy, rocky object that might be the solar system's 10th planet has its own moon. Scientists have dubbed the possible planet Xena and its much smaller satellite, Gabrielle.
They made the discovery on Sept. 10 using the Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea in Hawaii."
Oh my.. I still can't believe it. That'll be really cool if they did name the 10th planet and its orbiting moon Xena and Gabrielle. Two of my favorite TV characters of all times. It's so good to see that astronomers have a sense of humor.
For those of you who has not heard about Xena the warrior princess, where have you been? Just google Xena on the web, never too late to catch up.
Sunday, October 02, 2005
Seeking out fellow dreamers
Dreams has always fascinated me. I've had vivid dreams most of my life, well as much as I can remember. Usually I have more than 1 dream a night. It's amazing the places I travel to when I close my eyes.
Dreams are like my private little movie theater and most of the time I am the main star. I've haunted vampires, chased after evil warlords, chased by white spreading blobs (kinda like the black oil in X-Files), rescued peasants, and saved the world. Of course there are also the scary dreams where I jerked awake. Those are the ones I try not to recall in detail.
However, so my recent obsession with toilet searching themed dreams have prompted my next obessions -- finding fellow bloggers who are looking for the same thing - an usable toilet!!
So if you are a fellow dreamer who have or currently dreaming about toilets, please share your story with me and don't be surprised if I seek you out.
Dreams are like my private little movie theater and most of the time I am the main star. I've haunted vampires, chased after evil warlords, chased by white spreading blobs (kinda like the black oil in X-Files), rescued peasants, and saved the world. Of course there are also the scary dreams where I jerked awake. Those are the ones I try not to recall in detail.
However, so my recent obsession with toilet searching themed dreams have prompted my next obessions -- finding fellow bloggers who are looking for the same thing - an usable toilet!!
So if you are a fellow dreamer who have or currently dreaming about toilets, please share your story with me and don't be surprised if I seek you out.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Clogged and Overflowing
Clogged and Overflowing
The toilet is nasty again, clogged and overflowing. It always starts the same way.. I enter this little public bathroom bearing all the traits of a rundown stall; wall paint chipping and peeling, 1 light bulb with no cover and a steel ball chain for operation, small mirror or no mirror, cheap crooked seats, size no bigger than a public bathroom stall.
There are several variations, usually I never get to finish my business, either the seats are gross with some sort of liquid on them, or it's clogged with some forms of solids that I rather not think about in detail.
Then comes the water, the flush, I push that little silver lever and up and up and up the level rises until to my horror it overflows the seats and over the sides and finally the water makes its way toward me....
Then I wake up.
I've had numerous dreams of toilets overflowing. It finds its way to the plots one way or the other. What does it mean?
So this morning just about ooh say 20 minutes ago, I woke up again from an overflowing toilet nightmare, either that or it's because my bladder is full.. not sure which did it this time. Regardless, I have decided to find some interpretations, so, Google work your magic.
Let's recap my problem - waking up from dreams of overflow toilets.
Following are excerpts of interpretations on the web. During my search, I have discovered there are many others like moi, who are troubled by toilets. It's quite comforting to know I am not alone.
From http://dreemmoods.com/:
Toilet
To see a toilet in your dream, symbolizes a release of emotions or getting rid of something in your life that is useless.
To see a clogged toilet in your dream, signifies that you are holding in and keeping your feelings to yourself. Your emotions have been pent up too long.
To see an overflowing toilet in your dream, denotes your desires to fully express your emotions.
From http://www.lifetreks.com/lifetreks3/dream01_199705.asp
Dr. Holloway's Comments:
Dreams of searching for a usable toilet are surprisingly common, particularly for women. Lavatories often represent a place where one can be private and attend to personal needs. Being unable to find a toilet except in the open may indicate a lack of privacy (either physical or emotional) in waking life. Finding "overflowing" toilets often symbolizes a situation in which other people's needs take precedence over yours. They may get to "unload" or process their feelings, but when it's your turn, there is somehow no opportunity for you to express yourself, or talk about what you need. Sometimes life seems to overflow with other people's problems, thoughts and conversation. This type of dream is common for women who are in the habit of taking care of others, or whose work places them in the role of caretaker. Although startling, these dream images do not indicate a problem, but may be a signal of the need to place your own needs higher up on the list of priorities.
