Grump grump grump

[caption id="attachment_1182" align="alignright" width="321"] Separated at Birth?[/caption]

I've been called many things in my life, but the most enduring is likely the adjective "surly". So obviously when Grumpy Cat came to the internet's doorstep (reddit.com) last year, I knew that the comparisons to myself would begin soon enough. For instance, the picture comparing my young, handsome self to Tardar Sauce was taken around 7 years ago, and quickly labeled "Grump grump grump".

Things haven't changed much since though. I've recently been told that Grumpy Cat is my spirit animal. I think I can live with that... somehow. I almost feel like this is a paradox in the making though, as if I admit I like being compared to Grumpy Cat, then I'm also admitting that I'm in no way grumpy enough to be worthy of that comparison! Oh how my mind boggles...

Maybe I'll just have to go full Grumpy Cat for Comic Con this year. Hrmmmmmm?

Full disclosure: Grumpy Cat is one of my favorite memes today. Surely this is due in no small part how well the meme relates to me. But as such, I guess I can't complain for once.

Also, for those of you with a PS3, Wii U, internet-connected set top-box or television, check out YouTube on it today. You might find something apropos...
You can also see it at www.youtube.com/tv.

EDIT: Welp, nevermind. Looks like we're not doing that... so yeah, that's less cool >_>

The Gateway

I can't believe that it took me nearly a year to do more than just drive across the Golden Gate Bridge...

Last summer, I walked across it instead!

Some of you might've heard of the Golden Gate Bridge before. For most of us, it's only recognizable because of Full House:

[caption id="attachment_1136" align="aligncenter" width="983" caption="Whatever happened to predictability..."][/caption]

Wait a second, that's not the right picture... Alamo Square and the Painted Ladies are not the Golden Gate Bridge. Why I'm so certain: do you see any water in that picture?

Sidenote: I dare you to not have the Full House theme stuck in your head right now.  Mwahahahahaha.

Yeah, let's try this again...

Nope. Nope nope nope. I can sorta get it, this is the Japanese Tea Gardens. As you can see, there's a gate, so we got one word right this time. And it's in Golden Gate Park, so that's sorta close. Otherwise, again, it's the completely wrong picture.

Maybe the 3rd time's the charm?

Wow. We went from being slightly related to the bridge to not at all. That can't be good.

So, this is the Palace of Fine Arts. It's a nice little park/place to get wedding pictures (seriously, everyone does).

At least we're moving in the right direction though: North.

[caption id="attachment_1137" align="aligncenter" width="983" caption="That's more like it!"][/caption]

There we go! That definitely looks more bridge-like! And yes, the picture does no justice to its great and mighty orange-ness.

In case you're wondering, the name "Golden Gate" refers to the entrance to San Francisco Bay itself. That's why there's so much named after it: the bridge, the park, the university, the cemetary, and even the casino.

[caption id="attachment_1142" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="Me, happy(ish)"][/caption]

Anyway, it was a good walk. Chilly, windy, and deafening, but good. The bridge is just over one and a half miles in span, so it's a decent walk to get down to one end and back. Also, you don't realize just how giant it is until you're crossing it. Sure there's the Bay Bridge too, and it's longer and has more traffic. But there's something just majestic and awesome about the Golden Gate Bridge. It has the kind of style the Bay Bridge will never have.

Did I say earlier it was windy? That's an understatement. Everyone's seen those old movies where it's so windy the guy is walking backwards right? If you want to experience that, cross the Golden Gate Bridge on foot. It's definitely a fun experience, and I was enjoying myself. It was as if nothing could go wrong.

Or at least, that's just what they wanted me to think!

[caption id="attachment_1139" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Me, sad..."][/caption]

We were nearing the north end of the bridge. Before I knew it, blam came a gust and knocked my hat away! Straight over the side! To be lost forever!

That hat had been a close and dear friend. I'd had it since I was a freshman at Georgia Tech. It was my band cap, coming with me for every football game, helping cheer on the Yellow Jackets. There were so many things that cap accompanied me through, whether my yearly Get-A-Clue excursions or even my last trip to Greece. It was with me through good times and bad, and it was always there when I needed it!

