April 9, 2007

  • Oh Happy Day!

                  


     


        Luck seems to be on my side today. My coworker who has season tickets had booked all his Daisuke Matsuzaka days but a client needs him to be in Pittsburgh Wednesday night. That's the night the Daisuke is pitching for the Red Sox in Fenway! He offered two tickets to me for 30 dollars each. Hell yeah!


     


        This past Saturday was the BU VSA's show. Despite the rocky start, we rocked the stage in the end. Especially the impromptu breakdancing that I set up as an improvized act. I enjoyed the show and the company. I especially loved the dance-off that Zon and I had for almost 2 hours right before the show started. Haha. We've got new hip hop moves for next year's show.


       


     

April 5, 2007

  •   I haven't been able to update much ever since the New York trip that was a week and a half ago.

      New York, New York Day 1

    I had long ballroom practice Sunday night. I came home, packed, and fell asleep around 12AM but woke up at 4 to head off to the airport. I left at 4:30 but I forgot my wallet back in my other pants. I drove back and was off at 5. I arrived at the airport at 5:30.

    My company has a separate line for Thomson employees. I walked straight up to the counter and asked for a shuttle ticket to NY at 6. At the same time, a call came in for the boarding call for that flight. "Nice, I arrived just in time"

    Wrong. It turns out that one of the new policies for us airways is that I now have dividend miles. That makes no sense. "Ok, whatever? Where do I sign up?"
    He replies, "Online.... "

    Nice. Now I'm at the airport without my laptop and no access to the internet. After some calls, I had my account set up and set to go... at 6:05 PM. 5 minutes after the 6 o'clock shuttle left the airport. Nice...

    I take the 7 o'clock shuttle. It was a fantastic morning so there were no delays. The middle seats were left open so I had plenty of space to relax and catch some quick shut eye. 31 minutes later, I was already in NY. Holy crap. It's faster than my morning commute to Boston.

    I grab the nearest cab and we're on our way to Lower Manhattan. Driving in NY is so much different than it is in Boston. The commute to Boston has an aggressive driver every so often. Mostly we're nonchalant about letting people get in front of us. However, driving in NY (especially in a cab) is another experience entirely. Much like martial arts, you spend your time keeping a delicate balance of driving aggressively and defensively while at the same time chewing out bad drivers who don't check their blind spots. The lanes are narrower and the traffic is ridiculous. I arrived at 8:45am. 15 minutes after my meeting had started. Hurray. Not so much.

    In NY, I was given so much water, I had to stop every 30 minutes for a pee break. I kid you not. Every hour I'd be taking two trips to the bathroom. For the entire day? I went 16 times.

    I checked into my hotel which was conveniently right around the corner. Literally. The Hilton Millenium is a very nice hotel. It doesn't hurt to have a king sized bed, 42 inch plasma tv, and the Nintendo Gamecube hooked up to your tv. The company was having a little get together after work to introduce ourselves to management and get to know some of my fellow attendees. It was a pretty good experience. I kicked ass at the pool tables and got to know some guys who could quote the entire movie of Anchorman. Nice.

    Afterwards, I headed back to the hotel and crashed into bed.

       

March 25, 2007

  • From Banksy's Wall and Piece

    Once upon a time, there was a king who ruled a great and glorious nation. Favourite amongst his subjects was the court painter whom he was very proud. Eveybody agreed this wizzened old man painted the greatest pictures in the whole kingdom and the king would spend hours each day gazing at them in wonder.

    However, one day a dirty and dishevelled stranger presented himself at the court claiming that in fact he was the greatest painter in the land. The indignant king decreed a competition would be held between two artists, confident it would teach the vagabond an embarassing lesson. Within a month they were both to produce a masterpiece that would out do the other.

    After thirty days of working feverishly day and night, both artists were ready. They placed their paintings, each hidden by a cloth, on easels in the great hall of the castle. As a large crowd gathered, the king ordered the cloth to be pulled first from the court artist's easel. Everyone gasped as before them was revealed a wonderful oil painting of a table set with a feast. At its centre was an ornate silver bowl full of exotic fruits glistening moistly in the dawn light. As the crowd gazed up admiringly, a sparrow perched high up on the rafters of the hall swooped down and hungrily tried to snatch one of the grapes from the painted bowl only to hit the canvas and fall down dead with shock at the feet of the king.

