Today was a better day than yesterday because the sun came out. Still no road trip plans. Still watching DVDs and reading House of Leaves. I did take the dust cover off my music equipment the other day. Today, I not only took the covering off, but turned it on as well! I even plugged a guitar in! Baby steps.
I headed out in the late afternoon for drinks at Beale St. with ex-coworkers. At 7:30, Delphine picked me up to go to a Noise Pop show I wouldn't have been going to otherwise, but how can I say no to a free ticket and a photo pass. One of the opening bands was Built Like Alaska, and I really wanted to like them, but they just bored me to sleep. Literally. I actually fell asleep and caught myself while falling forward. I think Delphine saw the stumble, but didn't know what it was really about. I tried to maintain my composure. Next up was The Stratford 4, a local up-and-coming power-pop quartet. I don't know if they lived up to the hype surrounding them, but they were pretty good. Except the drummer. They need to lose the drummer. Nothing kills power-pop like uninspired, lackluster drumming. Maybe she was overcoming a cold. Or a migraine. Or allergies. Or all at once. Delphine also noticed that the drumming sucked, but said it is fine on the new record, which she got an advance copy of because she's reviewing it for Bay Area Buzz.
The headliner was Camper Van Beethoven. It was a sold out show, and I got in free not knowing a note of Camper Van Beethoven. What a crime. They were big on the college scene in the late '80's, but as musically unfashionable as I typically was/am?, I never got into them. They broke up for most of the 90's, but now they're back doing some shows, and they were quite good. They certainly held my interest for the whole show, which went pretty long, but we didn't stay for the encores. Now if only Delphine can get me into a show that I want to see.
Friday, February 28, 2003
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
I went on my first ride of the season today, a casual jaunt across the Golden Gate Bridge and up the Marin Headlands, about 28 miles total. I'm gonna be working on hills over the next week. That's what I like best.
I remembered yesterday that the Locus Arts open mic was tonight. Being unemployed and socially unmotivated, I need to take any little excuse to get out of the apartment, so I considered it. Also because I dusted off an old song last week and was surprised, not only that I remembered most of it, but that it didn't annoy the hell out of me. So lassoing in Han and Sadie into going, I went, and actually ended up playing a nine year old song. Pathetic. But I also did it to try to get me in the mood of coming up with new material. It helps to get the feeling of going up in front of people and doing a completed song. Since the last time I satisfactorily completed a song was . . . nine years ago.
I also ran into Vikki's little sister, Sam, who was volunteering there. That was a special little delight. All the Chanse sisters are something else. Special, I think. If someone made a movie about them, they would be pretty fascinating character studies. There are four of them. I actually don't think I've ever talked with Sam, the youngest, and I can't even remember when I've met her. I remember Vikki mentioning her moving out here. I actually may have met her when she was in high school and Vikki and I were just out of college, but that was way long ago. I know I've met Ursula since she's closest to Vikki, and I'm pretty sure I've met either Katherine or Sam, if not both.
I remembered yesterday that the Locus Arts open mic was tonight. Being unemployed and socially unmotivated, I need to take any little excuse to get out of the apartment, so I considered it. Also because I dusted off an old song last week and was surprised, not only that I remembered most of it, but that it didn't annoy the hell out of me. So lassoing in Han and Sadie into going, I went, and actually ended up playing a nine year old song. Pathetic. But I also did it to try to get me in the mood of coming up with new material. It helps to get the feeling of going up in front of people and doing a completed song. Since the last time I satisfactorily completed a song was . . . nine years ago.
I also ran into Vikki's little sister, Sam, who was volunteering there. That was a special little delight. All the Chanse sisters are something else. Special, I think. If someone made a movie about them, they would be pretty fascinating character studies. There are four of them. I actually don't think I've ever talked with Sam, the youngest, and I can't even remember when I've met her. I remember Vikki mentioning her moving out here. I actually may have met her when she was in high school and Vikki and I were just out of college, but that was way long ago. I know I've met Ursula since she's closest to Vikki, and I'm pretty sure I've met either Katherine or Sam, if not both.
Monday, February 24, 2003
I think it's true, I'm not going crazy. People are leaving San Francisco. It's showing in the parking and the For Rent and Open House signs. I helped Kateri load up the van this morning. And you know what? The people leaving are smart. It's a crime to be paying these exorbitant rents just for a roof over your head. It's a fickle city. People deserted after the 1989 earthquake, and flocked in during the dot com boom. Now they're streaming out after the dot com bust. Maybe it's remnants of the Gold Rush era. Opportunistic. Greed. I want to say I love this city, while at the same time it really sucks.
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Saturday nights are a phenomena that I don't really get. I usually stay in on Saturday nights. Not part of the go-out-on-Saturday-night culture. I thought it was just to avoid the crowds. Tonight, it was Han's prompt that got me out at all, with his call to get people to go to Elbo Room to see a band with Mike Watt in it. Sadie and I pretty much already decided we weren't going, but we used the occassion to meet at Elbo Room and then just cruise the Mission, see where our feet took us. The Elbo Room was manageable when we got there, but as the crowds streamed in, we just didn't get the Saturday night thing. What do people find enjoyable about hanging out in a crowded bar where the music is too loud to carry on a simple conversation? Where getting a drink means competing against fifteen other people? The mating dance? Are you happy being there? Is this pleasure?
We left and roamed the Mission as observers/outsiders, stopping in bookstores and shops that looked interesting, peering into bars with music playing too loud for our tastes. Hey, we're musicians, we make loud music, but if we want to talk, we don't want to shout. We ended up at my place talking for a couple hours before driving her home. We're so emo.
We left and roamed the Mission as observers/outsiders, stopping in bookstores and shops that looked interesting, peering into bars with music playing too loud for our tastes. Hey, we're musicians, we make loud music, but if we want to talk, we don't want to shout. We ended up at my place talking for a couple hours before driving her home. We're so emo.
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Rainer Maria/Mates of State:
I went for Rainer Maria, and they were OK. I certainly didn't hafta go. I'm not sure what the deal is with Rainer Maria, I like them, but I don't know why. Their latest record that they're supporting is their best to date (no male vocal), their previous record was quite good (male vocal notwithstanding), but I'm not sure what to think of their first two albums, or what possessed who to give them a record deal. Those were inconsistent at best. I was a little perplexed at how many people (everyone I heard tonight who mentioned their name, including the opening band) still mispronounce their name. But if the band themselves didn't bother clarifying, maybe they've gone and accepted the mispronunciation of the poet they're named after. Maybe they've just gotten tired of clarifying it. (pronounced "Rhyner", as in Catcher in the Rye, not "rainer", as in 'yep, last December was a real rainer. Did the crops good. Just a few more inches and we'll be good for the season. How's yer loquats, Hal?')
Mates of State were a surprise. I know all of two songs of theirs, and I like those, but something about the duet thing (with no bass, no guitars), something about the production just didn't pull me in to buying their record(s). Live, they were great! My left leg was killing from starting running and riding the past few days, so I was fully intending to stay for two songs and leaving if they didn't pull me in. Seriously, the production on their record does not do her/their voice(s) justice. I ended up staying for most of their set.
I need to stop spending money, so I told myself no more buying band t-shirts. But Rainer Maria's shirt had a variety of knives drawn on it (the latest record is "Long Knives Drawn"). I couldn't resist.
