Grizby

In proper Stong's (local independent grocerty store) Canada Day tradition, I present to you a 12ft tall Coca Cola flag!



I'm not sure how I'll celebrate it this year. There's lotsa festivities going on in Cloverdale, with Bif Naked and 5440 playing live that some of my friends are going to. At the same time tho, I feel like just having some quiet time at home. *Sighs* Miss ya already Sarah...

And PETA immediately issued a statement condemning the death of the fly.

No, seriously, they did.

I will definitely have a job if I can manage to pass the CISSP exam in September... if not, I guess it's back to UBC to finish off those pesky credits, and maybe hope for department funding.

Exams usually don't scare me much, cuz usually for the most part I couldn't care less about those courses. The CISSP exam on the other hand, just thinking about it makes me nervous, and it's barely three months away. I have the utmost respect for this exam and those who are able to pass it. CCNA, apparently, is a walk in the park compared to CISSP in terms of the depth and breadth of the material and complexity of questions, not to mention the exam is also six hours long...

My CISSP book is coming in a few days, I guess I'll take some time to find some more resources and gauge my confidence before I slap down $550 USD wager that I can pass the exam (no, not an actual bet, just the early bird registration fee).

Well, I managed to set Emp-Bear on fire again. It seems that the breathable lining that I used to reduce the heat and prevent fires, caught fire. :P I guess I should be thankful that the majority of the circuits came out unscathed.

Anyways, on to happier news, Sarah's commin' through Vancouver fer a couple of days! *dances* Must have her bring me an HTC Android phone from Asia.

Also, I found a 4ft Steiff bear for $150...

I probably shouldn't get the bear... but it's such a rare bear at an awesome price! Just the discounts alone makes my Chinese bartering genes tingle with joy!

Well, just found out today that our funding has been cut. Maybe the Yohanan will finally ok me to post about the project...

I guess on the up side, I can finally stop working for peanuts and actually go find a real job now. Soooo, anyone need a Code-Monkey? :)

Anyways, time to finish off the report so I can collect the last of my peanuts.

Ever had one of those days where you eat and eat, but yet still constantly hungry? Ever finished a sizable meal, wash the dishes then feel like you're hungrier than before the meal?

Today was one of those days. I literally went from 11am to 2pm just making and eating food.
From morning till now, I've had 2 bowls of cereal, a bowl of yogurt with a granola bar, 4 eggs (two scrambled, two over easy), 5 pieces of toast, 4 farmer's sausages, left over mashed potatoes, 2 tins of sardines, a tin of tuna, a turkey breast sandwich with a side of baked potato wedges, a bacon cheddar burger (at Cucumber Cafe for dinner), a bowl of instant noodles, 2 bananas, an apple and a pear.

... I seriously have to do something about my eating habits before my metabolism decides to quit on me.

* I'm burning off calories just from all the chewing! :D *

I've become quite a board game fanatic in the last few years. I have about 23 games ranging from 'The Game of LIFE' to 'Twilight Imperium' and such card games like Fluxx and Saboteur. For the last 2 1/2 - ish years I've been going pretty regularly to Craving For a Game (all the way in Central City Mall [Surrey]) for their game nights.

Today tho, I brought my copy of Stone Age to the lab for a game or two with the Wargamers and it caught the eye of my project manager. Having only played Monopoly and other such widely released North American games, Stone Age seemed to pique his interest and after some convincing, change his stereotype of "boardgames is fer kiddies". The multitudes of bright coloured pieces and artfully designed game boards matched with an interesting gameplay style was enough to convince him to try a game.

I'll see tonight if I can open the door to Eurogames for my newest victim. This would be the first time I've used Stone Age as an Intro Game, but I have faith that it would be well received.

Anyways, enough of my boredom rant, must get back to studyin'

Here's a plug to my gallery for some random game pics

Industrial Waste - Unfortunately out of print, but an awesome must play game if you can get your hands on it!

Found this poor bear sitting with a lonely look in a Sally Ann the other day. The woman who had been looking in the toy bin before had roughly tossed him aside, and he lain uncomfortably upside down in a bin of old clothes and shoes. So I had to get the bear, not only because of the mistreatment, but also cuz he's an old large retired Tender Teddy from Gund.



Now he's all scrubbed, happy n' clean :)

OMG. Must. Watch.


... Ugh, reminds me tho, that I have to keep searching for the Book again. It was signed too... hopefully not lost or given to charity by mistake.

:D

That is all.

I Win! I WIN, I WIN, I WIN! Heeey Mr.Passer-by Crest on Birdman's Helmet! I Won!

I'm channeling X the Eliminator today for some odd reason...

... why do I look at food blogs when I'm hungry? It only serves to make me hungrier and delay me in actually aquiring nurishment.

Come, join me in droolings over delicious substananceses.