From http://www.edgarcayce.org/dreams/categories/rooms.html
Dear Dreamer
The dream is fairly common. Most often a bathroom is symbolic of things that need to be eliminated. However, a bathroom can also be associated with personal privacy. From the imagery in the dream it suggests that you often feel under personal scrutiny and donÂ’t feel like you have enough time for personal privacy. An alternative interpretation could be that part of you desires to eliminate something from your life but you havenÂ’t found a way to do it that makes you feel comfortable. -
From http://www.g-gej.org/6-2/dreamwork.html
Now this is one interesting article, best if you go to the source and read its entirety, but in a gist it's a conversation between 2 psychotherapist friends talking about dreams of overflowing toilets. It looks at the dream from another angle - taking responsibility.
She asked "how does my dreaming of these toilets translate into my life?"
I said that Gestalt theory takes each aspect of the dream as being a part of the self. "You could talk about yourself as a toilet."
.....
"Try starting with "I am an impossible toilet." (We both laughed).
"I am an impossible toilet. I am impossible, so that you don't do something that isn't safe. I stop you from getting into situations you wouldn't want (like wetting your bed). I exist to protect you."
"You know, I think that does apply. I am like that, surrounded by impossible situations that stop me. It's alright for some things where I need to stop myself; however, there are times when I can't take risks because of that. Things just look impossible to me, so I don't try."
The conversation then went further. We both started to talk about the development of the authentic self. We both and maybe most of us, face a void, which is the empty space of life, full of potential. This can only be filled through our own self-support, our creative and aggressive selves. Sometimes, rather than being active and responsible I find myself depressed, unmotivated and blaming; wanting someone else (once my mother) to come and get me moving. I behave in such a way as well so that another person will control me, give me a boundary or spur and inspire me to action. It was someone else in my dream who would not let me pee, and I resented them for it, felt that I was being punished, yet what they did was necessary. It was useful to me.
----------------- #### --------------------
What did I learn from these overflowing toilets?
1 - I feel repressed
2 - I blame/create factors surrounding me for feeling repressed and helpless
Is this true? yes, but that's for another post.
The toilet is nasty again, clogged and overflowing. It always starts the same way.. I enter this little public bathroom bearing all the traits of a rundown stall; wall paint chipping and peeling, 1 light bulb with no cover and a steel ball chain for operation, small mirror or no mirror, cheap crooked seats, size no bigger than a public bathroom stall.
There are several variations, usually I never get to finish my business, either the seats are gross with some sort of liquid on them, or it's clogged with some forms of solids that I rather not think about in detail.
Then comes the water, the flush, I push that little silver lever and up and up and up the level rises until to my horror it overflows the seats and over the sides and finally the water makes its way toward me....
Then I wake up.
I've had numerous dreams of toilets overflowing. It finds its way to the plots one way or the other. What does it mean?
So this morning just about ooh say 20 minutes ago, I woke up again from an overflowing toilet nightmare, either that or it's because my bladder is full.. not sure which did it this time. Regardless, I have decided to find some interpretations, so, Google work your magic.
Let's recap my problem - waking up from dreams of overflow toilets.
Following are excerpts of interpretations on the web. During my search, I have discovered there are many others like moi, who are troubled by toilets. It's quite comforting to know I am not alone.
From http://dreemmoods.com/:
Toilet
To see a toilet in your dream, symbolizes a release of emotions or getting rid of something in your life that is useless.
To see a clogged toilet in your dream, signifies that you are holding in and keeping your feelings to yourself. Your emotions have been pent up too long.