I went for Rainer Maria, and they were OK. I certainly didn't hafta go. I'm not sure what the deal is with Rainer Maria, I like them, but I don't know why. Their latest record that they're supporting is their best to date (no male vocal), their previous record was quite good (male vocal notwithstanding), but I'm not sure what to think of their first two albums, or what possessed who to give them a record deal. Those were inconsistent at best. I was a little perplexed at how many people (everyone I heard tonight who mentioned their name, including the opening band) still mispronounce their name. But if the band themselves didn't bother clarifying, maybe they've gone and accepted the mispronunciation of the poet they're named after. Maybe they've just gotten tired of clarifying it. (pronounced "Rhyner", as in Catcher in the Rye, not "rainer", as in 'yep, last December was a real rainer. Did the crops good. Just a few more inches and we'll be good for the season. How's yer loquats, Hal?')
Mates of State were a surprise. I know all of two songs of theirs, and I like those, but something about the duet thing (with no bass, no guitars), something about the production just didn't pull me in to buying their record(s). Live, they were great! My left leg was killing from starting running and riding the past few days, so I was fully intending to stay for two songs and leaving if they didn't pull me in. Seriously, the production on their record does not do her/their voice(s) justice. I ended up staying for most of their set.
I need to stop spending money, so I told myself no more buying band t-shirts. But Rainer Maria's shirt had a variety of knives drawn on it (the latest record is "Long Knives Drawn"). I couldn't resist.
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Drinks at Beale St. tonight for Kateri, whose last day is tomorrow.
I went for a run this afternoon. I ran to the post office to make sure the Netflix DVD I was returning goes out today. You see where this whole Netflix thing is going, don't you. I'd better receive the "Swordsman" DVD before I finish the Buffy. God forbid I go into withdrawal. And Buffy Season Three: Vampire Willow rules!! I haven't felt this way since . . . since Drusilla. If you couldn't guess, I like crazy.
I implemented my first post-employment reform today. I am no longer pairing up my socks in my sock drawer. I did my laundry, I started pairing up my socks, three different kinds, and thought, "Why am I pairing up my socks? I'm not employed anymore."
*looks around room for more post-employment reforms*
I went for a run this afternoon. I ran to the post office to make sure the Netflix DVD I was returning goes out today. You see where this whole Netflix thing is going, don't you. I'd better receive the "Swordsman" DVD before I finish the Buffy. God forbid I go into withdrawal. And Buffy Season Three: Vampire Willow rules!! I haven't felt this way since . . . since Drusilla. If you couldn't guess, I like crazy.
I implemented my first post-employment reform today. I am no longer pairing up my socks in my sock drawer. I did my laundry, I started pairing up my socks, three different kinds, and thought, "Why am I pairing up my socks? I'm not employed anymore."
*looks around room for more post-employment reforms*
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
How Republican Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
This is pretty funny, but the list of all possible results is far funnier. Unfortunately, you have to take the quiz to see all the possible results.
mail call!
The Netflix madness begins. This is not going to be pretty.
I got an envelope from my parents. Assuming it contained a check, I put it aside. When I went back to it, I opened it up, and there were three pictures from my last visit. No check. I carefully looked between each picture, no check. I took apart the envelope which had been folded over and taped to perfectly fit the pictures. No check. Well, I found this very disturbing. How do they expect to maintain my love if they're not sending me checks?!! Am I supposed to visit them when they're not sending me checks?!!
I'm actually impressed and very proud of them for not sending a check.
The Netflix madness begins. This is not going to be pretty.
I got an envelope from my parents. Assuming it contained a check, I put it aside. When I went back to it, I opened it up, and there were three pictures from my last visit. No check. I carefully looked between each picture, no check. I took apart the envelope which had been folded over and taped to perfectly fit the pictures. No check. Well, I found this very disturbing. How do they expect to maintain my love if they're not sending me checks?!! Am I supposed to visit them when they're not sending me checks?!!
I'm actually impressed and very proud of them for not sending a check.
Monday, February 17, 2003
"My ghost" travelled on a 30 minute, slow, unmeasured jog to start off the year, hopefully the last. Riding will start soon, too, inshah'allah. *heavenly light shines down from above* Unemployment is a good thing.
I'm taking suggestions for movies that are set in the desert. So far I've got "Bagdad Cafe", "Desert Blue", and "The Adventures of Pricilla: Queen of the Desert".
I'm taking suggestions for movies that are set in the desert. So far I've got "Bagdad Cafe", "Desert Blue", and "The Adventures of Pricilla: Queen of the Desert".
Sunday, February 16, 2003
last month i did more of the march, albeit not much of it since it was cold and i was underdressed. today i went directly in my tux to the rally area in front of city hall and hung around there, listening to speakers and performers, wandering and taking pictures with my digi and black & white in my SLR. the rhetoric and the issues are as huge as U.S. imperialism and its foreign policy since the cold war. coming from what may be called a legal background, i was focused more on the illegality and immorality under international law of this impending war on Iraq. it's not really a war, though, is it? it's an aggressive invasion to seize control of oil fields. whoops, sorry, that's rhetoric. it's an invasion. don't you need two sides to have a war? No one called the U.S. sanctioned invasion of East Timor by Indonesia a "war".
but help me figure this out. the Bush administration is claiming we need to invade to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. and if we invade, what will stop Hussein from using those weapons of mass destruction to deter the U.S. invasion? And if Hussein doesn't respond with using weapons of mass destruction against the U.S. forces . . . why are we invading? Or should we start invading, and if Hussein doesn't respond with the use of weapons of mass destruction, should we go, "oh, well I guess he doesn't have them after all", and withdraw? Furthermore, if the issue is getting rid of weapons of mass destruction, what does an invasion accomplish that the U.N. inspectors won't. it sounds like we're just going to attack and invade without limits or narrowly defined goals. so the U.S. invasion is to accomplish what the U.N. inspectors . . . can't? are we supposed to go in, push aside the U.N. inspectors and say, "I'm in charge here", and fulfill the job the inspectors were sent to do. but then why rain bombs on Baghdad?
one of the speakers at the rally was a family member of one of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. he mentioned how the Bush administration plans to subdue Baghdad with a tactic of "shock and awe", showering the city with Cruise missiles right from the start. You hit them so hard, and so big, that they can't respond. Recalling the events of Sept. 11, recalling the shock, recalling the awe, another word for the "shock and awe" tactic is "terrorism". Never mind the illegality of indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations and utilities necessary to sustain the civilian population.
