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Some quotes are great regardless of context:
So here is where things go horribly wrong. He asks to use the bathroom. I hesitated, because I am very protective of my cleanly home - but thought I had to be gracious. After being in there for twenty minutes - he emerged with the most horrible stench of poo escaping throughout my home. In an attempt to disguise my disgust…
[via Consumerist]
Chili’s Awesome Blossom has been named the Worst Starter in America - number 2 on The list of Worst Foods in America - by the fascists at Mens Health magazine who must take all the fun out of life.
2,710 calories
203 g fat
194 g carbs
6,360 mg sodiumIt takes a special talent to turn a single oversized onion into the fat equivalent of 67 slices of bacon, but the line cooks at Chili’s manage this horrific feat with the help of a thick batter, a calorie-loaded dipping sauce, and a vat of bubbling fat.
The distinction reminds me of one of my favorite characteristics of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, exemplified in this exchange:
Andrew Wells: I-I bet even covert operatives eat curly fries. They’re really good.
Spike: Not as good as those onion blossom things.
Andrew Wells: Ooh, I love those.
Spike: Yeah, me too.
Andrew Wells: It’s an onion and it’s a flower. I-I don’t understand how such a thing is possible.
Spike: Oh, see, the genius of it is, you soak it in ice water for an hour so it holds its shape. Then you deep-fry it, root-side up, for about five minutes.
Andrew Wells: Masterful.
Spike: Yeah. Tell anyone we had this conversation, I’ll bite you.
Andrew Wells: Right.
[via FriendFeed and IMDB]
One of the best things I did for myself in terms of learning experiences was build my own computer before my third year of university (Editor’s note: Been hanging outside the U.S. for a bit, hence the non-American term “university” rather than the uninspired “college”). I came to UC Davis with an HP desktop with a blazing fast Intel MMX processor and 15″ HP CRT monitor. This thing complemented the rise of Napster my freshman year as it had a whopping 4GB of hard drive space - total!
After my second year I knew it was time for an upgrade, but having had a bad experience with the overpriced and flaky HP and being a curious nerd-to-be, I started researching building my own desktop PC. This gave me an opportunity to do two things: Set a goal in terms of saving money from my part time job at the UCD Campus Box Office (UCD CBO as Yen used to say), and learn about the inner workings of a computer while having complete control over the quality of the parts and being ultimately responsible for any failures with no one to blame but also achieving a sense of triumph for accomplishing a task most would never attempt. That might be more than two things.
I spent the summer of 2001 working at the CBO and putting in overtime to save as much money as possible. Now, before I come off sounding like I’m trying to pretend college university was some big struggle, I have to say that my school and housing were paid for by my parents. I got the job at the beginning of my second year because my parents didn’t want me to be lazy, and the money went to improving my wardrobe (concert tees and $20 jeans to Banana Republic and J. Crew) and other non-essential expenditures. So I made my $7-$7.50 an hour and opened a separate checking account so I wouldn’t touch the money (That’s also another thing I learned: how to open my own bank account), and I knew by the end of the summer I was gonna make something nice.
I spent a lot, A LOT, of time researching how to build a PC, what components I would need, the performance I wanted, etc. Anyone who knows me will tell you that if I am even a bit unsure about something, I will take forever to decide if I want to spend the money and go through with it - I mean, it took me over a year to buy a new car! A lot of the websites about DIY computer building were centered around gamers, which I wasn’t even sure was something I would be doing. But I knew I wanted a kick-ass multimedia machine that would let me do some processor intensive tasks like chatting on AIM and listening to Winamp. This was gonna be one sweet machine.
I did my due diligence and came up with a really good parts list well within my budget of $1000. I don’t remember everything I got, but it included: an Antec full tower, 1GB Crucial memory, 60GB IBM Deathstar, ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon with 32MB DDR, an awesome sound card which was way over the top, an Asus motherboard, AMD Athlon 1.4GHz, slot loading DVD player, 3.5″ disk drive, and more. I went with AMD because I wanted to avoid giving my money to Intel, which in retrospect is silly because they’re not a bad company. They just seemed to be monopoly-esque and I wanted to support the little guy. I ordered most of these parts from NewEgg.com because they had the best prices and great service.