But no! That bridge (a.k.a. evil incarnate) decided to take from me something I held dear! How dare it?!

Well, I guess I got sidetracked. This was supposed to be about the bridge, and how it's really pretty dang cool. It's definitely a marvel, and walking along it gets you to think how much has gone into it. To think it's 75 years old makes it even more amazing. I'd definitely suggest taking the time to visit it yourself if you make it out to the Bay Area.

But just remember, it's a harsh mistress. If you decide to take the journey, make sure everything you wear is tied down. Who knows what the bridge will decide to take next? A baby? I wouldn't put it past that orange devil!

Epilogue:

While I miss my hat, I was able to procure a new band cap last fall. Right now it's just a replacement, but maybe, given time, we can build a solid rapport and it will graduate into being my dear friend like its predecessor. I'm sure we'll have many adventures together, I just have to hold onto this one. I'll tell you now though, the one place it will never be allowed to go is across any bridge, especially giant orange ones.

Also, I guess it's now been another year since I moved out here. Maybe I should finally make my way to Muir Woods...

Time Keeps on Slippin'

A year ago today I walked in the front doors of Google, picked up my badge, and started a journey that I could never forget. Or at least that's what I'd like you to believe.

Sure, those first two things happened, but that last part is very questionable.

I'd love to tell you my year was full of drama, with heroes and villains and victories and losses and, of course, loads of gratuitous sex scenes (As Hedonism Bot says, "Let us cavort like the Greeks of old! You know the ones I mean..."). Unfortunately, if any of that occurred, I'm finding the events difficult to remember.

Don't get me wrong, this year was great. New climate, new job, new friends, lots of great things. The downside? Being so far away from everything I grew up around, including my old (read "matured", or "better") friends. However, compared to the two previous years of grad school though, anything would look good.

The issue I find is that the year feels half-missing (or perhaps half-full?). I didn't actually miss anything, and it's not my memory that's failing, it's simply life. I just look back on the year, and find that there were months where nothing major happened. But c'est la vie, the important parts aren't the months I don't remember due to lack of drama; the important parts are the months I do (they must be important if my brain found a place for them). And what do you know, I might even be able to conjure up a few good stories out of those, with the hero Software Engineer solving the puzzle of the code and thus saving millions of users from boredom due to lack of cat videos!

Actually, I don't know why I'm complaining at all (beyond it being second nature to me). It's been a good year, better than I could've imagined. And this next year is looking even better, with trips planned and some good time to spend back in the ol' Hotlanta with nothing to do but relax.

And maybe, if you're lucky, I'll conjure up some of the better memories and share them. Knowing me though, I probably already have.

WünderbarCon

I've finally passed fully into nerdom: I have attended a comic book convention.

Last week, a coworker pointed out that WonderCon was that weekend and that we should all go. I could come up with all sorts of excuses to try and save face, such as "he had a gun to my head" or "he threatened to punt a puppy" or "he would make a baby cry", but those would all be lies. I went along out of sheer curiosity.

For those not in the know (also, myself before I went), WonderCon is run by the same group as ComicCon, and it's basically the same. It's just smaller and not quite as many people dress up. I of course went in my standard button down shirt and shorts (a Vasili classic). I now think I should've worn my "Vasili Says No" shirt, but I haven't even tested that on my coworkers yet. (btw, since I know you're reading this, we need to update it)

So, it was a fun day filled with amazement at all the awesome costumes (and some not so awesome), the hilarious booths, searching for good book deals, and stumbling across interesting art. I found some really interesting cheap stuff, like cells from Pink Panther which'd make a good wall decoration. Other not so cheap knock-offs, and some authentic items which were out of my price range.

Of course, the best part of the day: getting my picture with Richard Kiel. The other actors don't matter, Richard Kiel was the only one worth it. The only person who would've been better would be, unquestionably, Bruce Campbell.

Did I have fun? Yes. Was it a great day? Yes. Did I spend way too much money? Yes. Would I do it again? Yes. Have I embraced my inner nerd? Definitely.

Extra Day!