If we invade, history will certainly show that it was an illegal act. Although history already shows that the international law of war is pretty much a well-intentioned farce. Hitler's war crimes are well-documented, but the indiscriminate fire-bombing of Dresden was no less in violation of the "laws of war". I once wrote a paper for "International Law of War" class, arguing the illegality of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the professor was a military man who gave me grief at every step of writing it. Finally, when I handed in the paper, he admitted that, yes, by a strict legal interpretation, the atomic bombings were, just by their indiscriminate nature, illegal. And Bush will never stand trial as a war criminal because he would have won the invasion.
but help me figure this out. the Bush administration is claiming we need to invade to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction. and if we invade, what will stop Hussein from using those weapons of mass destruction to deter the U.S. invasion? And if Hussein doesn't respond with using weapons of mass destruction against the U.S. forces . . . why are we invading? Or should we start invading, and if Hussein doesn't respond with the use of weapons of mass destruction, should we go, "oh, well I guess he doesn't have them after all", and withdraw? Furthermore, if the issue is getting rid of weapons of mass destruction, what does an invasion accomplish that the U.N. inspectors won't. it sounds like we're just going to attack and invade without limits or narrowly defined goals. so the U.S. invasion is to accomplish what the U.N. inspectors . . . can't? are we supposed to go in, push aside the U.N. inspectors and say, "I'm in charge here", and fulfill the job the inspectors were sent to do. but then why rain bombs on Baghdad?
one of the speakers at the rally was a family member of one of the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. he mentioned how the Bush administration plans to subdue Baghdad with a tactic of "shock and awe", showering the city with Cruise missiles right from the start. You hit them so hard, and so big, that they can't respond. Recalling the events of Sept. 11, recalling the shock, recalling the awe, another word for the "shock and awe" tactic is "terrorism". Never mind the illegality of indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations and utilities necessary to sustain the civilian population.
If we invade, history will certainly show that it was an illegal act. Although history already shows that the international law of war is pretty much a well-intentioned farce. Hitler's war crimes are well-documented, but the indiscriminate fire-bombing of Dresden was no less in violation of the "laws of war". I once wrote a paper for "International Law of War" class, arguing the illegality of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the professor was a military man who gave me grief at every step of writing it. Finally, when I handed in the paper, he admitted that, yes, by a strict legal interpretation, the atomic bombings were, just by their indiscriminate nature, illegal. And Bush will never stand trial as a war criminal because he would have won the invasion.
Saturday, February 15, 2003
Well, I dud gawn done it. I joined Netflix. Seems like many post-employment hours will be spent sitting in front of a computer watching DVD's. Beats sitting in front of a computer doing work. Or blogging.
Friday, February 14, 2003
----- Original Message -----
From: me
To: a buttload of people
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 11:57 AM
Subject: So long, suckers
Well folks,
As you may have heard by now, at last month’s firm meeting, Barbara brought it to the partners’ attention that she did not believe I was working hard enough. Although I’m sure her intent was merely to express her opinion, a series of internal inquiries and investigations ensued, and the pressure has led me to the decision to step down from my position and leave the firm. To her credit, she didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition. Right, Barb, no one expected the Spanish Inquisition!
A man of few words, I part with no speeches, no words of wisdom, perhaps a (loving) raspberry at Barb, and a collection of e-mail chains that kept me amused through the ages that sums it up better than I ever could (I hope I get no one in trouble). Thanks to all:
#1 (August 9, 2000)
Sujoy:
Here is the skinny guys on the 7th floor. They want that populated at the latest by the 11th of September. It is our responsibliity to get a good clone ready to put on 30 GATEWAY systems that I am ordering next week. So let's finish up on the LATEST clone as soon as possible, because the GATEWAYS are coming in. I hope to place an order by next week. Sujoy
Barb:
Thank you but, I really don’t much care about the skinny guys on the 7th floor…now, if there were cute HUNKY guys on the 7th floor, you’d catch my attention (well, partially)…..Sincerely, Barb
Me:
No, no you silly bird, they’re going to populate the 7th floor with skinny guys. Read more carefully, Barb.
Jeptha:
Koji, Hate to nit pick, but they actually want to populate the 7th floor with skinny guy clones. Jeptha
#2 (February 22, 2002)
Katie:
Tracking 7917 8285 0856.
Katie:
Scratch the old tracking number. The correct one is 7924 9255 8836.
Me:
Whoa! Not even close.
Katie:
I had to do a new pack dork.
#3 (October 23, 2001)
Jordan:
Greg and Amy are hoarding the Oracle letterhead.
Amy:
It’s Greg. He likes to decorate his cube with it.
Greg:
Does anybody have any Oracle letterhead? I REALLY need it!
#4 (December 18, 2000)
Sophie:
Were you here at BAL last Christmas?
Me:
Yea, why?
Sophie:
do we get to get off early on Fri? (ha...)
Me:
I don't think so. Is that all?
Sophie:
yes...alright, thanks.
Me:
oh my god, that was the most boring e-mail exchange I've ever had!!!
Sophie:
I think that was very IMPORTANT and VALID email inquiry...should frame it!
#5 (January 24, 2001)
Sang:
I like my apartment. Its got nice hardwood floors...the kind where if you wear the right kind of socks you can skate around the room. I don't even walk anymore when I'm home.
Me:
Oh I love hardwood floors like that, I get down on my knees, put my face close and caress the floor with my cheeks and whisper, “oh money, oh money”
Sang:
What the hell is wrong with you?!
#6 (May 29, 2001)
Shunlonda:
Subject: Cold
Someone from the building is on the way to cut the air off. Shunlonda
Barb:
Yeah, thanks…who needs air.
#7
Barb:
Just a warm fuzzy reminder to please respect that we share the kitchen…do not leave your dishes in the sink. I am a bit disheartened since I came in this a.m. and took the time to empty the dishwasher, the dish drain and put someone else’s dishes in the dishwasher that were left from Friday I assume. By 8:30 am, there were more dishes left in the sink….even though the dishwasher and the dish drain were empty. Thank you for your positive response to this gentle urging to be respectful of others.
Me:
Bollocks!! Bollocks and yarbles!
Barb:
Bollocks, Rollocks, Ballocks, Bannocks, Nads, Nuts, Sacs, Bags, Niags, Beanbags, Boy Bags, Jizzbags, Knackers, Clackers, Maracas, Pods, Cods, Spuds, Tatties, Goolies, Googlies, Goerbals, Gonads, Testicles, Conkers, Cobblers, Chuckies, Urals, Balkans, Love Spheres, Seaman Spheres, Golden Globes, Family Jewels, Spunk Factories, Balls, Plums, Scrotes, Marbles, Yarbles, Yongles, Bangles, Love Spuds, Happy Sacs, Kossacks, Nuggets, Nik-Nax, Crackerjacks, Wedding Tackle, 2 Veg, Pills, Stones, Orchestras, Betties, Jacksons, Danglies, Backwheels, Wank Tanks and John Wayne's Hairy Saddle Bags.
#8 (August 14, 2001)
Despina:
"We could of taken a forfeited victory but chose to play. In our best game thus far we racked up ten runs, which is more than some teams get in two games. Still, it was one less than the other team scored. On a good note, we looked very professional in our new jerseys. Which leads me to an important David Lee Roth quote: “It’s not who wins or who loses, it’s who looks the best while they’re playing.” Definitely us."
What she meant:
We could of taken a forfeited victory but chose to play (We were beaten by a team that had fewer players than we did). In our best game thus far we racked up ten runs, which is more than our team got in the past two games. Still, it was one less than the other team scored. On a good note, we would look very professional in new jersey. Which leads me to an important David Lee Roth quote: “Bozy bozy bop, ziddy bop.” Definitely us.
#9
Theresa :
Has anyone considered that the date of the signature will precede the date of the stats in section 8?
Me:
Always the stick in the mud, aren’t you?
Theresa:
Actually it was eric that pointed this out….I just assumed credit knowing that all would be thrilled with the information.
