April 30, 2007 - I didn't really realize it until today, but I've been blogging on this site for more than 2 years now. Time does fly eh? My thoughts on blogging: well it's still lots of fun, though sometimes I fall behind and then I have to write like 5 blogs in one night just to get caught up (though I do also know that I don't have to blog about every single little thing in my life).
Reading my old blog entries is actually a lot of fun - besides noticing all the spelling/typing/grammatical errors, it's also sorta like re-living your past again, both the good and the bad times. The past year has been kinda like that - many ups but also many many downs.
So yeah, another year of blogging has come and gone. Who knows how long I will keep using this site - but for now, it's still pretty cool =) Some of the (positive) highlights from my blog over the past year:
Sporting Life 10K
A new home!
26 today
New York, New York
It's off to Queen's Park I go
A Moment Like this
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Live from Vienna, Austria
Home at Last
On the Go!
The Pier F Experience
Making it Big Time: Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy
Cheers to another year of ups and downs and more boring, silly blogs!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Weee for Wii!
April 28, 2007 - I've never really been a big fan of video games. I mean, they are fun and all, but I was never addicted to them like most of guy friends were when I was growing up. So when the Wii came out last year, I didn't really understand what the hype was about.
And then I got the chance to play over the Christmas break - and BAM, I was hooked.
The Wii is not just your typical video game - it's an interactive/workout machine/anger management receptor all rolled into one. The fact that it requires you to move physically makes it different than any other video game unit out there. Think you need to lose a few pounds? try Wii sports! Think you can cook? there's Cooking Mama; Want to unleash some of your hidden anger? there's always Rayman, where you can kill bunnies with a toilet plunger =)
So I bought the Wii back in early March and so far I have to say, despite the large price tag, it has been a great investment. Though I don't get to play as much as I want to, it's still tons of fun every time (my arms still hurt after playing tennis each time though). What's great is the wii is also very easy to play and it's often hilarious to see people new to Wii attempting their first try (*cough Bernard cough*). I also want to announce that my Mii (the video game version of myself) is really really hot and any female or gay Miis out there should look him up.
This Wii phenomenon doesn't look like it will end anytime soon. The Wii console is still sold out pretty much everywhere (stories of people lining up outside stores at 5am on shipment days are true) and wii-motes and nunchuks are still hard to find. I personally need 2 more nunchuks, so if anyone knows where I can buy them, let me know!
And then I got the chance to play over the Christmas break - and BAM, I was hooked.
The Wii is not just your typical video game - it's an interactive/workout machine/anger management receptor all rolled into one. The fact that it requires you to move physically makes it different than any other video game unit out there. Think you need to lose a few pounds? try Wii sports! Think you can cook? there's Cooking Mama; Want to unleash some of your hidden anger? there's always Rayman, where you can kill bunnies with a toilet plunger =)
So I bought the Wii back in early March and so far I have to say, despite the large price tag, it has been a great investment. Though I don't get to play as much as I want to, it's still tons of fun every time (my arms still hurt after playing tennis each time though). What's great is the wii is also very easy to play and it's often hilarious to see people new to Wii attempting their first try (*cough Bernard cough*). I also want to announce that my Mii (the video game version of myself) is really really hot and any female or gay Miis out there should look him up.
This Wii phenomenon doesn't look like it will end anytime soon. The Wii console is still sold out pretty much everywhere (stories of people lining up outside stores at 5am on shipment days are true) and wii-motes and nunchuks are still hard to find. I personally need 2 more nunchuks, so if anyone knows where I can buy them, let me know!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Making it big-time: Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy
April 27, 2007 - Today I found out that one of the papers that I wrote in grad school has been accepted by the Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy for publishing! Yup, yours truly here will actually have a paper that will be published by an academic journal!
Now the news is somewhat surprising to me - because 1) I didn't submit the paper and 2) I had no idea it was accepted until I got a weird email from the publisher asking how many copies of the journal I would like to have. The story goes back to my 2nd year of grad school, when one of my professors asked if I would like to work with her and send in a paper that I had worked on for her class for publishing. Months later though, the journal rejected our submission on the grounds that it didn't meet their criteria. My laziness then kicked in and I sorta just left the paper with my prof.
Apparently my professor re-worked the paper and resubmitted it (and tried hard to find me but didn't know how to contact me anymore). The paper was accepted with me being the primary author, and will be published in Volume 9, Issue 3 of the Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy!
