Sorry: I have shit to do today. I can't get the link to work. You should check out, if you haven't heard about it already - the news about these curious george t-shirts that say Obama in 08.
Zhi posted one blog on his google thing.
Where do you guys weigh in on this? I personally think, while maybe indelicate this whole thing is in no way racist. Its a fucking monkey - I understand this historical connotations of slaves as monkeys, but nonetheless. I don't think that is the point. The anti-defamation league... honestly?
Just wondering if you think I'm crazy or what.
Later
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Vegas Baby, Vegas!
Because I am a terrible event planner (and a terrible friend), I present to you my research an preparation for Vegas. By which I mean I'm stealing Azim, Ajay, and Alex's suggestions and reposting them in a more reply/comment friendly environment. Please put all future discussions here in the comment section.
Ajay:
So Azim and I were chatting last night and thought we should get this show on the road if it's going to happen this year. If Vegas is an option July 4th weekend, here are the details I gathered last night:
Dates: What are the preferences here? I was thinking July 3 (Thursday evening) - July 6.
Travel: Airfare is already getting on the expensive side, and it will probably vary based on where you're coming from. So we should buy tickets asap. It looks like there's been an industry wide price hike though partly because of higher fuel costs, so airfare would be expensive wherever we go.
Hotel: I looked at the Luxor, and Alex, Zhi, Fu, and I should be able to vouch for the fact that it's a pretty nice hotel in the medium price range. Based off the Luxor's own website prices, a pyramid deluxe room (with 2 queen beds, 4 people) comes to $750 including tax for 3 nights. This works out to ~$190 /person for the trip if we have 4 people in a room. In the event that we have only 6 total, we would get 2 rooms at $1500, which is still reasonable at $250/person.
That's pretty much all I got. If there are other ideas, lets here them. I looked into rafting on the grand canyon briefly at one point but it was like $2k.
Alex:
Thanks for taking the lead on this Ajay and Azim. Im pretty sure I can work it out. What do you guys want to do while we are there – just gamble and go to strip clubs for 4 days? We should find some cool shit to do – hint there is a world class climbing area we could go to one day like 15 miles away (called red rocks). Just an idea.
Also – We could stay at the Luxor – which is nice, but also at the end of the strip. I have no problem splitting a room 250/night with one other person. I don’t necessarily need to split a bed, but I would – I suppose. I know other people have different means financially. Also I would like to stay at either the MGM Grand or the Wynn – although people always say you can stay off the strip (read as best hotels) and spend all your time on it. Whatever – either way, I just propose that this time we don’t stay at the Excalibur!
There was also a post on KSK a while ago about a sick shooting range in vegas…
Im down with the dates – and no further organizing ( I will leave that up to you two) unless I can get buy-in on going climbing (it would probably be a cheaper activity than even watching zhi at the craps table) – I will organize that if it comes to fruition (sport climbing).
Rock on – lets do the Grand, when we are all rich!
Azim:
I would love to go climbing, but having never done it before so Alex
you may have to be a teacher. There are a few shows I'd be interested
in seeing over 4th of July weekend, if that's when we decide to go:
David Copperfield at MGM (I didn't realize he was still doing shows,
but think it might be cool)
Katt Williams at the Palms (this guy is absolutely hilarious, I would
actually really love to go to this)
UFC 86 at Mandalay Bay (not sure if anyone else is into this stuff,
but I like it)
As far as hotel I don't really care where we stay. I would like to
stay at one of the 5 stars sometime, but financially this might not be
the best time for everyone. I think Luxor looks pretty sweet. I would
go along with what you guys decide considering you've been to Vegas
before and I have not.
Ajay:
So Azim and I were chatting last night and thought we should get this show on the road if it's going to happen this year. If Vegas is an option July 4th weekend, here are the details I gathered last night:
Dates: What are the preferences here? I was thinking July 3 (Thursday evening) - July 6.
