I want want.

Date:	2005-09-04 05:04
Subject:	Caricature
Security:	Public
Mood:	sleepy
Music:	Fury of Medusa - Ecco 2 OC ReMix

Do you know this man?

Date:	2005-09-02 00:25
Subject:	School Updates
Security:	Public
Mood:	content

What's new? Well, presumably a lot. The old junior year has been going on for night two weeks so far. Some highlights that come to mind?

1. Everyone overstocking on toilet paper. I brought two rolls, then everyone else started going to the store for 4, 6, 8, or, in one case, 18 rolls. We ended up with about 42 rolls of it, which should last us the year. Or else we can go on a TP rampage.

2. Karaoke night! This one was just earlier today, but it was still fun. Even if my falsetto rendition of Flashdance wasn't the highest quality. I'm just surprised that so few people have even HEARD of Flashdance! How can you not be familiar with one of the best songs ever?

3. Someone pouring vodka on a server. I won't include any further details, except that I had recommended tequila instead.

4. Dr. Ryan Stansifer, father of "You, the programmer, are lazy. You want to do everything with the least amount of effort.", giving me a new quote "What if you have to teach liberal arts students who, as everyone knows, are a bit slow?"

5. Professor Sawyer failing to impress me as a physics professor. Everyone said that having him is a memorable experience. Well, I still say that Mr. Skip Arrich remains the most unforgettable and unusual physics teacher ever.

6. Radio station 93.3, the "everything", which is the station of choice for Ed and I. Some alert readers may go and notice that there is no formal station called 93.3. That is because it is everything! Depending on weather, car orientation, and time of day, we have picked up many stations quite clearly, as they contest for our air time. This includes (as of yet) rock, rap, contemporary Christian, alternative, and techno stations. It is quite humorous when the radio changes genre every time we make a 90 degree turn.

7. The text crawler that Dr. Stansifer has started using with his slides. It runs over his powerpoint slides and has many different daily messages, updates and trivia. Some of this trivia seems odd. So now I have to concentrate on three things in class: the professor who is speaking, the slides with the notes, and the text scrolling by that has read such things as "A succubus is a demon assuming female form to seduce men in their sleep." and "The plural of octopus is octopodes.", along with the occasional critical nugget of information that we will be tested on and can't afford to miss.

There is probably much more to say, but this should be enough for everyone for now.

Date:	2005-08-27 05:14
Subject:	Cats
Security:	Public
Mood:	sleepy

I have just been introduced to the website Cats in Sinks. This is a high quality site (snigger) of worthwhile images of cats in washbasins. But nonetheless, for all of its artistic quality, it still doesn't have the cult appeal of the famous Stuff on my Cat website.

I will admit that these sites are definitive proof that anything and everything can be found on the internet. It is also proof that cats really do cause dementia, as according to the medical claims.

Date:	2005-08-10 04:47
Subject:	Memory Devouring
Security:	Public
Mood:	contemplative

As of recently, I was deeply pondering the idea of memory devouring. I am throwing that out like this because it makes it sound like some evil plot from a movie or video game (at least FF: Crystal Chronicles comes to mind, I think). There is a bit more behind the real reasoning, though.

Most people who know me very well would consider me a pack rat, and I clearly am. I can walk over to my closet and pull out packets full of elementary school homework and early misspelled letters to my grandparents. I can wander over to my bookcase and dig out the first book I ever read, or reach behind my dresser and pull out every science project board and every school project poster board I've ever worked on. In fact, on this computer's main hard drive I have stored every single one of my instant messages back to 2003, every email back to 1999, and every file I've created (text, image, code, whatever) back to 1996. And I can once again reach into my closet to pull out old Apple II floppies with the files I created in kindergarten and elementary school. I keep old stuff. And why? Because they are all memories. Or rather, they are catalysts to keep my memories alive and active.

