May 2002

May 04, 2002

Back from NY

I had a wonderful day in New York City on Wednesday. The weather was beautiful-mild and sunny. I was quite happy because it's been dreary and overcast the last few times I've been to the city. I took some pictures while I was there. Our bus arrived in NY ahead of schedule, about 6:45 AM, giving us plenty of time to make our way up to 30 Rockefeller Center, where Rosie's studio is located. Before we went inside, we walked over to the Today show, which is right across the street, to see what was going on. No Al Roker; they were doing news reports on the air.

We then headed over to wait in line for Rosie. There were many VIPs who got seated ahead of us, but we managed to get third row seats. Show highlights: Rosie wrote a little song about having only three weeks left (so sad!) to the tune of "Downtown," Alec Baldwin was pre-taped so Rosie came into the audience to answer questions, Natalie Merchant performed a slow, beautiful piano solo of "Wonder" (you know, "They say I must be one of the wonders / Of God's own creation"), from Tigerlily (Rosie's favorite song), and we stayed after the show to tape a segment with Mary Louise Parker that aired on Thursday.

Later in the afternoon, someone from MTV approached us and asked if we'd like to be in the audience for TRL. And we thought "what the hell!" I haven't even watched TRL in months nor do I like most of what they play on MTV anymore but whatever! It was something to do. We were taking over the airwaves on Wednesday-Rosie and TRL. Allison even got to do a "shout out." TRL's smaller audience and our placement in the audience yielded much airtime. I'm selling tapes for the interested individual. After the TRL taping, it was time to head to the bus station for our trip home.

It's odd how New York City seems like such a different world. The day that I spent there seems removed from my week here at school. It's as if there was a Wednesday in New York City but not in Rochester. I can't seem to bring the two worlds together. I want to be in that world. There is much diversity to be celebrated. Things are always moving, changing. There is never a dull moment, so much to do. The city never sleeps. There is nothing like New York. For at least a few years at some point in my life I hope to live and work in New York. I love New York.

Posted by Phil at 01:32 AM | Comments (0)

May 05, 2002

The Birds and the Bees

Today was a beautiful spring day--temperature around 70 and sun shining brightly. On a day like today, I want to be outside enjoying the weather, especially after a week long and mostly dreary. Yes, rain can be soothing and playful, but that's what April showers are for. I do however have a love/hate relationship with nice weather; I don't want to do my schoolwork. I don't want to be inside glaring at the computer screen but outside basking in the sun.

An ideal situation combines the enjoyment of the outdoors with a sense of accomplishment that comes with getting some work done. I did this today. I went to the park to do some reading. And in the midst of my reading, a little girl wandered towards me and made me look up. She smiled; I smiled back and said "hi." The girl's mother called her back. But the girl made me stop and appreciate--appreciate all that was around me. The sun was shining brightly. The gentle breeze carried the scent of spring. I heard the crack of a baseball hitting a bat, the laughter of children, a squeaking swing set, the birds chirping, the bees buzzing. Not once was the multitude of bees surrounding me bothersome. All was good. God is good.

As I continued my reading, none of this was a distraction but its realization a reading aide. I reveled in being aware of my surroundings and being able to concentrate more so than before. When I finished my reading I felt accomplished and content. I again stopped, looked, listened. Then I got my things together and left. It was a beautiful day. I hope you got to enjoy and appreciate it as I did. And thank you, little girl, for helping me do it.

Posted by Phil at 08:54 PM | Comments (0)

May 07, 2002

Pleasant Surprise

I love it when I put on a seasonal article of clothing, such as shorts, and am pleasantly surprised when I put my hand in the pocket and discover some money. It doesn't matter how much ($9). Just finding any amount of money is enough to make me happy if only for a short while. Now how can I spend this meager finding? It's not like I really gained anything because I always had it; I'd just forgotten it was there. Basically it means I have nine more dollars to spend before my next trip to the ATM. $9 can be a lot for a poor college student such as myself. Well, I'm poor if you don't count that not-so-little present from the IRS I just got (but that is going towards my digital camera--a Nikon Coolpix 995, unless I hear any compelling arguments against it). Like I always say, it's the little things in life that keep me going.

Posted by Phil at 10:51 PM | Comments (0)

Blogger Linkage?

I was just checking my site traffic, and someone visited my page from Blogger.com. Could this mean I made it to the "prestigious" directory or the Recently Updated list on the home page? If you should arrive here by either path, please let me know. I'd be interested to see how any new visitors got here.