To see an overflowing toilet in your dream, denotes your desires to fully express your emotions.
From http://www.lifetreks.com/lifetreks3/dream01_199705.asp
Dr. Holloway's Comments:
Dreams of searching for a usable toilet are surprisingly common, particularly for women. Lavatories often represent a place where one can be private and attend to personal needs. Being unable to find a toilet except in the open may indicate a lack of privacy (either physical or emotional) in waking life. Finding "overflowing" toilets often symbolizes a situation in which other people's needs take precedence over yours. They may get to "unload" or process their feelings, but when it's your turn, there is somehow no opportunity for you to express yourself, or talk about what you need. Sometimes life seems to overflow with other people's problems, thoughts and conversation. This type of dream is common for women who are in the habit of taking care of others, or whose work places them in the role of caretaker. Although startling, these dream images do not indicate a problem, but may be a signal of the need to place your own needs higher up on the list of priorities.
From http://www.edgarcayce.org/dreams/categories/rooms.html
Dear Dreamer
The dream is fairly common. Most often a bathroom is symbolic of things that need to be eliminated. However, a bathroom can also be associated with personal privacy. From the imagery in the dream it suggests that you often feel under personal scrutiny and donÂ’t feel like you have enough time for personal privacy. An alternative interpretation could be that part of you desires to eliminate something from your life but you havenÂ’t found a way to do it that makes you feel comfortable. -
From http://www.g-gej.org/6-2/dreamwork.html
Now this is one interesting article, best if you go to the source and read its entirety, but in a gist it's a conversation between 2 psychotherapist friends talking about dreams of overflowing toilets. It looks at the dream from another angle - taking responsibility.
She asked "how does my dreaming of these toilets translate into my life?"
I said that Gestalt theory takes each aspect of the dream as being a part of the self. "You could talk about yourself as a toilet."
.....
"Try starting with "I am an impossible toilet." (We both laughed).
"I am an impossible toilet. I am impossible, so that you don't do something that isn't safe. I stop you from getting into situations you wouldn't want (like wetting your bed). I exist to protect you."
"You know, I think that does apply. I am like that, surrounded by impossible situations that stop me. It's alright for some things where I need to stop myself; however, there are times when I can't take risks because of that. Things just look impossible to me, so I don't try."
The conversation then went further. We both started to talk about the development of the authentic self. We both and maybe most of us, face a void, which is the empty space of life, full of potential. This can only be filled through our own self-support, our creative and aggressive selves. Sometimes, rather than being active and responsible I find myself depressed, unmotivated and blaming; wanting someone else (once my mother) to come and get me moving. I behave in such a way as well so that another person will control me, give me a boundary or spur and inspire me to action. It was someone else in my dream who would not let me pee, and I resented them for it, felt that I was being punished, yet what they did was necessary. It was useful to me.
----------------- #### --------------------
What did I learn from these overflowing toilets?
1 - I feel repressed
2 - I blame/create factors surrounding me for feeling repressed and helpless
Is this true? yes, but that's for another post.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
If you build it, they will come.
If you build it, they will come.
Couple days ago, I logged onto my blog and was very excited to find that someone has commented on a post. When I clicked to view the comment, (bloggers can sympathize with me here) I was disappointed and a bit surprised/annoyed to see that I’ve been splogged! (ladies and gents, I have coined this word.. reference me when using “splogged”) Yes, someone has spammed my blog! Dam them! When I logged in today, I found another splog! I blame this on Google’s release of the new blog search tool.
*sigh* hopefully one day my blog will be read by an actual human. If not it’s okay as well, it’ll serve as a stolen journal.
Hmmm.. yogurt.. yogurt is good at 11:30 pm. This fall season has brought us numerous new TV shows and surprisingly most of them are darn good entertainment. Watch out HBO! There are so many shows out there I had to make a personalized listing of what to watch each day of the week. Thought I was a couch potato before, this will really plant me in. (Holly crap, I thought “potato” was spelled as “potatoe” with an “e” all this time. Thank goodness for Word spellcheck.)