Hrmm... Maybe I'll nom on some sardines for lunch today

Best Ever Sardine Spread
Oil / Spring Water packed Sardines
Diced red onions
Fresh Herbs (like dill and parsely)
a sizable dollop of Dijon Mustard to spice it up
Salt
Pepper
A sprinkle of lemon juice

Mash it all together and eat it atop pretty much anything you want! I personally like it with chard, or romaine lettuce... Cuz you know, I'm all a health nut and what not :P

... Then to Timmy Ho's for a 20 pack-o-bits!

They were filming X-Men Wolvering in UBC over the weekend. I was rather surprised by it, when I found that the path to my class was blockaded by an APC, a tank, two towers and a fence lined with razor wire. Someone really didn't want me to get to class on time that day it seems...




Rush the gates ya salty dogs! We must get to Engrish class and plunder we selves some grammar! Arr.
(I don't know why pirates are pillaging a landlocked military blockade guarding the department of arts building... but it seemed fitting when I wrote this)

Pics of the filming can be found on my friend's page here

Busy Weeks! Where to begin?

Wednesday January 14 2009 - Dan Dennett

Daniel Dennett, an american philosopher, gave a talk at UBC hosted by Terry. Dan and I just managed to get seats after waiting outside for 40 minutes. It was well worth it tho! Was quite an interesting talk centered on evolution, for the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the publication of the Origin of Species and 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth.

I didn't really learn of anything new that I haven't already read or watched on the Interwebs, but he did explain his take on the "meaning of life" in Q&A. "To find a person who is greater than you, and strive to be better than that person", (I apologise if I mis-quoted I can't seem to find it online, and the recording hasn't been posted yet) it's one that I've supplemented to my own philosophy of "I exist to 'sample' all of gods' creatures"

Thursday January 15 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Maurya Indian Cuisine

Great Food! Great Ambience! Horrible Lighting for Photos! And it's close by!
Delicousness meter: *dr00000000ls*

Karawari Prawns
Crisp fried Curry Leaf flavoured and lightly spiced prawns served on a banana leaf


Chicken Chettinad
Marinated Chicken in South Indian Chettinad paste of coconut, curry leaves and poppy seeds. A South Indian Specialty


Mango Kulfi
Indian pistachio and mango flavoured ice cream

Friday January 16 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: AQUA RIVA

Aqua Riva... what can I say? Food was ok, except for one of the sides on the main dish. The Rice Pilaf cut my gums. It was hard, and almost crunchy. How the hell can anyone screw up rice pilaf??
Delicousness meter: *dr00000ls*

CHICKEN & CHORIZO COUSCOUS SOUP
with black lentils


TORTILLA CRUSTED RUBY TROUT
with avocado & baby tomato salsa, lime yogurt
and star anise rice pilaf


APPLE AND RAISIN BREAD PUDDING
with rum caramel sauce

Saturday January 17 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: The Cannery Seafood Restaurant

The Cannery was awesome. The restaurant's located dock-side almost in the middle of the Vancouver International Port. The ambience is nice and cozy, but unfortunately their lease is almost up and they may have to relocate...
Delicousness meter: *dr000000000ls*

Corn & Yukon Gold Potato Chowder,
smoked paprika


Grilled Wild BC Salmon Filet,
mushroom fricassee


Lemon & Mango Sorbet,
Chantilly Creme

Monday January 20 2009 - Pasta workshop @ Portobello Restaruant

... unfortunately I was so hungry I already ate a good portion of the appetizer I made before I remembered to get a photo
Delicousness meter: *dr0000000ls*

Hand made pasta with smoked bacon cream sauce. Might not look like much, but the hand made pasta was really good. The dried pasta just doesn't really compare, but took quite a while to make. The sauce? Bacon! You just can't go wrong with bacon!

Wednesday January 22 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Seasons in the Park

Delicousness meter: *dr0000000ls*

Lobster Sherry Bisque
goat cheese mousseline, fresh dill


Pan Seared Wild Sockeye Salmon
red currant compote, blood orange butter sauce


Double Belgian Chocolate Cake

Thursday January 23 2009 - Dine Out Vancouver: Blue Water Cafe & Raw Bar

Went with Amy! Just managed to drag her out before she went off to Taiwan for CNY. The Place was awesome, great ambience, great food, and we got an awesome waitress. The Albacore Tuna Tataki was to die for.
Delicousness meter: *dr000000000ls*


Albacore Tuna Tataki
seared albacore with ponzu sauce and honey-mustard


Arctic Char
cooked a la plancha , served with celery, pearl onions and beluga lentils , fennel pollen and vanilla butter


Hazelnut + Almond Meringue
coffee butter cream and chocolate ganache

Monday January 26 2009 - Science Week UBC Keynote Speaker: The Amazing Randi

OMG! I got to meet James Randi! Unfortunately I suffered from a nasty case of fanboy-ism and just babbled some incoherent mumblings as I shook his hand. He was just that Amazing.

Did some thinkin' while doing my grunt coding work in the lab today. I find that I really didn't do much in 2008. The only two events that really stick out in my mind were the sinus surgeries.

