Entries for November, 2004
October 31st, 2004
It's already gone! =(
Posted by bert at 11:55 PM on October 31, 2004 in ME.
ok.. so the weekend is now gone =( It was too quick, and that 1 hour rollback really didn't appear did it? *sigh*. well.. that'll be my last 4 day weekend until THANKSGIVING! YAY!. but before that I have Leo's Wedding shower thing to go to. So.. we'll see about sneaking in a trip of snowboarding at big bear or mammoth =)
November 1st, 2004
hey BIATCHES. Read this!
Posted by bert at 07:44 AM on November 1, 2004 in ME.
remember to vote tomorrow. Its your given right and many others would die for this oppurtunity. And no.. I'm not telling you, that you HAVE to vote. I'm telling you that you should vote only for things important to you. Things you should really worry about like stupid statewide propositions that really affect your tax break downs, and what money goes to what educational purposes.
"Vote or Die" - Pdiddy.
and if you saw southpark... he'll come bust a cap in yo ass if you don't =P
And the streak comes crashing...
Posted by bert at 09:41 AM on November 1, 2004 in ME.
to a halt.
the Red Sox have ended the futility of 86 years.
but isn't ironic that at the same time the Patriots finally lost?
oooh.. that lunar eclipse gives false omens.!
Just you watch.. the Pats are going on an 86 year streak of their own. The Gods are chortling.
November 2nd, 2004
GO VOTE
Posted by bert at 08:08 AM on November 2, 2004 in ME.
no text
Currently feeling: distressed
Freedom isn't free.
Posted by bert at 09:52 AM on November 2, 2004 in ME.
Freedom is a God Given right to those born on this planet. I firmly believe this more than anything in the US constitution or any other law binding document. I believe it more than the Bible. Every person DESERVES freedom to pursue their own Life, and respect other people's pursuit of their lives.
And this freedom is increasingly not free. Wars have to be fought over this principle, because people with power tend not to want to give this up. It just is human nature. Dominance over another man is seen readily in society (dictatorships, chinese women over husbands, etc.)
the difference is some of this dominance is given freely. When it is not, then you have taken away the persons freedom to decide.
Iraq now has many more freedoms than it had 4 years ago.
Afghanistan now has more freedom than they had 4 years ago.
9/11 reminded us of one thing. Freedom is NOT free. It is something that we have to continually strive for. We have to fight for it. And tucking our tails between our legs is not a solution.
Regardless of who is voted into office today, America needs to be unified in this effort. We can not let terror win over our hearts, and we can not let them dictate our lives. We must support our president irregardless of his or his wife's absolute stupidity. We must hold him accountable for our troops in the Middle East, and we must remember why it is America is the greatest country in the world.
I am Free, and blessed to be lucky enough to be able to say so.
So my vote today...
Posted by bert at 07:39 PM on November 2, 2004 in politics.
I will bet you anything that you have no idea who i voted for.
My vote for President of the United States was indeed thrown away in the state of California. Pretty much didn't matter who i voted for, California is swinging Kerry.
With that under consideration.. I decided to vote for the man who best represented my political views.
Thats right. I wrote in a vote for Joe Lieberman for President. Basically I protested the two (three) nominees.
November 3rd, 2004
Stock Market is going up
Posted by bert at 08:06 AM on November 3, 2004 in ME.
meaning bush won. He did a lot better in a lot of states than i would have thought (strong showing in California) and won the popular vote by a good 4 million.
November 4th, 2004
I saw "SAW" tonight...
Posted by bert at 12:14 AM on November 4, 2004 in ME.
ok.. so it was the type of movie everyone expected... a thriller with that one dude from the princess bride... what's his name? doesn't matter =)
If you liked "se7en" then you prolly would like this, but it's not as gorey (SP?).
additionally.. i had the movie pretty much figured out, the big story twist. and that's all i'll say about that.
kinda scary, but more of a fear factor scare than a scary movie type scare (i.e. i'm still more scared of gremlins)
se7en was still the better movie, and you know this is true because morgan freeman >>> danny glover. 'nuff said.
and tomorrow is the start....
Posted by bert at 12:16 AM on November 4, 2004 in ME.
of a whole new season of "the OC"
watch it or be... i dunno.. square?
November 5th, 2004
... Republicans like this....
Posted by bert at 08:00 AM on November 5, 2004 in politics.
really piss me the fuck off. I hesistate to call them Conservatives though, simply because these losers simply follow party lines regardless of where they take them.
But this smug revelry in the Bush victory is rediculous. Bush won by less than 3 points. 2.6 or something like.
people like Ann Coulter make me sick. Just try to read this crap without throwing up.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=108&e=1&u=/ucac/20041105/cm_ucac/onelastflipflop
Trying to rub the liberal vote.
