I wonder if I'm allergic to squid or mussels. I've eaten both in the past but just moments after having a seafood soup for lunch today at Koh Samui and the Monkey, my face feels numb. It looks like my cheeks are puffy and there's pressure around my eyes.
This is not good.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Cash strapped city looking for money
Last Saturday, I attended the annual Christmas family dinner on my mom's side of the family. Besides the usual potluck meal, family gift exchanging, and catching up on family gossip, the big discussion of the night regarded the notices my grandparents received from the SF Building Permits and Inspections. Apparently, there is an unauthorized 7' x 14' advertising sign plastered with film and concert posters of unknown affiliation on the side of my grandparent's rental/commercial building in the Mission. My grandparents rarely visit their building partly because the renters (immigrants paying very low rent) keep to themselves, and the person running the commercial space (supposedly, a family friend) all send their rent payment by mail.
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Several family members voiced their frustration over the city trying to bilk money from small businesses and landlords wherever they can. We all wondered where the advertising sign came from. None of us put it up. The only thing we remember is the community mural that was painted on the wall back in the early 90s.
My grandparents owned that building since the 60s and that corner store front went through numerous changes from art store to neighborhood grocery/goods store, to finally, a coffee shop.
I just listened in until I heard snippets of what really was going on. I won't go into details about it but my cousin and two uncles plan to get things cleared up today. A hassle for the family but it'll be resolved before year end.
View Larger Map
Several family members voiced their frustration over the city trying to bilk money from small businesses and landlords wherever they can. We all wondered where the advertising sign came from. None of us put it up. The only thing we remember is the community mural that was painted on the wall back in the early 90s.
My grandparents owned that building since the 60s and that corner store front went through numerous changes from art store to neighborhood grocery/goods store, to finally, a coffee shop.
I just listened in until I heard snippets of what really was going on. I won't go into details about it but my cousin and two uncles plan to get things cleared up today. A hassle for the family but it'll be resolved before year end.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Lindy Hop final
Tonight is my dance recital final for my Lindy class. I'm a bit nervous about it since I haven't practiced in a week. The song we'll be dancing to is: My Blue Heaven by Norah Jones.
The following are the steps for the performance in 8 count.
_____________________
Sing out from closed
Texas Tommy
Wheel into closed
Side dip with extra up/down
Tuck turn to R/R
Rock step, triple step, tuck to closed
Walk forward
Barrel roll to open
Circle
Rock step, pivot (2 cts), pivot, pivot (1 ct), triple step to open
Swing out with outside turn
Leader boogie back 7&8
Follow boogie forward triple step 7&8
Circle
Walk toward audience
Dip
Turn follower behind leader and exit
___________________________
I hope I have a good lead that doesn't forget the steps. This happened last week when we took turns practicing in front of our peers. I had to stand there and wait until he remembered what to do then we rushed the next step only to pause again so he could remember. Very frustrating.
The following are the steps for the performance in 8 count.
_____________________
Sing out from closed
Texas Tommy
Wheel into closed
Side dip with extra up/down
Tuck turn to R/R
Rock step, triple step, tuck to closed
Walk forward
Barrel roll to open
Circle
Rock step, pivot (2 cts), pivot, pivot (1 ct), triple step to open
Swing out with outside turn
Leader boogie back 7&8
Follow boogie forward triple step 7&8
Circle
Walk toward audience
Dip
Turn follower behind leader and exit
___________________________
I hope I have a good lead that doesn't forget the steps. This happened last week when we took turns practicing in front of our peers. I had to stand there and wait until he remembered what to do then we rushed the next step only to pause again so he could remember. Very frustrating.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
the new guy
We've been hiring a number of new people to replace the ones who either left on their own accord because they were sick of working in a cut-throat environment or were let go because they couldn't handle a cut-throat environment.
Another new guy started yesterday. He's already made such a wonderful impression on me that I can certainly see how happy everyone else is in his department who think he's shaping up to be their savior.
When most people start a job on their very first day, usually politeness and a touch of easy going manners are in order. One doesn't want to push the wrong buttons with coworkers too soon. So, the new guy arrives, has his boss meeting, hr meeting, accounting meeting, and department introduction meeting. The IT department, (me) is at the bottom of the heap. No one wants to meet the IT department yet we're the ones that receive the most demanding calls in the day. So, shouldn't people be generally polite and easy going with the IT department? IT controls the servers, your link to the outside world, your mail, your printers, and your work system. Yet we receive the least amount of respect.
