Category: Day to day life

Updates on what’s going on with us

Neighbor

An old lady moved in next door after the previous neighbor moved out three months ago. She’s into rescuing cats and all that good stuff. She’s managed to catch two cats and got them “fixed” since she moved here. We wish we’d known that Palo Alto Animal Services can do a relatively cheap “catch and release” program without putting the animals down. After our last experience with the San Jose animal shelter, we decided not to do the animals any favors… But what Palo Alto is doing seems like a pretty good idea…

So anyway… back to the neighbor… She has decided to move out of the neighborhood despite having only lived in her new apartment for only about a month. She thought the neighborhood is not up to her standards because we have a few Hispanic neighbors who like to play their music a little loud. Within days of moving in, she’d already verbally exchanged “kind words” with them about their music (which never really bothered us). This reminds me of an NPR (more like “This American Life” ) episode with Mr. Rogers. The segment had a scenario exactly like this — dealing with loud neighbors. When people know each other, what someone else does doesn’t really bother one another quite as much. But when nobody knows each other, friction seems to get picked up a lot more quickly.

I guess we’ll be welcoming a new neighbor soon.

Growing Pains of Parenting

Being a parent definitely is almost all rewards almost all the time. It’s not always fun, but it’s always satisfying — almost.

Watching Bryan growing up on the daily basis is a strange experience. There are times when I held him in my arms, rocking him to sleep, that I wished time could pause and that he’d stay a tiny baby forever… (until my back started aching like a thousand needles piercing through the spine.) But the truth is, time seems to have tripled in speed now that Bryan has entered our lives. I almost think it’s unfair that other parents have to work 8+ hours a day away from their child(ren) when i get to stay home with my son almost 24×7.

When Laura was constantly interrupting my conversation with Brian, I thought that was just super cute. And I thought to myself, “Some day that’s what Bryan’d be doing to ME when I talk to Brian.” I secretly envied Brian and Birgit for a brief moment. But then I thought I’d sorely miss Bryan at this very stage as Brian has confessed to me at times that he missed when Laura was just a tiny baby at times.

Bryan is going to have a healthy and comfortable life ahead of him. But just for my selfish pleasures and inconsiderate egocentric fatherhood, I hope he doesn’t grow up too fast — just so that his dada and nana can savor these fleeting moments before he leaps into his own independence.

Babywise Hurts Babies

Talking to Brian always works up my brain cells. We had a good three-hour chat on Skype tonight. Technology is a good thing.

While we were having some casual talk about religion and childraring practices, he brought up a practice by some parents from a book called Babywise. It literally broke my heart when he told me that someone he knows is following the teachings of that book, a book that instructs parents to treat babies as if they are mind-manipulating bastards, a book that goes against EVERYTHING modern science and research has told us NOT to do to a baby. It broke my heart not because the book exists, but rahter, that I kept on having an image in my head of a baby being treated the way the book instructs parents to treat him/her — how can any parent have the heart to do those things to an newborn infant!? It’s so distrubing on so many levels. And I wish there was something I can do for those poor babies.

People are blind when it comes to inaccurate information published in books — if it’s in print, it must be true. Or, is it?

Quick Date

For the first time in over seven months, Grace and I finally got a chance to eat out by ourselves while her mom stayed and home to babysit Bryan (well, he was already sleeping by then anyway). It was a refreshing experience I know we will get very few of.

One unrelated note: On the way to the restaurant, we saw a mother driving a luxury SUV with her child in the backseat watching a LCD monitor playing cartoon. I wonder if most parents are spending too much time and effort trying to keep their children pre-occupied with “stuff” instead of trying to get to know them, REALLY get to know them or bond with them with parent-child activities. Not too long ago, NPR had a guest from Sesame Workshop introducing their latest product, Sesame Beginnings, a DVD set for infans 6+ months to watch WITH the presence of parents. The rationale behind the production of the series, according to Sesame Workshop, is that their research showed that parents have been showing Sesame Street to young children even though the program was not produced with young children in mind. So they figured they might as well produce something more age appropriate for that age group. Makes sense, I guess.

The issue is, of course, how young is too young to get a child “hooked” on TV? This raised some serious concerns from some early childhood experts and educators. There simply weren’t enough studies to support or disprove either side’s arguements. To me, I see TV monitor and DVD players as another education medium. You shouldn’t abuse it. When used appropriately with careful measure, it can be as effective as a read-along electronic book (and there are TONS of those in the market today — more batteries down the drain).

A Window to One’s Soul

Mark posted an article about waiters and how to tell someone’s personality from how this person treats waiters. The article is very interesting and made me recall my own experience as a waiter as well as how some people I have known have treated them. It’s probably a pretty good indicator of, not just personality, but if this person can be a true friend, someone who’d extend a helping hand when you are in deep shit (metaphorically speaking).

