$3.78
That's the price for 87 Octane gas in my area at the moment. I haven't seen prices for gas this high ever. Come summer time I wouldn't be surprised if the price for gas went over the $4 mark. I remember the days where I used to complain that the gas was $1.50, and now its over twice that price.
But what does this actually do for me? Luckily I don't have to drive often. The only times I have to drive are to get to and from school. So the amount of gas that I consume is still minimal, and yet every time I fill up my 16-gallon tank it makes my wallet scream. I feel like driving to go vacationing is more of a hassle and makes things much more expensive to do.
I've been getting tips on good places for gas. There are a few stations north of where I live that are around the $3.50 price range. I also know that Costco gas is about $3.50 as well. So maybe if I find a Costco in the Long Beach area... I only have to pay my arm, as opposed to an arm and a leg for gas. :P
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Friends
I'll be there for you...
A lifelong friend is the friend that if you happen to get cut-off from for months at a time. You can just pick up exactly right where you left off. These are the genuine people that you will grow old together with. Someone that will know you when you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80. Recently I was able to have some lunch with Cami, who is one of my lifelong friends. I may call her a lifelong friend, but really she feels like she's part of the family.
I love my friends. They make me a better person, and recently I have become a much happier person. Some friends, I am willing to travel halfway across the country to go see, because they are that special to me.
Surprisingly though, the bulk of my friends are online ones. Most of which I have met through a game called World of Warcraft. This massive multiplayer game allowed me to meet & play with people who share some of the same interests as I do. Not only that but being able to "group up" together allowed me to further develop friendships with them. Funny thing is, I would probably never meet them in real life (because of them living so far away), so their personality would be mostly that of their in-game character.
But other than the game, my friends are all spread out now. The rest of my RL friends are my old college roommates. And even though I live 1-4 hours away from them... I still am willing to go hang out with them, even for only ½ day.
- when the rain starts to pour.
- like I've been there before.
- cause you're there for me too.
Your friends are the ones that bail you out of jail. Your best friends are in the cell with you saying "Damn, that was fun."In my eyes my best friends are the type of people that I can open up and share my feelings with. My best friends are the first people I call up when I want to have some fun, or when I get in trouble. They've been the type to help me plan getaways & trips.
A lifelong friend is the friend that if you happen to get cut-off from for months at a time. You can just pick up exactly right where you left off. These are the genuine people that you will grow old together with. Someone that will know you when you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80. Recently I was able to have some lunch with Cami, who is one of my lifelong friends. I may call her a lifelong friend, but really she feels like she's part of the family.
I love my friends. They make me a better person, and recently I have become a much happier person. Some friends, I am willing to travel halfway across the country to go see, because they are that special to me.
Surprisingly though, the bulk of my friends are online ones. Most of which I have met through a game called World of Warcraft. This massive multiplayer game allowed me to meet & play with people who share some of the same interests as I do. Not only that but being able to "group up" together allowed me to further develop friendships with them. Funny thing is, I would probably never meet them in real life (because of them living so far away), so their personality would be mostly that of their in-game character.
But other than the game, my friends are all spread out now. The rest of my RL friends are my old college roommates. And even though I live 1-4 hours away from them... I still am willing to go hang out with them, even for only ½ day.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Church
Happy Easter! Sorry for such a late post, but it was a holiday and I was mega busy. (Tuesday post vs. Sunday post - I promise that Wed will be on time)
For the Easter holiday, I went to Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church to attend the service they have there. I don't go to church often at all and aside from Easter, I attend the Christmas holiday masses. This gets me thinking about how rooted I am in the religion department.
I am a Roman Catholic, and have been since growing up. My beliefs generally base itself around the Church's views, but I do have my own differences. For example, I don't feel that Confession should be necessary. If I really wanted to confess my sins, I don't feel that I should have to confess it to a priest.
Now, back in high school days I for some time went to a church called Saddleback Church. Don't get me wrong it's a good church, but it totally is not for me. There was a time when I just went to the church with my friends because the meetings became more of a 'hang out' time, rather than learning more about the teachings. There would be table games & activities and a lot of 'feel good' time and singing. Growing up with a Catholic upbringing, gave my view of church as a more traditional, ritualistic one. That is what I like and it makes me feel more at ease. I don't like getting up out of my chair, dancing, and singing praise (it doesn't feel like me at church).
I should really be going to church more often again. They say that it might help me find guidance in my life. They say that it might make me a happier person. I'll try it out again, it'll take me back to a younger me ^_^
For the Easter holiday, I went to Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church to attend the service they have there. I don't go to church often at all and aside from Easter, I attend the Christmas holiday masses. This gets me thinking about how rooted I am in the religion department.
I am a Roman Catholic, and have been since growing up. My beliefs generally base itself around the Church's views, but I do have my own differences. For example, I don't feel that Confession should be necessary. If I really wanted to confess my sins, I don't feel that I should have to confess it to a priest.
