I haven't posted anything here in quite a while, and I feel that to be a bit of a pity. My life has changed significantly, and I'm not quite sure how well the me from a year ago would recognize the me of today.
Life exhibits an ever-present dualism of simplicity and complication.
I am provisionally with a new group at work, working on a challenging product that I believe in. With ease I find myself working 11-hour days, but I am satisfied. By trade I have been a systems administrator, but I am trying to become a software engineer proper through a mentorship program. My peers comment that I am a fast and conscientious learner, yet I still find myself half-way jealous of the rockstar engineers who're a few years my junior. Let's be honest 'bout this: I really have no right to complain given how well I'm doing for my age.
It is also the case that I'm less stuck in the ivory tower of yore. Intelligence powered by inordinate amounts of committed memory with analysis, for as much as I appreciate it, has given way toward interest in emotional intelligence. Like before, I am still quiet; but less a fountain of useless trivia.
Much to my satisfaction, Sabra and I have re-kindled our relationship after about two months apart. She's a really incredible person and an integral piece of my life's puzzle. That someone as such can exist leaves me wondering whether I am stuck in a solipsistic dream. I mean, she's in a class of her own in her physical, intellectual, and emotional beauty. (Can she be real?) For the first time ever---and I don't say this out of dopamine flowing through my system, because I have felt this way for a long time---, I feel that I have met my match. Familiarity has not bred contempt, only new, incredibly shared experiences and learning. Where this goes is uncertain; but I hope it continues, for I have yet to meet another half as compelling as her.
While self-preservation is on the docket, I am also becoming acutely aware of the fact that I am an adrenaline junkie. To my mother, father, and Sabs' collective chagrin, I got my motorcycle license in April this year and bought a 1989 Honda Hawk (NT650) soon after. Can't lie about this: This is the best purchase I've made in my life. No incidents yet, thankfully.
This is enough for now. It is time to sleep.
2009-10-15
2008-08-04
Blasphemous Words
So what's the deal been with YouTube lately? A bunch of videos of concerts for bands that I like have suddenly disappeared.
The funny thing is that these bands are not on major labels and really not on the RIAA's radar. Secondly, many of these bands are old enough now to care little about duplicated intellectual property and enjoy the public's enjoyment of such things. I mean, plenty of other works of theirs are still on there.
What are the recent casualties? The best live version of Einstürzende Neubauten's Befindlichkeit des Landes I've seen and a very thrilling version of Front 242's Red Team. OK. OK. My music tastes are dated. Deal.
Forever lost will these treasures be.
The funny thing is that these bands are not on major labels and really not on the RIAA's radar. Secondly, many of these bands are old enough now to care little about duplicated intellectual property and enjoy the public's enjoyment of such things. I mean, plenty of other works of theirs are still on there.
What are the recent casualties? The best live version of Einstürzende Neubauten's Befindlichkeit des Landes I've seen and a very thrilling version of Front 242's Red Team. OK. OK. My music tastes are dated. Deal.
Forever lost will these treasures be.
2008-07-14
Beer Protectionism?
CNN right now has its front page plastered with the story that Anheuser-Busch, maker of Budweiser, will be sold to the Belgian company InBev. And according to the commentary, people are up in arms about this. Up in arms about it to the point of boycotting it!
You've got to be kidding me! What's the big deal here? It's only a manufacturer of fermented latrine water with trace amounts of cheep liquor being changed hands.
If you're going to quit drinking it because of this, good! Take a stroll to your neighborhood liquor store or brew pub and try something new. It's a big, wide world out there, but don't let that scare you.
You know what'd really get me off my chair? I have a hunch that the Congress will pass some simple, non-binding resolution condemning this purchase. What would you say if I was correct?
Well, in all fairness, I'm glad to see people voting with their dollar. It's more effective than institutionalized democracy in this country anyhow.
You've got to be kidding me! What's the big deal here? It's only a manufacturer of fermented latrine water with trace amounts of cheep liquor being changed hands.
If you're going to quit drinking it because of this, good! Take a stroll to your neighborhood liquor store or brew pub and try something new. It's a big, wide world out there, but don't let that scare you.
You know what'd really get me off my chair? I have a hunch that the Congress will pass some simple, non-binding resolution condemning this purchase. What would you say if I was correct?
Well, in all fairness, I'm glad to see people voting with their dollar. It's more effective than institutionalized democracy in this country anyhow.
I'm not one to give up easily, but ...
I need to figure out quickly whether to cut my losses or keep going:
The Datsun had more electrical problems tonight. It stalled on highway 280 in Daly City, leaving me to wait in the cold, misty air for two hours to get a tow truck. I have further hunches as to what's wrong but not a lot of time over the next two weeks to investigate.
More on this later.
