Loyalty

Not to steal an idea, but this was brought to my attention via a friend's blog. Amusing little list of things important to one Tom Chiarella, some of which I find overlapping with my own list. One in particular stuck out:

23. Be loyal. You will fail at it. You have already. A man who does not know loyalty, from both ends, does not know men. Loyalty is not a matter of give-and-take: He did me a favor, therefore I owe him one. No. No. No. It is the recognition of a bond, the honoring of a shared history, the reemergence of the vows we make in the tight times. It doesn't mean complete agreement or invisible blood ties. It is a currency of selflessness, given without expectation and capable of the most stellar return.

Just a thought.

Tale of an American Chinese

There once was a Chinese man who did not like his home country very much. He decided he would move to America. As soon as he landed in the States, he loved it. He loved the environment, the people, the culture, the food; everything. He loved it so much, and because he saw it to be in so many ways to be better than China, he immediately renounced his own country. He said, "From now on, I am no longer Chinese. I am an American."

This man got an American job, bought an American car, married an American wife, and became an American citizen. He spoke only English, raised his kids to be American, and never associated with anything or anyone Chinese. When he died, he was buried in an American cometary, with an English inscription.

And when people walk past his grave site, they say, "Here lies buried a Chinese man."

My cousin told me that anecdote when I was in China.

Scathing...

video

...but so true.

Trip Report: Chicago-Town, 2009-07-02 to 2009-07-05 [ADDENDUM]

I forgot to mention something when I posted the original post:

- We determined the optimal angle-of-attack when wiping one's own ass is from the side.

- The body-positioning, either standing, or still seated, with a half-forward roll, is a matter of preference.

If you guys remember anything else about the trip, it would be awesome to post it here so our grandkids can see it someday...or something.

Trip Report: Chicago-Town, 2009-07-02 to 2009-07-05

Just some random thoughts and notes about the Boys Trip to Chicago:

- I think I've said it many times, but it bears repeating: I love you guys, and this trip was one of the best weekends of my life. I was way too sad when it ended, and I can't wait to do it again. With all of us spread out across the country, with jobs and other responsibilities, it's way too hard for all of us to hang out as frequently as we'd like. These kinds of weekends are precious and fleeting; let's try and do them as often as possible.

- With regards to the previous sentiment, I do not want to hear anything about 'cutting back' or 'in moderation'. These kinds of trips are about cutting loose with The Boys, we know each other and we look out for each other. No one is going to do anything too stupid. You have the rest of your life to be responsible and take in moderation, leave these weekends as they are.

- Some select quotes [please edit and add as you see fit]:
* "My shirt still smells like 'Stripper'." --kp
* "Touching was definitely allowed." --kp
* "We could make a jail cell fun...as long as we had alcohol." --Anonymous

- I'm sorry guys, but I think Alinea ruined everything else for me. The progression of my fine dining experience has a pretty high peak right there. If we follow the progression of our meals, where do we go to top that experience? Fench Laundry? El Bulli?

- We fucking saw Grant Achatz! At his craft! From literally across our table! How many people can say they saw Beethoven as he was composing the 5th, or Michaelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel?

- Museums are fun, but not really conducive for just the group of us doing something together. Also separating for large periods of time isn't so great.

- Did anyone else notice we went through an entire weekend without getting into a huge fight? And this was with both Ajay and I present. How the fuck did that happen?

- If we had to, having 2 hotel rooms was actually a nice change of pace. Certainly, for future trips, free places to crash are great, but being at the Fairmont was not only comfortable, it enabled all sorts of possibilities with it's central location.

- For future planning purposes, let's try to keep each scheduled day as one major activity and at most one other minor/night-time activity. Having too many suggestions and possibilities at once paralyzed us at points.

- Not to say anything negative in regards to Azim's planning. Props for planning Chicago. Props to the Jew for bringing those wines and also chipping in with some suggestions. Props to Kanna for suggesting Second City, and also the great quotes. Props to Jack for booking Alinea.

- I'm really sorry about Hot Doug's. Trust me, no one felt worse for having dragged us all across town, let alone being personally disappointed and not getting some duck-fat fries and a foie gras hot dog.

- Check out the picture of Fu in a suit. Man cleans up nice!

- I like the progressive sophistication we're showing, Fellas. Let's keep it up, but still know how to get down.