    'Aha!' exclaimed the king. 'My artist has produced a painting so wonderful it has fooled Nature herself, surely you must agree that he is the greatest painter who ever lived!' But the vagabond said nothing and stared solemnly at his feet. 'Now, pull the blanket from your painting and let us see what you have for us,' cried the king. But the tramp remained motionless and said nothing. Growing impatient, the king stepped forward and reached out to grab the blanket only to freeze in horror at the last moment.

    'You see,' said the tramp quietly, 'there is no blanket covering the painting. This is actually just a painting of a cloth covering a painting. And whereas your famous artist is content to fool Nature, I've made the king of the whole country look like a bit of a twat.'


       ~Banksy~

March 23, 2007

  • It's Friday

    I thought I'd update this blog and note how GORGEOUS it is outside right now.

    It's GORGEOUS outside right now.

    "Americans need to let their emotions show
    more often, according to this study sponsored by Kleenex. No, really,
    there's an ad-like quote from a Kleenex rep in the article" [Fark.com]

    Replies to this article that amused me.

    [Pocketninja]: I express my emotions through the liberal use of emoticons. ;)

    [Jack31081]: I express my emotions through the liberal use of condoms. ;)

    [squidloe]: I express my emotions through the liberal use of plagiarism. ;)

    [Bunkosquad]: I don't express my emotions. :|

    [coffee]: I express myself through the liberal use of creamer.

    [ottawaboy]: I don't express my emoticons.

    [Binary Dragon]: I express my emotions through the liberal use of saying what I express my emotions through the liberal use of.

    [Englebert Slaptyback]: I suppress my emotions through the liberal use of none of your business.

    [Catchatorie]: I express my emotions by listening to Linkin Park :'-(

    [Thorak]: I expressed my emotions via FedEx, and they're hung up somewhere in Missouri.

    [mitchcumpstein]: I emoted all over this chicks face last night.

    haveaniceday

    [Duelist]: I express my emotions through apathy, and interpretive dance.

    [dave1y]: How do I express overwhelming ambivalence? Should I sneeze?

    [marylander]: i express my emotions through the killing of kittens

    [wpmulligan]: I frequently use Kleenex when I "let it out."

March 16, 2007

  • "Some couples dance, others go to Mars."

    Giant Pool of Water Ice at Mars' South Pole

    We need to urgently plan our first colony to Mars... how shall we do it..

    1. We need to build three spacecraft. 
        1. (1) for the working class,
        2. (2)
          for the intelligencia, and
        3. (3) for middle management, politicians,
          salespeople, hairdressers and other absolutely essential jobs required
          for any new colony.
    2. We should first send spacecraft number (3) as it would surely be
      the largest and most important craft. These people are, after all, our
      leaders and those whom we admire most.
    3. After the people on craft (3) have worked out how to make the
      atmosphere there breathable, and have had enough meetings and
      committees to organize themselves out of existence, they can then
      contact Earth and send for the other two craft.
    4. In the meantime, all of Earth's problems have been solved and we don't need to go to Mars anymore.

March 14, 2007

  • "I'm a pop sensation"

    On Bill Lumbergh. Many use hackneyed expressions. Not me. Every morning I come in bright eyed and
    bushy tailed.  I'm armed to the teeth with originality. I don't beat around the bush. People like me are
    few and far between.  However, all my words fall on deaf ears, forcing me to eat my own words and
    leaving me high and dry. But I won't quit my struggle to be that breath of fresh air and spread that
    innovation around. It's all in a day's work because hey! I gotta be me! My dad says I'm a chip off the old block.

March 7, 2007

  • On Bosses

    "I'm a Barbie Girl, in the Barbie World."

    There's a variety of boss types.
    There's the martyr boss who
    has worked Christmas Day, with pneumonia,
    in a snowstorm while walking to and from work for 5 weeks after a car accident,
    with both legs
    broken.
    There's the screamer boss who seems to think
    that

    he will get his way if he raises his voice to an unconscionable
    level.