Me:
Oh yes, it was much funnier coming from you. If Eric sent the exact same message, everyone would have thought he was just being facetious.
Eric:
Hey, for the record, I was just being facetious.
#10
Me:
Can I send this?:
Theresa:
Not yet. I want to think about this and maybe speak with Christine. One ad may be of more use than local ads. more tomorrow.
Me:
Okey dokey, Thanks! Speaking of ads, for some reason NC Microsoft comes to mind. I’m not sure why.
Theresa:
Micro who?
#11
Me to HelpDesk:
I get a message trying to get on all databases connections that says “Can’t attach to specified device”. I thought it was everyone, but one of my co-workers got on. Please, Help Desk, can you help me?
Dan:
What did you do?
Me:
I tried to log on the MSDB connections and then I spilled orange juice all over the inside of the computer through the CD-ROM and floppy disk drives and then shook vigorously by accident.
#12 (June 28, 2001)
Widmark:
Subject: One more big bug
Me:
One more big bug? The only big bug I know about is called “VisaBase”.
Greg Leventis:
Long live VisaBase! The Darth Vader of BAL. Actually, I don’t think it’s bad. It just has some stuff to work out and we have to get used to it. I’m really pretty impressed that our crew put together their own software. Peace and love,
Me:
That’s true, we just need to show some patience, tolerance, and understanding. If we hadn’t shown that towards Greg and judged him by how we first saw him, it would be our loss and we would be missing one really, really great person. Nay, dare I say . . . friend. I am proud to list Greg among my friends, along with VisaBase.
Greg:
Are you comparing ME to that shitty program!?!?
#13
Me to Finance:
We need to order a copy of this Sunday’s “Charlotte Observer”. I recall that ordering newspapers needs to be done through the finance department. Can you tell me to whom I make the request and any other special instructions?
Finance:
Never heard of that before...but all you have to do is purchase the paper(s), then submit an approved reimbursement request.
Me:
Thanks, but with what should we purchase the newspaper?
Finance:
Well, you can submit for a check request if they'll accept that, or use a credit card. Elva has a corporate card if that will help.
Me:
Yes, I would like to use the corporate card, is there a way I can access it.
Theresa:
I take no responsibility if you give Koji access to a corporate card!
Epilogue: Wayne to the rescue ordered the paper.
#14 (June 22, 2001)
Jordan:
A moment of silence for John Lee Hooker.
Greg:
Is john lee hooker dead?
Jordan:
No, Greg, he just wants some silence.
#15: (November 2, 2001)
Me:
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your I-140 petition has been approved.
Client:
It is what I can call a GOOD NEW for a quite Friday. You always were quick and sure responding my questions. It gave me an absolutely confidence I was in good hands. Thanks a lot for all your support during this process. I wish the best for you in your career.
Big Hug ,
Theresa:
Big Hug? We need to talk about appropriate professional relations with our clients. Did you miss that seminar?
#16
Joy Mandanas (and Dan Horne, and me, and Sang, and . . . ):
HEY CHECK OUT THIS SHOCKWAVE MOVIE!!
(it was a virus that took down our servers for a day or three, ed.)
#17 (January 4, 2001)
Zenaida (to me):
and speaking of cool people leaving....Debra was telling me you are seriously contemplating leaving...
From: me
To: a buttload of people
Sent: Friday, February 14, 2003 11:57 AM
Subject: So long, suckers
Well folks,
As you may have heard by now, at last month’s firm meeting, Barbara brought it to the partners’ attention that she did not believe I was working hard enough. Although I’m sure her intent was merely to express her opinion, a series of internal inquiries and investigations ensued, and the pressure has led me to the decision to step down from my position and leave the firm. To her credit, she didn’t expect the Spanish Inquisition. Right, Barb, no one expected the Spanish Inquisition!
A man of few words, I part with no speeches, no words of wisdom, perhaps a (loving) raspberry at Barb, and a collection of e-mail chains that kept me amused through the ages that sums it up better than I ever could (I hope I get no one in trouble). Thanks to all:
#1 (August 9, 2000)
Sujoy:
Here is the skinny guys on the 7th floor. They want that populated at the latest by the 11th of September. It is our responsibliity to get a good clone ready to put on 30 GATEWAY systems that I am ordering next week. So let's finish up on the LATEST clone as soon as possible, because the GATEWAYS are coming in. I hope to place an order by next week. Sujoy
Barb:
Thank you but, I really don’t much care about the skinny guys on the 7th floor…now, if there were cute HUNKY guys on the 7th floor, you’d catch my attention (well, partially)…..Sincerely, Barb
Me:
No, no you silly bird, they’re going to populate the 7th floor with skinny guys. Read more carefully, Barb.
Jeptha:
Koji, Hate to nit pick, but they actually want to populate the 7th floor with skinny guy clones. Jeptha
#2 (February 22, 2002)
Katie:
Tracking 7917 8285 0856.
Katie:
Scratch the old tracking number. The correct one is 7924 9255 8836.
Me:
Whoa! Not even close.
Katie:
I had to do a new pack dork.
#3 (October 23, 2001)
Jordan:
Greg and Amy are hoarding the Oracle letterhead.
Amy:
It’s Greg. He likes to decorate his cube with it.
Greg:
Does anybody have any Oracle letterhead? I REALLY need it!
#4 (December 18, 2000)
Sophie:
Were you here at BAL last Christmas?
Me:
Yea, why?
Sophie:
do we get to get off early on Fri? (ha...)
Me:
I don't think so. Is that all?
Sophie:
yes...alright, thanks.
Me:
oh my god, that was the most boring e-mail exchange I've ever had!!!
Sophie:
I think that was very IMPORTANT and VALID email inquiry...should frame it!
#5 (January 24, 2001)
Sang:
I like my apartment. Its got nice hardwood floors...the kind where if you wear the right kind of socks you can skate around the room. I don't even walk anymore when I'm home.
Me:
Oh I love hardwood floors like that, I get down on my knees, put my face close and caress the floor with my cheeks and whisper, “oh money, oh money”
Sang:
What the hell is wrong with you?!
#6 (May 29, 2001)
Shunlonda:
Subject: Cold
Someone from the building is on the way to cut the air off. Shunlonda
Barb:
Yeah, thanks…who needs air.
#7
Barb:
Just a warm fuzzy reminder to please respect that we share the kitchen…do not leave your dishes in the sink. I am a bit disheartened since I came in this a.m. and took the time to empty the dishwasher, the dish drain and put someone else’s dishes in the dishwasher that were left from Friday I assume. By 8:30 am, there were more dishes left in the sink….even though the dishwasher and the dish drain were empty. Thank you for your positive response to this gentle urging to be respectful of others.
Me:
Bollocks!! Bollocks and yarbles!
Barb:
Bollocks, Rollocks, Ballocks, Bannocks, Nads, Nuts, Sacs, Bags, Niags, Beanbags, Boy Bags, Jizzbags, Knackers, Clackers, Maracas, Pods, Cods, Spuds, Tatties, Goolies, Googlies, Goerbals, Gonads, Testicles, Conkers, Cobblers, Chuckies, Urals, Balkans, Love Spheres, Seaman Spheres, Golden Globes, Family Jewels, Spunk Factories, Balls, Plums, Scrotes, Marbles, Yarbles, Yongles, Bangles, Love Spuds, Happy Sacs, Kossacks, Nuggets, Nik-Nax, Crackerjacks, Wedding Tackle, 2 Veg, Pills, Stones, Orchestras, Betties, Jacksons, Danglies, Backwheels, Wank Tanks and John Wayne's Hairy Saddle Bags.