That's all I got for now. I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I really need to catch up on some sleep before my brain is fully functional again.

- Some ideas for future trips:
* Canada (one of Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto)
* Europe (Spain & El Bulli anyone?)
* Miami
* Cabin
* Camping

Awesome Trip

Just want to say, thanks for the good times, especially being able to share the meal at Alinea with you guys. You know it was memorable when all you can think about the next day at work is goodness exploding in your mouth (maple, truffle, watermelon). yum.

Till next year... Cabin perhaps?

UPDATE(zhi): I second Jack's notion. This was an absolutely amazing trip. I would not have rather spent the last few days with any other group in the world.

Building Hype

Second City

So far I have Kanna, Jack, Me, Zhi (ajay, azim, fu) do you want to go to second city. I need to know ASAP so I can track down tickets.

Book your tickets diptards

Heres my ticketing info:

DEN Denver	Jul 02, 2009 05:45 PM	ORD Chicago	Jul 02, 2009 09:05 PM	Economy S
AMERICAN AIRLINES	591	ORD Chicago	Jul 06, 2009 03:25 PM	DEN Denver	Jul 06, 2009 05:00 PM

super easy to read eh?
hahaahh.

psyched.

Chicago...

I tried to spread things out a bit, so the days weren't so busy. If this doesn't work, let me know. Otherwise I'll start buying tickets this weekend. I removed going to Lake Michigan, but we should probably add that back in somewhere.

Friday:
Lunch at Pizza Rustica (11:30?)
Walk down to Wrigley and try for cheap tickets
Architectural Boat Tour (4:30pm?)
Early dinner?
Second City (8pm)
Kingston Mines (11pm)

Saturday:
Millennium Park, Grant Park, Taste of Chicago (10am)
Second try for Cubs tickets?
Hancock Building for drinks and view (6pm)
Dinner (Alinea or otherwise, 9:15pm)

For those of us eating at Alinea

This is a proposed memoir of the chef with a couple of pages from different chapters.
http://eater.com/uploads/v4_01spreads.pdf

It doesn't divulge much of what we'll be eating but does give us the general creative and thought processes involved in this restaurant.


Enjoy

improv

as an additional idea for something to do, there is second city, which puts on improv shows that cost anywhere from $5 to $25 (second city). For those that dont know about this group, it is responsible for training a lot of the the SNL talent as well as many other actors (Tina fey, Steve carell, jeremy piven...there is a whole wiki page).

i have never been to an improv show and since this group is probably one of the best, i figured i would throw it out there.

Cat in the Car and the Car can't go

Thats what my guitar teacher used to call chicago.

I am down to go stand outside wrigley - i can't believe we can't find fucking bleacher seats for under 25 bones. In Denver the "rockpile" tickets are lke 6 bucks each. Stupid.

There is no better restaurant in the greater chicago area azim.

On blues night i think we should go to both kingston mines and chicago blues - both on clark. And close to my cousins house if he is around.

Azim you can be in charge of other fun night time shenanigans. I still have not heard from any of the relatives I sent that email out to like a month ago, good folks eh (my mom replied!! at least I know someone loves me.)

yeah I forgot what else Azim mentioned. sounds like some pretty busy days. I'm psyched to just hang out and fucking shoot the shit. maybe play a few board games. haha

later

Chicago

Friday:
Early lunch (Chicago deep-dish / hot dogs) near Wrigley
Try to get cheap tickets to the Cubs game (sounds like people aren't interested in buying them ahead of time)
If we can't get tickets, then beach volleyball on Lake Michigan (maybe rent jet skis, but they are like $75 / hour)
Blues Club at night

Saturday:
Millenium Park in the morning
Taste of Chicago
Hancock Building Signature Room
Architectural Boat Tour
Dinner at Alinea (minus Azim & Ajay)
Dinner at a better restaurant (Azim/Ajay & Chicago friends)

Sunday:
(I'm leaving at 7am)
Golf or driving range?
Something low-key (halo if someone wants to bring their Box?)


I have a few bars in mind for night time excursions, but I'm still working that out. I'll send out some possibilities tomorrow. If this sounds like a reasonable plan, let me know and I'll start booking things. Make other suggestions if you have them.

Flights from SF

Zhi, Fu, Kanna:

Are you guys planning to go Thursday 7/2 - Sunday 7/5? We should get on the same flight!

