why I work at a startup

Someone just tried to punch a fart out of a fellow co-worker. This is why I don't get bored at work. Too much entertainment.

She shall be red, black, and beautiful. And they shall call her Kawasaki.

From the i-know-you're-bored-at-work dept.

Actually, I'm bored at work, otherwise why else would I be posting this?

http://www.patmedia.net/marklevinson/cool/cool_illusion.html

http://www.jrentech.net/benz/random/posts/rnd/pho.swf

quirks of the web

You know when you sign up for a website and it has that picture of distorted text that it asks you to type in? Sometimes I can't figure them out. In our quest to keep our accounts free from some-computer-signs-up-for-a-billion-accounts, somewhere along the way I have been cut-off from the rest of humanity. Maybe it's because I spend so much time with computers. Or maybe it's just because I'm dumb. Or both. Or neither. That's deep, I know.

On an entirely different note, I went to the xanga homepage today and I saw at the top they had a tab that said "Metros". The first thing that popped in my mind was "They have a specific section for metros, now?" So sad. This is all BH and EH's fault.

noise pollution

I think I just woke up all my neighbors in a 5 mile radius. I took my new (to me, but not as in unused) motorcycle around the block. They all hate me now.

societal idiosyncrasies

Why is it when you walk into a bathroom (or elevator), you automatically become responsible for everything in its current state? For example, you are at a party at a friend's house. You walk into the bathroom, and there is pee on the floor. If you do nothing and walk out THAT VERY SECOND, it doesn't matter; if someone saw you come out of the bathroom, they'll think you did it. Same goes if you walk into an elevator and smell something foul; the next person that walks in will think you let one.

It's like you have to clean everything and/or get rid of the smell so that nothing can be blamed on you. You wanna know what my question is? Where is the guy who left the bathroom/elevator before you?! How come he/she gets to get away with it?! There's never anyone waiting for the bathroom when they leave, but there always is when you walk out. Murphy's Law.

Awww, yeah!

Class M1 license, baby!

I dunno if this means I'm stupid or what, but I thought motorcycle licenses were a seperate license. Like you carry around a driver's license _and_ a motorcycle license. My dreams of two-license grandeur were quickly dashed at the DMV when they told me they just issue one license and it says class C and M1 on it. I supposed that's more efficient.

post #214

I am constantly amazed at how fast people comment on this blog. Actually, I'm surprised people even read this thing. My life is not that interesting, people. Which says a lot about how boring work is for all of you.

People all over the world play the same card games differently. Who changes the rules?! Maybe when people start teaching it to other people, they forget the rules, and in order to not seem dumb, they just make up new ones. Ahh, card games. Our family's favorite pastime.

I know why I like reading other people's blogs so much. I'm (generally) not a talker, due to my introverted ways. I enjoy listening to people, especially if they're interesting or funny. Blogs are like walking around listening to people's one-sided conversations, but if they bore you, or you dislike them, you can walk away. And they neither notice nor care. I wish I could do that in real life. Maybe I'll try it.

this post is a placeholder

It has come to my attention that recently a friend has started the "phasing out" process. This happens when the person in question acquires a boyfriend or girlfriend and starts to spend increasing amounts of time with that person........to the detriment of their previous "I'm-bored-what-should-we-do" friends. At first it starts slow. Maybe they start arriving later than usual, or they stop calling. Eventually, they miss meetings altogether and start making excuses.

I, for one, am disgusted by this practice. You know what this says to me? That person was using his/her friends as "placeholder friends". These are people you hang out with until your girlfriend/boyfriend comes along. Once you get hooked up, you forego the other friendships and concentrate on your new-found relationship. How do you think this makes your "placeholder friends" feel? They are slowing being phased out of your life. Where once there was fledging camaraderie, now there is only a barren land of lost hope (as opposed to the lush, fertile, rich land of lost hope, but that's somewhere else). Once they had purpose--to make you forget you were alone in the world and that nobody loved you. Now they are just useless acquaintances you stepped on while you ran to your future spouse. Well, people, this has to stop!