The article was based on a set of management rules developed by Bill Swanson, CEO of Raytheon Company, called Swanson’s Unwritten Rules of Management. Raytheon gives the booklet away for free in hope to inspire young people to become leaders. I placed an order for a copy but couldn’t wait for it to come in the mail. So I Googled and found this instead (taken from an article at CCG):

  1. Learn to say, "I don’t know." If used when appropriate, it will be often.
  2. It is easier to get into something than it is to get out of it.
  3. If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.
  4. Look for what is missing. Many know how to improve what’s there, but few can see what isn’t there.
  5. Presentation rule: When something appears on a slide presentation, assume the world knows about it, and deal with it accordingly.
  6. Work for a boss with whom you are comfortable telling it like it is. Remember that you can’t pick your relatives, but you can pick your boss.
  7. Constantly review developments to make sure that the actual benefits are what they are supposed to be. Avoid Newton’s Law.
  8. However menial and trivial your early assignments may appear, give them your best efforts.
  9. Persistence or tenacity is the disposition to persevere in spite of difficulties, discouragement, or indifference. Don’t be known as a good starter but a poor finisher.
  10. In doing your project, don’t wait for others; go after them, and make sure it gets done.
  11. Confirm your instructions and the commitments of others in writing. Don’t assume it will get done!
  12. Don’t be timid; speak up. Express yourself, and promote your ideas.
  13. Practice shows that those who speak the most knowingly and confidently often end up with the assignment to get it done.
  14. Strive for brevity and clarity in oral and written reports.
  15. Be extremely careful of the accuracy of your statements.
  16. Don’t overlook the fact that you are working for a boss.
    * Keep him or her informed. Avoid surprises!
    * Whatever the boss wants takes top priority.
  17. Promises, schedules, and estimates are important instruments in a well-ordered business.
    * You must make promises. Don’t lean on the often-used phrase, "I can’t estimate it because it depends upon many uncertain factors."
  18. Never direct a complaint to the top. A serious offense is to "cc" a person’s boss.
  19. When dealing with outsiders, remember that you represent the company. Be careful of your commitments.
  20. Cultivate the habit of "boiling matters down" to the simplest terms. An elevator speech is the best way.
  21. Don’t get excited in engineering emergencies. Keep your feet on the ground.
  22. Cultivate the habit of making quick, clean-cut decisions.
  23. When making decisions, the “pros” are much easier to deal with than the “cons”. Your boss wants to see the “cons” also.
  24. Don’t ever lose your sense of humor.
  25. Have fun at what you do. It will reflect in your work. No one likes a grump except another grump.
  26. Treat the name of the company as if it were your own.
  27. Beg for the bad news.
  28. You remember 1/3 of what you read, 1/2 of what people tell you, but 100% of what you feel.
  29. You can’t publish a sneaker
  30. When facing issues or problems that are becoming drawn-out, “short them to the ground.”
  31. When faced with decisions, try to look at them as if you were one level up in the organization. Your perspective will change quickly.
  32. A person who is nice to you but rude to others is not a nice person. (This rule never fails).
  33. Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, an amateur built an ark that survived a flood while a large group of professionals built the Titanic!

Additional rules from an interview in USA Today:

  1. When in charge, be in charge. “When you get the key to the bus, it’s time to drive.”
  2. Hold people to the highest standard or the organization will gravitate toward mediocrity.
  3. When things go wrong, true leaders take responsibility and rectify a mistake with speed and passion. They take action that most people would find too hard.
  4. If you are doing something and it doesn’t work, no one will care that it was done on cost and on schedule. If it works and exceeds expectations, no one will remember if it was late and overrun.

Good stuff.

Trading Up

Some dude in Canada has been using a paper clip to try to trade up to a house (eventually). He’s been doing a pretty good job at getting that goal… If you are into “MySpace”, this is him.

An excerpt from C | Net:

MacDonald, 26, currently lives in Montreal and has spent the last year doing odd jobs and traveling. But the project that began as a throwback to “bigger and better,” a game he and his friends played as children, has now become his full-time occupation. And it’s allowed him to spawn a Net cult following that’s hoping he’ll succeed. Popular blogs such as boingboing have been tracking his progress for months.

MacDonald’s trades have gone as follows:

• Paper clip for a fish-shaped pen
• Fish-shaped pen for a clay doorknob with a funny face on it
• Clay doorknob for a camping stove
• Stove for a generator
• Generator for an “instant party”
• Instant party for a snowmobile
• Snowmobile for an all-expenses-paid trip to Yahk, British Columbia
• Yahk trip for a panel van
• Van for a recording contract
• Recording contract for the year of free rent in Phoenix

Pretty crazy and GOOD idea!

via [News.com]

Tax Time!

Finally got all the paperwork from my accountant in NYC. It’s SOOO worth it to have a tax accountant to look into every possible way of saving money and get my max possible returns every year. I so don’t understand why some people still think they can save more money on taxes than the money they spend on a good tax accountant (ahem, you know who you are 😉 ). I mean, what can their $30 software know that a good tax accountant doesn’t know more about? And besides, a software can’t help you save what it doesn’t know. On the other hand, a good tax accountant can always put 2 and 2 together, ask follow up questions if he thinks additional savings can be itemized or simply being there to answer all the questions throughout the rest of the year on best practice to save money before the next tax season comes.