The cheapest I have found is $373 round-trip, SJC-ORD. Do you guys know of any better options to look at for the Bay area?

PS. Kanna! Where are you? We need to hang out this weekend!!

Hotel Room #1 Booked

Deets:
- 3 Adults, 3 nights (2-July to 5-July), 2 double beds, non-smoking.
- $151 per night for 2 nights, with 3rd night free (Ajay, get on this deal.) ~$100 per person.
- I requested a room close to "Ajay Surie" so they may ask you that when you call.
- Non-refundable, so don't back out now, or I will kill you.
- I requested an upper floor room, so we'll see how that goes.
- Confirmation #: 49919658

Get on it fellas.

Cubs

Tickets for the Cubs game (vs. Milwaukee Brewers) are going to run about $100 / each on either 7/3 or 7/4. I'm looking for bleacher seats, which I hear are the most fun. Away from the family sections, and people just hang out, drink, party all afternoon while watching the game.

Anyone have a preference of day? Is everyone interested in going? I can go ahead and reserve the tickets now, or we can try to get some cheaper ones closer to game day (or outside the game, but 7 may be difficult).

CMU News

Mudge C Basement people... check out this article regarding Patina:

http://www.cmu.edu/homepage/creativity/2009/spring/sister-act.shtml

Not sure if any of you are still in contact with her (I'm not), but it is still great news. I remember always hearing her sing from down the hall. She did have a great voice.

Also, Eric Schmidt was our commencement speaker this year, and his talk was pretty entertaining. He's a good public speaker. You can watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiYwUde3wNo

Onward with Chi-town planning

This is going to be a quick post. Comment up. Azim where are you with this planning shit?

We are thinking about staying at the fairmont. I would like to book the non-refundable rate (I saw a couple days ago at 118/room/night.

That is a smoking fucking deal, this hotel is top notch.
Azim is reportedly staying with his brother (lame).
So... There are 6 of us.
Should we get 3 rooms or 2.
I want to sleep in a bed. If we went with 2, 2 folks would have to sleep on a cot (I assume we would reduce their share a bit). Is anyone interested in doing that (Fu/Kanna?)
I mean 65-70/night/person isnt bad, but i know not everyone cares about that stuff.

Please respond as soon as possible.
Alex

Bali 2009

Gents: I would write a shorter blog post but I don't have the time (this is someone else's quote)...

The photos are up on the photo site. http://thehive.dreamhosters.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3828 (I believe that link will work)

Highlights:
22 hour plane trip on the way there.
Hung out in Singapore (cool city, way too clean, interested laws)

Stayed with my dad in Sanur (the pictures of his place are actually labeled)
He is doing very well, living the dream kick @$$ at his work and moving in some very interesting directions.

If you go to Bali:
Check out Semanyak (the trendy part of the island - prepare to drop some cash though)
Ubud - is supposed to be a spiritual vortex. Mosiac (a restaurant there) just got written up as the best restaurant in asia. All the pics of martinis are from some small place called "Naughty Norries" they have fucking great martinis.
Outside Ubud is the most amazing hotel I have ever stayed at (Ubud Hanging Gardens). If you would consider dropping 300-400 USD for a night, it is fucking sick!!!!!

Make sure you hit the beaches. Stay away from Kuta, it is a tourist trap.
If you have time take the ferry (glorified covered speed boat) to Gilli Islands - they are unbelievable and definitely a great place to take a lady (if you know what I mean).

- If someone knows how to organize pics by events I would be happy to shed some light on which pics were from where. Otherwise wait until I see you, if you are interested.

Bali is very very hot (90's most days with humidity in the 70% range) you don't need much except t-shirts shorts and flipflops - I was sweating most of the time.

Sarah and I had an amazing trip together, it was truly the vacation of a lifetime. We definitely enjoyed each other's company. Sadly, it was not to last outside vacationland. We broke up last week.

To that point (I know I am rambling) seeing as Jack's gf is the only potential guest on the Chi-town trip, I vote we go with just the boys...

I suck at these recaps, look at pictures...

Chicao Planning (Continued)

So I got sick of having email threads die down and people not responding, also I got sick of having nothing posted to this blog in 2 months. Here are the pertinent bits of the transcript of the last email thread:

---
Azim:
After I wrap up classes, I will get on the ball with specific planning
and send out some options early next week.