This is where the memory devouring comes in. I almost always have a low level hunger for old memories. It's quite common for me to spend hours sitting around my room digging through these old records, reading old papers and listening to old music that I hadn't heard in years. Every once in a while I'll suddenly be knocked back and stunned by the memories and mental images that are quickly revived by the material. It's an indescribable feeling, and one that often has a lasting impact. When I experience such a feeling, I often find myself rereading the same paper, or listening to the same song, over and over again. Each time I see the memory, but gradually the experience fades. And then the memory evokes no further significant emotional response, and it's relegated to the closet again, for a few more years until I dig it up and bring back the memories once again, with the original full power.

That's what I decided to call memory devouring. I am hungry for the high of nostalgia, so I seek out lost memories and partake of them until I've built up a resistance. And then I continue on until I am hungry once more, and I go back for more of that sweet nectar of the past.

I suppose I am a bit overly addicted to memories and the past. But to me, it's the second most important thing. Other human beings, friends, and family are always what matters most. But next comes memories. Memories are the ultimate present that our friends and family can give us, and once they leave this world, it is their final parting gift.

Date:	2005-08-06 00:29
Subject:	Telephone
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	You're Not Here - Akira Yamaoka

Well, our phone line has been dead for a few days. It is immensely relaxing, I've learned. So long as we don't have a sudden health crisis or fire emergency or maniacal killer situation wherein it would be beneficial to be able to contact the authorities as soon as possible.

It's an interesting paradox, having a downed phone line. It becomes very hard to keep in contact with the phone company in order for them to work on repairing it... which should be completed by Saturday evening, theoretically.

This situation did provide one humorous scenario, at least. My uncle Rob and his friend John had just arrived from Minneapolis, visiting for a week-long vacation. We all sat down to eat dinner together on Friday evening. The setting was flawless. Our large family gathering was sitting together at a long table. A terrible storm was brewing, and so they weren't able to leave until the weather improved. The house was dark as the storm clouds were blotting out the setting sun, and we had few lights on inside. Powerful lightning strikes raged around the house, and the phone was out of order. It would have been an ideal time for the lights to go out, a piercing scream to be heard, and a random member of the dinner party to appear face down in their pork chops, a steak knife in their back, as the power turned back on again. Unfortunately, things did not turn out this way. The dramatic forces of the world missed yet another spectacular story opportunity. Pooh.

Date:	2005-08-04 01:27
Subject:	Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
Security:	Public
Mood:	content
Music:	Grand Central - Edward Shearmur

Well, yesterday I managed to finally watch a movie version of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead. I will admit that it had many qualities. It tried to stick to the original source material well enough. But a few of the personalized touches on the movie were just plain uncalled for.

Anachronisms have their place in artistic literature, especially in a satiric absurd theater rendition of a former Shakespearean work. But even so, I can't recall the original novel involving either R&G eating what appears to be a clumsy Big Mac during the coin flip scene in the beginning. Also, neither of the two of them were involved in a series of humorous physics experiments gone bad, from a failed attempt to replicate Galileo's acceleration experiment to a perfect model of an airplane, constructed out of paper, that is destroyed in one fit of annoyance.

I suppose one of the issues that bugged me the most was the ending. From the moment R&G (and Hamlet) get on the boat, the storyline is being killed. Specifically, R&G are killed - and that's not what's supposed to happen! Yes, we all know that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, but they cease to be in a much more thoughtful and absurd manner, as they discuss their own preordained end before the book ends around them. You do NOT see them get hung, and they are NOT hung by the Tragediennes, who are NOT on the boat with them in the first place! Inexcusable.

Otherwise, there were still good points. They did a reasonable job with the coin flip scene, and the questions game was played out exactly as I imagined it, except for the tennis net.... Eh.

So what was I getting onto with all of this? Nothing. I just felt like taking advantage of my opportunity to rant, since that is one of the fundamental purposes of the LiveJournal format in the first place.

Date:	2005-07-29 02:52
Subject:	Quizzes
Security:	Public
Mood:	listless
Music:	The Dream Oath, Maria, and Draco - Nobuo Uematsu

I do this efficiently, folks.