On that note: It's time we got rid of this "Spring Forward" thing.  No one likes it, but it's just something we've all agreed to do so we can get that extra hour in the Fall.  I know, you'll talk about Daylight Savings and how it saves power or is good for farmers or whatever other nonsense.  I honestly have never read any studies for or against it and doubt I ever will, so save your breath.  Instead, let me use this time to suggest we drop a day from the calendar, say from August (that month doesn't deserve 31 days and we all know it), and instead of "Spring Forward" we have a new 23-hour day which exists on some weekend in March.  Just some extra 23 hours which exists between one Saturday and Sunday.  We'll call it "Extra Day" (you don't like it? watch me not care) and there'll be parades and celebrations and everyone'll get laid.

Side note: check out my timestamps, these two posts shouldn't exist. I AM MASTER OF TIME AND SPACE! NONE CAN ESCAPE MY WRATH!

Spring Forward or Fall Back?

I write this on the evening of DST "Spring Forward".  That horrible time where we all decide to get one less hour of sleep, and the clocks magically go from 1:59 AM to 3:00 AM.

But as much as I hate "Spring Forward", I should instead embrace it as a philosophy.  I've begun falling back into my old habits, ones which were never any good for me (see: lack of posts the past two months).  Always have plans though, unfortunately my habit is to never follow through on any of them.  For example, right now my plan is to sleep.  As you can see (read?), I'm currently not following through with that plan.  Must have plans though, don't know what I'd do without them (probably same as always, just minus some regret).

So, I say, if they're gonna take an hour away from my night tonight, I might as well act like something happened in that hour.  Let's say that for once, in that hour we'll all never remember, I actually did something productive towards one of my many plans.  Maybe then I'll stop feeling like a slacker.  Nah, that's a bad idea.

What I need to do is stop resting on my haunches (literally: I need to get out of this chair) and DO SOMETHING.  Anything, doesn't matter, so long as it's taking a risk.  Something I don't normally do.  Escape this holding pattern which is my life (sleep, work, eat, vegetate, repeat).  That's how you really Spring Forward: the only right way to do it is into the unknown.

So I'm going to bed tonight and going to wake up an hour ahead, stop living in the present, and start living in the future.

At least until November, then I might Fall Back again...

2010: A Year of Change

We're a few weeks into the new year, and things are shaping up nicely.  But something I forgot to do was reflect on 2010.

There's no doubt that 2010 will be one of the best remembered years for me.  Had you asked me this time last year where I'd be now, I'd have no answer.  The only thing at that moment which was certain was finishing my degree.  I was still looking for job, with no prospects at that point.  No vacation plans either, just looking forward to being free from Tech.

Don't get me wrong, Georgia Tech is a great school, and I had some great years there.  But 6 years is a long time to spend in school, and it's left me with enough debt that I won't be forgetting about it anytime soon.

As for a job, it seemed to be wait a while, then a big rush.  Things trickled in, a phone interview here, an extra application there.  Finally a big break, an on-site interview with National Instruments out in Austin, TX.  At that time that was the furthest west I'd been (but that would soon be remedied).  It was a good trip, good experience, unfortunately though nothing came of it beyond a messenger bag.

Then the rush occurred, multiple callbacks, on-sites with YouTube and PNNL.  I was psyched for both, and got to see both San Francisco, CA and Richland, WA.  Two cities which couldn't be more different from each other.  One a metropolis, the other a small town in the desert.  In the end, I found myself in San Francisco with YouTube.  I'll forever wonder how I got that lucky.

During all this, suddenly I was going to Greece over the summer too.  Even better.

This left little time however to pack and move, so once school was out it felt all too quick. Sure it took 3 months for me to reach the west coast after graduating, but it felt like a lot less.

Now it's already been 6 months of me living out here.  Been back home more times than I thought I would, not that I mind.  But things are settling in, and I'm getting used to life again. A routine is nice, one you love is even better.

I just wonder what 2011 will bring.  I again couldn't tell you where I'll be in a year, or where I'll find myself between now and then, but I can say I that for once I have a place I plan to be: the Bay.

Graduation, Greece, Goodbyes, and Google

Three months ago to the day I graduated for the second and hopefully last time. It was finally over, my stay at Georgia Tech. I want a shirt with Tech Tower on it that says "I went to Tech for 6 years and all I got was my Masters Degree."  That's all I feel like I'm missing.