Azim
(Get on this)

---
Jew:
> Alinea is the fucking bomb.
> We will go with whomever.
(Yes, we are going to Alinea. I've heard you folks talk about it for too long not to go now)

---
Jack:
> Only pass if you want to pass, otherwise let's just go to a different
> restaurant.
>> >> Yo,
>> >> So I made the reservation for alinea for Saturday, 9:15. However,
>> >> the biggest table they have only seats 6. That means with the
>> >> present party, one of us would have to sit out. Is there anyone
>> >> first of all not coming to Chicago? If there isn't, is there someone
>> >> who doesn't want to spend $300 at least on dinner? If everyone wants
>> >> in then I'll make reservations somewhere else. Perhaps L2O... Let me
>> >> know.

(Since Jack has already booked a reservation to Alinea, let's keep it)

---
Kanna:
>> >>> 1) july2-july 5 (i might have to take off that night because i have
>> >>> meetings on monday morning and i'm not sure if they will be
>> >>> canceled yet or not, so if we have any destination dining can we
>> >>> try to do friday or saturday reservations?)
>> >>>
>> >>> 2) just me
>> >>>
>> >>> 3) up for anything anything....maybe some riverboat gambling, a
>> >>> shooting range if we can find one (i really enjoyed that last
>> >>> time), renting some bikes and cruising
>> >>>
>> >>> -kanna

---
Fu:
>> >>> I've prepended all my answers.
>> >>>
>> >>> On Mon, May 4, 2009 at 11:14 PM, Zhi Qiao wrote:
>> >>> Yes Boys, we need to get a move on. July is fast approaching.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> 1) When are people able to make it?
>> >>> - 4th of July is a Saturday, so I'm guessing people are available
>> >>> somewhere between Thursday, July 2 - Monday, July 6
>> >>>
>> >>> I suspect I'll have off on July 3rd (Fri) or July 6th (Mon). I'm
>> >>> not going to take any days off for this, so I'm only planning for a
>> >>> 3 day trip, but I can travel the day before and morning after so
>> >>> it's 3 full days.
>> >>> fu- At this point I think i can get away with any days I need
>> >>> so something reasonable works for me
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> 2) How many people?
>> >>> - While in NY there was talk of foregoing the usual dude-fest and
>> >>> bringing some ladies along for this trip. If that's still what people
>> >>> want to do, decide which one you want to bring.
>> >>>
>> >>> Yeah, I strongly suspect I'll still be going solo on this one.
>> >>> fu- Do escorts in chicago have reasonable rates for the
>> >>> weekend? Probably not because it is a holiday.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> 3) What do we want to do?
>> >>> - If it's okay with you guys, I'll let Jack/Alex make the
>> >>> 'fine-dining' arrangements. Just let me know what nights you are
>> >>> going
>> >>> to make those reservations and I'll take care of other meals
>> >>> - List some things that you want to do and I'll compile some
>> >>> options for that weekend
>> >>>
>> >>> I'm up for anything
>> >>> fu- im all for them fancy restaurants, here are some of the
>> >>> other places i'd like to try (search for chicago)
>> >>>
>> >>> http://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/guys-idiners-drive-ins-and-divesi/index.html
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> We can move this onto the blog, but I wasn't sure if everyone checked
>> >>> it regularly. Let me know if there's something I may be forgetting.
>> >>> See you all this summer... or (Fu, Zhi, Kanna) later this month.
>> >>>
>> >>> Post to the blog. Then if someone isn't responding sufficiently,
>> >>> we can email.
>> >>> fu- didn't see any updates so i thought i'd respond to the
>> >>> email. Maybe opera just has issues with the blog.

---

Open questions:
- Who is all coming (including guests)?
- Confirm on number of days.
Kanna: 2-July (Thur) to 5-July (Sun)
Zhi: I get Fri, 3-July off. So I'm going to fly in Thur night (2-July)/Fri morning, fly back Mon morning.
Fu: 2-July (Thur) to 6-July (Mon)
- Confirm reservations for things that need reservations
- Confirm activities
Zhi: Skydiving? Boating? Hiking? River boat gambling? Biking? Whoring? Cubs game?

Ready? Break!

