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April 14, 2004
One Year
Today marked my one year anniversary at Microsoft. As is the custom, I provided candy for the team, but instead of the traditional one pound for every year there, I left a kilogram (I never got the hang of the Imperial measurement system). I think some people were suspicious that I was trying to cheat them, until they found out that 1 kg is just over 2 pounds.
In my year on the CLR Team, I've learned a lot. I am now extremely comfortable with C#, and .NET in general, my knowledge of Garbage Collector technology has gone from almost zero to a good understanding of the different algorithms. I'm having a great time and hope to keep it up.
It's also been a year since I moved to the US. Seattle is a great place to live, and I've met some great friends (and even managed to make some enemies...) I'm looking forward to my next year in a new neighbourhood and another year at Microsoft.
April 13, 2004
Open Letters
To Eddie
I understand you must be a popular guy, and I guess you just got a new phone number. Please tell your friends so they stop calling your old number, which just happens to be my new mobile phone number.
To Sound Transit Bus Drivers
I know we all have bad days. But if you're not going to even going to show up, at least try to make sure the driver after you isn't late. I'm sure the commuters standing at the bus stop for over a half an hour just to be refused entry to an overcrowded bus would agree.
To The Guy I Held The Door For This Morning
Now I realize I'm a foreigner in this country, but where I'm from, when someone holds open the door for you because you're pushing a heavily-laden dolly, silently staring him down isn't the customary response. A "thank you" is much more common, and appreciated.
To The United States Government
Ok, so I think I understand why Easter isn't a holiday here in the US, like it is in Canada. It's because of the whole church-state separation in the first amendment, right? So why then is Christmas Day a federal holiday?
To The White Reggae Band I Heard Play At Gasworks Park
Wow, you guys were pretty good! And I appreciated the free concert, really I did. But just because you claim to have amps that go up to 11, doesn't mean you have to prove it.
To The Clerk At Bed Bath And Beyond
Thanks for giving me my pre-paid $200 order without asking for ID or a receipt. It really instills confidence in your establishment.
To The Hippies Dancing In The Drum Circle
Don't.
22:53 | Rant | Comments (8)
April 9, 2004
Fortune Cookie
Your ideas will be totally acceptable.
07:23 | Quotes | Comments (2)
April 8, 2004
New Phone Number
My new apartment requires my phone number to have a 206 area code so I can hook up the front door buzzer to my phone. As of today, my 425 number is no longer in service, please email me if you want the new number.
12:03 | Stuff | Comments (2)
April 6, 2004
Dance Dance Revolution
Yesterday was Teresa and my first ballroom dance lesson. I'll wait for the snickering to subside before continuing.
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Ok then. It appears I'm not as terribly clumsy as I thought I was, and was even able to stay in step for entire minutes at a time. I had a good time, and am looking forward to next week's lesson on dipping, since Teresa told me if I drop her one more time, I'm finishing the course on my own.
07:28 | Stuff | Comments (6)
April 5, 2004
Weekend Grab Bag
Friday
Made a mad dash from work to meet Teresa for a quick dinner and rushed to Seattle Center to see a play. Upon arrival, we were turned away because our tickets were for next week's play. Spent the rest of the evening sipping cocktails and chilling.
Saturday
Went shopping for new apartment stuff (dishes, bathroom stuff, etc). Furniture shopping will have to wait until I get the keys and can measure the place. Spent the rest of the day outside enjoying the nicest day 2004 has offered so far.
Saturday night I had a few friends over for a high-end hard liquor tasting party. I ordered an aged gin from Internet Wines that went over well. Others brought gin, cider, some fantastic rum and some homemade blue stuff. After daylight savings, I didn't get to bed until after 4 am.
Sunday
Woke up late, as to be expected, and walked to the International District for some dim sum. Spent the rest of the day moving pretty slowly, also as to be expected. I had a coupon for 20% off an item at Borders, but was annoyed to find all the DVDs prices so cheap to not make it worth using the coupon. Picked up a CD (Mule Variations - Tom Waits) and book (Against All Enemies - Richard Clarke) anyway.
April 2, 2004
Arcadia
Yesterday the .NET CLR Test Team (that includes me), took the afternoon off for a morale event at Illusionz, an arcade about twenty minutes outside of Redmond. I played some lame racing and shooting games, avoided DDR like the plague, and had a good time.
I found it interesting how the arcade industry is adapting to the popularity of home console systems: they're making games that you can't get for your console. For example, I played a boxing game, where you put on these special gloves and the game would track your movement, so you could duck or dodge your virtual opponent. Very cool. They also had a slew of musical games, equipped with keyboards, drums and electric guitars. Of course, all the games are Japanese, and yes, I've already seen a lot of them four years ago, but I was still impressed.
For the nostalgic folk, there was a wall lined with early-80s games, like Ms Pac Man, Tron, Centipede, Donkey Kong, Joust, and my personal favorite, Arkanoid. Good to know the classics can still bring the kids in.
07:09 | Nerd | Comments (4)
April 1, 2004
Oh, Cliffe
Fast and painless. That's the way I like apartment shopping. I found a great apartment on Capitol Hill (just down the street from Matt) at the Roundcliffe.
It was built in the 1930s, so it has all the character of an old building (like hardwood floors, crown molding, etc), and the amenities of a new one (cable, spectacular view).
I'm on my way to hand in my Notice to Vacate form to my current landlords, and the rest of the paperwork to my new ones.
Anyone up for a bitchin' housewarming party?
07:13 | Seattle | Comments (2)