· 2007 Mazda 3 Hatchback — Giant interior cargo space, that I didn't use. Small and nimble, but not too much acceleration. Easy to park, and in my case, purple. Also, Canadian, so reading an odometer/speedometer in km/h was a little odd. But I was in Canada at the time, so at least they matched! One interesting thing about the trim was the inclusion of the vehicle's color on portions of the seat fabric accents.
But before Canadian stories, new Zipcar: · 200? Toyota Prius — If it looks like a small car, sounds like a small car, it is one, regardless of hybridness. The car had a very strange shifting method, where I had to hold the shifter into the selection and then release. There was also a separate button to put it in park. The rear view glass was hard to see through and annoying to use. And I found the idling creep a little slow to engage. But it handled well, and it had OK acceleration. The killer-app was the incredible cheapness ($8/hr on a weekend!) and being at the right place (Herald Square) at the right time (when Erin and I had tons of shopping we didn't want to lug on the train). So far in Toronto: * Public workers' strike means overflowing garbage cans and no more ferries to the Toronto Islands, which I wanted to go see. * Erin and I had a great time at the CN Tower and Steam Whistle Brewery. At the latter, I ate a pellet of hops, which was a most interesting experience. * We also did a lot more transit use today than yesterday. * Speaking of yesterday, we had a pleasant and uneventful trip to YYZ from JFK, and then both of us took mass transit to nearly our hotel and walked a long distance to the hotel. Now we use the streetcars instead of walking. * Both of our feet have been having a tricky time with the significantly higher workload.
And, believe it or not, we have been trying to relax, too!
First off, the new Zipcars: · 2008 Honda Civic — The cockpit looks like a spaceship! It's surprisingly roomy inside with a nice amount of acceleration and handling. I didn't have it for long or use it for much, so I cannot really comment on it too much. · 2008 BMW 328i — So much fun! From the push-button start to the three different shifting modes (Drive, Sport Drive, clutchless manual), this car was all about a good time. The inline 6 rode smoothly and powerfully and erin_trying and I had a great time opening it up once or twice. Being a 3-series, the backseat was a little small, but the trunk is surprisingly large for such a small car. The only problem I had with it was the steering was a little tight at low speeds, making it slightly harder to park. As a geek, I really appreciated the MPG meter right below the tachometer.
See the other cars I've driven. On to the important stuff: This weekend, Erin and I got married again! This time with family and friends!
Thursday I randomly ran into my dad as well as my cousin and his wife down in the Village and had dinner with them and Erin. Well, not entirely random, as my cousin and his wife were in town for the wedding.
On Friday, Erin and I took off from work. We brought some final stuff to the venue in Queens as well as bought the wine. Then we returned to Brooklyn and picked up my brothers for help set up the venue. We got there at 3pm and nearly finished by 6pm. We all returned to Brooklyn yet again for dinner with my dad's family, with even more people from out of town!
Saturday, very early in the morning, I took the train to lower Manhattan to pick up the aforementioned Beamer and drive it back to Brooklyn. I took the Brooklyn Bridge and bought flowers and bread and way too many breadsticks on the way back home. After a short while at home, Erin and I took off with the really truly final load of stuff for the venue. We were a little late, so Alex and Kitri were already there, ready and willing to help out.
After some setup, Erin and I took off for some last minute supplies (coffee things, balloons and an emergency undershirt for me) and came back to some small emergencies. While the cupcakes arrived on time and in perfect shape, the Fairway order had gone slightly awry. The lasagna had been completely sloshed about, the wrong salad was delivered, and an entire entree was missing! Our servers from Barnard Bartending Agency were able to rescue the lasagna before guests arrived, while Fairway was able to redeliver the correct salad, the missing chicken, and a "we're sorry" cookie plate along with a 10% discount. So yeah, I'd still use them again. I heard rosefox may have had something to do with all that, but I was in the car, so I'm not too sure about what exactly happened.