To biatch... Kerry had the 2nd highest vote total EVER for any presidential nominee. The vote WAS too close to call because the Boy Genius and that Miracle Man you call the President were NOT running a tight ship. It was confusing, and we the people were stuck between a Rock and a hard place. As a conservative, I absolutely had no problem voting Democratic this election (wait.... i DID vote Democrat.. Joe Lieberman in 2008!!!). Bush is no good.. I pray to God that in 4 years that the GOP run Senate, Congress, and White house haven't sunk us too far down. Sure.. some progress will be made everywhere and sure.. I agree to some extent with their policies.. and Sure.. my tax breaks will be in their interest... but... I CARE FOR MY NATION. PLEASE DON"T FUCK IT UP!
And hopefully and God-willing. A certain senator from Arizona decided to run under a completely seperate INDEPENDANT ticket, with a certain Jewish senator from Connecticut. One can dream huh? One of these days... party lines in a presidential candidate will be crossed. I wonder how zed miller feels now that he has helped defeat his own political party..
Bush Re-Election and Roe V. Wade
Posted by bert at 11:13 AM on November 5, 2004 in politics.
ok.. so most people know Bush is conservative and is very much so opposed to abortion. If you didn't, you shouldn't have voted.
One of the big deals about Bush being re-elected is that there are up to 3 Supreme Court Justices that may be stepping down this term. And most likely Bush will be nominating a Justice that shares his vision on abortion.. Since right now the justices are 4-3 on Roe V. Wade, this decision which is based on your DERIVED right to privacy. (did you know that in the consititution you have no direct right to privacy, and that it is derived from your right to due process. Yes.. it is an interpretation of the law.. very interesting =P) ANYWAY... according to the fear mongering experts out there (only i believe them), Roe V. Wade will be overturned should Bush nominate a Supreme Court Justice.
But with that said... IF it does get overturned.. it does not mean that abortion would be illegal nation-wide. Instead it will let the different states to decide their own opinions on that matter.
and... fyi.. bush's election doesn't mean the end of teh world. I'm much more scared of what they will be doing economically now that they control everything.. Roe V. Wade is not something I worry myself about.
November 7th, 2004
Incredible Movies
Posted by bert at 01:48 PM on November 7, 2004 in ME.
I saw the Incredibles yesterday.. ANd it was everything that i have come to expect out of a Pixar Flick. Man... disney really has turned to riding these coattails huh?
okay.. a few things of note..
this movie is much more adult oriented. It's an action movie, but there are lots of quotes for the kiddies, but man this movie was so much smarter.
Fantastic Four references were great.
but the real thing to note is the improvements they have made graphically since Toy Story.
These guys are phenominal. WIth what they did with Nemo last year.. magnificent water textures.. they carried it over this time.. with shadowing.. and cool lava flow.
My god.. the jungle scenes are amazing. AND they stole a bit from Star Wars. (speaking of which... there is a trailer for Revenge of the Sith).
ok.. go see it.. I won't tell you anything else from it, except the story line is like every other Pixar movie, characters being very human, and learning something from it.
Bob Parr. heheh.. just gotta laugh at that. But i really wish they had more Frozone. And jack jack =P
November 8th, 2004
Board Game night.
Posted by bert at 09:28 AM on November 8, 2004 in ME.
So i had boardgame night at the new pad this past friday.
Just had to share a couple of the funnies.
We're playing taboo, and Davin (the hawaiian roommate) gets the word "Pregnant."
so he starts laughing his head off and finally about 10 seconds later he goes. "after you Fuck!"
"in like 2 months. this happens"
guesses that we heard were: Abortion, Gestation, throw up, find condom.
He couldn't help himself and just busted out laughing. And his team wasn't able to guess the word. When we said "pregnant." everyone turned and looked at him...
TWO MONTHS!?!??! it takes hawaiians two months to get pregnant?
it was amusing. Combine that with him only guessing "Strippers" on everything made him the laughing stock of the night.
To top it all off... Yvonne whispered to me... "He's never going to get married is he?"
whelp.. Here's to you Davin!. I hope you find a good Hawaiian girl that can put up with your slow ass sperm and get her pregnant 2 months after the deed is done. =)
Currently feeling: amused
well.. This will be a fun week.
Posted by bert at 01:06 PM on November 8, 2004 in ME.
Been at work now for 4 hours and I'm waiting for a sim to finish running so i have time for a little posting =) w00. and maybe a little web surfing? well.. yeah.. just maybe. We'll see.
I have a long week ahead of me, so I might not be too active. fair warning ya know?
A couple of thoughts from the weekend and week ahead.
