mjm wired :: Life

Rest and Relaxation

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:01:24 -0400

I will be out of town for some rest and relaxation for a few days. I will get back to my email and other random stuff when I return.

Long overdue.

My Alumni Profile

Sun, 11 May 2008 11:47:15 -0400

I graduated from the University of Some School about X years ago. For the past several months, I have been receiving non-stop emails and post-cards in the mail to "update my Alumni profile" so that my information could be valid so people can contact me and know what I am doing. All the information would be updated into a big "Alumni Directory" or something like that. The thing that I find questionable is that both the emails and post-cards say that I can only do it over the phone - not email not postal mail. Additionally this service is being provided not by the University but by a third party commercial service. Reality check: if I can only update my address, my employment status and other very private tidbits of my life into a directory by a company, then I would think (I maybe wrong) that their sole purpose is to sell me access to this directory. Well, thanks, but no thanks.

I would think that these types of services are things of the past. If you open an account with Facebook, Friendster, Orkut or any of the million other "social networking" sites you can find almost everyone you ever knew. Only the "John Smith's" might be a little tricky. So for all the people who buy into this, I hope its worth your time.

I still believe that if people wanted to be in touch with me, then they would be. I don't need someone else to facilitate that for me.

The More Things Change ...

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 22:15:02 -0400

One of my good friends finally got married this weekend. While I was quite happy for the bride and groom, personally I enjoyed the event in my own way. The wedding ceremony was an interesting experience for me. It was all in Chinese except for the readings and a few words in the reverend's message. The bigger thing for me was seeing people again that I hadn't seen in many years (some almost 11 years). Sitting at a large table laughing and catching up reminded me of my high school days (without the food fights). Looking around, everyone seemed pretty certain of their path in life. Some people had a lot to show for the past decade, while others maybe not as much. Sure enough, when I really think about it, I'm not at all surprised how each person's life has changed - myself included. I don't mean that in any negative way, just that I don't feel like anyone really explored uncharted territory. Who knows maybe the next decade will show us something else?

I intentionally missed my 10 year high school reunion last November. In some ways this made up for it. I really did have a great time.

So who's next in line?

Spending Christmas in India

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:26:43 -0500

I probably should be packing or sleeping ... or most likely both.

Time for travel. A little bit poorly planned, I admit, but sometimes you get caught up in things. Tomorrow I'll be leaving to visit my home country once again. Last time I went to India was almost 4 years ago. In that time people have gotten married, babies grew out of their diapers and revered loved ones have left this earth. Even though there is not the same anticipation of my last trip, I am still very much looking forward to it. This time around we made plenty of time for some site seeing, relaxing, and ultimately truly enjoying ourselves. My greatest disappointment is that not all my siblings could come along, but I guess that was inevitable.

This trip culminates a rather crazy year. First there was my brother leaving for California, then there was this interesting family function that I didn't blog about, then there were some other life things that I didn't blog about (I know I'm lazy to write). Well I got to meet quite a few fascinating new people this year which I am so grateful and unfortunately I've had to wish farewell to some very admirable colleagues as well.

So while I maybe stuffing my face with idli sambar or admiring the Taj Mahal, somewhere in my thoughts I am hoping that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you everyone for all your support! See you in 2008!

Telling More Than Time

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 21:36:33 -0400

Back when the whole "Metro" craze was going on (it did end right?), I remember being told that having a nice watch on your wrist was a "requirement". Of course the implication was that women would be looking out for that. I really did not pay attention back then.

Later I remember someone showing me their imitation Rolex they bought for a couple hundred bucks (I think it was $1200?). Of course the real watch would be in the ten's of thousands (40 grand?), so it was a deal? Even then I didn't pay attention.

Eventually I got a nice time piece of my own, and suddenly I had the uncontrollable urge to look at everyone's wrist. I had to know what brand or style of watch they were wearing. Whether it suited them, whether it was pricey, did it match their style? But the worst habit I developed was that I would try to analyze to see if it showed something about their character.

So I was in New York last year. Everyone who's walked through the streets near Time Square has seen all the peddlers selling their bootleg DVD's, their glamorous purses or best: their luxury watches. I would hope most people know that they're knock-offs. Anyways I did approach one such fellow and gazed into his suitcase on a stand. There were all sorts of imitation Rolex's, Citizen's, Movado's and Breitling's - terrible looking in my opinion and obviously fake. But the best part of it was that I really got to see what type of watch the peddler was wearing: a $15 Casio plastic LCD watch.