During some of the Drama above, I got dressed, then picked up malaul and Erin for them to do the same. Then I schmoozed with the now-arrived guests while they got ready. Sometime in there, Rose gave me her very cute paperclip cufflinks to replace the ones I left at home.
Shortly after the ladies returned to the venue, we did the ceremony (again). Afterwards, Erin and I returned to the car to enjoy some alone time and A/C. (The venue forgot to turn it on, initially, so it was still rather warm in there throughout the entire gathering.) We came back, and used a text message to cue Rose (our lovely DJ) to start some big band song I'd only ever heard less than 24 hours prior, but it was sweet and true. Dinner was served according to flower color (my idea, thank you very much!).
All the while, everything moved very smoothly, and for that I have to thank the Barnard girls as well as the powerful solution finders of Rose and Faelan. Erin and I schmoozed primarily with our friends and family, rather than our new in-laws, but that seems rather natural to me.
After dinner came cake and after cake came the last dance. We hired the Barnard girls for an additional hour to help break down, but they were done in less than a half-hour! Perishables were loaded into my car (never I have I ever taken so quickly to such possessive language with a Zipcar), gifts loaded into my father's car, and everything else loaded into Erin's parents' van. Erin and I stuck around to make sure the breakdown went successfully and to pay our delightful servers.
Erin and I returned to Brooklyn to drop off said perishables, and it is during that time that any liberties that may or may not have been taken with the car happened. We dropped off the car at its home in lower Manhattan and walked to the hotel.
Picture this: Young couple in semi-formal wear, lady with a veil, gentleman with a vase and a bouquet of roses. The couple checks into a fancy hotel, just across the street from the WTC site. The person at the desk takes a break from checking them in to go into a back office. Moments later she returns with her (presumed) manager who asks, "You two got married today?" The couple responds affirmatively, and he replies, "Well, I just got you an upgrade I think you'll be very happy with."
We went up to the 52nd floor and found some lovely fireworks over the East River visible outside the window in the elevator lobby. After a little bit of watching, we headed over to our room. I should say "headed over to our massive suite with 1½ bathrooms, jacuzzi tub, king bed, and views to the North, East, and West". We were so invigorated (and hungry) that we ran out to a diner and came back to sleep a peaceful sleep — after all the planning and the stress, we were done.
Got up the next morning, ogled the view some more and wend out for brunch. Came back, checked out and went home on the subway. Did dishes and laundry and then Erin went out for a massive massage while I chilled with my dad's family for one last evening.
· 2009 Toyota Matrix — The previous Toyota Matrix I drove was the 2006, which was the first model year, I think. They certainly improved this vehicle. It's got a goodly amount of pickup, big interior space, and it handles very well. It was the first car erin_trying and I have driven in where she started asking me questions like, "How much do you think this car is?", and, "What are payments on that amount like?" The only problem I had with it was the same problem I always have with cars: I have to duck slightly to see stop lights if I'm at the line. One day I'll get a convertible, and this won't be a problem!
· 2006 Toyota Matrix — Small in every way except for the cargo space. Slightly better acceleration than the xB, but only just. Handling is nothing special. The engine seemed particularly loud, but I can't say how much that was due to possible poor maintenance or design. See the rest of cars I've driven list
For those of you who don't remember, I've been keeping track of cars I've driven, and what I think of them. This past weekend I drove a new (to me) Zipcar that I will be adding to the original list, once I've added it here.
· 2007 Honda Odyssey — Highly drivable. It rode very low to the ground which was nice (car-like handling), but also not so nice (I drove it in Gilboa, so a little higher undercarriage would have assuaged some fears). The electronic stability control system performed like a champ on the tiny piece of ice we found out there. But the most amazing thing was the depth of the trunk. Because the rear seats are designed to fold flat into the vehicle, behind the third row is absolutely cavernous. The most annoying things about the vehicle had to deal with internal documentation. Many cars' fuel gauges tell you which side has the port. This one didn't. It was also hard to find the levers for the fuel door and the hood (I had to add windshield washer fluid).