I spent a week putting the computer together, and the little things were really frustrating to a first time builder. For example, putting the RAM was really stressful. I understand you had to be forceful, but for the longest time I thought I was going to break the motherboard. You really have to put a lot of weight into it, and it’s something you don’t expect at all. But the biggest issue I faced was that after it was all put together, the machine just wouldn’t turn on. I spent days trying to figure it out and I wasn’t sure if it was me or a faulty component. I finally called Asus support because I thought it was the motherboard. I remember the call well because it was the morning of September 11, 2001, and rather than sit and watch the news I just wanted to get my damn computer working. The CSR was probably like “WTF? Whose calling today?!” He was really helpful and diagnosed the problem within a few minutes: There were no plastic spacers between the case and the motherboard, so it was shorting out every time I tried to boot up. So for day I had the motherboard all hooked up sitting on a cardboard box as I installed Windows XP and all my software. I later made a trip to Fry’s and got the spacers.
I installed a burned copy of Windows XP as well as Norton Antivirus and Office XP. I guess my budget isn’t really honest in that way since those would have increased it by 50% if I had been honest. It’s funny because I am completely against software piracy now… even for Microsoft products.
The clutch component after everything was all hooked up was the ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon video card which had TV outputs and inputs, so I could watch TV and play GameCube on my computer, as well as record video. When you’re in college, this is huge because you’re usually dealing with little space for a TV in your room.
I also got a 5.1 Cambridge Soundworks surround sound speaker set that was amazing and really annoyed every roommate I had. But watching downloaded Friends episodes never sounded better.
One mistake was getting the full tower. Since a lot of the DIY sites at the time were centered around gamers, I was under the impression that if I didn’t get a full tower, all of my components would melt. Also, this thing was steel and not aluminum. It was the heaviest and biggest computer case ever, and I was surprised it was so popular but apparently it was/is. Over the next few years I would switch cases twice, the first time to an aluminum mid-tower with a side window and blue lights, and lastly to a black Antec aluminum mid-tower that was perfect.
I didn’t want to spend my money on a new monitor at the time, so for over a year I kept the HP 15″ monitor, waiting for prices to drop. I eventually got a great deal on a 19″ Dell LCD during my fourth year, right when LCD prices were dropping.
I used this machine for about 4 years and learned a lot about computers on it. I understood all the pin-outs on the motherboard, the jumper settings, driver conflict issues (on a Windows PC? Never!), etc. I would later upgrade and sell components to suit my needs, and eventually got into overclocking.
None of this process was easy, but that was kind of the point. When things went wrong, it was up to me to figure out what was causing the problem and I would learn more. I went from being afraid to put in a new CDRW drive to adding multiple drives and configuring masters and slaves. From being afraid of breaking the motherboard with the RAM to opening up the case while the computer was running.
If I had to do it again, there are some areas where I would cut back (the case, sound card) and others where I would have invested more (RAM). I would have also opted for a Linux OS instead of Windows to get off that horrible OS earlier - I would eventually switch to Mac OS X and never look back, but I still wish I had more experience with Linux.
Anyways, if you’re set on having a desktop PC and have the time, I highly recommend building your own at least once to understand where all that noise is coming from when you boot up. I’m past having a desktop or a PC these days, but I’m glad I made this project for myself while it made sense.
Things haven’t gone so good for the Lakers when I’ve been out of the country:
So since I’m India again right now, I’m going to have to give a preemptive apology in case anything happens to Stu Lantz, or Pau Gasol gets deported, or Donald Sterling buys the Lakers, or Kobe rapes someone else. Allegedly.
I’m just hoping that this is the worse thing to happen to the Lakers this post-season:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG05uorzl2Q]
Contemplating a new domain name as I’ve been tired of this one for a few years. Problem is that the one I want isn’t available in the .com TLD, so it might have to be a .org. Yuck.
Complicating things is that I use Google Apps for Your Domain on this account to create GMail accounts for separate web signups. It’s going to involve a lot of change of email addresses. Luckily I still use a vanilla GMail account as my personal account, so I don’t have to worry about anyone not updating their address book.
Seriously, the people who have the domain I want registered aren’t even really using it. It redirects to another site. Gah!
On the way to the 3 month stint in Hyderabad, India, I had a 15 hour layover in Singapore which I planned to use to feast on that country’s culinary delights and get some good use out of the new camera.