Lab work and research went well, but nothing groundbreaking... not that I was expecting anything groundbreaking really ;) I am disappointed that I didn't get any of my personal projects finished this year... well aside from my raid-ed data center, but I had that put off since late 2006.

Bleh, well time to set some priorities:
1. Graduate dammit.
2. Optimize Emp-Bear's Micro-controller instructions and fix the damn servos.
3. Finish 3D Galaga's engine, then do some modeling
4. Try to get job at ThreeWave
5. Procrastinate about getting the food site/blog up
6. Maintain self control when wanting to purchase more computer parts and Teddy bears

Actually... maybe I should move #6 up the list, I've spent waaaay too much on my hobbies. Most people are too nice to point that out to me or drop the subject after I give a half assed reply. My nephews on the other hand, didn't relent so easily. First statement to leave my youngest nephew's lips were "Uncle George, you have too many bears and computers", followed by, "Why do you have so much?". I found myself at a loss to actually give him a descent reason that he'd accept ;)

That isn't too many Bears is it?

I CAN BREATHE THROUGH BOTH NOSTRILS AGAIN!

... it's been so long...

*dances*
now I'll be washin' out dried blood in my sinuses for a week. Heheh, that's a pretty image isn't it?

First off, I'd like to thank my bro and SIL for driving me to and from the Hospital. I also must thank my mom and Kai's mom for making all the food and the "blood replenishing" Chinese herbs n' such.

Doing surgery during Christmas break has it's benefits, the temperature's nice and cool, family's around to take care of me, and I can get the surgery over with so that it doesn't impede on my plans during summer. At the same time, I've been having some regret. Biggest regret is that I pretty much missed out on Christmas; I couldn't really eat or participate much for the feast and festivities. It also didn't really help that I was hit with an infection, suffering from hot and cold flashes and a fever for three days while continuously dribbling brain juices out my nose was rather harsh. It was bad enough that I was afraid that something was wrong and went to the emergency ward at St. Paul's on Christmas day and waited nearly 4 hours for the ENT on call to come. Sadly she was only a resident, and her only solution was to take out the packing... At that point, I was almost tempted to agree to it. Thankfully I thought it through and considered the consequences of bleeding, not having the wounds heal properly... and Dr. Man yelling at me for making such a decision without consulting him (but it would be his fault for not being contactable ;).

But enough about my surgery woes, all seems well now, the infection and fever actually went away the day after going to the emergency ward. On the up side, Santa visited n' got an awesome Gund Bear and a jar of oh-so-damn-delicious Dulce De Leche. :) Thanks Santa, not sure what I did to deserve these gifts, but you're rather horrible for bringing the Dulce De Leche at this time when I can't taste anything! *cries*

Anyways, gonna go lie down and ice my nose again.

I woke up and headed out to Mt. St. Joseph's hospital at 7:30 on the 22nd for my final (hopefully) sinus & septal surgery. The weather was snowy and the roads were unplowed thanks to this years' incompetent city planners or what not (I guess I'll just blame the new mayor).

I managed to make it to the hospital on time, and after spending an hour on the hospital bed, found out that my ENT has been delayed. At first I didn't think it was that bad... until I found out that a neighbouring patient has been there since 6:30am waiting for the same procedure.

Not a really good way to start the day... and possibly somewhat of a bad Omen.

Eventually I was admitted to the surgical ward, conked out by the anesthesiologist and then beaten and stuffed like an overly stuffed teddy bear.

This time, my post-op experience was absolutely horrid. My reaction to the anesthetics were not good. I remember vomiting three times followed by considerable dry heaving. Finally my stomach settled, and I was given morphine for the pain. Of course, the horrid experience wouldn't be complete without some freak reaction to the morphine. The entire right side of my body broke out in a rash. Now I was dealing with sinus pain, a foul taste of bile in my mouth, and itchyness around my IV needle. Perfect. Welcome to the first level of post-surgery Hell.

I have to thank the nurses tho, they did do everything they could to try and make me comfortable. They even gave me a consolation prize of two tabs of Tylenol 3. MmMm.

Instead of words or dance, I bring you MUSIC!



That is all.

Congrats to Dave! Who managed to get 15 out of the 16 Game Midi's that I posted a while back! It's close enough for the win considering how few people even only baraly managed to get half of em.

Here's another one done by PBS.org. I got 16/18... :) brings back old arcade memories.

Answers!
1. Castlevania
2. 熱血物語 / River City Ransom
3. Green Beret / Rush n' Attack
4. Twin Bee
5. Adventure Island
6. Bubble Bobble
7. Dr. Mario
8. GAUNTLET
9. Wai Wai World / Konami World - Freakin' amazed that Dave got this one
10. Spy Vs. Spy
11. Rygar
12. Saint Seiya!
13. Karnov
14. Ghosts 'n Goblins
15. Gradius
16. Gunsmoke
Bonus: Famicom Disk Drive Boot Music :D

I'm most surprised that Bubble Bobble and Dr. Mario stumped so many people.

If you haven't played these, I'd highly recommend em if ya get an itch to play some great retro games :)