So yay for having my work published!! and yay for making future grad students read my paper! haha come on, who doesn't want to learn more about the effectiveness of greenbelts as a planning tool? huh?
Now the news is somewhat surprising to me - because 1) I didn't submit the paper and 2) I had no idea it was accepted until I got a weird email from the publisher asking how many copies of the journal I would like to have. The story goes back to my 2nd year of grad school, when one of my professors asked if I would like to work with her and send in a paper that I had worked on for her class for publishing. Months later though, the journal rejected our submission on the grounds that it didn't meet their criteria. My laziness then kicked in and I sorta just left the paper with my prof.
Apparently my professor re-worked the paper and resubmitted it (and tried hard to find me but didn't know how to contact me anymore). The paper was accepted with me being the primary author, and will be published in Volume 9, Issue 3 of the Journal of Environmental Planning and Policy!
So yay for having my work published!! and yay for making future grad students read my paper! haha come on, who doesn't want to learn more about the effectiveness of greenbelts as a planning tool? huh?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Winner of the Street Furniture Design Competition
April 23, 2007 - In a not so surprising announcement, the City has declared Astral Media to be the winner of Toronto's Street Furniture Design Competition. Look for these structures to be blanketed throughout the City as early as this summer! Spacing wire has been doing such a great job in covering this whole competition - click here for their analysis.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
More on the power of Facebook
April 17, 2007 - As the world comes to terms with yesterday's horror at Virginia Tech, many (including myself) have turned to the internet for news, comfort, and support. But it was the power of Facebook in providing a forum for students to share grief, fear, and (mis)information that not only caught my attention, but also that of the media (see article here).
With no means of connecting to their fellow classmates, many relied on Facebook as a means of communication to let each other know if they are safe. Many used their "status" to let friends know they've been unharmed. A group called "I'm ok at VT" was created and has now more than 2000 members. Another one called "A tribute to those who passed at the Virginia Tech Shooting" has close to 200,000. Many posted on walls to share their grief and anger. And as of tonight, you could still find the profiles of some of the victims that have already been identified.
Our generation is not new to tragedies: Oklahoma City Bombing, Columbine, Sept 11, Katrina, space shuttle explosions, and now the VT massacre (see an interesting article about this here). What has changed however is how we react to these difficult times. Facebook, out of nowhere, seems to be the new outlet that's tying us together - regardless of geography and time (someone needs to write a paper about this!). The power of facebook has surprised me once again.
With no means of connecting to their fellow classmates, many relied on Facebook as a means of communication to let each other know if they are safe. Many used their "status" to let friends know they've been unharmed. A group called "I'm ok at VT" was created and has now more than 2000 members. Another one called "A tribute to those who passed at the Virginia Tech Shooting" has close to 200,000. Many posted on walls to share their grief and anger. And as of tonight, you could still find the profiles of some of the victims that have already been identified.
Our generation is not new to tragedies: Oklahoma City Bombing, Columbine, Sept 11, Katrina, space shuttle explosions, and now the VT massacre (see an interesting article about this here). What has changed however is how we react to these difficult times. Facebook, out of nowhere, seems to be the new outlet that's tying us together - regardless of geography and time (someone needs to write a paper about this!). The power of facebook has surprised me once again.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
When a change is needed
April 11, 2007 - So I have been feeling extremely tired lately. And it's not because work has been super busy, because it hasn't been. It's primarily because I haven't been getting enough sleep - and it's really starting to take a toll on me. Not only do I have difficulties waking up in the morning (even with 2 alarm clocks!), I'm also having trouble concentrating at work (not to mention the numerous times I almost dozed off at my desk). I also seem to fall asleep everywhere - on the way home tonight, I slept all the way from Bloor to Eglinton, while standing and holding onto a pole. Now that takes skills.
I guess I only have myself to blame - I really need to get to bed earlier. Obviously 6 hours of sleep is still not enough for me. The days when I could pull an all-nighter and still function the next day are long gone. As I've been told, I'm a 26 yr old living a 21 yr old lifestyle. I guess that needs to change. It's time to accept that I'm getting old. sigh.
I guess I only have myself to blame - I really need to get to bed earlier. Obviously 6 hours of sleep is still not enough for me. The days when I could pull an all-nighter and still function the next day are long gone. As I've been told, I'm a 26 yr old living a 21 yr old lifestyle. I guess that needs to change. It's time to accept that I'm getting old. sigh.
