This Is Not A Test

Today was one of the most disappointing days of my life, but I'm glad it happened. I'm now more sure of the direction that my life needs to take and how to better adjust & orient my outlook.

I'm also feeling a bit overwhelmed right now as I now see the love and support that I do have and have pretty much always had. It can be difficult to see the forest from the trees in my current isolated situation, but there are people that really care. I feel foolish for seemingly taking this for granted.

Thank you to my family and real friends for being there.

Say Yes

Based on my social style, I crave is respect and looking at my history, I'd say that this is correct.  My interests and knowledge base is narrow, but deep; when I know something, I will know something. My opinion is not often solicited often and when it is, the advice is usually disregarded and ignored. This is why I sometimes chose not to speak up. You can only be burned so many times.

Members only

DC dropping a gem on 'em

"Religion is like a penis. Its nice that you have one. Its nice that you are proud of it. But don't whip it out and wave it around in public and definitely keep it the hell away from my kids."

Cracking eggs

Nerve damage. Blood clots. Infections. Scarring. Death.

It could be minimally invasive or open surgical, yet dangers always exists in surgery; the degree of danger may vary, but danger still exists. However, when the danger is controlled and managed, the benefit is usually more than worth it.

Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) has its dangers. Groundwater contamination. Methane emissions. Micro-earthquakes. But like many other industrial processes, it can be controlled. It's just easier to sensationalize things and create hysteria because many people don't do any research on their own.

Mad but sad

I absolutely love Peter Finch's "I'm mad as hell" speech. It's a great cinematic moment.

But in reality, getting mad as hell doesn't yield the best results as solutions aren't going to appear suddenly when you're pissed off. Sure, anger is better than apathy, but not by much. Deciding on a specific course of action would generate solutions and better discourse (--> Occupy Wall Street).

Different game

Ain't no fuckin' ballpark neither. Now look, maybe your method of massage differs from mine, but, you know, touchin' his wife's feet, and stickin' your tongue in her Holiest of Holies, ain't the same fuckin' ballpark, it ain't the same league, it ain't even the same fuckin' sport. Look, foot massages don't mean shit.


A former co-worker just couldn't understand why soccer games were usually low scoring affairs.


"Those nets are sooo damn big. Why can't they score more?"


I pointed out that it would seem stupid to an European that football players sometimes struggle to advance 10 yards despite given three tries. Aren't football players supposed to be among the greatest athletes, yet they can't run a measly 10 yards? However, if you understand both games, it's clear why it's difficult to travel 10 yards or score on that 17.86 square meter net.


"God-damn management. They're absolutely useless. If I was in charge, things would be right"


Bad management can be due to incompetence and it can be due to the wrong people being promoted (see Peter Principle). It's a different game at higher levels in an organization, but it's hopeless trying to explain this concept to the lower levels.

America! Fuck Yeah!

Two aspects of "Captain America: The First Avenger" were troubling.

It became very corny and cheesy at the end.

And granted the film is just retelling the comic book back story, but figures like Captain America distort people's ideas about true heroism. Audie Murphy looks much more like pre-super solider serum Steve Rogers rather than post serum Rogers.

But alas, image is everything. 

Me first

In terms of flight duration and number of trips, in the past few years, I've taken more flights than the first 25 years of my life. The embarking and disembarking only fuels my hypothesis that people are inherently myopic and self-serving.

The problem is when people have to put their luggage in the overhead compartment. Because of obesity/laziness/lack of physical strength/stupidity people usually stand in the aisle holding up other passengers. Even at a conservative 5 second delay, for a 144 passenger plane, this is 12 minutes wasted. People could collect their luggage while staying out the aisle, but the majority of people opt to stand in the aisle instead.

Small matter? Who cares right?

I feel so many global issues could be alleviated or possibly fixed if everyone made a small contribution. Too much to ask I guess.

