Pikes Peak II
Natalie and I just finished a Pikes Peak hike. Going up wasn't so bad. Going down sucked tremendously. Pictures inside.
Curtis Jones
Most Useless Menu Option
I've used Mac OS X since it was called Rhapsody back in 1998, but I only just noticed this Apple Menu option, by accidentally clicking it. Does anyone actually use it on purpose? It sits in one of the most prominent spots in the whole system. I think I'll file a bug report.
Lunch
I order lunch through SeamlessWeb. It costs more, but the billable time I'd lose walking, waiting in line, and walking back far exceeds the convenience charge. At least that's how I justify it to myself. I'm good at mental justifications. Today: baked salmon. Delicious.
Crocs
I didn't know I was looking for the perfect quote about Crocs until I found it: "When I see someone wearing Crocs, I immediately know we have nothing in common." It conveys my thoughts exactly.
Lowest Bidder #001
My first tribute to systems clearly contracted to the Lowest Bidder. To upgrade my Verizon FIOS speed, turns out you can't: you must first cancel and disconnect, then order anew and wait. To grasp how long I'd go without internet, consider how long I'd hold my breath.
Self-Motivation
Why must I play mind games with myself to do things I know I can do? It's never truer than when running. "Just another thirty seconds," repeated for ten minutes. Like the time I talked myself into jumping into a snowmelt pool in Yosemite. Hypothermic, but refreshing.
Interesting Day
My federal tax refund finally landed, worth about four weeks of pay. I also got a check from my employer's sub-contractor's sub-contractor for one week I worked back in July, plus two Mets tickets from the blood center, and I billed twelve hours. Overall, a good day.
Programmer Discrimination
Half a dozen new hires, all Indian, in an office where everyone else is also Indian. A person inclined to conspiracy might wonder. I sometimes wonder if I was hired to be the token white guy. Not that I'm complaining; being the office authority on English plays well with my ego.
Work and Words
I work with many Indians whose English varies widely, and I've never once understood the questions some of them ask me. "I have no idea what you just said," I reply, and they leave content. Plus a list of tech words to retire, starting with "let's continue this offline."
Chaos
Three phone conferences happening around me at once. Maddening. I pulled out the headphones, put on some Justice, and sanity was restored.