Chicago Planning

Not that we're running out of time, but I just saw Moto on No Reservations: Chicago, and I became super psyched about Chi-town. For the Foodies on the list, I recommend watching 6:05. Also we need to go to Hot Doug's 2:10.

So just tossing out some ideas:

- For destination dining, for those interested: Alinea, Moto
- For just plain good food: Hot Doug's, Pizzeria Uno/Due
- Cubs game at Wrigley (they are at home from 2-July to 8-July)
- Apparently riverboat gambling is legal in Illinois
- Any combination of water sports, shooting, golf, skydiving, flying. I don't know. Just psyched for some reason.

Feel free to comment on this thread or just start a new post with ideas.

Good Fortune

So as I was listening to our new President* announce that last month, the economy lost 500,000 jobs, I couldn't help but feel fortunate. Those are 500K families who have lost not only their source of income, but also their health care, and perhaps even their retirement savings. It's an uncertain time for all of us, but for those unfortunate many, it is also a desperate one. In that light, I couldn't help but look back at the things I may take for granted from time to time.

I was fortunate enough to have parents ambitious and talented enough to bring me here, so I wouldn't have to toil and suffer as they did.

I was fortunate enough to have a childhood free from emotional trauma and physical hardships.

I was fortunate enough to be surrounded with good friends and mentors throughout school, college, and beyond who pushed me and made me better.

I was fortunate enough to attend a university and a program renowned enough to certify me as capable.

I was fortunate enough to land a job at a tremendously successful company, filled with many talented, inspired people, right as it was taking off.

I didn't choose my profession because of any particular foresight. I didn't choose to study to be a computer scientist in a time when the tech sector was shrinking knowing that when it inevitably expanded again, my skill set would make me valuable. I did it because I liked computers, and math, and engineering. I didn't choose to work at Google because I knew it was best suited to survive any downturn, but because it seemed fun and was an opportunity that I had.

I am still fortunate to have my job, my health, my friends, and my family. Even still, I'd be willing to give up those things in that order. I can always get another job. But I've only got this one shot here, and even that's not guaranteed. I just hope I take the time to appreciate those of you who might read this little blog of my adventures, and for those that I care about who don't. There may be times I complain things don't go as well as they should...glad to be fortunate enough to be able to.

Didn't mean to sound sappy, just felt like I had to share.

*(It still feels weird to think of anyone 'new' as president, let alone Barack Obama)

Gates Hillman Center

The Gates Hillman Complex is really starting to take shape... looks cool. The complex is massive! It really does a nice job connecting main campus to the lower campus toward Craig St. I was going to take some pictures and pass them along but these webcams do a decent job:

http://gates-cam.andrew.cmu.edu/webcam/

In case you didn't know, last year the Henry L. Hillman Foundation donated $10 million toward the project so the combined complex will now be the Gates Center for Computer Science and the Hillman Center for Future Generation Technologies.

Travel Plans for Denver

Southwest.
Depart Apr 10 Fri Nonstop SFO-DEN 3778 Depart San Francisco (SFO) at 4:55 PM
Arrive in Denver (DEN) at 8:25 PM

Return Apr 13 Mon Nonstop DEN-SFO 396 Depart Denver (DEN) at 6:10 AM
Arrive in San Francisco (SFO) at 7:55 AM

Get cracking, Folks!


-Zhi

Come one Come all - To DENVER

If you cannot find Denver - click on the link above.

Okay people. The weekend of April 10th-12th is the second opportunity of (potentially) three this year to hang out. That's right we get to make a giant fucking ruckus together 3 times this year.

On to the good stuff. My birthday is April 13th - the Monday. Kind of on a whim, last year Ajay and Zhi came out as well as another one of my friends from Spain, named Kate. This was a freaking blast.

So the tradition was born - or I hope it was.

Kate has already booked her ticket for round two.
As I said when we hung out in NYC over the new years holiday - you ALL should come.

IF you have never been to Denver - its an awesome place
If you have been, then you know how awesome it is.

I have space for folks to stay - there is a chance we may go camping one night - but i have gear and stuff (last year we went climbing -definitely a good time - and in the cards for this year as well).

Please let me know if you need help with timing and stuff.
I suggest you try to come in fri night and leave sunday or monday morning. But anytime around then is good.