I digress, shows I like to watch this season are:
· Prison Break
· Medium
· House
· Commander in Chief
· Lost
· Alias
· Smallville
· Will & Grace
· Desperate Housewives
· Scrubs
Have to make up my mind on:
· Close to Home
· Invasion
· E-Ring
· Criminal Minds
· Surface
· And many others
Wonder if people will start suing television networks for obesity one day?
Couple days ago, I logged onto my blog and was very excited to find that someone has commented on a post. When I clicked to view the comment, (bloggers can sympathize with me here) I was disappointed and a bit surprised/annoyed to see that I’ve been splogged! (ladies and gents, I have coined this word.. reference me when using “splogged”) Yes, someone has spammed my blog! Dam them! When I logged in today, I found another splog! I blame this on Google’s release of the new blog search tool.
*sigh* hopefully one day my blog will be read by an actual human. If not it’s okay as well, it’ll serve as a stolen journal.
Hmmm.. yogurt.. yogurt is good at 11:30 pm. This fall season has brought us numerous new TV shows and surprisingly most of them are darn good entertainment. Watch out HBO! There are so many shows out there I had to make a personalized listing of what to watch each day of the week. Thought I was a couch potato before, this will really plant me in. (Holly crap, I thought “potato” was spelled as “potatoe” with an “e” all this time. Thank goodness for Word spellcheck.)
I digress, shows I like to watch this season are:
· Prison Break
· Medium
· House
· Commander in Chief
· Lost
· Alias
· Smallville
· Will & Grace
· Desperate Housewives
· Scrubs
Have to make up my mind on:
· Close to Home
· Invasion
· E-Ring
· Criminal Minds
· Surface
· And many others
Wonder if people will start suing television networks for obesity one day?
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Hurricane again and her name is Rita.
Hurricane again and her name is Rita.
It's past midnight and here I am back posting again during a major hurricane, this time it's the one named Rita. Will this never end for the unfortunate people of the south? It was less than a month ago where people had to evacuate from southern states. Now we are seeing the mass exodus happening again this time to the people near Houston, TX. Lessons learned from Katrina were applied to evacuating people however, it was not quite enough as the entire world watches the impossibly long and slow progression of traffic moving from South to Northern Texas resulting in hundreds/thousands of stranded motorists along the side of the road due to running out of gas.
In couple hours the eye of Rita will make landfall. Then hopefully she'll move off quickly and cut everyone a break.
My eyes are tired.. ever since I discovered the 24/7 coverage of CNN on hurricanes I've been watching it none stop.
It's past midnight and here I am back posting again during a major hurricane, this time it's the one named Rita. Will this never end for the unfortunate people of the south? It was less than a month ago where people had to evacuate from southern states. Now we are seeing the mass exodus happening again this time to the people near Houston, TX. Lessons learned from Katrina were applied to evacuating people however, it was not quite enough as the entire world watches the impossibly long and slow progression of traffic moving from South to Northern Texas resulting in hundreds/thousands of stranded motorists along the side of the road due to running out of gas.
In couple hours the eye of Rita will make landfall. Then hopefully she'll move off quickly and cut everyone a break.
My eyes are tired.. ever since I discovered the 24/7 coverage of CNN on hurricanes I've been watching it none stop.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Atlanta, Georgia - 08/31/05 - 6 AM - 7 AM
Atlanta, Georgia - 08/31/05 - 6 AM - 7 AM
Finally brother and company are safe and sound in Atlanta, Georgia. They are now comfortably sleeping at father's friend's house.
Phew... first segement complete.
This hurricane has such a wide affect, not only to the people that had to evacuate but it impacts family members, friends, relatives, co-workers, and the list goes on and on..
Times like this so poignantly demonstrates the signficance of an individual, and how each one of us affects another. Like a drop of water in pond, no matter the size or shape of a drop it still creates a ripple.