Personality Test: Sociopath (This actually didn't surprise me at all.)
Nazi Test: Foot Soldier (Just because I am willing to obey orders doesn't mean I do so blindly!)
Geek Test: Simple Geek (Yeah. I have many geek traits, but it hardly defines me any longer.)
English Test: English Genius (100, 100, 100, 83! Woo hoo!)
Humor Test: Wit (Although I can also switch between Prankster and Comic, when necessary.)
Death Test: September 2067, age 83 (Probable cause: heart attack.)

There. No multiple, long-entry quiz results. Everything in one nice and concise chunk.

Date:	2005-07-23 03:32
Subject:	G.K. Chesterton
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

I recently started reading up on the early 20th century writer and philosopher G.K. Chesterton. It appears that he was a remarkable person, and quite observant and sensible in his view of the world culture of his time. He vaguely reminds me of C.S. Lewis, although I wouldn't want to compare their stances or styles any further. But he has a wit and sense of humor around him, while he discusses things bluntly, without being argumentative or disagreeable.

• Most modern freedom is at root fear. It is not so much that we are too bold to endure rules; it is rather that we are too timid to endure responsibilities.
  
• Religious liberty might be supposed to mean that everybody is free to discuss religion. In practice it means that hardly anybody is allowed to mention it.
  
• It is not bigotry to be certain we are right; but it is bigotry to be unable to imagine how we might possibly have gone wrong.
  
• The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.
  
• There are those who hate Christianity and call their hatred an all-embracing love for all religions.
  
• The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.
  
• Men invent new ideals because they dare not attempt old ideals. They look forward with enthusiasm, because they are afraid to look back.
  
• Progress should mean that we are always changing the world to fit the vision, instead we are always changing the vision.
  
• To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it.
  
• Tolerance (impartiality) is the virtue of a man without convictions.
  

Date:	2005-07-18 04:22
Subject:	One Month
Security:	Public
Mood:	nostalgic
Music:	Arcadia - Yoko Kanno

So, it's just about one month until I head back to FIT again. And I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to it. Thoughts of FIT bring back so many memories...

• Mashed potatoes at Evans. Man, I really miss those more than anything. Meals just don't taste good to me without them anymore.
  
• Leaving Evans after dinner, and then having Ed suggest heading to the Rat for an immediate second dinner. I don't know how he could do that.
  
• Mike (Beckett) wandering into my room and loading up assorted interesting websites or Flash animations to watch as he passed time. I miss him a lot too.
  
• Mike (Bruso) wandering into my room to discuss the latest events in his Final Fantasy XI world, or to have another deep discussion of the Xenosaga world.
  
• Stopping by Todd's place to help with a PC problem, and ending up stuck there for hours as he discussed the latest OS X improvements and showed me pictures from his newest yacht catalogs.
  
• Stuff with Jared. I can't remember any specific memories here, but he certainly deserves his own entry in this list.
  
• Ooh, ooh, I just thought of one! That night at the end of the year when everyone around campus was celebrating by getting quite drunk, and the two or three of us were over at Andy's picking through his roommates' junk and I ended up carting away the giant Super Soaker and Jared got the used hair trimmers with some extra hair lying around in the bag, and I had to wander back to the dorm acting as nonchalantly as possible while passing many very drunk students giving me an odd look for having a blazingly bright neon green squirt gun strapped to my back.
  
• Jess or Christine stopping by the room at dinner time so I would know it was time to eat. Otherwise I would probably have never remembered to get any real food around there, except for when Ed would wander over and request to go the Rat again.
  
• And of course, Jared, Ed, and Mike's salvaging and scavenging skills. An aquarium, a dresser, the yellow warning tape, and potentially a TV if they hadn't been too late to save it. Oh, and the monitor that Mike just picked up from somewhere.
  
• And I can't end this list without mentioning the time that I helped sneak Ed's guns into his room so he could clean them, and I tried hiding them in the laundry bag as we moved them from his trunk to his room, but it didn't help at all because it was clear to all that I was carrying a laundry bag shaped exactly like a semiautomatic rifle, and holding the bag exactly as I would if it were containing a semiautomatic rifle. And this naturally caused me to break out into a suspiciously nervous state while nonchalantly whistling (a dead giveaway that something is going on, because NOBODY whistles nonchalantly unless they are up to something).