Never underestimate stupidity in numbers

Co-worker 1: (Pylon encasing his arm, arm pointed at a 45 degree angle) Hey I'm like Megaman
Me: You're thinking of Samus Aran. Megaman can't shoot at a diagonal


Co-worker 2: Of course he can. What are you talking about.
Co-worker 1: Yeah man what are you talking about?


Me: I'm 99% sure that he can't shoot diagonally.
Co-worker 1/2: You are so wrong.
Me: Sigh.


Who gives a rats ass whether Megaman can shoot diagonally (FYI, he can't). More value is somehow placed on being confident (but wrong) than being uncertain (but right).

Thank You Tang Dynasty

I met this janitor whose mother was also a janitor / housekeeper. I was appalled by the lack of ambition demonstrated by this guy and his mother. Unsurprisingly, this guy didn't last long as he was fired a short time later. This isn't a diatribe against low skilled entry level positions as my mother was a janitor for many years. The difference is that if my career only amounted to being a janitor, my mother would have treated me like a slinky (aka thrown down a flight of stairs). 

To a lesser extent, this lack of ambition also applies to jobs where the only serious requirement is a high school diploma. When the minimum standard is so low, a high school diploma ceases to be a notable accomplishment. For example, a foreigner taking a Communications 12 course is understandable, but a supposedly native English speaker taking the same class is kind of sad. One doesn't have to pursue a liberal arts degree as it is not suited for everyone, but at least complete an apprenticeship or a program at a vocational school. 

Big Love

Major props to New York for legalizing gay marriage. Banning it makes as much sense as enabling race based restrictions on marriage. For the religious ilk who insist that gay marriage is wrong, I wonder why there are no pickets to shutdown Red Lobster (Leviticus 11:10-12).

This is emo

I always thought about writing about the destructive influence of bad romantic comedies. But why bother when Chuck Klosterman wrote an essay on about it in his book (Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto). Although I can't speak for the book's overall quality, the first chapter (This is emo) hits the mark.  

The first time

Final Fantasy 6. Chrono Trigger.

The two first jRPGs I've ever played and both are among the genre's best. That was over 15 years ago. Scary. This probably why most jRPGs feel lackluster or mediocre as I'm usually unable to recapture that feeling that I once felt.

Can't always get what you want

Toy story 2 and 3 spoilers ahead.

I watched Toy Story 3 this past summer and I was wondering who the hell is this girl cowboy (FYI I had not seen TY2 yet). Last week I finally saw TY2. Seemingly the crux of the story came down to the following dilemma: whether it's better to be loved, but ultimately suffering a shorter lifespan or to live forever, yet never experience love again. My interpretation was that even if you lived a mortal life, you would die happy knowing you were loved rather spending an eternity with feelings of emptiness.

In the second film, Woody chose the former, yet by the third film, Woody and the other toys were sweating bullets about being relegated to the scrap heap. Sure things worked out for the toys by the end of the 3rd film, but ultimately, the toys are doomed to the same fate. Eventually, the toys won't find a new owner and they'll be scrapped. It turns out that like a junkie, the toys needed to shoot up on someone else's love to feel good about their existence.

Woody should have chosen the latter.

Sorry if I'm trying to be practical here.

Trust me bro

I'm always unnerved by the blind faith that people place on friends and acquaintances. There are countless examples from mindlessly copying a friend's exercise routine to heeding someone's car maintenance advice. In yesteryear, this was the only recourse from trial and error, but today there's a tool known as the internet that does more than just stream flash videos and provide free porn. With internet research, you can make a more informed decision in almost any matter. Even if you have a friend who is an expert, it's unlikely the knowledge of 1 individual will surpass the combined knowledge found on the internet. Experts are also always influenced, to some degree, by personal bias.

Granted, the internet is imperfect as the good information can buried under the avalanche of bad information. It seems that the internet is underutilized, but then again, my vantage point may be skewed by the number of simpletons that I encounter on a daily basis.

