The Robot's Thoughts

Sweet video really, especially if you're a scrubs fan.

Yesterday I bought my first ringtone ever. At the $2.99 price, and the very limited utility of it, I'm doubting I'll do it again for a long time. But it was "novel".

I also recently went suit shopping for my company's annual Christmas party. I'm really pleased with the outcome, and am excited to get it back from the tailor. I am going to look pretty good, and its going to be a good time drinking with friends and co-workers. My friend Jen was essential in helping me keep my spirits up and remain confident that there would be a positive outcome. Also, her fashion sense definitely complimented mine and the salespersons.

I'm excited for my company's christmas party. Always a good time to drink top shelf stuff on somebody else's dime.

I'm actually considering printing up pre-apology cards for people's significant others because I know I'm going to over-celebrate this year.

Its not definite yet, but I might be in Miami for New Year's. I'm excited for it, but its all about making sure I can afford the trip.

I've had a recent first hand illumination on a bad habit (of my past, I hope) where you're arguing not to prove a point, but simply to prove to yourself that you're right. I realize I haven't conquered that, but I can at least recognize that kind of anger in others now. And because I try to believe in selling bridges instead of burning them, I've learned to ride out these people's tantrums.

And I tell myself that with a little patience I can get through this. We walk not long upon the earth. No need to tread the paths that lead only to bitterness. With Patience, I can outlast someone's pettiness and see past what they are in the moment.

Less than two weeks left in school and I'm looking at straight A's for grad school. Not bad for a first semester.

Beowulf 3D was not that bad of a movie. Next up: Hitman.

Back to school stuff.

Labels: blogging, personal, ramblings, thoughts

The title link is the only review of Assassin's Creed that matters, ever. Until the SaintOfAllChucks can find a better one that pisses off even more gamers than this one.

Labels: Gaming, ramblings

I'm ill with another installment of the crazy chinese death flu.

But at least this time I can keep food down.

I'm not going to be at work at all this week. I always hate using vacation for things other than actually taking time away from work. It feels like I'm being cheated of leisure time.

Such is life.

I'm running a 100 degree fever right now, so I'm going to go tuck myself back in, and hope that the flu will pass with night.

Worse than getting rained on while changing a flat?

Having your wallet stolen. With everything in it.

But the weekend was still good. Tim Curry's excellent acting abilities came to rescue with a showing of Muppet Treasure Island.

And no, that's not code for anything.

I had to change a tire on my car.
At night.
In the rain.
Without a flash light.
Without a coat on.

I just want to watch south park and sleep.

I've started swimming lately. Its all part of my master plan to kick my ass into a slightly less dumpy, potato shaped body.

I'm not a terrible swimmer, but I'm not the best swimmer. Its a new exercise to me, and while I'm not necessarily graceful, its both physically taxing and non-stressful at the same time. Right now I'm only swimming about 5 laps a session, 3 times a week, but the plan is to increase the number of laps by 2 ever week over the winter.

I think I love it because like everything else "gym-related" I can sort of focus/think only at the task at hand -- swimming one lap well -- with a singular focus. I'm not thinking about work or guitar hero 3 or anything. Its just a singular moment of purpose where there are no stresses, no burdens.

On those days where I'm dancing barefoot and juggling chainsaws, its a much needed mini-retreat.

2 Middle school brothers rescued a pair of abandoned, starving kittens trapped in a sewer. They pried open a manhole to rescue the poor things. Its a touching and brief story. If you need a win today, it'll pick you right up.

Labels: kittens, links, Reddit

Fragments of Poems composed in my head.

Sara.
I met you on Halloween.
I tried to find you tonight
but
everytime I stepped out on the floor
someone else came my way.
maybe I'll catch you later...
zero is still a probability, right?

Chris, Chris, Chris and Chris.
All of you are crazy.
Next time
don't drop the drinks.
Or the camera.
Or the phone.
Nobody loves a melodramatic klutz.
Collusion on collision.

I could be consumed with envy.
I could be cruel and unusual.
But you're too shallow
to make it worth the effort,
of breaching your exterior.
Its all slip and fall with you.
I've long grown tired of bruises.

Gina dearest,
I didn't drop you.
You didn't fall.
You had me at "Cute dimples".
Let's elope to Vegas.
If only.

DJ,
You are rude.
You are selfish.
I only say hi because
I know this.
Stop trying to know me.