The new guy calls, wants a better keyboard; something not previously used. Fine, I say. I'll deliver another one. Nope, not good enough. He wants me to bring several different kinds so he can choose the one he likes best. Since we have a huge supply of every type of computer equipment in our larger than Costco warehouse, I bring up three keyboards to him. He fake types on each of them before choosing the best one that "feels good" on his fingers.
This morning, he calls to say the keyboard I delivered doesn't work. It's defective. He needs another keyboard that works. Well, the keyboard did work but the prima donna is not happy.
Honestly, people should know not to upset IT. You want something, you better be nice. You want your system to work, you better be pleasant. Our job is to make sure that your system is working smoothly so you can work efficiently. It's not our job to find you the most comfortable keyboard on the planet.
Another new guy started yesterday. He's already made such a wonderful impression on me that I can certainly see how happy everyone else is in his department who think he's shaping up to be their savior.
When most people start a job on their very first day, usually politeness and a touch of easy going manners are in order. One doesn't want to push the wrong buttons with coworkers too soon. So, the new guy arrives, has his boss meeting, hr meeting, accounting meeting, and department introduction meeting. The IT department, (me) is at the bottom of the heap. No one wants to meet the IT department yet we're the ones that receive the most demanding calls in the day. So, shouldn't people be generally polite and easy going with the IT department? IT controls the servers, your link to the outside world, your mail, your printers, and your work system. Yet we receive the least amount of respect.
The new guy calls, wants a better keyboard; something not previously used. Fine, I say. I'll deliver another one. Nope, not good enough. He wants me to bring several different kinds so he can choose the one he likes best. Since we have a huge supply of every type of computer equipment in our larger than Costco warehouse, I bring up three keyboards to him. He fake types on each of them before choosing the best one that "feels good" on his fingers.
This morning, he calls to say the keyboard I delivered doesn't work. It's defective. He needs another keyboard that works. Well, the keyboard did work but the prima donna is not happy.
Honestly, people should know not to upset IT. You want something, you better be nice. You want your system to work, you better be pleasant. Our job is to make sure that your system is working smoothly so you can work efficiently. It's not our job to find you the most comfortable keyboard on the planet.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
lit reading a complete wash
A week ago, I received an email from one of the editors at Forum, a student run, literary mag published through the community college I'm attending. Forum planned to hold two readings for contributors of the mag to read their work to a wider audience. I wasn't able to attend the first reading which which held last Friday at noon. I responded to the email stating I would attend the second reading which was held at Park Branch Library in Haight on Tuesday evening.
I was a little skeptical about the reading events. They didn't seem to be widely publicized and despite being a student run publication, you'd think someone would have done a little marketing legwork to pull in a decent number of participants and peers.
Alas, this was not the case. Thankfully, I only invited a handful of friends to the reading, and only one of which was able to attend. We arrived at the reading a little after the stated 7p start time. I imagined that people would be running late so I didn't think there would be too many there. Lo, there were a total of five, three of which were vagrants off the street. I'm not being judgmental here. Three people really did appear to be bums. One was in a crap shoot wheel chair with a busted right wheel and missing arm rest. he wrapped himself with two grey wool blankets one would find on shelter beds and he rocked in his chair when he rolled about. The other two wore layers of dirty, grey and brown coats of different sizes that matched their dusty looking hair. and it smelled like a musty gym locker in that basement room under the library.
The only two that looked as though they had money to attend a community college sat near the front podium observing the scene before unloading a mishmash of junk food on a side table. I was embarrassed, even more so for bringing my friend. I hate to stereotype but we were dressed like socialites who accidentally walked stumbled into the local rehab shelter. I decided, "screw this" and we walked to Alembic for two rounds of bourbon and three hours of gossip. A much better way to end a Tues evening.
I was a little skeptical about the reading events. They didn't seem to be widely publicized and despite being a student run publication, you'd think someone would have done a little marketing legwork to pull in a decent number of participants and peers.