    The Machiavellian boss who is
    highly focused, very motivated, and looks

    at people as a means to an end. The world is a giant pyramid and the
    apex is his.

    The clueless boss who has perhaps he just started with the company, is

    unfamiliar with the technology, or is temporarily out-of-touch due to

    personal problems. Like superheroes, you can choose what kind of boss
    you can be. Me, I go for the

    Friendly Neighborhood Boss.
    The All American

    Clean Cut Boss Next Door. Yes. I'm very down to earth.


    All my employees tell me so. One time, this employee,
    I

    forget his name, he was like, "Vinh, sir, you are so down with

    the people."
    And I was all, "Shit yeah. I'm people who am people.

    Now go get me some nachos."

    2003-11-21

March 1, 2007

  • Are you a "savior"

    I
    find myself at odds with people who like to take it upon themselves to
    play St. Peter.
    You know, the angel that sits at Heaven's Pearly Gates
    who interviews prospective entrants of Heaven.

    Much like the Jehova
    Witnesses, they try to force their points of view on you. Some of them
    refuse to let me say "God" in their presence. Even if it's a "Thank
    God"
    I'm accused of using the Lord's name in vain. Last time I checked,
    that wasn't.
    And I do admit, I'd say "goddamnit" and get chastised for
    that. But I would so love
    to punch that person in the face but I live
    by my code which says, "Don't punch people in the face".

    However,
    this extends to people who try to force me to be politically correct. 
    Now I can understand
    those who dislike profanity laced sentences when
    the profanity outnumbers the non-profanity,
    but I wouldn't do that
    unless I'm seriously pissed off (or stupid, you choose).

    P|r|o|f|a|n|i|t|y is my anti-violence.   

    3720~Alcohol-Is-My-Anti-Drug-Posters

    But it's the people who feel the need to get in people's business where there business doesn't belong.

    This
    isn't the same situation as standing up to a high school bully. It's a
    difference in mindset.
    When there's no "battle" to be won, is there a
    "hero"? No, there's not. Rather than taking up the imaginary
    moral
    fight
    that only exists in the mind, people should just walk away and
    get the stick out of their ass.

    The world is full of
    differences in opinion, and somehow we manage to get along.
    Yet it's
    ironic
    that the people who try to play "hero" or "savior" are the ones
    who are at the
    heart of the battles and the wars.

    Rather than
    enclosing your mind by not accepting the differences, and enforcing
    what you think is right,
    try opening your mind and accepting that
    people will have their differences in opinion.
    If it's such a bother,
    then stop putting yourself in a situation that would make you cry out
    "Bloody Murder!"

    Don't be the "savior" fighting in your
    imaginary war between heaven and hell when in fact you're unknowingly

    acting as the Devil's advocate.

    But hey, who am I to say. I might be trying to force my opinion on you.

  • Thieving Thursday

    I'm sitting at my desk after an intense morning of work. Yesterday the company's email server went out so most of that morning was wasted. 3PM the email is restored and I find long queue of work awaiting me. Email after email appeared in my inbox, totally discouraging me to even attempt to finish it. I finished it exactly at 5PM and left. This morning I find my queue refreshed and replenished with a new set of emails. Goodness.

    All this work today helped me find a groove and I'm enjoying this day.


    Sleep is for the weak, and I'm weak.

    Lately I've been sleeping much earlier. I've been very good with my sleep schedule. Some days I would sleep at 8PM and wake up at 5AM and other days I would sleep at 9PM and get up at 5:30AM.  Now I consider getting up at 5:30 AM late. That's mostly because I have to get in and grab a parking spot at 6:30 or else I'm fucked and I have to fork over 9 bucks for parking.


    Loving me

    Coming in early really helps me psychologically. In the morning I listen to music, play some mini basketball, or attempt to do some tricks on the foosball table( no luck there). Usually I have to reserve Sunday as my Vinh day because every other day is dedicated to work or friends. But Sunday is also laundry day so I don't get to relax and contemplate on my strengths and weaknesses in my daily life.