I told myself as soon as it was done that I'd have time to work on all those projects I never found the time to do.  Unfortunately, I fell back into my rut of procrastination as I had one more major thing to do at (or near) campus: move out.  Something which should take 12 hours at most always seems to take days on end for me because I simply don't want to do it.  I pack a little here and there, then find some way to stop packing.  Moving out was the first of many ends to that stage of my life, and I'm just not sure if I'm in a rush to get through it.  As soon as I was done though, it was time to move on to my vacation.

Vacation is a trip to Greece in this instance.  Greece is a wonderful place that I encourage anyone and everyone to visit (they need your money too).  I've learned two very important things while on this vacation: 1) A month is a very very long time to spend on vacation.  2) Vacations are best not spent in small, almost cramped spaces with 8 family members and only one bathroom.  Among all this however, I have still had a wonderful time and Greece is always a wonder; a sight you never get tired of.

Once I returned from Greece though, the whirlwind wasn't over.  I had two weeks to find and pack everything I wanted to take with me on my trip to my new home: San Francisco.  Couple that with the fact that, in those two weeks, I had to make the rounds to say goodbye to friends and family.  After all, when you live somewhere all your life and then up and move 2500 miles away, it's not simple.  It was good times to be had, and a reminder of all the friends I have, but I can't say I won't miss them.  It brought to mind all the things I did in Atlanta, and moreso all the things I didn't get around to doing there.  But that's not important, as it's better to be off on a new adventure then stuck in an old rut.

This was followed by a long road trip west.  Now that I've moved and (mostly) unpacked, I'm overwhelmed with my new location.  The Bay Area is both the same and completely different; so much denser than Atlanta yet, if not in San Francisco itself, very suburban.  There are so many people, everywhere, all the time.  And Google is even more interesting than I could have imagined.  A company that almost feels more like an educational environment then a corporation.  It's about learning, doing, and having a good time of it.  This is something I can definitely get used to.

Adventures in Austin

This is a bit old, actually about 4 months old, but it's been sitting here in draft form and I think it deserves a chance to live publicly.  In March, I flew to Austin to interview with National Instruments.  While I ended up not getting anything out of it job-wise, there were many interesting things which I saw and learned on the trip:

Hartsfield-Jackson Aiport:

• While waiting in line at Security, I swear I saw the mirror-universe Q (with the evil goatee and everything)


• Apparently, whoever did the voice on the Tram doesn't know the NATO phonetic alphabet.  They got Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Echo right, but decided to use David instead of Delta.  That bothers me.


• Flying made me wish I had a netbook, and being in a place without free wifi made me wish I had a smartphone.


• While about to board, a cute girl came to peddle the in-flight internet service.  I wonder if cuteness is a requirement in the job application?

In-flight to Austin:

• Easy things to see from the air: Wal-mart, Home Depot, Atlanta Motor Speedway


• Things not easy to see: Mississippi River, mostly saw the oxbow lakes and floodplain, the main river was hard to pinpoint

Austin "International" Airport:

• They call it International, but I didn't see an international flight listed either time I was there.  Maybe I just didn't look hard enough.


• I always forget: When it comes to airports, Hartsfield's the exception, not the rule.

On the ride to the Hotel:

• Drove by a place called... wait for it... BLAZER TAG!  That's right! Where Blades and Lazers combine!


• I don't like the Texas license plate, there's one reason not to move here.


• Saw one that said "Poopy" though


• I don't care if Texas was once technically a nation, that's no reason to fly their flag on the same level as the U.S. flag.  I call it "arrogance"

The Hotel:

• It was in a place called "The Domain", which seemed to be very similar to Atlantic Station (like an outdoor mall), only larger.


• The hotel was called the Aloft.  It and the Domain were very trendy.  But even trendy, when it's new(er), got a King Size bed, and an HDTV (complete with a place to connect any device to said TV), I'm gonna feel spoiled.

I probably had more, but this is where I left off when I first wrote this, and four months has trashed my memory.

Deja Vu

To: Atlanta Motorists

STOP HITTING THIS VAN