Main > Joel's May 2005 News

 



Tuesday, May 31st 2005

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Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle

I got lost for 25 minutes in Weehawken/Hoboken today looking for the office I'll be working in for the next 3 weeks. It doesn't help that, not only is official address of the building not prominently displayed for visitors, but there's a sign with a different address at the entrance to the facility. Hmmm, let me tell you, after 25 minutes, and a call to the lead reviewer's cell phone, I was peeved.

At home today, Num and I watched Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle on DVD. Wow, that was a weird and funny movie. We were laughing hysterically. I highly recommend it.


Monday, May 30th 2005

Yes, I have seen Star Wars Episode 3, and it was good. We saw it with Doug, Kathy, and Doug's brother Mike. Afterwards, we all walked over to the nearby Applebee's for a late lunch.

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Batman & Commissioner Gordon

In other movie news. I saw the Batman Begins trailer on the big screen, and it still looks great. For those of you looking for all that you can find, 55 new photos from the movie have been release. Enjoy.

On Sunday, we went to my friend Rick's annual summer BBQ at their family house on the shore. Very nice time, and Rick is the master of the grill.

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Rick and fire
Olivia came for the food too

That darn cat. She apparently has started ordering things off the Internet. On Saturday, we got a package of the Fancy Feast Gourmet dry food. I didn't order it, and neither did my wife. Josh only drools on keyboards, so that leaves the cat.

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Gourmet dry food?
Don't play innocent with me. I'm onto your little games.

After all these weeks, I finally got some quality time with my Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2 game. I'm getting the hang of it, and it's very enveloping. The story is great, and you can just sucked up into it, as interesting events keep unfolding. I never did get around to biking -- there was always something else going when the weather was finally nice. We did visit my parents Saturday night, which was good.

I put a picture of my dear alarm clock below. I'll miss it.


Thursday, May 26th 2005

Everyone, please, a moment of silence for the death of, not one, but two, pieces of electronics near and dear to my heart this week. After acting up considerably for a week, my iPod sputtered and died. Funny enough, I purchased it exactly 6 months today. Last night, I checked the return/repair policy, and my iPod is under warranty for 1 year. However, if I don't send it back within the first 6 months, then I have to pay a $29.95 shipping and handling charge. I initiated the service ticket (to get a packing box mailed to me, from Apple, to send them my iPod) after midnight, so that's technically within the 6 month window. In a week or so, hopefully, I'll be the proud owner of a refurbished replacement iPod. After all the care I put into my iPod, it's broken, and I'll be lucky to get a refurb unit. Argh.

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Goodbye, dear alarm clock. We have been late to many events.

As for the 2nd piece of electronics, I'm not sure if this bothers me more. My alarm clock died. Okay, it's not "dead", as the radio still works, but the clock just shows 12:00 all the time. Why would this possibly bother me more? Because I grew up with this clock. If I remember correctly, my parents bought it from Service Merchandise back in 1985 or so. I've had this alarm clock, of a non-existent electronics brand, for about 20 years. Elementary school, junior high, high school, college, getting my first job, on trips for various church conferences, etc.

So, yeah, I'm not sure if losing the alarm clock bothers me more. Then again, the iPod I bought in November cost me $278. The alarm clock cost my parents maybe $25. Anyway, for someone who loves electronics, they don't last very long with me. I'm just tough on them, I suppose. I am very demanding.

Here's the list of electronics we need to get this year or replace. The list keeps growing and growing.

  • replacement iPod
  • replacement alarm clock
  • replacement digital camera
  • new camcorder

The audit I've been working on is just about over. Fieldwork is over, but I'm just wrapping up the workpapers, making them all pretty. Tonight is the first night that I did not bring my laptop home to do additional work. What a wonderful feeling.

Last night, while my in-laws came over to visit the baby, Num & I went to Blockbuster to rent some movies for the upcoming 3-day weekend. We got Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Closer, The Exorcist (I've never seen it), and The Italian Job. They're all due back next Thursday, so we should be able to see them before then.

This weekend is shaping up to be fun, relaxing, and productive.