Invite your friends to come join us at this free class in self-defense. This course is designed to acquaint individuals with the issues and training methods associated with self-defense including: What is self-defense What is it not What are the four rules of surviving a violent crime What are the three "S"s when performing any technique What is the body part can you hit with that feels like being hit with a brick? What is mindset?
I wish I could go with you guys, but I cannot, as I'll be working 2nd shift. Howard's a great teacher, and I think you'll find it very valuable if you do go.
There you go. No more bruise, but it hurts to the touch. I'll keep wrapping it up for quite a few more weeks, but I think I'm done taking pictures of it.
I'm keeping it wrapped up tonight because it ached when I tried to slide my foot into my shoe, doing very much what I did to it in the first place. I've been keeping it elevated at night, too. I also think I kept it unbound too much today, another good reason for it to ache a little.
See you in the very early morning, where I'll babble like a fanboy.
Please note the melted light. Also note that the light is still on, even after melting its casing.
Yesterday got better as the day went on. I finally got moved off the test I've been troubleshooting for a week, and we got to try a new one, AND quickly found the bug in the test plan that hopefully will allow us to pass it. If it has passed, there's a good chance we won't have to come in this weekend, because we've finished this round of testing. Or maybe we'll pick up another bench's, and hopefully finish that one today. The overtime pay is nice, but I'd like to get to TKD this weekend if I can.
Speaking of, I'm pretty sure I broke my toe yesterday in practice by landing funny during a jump in a form. Stupid carpeted room. I've splinted it because it's all nice and swollen and purple (that's what she said), but it doesn't hurt. I sent in a photo last night, but it hadn't posted by bed. I took some Advil last night to handle some of the swelling. I should do the same at work today.
My dad called me just as I got back from lunch. I missed his call, and he asked me to call him back, no other content in his message. I knew what that meant.
Yesterday my grandfather (on my Dad's side, and my last remaining grandparent) went into a coma. He has been moved from his home to a hospice. Doctors are unsure whether he'll make it the next day or two, or recover completely. Well, as completely as a 92-year-old man with metastizing prostate cancer (it was found in his bones about a year ago) can recover completely from anything.
Just looped "New York Winter" by Dorian Spencer three times in a row, as it's the best 9/11 song I know, and he helped me a lot that day, since Minneapolis is far away from what was the highly overloaded switches near NYC that day.
I've already talked to my boss about what will need to be done when the inevitable happens, so I'm administratively prepared. I was not emotionally prepared for what I knew intellectually, though.
Last night I was still so destroyed from the con and travel that I forgot to mention all sorts of other stuff with Arisia!
Like running into pisicutsa several times, and getting her to sign my Naughty Nurses calendar (also featuring the lovely quem98, who I hope to also convince to mark up my calendar). ladyravn and jcholwa were both there, and although we did not get much chance to chill, it was all good.
In an utter surprise benjasattva showed up with some of his frat brothers in tow. Picked up one of his lovely new fancy State of New York business cards. He criticized me for not telling him I was heading out of state, but I think I had the upper hand, as he clearly fails to read.
All in all, a good time. Now it's back to teh werk. And possibly some tea.
Before picking up shoujo_mallet, I think I will go to Central Park to kill an hour or so. I haven't spent much time at the northern end of the park, so I think I'll enter there. If any of you are in the neighborhood, gimme a call and maybe I'll drop by and say hi.
I'm feeling much better now, even though the room is not immaculate, there's a lot more space for Erin's stuff. Hopefully it will be enough space.
It's quite a dramatic difference on a Sunday night vs. Saturday. Most stores are closed, but all the cafés are open. shoujo_mallet says it is because of Germany's strict opening laws. I'm just kind of annoyed I can't pick up a liter of the delicious apple soda they have here.
