A thought I had earlier: all 4 of Cal's 2008 losses came on the road to teams that are playing in bowls. 2 of those teams won their bowls (Maryland and Arizona) and the other two (U$C and Oregon State) haven't played yet.
Additionally, Cal beat three other bowl teams: Colorado State, Michigan State, and Oregon, which just ran all over Oklahoma State. That doesn't count Miami, which Cal beat in the Emerald Bowl. Stanford and Arizona State both barely missed bowl eligibility. The only truly terrible teams on Cal's schedule were the Washington schools.
Considering this was supposed to be a "rebuilding" year, that's not too shabby.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
I just broke into my own house.
This week I programmed the HomeLink garage door remote in the car to open the garage at my parents' house (a comedy of errors in itself). So I pull into my driveway after a long week away from hoe, and I hit the button to open the garage door.
And nothing. Evidently I wiped out the command to open my garage door. And being the paranoid type, I locked the gate before I left.
As if the sight of me giving my wife a boost over the fence was not funny enough, her arms were too short to slide the latch over. So she gave me a boost instead.
Well, at least we're home.
And nothing. Evidently I wiped out the command to open my garage door. And being the paranoid type, I locked the gate before I left.
As if the sight of me giving my wife a boost over the fence was not funny enough, her arms were too short to slide the latch over. So she gave me a boost instead.
Well, at least we're home.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
"Heroes", we need to talk.
It's been two-and-a-half years since you came into my life. At first, I wasn't too sure about you. But you grew on me, and we were happy for a while. Sure, I overlooked some of your flaws, but at the end of the day I enjoyed your company, so I stuck with you.
But, I dunno, lately things have changed between us. Actually, not us. YOU. You've changed. Lately it seems like you're not making any sense. You'll say something that totally contradicts something you've said before. Your flaws became more and more glaring. I get the impression your dad doesn't like me: I heard he called me a sap and a dipshit. And, okay, you also put on some weight. I wasn't going to say anything, but you've packed on a lot of dead weight and you're no longer as attractive as you used to be.
I've been trying to give you a chance. But I don't know how many second and third chances are in me. I think I've been pretty patient over the last year-and-a-half, waiting for things to turn around, but now I think it's time to break it off.
Aww, don't cry. Look, I've been really busy with work and stuff. It's just that TiVo only holds twenty hours of high-definition content, and I have to share that with all my other shows. I'm always rushing to watch stuff before it gets deleted, or before TiVo says he won't record anything else. It's not you, it's me.
Here's a tissue. Just because we're taking a break doesn't mean we can't get back together again. Look, deep down inside you're the same show I fell in like with. Maybe someday you'll figure out who you really are. Give me a call and maybe we can start over again.
Huh? What do you mean? I....Okay, fine, I admit. Yeah, I've been seeing "LOST" all this time. And you know what? I love "LOST"! You know what else? "LOST" has met my parents! Have you? No? Didn't think so! You can forget about us getting back together! We are sooo through!
But, I dunno, lately things have changed between us. Actually, not us. YOU. You've changed. Lately it seems like you're not making any sense. You'll say something that totally contradicts something you've said before. Your flaws became more and more glaring. I get the impression your dad doesn't like me: I heard he called me a sap and a dipshit. And, okay, you also put on some weight. I wasn't going to say anything, but you've packed on a lot of dead weight and you're no longer as attractive as you used to be.
I've been trying to give you a chance. But I don't know how many second and third chances are in me. I think I've been pretty patient over the last year-and-a-half, waiting for things to turn around, but now I think it's time to break it off.
Aww, don't cry. Look, I've been really busy with work and stuff. It's just that TiVo only holds twenty hours of high-definition content, and I have to share that with all my other shows. I'm always rushing to watch stuff before it gets deleted, or before TiVo says he won't record anything else. It's not you, it's me.
Here's a tissue. Just because we're taking a break doesn't mean we can't get back together again. Look, deep down inside you're the same show I fell in like with. Maybe someday you'll figure out who you really are. Give me a call and maybe we can start over again.
Huh? What do you mean? I....Okay, fine, I admit. Yeah, I've been seeing "LOST" all this time. And you know what? I love "LOST"! You know what else? "LOST" has met my parents! Have you? No? Didn't think so! You can forget about us getting back together! We are sooo through!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
So as soon as I posted about what a great day I was having, I got some really awful news.