On the flip side, my corporate tax filing was late because stupid FedEx messed up. Either way, this is going to be another good year despite (or maybe because of?) my unemployment… My accountant never disappoints. He’s always come through even when I didn’t think I could get too much more out of the previous year’s return!!

For the most part, I don’t mind paying taxes because the United States still has great social services for its people. Brian used to tell me that he’s always glad to pay Austrian taxes because their social programs far outweight the high percentage of taxes he pays in Europe. Even though U.S. still has a lot to improve upon in some areas, but hey, things could be worse!

China’s RedBerry

Excerpt from an article:

On the eve of its long-delayed China launch, BlackBerry is facing a sudden challenge from a cheaper Chinese rival called, unapologetically, RedBerry.

The new service, aimed squarely at BlackBerry, was launched this month by China Unicom Ltd., the state-controlled telecommunications giant that ranks as China’s second-biggest mobile operator.

The new RedBerry service could pose a major challenge to Research in Motion Ltd., which is planning to launch BlackBerry in China by the end of next month. Its China launch has been delayed by two years of negotiations and regulatory obstacles, and RedBerry has now been introduced ahead of it.

Wow… Sweet! Chinese businessmen’s got to be one of the most “innovative” and “honest” people in the world… Innovative in stealing and coming up with original names for products they stole and honest in having no shame in doing it. I look forward to having such a great country and people to lead the world into the next century. I get excited just thinking about it! Woohoo!

Fresh Orange Juice

Grace was feeling sick on Sunday. I got a box of oranges at Safeway and one of those manual juicers from Longs. I came home and started juicing. It was a fun experience at first until my wriests started to get really sored.

It turns out that a box of oranges at $5 produces about 2.5 liters of fresh juice (with lots of pulp though, but we like it that way; also, give or take a few ounces because I added two grapefruits for flavor). I used to think those 2.5-liter “not from concentrate” cartons of juice were expensive at $3. But the economy of scale really demonstrated itself in this simple juicing experiment.

But I guess I really can’t buy the notion of “freshness” straight from my own kitchen… Maybe this whole excercise would be more worthwhile if the oranges were organic or something when Bryan is old enough to drink orange juice…

The Rules of Economics

I am taking my first (ever) class in economics in this quarter at UCSC Extensions. And for the first time, the world makes perfect sense to me through the eyes of economics and math. And this is the only time where math has ever made any sense to me outside of the realms of daily application.

The best way to describe my experience is Jonathan Goldstein’s description of Eve’s experience with her first “nibble” of the Fruit of Wisdom… “It’s like trying on a pair of new glasses for the first time…” An experience that is both dizzying and exonerating.

Sweet. Maybe I will take the next class in macroeconomics!

Safari Still Unbearable

After ditching Firefox for Safari less than 48 hours ago, I am back using Firefox again. Safari’s memory leak was simply unbearable. After doing some surfing on how to boost both Safari and Firefox’s performance as well as reduce potential for memory leaks, I came across this nifty command line to check leaks:

For Safari, in the command prompt, run

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
cosmo:~ zzz$ leaks Safari
Process 16320: 296847 nodes malloced for 47252 KB
Process 16320: 56 leaks for 6176 total leaked bytes.
.
.
.
(lines and lines or error codes)

For Firefox, run

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
cosmo:~ zzz$ leaks firefox-bin
Process 16320: 309998 nodes malloced for 47750 KB
Process 16320: 111 leaks for 3440 total leaked bytes.
.
.
.
(lines and lines of error codes)

When

1
leaks Safari

was executed, the error codes ran for pages and pages in the command prompt. It was so long that the command prompt’s buffer ran out of memory (and only after I piped the errors to a text file did I find out that the error code generated a 20MB plain text file!!). And that was after I launched Safari fresh with 10 tabs. In comparison, Firefox’s error code was only a few mouse scrolls away. On top of that, after only having used Safari for less than 12 hours yesterday, I watched it gobbling up almost 200MB of RAM where as in Firefox, I can go on for days with keep the memory occupancy at less than 135MB. Again, this was all with about 10 tabs opened simultanously at all times.

After I decided to quit Safari (again), I closed the windows one by one after transfering all the pages to Firefox. And it gave me this error:

The following world leaks were detected (the check is done when all browser windows are closed):

2 WebView objects, 1 WebFrame object, 1 WebDataSource object, 1 WebFrameView object, 1 WebHTMLRepresentation object, 1 WebBridge object, 2 JavaScript interpreters.

Please write a bug report about this, along with reproducible steps if possible.

Safari Leaks

Supposedly Finder and almost everything else leaks memory as well… But I am surprised the OS holds up so well after having gone weeks (sometimes months) without a reboot… I wonder how XP and/or other OSes and their Desktops/X hold up against leaks. But I have never heard of Linux having to restart from crashes or bad memory leaks. And OSX has been pretty stable for the past 3.5 years in various versions I have been using. So Windows must just suck more then?

Argh… memory leaks are annoying…