It was very strange dropping Erin off at her dorm. Very much wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am. I lugged her bags up to the 3rd floor, she kissed me, and off I went. I know she'll have a great time here. I guess I feel sorry now for my parents when they dropped me off at RIT. Sudden release and—I suppose—relief. The latter because I've accomplished my one obligation to someone else here: Get Erin to her dorm on time, in one piece, and with all her luggage. Now all I have to do is figure out what I'm going to do tomorrow on my own until we can meet for dinner or something.
Today we went to The Schloss which was really nifty. We got to ride the Funincular railway up to it. The tour was excellent. Yesterday we walked along Philosopherweg which was really pretty.
As Erin says, internet has been few and far between, but survivable, when we get it. So long as I keep typing correctly with a QWERTZ keyboard...
Oh, how I love that I can ensure my home machine stays up to date via Java SSH applets.
Erin's both better and more dedicated at learning German, but I'm usually better at figuring pronounciation than she.
Here at the Internet Cafe, we're limited to IE on ancient NT machines that apparently don't like it when you try to switch to IE windows that have not finished loading yet. Also just about every screen is fuzzy with what I presume is 50 Hz noise. But it is better than all the hotspots that don't work.
Lunacon was excellent! Got to have fun with people I know, and got to know others better. Big dick jokes abounded in the evening. We played Katamari in the pool. s00j was her mellifluous self. shoujo_mallet was excellent in all ways. The few panels I went to were good. My $5 cup was under utilized, as expected, but what is one to do with so many party options? Thanks to all the party makers and party havers!
I greatly enjoyed the Dresden Files Premiere, and I especially enjoyed watching it with rosefox, sinboy, the ever-lovin' and ever-present shoujo_mallet, as well as the roommate Chris, Bonnie, her girlfriend Rachel, and last_soldier. Tasty snacks were available, so it didn't matter that I forgot to grab dinner.
I found that jimbutcher's world was accurately translated, and while I was initially taken aback at the negativity between Bob and Harry, it resolved itself into its usual playful banter. Some of the character changes were a little unsettling probably because most of the non-Harry characters didn't get enough screen time to "prove" themselves.
The episode was somewhat formulaic and predictable, and I find that Harry was too quick to form emotional ties (although this is normal for him from the books), and too slow to do magic. I think he did one spell in the entire episode, maybe. And it wasn't even his usual "evocative" game.
I'll still watch, but I'm expecting a bit more from the series as it progresses.
In addition, not the best "first" episode pick, very little exposition, so we're dropped into a very big and confusing world without a lot of bearings.
I know that the end of this "review" makes it sound like I didn't enjoy it, which is wrong (see first paragraphs). Rather, I think that it's a rather promising series, and I can't wait to see the possible heights, but unfortunately, it can easily go in the toilet from here, and I'd hate to see that.
I emailed in sick today. Filled out my timecard and everything. Exciting, I know. The Blogartubes makes it easy.
I'm debating whether or not to go to Tae Kwon Do, but it very much depends on how I'm feeling in a few hours. Right now? I wouldn't want to scream, but maybe could.
Just had breakfast and I feel a little better. I do believe I'll be going with Erin to Ikea, and possibly TKD. Yeah, I feel a little guilty about going out and doing things even though I felt too sick to go to work today.
At 4am I woke up with a horrendous cough and tried to get down some water and all that came up was phlegm. Delightful. I'll try to remain hydrated and horking for the rest of the day as well.
Apparently at 2am Erin tried to do somethings to me and I told her to stop and that it wasn't her fault I was broken, but I remember none of this.
Therefore a question: What have you done to me that I didn't remember? And a corollary: has anything like the above happened to you as well? What was it?
I've had a sore throat since Thursday. It's migrated to be a cough as of yesterday. You know those sore throats that hurt so bad your ear hurts? Yeah, like that. Been trying to have Vitamin C and honey. It's helping, along with the tea. Erin thinks I should see a doctor due to the difficulties I've been having swallowing. If this persists, I may just call in sick tomorrow and do as she suggests. On the other hand, it's a sore throat less than a week old, and so I'll likely just get sent away.