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in south Stockton
I don't know the poor victim, but I do know one of his family members. She probably wouldn't consider me more than an acquaintance, but she is a member of my church and, until recently, active in my old youth group. I am saddened and troubled by her and her family's needless loss.
Man killed in officer-involved shooting in south Stockton
I don't know the poor victim, but I do know one of his family members. She probably wouldn't consider me more than an acquaintance, but she is a member of my church and, until recently, active in my old youth group. I am saddened and troubled by her and her family's needless loss.
Today, I Didn't Even Have To Use My AK.
... I have to say it was a good day.
Kind of an average day today at work, but it was a pretty good night. I had an appointment today with my allergy doctor for an annual visit. I last saw him last Christmas vacation, which means I didn't have to go in for a sinus infection or bronchitis all year. That is pretty phenomenal.
I'm not exactly sure why I had such a good year (which, given my back and cholesterol problems, is sort of ironic). I would attribute it to a couple of factors. One, over-the-counter Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D (and especially their Kirkland generic counterparts) allowed me to better medicate myself without worrying I was swallowing two dollars every time I took one. Two, I have taught myself to be more aware of my allergy symptoms and react with aggressive meds, instead of only taking drugs after it was too late. And third, maybe the shots are working.
Anyway, good news came that since my shots are going so swimmingly, I only have to go every four weeks instead of every three. But wait, there's more: if I make it through another year at that schedule, no more shots! To top it of, I got hooked up with a goodie bag of samples, and after we talked a bit about Rhonda's allergies, I went home with a bag of samples for her too! He might as well have given me a hundred-dollar bill.
Went to Costco, bought some cheap gas, bananas, cookies, and a pizza for dinner. Started reading Google Reader and found out more tickets were made available for the sold-out Emerald Bowl. And guess who ended up with two of those tickets? That's right, this guy!
It's been a rough year for us, but there have been some good days here and there as well. Like last Sunday when we were invited to Auntie Helen's and Grandma made us mole and (made me) tacos. It's pretty important that even as it seems like the world is going to hell in a handbasket, things are not always as bad as they seem, and there are some bright spots behind the clouds.
Kind of an average day today at work, but it was a pretty good night. I had an appointment today with my allergy doctor for an annual visit. I last saw him last Christmas vacation, which means I didn't have to go in for a sinus infection or bronchitis all year. That is pretty phenomenal.
I'm not exactly sure why I had such a good year (which, given my back and cholesterol problems, is sort of ironic). I would attribute it to a couple of factors. One, over-the-counter Zyrtec and Zyrtec-D (and especially their Kirkland generic counterparts) allowed me to better medicate myself without worrying I was swallowing two dollars every time I took one. Two, I have taught myself to be more aware of my allergy symptoms and react with aggressive meds, instead of only taking drugs after it was too late. And third, maybe the shots are working.
Anyway, good news came that since my shots are going so swimmingly, I only have to go every four weeks instead of every three. But wait, there's more: if I make it through another year at that schedule, no more shots! To top it of, I got hooked up with a goodie bag of samples, and after we talked a bit about Rhonda's allergies, I went home with a bag of samples for her too! He might as well have given me a hundred-dollar bill.
Went to Costco, bought some cheap gas, bananas, cookies, and a pizza for dinner. Started reading Google Reader and found out more tickets were made available for the sold-out Emerald Bowl. And guess who ended up with two of those tickets? That's right, this guy!
It's been a rough year for us, but there have been some good days here and there as well. Like last Sunday when we were invited to Auntie Helen's and Grandma made us mole and (made me) tacos. It's pretty important that even as it seems like the world is going to hell in a handbasket, things are not always as bad as they seem, and there are some bright spots behind the clouds.
Friday, December 05, 2008
When the Twit Hits the Fan.
It was brought to my attention today that I'm too contradictory on Twitter in my replies to people. I think it's something that should be addressed. Making people feel uncomfortable about twittering or because of one of my tweets is bad. If that's the case, I apologize because I'm not trying to do that. I'm interested in what my friends have to say, which is the whole point of replying to them.
There are a couple of problems. One is that you can't relay tone very well through written communication. So I'd imagine sometimes things I type that I think are funny or playful come across as arrogant or condescending. I don't really know what to do about that - it just comes with the territory. It isn't intentional.