I wonder what that shows?

Story of My Life

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 22:06:15 -0400

Let's see. I need to get from here to there.

Well I'm pretty sure I need to go. But I really don't know how to get there. It's pretty far from here. I guess I could use a map. Perhaps? Yeah, that would help. Well the map ... the maps seems to be a bit old. Not sure if I'm making an informed decision to travel that distance based on outdated information. Well it appears as though the route to get there involves some travel on unfamiliar roads. Look at that, it requires the freeway. Hmmm, freeway always has plenty of issues. There might be lots of traffic ... for all I know there could be construction ... or worse I might have to go through some less-than-friendly neighborhoods. Better check the tires, don't want to get a flat. While I'm at, should also check the oil and transmission. Driving with a full tank is also safer. It could rain or worse it could snow, should err on the side of caution. Right? Probably a good idea to give myself some extra time so I don't feel rushed. But that means getting out a little earlier. That can be rather inconvenient. But coming home could be just as bad, better try to return while its still bright outside. Don't want to be on the road with drunk drivers. Looks good, nothing to worry about, I think I should get there just fine.

Hmmm, well it is a bit far and I guess I really didn't have to go. Probably shouldn't bother. Probably better to stay home.

Yeah, sounds like the right decision.

Do You Remember When...

Fri, 22 Jun 2007 19:48:50 -0400

Several years ago I was in the basement watching my two cousins playing during some family function. It was just the three of us, most likely during some sort of summer party. Well, both of my young cousins were pretty mischievous and they decided to play on this old spinning couch/lounge chair. They started spinning faster and faster, until one of them flew straight off and hit the basement floor, luckily it was carpeted. I just stood by and did nothing till it happened. After making sure he wasn't hurt, I couldn't stop laughing. The image of my "launched" cousin is glued in my mind and still cracks me up. Of course I had to share, I told my siblings about it some time afterwards.

The best part of the story came several years later, when my youngest brother decides to narrate the story with him in my spot. How that's possible I don't know, but he was convinced he was the one who was there, not me. I think I straightened him out. I guess I could excuse it to something childish.

The interesting thing I see more frequently among a more professional environment is when people take other people's ideas. I want to say its unintentional, but I'm not sure. They either lack the precision in their memory or they simply recall their thoughts in their own voice making it effectively their own. I often don't correct this when I see it, lest I look like an attention-seeker or ego-deflater. Either way its one of the most annoying things.

In a "geeky" way I have pretty detailed recollection when it comes to past events and conversations. And I do accept that the people can unwittingly confuse their own memories, but it can be pretty funny to tell someone that they said something shocking or hilarious that they can't remember. It can be powerful to contradict someone with their own words. I guess, however, I should be careful, I don't want to abuse my powers.

Japanese Food

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:27:27 -0500

Okay, no, I'm not learning Japanese, nor will I. After 6 weeks of a multitude of unrelated illnesses and a few rather disappointing weeks at work, I finally went out ... at night ... without medication ... I think. I had Japanese food for the first time, you know, the real deal with sushi and many other "looks better than they smell dishes". It was an interesting night of discovery.

I went downtown to the university campus looking for this place. I couldn't find parking at first, so I quickly called my brother who gave me some incorrect suggestions, but in the last minute he redeemed himself. Being out of school and now seeing so many roads, buildings and locations change was very unsettling. Man, do I ever feel old. old. old.

Dinner was okay in that I've never had a full meal with chop-sticks before. I've started many times only to end up with a fork or spoon. Too much food, not sure I like the raw fish bit. And what's with the raw cabbage? I'm disappointed my plankto (capto?, namko?, something...) didn't seem very Japanese-ish. My Chinese colleagues informed me that most Japanese restaurants are run by Chinese or Koreans and that the food isn't quite "authentic". Fancy that. Other than that, I also get the impression that the Chinese don't like the Japanese. Fancy that. Also, my buddy told me he worked with a former asian Playboy model while shooting a movie in L.A. Fancy that.

Anyways, it was good to get out. And just to make sure this post wasn't a complete waste of your time, here's a funny picture for you (sorry no Playboy models).

