The Misadventures of Dan
Peer into the mind of Dan as he tries to build an MP3 Player for his PDA and searches for the next thing in his life be it an electrical engineering job or graduate school.
Saturday, January 11, 2003
.:11:25:09 PM:.
I just came across an amazing site describing electronic components and stuff. The other stuff is sort of weird because it talks about how to do combat and other weird things. I was looking for a better description of how Silicon Control Rectifiers worked and I came across the site. SCRs are used basically as electronic switches that need a signal applied to the gate leg of the component. The site is called Integrated Publishing.
Thursday, January 09, 2003
.:12:51:20 AM:.
I'm almost halfway through the book. I've stopped reading 'A Tale of Two Cities' for a bit In my prime (haha) I used to just inhale tons of books left and right. Everything I could get my hands on. Nowawadays I take it more slow. I still read up a storm, like in the past few months I've finished: "Cryptonomicon", "The Big U", "The Diamond Age: A Young Lady's Primer", "Snow Crash", "Eaters of the Dead", "The Green Mile", "Timeline", and "Andromeda Strain", but I read that one about six months ago so I'm not sure it counts. Anyways the first four are by this author named Neal Stephenson. He's pretty much I guess you would call a Science Fiction writer, not quite the whole dragons and far off space travel but more closer to what he thinks society might turn into. Quite a good read if you ever want-but I'm not going to do reviews. I'm reading "A Tale of Two Cities" because I always wanted to, now without any English courses I find I'm enjoying the books much more. I can read at the pace I want and dwell on different thoughts and ideas. Very cool, very independent, formulating ideas, one would say... risqué (just kidding).
Anyways back to "The Banana Boys" one of the reasons why I'm reading this book is to I guess see what I can identify as a fellow "banana". As I blogged before, I don't think most people (including myself) want to be categorized or typefied. Last of all is wanting someone who doesn't understand to make fun of you. So far though, I can see a bit of me in certain characters. I don't think its all stuff that only happens to CBCs but you kind of get the feel that "yeah, its an asian thing". Its ok to eat jook (the book doesn't go into this), you weren't the only one to play piano and present in front of guests. Its almost normal. To be CBC is really like after you've ordered some strange food at an unknown restaurant; you have your hesitation and doubts, you think you're the only one who's ever ordered the combination of Appetizer R3 with Dish G4 and you think the "regulars" are totally going to stare, point and laugh, shake their heads at you for being a non-regular. Then you find out, hey there's that other table and that person ordered something similar and you sort of feel reassured but yet you sort of get frustrated at the same time. How come there aren't more people around that did the same? Why do you always have to order the "special" foods? Or I could be totally wrong and just plain ranting :)
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
.:3:14:44 PM:.
Well my attempts at going to bed earlier didn't prove to be fruitful. In fact I stayed up till 1:30 which is I guess earlier than two, and I guess that's partially it. Actually yeah! I did manage to fall asleep earlier woohoo!
dim cold embers stok'd,
forgotten heat, unlearned warmth,
buried, yet glowing?
I am still in pain. Its not like a bruise or anything, its closer to having a sore or tired muscle you can move it but at great effort and its near debilitating :P . I worked out my 'lower abs' with my bro on Monday. He showed me this inclined bench he uses for his work outs. I didn't think I pushed that hard that day, maybe I'm just not used to it. Anyways yesterday I worked out my 'upper abs' by doing crunches and what not. So this morning I wanted to do the lower abs again, but pitifully failed. I couldn't even lift myself up-bleh!
Classes are going well, I hope I can get into EE 445, although I know a little C++ I would really like to 'formally' learn it. I could have easily missed certain parts when I was trying to do it on my own or I can learn different applications.
.:12:19:48 AM:.
In an effort to get more sleep I'm trying to go to bed earlier. This means going to bed before 2, even before 1. It used to be that I would stay up till odd single digit hours of the night to work on assignments and that seemed to work. Now with my light course load there seems to be no reason, only the time hours has stuck. That doesn't mean I sleep in, on the contrary I just used to sleep less. :) So yeah, big change.