It's a bit later from when I started this entry and I feel a bit better, but the true test will be how I wake up tomorrow.
I've got an issue with the LJ: When I have interesting tales of derring-do, I've got no time to post, and when I feel like crap, I've got no time to post. Therefore, my post volume has been rather down lately. Sorry for the lack of updates.
Of late I've been subject to nice big losses of what self-confidence I've had. Erin is way too kind to me for putting up with such shite. Being sick does not help me feel competent, attractive, strong, intelligent, &c.
Oh, "English" pancakes suck: too squishy of batter (thanks heavy cream) makes it hard to tell when they're done and easy to rip unless they're slightly burnt.
So this morning is going swimmingly thus far. I woke up early to edit some of shoujo_mallet's homework, which was actually kind of fun. Got on the subway but almost missed my train because I don't have my monthly pass on me. Hopefully its in my shirt pocket in my hamper. If not, I'll be getting up early tomorrow to have a (likely) fruitless conversation with NJT customer service.
Now that I get to the end of this post I realize all the things up there that were bothering me are not anymore (or at least as much). The writing itself didn't help, its the whole being at work and being about to fall asleep that makes me care about very little right now.
I've calculated that, of my hour and fifteen minute commute to work (door-to-door), I spend about 30 minutes on moving trains, 20 minutes walking, and the rest (25 min) waiting. The return trip is a different story as I'm less-aligned to the schedule then.
I've been getting back into running and Forms in the morning. Today is my second consecutive day back. It feels good. I've added Basics to increase the workout time without bothering to lay down a new running route or (gods forbid) run a lap of something. I'm also thinking I should start changing up the form order, because you never know how things might go at the test in November. In addition, I've been feeling less crisp than I was this summer, so I should get back into this. And I am, so that's good.
On a completely different note: I'm using PuTTY and links to browse some websites. If I don't use screen, links has no problem getting my clicks. If I do, links has no idea I clicked a link. Obviously I've failed to set something, and I think I've set it correctly in the past, but I don't remember what I did, and Google is little help ("putty" "screen" and "click" are a dime a dozen). Bonus points if it only requires detaching the screen, reconfiguring something, and reattaching it, rather than ending the session. Double bonus points if it can be set and saved during runtime. Triple bonus points if you do it for me with your mind powers.
I went to Fairway to pick up some of my favorite Ginger Beer, and first, they had nearly none left (certainly none left in their legendary Cold Room), but my long arms were able to fetch me four delicious bottles. Prize (and salt, and peppers, and olives, and Silk®) in hand, I went to the register. A little old lady let me cut in line because I had so few things. The cashier starts to ring me up and stops at the soft drinks. She says something I cannot quite hear because I've got my iPod on (antisocial me, indeed). I take off the other earbud and ask her to repeat herself. "ID." I try to explain its a soft drink with less than 0.5% alcohol per volume, but she just looks at me like I'm either an idiot or trying to get around showing my ID. I display my papers (bitte) and swipe my credit card and continue on my way.
FYI, going to the Mountains this entire week. I'll be back in town on Sunday, the 27th. Email & LJ will not be checked until then. And even then, the LJ will be rather skipped over.
So I ran 1.2 miles today. Its a pleasant enough route, but I do think I need to find a way to a) lengthen it and b) find out whether I can run through City College. I did my forms as well. Had a slow start getting out the door, so while strict counting says I did it in 21 min (+/-1 min as usual), but I feel it may have been 20. Not bad for getting started late and not having run in over a week. Also I had to go down (and then up) two flights of stairs to get to where I did my forms.
The move was interesting. It's still not really all that done, of course, but my room is mostly taken care of. I need to do some more work on Erin's (hanging blinds and helping hang her door (long story involving side kicks)), though. I want to clean my room's floor, but there are currently too many cables running around it (internet to Erin and Paul, power for fans) and other such mess. Too messy to clean? I guess.