Date:	2005-07-14 04:56
Subject:	Dentist
Security:	Public
Mood:	nonplussed

I went in for a regular dental checkup and cleaning today. It should have been just another regular routine inspection and washing. But nooooo. My old Dr. DiPasquale noticed an abnormality on the underside of my tongue. An unusual ridge of some sort. And this started its own sort of mini-drama.

Dr. Tony: mumble mumble Acid scarring mumble mumble Burned ridge mumble mumble
Hygienist: mumble mumble Geographic tongue mumble mumble But on the underside? mumble mumble
Dr. Tony: Excuse me, but do you dip? Are you a heavy drinker?
Me (despite having my tongue held tightly in gauze): Thnot at all.
Dr. Tony: Does this hurt when I press here? It looks like it should hurt.
Me: Thno.
Dr. Tony: Hmm. This looks like it could be... no, but that's not possible.

They leave the room and confer with others. They return.

Dr. Tony: Well, it might be bilateral geographic tongue. But there are no records of that.
Hygienist: Although nobody really understands what causes geographic tongue in the first place.
Dr. Tony: One way or another, we want to see you again in two weeks, to see how it looks. Depending on how things turn out, we might confer you to an oral surgeon to get his professional opinion. For your own safety.

They spend a while longer talking, I go home and do some research, and it basically appears that there is no such thing as bilateral geographic tongue; it can only happen on the top and I definitely don't have it. Upon further examination of the underside of my own tongue, I have come to this conclusion.

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TONGUE. There is a mild ridge on one side of the underside which is not present on the other. So, admittedly, the bottom of my tongue is mildly asymmetrical. But that means nothing at all. I'll just avoid licking my nose in public and exposing that GRUESOME, HORRENDOUS asymmetrical ridge to the unprepared populace. Sheesh.

Date:	2005-06-30 13:39
Subject:	Back from Road Trip
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

Well, I just got back from my trip to the southeastern US. Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, Ruby Falls and Rock City in Tennessee, a state park and a Civil War battlefield. I'm extremely glad to be back home, though. The ground here has the proper elevation (sea level) and incline (none). Visiting the Appalachians, small as they may be, gave me nosebleeds and made me lose my sense of equilibrium. It's annoying when I can't tell whether I am heading down a slope towards a level road, or along a level road towards an upward slope. I have to keep scrutinizing trees and signs and hoping that they are pointing generally upward.

Besides that bit, however, it was a good trip. The driving didn't take too long, and the weather was just cloudy enough so I didn't burn or get too hot outside. Took lots of actual film pictures, and I am currently having them developed by a friend who actually works at a Walgreen's photo center, for the discount.

Last of all, I was a bit overexposed to a few things during the trip. Notable among these are Billy Joel (wherein I once heard the same CD play nonstop for hours), Wimbledon (which I was forced to see every morning, afternoon, and evening), and Sex and the City (which I saw a few bits and pieces of, but that is enough to drive anyone insane).

Now, if you'll excuse me, I must eat breakfast and take care of cleaning up the mess that is awaiting me now that I am home again. And return to humming that song that has been stuck in my head for two days straight.

You may be right
I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for...

Date:	2005-06-24 01:23
Subject:	Road Trip
Security:	Public
Mood:	nervous
Music:	City of Flickering Destruction - Yoko Shimomura

Tomorrow morning is going to be busy. Wake up at 7:00, head over to get my driver's license (which I've waited long enough for), and then join three others for a six day tour of the southeast US.

No, I am not going to be doing the driving.

I am going to lose my mind without access to email or online updates during the trip. I'll just hope that the hotels we stay at have one of those crappy internet consoles in some lobby that I can use for five dollars a second (price exaggerated) so that I can stay sane.

Erm, goodbye then. Carry on with whatever you were doing.