I've also started to go to the gym again. This time I'm going with my bro, he has it pretty much all figured out. Yet another difference between us, he's an ectomorphic type-meaning he gains muscle mass really quickly whereas I, the mesomorph am rather thin, but my cardio is better. Its all part of this whole balance thing. Anyways he's helping me out with my ab workout... man am I in pain. You use your abs for everything! Even just sitting!
I manage to borrow a copy of "Banana Boys" by Terry Woo. He's a Chinese Canadian who wrote a story about bananas. Now banana, is a term that some asians use internally to describe one another. Yellow on the outside, white on the inside.... its pretty regular stuff if you're a Canadian-Born. I refuse to be categorized into a slot-however I know that in truth I'm neither Chinese nor Canadian. I'm a unique blend, from which I now am starting to be able to develop and explore more of my asian side. Some of you would think that's typical first-born behaviour, but I don't think so. Its different, everyone is. There are some stereotypes that are unfortunately true, for example reading and writing in Chinese... not so good, speaking in Chinese... ehh. Its not that I despise the culture, in fact I'm very happy to have the heritage, but that's not all me-there's more to it.
Tuesday, January 07, 2003
.:12:24:08 AM:.
A funny thing happened to me the other night when I was paying for my gas. I usually stop at this station once or twice a week. I never really paid any attention to people or clerks but its not like you ignore them I recognize the clerk and he probably was the same. After these two customers left the store it was my turn. As per usual I went to go pay, and asked for a receipt.... actually he asked me if I wanted one (because I usually do). I said "yes please," and before he gave it back to me he looked at me in a funny way.
"Do you have a business?" he asked. I started to say no, but then thinking about it I guess I did. I've met with clients worked with people. So I said yes. "You know, you're one of the few people who come in here and ask me for things politely, even if you don't have to."
"Oh," I said, sort of shocked. I never really noticed it. Its sort of like opening doors for people. Its partially a habit, and partially what I feel is right. "I try to be polite to everyone."
"Ahh, but not everyone is always polite. I find that people who have businesses, who treat customers and clients, usually are very polite. So I was wondering what kind of business you own, since you're in here a lot and everytime you're here you always are so polite," he smiled.
I sort of felt happy, it wasn't that I was waiting for someone to acknowledge what I did. Far from it, most of the time our behaviour, the little things are done subconciously. The way you walk, the way you react when people tell you things. So I thanked him again. We then started talking about St. Albert (our home city), how it was to grow up. The cultural differences-we covered a lot of ground in ten minutes! All the while I was wondering should I tell him about God? Then I thought, but I don't even talk too much about that with my friends how can I jump right in?
I didn't tell him about God or my beliefs that night but we did share about values. What we thought and believed was the right way to behave towards others. At the end we shook hands and we introduced our names to each other. He told me to come back next time with a business card and he'll see what he can do. I was amazed. It seemed so sudden, but then I realized that it really wasn't. I had been going to that gas station for who knows how long and then that night we started a conversation. Life has its twists and turns but this time it was a friendly pit stop.
Monday, January 06, 2003
.:10:14:27 PM:.
It seems today was the perfect day to reflect on what happened in the past year. More specifically the past eight months since I graduated. All of this mainly stemmed from meeting people I knew, people I went to class with. All wondering what I was doing back there. I remember being back then, I had thoughts of working or being in Grad school within the first few months. All the time I was praying to God for direction in so many things.
I'm very fortunate, I know God answers prayers, I know that he's there beside me. Without this break I wouldn't have been able to do a lot of the things I've been able to do. I wrote and played a piece for my best friend's wedding, I joined a cool fellowship, I met tons of fellow Christians, I wrote and passed the FE exam, I met a new friend whom I hope and pray to know better. I've strengthen bonds with friends, which seems strange because we're further apart geographically but closer than ever. I've met and made friends with people from different corners of the world, I rollerbladed from place to place without breaking a bone. God has given me a lot to do. Am I finished? Hardly. I feel like there is so much left to do. I know I must take things one step at a time, because there's really no other way to do it. For now, that means going back to the University and taking some courses. God I am so ready for you to mold and shape me, guide and direct my future so that I may help others with the gifts you've given me and that others may see your light shine.