#8 (August 14, 2001)
Despina:
"We could of taken a forfeited victory but chose to play. In our best game thus far we racked up ten runs, which is more than some teams get in two games. Still, it was one less than the other team scored. On a good note, we looked very professional in our new jerseys. Which leads me to an important David Lee Roth quote: “It’s not who wins or who loses, it’s who looks the best while they’re playing.” Definitely us."
What she meant:
We could of taken a forfeited victory but chose to play (We were beaten by a team that had fewer players than we did). In our best game thus far we racked up ten runs, which is more than our team got in the past two games. Still, it was one less than the other team scored. On a good note, we would look very professional in new jersey. Which leads me to an important David Lee Roth quote: “Bozy bozy bop, ziddy bop.” Definitely us.
#9
Theresa :
Has anyone considered that the date of the signature will precede the date of the stats in section 8?
Me:
Always the stick in the mud, aren’t you?
Theresa:
Actually it was eric that pointed this out….I just assumed credit knowing that all would be thrilled with the information.
Me:
Oh yes, it was much funnier coming from you. If Eric sent the exact same message, everyone would have thought he was just being facetious.
Eric:
Hey, for the record, I was just being facetious.
#10
Me:
Can I send this?:
Theresa:
Not yet. I want to think about this and maybe speak with Christine. One ad may be of more use than local ads. more tomorrow.
Me:
Okey dokey, Thanks! Speaking of ads, for some reason NC Microsoft comes to mind. I’m not sure why.
Theresa:
Micro who?
#11
Me to HelpDesk:
I get a message trying to get on all databases connections that says “Can’t attach to specified device”. I thought it was everyone, but one of my co-workers got on. Please, Help Desk, can you help me?
Dan:
What did you do?
Me:
I tried to log on the MSDB connections and then I spilled orange juice all over the inside of the computer through the CD-ROM and floppy disk drives and then shook vigorously by accident.
#12 (June 28, 2001)
Widmark:
Subject: One more big bug
Me:
One more big bug? The only big bug I know about is called “VisaBase”.
Greg Leventis:
Long live VisaBase! The Darth Vader of BAL. Actually, I don’t think it’s bad. It just has some stuff to work out and we have to get used to it. I’m really pretty impressed that our crew put together their own software. Peace and love,
Me:
That’s true, we just need to show some patience, tolerance, and understanding. If we hadn’t shown that towards Greg and judged him by how we first saw him, it would be our loss and we would be missing one really, really great person. Nay, dare I say . . . friend. I am proud to list Greg among my friends, along with VisaBase.
Greg:
Are you comparing ME to that shitty program!?!?
#13
Me to Finance:
We need to order a copy of this Sunday’s “Charlotte Observer”. I recall that ordering newspapers needs to be done through the finance department. Can you tell me to whom I make the request and any other special instructions?
Finance:
Never heard of that before...but all you have to do is purchase the paper(s), then submit an approved reimbursement request.
Me:
Thanks, but with what should we purchase the newspaper?
Finance:
Well, you can submit for a check request if they'll accept that, or use a credit card. Elva has a corporate card if that will help.
Me:
Yes, I would like to use the corporate card, is there a way I can access it.
Theresa:
I take no responsibility if you give Koji access to a corporate card!
Epilogue: Wayne to the rescue ordered the paper.
#14 (June 22, 2001)
Jordan:
A moment of silence for John Lee Hooker.
Greg:
Is john lee hooker dead?
Jordan:
No, Greg, he just wants some silence.
#15: (November 2, 2001)
Me:
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your I-140 petition has been approved.
Client:
It is what I can call a GOOD NEW for a quite Friday. You always were quick and sure responding my questions. It gave me an absolutely confidence I was in good hands. Thanks a lot for all your support during this process. I wish the best for you in your career.
Big Hug ,
Theresa:
Big Hug? We need to talk about appropriate professional relations with our clients. Did you miss that seminar?
#16
Joy Mandanas (and Dan Horne, and me, and Sang, and . . . ):
HEY CHECK OUT THIS SHOCKWAVE MOVIE!!
(it was a virus that took down our servers for a day or three, ed.)
#17 (January 4, 2001)
Zenaida (to me):
and speaking of cool people leaving....Debra was telling me you are seriously contemplating leaving...
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Unemployment Eve:
The firm is giving us a half day tomorrow on behalf of Valentine's Day and Presidents Day, effectively ruining after work drink plans to celebrate my departure. So we did the next logical thing and moved it to tonight. Cass, Amy, Lisa, Barb and Kelly, and ex-coworkers, Chandler, Donna, and Greg, and Beale St. regulars Terry and Mike showed at the Holding Company. They refused to take my money at the end of the night (thanks guys!). Kateri couldn't make it tonight, so her last day next week is our excuse to go for drinks again tomorrow, at Beale St., at 1 o'clock in the afternoon!
I never thought of my employment much. It never meant anything to me, the work was personally meaningless, but as I cleared out my cube, as our team had our transition meeting today, it occured to me that I'm walking away from something I was a part of. I could have continued floating through it, it could have been a career, and since my leaving was triggered by completely objective circumstances, there is very little emotional attached to my leaving. There's no real triumph, no intent, no goal, I'm just . . . walking away from it.
It is important to feel a part of something.
Oh, and Happy Birthday to Peter Gabriel.
The firm is giving us a half day tomorrow on behalf of Valentine's Day and Presidents Day, effectively ruining after work drink plans to celebrate my departure. So we did the next logical thing and moved it to tonight. Cass, Amy, Lisa, Barb and Kelly, and ex-coworkers, Chandler, Donna, and Greg, and Beale St. regulars Terry and Mike showed at the Holding Company. They refused to take my money at the end of the night (thanks guys!). Kateri couldn't make it tonight, so her last day next week is our excuse to go for drinks again tomorrow, at Beale St., at 1 o'clock in the afternoon!
I never thought of my employment much. It never meant anything to me, the work was personally meaningless, but as I cleared out my cube, as our team had our transition meeting today, it occured to me that I'm walking away from something I was a part of. I could have continued floating through it, it could have been a career, and since my leaving was triggered by completely objective circumstances, there is very little emotional attached to my leaving. There's no real triumph, no intent, no goal, I'm just . . . walking away from it.
It is important to feel a part of something.
Oh, and Happy Birthday to Peter Gabriel.
Monday, February 10, 2003
I took two sick days off last Thursday and Friday and went up to Lake Tahoe where my brother and his friends were renting a house for a week's vacation. They were out skiing when I arrived, but they left a key for me, and they returned soon after.
There was a core group of people there, and other friends floated in and out for varying degrees of stayage. I missed some people altogether, met some new folk who I didn't meet last Sunday, and some people I met last Sunday left while I was there. It was quite a luxurious arrangement, and the company was at least interesting, and mostly quite good.