  • Rumor has it that we're getting out at 3pm tomorrow.
  • Taking the car to the local dealer to replace a number a headlight and various burned out dashboard bulbs. Cycling in the afternoon, and a free Saturday night.
  • Absolutely free day on Sunday
  • More cycling, if I can manage, on Monday. We're tentatively meeting up with Doug & girlfriend Kathy, so they can see the baby, and all four of us can go see Star Wars Episode 3. The rest of Monday? Free.

Sounds good to me.


Tuesday, May 24th 2005

It's so nice not having to stay up all night, documenting audit steps. Let me repeat that. It's so nice. I forgot to mention that I saw S.W.A.T. and Shrek 2 over the weekend.

Here are some new photos to keep you ravenous people happy.

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Anju & Josh
Mr. Cranky Pants
Andrew, Josh, Num on Saturday
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The cake for...
Pradeep & Heidi's mini wedding reception
Josh
Awesome homemade beef pot pie that Num made for Sunday dinner

Tomorrow night, I'll be wasting hours of my life at the NJ Dept of Motor Vehicles in Wayne, getting my license renewed. I can't believe it's been four years since I forsook my dear NY driver's license, and became one with NJ.


Monday, May 23rd 2005

I feel so guilty when I don't write something every day. Read these sentences slowly. Try to find a cosmic significance. There will be a quiz tomorrow.

Weekend was fine. Will post pictures from Pradeep & Heidi's 2nd wedding reception later on, and when I collect more from friends (our camera batteries died an ignoble death). I dropped off my bike for a big ol' tuneup, so I hope to hit the road this weekend, weather-permitting.

Check out Kontraband if you have some time to waste. A very diverse collection of movie clips available, all free of charge.


Tuesday, May 17th 2005

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Pics from Kenar & Mital's wedding

It's 5:21am Tuesday morning. I've been up all night. The good news is that I've gotten a lot of audit test work done, so I'll have good news to report at my 8:30am status meeting. Also, I've added an entirely new Friends page for Kenar & Mital's wedding this past weekend (descriptions to come later.)

I could say that I stayed up unnecessarily, but we're all under the gun here. Audit fieldwork has to be done by Fri, but all findings have to be ready by COB Wednesday, which is tomorrow. Fun stuff. Luckily, I had plenty of late-night tv to keep me company, like Star Trek, Three's Company, and Conan O'Brien. I'm so tired.

Have I mentioned that I have had 8:30am status meetings every day, 5x a week, and this is the 3rd week of it? Anyone at my old job who knew me would probably laugh at the thought of me showing up for an 8:30am meeting, let alone 15 of them. Still, I've only missed two out of eleven, with the rest of this week to go. And I haven't even fallen asleep on the conference room table.... yet.

I can't wait for this audit to be over on Friday.

Some cool gadgets/toys are coming out in 2005/2006. The new XBox 360 was announced last week, Sony released pictures of the new Playstation 3, and I really like the Voodoo Aria Media Center PC, except I'd prefer it in black.

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Sony PS3
XBox 360
Voodoo Aria

Sunday, May 15th 2005

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Congrats to Anil & Naysha
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Paul is on the radio
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Stupid Paris Hilton
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Mr. Josh
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Anju, Josh. Josh, Anju

This weekend, Num's sister Anju is visiting, and staying over tonight. Right now, they're bathing the little tyke. It's Sunday, and the weekend went way too fast. Earlier today, It was just me and the baby. Oh, and Missy, but she was sulking in the bedroom closet. How long as it been now? Right, two months. It's just a baby, cat. Get over it.

Since I've had some free time this weekend, I have plenty of pictures ready to share. More accumulated pics of Josh from this month, as well as photos from my recent trip to Michigan.

Paul Varghese is getting up there in the world. Recently, he participated in a Kidd Kraddick morning radio show activity. Not bad, buddy! Check out the Shannon's Fun Day pics.