Did you see my Bucs win? Anyone? They smacked around the Chiefs and managed to put up 34 points against the prolific offense. They shutdown Priest Holmes and the only person to truly do any damage was Tony Gonzalez. And with a 3 point lead and 4 minutes to play.. they stopped the Chiefs when it mattered most. Great win Boys. You have an easy schedule ahead, and with two head to heads with Atlanta... is there any doubt that you can...
WIN THE DIVISION?!?! =) yeah.. you heard it hear.. The Bucs will win the NFC South. If they don't.. i'll be safely categorized a zealous fan that is enjoying their current 3 week undefeated stretch (hehe.. bye week last week).
more serious things.. The Giants lost to the Bears. How? I don't know how.. but i do know there are people in Vegas that werent' happy about it. Think of all the parlays lost because of that game. HAHAHAH =)
This week of work is going to be hell.. We have delivery of or prototype design scheduled for monday next week, so we wanted to get our specs in order by friday.. Oh great.. we have "interns" for that. So me and Leo get to be the most overpaid QA people on the planet this week. To top it off.. the people in charge of the specs to be delivered aren't "happy with the quality" so they are STILL MAKING CHANGES!.. Ugh.. yeah.. late nights all around this week.
I'm putting in at least 12 hours today. Well.. at least i get paid overtime? oh wait.. that's right.. we don't get approved overtime on this program.... *sigh*
yahoo launch is great. Man... how did people do work before it came along?
I think the funniest thing to listen to on the radio is the
star 98.7's "say it and win" competition. Basically you call in and say the phrase "Star Ninety-Eight Point Seven" as many times as you can in 10 seconds. You get paid $100 bucks for every iteration you say. or $200 of you are a "star EIP" member. but listening to the listeners hyperventilate for 10 seconds really does put a smile on my face in the morning. And for the best part.. while sitting in rush hour traffic, you sometimes see other people in their cars playing along and mouthing/saying the words. or.. counting with their fingers. Just too much for me at 6:45 a.m. =)
I'm REALLY looking forward to my trip up and down the east coast come x-mas break! Gonna pick up Linda and on the way up, stop by and see some old friends that I haven't seen in years (Joe, Luke[hopefully right?], kathy, walter, david, and Lauren), and some new ones (Joyce), and the family (linda, kenny, jenny). Haha.. it'll be my own 5 day east coast Family Reunion.
Happy Belateds to Kenny and Vivian, but not so much vivian cuz she went to Hawaii to celebrate so.. not fair.
Thanksgiving is coming up, and that means 3 things. Black Friday, Lots of food with friends and family, and FOOTBALL. (i can't get enough of this stuff).
If thanksgiving is coming.. that means... DODGEBALL SEASON is about to begin. you think i'm kidding? no i'm not..
http://www.orangecountydodgeball.com/
yeah.. we're serious.. And i'm the only asian guy on my team. w00t. I'm going to have my jersey name be "token."
The stock market is performing very nicely since W won relection.. It seems like they deflated the market in anticipation of a Kerry win. Damn media and their 'exit polls.'
HAHHAHA.. really blew up in your face this year. How do you feel now Mr. Michael Moore? =P
Pixar is amazing. And they have a new one next year in the works.. "CARS"
Leo's Wedding Shower this weekend. Going to Havasu.. Maybe stop by laufflin (sp?) on teh way out?
I got a 98.5% on my first poly sci exam. Suffice to say.. I am pissed. I got a point taken off because was my explanation of how the scientific method can successfully be used to analyze politics and social events. I said that correlation can never be perfect and there is no possible way of controlling all variables within a political experiment. Something about being held to the mercy of many mutually exclusive political thoughts and that the best you can do is come up with theories and no solid 100% facts. I tried showing through socialism in both early American Indian society, vs that of Nazi Germany, that you can't predict the nation's reactions to certain outside factors (introduction of white man vs introduction of fear mongering antisemitism.)
Guess they didn't like the idea that political science isn't a perfect vehicle, because they criticized me for saying that you can make 100% null arguements.
I still defy them to prove me wrong.. but it's really not worth argueing at this point neh? =P
One last comment. Ken Jennings is a knowledge stud. He now has a 67-game total of $2,272,600 in jeopardy winnings.
November 9th, 2004
maurice clarett
Posted by bert at 10:59 AM on November 9, 2004 in ME.
man.. how dumb can you get. Biting the hand that fed you. And speaking about it because your courses at OSU are too hard..
jesus.. just go back to the ghetto now please. The world is tired of you and your inconsiquentialness.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1919059
John Mayer - Whole Again.
Posted by bert at 11:18 AM on November 9, 2004 in ME.
Ok.. so i finally got around to listening to this dude's whole CD at work. I liked it so much that i'm sharing the lyrics.