Alas, this was not the case. Thankfully, I only invited a handful of friends to the reading, and only one of which was able to attend. We arrived at the reading a little after the stated 7p start time. I imagined that people would be running late so I didn't think there would be too many there. Lo, there were a total of five, three of which were vagrants off the street. I'm not being judgmental here. Three people really did appear to be bums. One was in a crap shoot wheel chair with a busted right wheel and missing arm rest. he wrapped himself with two grey wool blankets one would find on shelter beds and he rocked in his chair when he rolled about. The other two wore layers of dirty, grey and brown coats of different sizes that matched their dusty looking hair. and it smelled like a musty gym locker in that basement room under the library.
The only two that looked as though they had money to attend a community college sat near the front podium observing the scene before unloading a mishmash of junk food on a side table. I was embarrassed, even more so for bringing my friend. I hate to stereotype but we were dressed like socialites who accidentally walked stumbled into the local rehab shelter. I decided, "screw this" and we walked to Alembic for two rounds of bourbon and three hours of gossip. A much better way to end a Tues evening.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Hair chopping
It's that time when I'm itching for a change and the first thing that needs to go is my unruly hair. Not all of it, mind you. It's winter time and chilly and I get cold very easily. But between getting my hair cut and having hair singed off my body, I think I'm close to being as bare as I was when I was born. Okay, not quite. I'm just preparing for the new year.
So here's the before pic looking sleepy/tired..
and my after cut pic looking alive and vibrant..
So here's the before pic looking sleepy/tired..
and my after cut pic looking alive and vibrant..
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
i rode the bus to school
Last night, I decided to save a little gas money and the ozone by taking local transportation to City last night. It was dark by 6p on the corner of Masonic and Fulton where I waited for no less than ten minutes before the 43 arrived. There were about ten other people waiting with me and a grumpy guy in a wheelchair. I headed straight to the rear of the bus and sat down in one of the left facing side seats. I attempted to look nonchalant and bored while glancing at my fellow passengers without making direct eye contact. Then I got tired and dozed off. Head bobbing and body jerking ensued throughout the bus ride and I think I got side whip lash from the driver pounding on the accelerator and slamming on the break every 20 seconds. Total bus ride to school: 40 minutes.
After gym and dance class, I checked Nextbus for the 43 schedule so I wouldn't be waiting long in the chilly air for the bus. The 43 arrived five minutes later. There were fewer passengers on the bus after 10p, obviously. Of the passengers, several of us looked like we just got out of class; tired, withdrawn and lifeless. Then there are the interesting "others". One man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with black hair past his shoulders and a puffy, red jacket, wore black shoes with a platform glued to the soles. The guy wasn't that short but I suppose a little extra height doesn't hurt. What was odd was that his left shoe had a higher platform, about 3 inches, than the right shoe, which only had 1.5 inch. Maybe one leg was longer than the other. Then another guy came on board and proceeded to have a one-way conversation about what he ate that day. I didn't dare take a nap on the bus. Everyone kept to themselves and no one encroached on one another's person space. The ride wasn't as jerky but it was pitch black out and I marveled at how well the driver maneuvered through the winding residential streets without sideswiping parked cars. Total time to my stop: 30 minutes.
After gym and dance class, I checked Nextbus for the 43 schedule so I wouldn't be waiting long in the chilly air for the bus. The 43 arrived five minutes later. There were fewer passengers on the bus after 10p, obviously. Of the passengers, several of us looked like we just got out of class; tired, withdrawn and lifeless. Then there are the interesting "others". One man who appeared to be in his mid-40s, with black hair past his shoulders and a puffy, red jacket, wore black shoes with a platform glued to the soles. The guy wasn't that short but I suppose a little extra height doesn't hurt. What was odd was that his left shoe had a higher platform, about 3 inches, than the right shoe, which only had 1.5 inch. Maybe one leg was longer than the other. Then another guy came on board and proceeded to have a one-way conversation about what he ate that day. I didn't dare take a nap on the bus. Everyone kept to themselves and no one encroached on one another's person space. The ride wasn't as jerky but it was pitch black out and I marveled at how well the driver maneuvered through the winding residential streets without sideswiping parked cars. Total time to my stop: 30 minutes.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
in search of a drunk, Halloween idiot
No Halloween costumes nor parties for me this year. But like every year, the neighbors throw their Halloween bash well into the wee hours of the morning. This year, one of those drunken, costumed idiots side swiped the front bumper of my car and drove off. I didn't notice the damage until after I finished Solan's morning walk. I suppose it could have been worse (it isn't) but no one likes to wake up early in the morning to see that. Boo
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a vehicle with silver paint and damage etched on their front or rear bumper
I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a vehicle with silver paint and damage etched on their front or rear bumper
Friday, October 30, 2009
story publication
I recently received notification from the Editors at City Lit Journal, a short story and poetry magazine, that one of my submitted stories received a nod for publication pending several suggested edits.
