Moderate Quake Shakes S. F. Bay Area
So, just want to let everyone know that I am alright and did not suffer anything from the quake last night. Actually, I was in a Fry's Electronics in Sunnyvale when it happened. It's funny because I was talking to X while looking at some A/V equipment when the ground started moving and the lights hanging from the ceiling started swaying. I was kind of in an entryway to a demo room, so I was in a pretty safe place and didn't worry. We kept talking throughout the event with me saying at one point, "I think we're having an earthquake over here...". X responds, "Really, that's awesome!". I'm like, "Yeah ... yeah, it is."
Now, in all seriousness, it's good to know this was not a big earthquake and that there were no serious damages or injuries to anyone around. But for someone who comes from an area prone to hurricanes and fierce storms, an earthquake is a different and interesting experience.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
A Swamp Thing
I just wanted to spend a little time this week talking about a new experience I've been enjoying since moving out here to San Jose, CA.
As most of you know, I am a graduate of the University of Florida and I have been an active member of UF's Alumni Association since my graduation. While in Tampa, I was a member of the Tampa Gator Club. Unfortunately, I never did too many activities with the Tampa Gator Club simply because most of my friends in Tampa also attended UF and it was easier to gather with them to watch games than it was to go out to where the club was meeting. About the only thing I did with the Tampa Gator Club was participate in their Gator Rompin' Pub Crawl, which was a lot of fun.
So, I came out to San Jose, CA, back in June and I decided that one of the first things I would do was to meet up with the people in the San Francisco Bay Area Gator Club. I didn't know too many people when I moved out here originally, so I felt that meeting with fellow Gators would give me a nice sense of familiarity. I have to say it's been a truly great experience! The SF Bay Area Gator Club meets in three different "Swamps" to watch Gator football. The "South Bay Swamp" at The Sports Page in Mountain View. The "SF Swamp" at Hooters in San Francisco. And the "East Bay Swamp" at Ricky's Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro. I attend the South Bay Swamp as it is the closest one to me and also boasts the largest attendance. Watching games there makes me feel like I'm back in the student section at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. We have a "Swamp Master", named Steve, who literally will not sit down throughout the entire game. He has a sound system set up so that he can play a bunch of our school fight songs and cheers, and we all participate just as if we were at Florida Field. I actually am ashamed to say that I had no idea UF's Fight Song ,"Orange & Blue", actually had lyrics until I started watching games at the South Bay Swamp. But I have met a great group of people there who all gather together to cheer on our Gators. It also doesn't hurt that The Sports Page is a really good bar as well, with a good selection of drinks and food. I'm think I'm going to take some pictures of the place for this weekend's game, Georgia - Florida. I expect to have lots of pictures of us celebrating all game long. And maybe I'll even get a picture of some "Gator Cake".
As most of you know, I am a graduate of the University of Florida and I have been an active member of UF's Alumni Association since my graduation. While in Tampa, I was a member of the Tampa Gator Club. Unfortunately, I never did too many activities with the Tampa Gator Club simply because most of my friends in Tampa also attended UF and it was easier to gather with them to watch games than it was to go out to where the club was meeting. About the only thing I did with the Tampa Gator Club was participate in their Gator Rompin' Pub Crawl, which was a lot of fun.
So, I came out to San Jose, CA, back in June and I decided that one of the first things I would do was to meet up with the people in the San Francisco Bay Area Gator Club. I didn't know too many people when I moved out here originally, so I felt that meeting with fellow Gators would give me a nice sense of familiarity. I have to say it's been a truly great experience! The SF Bay Area Gator Club meets in three different "Swamps" to watch Gator football. The "South Bay Swamp" at The Sports Page in Mountain View. The "SF Swamp" at Hooters in San Francisco. And the "East Bay Swamp" at Ricky's Sports Theatre and Grill in San Leandro. I attend the South Bay Swamp as it is the closest one to me and also boasts the largest attendance. Watching games there makes me feel like I'm back in the student section at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. We have a "Swamp Master", named Steve, who literally will not sit down throughout the entire game. He has a sound system set up so that he can play a bunch of our school fight songs and cheers, and we all participate just as if we were at Florida Field. I actually am ashamed to say that I had no idea UF's Fight Song ,"Orange & Blue", actually had lyrics until I started watching games at the South Bay Swamp. But I have met a great group of people there who all gather together to cheer on our Gators. It also doesn't hurt that The Sports Page is a really good bar as well, with a good selection of drinks and food. I'm think I'm going to take some pictures of the place for this weekend's game, Georgia - Florida. I expect to have lots of pictures of us celebrating all game long. And maybe I'll even get a picture of some "Gator Cake".
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Time Management
Been having a little trouble managing my time lately. Nothing really bad has been happening to cause this. I just haven't used my time as wisely as I feel I should. That or I just have too many things I want to do. Either way, I need to prioritize a little bit. My exercise routine has been knocked off track and I really need to make that a priority. I wouldn't say I am an exercise freak, but I felt like I was getting myself in the best shape of my life when I was following my almost daily regimen at the Blitz in Tampa and now I just haven't been working out as hard as I feel I should.