The Datsun had more electrical problems tonight. It stalled on highway 280 in Daly City, leaving me to wait in the cold, misty air for two hours to get a tow truck. I have further hunches as to what's wrong but not a lot of time over the next two weeks to investigate.
2008-07-05
I wish this would be your color.
If only I could put into words just how beautiful last night was, ...
You'll likely never know without having been there under the same circumstances, in the same poisoned mental context.
You'll likely never know without having been there under the same circumstances, in the same poisoned mental context.
2008-07-02
Let there be electricity!
Finally! After all of these troubles, I found an internally-regulated alternator for the Datsun. Let this post stand for the record for anyone else out there searching: A Bosch AL236X will fit perfectly and provide about 60 amperes worth of output.
Finding this match would have been impossible had Roy Tucker of R&R Import Auto Parts not been so gracious and knowledgible in the matter. I am so pleased with his level of service that I recommend everyone him to anyone looking for a quality parts source.
Finding this match would have been impossible had Roy Tucker of R&R Import Auto Parts not been so gracious and knowledgible in the matter. I am so pleased with his level of service that I recommend everyone him to anyone looking for a quality parts source.
2008-06-25
Bocce Ball Shenanigans and Otherwise
My team at work had a little outing today, a very odd one at that: We went to a bocce ball hall. Who knew those things even existed? 70-year-old-men?
If so, that makes me all set to be one: Where's the sign-up sheet? Do I get a complimentary box of Depends?
In any case, I can't believe how much I drank today over the course of a few hours. It all started to go downhill when my friend when decided to crack open a bottle of Chimay at least 80 ounces in size. 80 fucking ounces!
Long after we sobered, we had a little get-together at my friend Jason's place. I had worked up the nerve to drive my Datsun 510 over there to get a taste of driving a stick on hills. Everything went well; I didn't even stall it!
Well, everything went well until I decided to leave near midnight. Jason lives on a giant, windy hill in Daly City, so I was able to coast the car down it for the most part. Much to my surprise when I reached the bottom, the engine had stalled. Restarting the engine didn't help, because the starter wasn't getting significant electricity. Luckily I was able to push-start the car, similar to how done in this video:
After one minute of driving, however, this was clearly not enough: The car kept stalling. It became clear that either an electrical short circuit exists or the alternator failed. Thankfully I could still push-start it, so I did; but tragically I would never be able to reach home from there. I ended up driving the car up the hill again, not stopping at any stop signs, parked it out front, and stayed at Jason's for the night.
Much to my chagrin, I attempted to replace the alternator in the morning, but that didn't work: The previous owner had gutted and redid the car's electrical system and replaced the original alternator with a internally-regulated one, one from a 1988 Eagle Medallion, which is really a rebadged French car. None of the replacements integrated with the electrical system properly!
This situation left me with no choice but to take my chances: I charged the battery for the day and drove it home with no alternator, something I would dissuade others from. It would be a lie to say that I wasn't scared of having the battery drain completely resulting in the car's stalling somewhere inopportune. Thankfully I made it home. The car's in the driveway, awaiting a new alternator. We'll see what happens next.
Ugh. :-/
If so, that makes me all set to be one: Where's the sign-up sheet? Do I get a complimentary box of Depends?
In any case, I can't believe how much I drank today over the course of a few hours. It all started to go downhill when my friend when decided to crack open a bottle of Chimay at least 80 ounces in size. 80 fucking ounces!
Long after we sobered, we had a little get-together at my friend Jason's place. I had worked up the nerve to drive my Datsun 510 over there to get a taste of driving a stick on hills. Everything went well; I didn't even stall it!
Well, everything went well until I decided to leave near midnight. Jason lives on a giant, windy hill in Daly City, so I was able to coast the car down it for the most part. Much to my surprise when I reached the bottom, the engine had stalled. Restarting the engine didn't help, because the starter wasn't getting significant electricity. Luckily I was able to push-start the car, similar to how done in this video:
After one minute of driving, however, this was clearly not enough: The car kept stalling. It became clear that either an electrical short circuit exists or the alternator failed. Thankfully I could still push-start it, so I did; but tragically I would never be able to reach home from there. I ended up driving the car up the hill again, not stopping at any stop signs, parked it out front, and stayed at Jason's for the night.
Much to my chagrin, I attempted to replace the alternator in the morning, but that didn't work: The previous owner had gutted and redid the car's electrical system and replaced the original alternator with a internally-regulated one, one from a 1988 Eagle Medallion, which is really a rebadged French car. None of the replacements integrated with the electrical system properly!
This situation left me with no choice but to take my chances: I charged the battery for the day and drove it home with no alternator, something I would dissuade others from. It would be a lie to say that I wasn't scared of having the battery drain completely resulting in the car's stalling somewhere inopportune. Thankfully I made it home. The car's in the driveway, awaiting a new alternator. We'll see what happens next.
Ugh. :-/
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