30 July 2010

8am
I'm a bit peeved about the construction on 2nd street and PCH in Long Beach. This is the height of the tourist season and the area is the easiest way to get to the touristy shops in Alamitos Bay and Naples Island. If I were a visitor and stuck for 45 minutes in traffic trying to go from my hotel to a restaurant (at most, a three mile trek), I would not consider coming back to Long Beach. I suspect that it has something to do with Gary DeLong's support for the development of the area around the Alamitos bay and harbor. He doesn't care about the LBC the way we care about the LBC: our bottom line is the experience one has in the city and his is profit.

27 February 2010

5pm
Sailing was canceled today on account of the weather and tsunami advisory. I was bummed, but Kate appreciated the extra hour of sleep.

Went to see Bill Kernkamp∞ play at the Yost last night. He was amazing and ended up winning the 2010 OC Best Acoustic Artist award. Aside from being an amazing singer/songwriter, Billy works shifts waiting at the Gypsy Den Costa Mesa. After the show, we went to drink and snack at Lola's in Santa Ana. This is the trendier, finer, establishment owned by our friends Ryan and Emily. Can't beat their Mozz, Chevre, and Poblano Chile quesadilla. I ordered a "Lower East Side," which is just a fancy name for an overly sweet mint julep. The bartender argued with me over the bourbon content of my second round: she yielded and topped my glass off with some of "Olde Times's" finest.

Here is a scam that got past the gmail spam filters:

Dearest Friend,

You might find it so difficult to remember me. Though, it is indeed, a very long time. I am much delighted and privileged to contact you again, after some time now. it takes courage and the fear of God to show gratitude to old friend despite circumstaces that made things not to work out as we projected then when i contacted you for help.

I am in japan now with my business patner who helped me during my trial periods, but before i left i deposited an ATM CARD with my Stockbrokers ;Wilkens Stock and Financial Brokers, in your favour as my compensation for your efforts during my trial period,you are advised to contact Dr Nelson Kessinger;Director of the company in Benin Republic,For your ATM CARD with the sum of Two Million Five Hundred Thousand (US$2,5.00,000.00) Either by mail or by phone.Please below is the contact details.
E-mail:(wilkensStockandfinancialbrokerscompany@wippies.fi)
E-mail:(atm-wilkensstockfinancial@wippies.fi)
Send your delivery address to the above contact e-mail:

1.Your full name...
2.Your address where you want your payment to be delivered to...
3.Your accupation...
4.Your direct telephone number where you can be reached...
5.Your country and state fully stated...
6.And the scanned copy of your international passport or your drivers license...


He will advise you further about the shippment of the ATM CARD to you.
I shall give you a call as soon as i get back.
Sincerely Yours,
MR. PAUL THOMAS.

18 February 2010

9am
So I discovered this really cool blog a few weeks back: Missed Connections NY∞. The author snips missed connections personal ads and illustrates them in a mostly humorous, though sometimes surprisingly poignant, manner. I thought, you know, there have got to be some funny MC in Los Angeles. Here's a collection of a few good ones posted in the last week to craigslist:

1) "Every Sunday"
You're SOO Beautiful to me! I can't help but stare as you walk by and I act like i'm deep in conversation. If only you knew!
m4w (in Church)

2) "LBCC Blood Donation Center"
You: were sitting alone at the end of a table in Build E where they do blood donation. You were young, little shy and nervous? because you kept drinking your orange juice? water? haha. That was cute. You told me that your mom work there and she the one who draw your blood.

Me: That guy who wanted to know your name but a lady came over and took you away.

I would like to get to know you more. You seem pretty cool, smart, hardworking, pretty, cute girl. If you ever come across this please tell me what which high school you went to so I know that it's you. Or how many times did you donate your blood? Yes, I remember it. hahaha.

Thanks.
m4w (in Blood Donation Building E).

3) "Trader Joes Tonight Around 6:30"
We had a moment in the milk aisle and you smiled at me. Then again when I passed by your cart and we both smiled- I regret not talking to you.
w4m (in TJ's Hyperion)

4) "you complimented my pink flowered skirt"
You have a super-cute bob and glasses and were walking with a small child.

I am in the middle of getting laid off under really trying circumstances and had just missed my bus and was on the verge of angry, snot-filled tears when you said that to me. Thank you so much - your kindness helped mitigate the day.

wfw (Broadway and 7th St.)

5) "101 Fwy 3 PM U in Dark Blue Car Passenger Me in Silver Car"
hey you were passenger in a dark blue car and a girl with sunglasses was driving, i was in a silver twodoor car, u noticed me getting into my music and i was to the right of you , it was around three almost four pm, and when you passed the sunset exit you looked back at me and we noticed eachother, if you see this reply to this msg and ill get an email and well talk or sumthin. i think i seen you at jail not to long ago , well if this sis you msg me

m4m (101 Fwy)

12 February 2010

11pm
Weather underground is forecasting a dry, warm day tomorrow. The good news is that there will be no rain; the bad news is that there will probably not be any wind either. This means there is a high likelihood that intentional capsizing will be on the Commodore's teaching agenda. I'm not nervous. I don't want to get wet, though, either. The ocean temperature is suppose to be 60F. That is only nine degrees cooler than the average July temperature. I can handle that. After all, I polar bear it as often as circumstances permit. The water quality is another story. With all the rain we've been getting there is sure to be a toxic level of bacterial precipitate in the harbor. After the big storm two weeks ago, the harbor was the color of YooHoo∞. Gross.

5pm
I have not maintained a blog in years. Graduate school has a way of sucking dry one's desire to write for pleasure. Nonetheless, I'm on the up-and-up lately and will make an attempt to keep a regular blog.