Don't wanna be so angry
Don't wanna keep so quiet
Now its open fire and i can warm
Don't wanna be so careful
Don't care enought to mind oh no
Leave me with no hear room
To climb back down
I'll just wait for a land slide
I've made up my mind
To make me whole again
I take up your time
When I'm alone
Don't wanna be so anxious
Don't care to stand in line
I lie in an open fire
As you watch me burn down
And wait along the way side
I've made up my mind
To make me whole again
I take up your time
When I'm alone
I don't wanna let you down
i don't care to bring this up again
In my defense
It doesnt make sense
Why you even come around
weve been over and over
you lay around
and watch me go back out
before the storm
made up my mind to make me whole again
i take up your time
i am
to make me whole again
i take up your time
when im alone
Stuck at work...
Posted by bert at 08:59 PM on November 9, 2004 in ME.
it's 8 p.m. and i'm waiting for some of my software to load... Stuck at work.. looking like at least 3 more hours ahead of moi.. hehe.. joy......
well.. it's over the hump day tomorrow.. this week can't end soon enough.
November 10th, 2004
hrm...
Posted by bert at 08:23 AM on November 10, 2004 in ME.
so.. got home at 1 a.m. yesterday.. and i'm back in my cube now.
hehe.. guess who's not going into work tomorrow or friday?
ok.. well.. hopefully not tomorrow.
Sprint Vision
Posted by bert at 04:27 PM on November 10, 2004 in ME.
I just found out that e-mailing pictures is considered a free activity under the Sprint Vision plan. heheh.. so.. some lucky people should expect some random ass shots of me when i'm somewhat bored. Bwuahahhaa =) like this one in my cube that leo took.
November 11th, 2004
Posted by bert at 02:11 PM on November 11, 2004 in ME.
tired.. gonna be a long day at work.. promise some updates later.
don't you hate it...
Posted by bert at 04:04 PM on November 11, 2004 in ME.
when your work to get done depends on other people to do their jobs?
I'm here at work (yes despite me saying that i wouldn't), basically for free as well!!!!, and i have to sit here and waste my time while waiting for others to get documents past their bottlenecks so i can do a final check through, and give it my "stamp" of approval. Only thing is I have to stamp last.. which means i have to wait for others to get their stuff done.. Problem with this means.. i sit here on my butt until that happens. *twiddles thumbs*
but... there is good news... OC will be on tonight. Here's my spastic invite that i sent today =P gawd, i'm in a weird mood huh?
-----Original Message-----
From: Tong, Bert K
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:46 AM
To: XXXXXXXX
Subject: Get yo Game on!!
Or not..
Tonight is THURSDAY NIGHT beeeyatchs!!..
You know what that means.. Yeah.. Dammmmm skippy we do.
It means tonight is episode 2 of season 2 of the…. OC!!!
Yeah.. Sing with me now….
Na na na na na… na na na na na…. CALIFORNIA here we come… California!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah.. I'm a nerd, so shoot me.. But I'm a nerd with a big tv and lots of room.
So that's right.... OC at my place. Tonight. (8 p.m. start time)
And maybe the Apprentice afterwards.
Ya heard.
November 12th, 2004
Weekend is here.
Posted by bert at 09:01 AM on November 12, 2004 in ME.
and yet... i'm still at work because lorraine STILL didn't finish. We came in because we were told it would be ready first thing in the morning.
well.. it's like.. second thing in the morning now and I AINT SEEING NUTHING!.
fasdfalskdjfklasj
asdljfalsdkjflasdjf
I wanna leave.. it's not even 8 a.m. and i've been here an hour.
and we stayed up to like midnight playing video games. Gawd.. i love playing video games. =P I'm still dominating mario cart as if I've had Gamecube all my life. (instead it was my 3rd time playing). One of these days, someone will unseat me as Bomb battle king! Until then.. bow down suckahs =P
so.. i'm at work with nothing that i plan on doing. I guess i'll go play yahoo games or something.
November 15th, 2004
Bush is SO lousy...
Posted by bert at 09:17 AM on November 15, 2004 in ME.
that you would move to Canada?
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/11/15/canadian.welcome.ap/index.html
there's some help for you.
Weekend in Vegas
Posted by bert at 09:54 AM on November 15, 2004 in ME.
So we finally got out of work, and made our way to Vegas (Summerlin) for Leo's wedding shower. Hehe.. it's fun to watch little italian ladies cry so much, and when they put their passion into their food.. Lets just say.. that was some of the best italian food I have ever had! THANK YOU MRS. MELI!!!!