Potential activities include:
rock climbing
hiking
camping
(ice climbing!!!)
skiing
eating
drinking
hanging out

(I swear to god - I will actually plan this one!!)

let me know if there are other things you want to do.

Love,
Jew

Telescope Peak 2009-01-09 to 2009-01-12

A lot of people have asked me how this hike was. In short, it was one of the hardest things I've done. Not just the hike itself, but the training in preparation. In fact, I was depressed when it was over, because I had lost the motivation to train. I had lost the thing I was looking forward to, thinking about, and preparing for over the last 6 months. The long story? I'm not sure yet. I know I had a great time with le Marc and Boris, and I"m really happy to have done it. Will I do it again? Maybe, but certainly not soon. I also know I need cheaper hobbies. Anyways, I may put up more thoughts later. I'll send out pictures separately given that I don't want to post the location of my photo server on a public blog.

No we didn't make it to the very summit. Yeah, when I know how I feel about that, I'll write about that as well.

I want to thank le Marc and Boris for coming on this journey with me, and especially le Marc for motivating me throughout my training and during the hike.

Mistakes:
- Did not get a 4WD vehicle, so there was an additional 6 miles to hike into the canyon
- Took too long to break camp on Sat morning, on Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon
- Stopped too early on Saturday
- Underestimated how long it would take to do final ascent
- Took too little water on final ascent (no knowing how long it would take)
- Did not eat properly during final ascent
- Took the wrong route on one of the climbs
- Too slow on the last few climbs
- Under-estimated how much snow would slow us down

Notes:
- Looking up at the moon as we were climbing near vertically on the snow covered face of the mountain, it looked like we would be able to reach up and touch it. It was beautiful.
- On the hikes I took this year, I realized something: not a single advertisement. It wasn't just the lack of civilization, it was the lack of advertising. No billboards, no slogans, no logos. Of course there were the labels on our clothes, but if you weren't looking down there was nothing. I've hard that you see 3000-5000 ads a day, on average. Combine that with every logo on every product you use or see on an every day basis. Being in a place where it wasn't there for a while. It was refreshing.

Trip Report: 2008-12-31 to 2009-01-04

Time: 2008-12-31 to 2009-01-04
Reason: New Year's Eve, Ringing in the New Year, Hanging
Location: New York City, Ajay's Parents' House
Attendees: Ajay, Alex, Azim, Fu, Jack, Zhi
Activities: Drinking, Eating, Golf Simulator, Video Games

Notes:
- Thanks to Ajay for putting this together last minute and hosting us at his parents' house
- Props to Azim for coming up with the idea of an impromptu NYE celebration
- Props to Jack for booking Aureole and Ajay for finding John's Pizzeria
- Props to the Jew for bringing those bottles of wine
- The next time Jack says "jacket preferred", I'm going to take that to mean, "fuck off, Jack"
- I'm never drinking again
- The golf simulator was 'wicked' fun, as the Jew would say
- Fu, I've never seen someone puke so much, so violently my entire life
- NYC is pretty awesome. Where else could we stay out until dawn every night of the week?
- Apparently I had a cigarette. My first in over a year. Again, never drinking again
- Azim: S Bar. Hit that! Then let us know how it was!
- The photos from this trip I sent to you via email. I hesitate to post the URLs of the photo server to public places, and I recommend you are also careful with that.

Future Plans:
- So pretty much Chicago is decided for this summer, probably also around Independence Day (a Saturday in 2009). There was also interest in going to Denver in April for the Jew's birthday.
- I think a point was made that while many places would be cool to go, for now, because of everyone's budgetary and time constraints, we'd have to pick places that are feasible for 3-5 days, with some local affinity (i.e. someone knows it well enough to lead and plan), and also having a place to stay for free or cheap is a huge plus.

General Observations:
- Can we try to not average 1.5 fights per day whenever we all get together? I know I'm probably the cause of many of these, and I'll try and keep that in mind, but it just seems like every time we all get together, some subset of us end up getting into a shit-fest over really dumb shit.
- Destination Dining should not be a huge part of our plans because it's not everyone's cup-o-tea. Let's build more flexibility into future plans so that people can do what they want a little more freely.

At some point, I may want to flush out this writing from the current crappy bullet point format, but I'm too lazy right now. Any of you could also do this, so please feel free.

Anyone else want to add something? You can all either edit the post or make a comment. Alright, I'm out.