The greatest kick in the history of MMA

What a way to cap off a fight of the year candidate and the swan song of a great promotion.

RESPECT.

The Visualization of Quantitative Data

Glancing at the numbers, can you predict the plot?

Perhaps, but a graphic yields quicker analysis.

My boss suggested that I read "The Visual Display of Quantitative Information" from the laboratory library. Skimming through the book, it was interesting enough that I would consider reading it in my leisure time. However, I was undertaking my 1 year sabbatical from reading, so I never got around to reading it.

Then recently, an accidental blackout happened at work and without network access, I had to find something to keep myself busy. Despite not making the most concerted effort, I managed to finish most of the book by the late afternoon when the power came back on. I finished the book some time afterwards.

I highly recommend that anyone required to any data analysis read this book. I'd still recommend it if you don't do any data analysis. Data tables have their place, but well crafted data graphics enables one to process large amounts of data quickly. Another example:

The cover picture is actually a timetable for the French train system. I'd say it's a tad more efficient than the number tables from those Translinks pamphlets.

Wrong time. Wrong place

Historically, man's ability to store excess calories as body fat has been vital for surviving famines. Today in non-impoverished countries, food is plentiful and excess consumption is the new problem.

These thoughts came to me after finishing some stuffed French toast at the local cafe. I considered ordering a second entree, but my expanding waistline prevented me from otherwise doing so.

Instead of being a coveted ability, my appetite is a burden.

Day 13: NYC --> Anchorage

Kefir

Still tastes like a typical yogurt drink.

I woke up early again, so that I could visit the Metropolitan Museum of art as it opened. Taking the subway to the Met wasn’t optimal because of the number of transfers involved and I didn’t want to wait around for the bus. I went with the 20 minute walk through Central park and I brought my hiking bag with me, so I could go straight to the airport afterwards instead of returning to the hostel to get my bag. Good idea right?

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Wrong.

As soon as I entered the building, security turned me back and I had to get rid of my hiking bag. I was told to visit Guggenheim Museum and I could drop my bag off there. Since the Guggenheim was only a few blocks north, I was in luck, right?

The Guggenheim Museum

I bought a city pass earlier in the week that gave me access to various NY attractions. However, for one of the tickets, I had to choose either the Rockefeller center or the Guggenheim and I chose the top of the rock. In order to drop my bag off, I need to buy an adult Guggenheim ticket for $18.

I snapped.

I had given my fair share to NY tourism this past week and I wasn’t going to give anymore. Looking back, maybe I should’ve paid the 18 bucks, but I can totally understand my mentality at that moment.

I desperately tried convincing/bribing nearby apartment and hotel lobbies to temporarily hold my bag. After being turned away by several places, one guy told me he couldn’t take my bag because of the security risk. Thinking about it, he was right. For all he knew, I was a terrorist and my bag contained a bomb. Dejected, I gave up and headed to the airport.

Random place

Cannoli.

This cannoli tasted better than the other one I had in NY, but still it was smaller and inferior to the two from Boston.

Gray’s Papaya

Two hot dogs and 32 oz papaya drink

Since I got the 32 oz instead of the 14 oz, it pushed the price from 2.45 to 5.50ish. I should of stuck with 14 oz, since in theory for the same price I could’ve gotten 4 hot dogs and 2-14 oz drinks. Still good cheap grub.

NYC departure 4 PM EST

1 hour layoff in Phoenix

Anchorage arrival 12 AM AKST.

What a long day.

Epilogue

Because of the several days of minimal sleep, I was sick for a week afterwards. Since I was sick for 1 week prior to leaving for vacation, I ended up not training for 4 weeks. And now I think I may be headed for additional knee surgery. Swell.

I really needed a vacation from my vacation. This turned out to be 86 games of starcraft 2 crammed into 6 days on R&R about 11 days later.

