A few things have happened recently that have modestly increased my faith in humanity and general goodness.
Completely unrelated, anyone who likes good hip-hop should watch this video. I hope they do a full album. Note the video (as far as I can tell) is fan made, but I'd say almost well done enough to be the real thing.
I like this one too. It's just plain good and sexy. It's the kind of song I wish they'd play at bars and clubs instead of that silly song about the Apple Bottom jeans and boots with the fur.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Reasons
As you may have noticed, I'm not posting much at all these days. There are two reasons for this.
First, most of my life revolves around my job. My job is extremely interesting and every day brings stuff to write about, however I can't write about any of it.
A frequent questions is, "why can't you write about it but leave out details that might identify a client?" I have two answers to that. The first is it's simply not worth the risk. The second is the site I supervise in the only one like it in the nation and therefore would lead into privacy issues should anyone become so interested in a story I told.
The second reason why I have not been blogging is that I am rarely inspired by anything outside of work. Also, many days I simply do not feel like typing outside of the office. I am behind a few posts over at GWAAA! also.
Speaking of food, I think Thom Pham might be getting a little desperate. I'm sure other people are thinking the same thing, to my knowledge I'm the first to put it out there. Thom Pham's response probably is that this experience promotes "the lifestyle" and offers a uniquely sensual experience that he feels should be available in Minneapolis and that he has always tried to promote. I would respond to that by saying naked sushi is to a sensual dining experience what burlesque is to ballet.
Temple took over the space of what used to be one of my favorite restaurants (Tiburon) so I am a bit bitter about this place anyhow. Temple has not been doing so well due to reportedly mixed reviews and high pricing. I have mixed feelings about this because I do not wish to see another Minnesota restauranteur go the way of David Fhima, but bad business is bad business.
All of that said, I have never been there before and after this move probably won't ever go there. I appreciate a restaurant with a nice atmosphere, but I have always felt that atmosphere should be a perk after food and service. If a restaurant has good food and good service, it is going to fee like a nice atmosphere. If a restaurant is clearly more about the space than the food or the service it is just going to feel snotty and overreaching.
More updates coming over at GWAAA!
First, most of my life revolves around my job. My job is extremely interesting and every day brings stuff to write about, however I can't write about any of it.
A frequent questions is, "why can't you write about it but leave out details that might identify a client?" I have two answers to that. The first is it's simply not worth the risk. The second is the site I supervise in the only one like it in the nation and therefore would lead into privacy issues should anyone become so interested in a story I told.
The second reason why I have not been blogging is that I am rarely inspired by anything outside of work. Also, many days I simply do not feel like typing outside of the office. I am behind a few posts over at GWAAA! also.
Speaking of food, I think Thom Pham might be getting a little desperate. I'm sure other people are thinking the same thing, to my knowledge I'm the first to put it out there. Thom Pham's response probably is that this experience promotes "the lifestyle" and offers a uniquely sensual experience that he feels should be available in Minneapolis and that he has always tried to promote. I would respond to that by saying naked sushi is to a sensual dining experience what burlesque is to ballet.
Temple took over the space of what used to be one of my favorite restaurants (Tiburon) so I am a bit bitter about this place anyhow. Temple has not been doing so well due to reportedly mixed reviews and high pricing. I have mixed feelings about this because I do not wish to see another Minnesota restauranteur go the way of David Fhima, but bad business is bad business.
All of that said, I have never been there before and after this move probably won't ever go there. I appreciate a restaurant with a nice atmosphere, but I have always felt that atmosphere should be a perk after food and service. If a restaurant has good food and good service, it is going to fee like a nice atmosphere. If a restaurant is clearly more about the space than the food or the service it is just going to feel snotty and overreaching.
More updates coming over at GWAAA!
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
Pictures
It took me quite a long time to find a new facebook profile photo. Much of the reason for this is because I don't own a camera. Add that to the fact that I am not terribly excited to be photographed, and not many pictures of me exist.
The photos that do exist are often not so flattering and/or have other people in them. I am not one to have a profile picture with other people in them (for the most part).
Therefore, finding a profile picture is a somewhat difficult task.