More on the Toronto Street Furniture Competition
April 11, 2007 - I went to check out the Toronto Street Furniture Design Competition at City Hall today. The City had decided to showcase the models for the three bidders for a few days - but was not however, asking for comments from the public. Anyway, my feelings on the three bidders: well, a bit dull. Similar to my feelings towards the Nathan Phillips Square competition, there is so much potential in designing unique, user-friendly street furniture for our city. Instead, what we got are facilities that focus on ad revenues.
Not all of the models are bad I guess - some of the public washroom designs are quite interesting. I also like the idea of bike lockers and information kiosks. Canopies over subway entrances is also a great idea - and can help make the stairs leading down to the station less slippery and dirty (especially in winter).
If I have to choose, my pick would be the Astral Media 100 series. They are the most consistent out of the 3 bidders. They are pleasant enough I guess, but again nothing spectacular.
I have mixed feelings towards this design competition. I fully understand that given the fiscal situation the City is in, asking the private sector for help in maintaining and operating its public amenities can be considered "smart". Having said that, the 3 bidders also chose to present the city with less than spectacular proposals. Toronto's streets - famously known for its uniqueness and charm - will be blanketed with dull, unoriginal street furniture. And that is quite disappointing.
Here are a few pictures from my visit:
Monday, April 02, 2007
Why riding the subway sucks (sometimes)
April 2, 2007 - I had a somewhat disturbing ride home tonight on the subway. I got on the subway at Union Station and right away this guy (who was already on the train) decided to move across from me. At first I didn't really notice him (I was too busy concentrating on my bacon and cheeseburger!) but when I looked up, I saw him drooling all over his jacket. Yes drooling. He kept his mouth wide open as spit dripped from his lips and all the way down the front of his jacket (which was soaked with his spit). Right away this girl who had been sitting 2 seats away got up and moved. I thought it was pretty gross too, but I didn't think too much about it and continued eating.
At Queen Station, he pulled out a can of paint thinner and started sniffing. The smell quickly filled the subway car and some people started to panic. A few got off the train. I was also highly aware that if he's a psycho, he could pull out a match and blow us all up. Again, being ever confident, I didn't move. The guy went back to drooling and by now, not only was his jacket soaked, so was the subway seat next to him. Pretty gross eh?
Just after St. Clair Station, the dude started to get restless. He started to get up, and then sat back down again. He grabbed his bag and then put it back down. By then, there was no one around him, except me of course (still sitting across from him). Then just as the doors closed at Davisville Station, the dude got up and lunged himself towards me (ok, maybe a bit dramatic - more like he got up, and couldn't really walk and just decided to fall right on top of me). And that was when the Olympic-athlete in me leaped out of my seat and moved towards the doors. I don't think I have ever moved so fast - though my bag still managed to touch his (eww). The guy, obviously high from the paint thinner, slumped into my seat and continued to drool. I must have caused a scene, as quite a few people were staring. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.
So yes riding the subway can be quite an experience - you definitely meet all kinds of people. Sometimes it could be fun (like this one time I played "I Spy With My Little Eye..." with a 3 year old boy all the way from Finch to Bloor), somtimes it could even be interesting (the subway is still great for people watching), but sometimes it simply sucks and you wish you're sitting in your car.
At Queen Station, he pulled out a can of paint thinner and started sniffing. The smell quickly filled the subway car and some people started to panic. A few got off the train. I was also highly aware that if he's a psycho, he could pull out a match and blow us all up. Again, being ever confident, I didn't move. The guy went back to drooling and by now, not only was his jacket soaked, so was the subway seat next to him. Pretty gross eh?
Just after St. Clair Station, the dude started to get restless. He started to get up, and then sat back down again. He grabbed his bag and then put it back down. By then, there was no one around him, except me of course (still sitting across from him). Then just as the doors closed at Davisville Station, the dude got up and lunged himself towards me (ok, maybe a bit dramatic - more like he got up, and couldn't really walk and just decided to fall right on top of me). And that was when the Olympic-athlete in me leaped out of my seat and moved towards the doors. I don't think I have ever moved so fast - though my bag still managed to touch his (eww). The guy, obviously high from the paint thinner, slumped into my seat and continued to drool. I must have caused a scene, as quite a few people were staring. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.
So yes riding the subway can be quite an experience - you definitely meet all kinds of people. Sometimes it could be fun (like this one time I played "I Spy With My Little Eye..." with a 3 year old boy all the way from Finch to Bloor), somtimes it could even be interesting (the subway is still great for people watching), but sometimes it simply sucks and you wish you're sitting in your car.
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