Travel: Airfare is already getting on the expensive side, and it will probably vary based on where you're coming from. So we should buy tickets asap. It looks like there's been an industry wide price hike though partly because of higher fuel costs, so airfare would be expensive wherever we go.
Hotel: I looked at the Luxor, and Alex, Zhi, Fu, and I should be able to vouch for the fact that it's a pretty nice hotel in the medium price range. Based off the Luxor's own website prices, a pyramid deluxe room (with 2 queen beds, 4 people) comes to $750 including tax for 3 nights. This works out to ~$190 /person for the trip if we have 4 people in a room. In the event that we have only 6 total, we would get 2 rooms at $1500, which is still reasonable at $250/person.
That's pretty much all I got. If there are other ideas, lets here them. I looked into rafting on the grand canyon briefly at one point but it was like $2k.
Alex:
Thanks for taking the lead on this Ajay and Azim. Im pretty sure I can work it out. What do you guys want to do while we are there – just gamble and go to strip clubs for 4 days? We should find some cool shit to do – hint there is a world class climbing area we could go to one day like 15 miles away (called red rocks). Just an idea.
Also – We could stay at the Luxor – which is nice, but also at the end of the strip. I have no problem splitting a room 250/night with one other person. I don’t necessarily need to split a bed, but I would – I suppose. I know other people have different means financially. Also I would like to stay at either the MGM Grand or the Wynn – although people always say you can stay off the strip (read as best hotels) and spend all your time on it. Whatever – either way, I just propose that this time we don’t stay at the Excalibur!
There was also a post on KSK a while ago about a sick shooting range in vegas…
Im down with the dates – and no further organizing ( I will leave that up to you two) unless I can get buy-in on going climbing (it would probably be a cheaper activity than even watching zhi at the craps table) – I will organize that if it comes to fruition (sport climbing).
Rock on – lets do the Grand, when we are all rich!
Azim:
I would love to go climbing, but having never done it before so Alex
you may have to be a teacher. There are a few shows I'd be interested
in seeing over 4th of July weekend, if that's when we decide to go:
David Copperfield at MGM (I didn't realize he was still doing shows,
but think it might be cool)
Katt Williams at the Palms (this guy is absolutely hilarious, I would
actually really love to go to this)
UFC 86 at Mandalay Bay (not sure if anyone else is into this stuff,
but I like it)
As far as hotel I don't really care where we stay. I would like to
stay at one of the 5 stars sometime, but financially this might not be
the best time for everyone. I think Luxor looks pretty sweet. I would
go along with what you guys decide considering you've been to Vegas
before and I have not.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Pics from my birthday weekend
What up all. I finally got these pictures uploaded to picasa. Check them out and post yours.
 |
| birthday weekend |
Monday, April 21, 2008
NYC
Anyone want to go to NYC in early June? I think I'm going to do a long weekend sometime between June 1-15 mostly in the city but possibly the Hamptons as well. This would be in addition to our in-the-works (vegas?) reunion, unless we all just wanted to meet up there instead.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Denver and Future Reunions
I got back from Denver this past Monday. Things I realized on this trip:
- I need to upgrade my apartment. Or at the very least, get real people furniture, not foof couches and hanging hooks for my Rock Band instruments.
- Colorado can go through two seasons of weather in 12 hours.
- Rock climbing is an extremely fun and challenging activity. I realize why people get so much of a kick out of it. It's all about the challenge and how you overcome the rock and yourself. Here's where we went by the way.
- Alex may very well be the baddest motherf*cker I have ever known.
I am going to start doing some research for some reunion trip ideas. As I put together a budget and pseudo-plan for each destination/activity, I will make it post of it here. First up, Vegas. If you guys have any feelings one way or the other, please comment. If you have different suggestions, make a post.
laters.
- I need to upgrade my apartment. Or at the very least, get real people furniture, not foof couches and hanging hooks for my Rock Band instruments.
- Colorado can go through two seasons of weather in 12 hours.