There are many types of profile pictures on facebook, here are a few:
1. Halloween
This category is seasonal, but can still be found on many profiles. From my observations, the majority of the the participants in this category are female. Many of them are under-clothed females, given the trend in Halloween attire among young females.
2. Party/Bar
This is a very broad category with many sub-categories:
2.a. I'm holding a drink(s)!
'nuff said
2.b. We're buddies!
This one being of course a group photo taken at a party or bar
2.c. I/we are bi-curious!
Those who choose this option are largely female. This may involve two or more females kissing, touching/dancing with each other suggestively, removing or implying removing each other's clothing, etc.
2.d. I/we are doing something stupid!
'nuff said
2.e. We look good!
The picture taken before a night on the town.
3. Significant others
This category has two sub-categories:
3.a. We're pretty!
This of course being the wonderfully cute photos that people take with their significant other.
3.b. We're married!
This of course being the wonderfully cute photos that people take with their spouses.
4. Solo Pictures
4.a.i. This is me, taking a picture of myself!
This one typically involves a person with their arm outstretched because they are turning a camera towards themselves and taking a picture.
4.a.ii. This is me, taking a picture of myself using the camera on my computer!
This one is usually a bust or head shot. Mac users will also sometimes have the picture touched a bit using their wonderful idiot-proof photo editing software.
4.b. This is me, a picture that someone else took that happened to turn out well!
A rare breed indeed, the one that I typically rely on.
The photos that do exist are often not so flattering and/or have other people in them. I am not one to have a profile picture with other people in them (for the most part).
Therefore, finding a profile picture is a somewhat difficult task.
There are many types of profile pictures on facebook, here are a few:
1. Halloween
This category is seasonal, but can still be found on many profiles. From my observations, the majority of the the participants in this category are female. Many of them are under-clothed females, given the trend in Halloween attire among young females.
2. Party/Bar
This is a very broad category with many sub-categories:
2.a. I'm holding a drink(s)!
'nuff said
2.b. We're buddies!
This one being of course a group photo taken at a party or bar
2.c. I/we are bi-curious!
Those who choose this option are largely female. This may involve two or more females kissing, touching/dancing with each other suggestively, removing or implying removing each other's clothing, etc.
2.d. I/we are doing something stupid!
'nuff said
2.e. We look good!
The picture taken before a night on the town.
3. Significant others
This category has two sub-categories:
3.a. We're pretty!
This of course being the wonderfully cute photos that people take with their significant other.
3.b. We're married!
This of course being the wonderfully cute photos that people take with their spouses.
4. Solo Pictures
4.a.i. This is me, taking a picture of myself!
This one typically involves a person with their arm outstretched because they are turning a camera towards themselves and taking a picture.
4.a.ii. This is me, taking a picture of myself using the camera on my computer!
This one is usually a bust or head shot. Mac users will also sometimes have the picture touched a bit using their wonderful idiot-proof photo editing software.
4.b. This is me, a picture that someone else took that happened to turn out well!
A rare breed indeed, the one that I typically rely on.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Exits
By now, most of you know I'm not good at small talk. I have never been much for the cocktail party type situations, but I am improving. Some things can really not be improved upon though.
Seeing old friends is a wonderful thing, assuming that the people were actually friends. Last night I was able to catch up with two friends, one who I had not had any contact with in years (A), and the other for a few months (B). We enjoyed light fare and good conversation. We happened to be in our old area and ran into a few people from our high school.
The first one was a nice guy who I had not really had a ton of contact with in high school. "A" was able to converse with him quite freely since they shared common pursuits and had regular, if infrequent contact. This was just fine, it didn't feel awkward for "B" or I at all.
The second time was two women. One of them I simply knew by name, had not spoken to at all in high school (before you roll your eyes, there were nearly 800 students in the WBLAHS 2003 graduating class). The other I had a few courses with and always seemed pleasant.
The conversation was painful, the typical "so what have you been up to? Oh, that's interesting, I'm doing this, it's ok. I'm living _____, it's ok. My life is pretty boring I guess. (insert slight giggling/chuckling and forced jokes here)".