Date:	2005-06-16 04:56
Subject:	My Hero!
Security:	Public
Mood:	tired

I have found a new idol in life. Joshua A. Norton, known more commonly as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. A famous resident of San Francisco, he ruled as Emperor from 1859 until his death in 1880. He gained his title through self-proclamation, just the same as I did. However, he actually was respected and recognized for his rank. Money was minted in his name. Police saluted him on the streets. No new musical or play would be shown without reserving a box seat for him and his two dogs. Everyone recognized him and his imperial uniform. And when he died, 10,000 showed up at his funeral, which was heralded by all the major newspapers around. "Le roi et mort" - "On the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moonless night under the dripping rain..., Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life."

Dang it. He was a poor man with barely a penny to his name, and he got people to respect his huge imperial claim to AMERICA. I simply asked for a little patch of Florida real estate, and I earn nothing. Pfah. I suppose if I get a regal uniform and go completely insane, perhaps I, too, will have this opportunity.

(The best part of the Wikipedia article is the legitimacy section, concerning how several sociologists believe that he could be classified as a legitimate emperor of the United States, based on the very nature of how political power and title is based only on whether people acknowledge someone as possessing it. The president is powerful because we acknowledge his power. If people acknowledge an emperor, then he really is a legitimate emperor, in at least the San Francisco area. If people actually thought of me as a duke, then even with American laws forbidding nobility, I could still theoretically be a legitimate duke. Wow.)

Date:	2005-06-09 13:01
Subject:	Twice Now
Security:	Public
Mood:	depressed
Music:	Kaze ga Fuku Hi - Yoko Kanno

Goodbye, Paige. Do well in China. I'll see you in October.

Date:	2005-06-06 21:41
Subject:	Linux Schminux
Security:	Public
Mood:	amused
Music:	Nite Mamas - Limozeen

So, every year or two, I go and test the GNU/Linux waters again, just to see what the newest developments are and to remind myself why I am a Windows user. Last time I tried this, I was attempting to install Mandrake Linux, and that led to a frightening night where nearly everything was lost because a lack of new drivers made it so no distro could recognize my SATA drive, and I had to use a couple of recovery applications to rescue my drive.

This time, I just wanted to check out the Ubuntu distro that seems to be heralding some fanfare these days (along with its KDE twin, Kubuntu). Learning from the past, I decided to just test this one with a live CD. It ran fine, despite having horrific mouse support (in my opinion). The problems came when I felt like mounting my drives so I could actually do something useful. Unfortunately, Ubuntu fought me to the death, as Linux is generally wont to do.

Me (as root): mount -t ntfs /dev/sda /home/orin
Ubuntu: Drive is already mounted or /home/orin is busy, chump.

After half an hour, I did manage to get it to work, by replacing "sda" with "sda2". I'm accustomed to fixing problems by wasting an hour to change one character, thanks to my programming experience. But I still think their error message could have been somewhat more accurate in its assessment.

Ubuntu: Drive is already mounted or /home/orin is busy, or perhaps that file is just PLAIN UNMOUNTABLE, chump.

Just when things seem to be looking up, I realize that the drive permissions are limited to just root - and I don't want those restrictions. I want standard users be able to access it. So I try a simple, common sense command.

Me (as root): chmod 755 /home/orin
Ubuntu: /home/orin is a read-only file system.
Ubuntu: Seriously, kid. Give up.

So I considered my mission complete, and returned to the sane world of Windows. Yes, it's not free, nor is it open-source, but at least it works, it works smoothly if you know what you are doing, and you don't have to battle it until it finally submits. And I can still use many of the creations of the GNU world, like my lovely Gaim.

THREE REASONS TO USE LINUX (according to Plueken)
1. You need it for business purposes.
2. You want to be skilled in it for future job purposes.
3. You want to be a hardcore, self-flagellating Linux zealot nerd.

Date:	2005-06-03 00:01
Subject:	Annoying Doctors
Security:	Public
Mood:	annoyed
Music:	Deadly Promises - Final Fantasy VI OC ReMix

The American medical community is really failing to impress me. All I need is to have a simple medical appointment and a short, painless procedure. Something that could be finished in half an hour. Get an appointment, get a referral, go for it, be done. It's supposed to be so easy.

We've been at this for months now. One doctor refused to take new patients. One doctor refused to take me because I had dealt with a different doctor before. Today's attempt to get an appointment went flawlessly like this:

Secretary: It appears that the doctor has denied your appointment.
Me: Okay....
Secretary: He... well, he just won't see you.