Finally brother and company are safe and sound in Atlanta, Georgia. They are now comfortably sleeping at father's friend's house.
Phew... first segement complete.
This hurricane has such a wide affect, not only to the people that had to evacuate but it impacts family members, friends, relatives, co-workers, and the list goes on and on..
Times like this so poignantly demonstrates the signficance of an individual, and how each one of us affects another. Like a drop of water in pond, no matter the size or shape of a drop it still creates a ripple.
Birmingham, AL - 08/31/05 - 3:15 AM
Birmingham, AL - 08/31/05 - 3:15 AM
Brother and company finally saw signs of big city life after driving through most of the night from Hattiesburg to Jackson, MS and then taking Highway 20 to Birmingham.
When asked about traffic on the road, he said there weren't too much. The roads were clear so driving condition was good.
After a rest, they headed on towards destination - Atlanta, Georgia.
Brother and company finally saw signs of big city life after driving through most of the night from Hattiesburg to Jackson, MS and then taking Highway 20 to Birmingham.
When asked about traffic on the road, he said there weren't too much. The roads were clear so driving condition was good.
After a rest, they headed on towards destination - Atlanta, Georgia.
Mandeville - status
Mandeville - status
The following is a summary of the posts I searched through on WWLTV.com 's forum for St. Tammany Parish up to page 49. In particular, I was interested in the areas near St Ann Drive and near the on ramp for Causeway bridge to New Orleans.
- St Ann Drive seems okay, just a lot of down trees
- Flooding up to 3 ft to Monroe street was reported, but damage probably not as sever since winds changed directions
- More serious flooding in Old Mandeville and damages from strong winds
- Someone was able to get back to Mandeville via 190 through Covington and then Highway 12 West
- Some parts of Mandeville has power, but in general due to strong winds, there is no phone nor cellphone service, nor electric
- Fontainebleau subdivision at intersection of Rue Chinon & Rue Bayonne did not flood
The following is a summary of the posts I searched through on WWLTV.com 's forum for St. Tammany Parish up to page 49. In particular, I was interested in the areas near St Ann Drive and near the on ramp for Causeway bridge to New Orleans.
- St Ann Drive seems okay, just a lot of down trees
- Flooding up to 3 ft to Monroe street was reported, but damage probably not as sever since winds changed directions
- More serious flooding in Old Mandeville and damages from strong winds
- Someone was able to get back to Mandeville via 190 through Covington and then Highway 12 West
- Some parts of Mandeville has power, but in general due to strong winds, there is no phone nor cellphone service, nor electric
- Fontainebleau subdivision at intersection of Rue Chinon & Rue Bayonne did not flood
Hattiesburgh, MS - Highway 59 N
Hattiesburgh, MS - Highway 59 N
7:45 PM - Finally received word from my brother after 8 hours of communication silence. Turns out that their attempt to head towards Meridian, MS was a complete failure.
Along with many other cars on the road, after 7 hours on 59 N traveling only 10 miles they were told by the police to turn around and head back toward Hattiesburg, MS because Highway 59 is shutdown.
I can hear the frustration in my father and brother's tone as they wondered why weren't they notified earlier by the police as everyone was just leaving Hattiesburg hours ago?
So summary is as of 8 PM on 8/30/05, you cannot get from Hattiesburgh to Meridian via Highway 59.
The authorities told them to head towards Jackson, MS and cross over to Meridian on Highway 20.
So now brother and company is on their way to Jackson, MS and try their second attempt to get to Meridian sometime tonight.
7:45 PM - Finally received word from my brother after 8 hours of communication silence. Turns out that their attempt to head towards Meridian, MS was a complete failure.
Along with many other cars on the road, after 7 hours on 59 N traveling only 10 miles they were told by the police to turn around and head back toward Hattiesburg, MS because Highway 59 is shutdown.
I can hear the frustration in my father and brother's tone as they wondered why weren't they notified earlier by the police as everyone was just leaving Hattiesburg hours ago?