Posted by Phil at 11:10 PM | Comments (0)

May 08, 2002

Wimp

I was so close to buying my digital camera online a few minutes ago. I mean time-to-enter-credit-card-number close. But I wimped out. The total came to $560, including shipping and tax. I wanted to but this is from an online retailer. They seem to be trustworthy from the reviews I've read from numerous sites. However, I can get the camera at a local store for $600, well actually $648 with tax. Damn taxes! Ok, so that's not a good reason. Oh yeah, my friend Scott works at Best Buy and he hasn't gotten back to me with how much he can get the camera for. I'm thinking he can probably get it for about $570 (estimating Best Buy's shelf price is 10% above what employees could get it for but I don't even know if that's very accurate). This means I have the assurance that I'm getting it from a store I can trust. But is in Wilkes-Barre and I am in Rochester. And I can't wait until I go home to get it because I want it like yesterday! This would mean he would have to ship it, bringing the cost to almost $600. It looks like I might have solved my problem. I really am a wimp. I should have just entered my card number and bought it online. Ahh! Should I or shouldn't I? Somebody help me out. Give me that little push. I really want to go do it now, but that would mean entering all my info over again. I've procrastinated too much already and wasted quality time. I have code to write, labs to grade, and a paper to finish. But I want that damn camera already!

Posted by Phil at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)

May 13, 2002

So Much to Say

First, let me say that I'm not a wimp afterall. I made the big purchase on Friday. I ended up buying it online. I am eagerly awaiting its arrival. According to the FedEx tracking page, it arrived in Rochester at 6:53 this morning. So where is my f-in' camera!? It's nice to have something to think about and look forward to amidst the projects, tests, and preparation for finals that come along the last week of class.

Today was a clear indication that it is, indeed, the last week of class for I was at school for nearly 12 hours. I hate projects! I know I haven't blogged since Wednesday, but I don't know when I'll have a chance to next with everything that's going on. The end of the school year is bittersweet. I'm psyched to be going home for the summer and seeing my family and friends from back home, but I'll also be missing those from school. I would be excited about working and getting some experience, but I still don't have definite plans for a summer job. And the living arrangements for next year still aren't settled.

Like I said, I need a job. If you're in need of a qualified software engineer like myself, please contact me immediately. I am seeking a job in the California, New York City, or Wilkes-Barre areas. No, I'm not picky!

I got a fortune cookie today and here's what it said:

The only way to catch tiger cubs is to go into the tiger's den.

How about them apples?

Posted by Phil at 11:20 PM | Comments (0)

May 16, 2002

Toy Story

My camera came today. I'm like a little child with a new toy. I missed FedEx yesterday, but I left the authorization form for them to leave it today. I waited around for them to come earlier in the day and I kept getting teased by knocks at the door that weren't FedEx. I would get so excited when I heard a knock, but got let down when I opened the door and there was no camera. But I have it now and I'm having fun. I took some pictures to test it out a little. I don't know what I was thinking getting a camera during the last week of classes. Oh well, at least I'll have some fun.

Posted by Phil at 12:09 AM | Comments (0)

Last Day of Class Today

I'm all done. My 6:00 class today is just a pizza party on my professor. How nice of him! He's probably the best professor I've had and not just because he's buying us pizza. My to do list: report for Human Factors, grade CS labs (I'm so behind!), wash dishes (I've got a huge pile at home), study for two finals (one each Saturday and Monday), and do a take home final (due Monday). I was supposed to start my part of the Human Factors report now (sorry Janice, if you're reading this--I lied!). Instead I'm writing this. I promise to do it later. We finalized our plans on an apartment for next year. I'm moving in later next week. Oh well, time for pizza!

Posted by Phil at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)

May 17, 2002

What a Mess

My room is a mess. My desk is a mess. You don't even want to see the pile of dishes that awaits me downstairs (and you're not going to because I'm too lazy to go down there and take a picture at the moment). So enjoy the floor at the foot of my bed and the crap that covers my desk.

Posted by Phil at 03:08 PM | Comments (0)

May 18, 2002

Final #1 Complete

I finished my Sociology of Work final in 30 minutes. It was a breeze. Now the sun has come out and I am going to take some pictures with my new camera. We've finally had a nice day so I can take some outside pics. In other news, there's still a decent-sized pile of dishes in our kitchen (I've survived two rounds already) and much grading to be done. In addition, I have to do a take-home final and study for a final on Monday. But I'm going outside!

Posted by Phil at 02:34 PM | Comments (0)

Lilacs

I went to Highland Park earlier to take some pictures as promised. It is Lilac Festival time so the lilacs are in bloom. I thought this particular variety was quite unique. I took a number of pictures but the one below is my favorite. I just had to show off my new camera's macro capabilities. This is one tiny lilac flower. There are more great pictures to show off, but I haven't the time to upload them all. Look for them in a gallery once finals are over (after Monday).