I'm absolutely sick of Paris Hilton. I've never watched any of her "reality" shows, her "other" video, nor do I see the appeal she seems to have. America's party girl? Please. Anyway, now she's shilling hamburgers for fast-food chain Carl's Jr. I just heard that her signature phrase is, "That hot." I'm going to start using that, with a sultry, bored, tone. BBQ chips? "Hmm, that's hot."

Last night, we went to Kenar & Mital's wedding reception. Yes, only the wedding reception -- we were those people. But if you think we're dragging our 2-month old all over Long Island, you've got another thing coming. I'll work on photos bit by bit.

Josh watched Star Wars Episode IV and Episode V with me this weekend. What a good kid.


Friday, May 13th 2005

Friday! And payday! It's a beautiful thing.


Tuesday, May 10th 2005

Stayed late in the office today until after 7pm, and barely caught my Hoboken train at 7:51pm, because the PATH train took forever to leave the World Trade Center station. I love mass transit, but with missing my train last Friday (when I absolutely had to get home to pack for my flight), and running to the train every morning.......

Sometimes, I really hate taking the train.

I'm hopefully having lunch with some friends tomorrow in midtown. Other than that, working late this week. Julie is hanging out with us Friday night.

In cell phone news, Num was smart enough, and patient enough, to wait a whole month to get a replacement cell phone. Last month, to get my Motorola v710 from Verizon Wireless, it would have cost her $300. This month, Verizon is quietly making room for the new Motorola e815 later this month. After a $50 rebate, she's getting a new v710 for $99. How great is she?

I also signed up for Verizon's unlimited text and picture messaging for $5/month. I originally considered the $5 unlimited text messaging plan upgrade, but then the VZW rep said I could get unlimited txt & picture messenging for the same price. I said, "Hell yeah!"

I like my new job, but I'm very concerned about screwing up royally. Everyone there is of the "Take no prisoners!" personality. Who knew all of these Type-A people would be in the same organization? It's all a bit intimidating for me. I'm just hoping to not look like a big mistake.

My favorite this week has been meeting with my manager about setting annual performance goals for the year. His take on the whole thing? If I do everything on the sample goal sheets (it's four pages long, with lots of bullets), I'll be considered "average". He advised me to come up with even more bulleted goals, so I can be a "Rising Star", get promoted, lead reviews, etc.

As career-driven as I am, I'm exhausted just trying to keep up with the rest of the current "Rising Stars". I just want to get just-enough work done to get the job done right now, go home, and rest.

I know this is all good for me, but I'm so tired. Seriously, I'm tired. However, I doubt the answer is to sit on my butt and be average. All I can do is be my best, and figure out how this organization works. What would be a good start is if I could figure out what all the darn acronyms mean.


Monday, May 9th 2005

I forgot to mention. This past weekend, I had brushes with semi-celebrity Indians, in the reality tv vein. What were they all doing in Michigan at the same time? Well, two weddings, actually.

  • Paul Varghese, who is friends with Anil
  • Some girl who appeared on MTV's show Boiling Point, who apparently is also friends with Anil
  • Julie Titus, from this past season's America's Next Top Model, who was attending the wedding reception that we crashed later that night.
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Unfortunately, Paul Varghese always has something to say
Julie Titus from "America's Next Top Model"

How weird is that? I didn't take pictures of the people I didn't know, because that would be weird. Also, Julie Titus was surrounded by four Indian guys at all times, and I didn't want to be another "hanger-on". Also, I had been drinking heavily from two open bars, so I wasn't even thinking about taking pictures. It was more fun to sit back with Sean, Paul, and Doug, and make fun of people.


Sunday, May 8th 2005

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Kung Fu Hustle

I'm back folks. Our flight was a little delayed out of Detroit Metro airport, but we arrived back in Newark at 10:15pm. Num and baby picked us up, and Doug left a few hours ago for home. In the meantime, I've gone out for some minor grocery shopping, played with the cat, Num has fed Josh, and is now attempting to bath the little tyke.

The weekend was fun, Anil's wedding went well, we crashed another wedding reception afterwards, and we saw Kung Fu Hustle Sunday afternoon.