That has to be one of the greatest excuses I have ever been hesitatingly given. At least it was better than the earlier doctor I saw, who mocked me, insulted me, had a mild tantrum, and then rushed out of the room in a huff, surprising the nurse who had no idea what to do or how to respond. Suffice to say, I didn't get any sort of treatment out of that doctor either, but considering his behavior, I don't think I would have trusted him with my health.

My Dad: These people are supposed to be HEALERS! They are all seriously failing in their duties. This is disgraceful.

He's right. The situation has gone from being mildly humorous to just being outrageous. All I want is a doctor who is able to see me and willing to let me take a part in my own health-care decisions. I'm not trying to ask for too much, am I? Sigh.

Date:	2005-05-28 21:33
Subject:	Recap
Security:	Public
Mood:	rushed

I have been silent for weeks now. In an attempt to get somewhat up to date, I will give a brief day-by-day synopsis of each day, working off of my memories and my calendar entries. It probably won't make much sense to most, but... this is my journal! I can do whatever I like.

Lemony Snicket has a distinct feel of absurd theater.
I am finally on a constant haircut plan, to prevent my hair from growing vertically when it hits my ears.
I still can't bowl at all, but at least I still enjoy trying.
Napolean Dynamite is good, but hardly worth the status and acclaim that it's received.
Dad is back from his business trip. It's not particularly newsworthy, but nothing else happened today.
Went to a LAN party. Had a lot of interesting chats, especially with Joan.
Pentecost. Saw When Harry Met Sally. Found out that my dad liked the movie.
Something happened during the next two days, but I failed to write it on my calendar. It is now lost to time.
Made fondue. It was chocolate, but luckily not too rich. Rich chocolate is bad. Rich anything is bad. Vanilla is the only safe choice.
Went to Christine's surprise birthday. Enjoyed the look of surprise on her face when she came in the door.
Ate at Uno's Chicago Grill. Second best steak I have ever tasted (best being my dad's). Saw Star Wars III for the first time, with Paige.
Went to church for Saturday night meal, but didn't eat anything because I already ate at home immediately beforehand.
Saw Star Wars III for the second time, with family. Spoke with Jennifer Cox, for the first time in several years. Had a good time.
Saw Star Wars III for the third time, with Shaun. Am now bored of movie, but still have to see it one more time, with dad.
Got cable internet AT LAST. Had a busy day of many activities. Ran something like a mile, but dehydration wiped me out. At least I still have the proper technique and knowledge, just not the stamina.
Saw the Interpreter. I guessed the surprise ending early on. Not a bad movie, but has a tiny crucial storyline flaw, in my opinion.

Date:	2005-05-08 07:48
Subject:	Interesting Couple
Security:	Public
Mood:	home

I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers

I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more,
Just to be the man who walked a thousand miles to fall down at your door

A Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton

'Cause you know I'd walk a thousand miles
If I could just see you
Tonight

Am I the only person who sees how Vanessa Carlton and either of the Reid brothers would make a perfect couple? I imagine they would love taking loooooong walks on the beach.

--

Well, I'm home now. Time for another summer to begin. Let's see how this one turns out.

Date:	2005-05-03 01:01
Subject:	Formal Languages Exam
Security:	Public
Mood:	accomplished

Today I took my first exam: Formal Languages and Automata Theory. There were a few interesting points

• I made it to the exam on time (the first time I haven't been fashionably late). The professor, however, was 20 minutes late.
• As soon as we started working on the exam, the lawn mower started outside. It was frighteningly perfect in its timing. It did nothing to help my sleep-deprived brain focus on the test.
• As the professor was preparing to pass out the exam, he noticed another student wearing a shirt identical to his. He complimented the student on the shirt and asked "Are we wearing the same shirt?" The student furled his brow, thought for a second, and replied "No, I am fairly certain that you are wearing your own shirt. If we were wearing the same shirt, things would be really weird and creepy."
• The professor then responded "Only CS students would be trained to be so picky about clarification and ambiguity that they would read the question that way."