So summary is as of 8 PM on 8/30/05, you cannot get from Hattiesburgh to Meridian via Highway 59.
The authorities told them to head towards Jackson, MS and cross over to Meridian on Highway 20.
So now brother and company is on their way to Jackson, MS and try their second attempt to get to Meridian sometime tonight.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Buses, Trains, and Airplanes
Buses, Trains, and Airplanes
For most part of the morning, I've been trying to find possible routes to get family to a larger city that's more equipped and hopefully can provide them with more comfortable shelter and prehaps a way for them to get to the east coast.
Searched Greyhound, Amtrak, and various airlines. A lot of the closer operational stations are closed due to Hurricane Katrina. Looks like the closest operational cities are: Birmingham, Memphis, and Montgomery.
For most part of the morning, I've been trying to find possible routes to get family to a larger city that's more equipped and hopefully can provide them with more comfortable shelter and prehaps a way for them to get to the east coast.
Searched Greyhound, Amtrak, and various airlines. A lot of the closer operational stations are closed due to Hurricane Katrina. Looks like the closest operational cities are: Birmingham, Memphis, and Montgomery.
Hattiesburg, MS - stop over
Hattiesburg, MS - stop over
8/30/05 - 10 AM - 12 PM
Brother called when they arrived at the outskirts of Hattiesburg. They parked at a BP gas station. I am not familiar with the area, but they can see Best Buy from where they were. He reported there are a bunch of people lined up at BP hoping for the gas station to open.
Highway 59 North is littered with fallen trees. There are personnel cleaning up with big trackers to push off the sawed off tree parts to the sides of the roads.
As of last conversation with my brother, not clear when the roads will be cleared.
Good thing parents kept their manual (thanks to my dad's stubborness). With rising gas prices and now lacking of operational gas stations, half a tank on the car can take them at least another 200 miles.
Meridian is their goal for tonight. One of the Red Cross shelters also mentioned that there are a lot of down trees and powerlines. However, considering parts of FEMA is stationed there, hopefully some roads will be cleared enough for my brother and company to pass through.
8/30/05 - 10 AM - 12 PM
Brother called when they arrived at the outskirts of Hattiesburg. They parked at a BP gas station. I am not familiar with the area, but they can see Best Buy from where they were. He reported there are a bunch of people lined up at BP hoping for the gas station to open.
Highway 59 North is littered with fallen trees. There are personnel cleaning up with big trackers to push off the sawed off tree parts to the sides of the roads.
As of last conversation with my brother, not clear when the roads will be cleared.
Good thing parents kept their manual (thanks to my dad's stubborness). With rising gas prices and now lacking of operational gas stations, half a tank on the car can take them at least another 200 miles.
Meridian is their goal for tonight. One of the Red Cross shelters also mentioned that there are a lot of down trees and powerlines. However, considering parts of FEMA is stationed there, hopefully some roads will be cleared enough for my brother and company to pass through.
Columbia, MS - shelter
Columbia, MS - shelter
After family members left Mandeville afternoon of 8/28/05, they headed north in hopes of finding some shelter. They abandoned the route for Texas due to the gridlock from the mass mandatory evacuation. Several shelters along the way were filled to the capacity thus prompted them to travel further north until they stopped in the town of Columbia, MS and decided to bunker down before nightfall.
They were taken into a brick church which is now a Red Cross shelter. Cellphone reception in the church was very poor for both Verizon Wireless and Cingular/AT&T even before the storm. Not sure if it was due to incoming winds, building or tower signals.
Refugees were placed in the gym area. There was power and food. So that was good to hear. I received update from brother on 8/29/05 around 7 am in the morning. Everything was okay and no damaged during the night. At that point, they only received some moderate wind gusts and rain.
8/29/05 - 10 AM
I lost cellphone communication with family at that point. Text Message were not delivered to both the verizon and at&t handsets. Calls kept getting busy signals. Kept refreshing the National Hurricane Center website to look at where Katrina is head and how fast.