Fact is, my life is pretty interesting, I have a great job that I love and manage to mix in some fun here and there. The problem is I can't go into details about what I do. The other fact is I rarely find what other people are doing interesting unless I am interested in the person and/or what they do is making a unique contribution to society.
Luckily "B" facilitated a quick, if not abrupt exit.
This is probably just me. I am rather bad at these sort of conversations, mainly because I hate them. Some of my other friends ran into these ladies some nights ago and apparently had a lovely time, although they may have been in an altered state of mind for whatever reason.
Seeing old friends is a wonderful thing, assuming that the people were actually friends. Last night I was able to catch up with two friends, one who I had not had any contact with in years (A), and the other for a few months (B). We enjoyed light fare and good conversation. We happened to be in our old area and ran into a few people from our high school.
The first one was a nice guy who I had not really had a ton of contact with in high school. "A" was able to converse with him quite freely since they shared common pursuits and had regular, if infrequent contact. This was just fine, it didn't feel awkward for "B" or I at all.
The second time was two women. One of them I simply knew by name, had not spoken to at all in high school (before you roll your eyes, there were nearly 800 students in the WBLAHS 2003 graduating class). The other I had a few courses with and always seemed pleasant.
The conversation was painful, the typical "so what have you been up to? Oh, that's interesting, I'm doing this, it's ok. I'm living _____, it's ok. My life is pretty boring I guess. (insert slight giggling/chuckling and forced jokes here)".
Fact is, my life is pretty interesting, I have a great job that I love and manage to mix in some fun here and there. The problem is I can't go into details about what I do. The other fact is I rarely find what other people are doing interesting unless I am interested in the person and/or what they do is making a unique contribution to society.
Luckily "B" facilitated a quick, if not abrupt exit.
This is probably just me. I am rather bad at these sort of conversations, mainly because I hate them. Some of my other friends ran into these ladies some nights ago and apparently had a lovely time, although they may have been in an altered state of mind for whatever reason.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Planning
Observe enough cars, and one will see people driving Jettas around rather quickly. I blame this on The Fast and The Furious. Then, I resent that movie and everything it did to the automobile industry. Moving on, the Jetta is one of the easiest cars to do an inexpensive, real performance tune on due to the simplicity of simply swapping out a chip and getting a bump in horsepower and (more importantly) torque.
Alfa Romeo will be coming back to the US soon. Car and Driver has a first look at their gorgeous 2009 model.
Alfa Romeo will be coming back to the US soon. Car and Driver has a first look at their gorgeous 2009 model.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Appearance
I've restored some of the sidebar links. If you weren't added and wish to be, just add a comment or contact me some other way. I don't really read that many blogs any more, that dropped off when my own blogging slowed down. Also, it seems as though many of my friends' blogging slowed down as well. I've also decided not to add the old list of sites on the sidebar.
Commons
I sit here at my desk early in the morning, reflecting on how it is I came to be here. Tempering the notion of human free will with a belief in Providence is something that better man than I have struggled with through history. My solution to the argument has been to simply stop caring.
That is, I will not concern myself with whether my decisions are being made due to free will or Providence, I will simply make them in my Utilitarian fashion. This will serve me for a while, and then I'll start thinking about this again. I think Voltaire would approve of my current notion.
That is, I will not concern myself with whether my decisions are being made due to free will or Providence, I will simply make them in my Utilitarian fashion. This will serve me for a while, and then I'll start thinking about this again. I think Voltaire would approve of my current notion.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Orbit
Today was a fantastic example of what my life has become. I started the day by going to work. This was a lovely time. After that I spent time with one of my best friends. Next I went home and spent some time with my housemates. We made plans and almost executed them (were about to pull onto the street the restaurant was on) when I was called by my staff to come back to work. I went back, handled what I could, and then my housemates and a good friend executed alternate plans. This was followed by some Mario Kart, and now me wasting time on the internet until I become tired enough to sleep.
In short, it was a lovely birthday.
In short, it was a lovely birthday.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Streamlining
Blogger ate everything. When I get the urge, I'll try and restore stuff. Sancho and Rah Digga may very well be gone forever. It was time for them to move on anyways.
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