They shared and rotated meal-making duties, and that night someone made a killer lasagna. I'm partial to frozen lasagna, but this must have been one of the best fresh lasagnas I've tasted, perfectly spiced and herbed, with mouth-watering, melted cheese. Sit-down dinner at the dining room table. From my point of view, this was "how the other half lives".
There was a nice refractor telescope at the house. The first night, I trained the telescope on Jupiter and its four Galilean moons and the Pleiades. They're just points of light, not much to get excited about, but the first time seeing it, it is exciting. I remember the first time I saw the moons of Jupiter, lying out in a cold field in Oberlin, Ohio with a set of binoculars, and that was very exciting! They thought it was pretty cool, too.
On Friday, the morning was spent lounging around, running/walking, reading, watching TV, playing X Box, and snacking. When they half-heartedly went for the slopes in the afternoon (they were tired after four straight days of skiing), I decided to go for a drive around the lake, re-visiting a bike ride I did around the lake several years ago.
That ride was probably the most grueling physical thing I'd ever done, more so than the two S.F. Marathons I put my poor body through. 74 miles, counter-clockwise around the lake, starting in South Lake Tahoe, on a rented bike that was too big for me, with no preparation, no training. I was stupid, I didn't know better. I thought it was a lake, so circling it would be no problem just riding along the flat shoreline. Unfortunately, the shores of Lake Tahoe are largely privately owned, and the only way around on bike is on the main roads. Not flat.
The injury to the insult came at the very end. If South Lake Tahoe is at 6 o'clock, right around the 8 to 7 o'clock point, towards the end of the ride, came the killer hill that just went on and on. Whenever I thought I was nearing the top, there would be more climbing. Or I'd think I had reached the end of the climbing and start descending, only to hit more climbing. I was yelling and cursing my way up, at least when I thought no one was in earshot. I was simply not mentally prepared for that sort of exertion.
Apparently I was not physically prepared, either. I could barely get out of bed or walk the next Monday. My spine was tweaked painfully off center, and I spent the next week and a half going to my chiropractor. I was a mess.
Last year, I found a book of Lake Tahoe bike rides, and it indicated that Lake Tahoe was at 6200ft., and the highest point of the ride around Tahoe was at 7000ft. That means any climb around the lake could not have been more than 800ft! I couldn't believe that the climb that nearly killed me (not really, but it was really, really hard), was no more than a paltry 800ft.
And it was true, driving around the lake, I measured that climb to have been no more than 500ft. It was the totality of circumstances that made that climb so hard, and I wasn't haunted driving up it. I was actually amused by its lack of dauntingness.
That night, someone made a scrumptious chicken parmigiana with tenderized chicken and a fettucine alfredo with a sauce made of heavy whipping cream *drool*! I took the telescope outside again in the cold and hunted down the Horsehead Nebula and it was my first time seeing that (yes, I was pretty excited). I also got Jupiter again for my brother's fiance who had missed it the night before. Only three moons were in view this time, but it was sharp enough to distinctly see two bands on Jupiter. That, too, was exciting for all.
The next day, Saturday, was my return home, and my brother and his fiance decided to hitch a ride back to S.F. early with me, instead of staying until Sunday morning and driving back at 6 in the morning with the rest of the crew. They stayed over at my apartment and we went to Blowfish Sushi which is a block away from me. We stuffed ourselves silly on incredible food. The next morning they went for their morning run through the Mission into the Castro, and by mid-morning I had dropped them off at the airport to return to Philadelphia. Bottom line is that my brothers are pretty awesome.
There was a core group of people there, and other friends floated in and out for varying degrees of stayage. I missed some people altogether, met some new folk who I didn't meet last Sunday, and some people I met last Sunday left while I was there. It was quite a luxurious arrangement, and the company was at least interesting, and mostly quite good.
They shared and rotated meal-making duties, and that night someone made a killer lasagna. I'm partial to frozen lasagna, but this must have been one of the best fresh lasagnas I've tasted, perfectly spiced and herbed, with mouth-watering, melted cheese. Sit-down dinner at the dining room table. From my point of view, this was "how the other half lives".
There was a nice refractor telescope at the house. The first night, I trained the telescope on Jupiter and its four Galilean moons and the Pleiades. They're just points of light, not much to get excited about, but the first time seeing it, it is exciting. I remember the first time I saw the moons of Jupiter, lying out in a cold field in Oberlin, Ohio with a set of binoculars, and that was very exciting! They thought it was pretty cool, too.
On Friday, the morning was spent lounging around, running/walking, reading, watching TV, playing X Box, and snacking. When they half-heartedly went for the slopes in the afternoon (they were tired after four straight days of skiing), I decided to go for a drive around the lake, re-visiting a bike ride I did around the lake several years ago.
That ride was probably the most grueling physical thing I'd ever done, more so than the two S.F. Marathons I put my poor body through. 74 miles, counter-clockwise around the lake, starting in South Lake Tahoe, on a rented bike that was too big for me, with no preparation, no training. I was stupid, I didn't know better. I thought it was a lake, so circling it would be no problem just riding along the flat shoreline. Unfortunately, the shores of Lake Tahoe are largely privately owned, and the only way around on bike is on the main roads. Not flat.
The injury to the insult came at the very end. If South Lake Tahoe is at 6 o'clock, right around the 8 to 7 o'clock point, towards the end of the ride, came the killer hill that just went on and on. Whenever I thought I was nearing the top, there would be more climbing. Or I'd think I had reached the end of the climbing and start descending, only to hit more climbing. I was yelling and cursing my way up, at least when I thought no one was in earshot. I was simply not mentally prepared for that sort of exertion.
Apparently I was not physically prepared, either. I could barely get out of bed or walk the next Monday. My spine was tweaked painfully off center, and I spent the next week and a half going to my chiropractor. I was a mess.
Last year, I found a book of Lake Tahoe bike rides, and it indicated that Lake Tahoe was at 6200ft., and the highest point of the ride around Tahoe was at 7000ft. That means any climb around the lake could not have been more than 800ft! I couldn't believe that the climb that nearly killed me (not really, but it was really, really hard), was no more than a paltry 800ft.
And it was true, driving around the lake, I measured that climb to have been no more than 500ft. It was the totality of circumstances that made that climb so hard, and I wasn't haunted driving up it. I was actually amused by its lack of dauntingness.
That night, someone made a scrumptious chicken parmigiana with tenderized chicken and a fettucine alfredo with a sauce made of heavy whipping cream *drool*! I took the telescope outside again in the cold and hunted down the Horsehead Nebula and it was my first time seeing that (yes, I was pretty excited). I also got Jupiter again for my brother's fiance who had missed it the night before. Only three moons were in view this time, but it was sharp enough to distinctly see two bands on Jupiter. That, too, was exciting for all.
The next day, Saturday, was my return home, and my brother and his fiance decided to hitch a ride back to S.F. early with me, instead of staying until Sunday morning and driving back at 6 in the morning with the rest of the crew. They stayed over at my apartment and we went to Blowfish Sushi which is a block away from me. We stuffed ourselves silly on incredible food. The next morning they went for their morning run through the Mission into the Castro, and by mid-morning I had dropped them off at the airport to return to Philadelphia. Bottom line is that my brothers are pretty awesome.