You graduate and you're gone.
London calling your name.
Initially and constantly overlooked,
Sometimes I wish I saw you first.

People who go too fast
are children.
Remember you can't go backwards.
Just this once
Live in the moment.

Its not everyday
that you turn around and laugh.
Its not everyday
That someone's there till the end.
When asked you how it went
you'll say 20 out of 10.
When asked for your forgiveness
You'll offer bitterness instead.

A year ago
You spoke of matrimony
Now you're apart and alone.
I wish I had something
better to say
then sorry to hear that.

My twin died in a cancer ward
20 years to the day.
We had our own language
But I don't remember how it went.
I'm sure somebody out there speaks it
What are the odds that its unique?
So now I'm looking for that Rosetta Stone
to lead me back to the lost piece of me.

In Steve McConnell's "Code Complete", he describes a debugging (aka problem solving) technique called "Confessional Debugging". It goes a little something like this:

Talk to someone else about the problem. Some people call this "confessional debugging." You often discover your own error in the act of explaining it to another person. For example, if you were explaining the problem in the salary example, you might sound like this:

"Hey Jennifer. Have you got a minute; I'm having a problem. I've got this list of employee salaries that's supposed to be sorted but some names are out of order. They're sorted all right the second time I print them out but not the first. I checked to see if it was new names, but it didn't seem like it was because I tried some that worked. I know they should be sorted the first time I print them because the program sorts all the names as they're entered and again when they're saved ... wait a minute ... no, it doesn't sort them when they're entered. That's right. It only orders them roughly. Thanks Jennifer. You've been a big help."

Jennifer didn't say a word, and you solved your problem. This is typical, and is perhaps your most potent tool for solving the most difficult errors.

Non-geeks would call this "sharing" or even "theraphy" when taken to extremes. Here's a snippet of confessional debugging that I recently had.

(4:02:29 PM) redrobot5050: being self-aware doesn't make one less crazy
(4:02:33 PM) redrobot5050: often times, it makes you more crazy
(4:02:43 PM) redrobot5050: and realizing a problem and reacting to it like a mature, intelligent adult
(4:02:48 PM) redrobot5050: are separate issues
(4:03:02 PM) redrobot5050: i can understand after all that happened if [redacted] views part of me with ugliness
(4:03:54 PM) redrobot5050: anyway, i've kept you
(4:04:00 PM) redrobot5050: i just felt like clarifying for your own sake
(4:04:15 PM) redrobot5050: [redacted] is not a bad apple
(4:04:21 PM) redrobot5050: but [redacted], apparently
(4:11:19 PM) redrobot5050: anyway
(4:11:24 PM) redrobot5050: have fun whether or not you go or don't
(4:11:25 PM) redrobot5050: and take care

Labels: blogging, free expression is vital to the growth of every human being, personal, ramblings

I'm happy for you. I'm really glad you found that someone that can make 5 years go by so fast (and by a house with) and still be happy about what's to come. Don't think that traveling for ultimate is a bad thing. It beats NOT traveling for ultimate, but if you're going to travel just to travel, check out Rickett's Glen in PA. I grew up near there. Right about this time of year, the waterfalls freeze. Its beautiful. But be careful. Its one of those places near water where I almost died/froze to death because the paths also get very icy.

I'm also sorry that the girl I was seeing, Stephanie from Chatham, left me an emotional wreck the night you stayed over. I hadn't figured out that some girls just like to make the rounds back then, and they aren't worth fussing over. Even if they leave you for a frat brother.

Maybe then we would've made out, instead of just playing Streets of Rage 2 on my Dreamcast. Although, to be honest, streets of rage was pretty boss hog. And if we played Golden Axe, then is just like we did make out, only better.

Also, I'm sorry you met my mom. I know that wasn't what you bargained for, and I'm sure that was slightly awkward. I'm sure she thought you were nice. You did a great job of helping me pack up my stuff. And you were an amazing little spoon, but I'm sure you've heard that before.

Kudos on the great co-workers. I'm starting to realize how much that really matters. Its a tribal thing. Its like Odyssey of the Mind in cubicles. You may not known everyone enough to know if you like them, but you better know what they're thinking for the group points.

Anyway, I'm glad you've been following the bits and pieces of my life that I've put online. The point of soapbox was to keep track of the people that I want to keep in touch with for life.
It was good hearing from you. I'll write you soon.

Labels: personal