I looked over the editor's edits and made the minor corrections they requested. They also mentioned that the "narrator's purpose is a bit too heavy handed" and thought the twist in the story could be "more subtle when the person on the bike is not telling the story." I read this several times before I realized that the editors wanted something that was less "punchy".
My story, about a bike accident, begins in 2nd person point of view before switching to first person for the story twist. That's my catch, my one-two punch, the "hinge". I'd rather not give away anymore of the story until it's actually published but I asked several people for their respected opinions on what could or could not be changed.
Thoughts about what to do swirled in my mind. I could change the 2nd person point of view to 3rd person, completely detaching the reader and narrator from the action (i.e. bike accident) before switching to 2nd person (i.e. driver reaction). Or start with 1st person (i.e. the narrator as the cyclist) and switching to 3rd person for the driver or remaining in 1st person, now as the driver. There's a number of ways I can change this but the impact in the 3rd half of the story won't carry as much weight if the narrator doesn't tell the reader that he/she is the driver and not the cyclist.
I want the story to send a message to the reader that you can be the cyclist but you can also be the driver who hit the cyclist. Victim vs. Perpetrator. Carefree vs. Impatient. It can go both ways.
I decided not to change the main story line nor the view points. Everyone has their opinions however subjective and I know I won't be able to please everyone. I've made a couple changes regarding the cyclist and left the rest as is.
We'll see what the editors have to say.
I looked over the editor's edits and made the minor corrections they requested. They also mentioned that the "narrator's purpose is a bit too heavy handed" and thought the twist in the story could be "more subtle when the person on the bike is not telling the story." I read this several times before I realized that the editors wanted something that was less "punchy".
My story, about a bike accident, begins in 2nd person point of view before switching to first person for the story twist. That's my catch, my one-two punch, the "hinge". I'd rather not give away anymore of the story until it's actually published but I asked several people for their respected opinions on what could or could not be changed.
Thoughts about what to do swirled in my mind. I could change the 2nd person point of view to 3rd person, completely detaching the reader and narrator from the action (i.e. bike accident) before switching to 2nd person (i.e. driver reaction). Or start with 1st person (i.e. the narrator as the cyclist) and switching to 3rd person for the driver or remaining in 1st person, now as the driver. There's a number of ways I can change this but the impact in the 3rd half of the story won't carry as much weight if the narrator doesn't tell the reader that he/she is the driver and not the cyclist.
I want the story to send a message to the reader that you can be the cyclist but you can also be the driver who hit the cyclist. Victim vs. Perpetrator. Carefree vs. Impatient. It can go both ways.
I decided not to change the main story line nor the view points. Everyone has their opinions however subjective and I know I won't be able to please everyone. I've made a couple changes regarding the cyclist and left the rest as is.
We'll see what the editors have to say.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Denied?!?
Well, that was embarrassing. I overcharged my credit card and couldn't pay for my portion of dinner last night. When I called Chase to see what happened, Costco finally charged me for the bedroom set I purchased nearly three weeks ago that I have yet to receive. I went right over my credit limit and got slapped with an overdraft fee.
Today, I paid off my card in full and explained to Chase how I am one of their reliable and responsible customers and if they don't help me out, I'll jump ship. Done. Fee removed.
I do need to curb my plastic card spending habits. It's getting out of hand these days.
Today, I paid off my card in full and explained to Chase how I am one of their reliable and responsible customers and if they don't help me out, I'll jump ship. Done. Fee removed.
I do need to curb my plastic card spending habits. It's getting out of hand these days.
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