Wednesday, February 05, 2003
I'm still feeling out the tone and voice of this weblog. The basic idea is to be a keep-in-touch-with-people kind of thing, letting people keep track of the contours of what I'm doing if it so occurs to them that they want to know (ha!). Try to make it not too boring.
As for things I'm doing, I didn't even mention the Johnny Marr & the Healers show I went to on Saturday night, but I guess anything to blog was overshadowed by the Columbia tragedy. But yea, Johnny Marr. I was never a huge Smiths fan, but Delphine was going to get me in free if I brought my digi camera, because she was reviewing it and could get a photo pass. I have to admit I was impressed as she casually got the tickets and photo pass from the Bimbo's box office:
"You're cool! Can I touch you you?", stroking her arm.
"Shut up!!"
Johnny Marr was pretty good. The songs were good for a first listen, and he's a seasoned performer with . . . seasoned British stage presence. Most fun to watch, though, was Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) on drums. He's a really good drummer, very solid, very fluid. Hanging out with Delphine for an hour, waiting for her brother to pick her up, also highlighted the evening.
I have a week and a half left of work. Part of the reason why I'm quitting is because in the three years plus that I've worked here, I haven't been able to get anything going in my life. In fact, I lost things as I quit the band I was in last year. I go to work, I get a paycheck, and I don't do anything with it, and that's worthless living to me. I don't know what quitting will solve, but it's important for me not to be just floating through a worthless, personally meaningless existence. It's a dead end.
As for things I'm doing, I didn't even mention the Johnny Marr & the Healers show I went to on Saturday night, but I guess anything to blog was overshadowed by the Columbia tragedy. But yea, Johnny Marr. I was never a huge Smiths fan, but Delphine was going to get me in free if I brought my digi camera, because she was reviewing it and could get a photo pass. I have to admit I was impressed as she casually got the tickets and photo pass from the Bimbo's box office:
"You're cool! Can I touch you you?", stroking her arm.
"Shut up!!"
Johnny Marr was pretty good. The songs were good for a first listen, and he's a seasoned performer with . . . seasoned British stage presence. Most fun to watch, though, was Zak Starkey (Ringo Starr's son) on drums. He's a really good drummer, very solid, very fluid. Hanging out with Delphine for an hour, waiting for her brother to pick her up, also highlighted the evening.
I have a week and a half left of work. Part of the reason why I'm quitting is because in the three years plus that I've worked here, I haven't been able to get anything going in my life. In fact, I lost things as I quit the band I was in last year. I go to work, I get a paycheck, and I don't do anything with it, and that's worthless living to me. I don't know what quitting will solve, but it's important for me not to be just floating through a worthless, personally meaningless existence. It's a dead end.
Sunday, February 02, 2003
I met up with my brother and his friends today and we went to Napa Valley for wine-tasting. They're all doctors. They were three couples in all. My brother's fiance is very nice. Rob Rho and Keiko flew in from Seattle. Rob and my brother used to be housemates in Philadelphia, and the one time I met him there, I was just amazed at the calibre of human being my brother attracted into his life. This time, I also found him cordial and sincere; just an excellent person. Keiko was beautiful and a fine match with Rob. Gene and Susan flew in from Philadelphia with my brother and Bonnie. Likewise, Gene was a fine person, and Susan seemed particularly interesting, but she made horrible eye contact with me, so I can't say I was thrilled by her.
Their company made me glow. We parted ways at Napa; they going to Lake Tahoe for a week vacation, me back to San Francisco. But driving home, I just felt a warm glow at having met them. Good people. Not for me.
the "big" one:
The news reports a "swarm" of earthquakes in the East Bay this morning.
There are two schools of scientific thought.
#1) The quakes are helping relieve the stress on the faultlines, making the imminent possibility of the "big one" less likely.
#2) The stress on the faultlines is so great, that numerous smaller quakes actually forecast the imminent "big one".
Science is so helpful.
Their company made me glow. We parted ways at Napa; they going to Lake Tahoe for a week vacation, me back to San Francisco. But driving home, I just felt a warm glow at having met them. Good people. Not for me.
the "big" one:
The news reports a "swarm" of earthquakes in the East Bay this morning.
There are two schools of scientific thought.
#1) The quakes are helping relieve the stress on the faultlines, making the imminent possibility of the "big one" less likely.
#2) The stress on the faultlines is so great, that numerous smaller quakes actually forecast the imminent "big one".
Science is so helpful.
Saturday, February 01, 2003
January 28, 1986:
I was home on a chilly Winter afternoon after a high school final that morning. Around 1:30, a friend called and said, "Am I seeing what I'm seeing on TV?". I didn't know. "I don't know, what are you seeing on TV?" I asked. "I think you should turn on your TV". "What channel?". "Any channel." I was in my brother's room at my parent's house and turned on the TV.
My brother's flight was supposed to arrive at 12:44 this afternoon. When my phone rang at 1:00, I thought it might be him. It turned out to be my mother. The first thing I said was, "Happy New Year". We stayed on the phone for a while; her half-brother, my uncle had been on vacation with his family in Seattle and became ill and fell into a coma. She felt that she should go and be with him and his family. My father was resistant. He didn't want her to go. I gave my opinion. Eventually we got off the phone when I mentioned I was expecting a call from Bob.
He ended up calling several hours later; too late to meet up today. Towards the end of the conversation, in which we discussed meeting tomorrow, he mentioned something about the Space Shuttle blowing up. He said it very casually, but it got my immediate attention. He had heard someone else talking about it on his cell phone. I knew there was a Space Shuttle on a mission. I turned on the TV, distracted from the rest of our conversation, and KTVU was covering it. Space Shuttle Columbia had burned up upon re-entry.
I was home on a chilly Winter afternoon after a high school final that morning. Around 1:30, a friend called and said, "Am I seeing what I'm seeing on TV?". I didn't know. "I don't know, what are you seeing on TV?" I asked. "I think you should turn on your TV". "What channel?". "Any channel." I was in my brother's room at my parent's house and turned on the TV.
My brother's flight was supposed to arrive at 12:44 this afternoon. When my phone rang at 1:00, I thought it might be him. It turned out to be my mother. The first thing I said was, "Happy New Year". We stayed on the phone for a while; her half-brother, my uncle had been on vacation with his family in Seattle and became ill and fell into a coma. She felt that she should go and be with him and his family. My father was resistant. He didn't want her to go. I gave my opinion. Eventually we got off the phone when I mentioned I was expecting a call from Bob.
He ended up calling several hours later; too late to meet up today. Towards the end of the conversation, in which we discussed meeting tomorrow, he mentioned something about the Space Shuttle blowing up. He said it very casually, but it got my immediate attention. He had heard someone else talking about it on his cell phone. I knew there was a Space Shuttle on a mission. I turned on the TV, distracted from the rest of our conversation, and KTVU was covering it. Space Shuttle Columbia had burned up upon re-entry.
Well how about that? Detailed evening plans never turn out like they're supposed to, but tonight went right as scheduled.
Critical Mass was excellent, even though it started out large and gradually got whittled away. I got there a perfectly timed few minutes before it started. Just enough time to briefly describe to two S.F. newcomers what this was. I encouraged them to show up on their bikes on the last Friday of every month.