And Then There Were Two

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:19:10 -0500

Yesterday night my youngest brother landed in California ready to start a new job and new life. Just last month he was sitting in an arena listening to speeches from a clueless kinesiology student, random honorary graduates and the university president which he really didn't like too much. However the final talk by David Bing, a former Pistons basketball player, was very sincere and in many ways enlightening. Mr. Bing said that one of his coaches once mentioned the "5 P's" to him: "Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance". I liked it. Unfortunately my brother in his quasi-euphoric mindset wasn't really paying attention.

After a few days of hurredly packing 2 suitcases, a dozen cardboard boxes and plenty of last minute shopping all was done. Not much time to relax, not much time for anything I guess. Oh the irony.

Anyways, I'm not in any position to exclaim my great accomplishments (or lack there of), but I know my brother knows he could have done a little bit better in the past few years. I know I did my best to encourage him (the iPod incentive failed miserably), but realistically I knew he was not too much different than me. Except for the fact that he had more avenues for advice, better car to drive, high speed internet, his own computer, cooler stuff and a guitar. Of course, not that I'm jealous or anything ... but ANYWAYS, before he left I made sure to tell him the important stuff.

I started off by listing all the things he forgot to do, and that it pretty didn't matter much anymore. But the one thing I made sure to express was that he could now put aside all the fumbles and missteps of college and other disappointments. He was given a clean slate. Just that he should realize that even though there are plenty of mistakes to be made, he's now free to finally pursue something real. Who cares what, perhaps playing a (seldom used in 3 years) guitar, a sport, grad school, community service, perhaps a real hobby (collecting beer bottle caps and key chains don't count) - just that he should have something to show for himself.

This isn't about me, but sometime at the end of 2003, I told myself that I wanted to redeem myself, not like some wrongfully accused man in Shawshank but just more along the lines that I had too many regrets. I honestly want my brother to feel that when he gets older that he did something productive with his time. Of course you can always lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink (or her, I'm not sexist). I doubt he'll do all the things he promised, but then again neither did I.

It's funny I write this in the first person, but the target audience is specific. ... Yeah. I'll miss him.

Starting the New Year the Wrong Way

Sun, 07 Jan 2007 20:55:58 -0500

Just days before the new year, I came down with some bad sinus headaches. As much as I looked for a cause (lack of sleep, computer, alcohol, etc.), I could find nothing. So I tried my best to avoid any unnecessary medicine but only a day into the new year, most of that pain had shifted to my right ear. I took some aspirin, hoping to be okay for work the next day, and slept.

On the morning of the 2nd, ready to go back to work, I turned on the radio to check the weather and traffic. For whatever reason, the radio sounded like it had bad reception as I could hear an echo in the broadcast. I ignored it to eat my breakfast. Moments later someone else asked me how I was feeling and they're voice caused an echo as well. ... Great! After a flu shot and almost 2 weeks of perfect holidays, I figured I had an ear infection. A trip to the doctor later confirmed it. So I was given a perscription for anti-biotics and vicodin for the pain. I filled it and tried to get some rest. Ear-aches really really suck by the way.

Funny thing about that vicodin. I know its a pain-killer and that in can make you drowsy, which upon the first few times it did happen. So I thought I would take it at night to ease the pain and let me sleep. The first night I took it, I had some weird dreams. Not to sound like a dead-head or anything, but I was hoping for a repeat the next few nights, but nothing happened.

The anti-biotic on the other hand, was just too week and now after the dosage is almost over I feel only minimal improvement. Most of the sinus pressure at my eyes and ears has resided, but I still have a 24 hour ringing and pain in my ear and on a quiet night I can hear the pulsing of my heart (either that or its my brain, but brain pulsing sounds a little gross).

So now a second trip to the doctor has provided me with a much stronger anti-biotic. And I'm pretty sure that will fix my banging ear, but I am left a little upset. Why didn't I get the stronger stuff on the first visit? The doctor renders his prognosis rather quickly with minimal investigation. Was he correct? And what about costs? Primary care visit co-pays can be between $20-$30 per visit (if you have insurance). And to add, I really don't feel happy knowing that I was taking unnecessary drugs for the past week. And I'm disappointed I didn't have any more cool dreams with the pain-killer.

Ah well, in the end, money is trivial when it comes to your health. From now on I will be more careful when sticking foreign objects in my ear.