Afterwards, we convinced Leo to learn how to play craps. First off... my goal in Vegas is to always teach one new person how to play craps and get them hooked in. Leo was my target this vacation. And there are 2 good reasons for this. 1.) I want others to like to play craps, and 2.) newbies have this thing called beginners luck and its better to be lucky than good.
yeah.. the theory held strong again this time as Leo went on a tear his first time shooting. Basically.. at one point i think each of us were up over 500 bucks shooting at a $3 table.
after a nice $4 prime rib dinner, we went to the blackjack tables..
When i play blackjack, like any other gambler, i believe in "the streak." So when i win.. i step up my bet. I.E. $10 bet. win.. next bet is $15, and so on..
so I have my bet stepped up to $65 at one point.. (yeah.. i'm up like $300 on BJ at this point)
and i get dealt 66 and the dealer has 14 showing. So.. the right thing to do here is to split them and hope the dealer busts..
I get dealt a 2 on the first 6, so i doubled down as well., and got an Ace
the other 6 alos got a 2, so i also doubled down and this time a King came up.
I'm looking strong now with a 19 and an 18 going against a 4.
Dealer flips over a 10 to play with the four and i'm feeling smug.. (I do have 260 bucks riding on this hand), when he hits a 6..
I almost cried.
After that, I called it a night (at 3 a.m.)
the next day we had to get ready for the wedding shower, and that pretty much consumed our morning and afternoon. Saw butterfly effect for the first time and actually liked it. Don't know why so many people said it was horrible.
The they played the wedding shower games and such, and one of the is the identify the spouse by touching a random body part game.
Leo had to ID Suzy by touching people's toes (he hates feet so of course they do that.)
what made it great was he was confused between Warren's, Suzanne's, Julie's (Suzy's cool sister) feet. and eventually chose Julie's feet as his bride to be.
Lets just say there was a lot of laughing and ribbing involved.
suzanne had to id Noses and ALMOST chose Leo's Dad as her future husbad.
Not off to a good start kiddies.
Then at night was Suzanne's Bachlorette party, so we took Leo far far away to... a $60 NL tournament.
in total 140 people with a first place prize pool of $3600.
Leo did VERY well for his third time ever playing Texas Hold'em. He finished 11th.
I WOULD have done well, but lets just say, pocket kings are cursed. I lost 3x with them, even though the blinds were huge, my raises were bigger and people were calling with an Ace high, even though i was committing over 75% of their chips. River catching aces... amazing. The same guy 3 times... Calling me down to the river with A3, A4, and A6.
The guy actually did this all day and even made the final table. Lets just say he was getting real lucky.. But that only lasts so long. He was STILL calling people down with Ace high at the final table, but no aces hit so he would fold at the river.
I made final 2 tables (18th), when i went all in with a KQ suited spades. I had 4x'ed the blinds, and Some jerkoff called with J8 suited spades. Went all in after the flop that held an Ace, and he still called. Caught an 8 on the turn, and i was gone.
Vic did better than both of us by not catching anything and just mucking for an hour after he was chip lead. He played 1 showdown in the last hour and that's when he got knocked out. just crap cards. unplayable.
the guys who won (they split pot) actually ended up dropping all of it (2500 each) playing craps within the next 3 hours. What deranged idiots...
wait.. who am I to speak. Remember how I was up about 500?
yeah.. lets just say.. I had a very expensive pina colodas, vodka redbulls, and bailey coffees. Hehe.. I asked a buttery nipple and they looked at me funny. Oh well.. at least they give you shots of amaretto if you ask nice.
in the end.. Down $350 on the trip.. BUT i did buy in Leo for $100 on the craps table (as a wedding present), and $60 on the NL tourney.
including food and hotel expenses.. -190 isn't bad. It was a great weekend and I had lots of fun. Now back to the real world.
Castles in the Sky
Posted by bert at 10:41 AM on November 15, 2004 in ME.
I forgot how much i liked this song until just now it finally rotated into my winamp play list. (not sure how though =P).
Just wanted to remind people to listen to your "old" techno =P
Lyrics are a little suspect of "quality" but... uh.. yeah.. hush.
Do you ever question your life
Do you ever wonder why
Do you ever see in your dreams...
All the castles in the sky
Oh tell me why...
Do we build castles in the sky
Oh tell me why...
All the castles way up high.
Please tell me why...
Do we build castles in the sky
Oh tell me why...
All the castles way up high.
Important: read about your rights to information, and censorship
Posted by bert at 02:16 PM on November 15, 2004 in ME.
posted by roy.. please read =)
http://www.buzzmachine.com/archives/2004_11_15.html#008481
November 16th, 2004
Arrested Development
Posted by bert at 11:15 AM on November 16, 2004 in ME.
3 years 5 months and 2 days in the life of...
so when we were driving back from vegas we heard rosa parks on the radio, and our (me and leo's) conversation steered towards Outkast, and a comment was made that they were this generation's version of Arrested Development.