I discovered this Italian deli in Aanchorage where I had a prosciutto sandwich and cannoli. While the sandwich was good, it made me really appreciate of what I had at Katz’s deli in terms of quantity and taste. The cannoli was alright, but again, not as good as the ones in Boston.

Visiting NYC made me realize how much I miss city life and how much I detest urban sprawl. When I visited Dallas earlier this year, I think I ended up driving 300 - 400 km over only 4 days. I definitely need to live in a place where public transit isn’t a joke.

After my initial enthusiasm waned and especially near the end, this entire post series seemed a bit ostentatious. But damnit, this was literally my first vacation ever. Seriously. I would define vacation as having a minimal duration of 7 days. Coming back to Vancouver doesn't count. Long inane bus rides to Calgary and/or Edmonton don't count either. Hence this was my first.

Day 12: NYC (5)

Despite going to bed at like 3am, I dragged myself out of bed by 7am trying to be first in line at battery park by 8am. Unfortunately, crown tickets for the Statue of Liberty were sold out until November, so I just had to settle with pedestal access.

Boarding the ferry for liberty island, all I could think of was that Godfather part 2 scene where young Vito and the immigrants stood up in unison as the boat entered the harbor and came into view with the Statue. And to people riding the ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan, it’s just old hat.

Ellis Island

Lower Manhattan

The original torch

An abomination

Ellis Island, New Jersey, Lower Manhattan

Upskirt. Sort of.

People are small

Ellis Island, Main Building, Great Hall

Once again, all I could think of was Godfather part 2.

Americans and their guns

That was 5 hours touring Liberty and Ellis Island.

Random juice truck

Moonshake: banana, mango, papaya.

Pretty refreshing

I didn’t originally plan on this, but I decided to go to a Broadway show. Thankfully the TKTS discount booth guy had a helpful guidebook previewing the current shows because I didn’t do any research beforehand. I settle on “Fela!” produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith and Jada-Pinkett Smith.

Kefir

Tastes pretty much like your standard yogurt drink.

Significant piece of rock

Caracas Arepa Bar

Pabellón Criollo. Venezuelan chocolate milkshake

The beef was good, but too small of a portion. Overpriced at 15 bucks. The milkshake was terrible; it was no different from a slurpee from 7/11.

Because of the 5 hours spent at the island and Caracas Arepa Bar being a little out of the way in East Village, I only had 1 hour until closing at the Museum of Natural History.

Jowen is right on. Once you’ve seen one dead stuff animal, you’ve seen them all. This museum had more prehistoric displays than the Field Museum in Chicago, but otherwise this visit did almost nothing for me.

Shake Shack @ Upper West Side

Single shack burger. Cheese fries.

I decided to have some shake shack again. This time I opted for the single shack burger. Still an awesome burger. The cheese fries was just a glop of process cheese that was merely ok. The back of the bun is closed to catch any juices that would otherwise leak into your wrapper and hand.

The entrance of the Dakota

At this point, the lack of sleep over the last couple of days was catching up to me, so I crashed out on a bench in Central Park.

Where I crashed.

Park meet skyline.

Fela! @ Eugene O’Neill Theatre

Fela is “based on events in the life of groundbreaking Nigerian composer and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti, depicting Kuti as the target of 1,000 soldiers determined to put an end to his public performances at the legendary Lagos nightclub The Shrine.” The show has received 11 Tony award nominations (3 wins).

I enjoyed the show. The actor who plays Fela is the main driver of the show while the actress who plays Fela’s mom has a key moment near the end. So if the male lead stinks, this entire play is sunk unless dance troupe is extra-spectacular.

Spotted Pig

Finding this place in West Village was a headache as at one point, I was standing at the corner of 4^th and 10^th street. Not a typo.

Sheep’s milk ricotta gnudi with basil pesto.

Pretty good.

This place was a bit dark and cramped.

Random deli

Red velvet donut.

Tasted no different. Definitely a gimmick.

Steps - 18,617

Distance – 16.06 km