There was an obnoxious police presence, but for their numbers, they were uncharacteristically reasonably civil. The Mass was pretty benign through downtown. It was even a little suspicious. There was an opportunity to go through the Broadway tunnel, and we didn't go, and then there was an opportunity to go through the Stockton tunnel, and we didn't go through that either. What the hell? Who's leading this thing? Police plants? The general feel was pretty boisterous, and there's nothing like several hundred cyclists making a ruckus in tunnels to lift the spirit (or raise the dead). There was no reason why we shouldn't have gone through the tunnels.
I wish I could *whoop*. I can manage a meek, Homer-esque "Woohoo!", but I can't get my vocal cords to let out a rebellious shrill *whoooooooo!!", and I wish I could. I'm an embarrassment at shows and sporting events.
The first place we started to lose people was at U.N. Plaza, where a bunch of riders, myself included, jumped the curb from Market St. and rode into the Plaza where a DJ had turntables set up. So there was dancin' and groovin' goin' on fo' while, but then cyclists started streaming out back onto Market. Not everyone re-joined, and it was pretty scattered until Van Ness.
The Mass made its pass of City Hall, and a first for me in however many years I've been riding the Mass, it went up Geary St., a major thoroughfare. I think maybe the Mass usually avoids Geary because it's kinda steep in places, but the reward was a screaming downhill by Japantown and the underpass under Fillmore St. where bicycles are generally not allowed.
The Mass splintered some more as it couldn't decide where to go, and eventually headed down Divisidero to Fell, another major east-west thoroughfare, and we took that over. That was fun, too. With the Mass effectively blocking traffic coming from behind, I put my bike in high gear and sprinted down Fell and then let the Mass catch up to me.
The splintering continued through the Haight where another downhill stretched out the Mass and split it in two. I was in the first, smaller group, and when we caught sight of the rest of the Mass happily rolling along a couple blocks away on another street, we went to re-join them, heading them off at the pass at Church and Market, and were met with applause.
But it splintered more as some people tried to start a circle in the intersection of Church and Market, and I think circles are so stupid (it was hilarious the first time, but that's all), that I just continued down Church. Eventually, there was a re-grouped Mass going down Church, but it was pretty small by then, maybe 50-80 cyclists.
The Mass headed into the Mission, and when we got to Mission Street, I took off and headed for the Brainwash. The Brainwash is a eatery/performance space/laundromat. It has a mellow vibe. I was quite content with a beer, a copy of SF Weekly, a meltingly cute waitress, and listening to Kenon Chen, who I didn't particularly like. Apparently he went to Oberlin, too, and his musicianship was high, but he was too Dave Matthews with Michael Hedges guitar chops to keep my attention. At one point when he went into some Michael Hedges-esque two-hand tapping, I just felt *whatever* and went back to my paper.
I even went for fish and chips!!! (Although not at Edinburgh Castle, but a place down the street with really friendly Korean owners).
Then I went to Hemlock to catch The Ebb & Flow. None of my so-called friends showed up, par for the course, but The Ebb & Flow blew me away! They were excellent and the material is something I could definitely contibute to if I got the chance. There was room to hold down a groove on the bottom, but also room to embellish with runs and fills. There were passages where I heard sparse bass lines, and others where there was room for melodic, counter-puntal lines. It's material I could get into, material I could get excited about, and you know what? I'm not gonna get it. Don't ask me how I know, I just know. I believe in fate, and getting into this band would be going against my fate. I'll go in for the audition on Monday, but I know the outcome.
My brother is coming into town tomorrow. That's all I know. I suppose he'll call when he arrives. When it suits him. He's just like that.
Critical Mass was excellent, even though it started out large and gradually got whittled away. I got there a perfectly timed few minutes before it started. Just enough time to briefly describe to two S.F. newcomers what this was. I encouraged them to show up on their bikes on the last Friday of every month.
There was an obnoxious police presence, but for their numbers, they were uncharacteristically reasonably civil. The Mass was pretty benign through downtown. It was even a little suspicious. There was an opportunity to go through the Broadway tunnel, and we didn't go, and then there was an opportunity to go through the Stockton tunnel, and we didn't go through that either. What the hell? Who's leading this thing? Police plants? The general feel was pretty boisterous, and there's nothing like several hundred cyclists making a ruckus in tunnels to lift the spirit (or raise the dead). There was no reason why we shouldn't have gone through the tunnels.
I wish I could *whoop*. I can manage a meek, Homer-esque "Woohoo!", but I can't get my vocal cords to let out a rebellious shrill *whoooooooo!!", and I wish I could. I'm an embarrassment at shows and sporting events.
The first place we started to lose people was at U.N. Plaza, where a bunch of riders, myself included, jumped the curb from Market St. and rode into the Plaza where a DJ had turntables set up. So there was dancin' and groovin' goin' on fo' while, but then cyclists started streaming out back onto Market. Not everyone re-joined, and it was pretty scattered until Van Ness.
The Mass made its pass of City Hall, and a first for me in however many years I've been riding the Mass, it went up Geary St., a major thoroughfare. I think maybe the Mass usually avoids Geary because it's kinda steep in places, but the reward was a screaming downhill by Japantown and the underpass under Fillmore St. where bicycles are generally not allowed.
The Mass splintered some more as it couldn't decide where to go, and eventually headed down Divisidero to Fell, another major east-west thoroughfare, and we took that over. That was fun, too. With the Mass effectively blocking traffic coming from behind, I put my bike in high gear and sprinted down Fell and then let the Mass catch up to me.
The splintering continued through the Haight where another downhill stretched out the Mass and split it in two. I was in the first, smaller group, and when we caught sight of the rest of the Mass happily rolling along a couple blocks away on another street, we went to re-join them, heading them off at the pass at Church and Market, and were met with applause.
But it splintered more as some people tried to start a circle in the intersection of Church and Market, and I think circles are so stupid (it was hilarious the first time, but that's all), that I just continued down Church. Eventually, there was a re-grouped Mass going down Church, but it was pretty small by then, maybe 50-80 cyclists.
The Mass headed into the Mission, and when we got to Mission Street, I took off and headed for the Brainwash. The Brainwash is a eatery/performance space/laundromat. It has a mellow vibe. I was quite content with a beer, a copy of SF Weekly, a meltingly cute waitress, and listening to Kenon Chen, who I didn't particularly like. Apparently he went to Oberlin, too, and his musicianship was high, but he was too Dave Matthews with Michael Hedges guitar chops to keep my attention. At one point when he went into some Michael Hedges-esque two-hand tapping, I just felt *whatever* and went back to my paper.
I even went for fish and chips!!! (Although not at Edinburgh Castle, but a place down the street with really friendly Korean owners).
Then I went to Hemlock to catch The Ebb & Flow. None of my so-called friends showed up, par for the course, but The Ebb & Flow blew me away! They were excellent and the material is something I could definitely contibute to if I got the chance. There was room to hold down a groove on the bottom, but also room to embellish with runs and fills. There were passages where I heard sparse bass lines, and others where there was room for melodic, counter-puntal lines. It's material I could get into, material I could get excited about, and you know what? I'm not gonna get it. Don't ask me how I know, I just know. I believe in fate, and getting into this band would be going against my fate. I'll go in for the audition on Monday, but I know the outcome.
My brother is coming into town tomorrow. That's all I know. I suppose he'll call when he arrives. When it suits him. He's just like that.