Now, back in high school days I for some time went to a church called Saddleback Church. Don't get me wrong it's a good church, but it totally is not for me. There was a time when I just went to the church with my friends because the meetings became more of a 'hang out' time, rather than learning more about the teachings. There would be table games & activities and a lot of 'feel good' time and singing. Growing up with a Catholic upbringing, gave my view of church as a more traditional, ritualistic one. That is what I like and it makes me feel more at ease. I don't like getting up out of my chair, dancing, and singing praise (it doesn't feel like me at church).
I should really be going to church more often again. They say that it might help me find guidance in my life. They say that it might make me a happier person. I'll try it out again, it'll take me back to a younger me ^_^
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Rock Band
One of the games which has recently been keeping me occupied & sane is Rock Band. This is a music video game with four different instruments that you can play: drums, vocals, guitar, and bass. The actual controllers that come with the game are shaped and played in similar style to their respective instruments.
Whats great about this game, is its role in social development. Being able to play with 3 more friends on a machine makes the game more enjoyable because you are all working together in a team band, in order to accomplish your goals. On top of that, you get to listen to some awesome songs:
Enter Sandman
Highway Star
(Don't Fear) The Reaper
Detroit Rock City
Anyways, playing this game allows me to hook up with my friend over the internet as well. I have several band groups that I play together with. I have a band with my family, one with my SLO friends, and one with my WoW friends.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Starbucks
Post caffeine purge, Starbucks has become an influence again. Caffeine's effects on me has re-energized me many mornings. Considering the hour at which I wake up the coffee helps jump start my mornings. Not only do I get delicious coffee in the morning, but I am also able to get breakfast (which until recently, I haven't regularly eaten).
Caramel Macchiato: This yummy drink has got to be one of my favorites. Not only does it have tons of steamed milk, but it has CARAMEL! My usual order is a Venti (Large) one of these.
White Chocolate Mocha: If it isn't a Macchiato, it's gotta be one of these tasty treats. The sweet taste of white chocolate coupled with the bite of the mocha, helps keep me jittery all morning.
One of my usual customs while in a Starbucks, is to give them varying names every time I go in for my drink. It all started in Cal Poly, SLO... when 86r (a fellow CSer & office mate) used to tell me that he did it. Sooner or later the employees at the local Starbucks asked him what his name for today was, and eventually it just caught on.
Sorry Kiddo/Bala but they don't have any Kopi Luwak (a.k.a Weasel Coffee) for sale.
Caramel Macchiato: This yummy drink has got to be one of my favorites. Not only does it have tons of steamed milk, but it has CARAMEL! My usual order is a Venti (Large) one of these.White Chocolate Mocha: If it isn't a Macchiato, it's gotta be one of these tasty treats. The sweet taste of white chocolate coupled with the bite of the mocha, helps keep me jittery all morning.
One of my usual customs while in a Starbucks, is to give them varying names every time I go in for my drink. It all started in Cal Poly, SLO... when 86r (a fellow CSer & office mate) used to tell me that he did it. Sooner or later the employees at the local Starbucks asked him what his name for today was, and eventually it just caught on.
Sorry Kiddo/Bala but they don't have any Kopi Luwak (a.k.a Weasel Coffee) for sale.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Spring Break
It's finally coming for me, Spring Break. A wondrous magical time, filled with more sleep. ^_^
Current plans (theoretical) include:
With the break comes the heat. Things have been ever so slowly warming up here in The OC. Temperature starting to climb into the 70s, so my wardrobe is no longer including sweatshirts.
Current plans (theoretical) include:
With the break comes the heat. Things have been ever so slowly warming up here in The OC. Temperature starting to climb into the 70s, so my wardrobe is no longer including sweatshirts.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Sleep Debt
This past week, I have collected a fair amount of sleep debt and it has recently come to bite me in the butt. Most of my Wednesday (5-Mar) night was spent studying for midterm examinations, with the bulk of my focus on my American Government class. I decided to bank my sleep debt and pull an all night study session. Armed with Rockstar energy drinks, Skittles candies, and Lay's potato chips, I was able to study and ready myself for the exams the next morning. This would have worked, and I would have been prepared if it weren't for my decision to go to sleep for 3 hours to regain my energy. Next thing I know, I'm repaying my sleep debt and I wake up way past my alarm.
Brief timeline of events:
With no chances for a re-exam and the mid-term taking a large part of the class grade, my options for a solution are minimal. With my best path being to drop the class with a withdrawl, and taking more classes during the summertime [according to Bala & Ringil it's O(n log n)]. Not only does this give me something to do during the summer months, but it also gives me some leeway into transferring units into CSUF.
Anyways, that Thursday I ended up taking the remaining 2 mid-terms that I needed to accomplish with no problems. Eventually this weekend I was able to repay the entirety of the debt, and have returned to a normal sleeping schedule. THANK GOODNESS. ^_^
(I know that this was supposed to be published on Sunday - It was originally written on Sunday, the post was on my screen for 2 days, and finally posted today [Tuesday])
Brief timeline of events:
- 7:00 = Power-nap
- 9:45 = Alarm goes off
- 11:00 = Class Starts
- 11:30 = Len wakes up
- 12:30 = Class Ends
With no chances for a re-exam and the mid-term taking a large part of the class grade, my options for a solution are minimal. With my best path being to drop the class with a withdrawl, and taking more classes during the summertime [according to Bala & Ringil it's O(n log n)]. Not only does this give me something to do during the summer months, but it also gives me some leeway into transferring units into CSUF.