    Strength? Weakness?

    Now that I've fixed up my sleep schedule, I find myself focusing on the problems of my personality and if such problems are truly "problems".

    So here are my problems with my personality that I've thought of today (and I have more). I'm too aggressive and I swear too much. Aggression isn't exactly the word that would easily describe this fault in my nature. I'm straightforward, brash, to the point. Sometimes I lack patience but I'll speak of that later.

    Most days I come home exhausted and tired from work and I find those days fulfilling because I don't leave much to regret. However, when I do find I regret something, it's usually a fault of my own. These regrets all stem from my aggressiveness. (and no I'm not telling since they're all minor incidents and there's too many to choose from).

    However, I find myself trying to tone down that aggression. I do find my straightforwardness very helpful in the workplace and in my life. Before senior year in high school, I was the wimpiest of wimps. I wouldn't stand up for my self or my ideals. I isolated myself and I made sure that whatever happened around me didn't involve me.

    Jackass in all trades
    For example, Brad Dufresne. He was a jackass and one of the people who would bully others around because of his own insecurities. An emo girl named Courtney Cox sat in front of me. Brad would rail on her like no tomorrow, making fun of her hair and her taste in music. I remember the last incident that I could remember involved her telling Brad that he's an asshole and turning to me and calling me an asshole for not helping her out. I gave her a look and returned to staring a hole of boredom into my desk. I didn't give a fuck about her problems. Now that I look back, I would have decked Brad in the face. I would have gotten away with it too considering that back in that year, a teacher punched a kid in the jaw and got away with it. (Mr. Gurry is an asshole who has a drinking problem).

    Oh, Prince Charming
    People think highly of who they were as a child. A child that was naive but was filled with wonder and optimism for the world. Some girls still hold on to those fantasies of Prince Charming even.

    But I think the opposite. As a child, I hated my naivete. As I entered college, I used my sheltered life at home as a crutch to my ignorance. I hated that. I'm still ignorant today but I strive to open my mind. Sometimes it's a struggle and many times I fail, but I work towards that goal which is more than I can say for others.

February 28, 2007

  • Left-Right-Left-Right-A-B-Start&Select


    The Really Big Guide To Secret Menu Items

    Not content ordering from the menu? Need to have that extra little bit of class that comes from "knowing the chef"?

    Here it is, your guide to secret menu items. Sure, it's not the
    secret rib eye at Nobu, but it's something. Before reading this please
    note that this article has not been fact-checked. This report is based purely on reader suggestions.
    We are posting them entirely without confirmation and are not going to
    try to order any of this crap in order to confirm its existence. We
    would die of heart disease, be broke, and our ass would be the size of
    Texas. This is the internet, the internet is not fact-checked, and
    these are your secret menu items. Enjoy.

    Taco Bell:
    Everything Taco Bell makes is comprised of a few basic ingredients, so
    they'll likely make anything they have the stuff for, which is probably
    pretty much anything they've ever served. Examples to attempt: Cheesy
    Gordita Crunch, Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes, Encharito.

    Wendy's: A tipster tells us, "order a "Grand Slam", It would otherwise be called a Classic Quadruple, were it on the menu." Reader bringafajita suggests trying to get a "Quarter Pound Double Stack with Cheese." FishingCrue
    tells us to try "Everything" (lettuce and tomato) on a Wendy's Double
    Stack, sometimes it's even free. If they look at you like you're crazy,
    tell them there's a button for it. A double stack with everything, add
    bacon is a decent sandwich for somewhere south of 2 bones."

    Chipotle:
    Chipotle will, like Taco Bell, make anything they have the ingredients
    for. Unlike Taco Bell, this is an official policy. Some suggestions:
    Nachos, Quesadilla, Individual Tacos, Taco Salads, Tiny Bean Burritos
    Using Taco Shells, Fresh Cilantro on Your Tacos, whatever you can think
    of.

    Subway: Subway will still make the "pizza
    sub," and many other former menu items. Also, they can't sell "broken
    cookies," so they may give you some for free.