- Rock climbing is an extremely fun and challenging activity. I realize why people get so much of a kick out of it. It's all about the challenge and how you overcome the rock and yourself. Here's where we went by the way.
- Alex may very well be the baddest motherf*cker I have ever known.
I am going to start doing some research for some reunion trip ideas. As I put together a budget and pseudo-plan for each destination/activity, I will make it post of it here. First up, Vegas. If you guys have any feelings one way or the other, please comment. If you have different suggestions, make a post.
laters.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Last Lecture
ABC is showing a special regarding Randy Pausch and the lecture that Alex posted previously. It airs this Wednesday (4/9) at 10pm EST. I had actually thought about taking one of his classes while we were undergrads and now wish that I had.
In case you didn't know I have decided to go back to CMU for my masters. It was an easy decision to make once I had made my campus visits.
In case you didn't know I have decided to go back to CMU for my masters. It was an easy decision to make once I had made my campus visits.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Google, FTW!
I just saw this sign on US-101 on my way to work today:
"Sherlock had Watson. You have us." (see for yourself)
The ad was for MSN. It seems clever at first, but what does it actually mean?
"Sherlock Holmes, great fictional detective of the highest mental caliber, has less intelligent foil, side-kick, and narrator of his stories."
Seriously, all Watson did in any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tales was listen to Holmes explain his masterful deduction of the truth from his observations, carry a gun to protect him, and relate the fantastic tales for us, the reader. How does this equate to being a good online service? Especially one that wants to help you search for information and truth?
As a general note, literary and popular culture references are all good and fine in my book, but at least take the time to do some research and know what you're talking about. Had the allusion been: "Watson had Holmes. You have MSN", it might have worked. This also applies to you, Hillary Clinton, Rocky, the heavy under-dog (who's white by the way), loses to Apollo Creed (who's black by the way). So either you're saying you're going to take a moral victory out of this whole ordeal by lasting till the convention while reconciling with Bill, or you have terrible taste in movies (Rocky wins in II, III, IV, and V).
"Sherlock had Watson. You have us." (see for yourself)
The ad was for MSN. It seems clever at first, but what does it actually mean?
"Sherlock Holmes, great fictional detective of the highest mental caliber, has less intelligent foil, side-kick, and narrator of his stories."
Seriously, all Watson did in any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's tales was listen to Holmes explain his masterful deduction of the truth from his observations, carry a gun to protect him, and relate the fantastic tales for us, the reader. How does this equate to being a good online service? Especially one that wants to help you search for information and truth?
As a general note, literary and popular culture references are all good and fine in my book, but at least take the time to do some research and know what you're talking about. Had the allusion been: "Watson had Holmes. You have MSN", it might have worked. This also applies to you, Hillary Clinton, Rocky, the heavy under-dog (who's white by the way), loses to Apollo Creed (who's black by the way). So either you're saying you're going to take a moral victory out of this whole ordeal by lasting till the convention while reconciling with Bill, or you have terrible taste in movies (Rocky wins in II, III, IV, and V).
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Going to Denver
I'm headed to Denver on 11-April, then coming back that Monday morning (14-April, straight to work!). It is Alex's B-Day, and I kind of need to get out of town for a while. It should be a fun mini-reunion.
I recommend anyone join me if they want. For any of the Bay Area folks, I can drive you back from the airport on Monday, or to there on Friday if need be.
My itinerary:
Apr 11 Fri
OAK-DEN 1576
Depart Oakland (OAK) at 5:15 PM
Arrive in Denver (DEN) at 8:40 PM
Apr 14 Mon
DEN-OAK 3227
Depart Denver (DEN) at 7:10 AM
Arrive in Oakland (OAK) at 9:00 AM
I recommend anyone join me if they want. For any of the Bay Area folks, I can drive you back from the airport on Monday, or to there on Friday if need be.