I landed in Singapore around 5:30am on April 2nd after having left LAX on the evening of March 31st. That’s right, I missed April Fools Day and didn’t get a chance to use the “hey, I’m quitting to go to Facebook” prank on my coworkers that I thought would be so witty. Maybe next year, but replace Facebook with Twitter/Yelp/FriendFeed. So I landed in Singapore, went through customs (no problems there), and checked my carry on bag into storage so I wouldn’t have to carry it around with me (it only costs a couple of bucks and seemed pretty safe).
My plan was to hit the ground running, er subway-ing, to try to check out Little India, Chinatown, Orchard Street, the waterfront area, etc. I knew I wanted chili crab, fish head curry soup (apparently there are Indian and Chinese versions), a Singapore Sling cocktail at the Raffles Hotel where it was invented, etc. But what I really really wanted was something I saw on Anthony Bourdain’s show: sup tulang
Seetoh’s guide pointed me to Haji Kadir-M. Baharudeen’s stand in the Golden Mile Food Centre as being the apex of sup tulang (bone soup), an Indian Muslim dish popular at the end of Ramadan fasting. For lunch, I found myself clumsily manhandling a sticky, slippery yet utterly wonderful heap of sauce-dripping bones, all the while wishing I’d wrapped myself in a dropcloth. The red mutton bones, stewed in a spicy sweet chili, tomato and mutton stock, arrived with a useless fork, a spoon, a little cabbage and some fried bread slices to mop up the sauce. The idea, apparently, was to pick up the bones with your fingers and tap them repeatedly until the buttery marrow slid out. [nytimes.com]
I mean, right? For anyone who has seen that episode, you know how messy and delicious that looks. I had to have it.
There are a few options for getting around Singapore that I had looked up before I left: Singapore Airlines offers a guided bus tour around the city, and there is the subway, which is supposed to be one of the best in the world. My coworker told me that in the bus tour, they take your passport and you can’t leave the group the whole time. Also, you don’t get a customs stamp - so that was totally a no go. When I got down to the subway, the ticket machine didn’t take bills larger than S$10, and I only had a 20 from the ATM. I went back up to the visitors booth where I was told there was another free city bus sponsored by Singapore where they just drop you off in Little India and pick you up later in the day at Suntec Towers. It’s free and you get to explore on your own, so I opted for that.
Unfortunately, the bus didn’t leave until 8am so I had a couple of hours to kill. I decided to plan my day by creating a Singapore Map in Google Maps that outlined all of the great food I wanted to eat. Pretty nerdy I know.
I got to Little India around 8:30am and wanted to start my day with a fish head curry soup. Then I saw what fish head curry soup looks like and decided to pass. It was like a big ass head in a bowl! Since I was gonna be going to India anyways, I decided to pass on the whole area and try to get to the bone soup place.
I cabbed it over to the Golden Mile Food Centre where the stand is located. Unfortunately, the cab driver dropped my off across the street at the Golden Mile mall or some junk. I spent a half hour walking around inside this mall lost, and it was hella sketchy in there. I finally found the right place over a pedestrian bridge in this multi-story open air food stand structure. By this time, it was about 9am. And at 9am, the bone soup is closed. Crap.
It’s not like there are sign with hours posted up either, so I walked around the area for a bit looking for a snack since I hadn’t eaten since breakfast on the plane. I found a small outdoor Chinese stand that served laksa, another dish I wanted to try in Singapore. I ordered a small since I wanted to save room for the bone marrow later. A small was S$2 and a large was S$3, and in retrospect I should have gone with a large because it was so damn tasty.
Once you’ve had laksa — a spicy Peranakan (Chinese/Malaysian) noodle soup — for breakfast, bacon and eggs become completely inadequate. It usually consists of seafood, rice noodles, fried bean curd, coconut milk and lots of chilies. The word “laksa” is said to have come from the Sanskrit word for “many,” referring to its many ingredients, but it might as well have referred to its many versions. The one at Sungei Road, though less fiery than the Borneo variety, is still a spicy hellbroth of fresh cockles, slices of fish cake and beehoon noodles in coconut milk, seasoned with garlic, red chilies, belacan (dried shrimp paste), lemongrass, galangal root and turmeric. It’s a classic “hurt so good” experience, requiring only a spoon — and a towel to mop the sweat from your face. [nytimes.com]
That’s a pretty great and accurate description! It was delicious, and I have a feel I’ll never find it in the U.S. because I’ve never seen it anywhere there before. But for my next layover in Singapore, it is a must.