Do you guys remember them? Happy pot smoking rappers that werent' exactly angry? just having fun?
They brought us great hits like Mr. Wendell and Fishing 4 Religion.
but the best is Tennessee...
Anyway.. just a blast from the past, because i went home last night, dug through my cd's to find my Arrested Development CD. I found some other beauties that i have listened to in awhile as well.
such as
Nirvana Unplugged from New York
Queen's greatest hits
Metallica's black album
All of van halen
BRAVEHEART soundtrack =P
Smashing Pumpkins Pisces Iscariot
Candlebox
Toadies
Rancid
awww.. takes me back to my frustrated teenaged youth =P
November 17th, 2004
meeting...
Posted by bert at 03:55 PM on November 17, 2004 in ME.
bad... *sigh* another 4 hours down the tubes.. another 4 to go.
November 18th, 2004
Whats going on?
Posted by bert at 07:27 AM on November 18, 2004 in ME.
i've gone from having time to blog at work... to all of a sudden working 4 hours of overtime a day. What the heck just happened?
i'm off to work at 6 a.m. today.. jeez.. *sigh*
OC Thursday
Posted by bert at 11:19 PM on November 18, 2004 in ME.
Well... that's what it's turned into. Weekly OC parties. WE have someone cooking dinner, watch the OC and then MarioKart till 10.
It's great.. because teh OC is good and summer is hot. =)
November 20th, 2004
finally... weekend
Posted by bert at 08:32 AM on November 20, 2004 in ME.
last night we went out for viv's bday finally.. and again went to Lucilles. I still maintain that this place has the best BBQ chicken. Fried chicken would be a different story.
and to completely go balls to teh walls on my week, i'm not planning for too much rest. Just a lot of fun this weekend.
Yeah.. in case you didn't notice... I'm blogging at 7:30 in the morning... because.. I'm waiting for the roommate to get out of the shower so we can go to the Co-op Auction. Basically it's this huge auction for arcade machines. VERY exciting. If the price is right... I'd like to pick up a nice pinball machine.. or.. maybe a nice arcade machine (puzzle fighter?) Will be exciting.
After that... it's mall time with Yvonne where we're getting an early start on x-mas gifts. Since people i'm buying gifts for sometimes read this thing.. obviously i can't list nothing. (right linda? =P)
followed by National Treasure this afternoon. Don't ask me why, but for some reason i want to watch the pedofile (nick cage) in this movie. Maybe it's because of Monica Potter, but she's no Mandy Moore. My crush on her just continues to grow.
Tonight is Leo's last free OC night, so we're all going otu to celebrate. HEHEHEHE.. hopefully if all goes right. I spend more time away from the house today than i did any other day of the work week.
5 days till thanksgiving. See yas on the flip side.
November 21st, 2004
weekend recap
Posted by bert at 11:22 PM on November 21, 2004 in ME.
Friday night.
Ate dinner with family, it's been blogged about.
Saturday
Went to Arcade Auction expo. Was phenominal. I want to get a Mrs. Pacman Machine. 'nuff said. well.. and some pinball.
Afterwards... went and started on some x-mas shopping. Linda you are a bitch to shop for but someones' gotta do it.
Then saw National Treasure with Lucas, Yvonne, and Van. It's a pretty fantastic movie. Would watch again, Especially in cheap ass North Carolina =P
Then a quickie Golden Tee Tourney with Melissa, Lucas, and Leo. Somehow... Melissa won. Don't ask me how. but i had least strokes, but Melissa won the most Skins... MotherF'er...
Followed by a nightcap at BJ's. We had a couple of beers, kicked back and chilled and relaxed. Great fun was had by all, and we managed to scare 1 more co-worker =P
After the 3 wise men were done, we came back to the house, played video games and watched Leo puke.
Yes.. What a great way to finish off your bachelorhood.
Leo!.. we raise our glasses to you..
and too bad about Arizona losing to Virginia today =P
November 22nd, 2004
a couple funny ebay finds
Posted by bert at 10:36 AM on November 22, 2004 in ME.
Arabic
Thai
A Season of Thanks
Posted by bert at 02:40 PM on November 22, 2004 in ME.
Belligerently ripped off from Orscon Scott Card (Ornery.org).
This Thanksgiving there are thousands of people I have never met, to whom I owe a debt that cannot be repaid.
To you, Marine, still weary from the battle house to house in Fallujah, whom we called upon to overcome your natural fear and go into combat in our cause: What went through your mind and heart in those days of fighting is between you and your fellow soldiers and the God who knows your heart as no mortal being can. All I can see is the outward deed -- the courage to act on someone else's orders, in protection of someone else's life, at risk of your own.
