Selfish Crab

I recently got the air filter units back up and running. We leave Hamilton Beach filter by the door on the “Auto” setting. But whenever I walk near it, the gauge goes crazy and the fan kicks on high gear. How rude.

To boost my job satisfaction, I tell myself I work in a position of subterranean authority. We’re not exactly rejected by the general populace in spite of powerful abilities, forced underground, living off mice and Poland Spring water. But we do have dominion over some mole-people.

# 2006 Jan 31    {work}    2

If you were paying attention to my Flickr feed, I’m starting to upload old photos from college, scanned from print photos or pillaged from other people’s cameras. It’s clear that I haven’t been generating any new photos or memories for that matter, so why not mine the past? Hurrah for that.

If you are one of my Flickr friends, be sure to login. I tend to restrict privacy any photos that have images of me because I am a paranoid whacko. If you are not a Flickr friend and would like to be, ask me and I will extend the branch of social photo-sharing to you.

# 2006 Jan 28    {Life, meta}    #

First month of 2006 nears its end; an update seems due for the new year’s resolutions. Summary: sucking donkey ass.

Re: getting in at 9am. Didn’t happen. Not even once. In general, the only improvement is that now I feel way more guilty about it. Which I suppose counts for something in this world. What once felt like a gentle letdown of willpower is now a blistering failure to self-improve. Progress sometimes has strange yardsticks.

Re: physical activity. Went three times since the gym opened last week. The $100 fee per semester seems like a great deal, as a quarter of the price anywhere else, until you realize you get a quarter of a gym. Dodge’s facilities are old, small, and over crowded. The last time I went, the pool (which is only open 2 hrs a day) had 6 people swimming in each 50 meter lane. I need a new activity. Are any of you readers Columbia gym members and play squash? Advanced beginner seeks opponent.

# 2006 Jan 25    {Life, work}    #

Just so you know, this space may be moving on, but I have not yet. I’m still in it.

# 2006 Jan 25    {Life}    #

The past couple of days have been freezing, but we probably had it coming, weather-wise. It’s still fascinating to me how, 100 years ago. people worried about the winter with all seriousness. They spent much of autumn stockpiling wood, storing food, weather-proofing the house. It wasn’t guaranteed that you would survive the winter. I guess that’s still the case. … I’m sorry.

# 2006 Jan 19    {Life}    #

Scene: office, mid-day.

Leslie: ::coughing::
John: Do you want me to send in an intern to save you?
Leslie: ::more coughing::
Chucky: I’ll file a ticket in Bugzilla.
Intern: I’ll make it critical.
Jeff: better yet, blocker.

# 2006 Jan 15    {work}    #

Based on my research and my impatience, I just went ahead and bought components, gutted my old machine (re-using CD/DVD drives, power supply, case, and externals), and set up a new gaming platform.

Specs:

So far, I’ve been playing Day of Defeat: Source nonstop for the past two weeks. Call of Duty 2 is currently under purchasing consideration. Everything’s runs great, and I average about 50 fps on 1024×768 in Half-Life 2.

# 2006 Jan 14    {Life}    #

Dear friends,

Can you recommend me a book to read? I’m bored. I know you guys read books. I see you carry them. If you could recommend anythingwith themes of isolation, despair, and loneliness, that would be peachy.

Thanks,
the Crab

# 2006 Jan 10    {Life}    #

I moved the Flickr badge to the header and made it horizontal.

# 2006 Jan 7    {meta}    #

Finally got some pictures off my camera. Thanksgiving dinner.

# 2006 Jan 7    {Life}    1

Happy blah blah blah. Went to a party at Tribeca Cinemas last night. Waited in line for 45 minutes because I was on the will-call list. The party was pre-dominantly black, which was a refreshing change. I had gotten bored of feeling like a minority among whites and of feeling like another prick among the hordes of Asia. Saw a lot of good faces. They quickly separated into the have-girlfriends and have-nots. 3 minutes prior to midnight, I was watching the screening of Breakin’. I had a great time.

Time for 2006’s resolutions. You know I can never turn down an opportunity for introspection and self-centeredness.

1. 9:00 AM is your new best friend. No more excuses.
2. Physical activity besides mouse clicking. I know everyone has their own “go to the gym 3 times a week” resolution that dies quietly in a sad corner in February. I’ll try to quantify mine in goals easier to make up for and maintain: 10 times a month. Also, join the spring roller hockey league at Chelsea Piers.
3. No more alcohol. Let’s face it, I’m Asian and I can’t properly process alcohol in my body. We just don’t enjoy the stuff like you do. I’m also sick of idiots pointing at me and mistaking a buildup of acetaldehyde for inebriation. Or those people who love remarking when I’ve turned scarlet; yes, thank you for pointing it out, I will try to be less red for you next time. To summarize: I’m no longer drinking it to have a good time; just to fulfill any outstanding social obligations.

A toast to happiness, to life experience, to career direction, to 2006.

# 2006 Jan 2    {Life}    #