    Jamba Juice:
    Jamba has an entire secret menu of "unhealthy" smoothies named after
    things that would involve copyright violations were they to be included
    on the menu. The ones we know of:White Gummi Bear, Red Gummi Bear,
    Green Gummi Bear, Raspberry Dreamin', Pineapple Dreamin', Sourpatch
    Kid, Tropical Tango, Pacific Passion, Berry Depressing, Now and Later,
    Peanut Butter and Jelly, Apple Pie, Fruity Pebbles, Rainbow Sherbet,
    Strawberry Shortcake, Push Pop, Skittles, Andres' Surprise, and
    Lemonade Lightnin'. (Thanks,ronaldscott!)

    In-N-Out Burger: Has their "secret" menu posted on their website,
    but a tipster writes in: "Not only can you get an animal style burger
    but you can also get animal style fries which are amazing. It's fries
    piled with onions, cheese and sauce and they come with a fork." In
    addition, we hear several voices calling from the mist, whispering that
    the secret menu doesn't stop at 4 x 4., but may, in fact, go on to infinity. Or at least to 100 x 100...
    (Thanks, xapplexjuicex!)

    Starbucks: Starbucks will make you absolutely anything you want no matter how insane it is, according to our tipster.

    "Baristas
    might try and tell their customers that no, we can't do that with the
    blenders. This is a lie. Starbucks corporate policy is that the
    customer is ALWAYS right (even when the request is stupid). If you
    really insist that you want your iced soy latte blended, the baristas
    HAVE to do it. If they continue to refuse, ask to speak to a manager
    and either they'll realize they're about to get in trouble and will
    fill your request, or the manager will come out and politely tell the
    barista to make the customer happy.

    Absolutely any concoction
    that you can think of (involving any type of milk, syrup, coffee, etc.)
    will be made for you. The limits to Starbucks "secret menu" are merely
    the limits of your imagination. You can even bring supplements from
    home and ask the barista to please include that in your drink."

    Well, damn.

    Dairy Queen: Reader Falconfire
    says: "I couldn't even begin to tell you the list of Dairy Queen secret
    menu items. Lets put it this way, there is a huge book every DQ has to
    have, you want it, it's in there. It may not be listed as a item, but
    the instruction on how to make it and what to use are in there as well
    as how it is rung up. About the only thing they cant make is seasonal
    items, since they usually require a ingredient not carried normally."

    Chili's: According to Reader Elara, they no longer have chili on the menu (what?) but if you ask them, they'll bring you a cup.

    Blimpie: Attention veggie-lovers: Reader VeryFancyBunny says:
    "Blimpie used to have a sandwich called the "Cheese Trio" on the menu.
    They took it off years ago (at least around here), but I've been able
    to order it with no problem. Otherwise, all their sandwiches involve
    meat."

    Burger King: Try the "mustard whopper," a whopper with mustard rather than mayo, from Reader dwneylonsr, and the "veggie whopper" from VeryFancyBunny, which is just a whopper with the meat omitted. Reader sixtoe suggests attempting to get the "Bull's-Eye BBQ Burger."

    Popeye's: mullenite suggests ordering the "Naked Chicken," which is chicken with no breading. Sounds very Atkins.

    TGIFriday's: Readers junkmail and mullenite tell
    us that TGIF have a "Five Easy Pieces" policy that says they'll make
    anything you want with the crap they've got in the kitchen.

    Denny's: Speaking of Five Easy Pieces, Reader weave
    says: "Don't expect a secret menu at Denny's. I went in there and asked
    for a grilled cheese sandwich and they were baffled. They finally
    decided to give me Moons over My Hammy and toss out the ham -- and
    charge me the full price for it." Did she hold the ham between her
    knees?

    and finally, at Arby's: sixtoe likes the "French Dip."

    Thanks to everyone for sharing their knowledge of the wild and woolly
    world of nationwide chain restaurants. You are the heroes. Let your
    indigestion be a mark of your bravery.

    Did we forget
    something? If you'd like to suggest an item for this guide, email tips
    [at] consumerist [dot] com. Put "Secret Menu" in the subject.