To all you soldiers, sailors, pilots, marines who have served under fire, at risk of life, volunteers in the American cause: You carry with you painful memories so that countless civilians back home will not have such memories; the vast majority of your fellow-citizens remain innocent of the agony of war precisely because you have been willing to immerse yourselves in it.
You create and maintain the safe haven in which I live. Thank you.
To you in the reserve and national guard, who came when you were called and set aside your lives and left behind your families for months and sometimes years of service you did not hope for ...
To you whose military service is not in combat, yet who labor to make sure that our troops are well supplied, well trained, and only put at risk when there is a goal to achieve that is worthy of the sacrifice of life ...
To you civilians who, unarmed, have braved the dangers of war in order to help rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan, and restore their ability to live in peace and plenty ...
You make our nation possible, our whole world safer. Thank you.
To you policemen and firemen here at home whose vigilance protects us from dangers natural and deliberate, from barbarians foreign and domestic, and from our own foolish mistakes: Each day at work you don't expect to risk your life, but that risk is always there; and your constant vigilance is our protection. Thank you.
To you, the Iraqi soldier, newly trained in an army that was under fire from the moment you first stepped into a recruiting line: You know that your own families are at risk because of your service; that while you fight to liberate a part of your country from terrorists and thugs, others might come to your own home and assault your own family to punish you. You and I are patriots in different countries, but today we share a cause, and if your country keeps the freedom our soldiers have tried to bring you, it will be because of your own steadfastness and courage and sacrifice.
To you, the Iraqi policeman, who has had to learn new rules: The civilization of your own people is in your hands. You are teaching your people that the day of the torturers is past, so that they will look to you for protection, instead of dreading your approach; and you do it despite knowing that the barbarians will try to punish you and your family for your service in that cause.
To all the Iraqi and Afghan citizens who understand that American soldiers are only in your country until you have soldiers and police and a government that can be trusted to do your will and keep you free and safe: Your cooperation hastens the day when our soldiers can come home, a day we long for every bit as much as you. Your votes in elections; your obedience to law; they are also acts of courage and determination, and the whole world is safer because of them.
I salute you; I thank you.
And to you, the American soldier who has been torn by bombs or bullets, who came home maimed in body or in spirit by this war: I cannot restore to you what you have lost, but I will try to show you by my personal treatment of you, by contributions I make and the votes I cast in support of meeting your needs, by the honor that I give to you, and by the free and decent society that I will try to maintain, that the country that you served was worthy of the price you paid and will continue to pay all the days of your life.
Thank you.
You, the family whose child did not come home alive; you who have buried the hopes and dreams you had for that child's life; how can I comfort you? Except to tell you that the lives of all the children who have not died, whose future was not broken off by war, belong in part to you, because of the sacrifice you made.
I may not have known your lost sons and daughters, but I know why they died, and I love them for their sacrifice, and will not forget them; nor will I forget you, and the constant ache that will be with you for the rest of your lives.
I believe that in the eyes of God you are all held in honor; I know that in my own eyes, your suffering and sacrifice are gifts to your neighbors, to your nation, to all civilized people, whether or not they understand. I hope it helps sustain you, to know that I and many others like me are grateful to you and to the loved one you have lost.
On Thanksgiving day, family and friends will gather around a table in my home and give thanks to God for all the good things in our lives. Our home, our neighborhood, our city will mostly be at peace; there will be laughter and pleasure in our house, as well as solemnity and prayer.
Yet we will not forget you, none of you who have served us in this struggle. I promise that we will remember: You have been the hands of God in bringing this much more freedom, this much more hope of peace and justice to God's children, not only in your native land, but also among strangers.
No one has greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends.
For that love, for your love, I give thanks.
random thoughts on the well written
Posted by bert at 04:07 PM on November 22, 2004 in ME.
Don't ask me why I came to be thinking of this... but.
You can write and be a putz like me.
or you can write beautifully and will a pulitzer.
the only difference between the two is that you add a "lier" to a "putz"
November 23rd, 2004
.... 1 more hour
Posted by bert at 12:25 PM on November 23, 2004 in ME.
left in my work week.
COME ON... stupid clock ticks so slow...
empanadas...
Posted by bert at 10:37 PM on November 23, 2004 in Good Eats.
wow.. they are might tasty.. I just got some at On The Border... and was thoroughly impressed.
now i am thoroughly stuffed. Empanadas.. no idea they were so good.
November 24th, 2004
back home for thanksgiving
Posted by bert at 11:17 PM on November 24, 2004 in ME.
I really forgot how beautiful you are Raleigh.
the Fall. Browned fallen leaves, Lush green grass, SMOGLESS SKIES!!!.
but.. i really feel.... rural. weird huh?