More often than not, I think I come across like I always have to be right, or like I'm argumentative. This is often true, I'll admit. But most of the time I like to play Devil's advocate or offer contrary ideas. It doesn't mean I am arguing vehemently for my opinion or crapping all over your opinion. I'm just doing it for the sake of conversation, and I don't know I've ticked anyone off until after the fact.
I thought having a dialogue was part of the point of Twitter, or of basic interaction with others, for that matter. If we all have the same opinions, it makes the world a pretty boring place. I'm not asking to be excused for being a dick, I'm saying I'm not trying to be one in the first place.
So in the future, I will try to be a little more aware of what I write and more selective in what I reply to. I just wanted to clear the air and explain myself, and explain where I'm coming from. (Trust me, if I fundamentally disagree with what you have to say, I will make that abundantly clear.) But I do feel I have something to contribute, or else I wouldn't use Twitter in the first place (or blog, for that matter).
There are a couple of problems. One is that you can't relay tone very well through written communication. So I'd imagine sometimes things I type that I think are funny or playful come across as arrogant or condescending. I don't really know what to do about that - it just comes with the territory. It isn't intentional.
More often than not, I think I come across like I always have to be right, or like I'm argumentative. This is often true, I'll admit. But most of the time I like to play Devil's advocate or offer contrary ideas. It doesn't mean I am arguing vehemently for my opinion or crapping all over your opinion. I'm just doing it for the sake of conversation, and I don't know I've ticked anyone off until after the fact.
I thought having a dialogue was part of the point of Twitter, or of basic interaction with others, for that matter. If we all have the same opinions, it makes the world a pretty boring place. I'm not asking to be excused for being a dick, I'm saying I'm not trying to be one in the first place.
So in the future, I will try to be a little more aware of what I write and more selective in what I reply to. I just wanted to clear the air and explain myself, and explain where I'm coming from. (Trust me, if I fundamentally disagree with what you have to say, I will make that abundantly clear.) But I do feel I have something to contribute, or else I wouldn't use Twitter in the first place (or blog, for that matter).
I've Got So Much Trouble On My Mind...
Look, today was not a good day.
I don't write much about my job, mostly because I am worried about getting sued out of existence. It's just not the smartest thing to do, even though I love my employer and (for the most part) my job. I certainly love having one.
My company will soon be laying off 5,000-6,000 employees, somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of its worldwide workforce. Our stock price is down over 90% over the last 6 years. So I won't be blowing any trade secrets or violating my NDA by saying morale is low. I have done, I think, a pretty good job of plowing ahead and staying the course given the uncertainty. But today was not one of my best in the morale department.
I also had a half-hour conversation with my wife about a meeting she had at work. I don't have too any details except Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting 7.2 billion dollars from the education budget. Yes, 'billion'. With a 'b'. Like that will improve our craptastic schools.
As a first-year teacher in a new district, she is understandably spooked. That news is on top of the extreme (I would say excessive) amount of work and level of stress this job has brought on for both of us. And on top of all that it is *still* better than if she was at her old job.
She isn't home yet. I haven't decided if we should go out somewhere in a feeble attempt to forget about our problems, or stay home and brood. I vote for brooding. This year cannot end soon enough. Now excuse me while I go look for something to punch or break.
I don't write much about my job, mostly because I am worried about getting sued out of existence. It's just not the smartest thing to do, even though I love my employer and (for the most part) my job. I certainly love having one.
My company will soon be laying off 5,000-6,000 employees, somewhere between 15 and 20 percent of its worldwide workforce. Our stock price is down over 90% over the last 6 years. So I won't be blowing any trade secrets or violating my NDA by saying morale is low. I have done, I think, a pretty good job of plowing ahead and staying the course given the uncertainty. But today was not one of my best in the morale department.
I also had a half-hour conversation with my wife about a meeting she had at work. I don't have too any details except Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting 7.2 billion dollars from the education budget. Yes, 'billion'. With a 'b'. Like that will improve our craptastic schools.
As a first-year teacher in a new district, she is understandably spooked. That news is on top of the extreme (I would say excessive) amount of work and level of stress this job has brought on for both of us. And on top of all that it is *still* better than if she was at her old job.
She isn't home yet. I haven't decided if we should go out somewhere in a feeble attempt to forget about our problems, or stay home and brood. I vote for brooding. This year cannot end soon enough. Now excuse me while I go look for something to punch or break.
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