I walked around the area a bit more waiting for the bone marrow stand to open and came across this mosque. Decided to take some pics to try out my camera skills.
I should mention that it was now around 10am, and the weather was surprisingly pleasant. I expected humidity and, being 100 miles from the equator, tons of sun, but it wasn’t so bad. Yet.
After going back one more time to the bone marrow place, it looked like it wasn’t gonna open for a while. I decided to call it quits on that dream and head somewhere else.
From looking at the map, the Esplanade area didn’t look too far. While most people recommended taking the subway everywhere, walking wasn’t too bad. Sure it got hotter throughout the day, and if I lived there I would probably take the subway, but walking is totally doable. Plus, I was able to get a refreshing soy milk on the way.
The next few hours were pretty uneventful. Walked around some malls, walked around outside. By noon, the sun was killing me. I was getting bored and my MacBook Pro battery was running low. So I looked up the Google Singapore address and cabbed it over.
The Google office is in a newer building in a business/financial area. I asked the receptionist where to go, and she was very quick to call someone to show me around despite my objections. I should mention that I had just gotten off a 17 hour flight and spent 8 hours walking around the Singapore heat, so I just wanted to be discreet, grab a drink, and power up. Not gonna happen. Another (attractive) Googler came out to greet me and took me to the room where more (attractive) Direct Sales Googlers sat. Yes, it was just one room, and I walked in and was announced “This is Roshan from the Mountain View office!” so of course I was the center of attention. Did I mention I felt gross at the time? How embarrassing!
When everyone realized I was in Online Sales and Operations, they took me to the OSO room across the hall where the same thing was repeated. I caught up on emails, charged my MBP up, and chatted with some people about Singapore and Hyderabad. After a couple of hours, I left to continue exploring the city. Thanks Google Singapore for hosting me for those 2 hours and being incredibly nice and welcoming 
The rest of the day I crossed some more things off the list. I had a Singapore Sling at the Raffles Hotel, where the drink originated.
I should mention that at S$26, it is completely not worth it. What a ripoff! and it was gross!
There is a giant art theater in Singapore inspired by the might durian. It actually looks really amazing in person.
The durian influence didn’t stop there, as apparently, people must be reminded to not eat it in taxi cabs.
I headed back to the airport around 5pm. I was exhausted, sweaty, and ready to get to Hyderabad to get to my new home for 3 months.
If you have a long layover in Singapore, I recommend the laksa. I wanted the chili crab, but the one place I found was really expensive, so try to do some research before you go. I was disappointed I didn’t get to eat as many good things as I planned, but I had fun overall and felt like I saw a lot. I wouldn’t really plan a vacation around going to Singapore, but it’s a fine place for a layover or to make a hub if you’re visiting different areas in Asia. Also, I’m glad I brought my trusty Google CamelPak water bottle - you can easily find drinking fountains to fill up, and you absolutely need to stay hydrated in that heat. I think I had at least 4 bottles of water that day.
For the rest of my pics:
I created a Map on Google Maps of where I’m living and working for next few months in Hyderabad.
Guest Lecture Series: I Know That A–hole Knows What A Vegan Is
And, most all, I know that asshole [Roger Clemens] knows what a vegan is.
You may have found it a bit silly when Congressman Bruce Braley asked Clemens if he had ever been a vegetarian or a vegan. But I think Clemens’ answer gives us a perfect look at his complete and utter disingenuousness.
“I don’t know what that is. I’m sorry.”
Oh, really? No clue what a vegan is? This from a gentleman who played in New York City FOR SIX YEARS? He’s never even heard the term? I’m sorry, but that is bullshit. The man is 45 years old and has never seen that term used on a restaurant menu, or on a TV show, or in a magazine, or on the news, or in a movie, or at AT&T Park in San Francisco, for God’s sake? No teammate ever joked about vegans with him?
My ass.
Look, I’ll give you that veganism is a fairly new phenomenon. But it’s not some underground movement, like mopery. Vegans have been out there prominently since the 90’s. We even have them in Congress. Barney Frank gave me a taste of stir fried tempeh the other day. I thought it tasted like a particularly nutty bowel movement, but I lied and told him it was delicious. There are vegan actors, too. Familiar with little actress known as ALICIA SILVERSTONE, Mr. Clemens?
Your story is unraveling faster than a vegan family rehearsal dinner at Ruth’s Chris.
From Adorama via Amazon Marketplace