My itinerary:
Apr 11 Fri
OAK-DEN 1576
Depart Oakland (OAK) at 5:15 PM
Arrive in Denver (DEN) at 8:40 PM
Apr 14 Mon
DEN-OAK 3227
Depart Denver (DEN) at 7:10 AM
Arrive in Oakland (OAK) at 9:00 AM
Stupid Philly
As I was watching that God-awful performance of the Phillies pitching staff yesterday (11 R to the Nationals? Really?), and I grew to realize that that sight might become a more familiar presence in my day to day, I just couldn't take it any more. There are 161 games left in this season. Any reasonable person looks at this team and sees that beyond Cole Hamels, no one on that team has any legitimate shot of doing anything besides losing us games. Yeah, I know there's reason for hope with Rhino, JRoll, and of course, the devilishly handsome Chase "So Dreamy" Utley, but you can't expect to win all your games 12-11. So it got me to thinking. That team is gonna lose 80, 90, maybe even 100 games this year. And even if they win 88 games again like last year, make the playoffs, what are they gonna do? Chances are, of the 8 teams that make the post-season, the Phils are not gonna be the luckiest, or the best. So why do I do it any more? That is a sound question. I've got a job now. I've got a life that requires time and effort, things I can no longer afford to waste on some stupid childish fantasy of hopefully witnessing a parade down Broad St.
So I thought about it. If I'm gonna have time to grow up, and mature, then I'm gonna have to make some sacrifices. I can't watch MLB.tv games during work, can't obsess over news feeds and blogs. I want to do well at my job and get a better job. I want to read more. I want to travel more. I want to learn more. I want to get in shape. I want to focus on self-improvement, and all being a fan of the Phillies has done is made me focus on self-destruction. Yeah, they've provided me some of the best moments in my life, but after those moments pass, I realize how empty it was for me to be rooting for 25 paid mercenaries just because they happen to wear the uniform of the team I used to like.
All the reasons are there. I guess I finally just came to admit it. I, Zhi Qiao, effective immediately, on this day, do give up on the Philadelphia Phillies. There's no reason to be happy when they win, or sad when they lose. I won't watch them, listen to them, or read about them any more. It's just too painful. Oh, I'll maybe catch a game here and there, but it won't matter who is playing. I just want to watch baseball now socially, casually. I won't care to be right all the time about sports, it's just a game. I think I'll just root for whatever team happens to be the most local to me, just for kicks. That is the best strategy now, changing teams isn't so bad.
I think this will be good for me. I'll have more time to enjoy the other pursuits in life. I think this may also carry over into my other obsession, the Eagles. They are even more of a time-suck. Yeah, I feel better already! More time, less stress. I love it.
So I thought about it. If I'm gonna have time to grow up, and mature, then I'm gonna have to make some sacrifices. I can't watch MLB.tv games during work, can't obsess over news feeds and blogs. I want to do well at my job and get a better job. I want to read more. I want to travel more. I want to learn more. I want to get in shape. I want to focus on self-improvement, and all being a fan of the Phillies has done is made me focus on self-destruction. Yeah, they've provided me some of the best moments in my life, but after those moments pass, I realize how empty it was for me to be rooting for 25 paid mercenaries just because they happen to wear the uniform of the team I used to like.
All the reasons are there. I guess I finally just came to admit it. I, Zhi Qiao, effective immediately, on this day, do give up on the Philadelphia Phillies. There's no reason to be happy when they win, or sad when they lose. I won't watch them, listen to them, or read about them any more. It's just too painful. Oh, I'll maybe catch a game here and there, but it won't matter who is playing. I just want to watch baseball now socially, casually. I won't care to be right all the time about sports, it's just a game. I think I'll just root for whatever team happens to be the most local to me, just for kicks. That is the best strategy now, changing teams isn't so bad.
I think this will be good for me. I'll have more time to enjoy the other pursuits in life. I think this may also carry over into my other obsession, the Eagles. They are even more of a time-suck. Yeah, I feel better already! More time, less stress. I love it.
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