November 25th, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving
Posted by bert at 09:56 PM on November 25, 2004 in ME.
I hope everyone had a very happy and festive thanksgiving and was able to spend it with the people they loved. I got to see my parents, my kid sister, and some friends. and my dog. Man.. i missed a lot more of NC than i would have thought, but i miss cali too.. I think i can safely say that it is now my home.
I wish everyone safe travels over the next few days... ANd i'll update my tabby with notes of my adventures..
and why after this return flight... I will never EVER fly Delta again.
November 27th, 2004
Sign of Age.
Posted by bert at 08:30 AM on November 27, 2004 in ME.
Well.. every year we have a Thanksgiving football game.. Tradition you know? ANd this year was no different. Again we played football and again I was out of shape... and much slower than the newest class of kids invited to the game. Damn.. those little freshman are much faster than me now....
But.. it was great fun
and this morning.. i get to pay for it.. i'm sore all over and it hurts =( Yeah... i'm an old man compared to them.. but a wiley old man who threy a lot of touchdown passes... bwuwahahah. =)
hope you all had a great thanksgiving too.
November 28th, 2004
The weekend.
Posted by bert at 12:52 PM on November 28, 2004 in ME.
Its amazing how much things have changed in the past 9 months. Some people have kids.. (ming) so many are in new relationships, som are not longer (me =P), and some are still in them.
but Carolina has beautiful autumns... and the sweet tea is as great as ever. I had my first bojangles sweet tea today.. and well.. it was great. 4 refills in about 5 minutes =).
My black friday was a lot of fun.. bought about 80 dollars worth of DVDs. (lots of copies of You've got mail, and chapelles show, and 24.. and.. well you get the picture...)
Halo 2 multiplayer is more fun the halo 1 multiplayer simply because of the inclusion of that energy sword. Throwing the plasma grenades are great... sticky bombs rule. If i have that and you have an energy sword.. you better stay away from me fewl... I stuck you good. Rocket launchers are just as fun. Reminds me of playing quake all over again.. I wonder if i still have my net quake skills....
Not much going on here.. the kids are all grown up.. the dog is all grown up.
and the parents are just having fun finally free of the kids. But.. man.. i'm missing cali... the other thing that hasn't changed here is the tempo of life. It's slow.. and i can't stand it. Need to go back to the hustle and bustle of a stress filled life.
Isn't that crazy? i need the stress. =)
well.. vacation is fun and tomorrow is a day of homework with a possible poker game. we'll see i guess.
new hardi's ad.
Posted by bert at 01:23 PM on November 28, 2004 in ME.
Hahah.. their closing thought was..
"the new half pound thick burger. Cuz eating at McDonalds is great, when you're seven."
the lightbulb turns on...
Posted by bert at 09:04 PM on November 28, 2004 in ME.
"You're going to wake up with the urge to get the show on the road in a big way. Your need to be free and totally unfettered by responsibility will reach an all-time high."
that's my yahoo horoscope.
this weekend was great for me..
i've had a renewed sense of initiative to start a business. Talking with my dad really inspires me to do so. My dad is amazing, and this thanksgiving I am more thankful then ever to be blessed by his presence.
anyway.. we got to talking... and basically i told him about this idea i've been having. (more about that later).
told him the idea, and my dad thought that it was a good idea and then we talked about how to get it patented and the such. So... tomorrow. we're going to be working on looking into the patent. Very exciting.
So.. i'll update this later..
November 29th, 2004
My parents...
Posted by bert at 03:16 PM on November 29, 2004 in ME.
they own a PS2... amazing...
and they have 1 game for it.
DDRMAX2.
yes.. i'm serious.. hehehe... omg... hilarity ensues =)
mentors
Posted by bert at 09:59 PM on November 29, 2004 in ME.
When i was in school. I had a mentor. Basically it was one professor that I got along great with, that i basically attached myself too, and asked much advice from. I took his class and absolutely loved it and to say he didn't have a small part to do with how I am today would be lying.
Dr. Stephen J. Walsh was and is my mentor at NC State University. And since i had the time today, I went to pay him a visit during his EEP class. (engineering entreprenuership program). He's still well connected and he's smart as a whip.. Maybe a little older and having a few more health problems, but man.. talking with him (combined w/ talking to my dad) seriously makes me reconsider starting up.
Yeah.. i have an idea, and I want to get it patented. I'm going through the research stage right now, but i'm also debating (seriously) how much of my personal time i would want to give up to this cause.
the drive will be there should i commit myself... it's just that.. is being financially secure the most important thing i can do? While right now, the risk is at its least i justifiably so, should take my shot. But I also miss out on the most fun in my life. I'm really not sure. But then again.. i chose engineering over business for a reason huh?
debating...