Anyways, that Thursday I ended up taking the remaining 2 mid-terms that I needed to accomplish with no problems. Eventually this weekend I was able to repay the entirety of the debt, and have returned to a normal sleeping schedule. THANK GOODNESS. ^_^
(I know that this was supposed to be published on Sunday - It was originally written on Sunday, the post was on my screen for 2 days, and finally posted today [Tuesday])
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
(A ∩ B) ≠ Ø
For the mathematically unclined... The title refers to the intersection of 2 events not being exclusive with each other.
So I got trump carded on my quest to get a puppy. I finally got the opportunity to plead my case with the parentals. Of course my mother sided with me, but my father did not. His main stipulation being... I'm allowed to get one after I graduate, because getting one now would interfere with my ability to graduate right now.
Now lets model this with math:
Let A = Owning & Caring for a puppy
and let B = Ability to Graduate
Last time I checked... (A ∩ B) ≠ Ø
My ability to graduate is not dependent upon my ability to have a puppy.
Here's the trump though: "If you would have graduated in the first place, you could have gotten one."
Blah - this pretty much guarantees me not getting anything, EVER. So my only other alternative is to move out, find my own place, and then I can get a puppy. I hear that Kiddo is looking for an apartment... wonder if he has room. :P
So I got trump carded on my quest to get a puppy. I finally got the opportunity to plead my case with the parentals. Of course my mother sided with me, but my father did not. His main stipulation being... I'm allowed to get one after I graduate, because getting one now would interfere with my ability to graduate right now.
Now lets model this with math:
Let A = Owning & Caring for a puppy
and let B = Ability to Graduate
Last time I checked... (A ∩ B) ≠ Ø
My ability to graduate is not dependent upon my ability to have a puppy.
Here's the trump though: "If you would have graduated in the first place, you could have gotten one."
Blah - this pretty much guarantees me not getting anything, EVER. So my only other alternative is to move out, find my own place, and then I can get a puppy. I hear that Kiddo is looking for an apartment... wonder if he has room. :P
Sunday, March 2, 2008
An Earnest Proposal
Ever since coming back from the Philippines at the beginning of the year, I have been thinking of getting myself a new puppy (or as I call them "Girl Attractors"). I've gone to many stores & most recently a kennel to figure out what breed to get. I don't really want a small dog, like my first one. They seem to be yappy, and easy to trip over. So after careful consideration, I decided to go with a Golden Lab.
Why get a dog though? Aside from my family, whom I live close by to, all my RL friends either live 1+ hours away from me or game friends which are planes rides across the country. Dogs are like little companions that give you their undivided attention, and unconditional love. It would give me a chance to interact again and play around with like I wasn't able to with "Princess" (my first dog). I seem to have a lot more free time lately, so it would give me a chance to get off of the computer and get some fresh air. On top of that, it gives a sense of responsibility of taking care of another entity, the doggie would have its master to take care of it.
The problem? Considering, right now I'm living in with my parents, my father is not very excited to me finding a new pet for the house. I haven't exactly had any time to sit down and discuss the situation behind his disapproval, but I have a feeling that it has to do with thinking he would have to be the one to primarily take care of it (like he does with our ducks).
The solution? I figure sometime this week, when my parents get back from vacation, I would sit down with my dad and reason out a way to make things work. Maybe I should put it in a way that he would understand... A business proposal. I'll put together some sort of multi-page report (with pictures) outlining the benefits of having them around. I can garner the support of my mother, my brother, and my cousins. ^_^
Counter Arguments which could be used:
Why get a dog though? Aside from my family, whom I live close by to, all my RL friends either live 1+ hours away from me or game friends which are planes rides across the country. Dogs are like little companions that give you their undivided attention, and unconditional love. It would give me a chance to interact again and play around with like I wasn't able to with "Princess" (my first dog). I seem to have a lot more free time lately, so it would give me a chance to get off of the computer and get some fresh air. On top of that, it gives a sense of responsibility of taking care of another entity, the doggie would have its master to take care of it.
The problem? Considering, right now I'm living in with my parents, my father is not very excited to me finding a new pet for the house. I haven't exactly had any time to sit down and discuss the situation behind his disapproval, but I have a feeling that it has to do with thinking he would have to be the one to primarily take care of it (like he does with our ducks).
The solution? I figure sometime this week, when my parents get back from vacation, I would sit down with my dad and reason out a way to make things work. Maybe I should put it in a way that he would understand... A business proposal. I'll put together some sort of multi-page report (with pictures) outlining the benefits of having them around. I can garner the support of my mother, my brother, and my cousins. ^_^
Counter Arguments which could be used:
- Noisy => Guard Dog against invaders, getting a dog which isn't loud & barking all the time
- Expensive => I would assume responsibility of the dog myself, for its care, vet visits, bedding, food, everything
- No time for it => Even through school & work, I would have plenty of time to take care of it. And on top of that, after I move out, I would bring it with me, so it wouldn't burden my dad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