My cactus is dying! Erin gave me a cactus for Valentine's Day this year. I fear the lack of direct sunlight in my 5th floor office is finally getting to it, as its turning yellow. I've put it on the windowsill and gave it its monthly feeding. I hope its OK. Erin calls it "Monday" because thats when I water it. My spider plant, however, is doing so well where it is it hasn't reproduced yet and its HUGE. Like these leaves are absolutely ginormous. I've seen spider plants with more leaves, but I don't think I've seen ones with wider or longer ones. Like 0.5" wide and 14"-16" long! The leaves are so big they're folding under their own weight.
I ran and did forms on Friday and today. Both took me 18 minutes. Mom says I should work longer to get an actual effect (calorically and cardio-wise). While I agree in general, I believe that this is still beneficial, and I can feel an increase in my endurance and speed.
I've taken photos of the apartment. I'm not really good at holding the camera steady sometimes (shoujo_mallet says not to put down on myself, but the fact of the matter is, some of the photos are blurry for exactly this reason). But it should give a feel for the apartment and the ginormousness. To understand the bedroom numbering scheme, check Erin's old post about the floorplan. The numbers are off, and several closets are MIA from this diagram, but the bedrooms are numbered 1 to 6 from right to left (the wrong way, as you read, anyways).
Had a lovely time yesterday with rosefox and sinboy and others picking berries. Then shoujo_mallet and I got invited to a 4th party with the aformentioned pair at rosefox's mom's. Amazing food, lovely company, and we got to see Yankee Doodle Dandy, which neither Erin nor I had seen before (apparently its a tradition over there). It was a very fun movie.
Yesterday I skipped running because it was the Fourth. Today I skipped running because I got less than four hours sleep.
In other amusing news:
(10:19:36 AM) Me: So I was sitting on the train and then, boom, blowjob (10:20:04 AM) Erin: One someone nearby you? (10:20:12 AM) Me: yeah. in my lap (10:20:19 AM) Erin: ................. (10:20:23 AM) Me: (I'm reading Bread & Wine) (10:20:35 AM) Erin: AH. (10:20:49 AM) Erin: way to freak me the fuck out (10:21:48 AM) Me: you're welcome
Just thought you'd find that amusing. I know I did.
I'm moving out. We've [myself, Erin, and her current three roommates] committed to it. We may add on one more person (or well-adjusted/trusted couple) shortly, but we want to grab this place while we have the opportunity. It's a big 6 bedroom (2 bath) on 130th street and St. Nicholas Terrace. Very reasonable rent. shoujo_mallet is getting the applications &c. for all of us now. Just have to wait for the applications to be accepted (very likely), and we're good to go.
So, the MP3 Experiment III was a lot of fun. We did, in fact, find Steve, the omnipotent voice from above. And Summer, my group had the winning element!
This morning I went swimming with my mom at Coney Island/Brighton Beach. I swam for about 20 minutes. I made it out to the east-most point we were swimming to, but currents preventing me from turning around, so I went in. Had an almost-scary near-interaction with one of the jetties, but managed to muscle through it. My ears hurt now and I fear it may be from the swimming. Eh, if it's still a problem by Wednesday or Thursday, I'll call the Doctor. No iPod though until they're back to normal.
shoujo_mallet feels I shouldn't call my iPod an iPod because I use Rockbox instead of the Apple firmware, and USB Mass Storage instead of iTunes. I argue that its physically an iPod.
Hung out with the Girlfriend and her lady friend. Now I'm about to go to bed. And turn off my computer because the pugglewump croud agrees that its 10 degrees C too hot for longterm use.
I've been thinking about defenses for polygamy lately. For instance, many of the arguments against polygamy are really levied against Mormon polygyny and the institution's defense to being illegal. Young girls getting abused? Would you go to Child Services if you knew that your entire family (and likely your extended family) would go to jail? Abuse of wives/children? See above. Underage girls marrying? If you can get a real license, you're more likely to abide by the laws governing it.