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Friday night at Andiamo - Sean, Doug, Paul, me
Anil & Naysha's wedding
The wedding party at the reception

Speaking of Detroit, the mayor wants to enact a 2% fast-food tax, targeting fast-food outlets. The city is facing a $300 million budget deficit, so they're hoping to close that hole. Well, the way that city eats.....

I'll work on pics later this week. I'm debating if I want an entire trip page or not. I'm a bit peeved, as I have a large proportion of slightly blurry photos from my weekend trip. This has been happening a bit too often. Me thinks I smell a new digital camera in our future.


Tuesday, May 3rd 2005

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Ranjith & Priya come to visit

Kevin Smith has seen SW Episode 3: Return of the Sith. If you dare read the heavy spoilers, then read his review. He loved it. Thanks Mike for the link.

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The return of Family Guy
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Josh after 'the burp heard round the world'

Ranjith, Priya, and Reeba came over to visit this evening. Ranjith & Priya have been in France for year, so it was nice to see them again. Speaking of the baby, after they left, I was holding Josh upright, watching a little Super Nanny. All of a sudden, Josh woke up and let out this burp that literally rattled the windows. It scared me, Num, and even Josh. The best way I can describe it is that it sounded like a big metal pipe fell off a moving truck onto a highway at 60 mph. I think I'm deaf in my right ear. What the heck was that? I'm not joking -- I may need therapy. If you see the picture on the right, we think the burp took the energy right out of him.

I didn't get to see it last night, but the new episodes of Family Guy started. Here's how they started. Classic Family Guy sarcasm:

Everyone, I've got bad news. We've been cancelled. Unfortunately, there's no more room on the schedule. We've just got to accept that Fox has to make room for terrific shows like DARK ANGEL, TITUS, UNDECLARED, ACTION, THAT '80S SHOW, WONDERFALLS, FASTLANE, ANDY RICHTER CONTROLS THE UNIVERSE, SKIN, GIRL'S CLUB, CRACKING UP, THE PITTS, FIREFLY, GET REAL, FREAKYLINKS, WANDA AT LARGE, COSTELLO, THE LONE GUNMEN, A MINUTE WITH STAN HOOPER, NORMAL, OHIO, PASADENA, HARSH REALM, KEEN EDDIE, THE STREET, AMERICAN EMBASSY, CEDRIC THE ENTERTAINER, THE TICK, LUIS, and GREG THE BUNNY. But I suppose if all those shows go down the tubes, we might have a shot.

Classic sarcasm.

My sister Julie came over, and we had a big discussion on TVs, and how much to spend on one. She thinks $300 is perfectly fine, and I say that for 300 bucks, even I can build a cruddy TV. I think you have to spend over $1,000 before you approach decent TVs. Speaking of which, Panasonic has some new plasma televisions coming out soon, starting with a 37" model for $1,349. I say, if you can stretch, get the nicer TV.


Sunday, May 1st 2005

Active weekend so far, and it's only Sunday afternoon. I just want to wrap this up, and then get some work done. Additional photos of Josh have been added for April, and I have photos from last night's party at Lesh's place.

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I've had Josh for both this morning and afternoon, changed five diapers so far, and I made my patented macaroni and cheese for lunch. After all those years of making mac & cheese in the dorms for dinner, now I can make it without a recipe. No measuring or anything. Fascinating, eh? I've had a lot of Josh today, while my wife slept in, which is cool. Starting tomorrow, she'll have a lot of him, including all of next weekend while I'm away.

I even squeezed off 3 missions in Battlefield Vietnam online with Mike and Adrian. Got our butts handed to us by the computer artificial intelligence. Since I now have the fastest PC, I hosted the games!

Nice day today, so Num went to the grocery store, and to do some errands. I've got some work from the last audit to wrap up, and then I want to go jogging when she gets back.

What is with Malayalees (us South Indians). I think we have only 3 degrees of separation from each other. Last night, I found out that Sandhya & Vijay are closely related (by marriage) to my boss. My boss! Also, with that bit of information, my in-laws know who he is, and what church he attends. Here's the fascinating tidbit: he's got an identical twin.

Indians. We're an odd bunch.