Also, next on my priority should be my studying. I am still working on my Cisco certifications and have recently finished reading through the CCDA Exam Guide. I need to schedule my exam and go through the book again with my accompanying material so I can pass it. Then I need to start on CCNP, with the goal of having that certification by middle of next year at the latest. I also need to work on my foreign language studies. I started studying Japanese again, because I plan on going back to Tokyo next spring to visit a friend of mine who is out there teaching English. My goal is to be able to read the Hiragana and Katakana, and be able to speak well enough to get around without too much guidance. Once I feel comfortable with Japanese, I might start studying Spanish again (most likely that won't start until sometime later next year, hopefully).
One thing I want to keep doing but isn't a priority at all is gaming. Some of you will probably roll your eyes at this one, but I actually keep in contact with some of my friends this way. I've kept in touch with a couple of my old coworkers from back in Florida by constantly meeting them in Xbox Live. We've been playing a lot of Halo 3 multiplayer and Madden 08. I need to start playing more on my PS3, as I have some friends on the Playstation Network who I haven't talked to in a while. Maybe I should see if I can get them in a game of Warhawk ... Speaking of games, I haven't gotten through enough to put up any reviews as of yet. But I have some links below that might be of interest to some of you gamers out there.
Complete Guide to Team Fortress 2
Never played Timesplitters before, but it's got monkeys so it can't be bad.
PC Specs for Crysis.
Posts from the Level Up blog on Newsweek regarding the "Infantilization of video games".
Part I Part II
The Ambient Music list from Bioshock.
PS3 EyeToy in action using EyeCreate.
The Halo 3 service record for myself. Thought this was a neat idea of Bungie's and I hope more games have something like this in the future.
Otherwise, I hope everything is going well y'all out there. If you have a link to my Picasa site, I should have some new pictures posted either tonight or tomorrow. I forgot I hadn't posted some pictures I took when I visited the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco back in early September. I also went to the Metreon last Tuesday, October 9, for the release of the Star Wars-themed PSP. The 501st was there to enforce Imperial rule and we had a special appearance by Lord Vader. It was a fun night, and I gots me one.
Also, next on my priority should be my studying. I am still working on my Cisco certifications and have recently finished reading through the CCDA Exam Guide. I need to schedule my exam and go through the book again with my accompanying material so I can pass it. Then I need to start on CCNP, with the goal of having that certification by middle of next year at the latest. I also need to work on my foreign language studies. I started studying Japanese again, because I plan on going back to Tokyo next spring to visit a friend of mine who is out there teaching English. My goal is to be able to read the Hiragana and Katakana, and be able to speak well enough to get around without too much guidance. Once I feel comfortable with Japanese, I might start studying Spanish again (most likely that won't start until sometime later next year, hopefully).
One thing I want to keep doing but isn't a priority at all is gaming. Some of you will probably roll your eyes at this one, but I actually keep in contact with some of my friends this way. I've kept in touch with a couple of my old coworkers from back in Florida by constantly meeting them in Xbox Live. We've been playing a lot of Halo 3 multiplayer and Madden 08. I need to start playing more on my PS3, as I have some friends on the Playstation Network who I haven't talked to in a while. Maybe I should see if I can get them in a game of Warhawk ... Speaking of games, I haven't gotten through enough to put up any reviews as of yet. But I have some links below that might be of interest to some of you gamers out there.
Complete Guide to Team Fortress 2
Never played Timesplitters before, but it's got monkeys so it can't be bad.
PC Specs for Crysis.
Posts from the Level Up blog on Newsweek regarding the "Infantilization of video games".
Part I Part II
The Ambient Music list from Bioshock.
PS3 EyeToy in action using EyeCreate.
The Halo 3 service record for myself. Thought this was a neat idea of Bungie's and I hope more games have something like this in the future.
Otherwise, I hope everything is going well y'all out there. If you have a link to my Picasa site, I should have some new pictures posted either tonight or tomorrow. I forgot I hadn't posted some pictures I took when I visited the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco back in early September. I also went to the Metreon last Tuesday, October 9, for the release of the Star Wars-themed PSP. The 501st was there to enforce Imperial rule and we had a special appearance by Lord Vader. It was a fun night, and I gots me one.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Scrap heap
I had a post written up earlier this week, which I have now scrapped. It really was not pertinent anymore. I am doing fine, but watching the Gators suffer two straight losses is tough. I didn't really feel like posting what I had written earlier. So I'll just end this post with a couple of links.
Zero Punctuation: Halo 3
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/2304-Zero-Punctuation-Halo-3
Rocket-Powered 21-Foot-Long X-Wing Model Actually Flies (Updated: Built-in R2-D2)
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/star-wars/rocketpowered-21foot-long-xwing-model-actually-flies-updated-new-pics-show-it-even-has-builtin-r2d2-305976.php
Hope y'all are doing well. I'm going to watch some DVDs and play some video games to forget about this loss.
Zero Punctuation: Halo 3
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation/2304-Zero-Punctuation-Halo-3
Rocket-Powered 21-Foot-Long X-Wing Model Actually Flies (Updated: Built-in R2-D2)
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/star-wars/rocketpowered-21foot-long-xwing-model-actually-flies-updated-new-pics-show-it-even-has-builtin-r2d2-305976.php
Hope y'all are doing well. I'm going to watch some DVDs and play some video games to forget about this loss.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)