Don't phase people out! Surgically extract them from your life. Just cut all communication with your friends. Don't make excuses. Tell them how it is. "I have a (girl|boy)friend now, and I'd rather spend this time with them. I'll call you when they're busy and I'm bored." At least this way your friends aren't clinging onto that one ray of hope that they will see you this week. This way they'll know how things stand and won't be _as_ disappointed when you don't show up for their birthday......again. It's like a bandaid you have to pull off. Do you want your friends to be the hairs that get pulled slowly? Do it in one quick motion! Hope is a very powerful thing. Crushing that hope week after week is just cruel (although usual) punishment. Don't do that to your friends. Even if they were just placeholders.

enunciate people

Note: 3ds Max is a 3D modeling program, may also be referred to as "Max".

Conversation I had in class today:

group member: "Do we have Max?"
Professor: "Are you the only one that knows how to use Max?"
me: "I know how to use Macs."
Professor: "Ok, so we have two people who can model."
me: "Oh, I don't know how to model."
Professor (incredulous look): "You know how to use Max, but you don't know how to model?"
me: "Yeah, I have a Mac, but I don't know how to use 3ds Max or Maya to model stuff."

At this point everyone in the group, including my professor, are just staring at me like they can't believe how stupid I am. Yup, great day at school today.

Welcome to the blogosphere

My sister has started a blog. I won't post the site here, for fear she'll unleash Booba on me in case she wants to keep it private. Finally, my family is catching up technologically to the rest of the world. Actually, my family is pretty up-to-date (I'd like to think I've had a part in that, along with my brother) but my dad still insists on using dial-up to access his company's VPN even though we have a cable modem and wireless router at home. It just boggles the mind, I know. (Mei, maybe we should cut all his phone cords so he's forced to use the wireless. Shhhh...)

Whenever people ask me if I call my parents I say no. But that's because at any given time, there are 50 emails zipping back and forth across the country keeping everyone up to date. Some of this includes all the Aunts and Uncles and various cousins (and extending to Taiwan). I'm still very proud that my extended family all has email and knows how to use it. Good job, older Asian generation!

what I accomplished today

On my way to work this morning, I figured out why LA is so impersonal. It's because everyone is so superficial. Superficiality (yes, that's a word) doesn't work among friends. Say you lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone else. You try to act like someone you're not, or drive a buggy that everyone knows you can't afford, and it gets you nowhere. People call you out. It doesn't work. But say you were a stranger to that town. You pull up in your nice new Italian hand-made 2 hp buggy and everyone thinks you're rich. See? Showing off only works if people don't know you. So LA'ers purposely try to not-know people so they can be superficial. But the fact that you don't know anyone pressures you to show off and BE superficial. Thus, perpetuating this vicious cycle that is LA life. I know, deep, huh.

the most dangerous restroom in the world

excuse me, you see this space? yeah, it's mine

Yesterday, we had group presentations in my class. We were presenting game engines and were using the LCD projector. During one of the presentations, a student walks and stands RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, blocking my view, and proceeds to present his slides. I'm sitting in my chair thinking, Is this guy gonna move? Doesn't he feel uncomfortable standing so close to me? Does he even know he is blocking my view? Apparently not. You know how people shuffle their feet back and forth when they present stuff? He kept RUNNING INTO ME. He was literally touching me while he was presenting. I couldn't move away because we were sitting in rolling chairs and I was already against the side with people sitting around me. Possibly the most uncomfortable 10 minutes I've ever experienced. Then again, I haven't embarrassed myself in front of my gf/fiance/wife's friends/siblings/parents yet, so who knows what God has in store for me? I can't wait.