.:1:22:21 AM:.
The night before classes start yet again, I'm not worried about that. I have a few other questions on my mind to deal with first. They seem kind of big, but to some I guess it wouldn't be. Its such a short blog compared to the other one, but there's so much to think about.
Sunday, January 05, 2003
.:1:50:44 AM:.
So much to talk about, and yet it seems like so little has actually happened. I've been meaning to write about "stuff" but well, you know how it goes. So here's a quick summary:
Last Saturday, I went to a Holiday/Housewarming get together at one of my friend's place. We talked and ate and among other things, played this newly invented game called 'Team Truth or Dare:Battleship'. Basically its like regular battleship but when you miss you had to chose either a 'truth or dare'. It probably should have been titled Teen or Pre-teen but it was alright. I always picked "truth" not only because it was safer, rather the dares were less daring, more the umm... goofy nature:) Its not that I'm snobbing stuff. I whole heartedly particpated in the team dares or "rules" but it was just I think I'm more of a conversationalist than an actor. Acting (which is different from debating or presenting) is definitely not my strong suit.
Sunday and Tuesday I went over to another friend's place. Sunday was just for the sake of playing NHL 2003 for the PS2, Tuesday was New Year's Eve (and the rematched). Suffice to say, I fared better on Tuesday than on Sunday. One day I'll get the hang of it, and then they'll have NHL 2004 :P People are always shocked when they learn that I don't really play games regularly or have a game console. With the exception of DDR I never really got hooked onto any game. That doesn't mean I don't play games at all. I just use my computer for other stuff. E-mailling (with no surprise) takes up a large portion of the computer resources while all my other computer "work" leaves me more in the tinkering than the playing.
Having just said that, my brother and I are playing this online tetris game called tetrinet Its basically head-to-head-to-head-to-head-to-head-to-head (six players) tetris. Its really fun and the games are usually quick. I've even met a few people on there and chatted with them.
You may have wondered, what happened on Monday. Well, a lunch happened. A very good lunch and that's all I will say. :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) <- dan was very happy that day as well.
Thursday was a big day because I spent most of it with my very close friend from Ottawa. Every time we talk, its like getting a guava moment-its just that good. We hadn't talk since before Christmas and it just made the day even better. This was even before we got to the fondue!
Friday I met up with my friend from Calgary and formally had our coffee chat/show and tell. She showed me a picture of the class she was teaching in Calgary. Memories and nostalgia rushed through my head like the torrent monsoons in South East Asia. I can't help but remember those days, I was always surprised when I find out some of my teachers still remember me. Perhaps the fact that I was one of the first few CBC students, or maybe for some other reason. Whatever the reason, I was always happy when they recognize me. I still remember a lot of the students I taught back in my days with Discover E-do they remember me?
Saturday I watched Star Trek:Nemesis with two of my friends-it was alright. I would not say it was the best Star Trek movie I ever saw, come to think of it I don't remember any Star Trek movie as being the best movie, but then again I only saw three of them so I'm probably not in the best position to make a judgement. :P
I was never a Trekkie or Trekker (or whatever you called it). I didn't know anything about the specifics of whatever star ships and planets and what not but I remember loving Star Trek:TNG show. I thought that was really cool because of the way the whole series came off. There was the sophisticated Captain Jean Luc Picard, the way he liked Earl Grey Tea, there was the brash and yet honourable Worf, and then there was the cool kid, Crusher-what's-his-name. The whole atmosphere came off sort of like:this is what admiralty and I guess propriety was, when you have the top tech, the top "toys, this is how you deal with stuff. The "ship engineers" Laforge and O'Brien were also cool but I didn't make any connection back then, I just liked the show :) That was then, and now... I don't know its gotten... distant. Perhaps my view has become more realistic and less akin to the utopic Star Trek, or maybe its because the reason I liked the show because it provided a general direction towards something I wanted to do (engineering not commanding :P), something I wanted to work with, and now that I'm more focused, more specific-it now seems less relevant. It doesn't mean I dislike Star Trek or anything, but it seems like I might be on to the next stage.