Posted by Phil at 11:14 PM | Comments (0)

May 19, 2002

Down with the Dishes

After 4 rounds, the piles and piles of dirty dishes that were taking over our kitchen are clean. I kicked some ass though it did take a few days to do it. So since I can't stop playing with my camera here's a look at the sink before

and after.

Now, mind you, this is only part of the dishes. They were piled high on the stove and on the other counter, too.

Posted by Phil at 02:56 PM | Comments (0)

God, Ice Cream, and a Certain 80's Song?

I was pretty blah before. I hate finals. I was drowning in my mysery. I couldn't get any motivation to do any work. I did nothing for hours. I had even shut off AIM, and that didn't even work for a while. Then I finally began working on my take-home final but only for a few minutes. It was almost time to go to mass and I felt the need to talk to someone. So I signed on to AIM and I was glad I did. After a few minutes of chatting and a few smiles later, I headed to mass to pray that I will do well on my finals and everything will work out. Mass was uplifting. Afterwards they had ice cream. Yum! There's nothing better for a stressed out college student during finals week. Since I had no dinner before I left, I pigged out. It was nice to chat with some people who also needed the break from dealing with finals. Then on my way home, I heard a song that I hadn't heard in ages--"I've Got My Mind Set On You" by George Harrison.

I got my mind set on you (x 4)

But it's gonna take money
A whole lotta spending money
It's gonne take plenty of money
To do it right child

It's gonna take time
A whole lot of precious time
It's gonna take patience and time, ummm
To do it, to do it, to do it, to do it, to do it
To do it right child

I got my mind set on you (x 4)

And this time I know it's for real
The feelings that I feel
I know if I put my mind to it
I know that I really can do it

That's a fun song, pure 80's. It was good to hear it again, a little 80's flashback. I am glad I took the time and went out because I feel much better now.

Posted by Phil at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)

May 20, 2002

May Snow Showers

That's right, it's snowing out. Just some flurries, but still, it's May for crying out loud! It doesn't seem quite cold enough for this to be happening but it is. So much for that old adage, "April (presumably rain) showers bring May flowers." The snow must feel out of place falling in the brisk May air. I feel detached from academia. I haven't been a very good student these past few days. Go away snow! Warm, sunny days, please return. I feed from the comfort you provide.

Posted by Phil at 11:35 AM | Comments (0)

May 21, 2002

It's All Over!

I just finished grading my last lab. I had my last final this afternoon. I am going to bed!

Posted by Phil at 02:52 AM | Comments (0)

May 27, 2002

Balancing Act

It's funny how things work out. Just when you think things can't get any worse, everything seems to come together. Endings and beginnings. Goodbyes and hellos. Stress and relief. Voids and fulfillment. Loss and... well, I never did find my wallet. But so much has happened this past week, and, looking back, there's been a lot of positive to paint over the negative.

In the last few days, I moved to a new place in Rochester and home for the summer. Balancing the two places can be hard. Moving is so taxing on the body and mind. I was sore and bruised from the move, stressed out. But the new place is quite nice and I'll be living with good company. When I wasn't packing or moving, I was spending time with friends--back in Rochester, somewhere in the middle, and now here in Wilkes-Barre. Blogging seems so trivial when there's time to be spent with friends. They come first, so sorry for the down time here. "I get by with a little help from my friends." It's good to be back home with family too. And my puppy!

>Generousity, open arms, quality time, comfortable sleeping places, nice showers, a storm, conversation, home-cooked meals, pleasant sighs. *Sigh* All is good. Now all I need is to do find a job.

Posted by Phil at 08:19 PM | Comments (0)

May 28, 2002

Stall Talk

I came a cross this while sorting through some old email in my inbox. It cracks me up every time.

Leaving Tallahassee, I decide to stop at one of those rest areas on the side of the road. I go into the rest-room. The first stall is taken, so I go into the second stall. I had just sat down when I hear a voice from the other stall...

"Hi there, how is it going?"

Okay, I am not the type to strike up conversations with strangers in rest-rooms on the side of the road. I didn't know what to say, so finally I say: "Not bad..."
Then the voice says: "So, what are you doing?"

I am starting to find this a bit weird, but I say: "Well, I'm going back to Dothan..."

Then I hear the person, all flustered, say: "Look, I'll call you back. Every time I ask you a question, this idiot in the next stall keeps answering me!"

Oh, the joys of modern communication. I'm in the minority here; I still don't have a cell phone.

Posted by Phil at 12:52 PM | Comments (0)