Do people not understand the concept of personal space? I would blame it on his ethnicity (Indian--you know, maybe it's so crowded over there they get scared when they have empty space around them--yes, that's a racist comment, but Asians are racist), but there are plenty of Americans that have to stand within licking-distance to your face when they talk to you. I don't get it. And I don't want to. Please just stand a reasonable distance away from me when you converse with me. OR ARE PRESENTING SLIDES THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO SEE.

me and my 5 talents

At my church in Ohio, we started two Bible studies at two local chinese restaurants. The workers don't have time to come to church on Sundays, so a few people go to the restaurants Friday night after it closes and lead Bible studies in the restaurant. I heard stories of how most live together in a cramped apartment, but I never saw it first hand. Reading this article in the NYTimes really hits home. I know these people. Some of them sat next to me at church (the ones that could come).

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/jobs/02lee.html?8dpc

How blessed are we to have been born in the richest country on earth, with all the opportunity in the world? And how responsible are we going to be when we finally have to answer for what we did with our lives?

"Oh, God, I was busy moving to a different country, learning a different language, different culture, trying to earn money for my family back home to survive. I'm sorry I couldn't witness to that many people."

"Oh, God, I was busy playing video games, hanging out with friends, watching movies, eating out, thinking about how to earn even more money so I could enjoy the luxurious life you gave me. Sorry I couldn't witness to that many people."

Yeah, one of those people is gonna get a well-deserved smack-down.

an alternative theory

[17:13] somebody: i read that article about christian men not dating
[17:13] somebody: i have another theory
[17:13] somebody: christian women are ugly
[17:13] somebody: for the most part

from the "I'm in charge of the contact list, can I have your email and phone number?" dept.

http://www.crosswalk.com/community/singles/1351339.html

Why aren't single Christian men dating? I dunno. Maybe it's cuz there are no Mandarin speaking girls at their church. Just a thought.

grassroots movement

Why is it that when everyone I meet finds out I was born and raised in Ohio, the reaction is always the same? "Whoa! Really?!" No, not really, I'm just joking because I like to lie to people when I first meet them. People must think all Asians come from Asia or are born in California. It's not true! I'm living proof. Now that you know, spread the word. Then, the next time I tell someone I'm from Ohio, they can be like, "Oh yeah. I've heard of people like you."

the secret to success

I went to the USC Career Fair today and felt sorry for everyone I met. I was sent by the company that pays my bills, along with JL and BH, to recruit for developers. It's hard to go up to random strangers, hand them a sheet that describes your life and explain why you are the most awesome person in the world. And CS people definitely do not excell at people skills. Dang, how am I employed? Oh yeah, cuz my cousin got married and God likes me (still trying to figure THAT one out).

Tips to all of you unemployed peeps out there.

1. Do not go at the end of the career fair. The recruiters tend to leave early, and they're really tired cuz they've been sitting out in the sun for 4.5 hrs. That means they won't listen to what you have to say.

2. Recruiters won't listen to what you have to say. So you have to sell yourself to them to make them listen. There are so many people that recruiters meet that there is no way to remember them all. So do something that stands out so when they go through the resumes again, they'll remember you.

3. Bring a resume. There were a handful of people that didn't know there was a career fair and were just walking around asking questions. That's great, but there's no way for us to get in contact with them. And we already have so many other candidates.

Wow, I sound like I know what I'm talking about. Why am I giving job advice? Forget everything I said. Just go make friends with lots of smart people and they will hook you up when they become successful. Smart people, watch out. Lots of people are about to add you on Friendster, Myspace and AIM. Yeah, right. There's only like 10 people that read this blog. Nevermind, false alarm. Smart people, go back to becoming successful.

Another successful Exodus retreat

retreat. a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, and instruction under a director Exodus retreat. specific form of retreat that involves travelling to the middle of nowhere, renting an extremely large house, discovering and killing (by means of flame thrower) six black widow spiders, finding a large rat living in the BBQ grill, swimming and lounging in a heated pool and jacuzzi, improvising to make sure we are not spied upon while nursing babies and showering, staying up until morning playing poker praying...................for good cards, inundating ourselves with extreme amounts of very delicious foods that can only be described as gluttonous, worshipping God with household items, and playing charades that make a dim sum lady turn into a drunk driver throwing up. May also include new singles for the next Exodus album. (you might need quicktime 7 to play the video)