8/29/05 - 2:50 PM
A sigh of relief was released when brother rang again. He reported the shelter lost power, but everyone was okay. Everyone was relocated from the gym area to where the pews were before the church sustained roof damage due to high winds. Parts of the roof was ripped off, but since everyone moved to the center of the church no harm done. They were fed lunch and now just waiting for rest of storm to pass.
8/30/05 - 9-10 Am
Brother and company left the Red Cross shelter at Columbia, MS early this morning to head for a bigger town - Hattiesburg, MS.
When they left the power was still out.
After family members left Mandeville afternoon of 8/28/05, they headed north in hopes of finding some shelter. They abandoned the route for Texas due to the gridlock from the mass mandatory evacuation. Several shelters along the way were filled to the capacity thus prompted them to travel further north until they stopped in the town of Columbia, MS and decided to bunker down before nightfall.
They were taken into a brick church which is now a Red Cross shelter. Cellphone reception in the church was very poor for both Verizon Wireless and Cingular/AT&T even before the storm. Not sure if it was due to incoming winds, building or tower signals.
Refugees were placed in the gym area. There was power and food. So that was good to hear. I received update from brother on 8/29/05 around 7 am in the morning. Everything was okay and no damaged during the night. At that point, they only received some moderate wind gusts and rain.
8/29/05 - 10 AM
I lost cellphone communication with family at that point. Text Message were not delivered to both the verizon and at&t handsets. Calls kept getting busy signals. Kept refreshing the National Hurricane Center website to look at where Katrina is head and how fast.
8/29/05 - 2:50 PM
A sigh of relief was released when brother rang again. He reported the shelter lost power, but everyone was okay. Everyone was relocated from the gym area to where the pews were before the church sustained roof damage due to high winds. Parts of the roof was ripped off, but since everyone moved to the center of the church no harm done. They were fed lunch and now just waiting for rest of storm to pass.
8/30/05 - 9-10 Am
Brother and company left the Red Cross shelter at Columbia, MS early this morning to head for a bigger town - Hattiesburg, MS.
When they left the power was still out.
The Start
It's Tuesday 08/30/05, 2 PM. I've been glued to CNN ever since Hurricane Katrina started heading for New Orleans. Like many of people with friends or family in the southern states, when cellphone communications started to deteriorate it brought back feelings of helplessness, worry, panic and frustration as that dreadful 9/11 day.
Members of my family are very lucky as they were able to evacuate Mandeville, LA and settle in a shelter before Katrina touched down on early Monday morning.
Due to the immense devastation caused by the hurricane, news sources are hard to come by regarding situations of smaller surrounding towns. Sitting in NJ, thousands of miles away from my family I can only wait by my phone to receive the next call from my brother as he slowly makes his way to some of the bigger cities where hopefully there is power and gasoline.
When he asked if I was able to reach our friends who left for Texas before Katrina hit, I answer with the same resignation, "no, lines were busy". When he asked about road and power conditions up ahead I can only give him the very limited information that I can find online or the rare conversations exchanges I have with shelter sponsors.
As he makes his way towards Atlanta, Georgia, I'll post as much info as I can.
Members of my family are very lucky as they were able to evacuate Mandeville, LA and settle in a shelter before Katrina touched down on early Monday morning.
Due to the immense devastation caused by the hurricane, news sources are hard to come by regarding situations of smaller surrounding towns. Sitting in NJ, thousands of miles away from my family I can only wait by my phone to receive the next call from my brother as he slowly makes his way to some of the bigger cities where hopefully there is power and gasoline.
When he asked if I was able to reach our friends who left for Texas before Katrina hit, I answer with the same resignation, "no, lines were busy". When he asked about road and power conditions up ahead I can only give him the very limited information that I can find online or the rare conversations exchanges I have with shelter sponsors.
As he makes his way towards Atlanta, Georgia, I'll post as much info as I can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)