It was a fine walk on a fine day with a fine group of fine people.
Tab Completion for Python 3
9 years ago
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
28 Miles - Effect
Boasting about putting 28 miles under our feet feels good enough; the 10 hours of our life experiencing this were even more "enjoyable". There were the chill in the early morning, the excitement agitated at the sight of ducks, the ghasting sight of a dead snake, the slower and slower "warm-up" after rests, and the robot dances we all performed in the last leg of the hike.
It was a fine walk on a fine day with a fine group of fine people.
It was a fine walk on a fine day with a fine group of fine people.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Friday, April 28, 2006
25 Miles by Foot
Tomorrow, is the big day, the day the East Coast Gang is going to hike 25 miles along the canal, from New Brunswick to Princeton. That will be the longest hike I have ever taken in my life up to date. Challenges? Who knows. Weather will be good, trail is close to major roads, there'll be 9 of us; so nothing is really scary, unless some of the heaviest collapse and need somebody to haul them out. Let's see!
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Disappointing Pictures
After getting back the pictures of our California trip, I got disappointed. There are numerous pictures displaying a weird drab color. Just when I wanted to blame the printing, some well-balanced-colored ones jumped out; that was humiliating. After some close examination, it turned out that the bad ones were all taken with a polarizer, and this becomes even more confusing.
I used the polarizer to cut down the bright sky, in the hope that the contrast between forground and distant snow peaks could also be reduced. That seemed a futile effort; the contrast was still so strong, while the whole picture showed a shift of color towards blue. Well, this is a perfect lesson showing the importance of testing out the equipment thoroughly while at home. To be fair to myself, I have used this filter while I was in Las Vegas, and didn't observe any color shift; but maybe that was because of the good weather? I have no idea.
In contrast, pictures from my tiny point and shoot digital camera turned out pretty good. That proves another lesson: the better equipment, the easier to get full control, and the easier to screw up.
I used the polarizer to cut down the bright sky, in the hope that the contrast between forground and distant snow peaks could also be reduced. That seemed a futile effort; the contrast was still so strong, while the whole picture showed a shift of color towards blue. Well, this is a perfect lesson showing the importance of testing out the equipment thoroughly while at home. To be fair to myself, I have used this filter while I was in Las Vegas, and didn't observe any color shift; but maybe that was because of the good weather? I have no idea.
In contrast, pictures from my tiny point and shoot digital camera turned out pretty good. That proves another lesson: the better equipment, the easier to get full control, and the easier to screw up.
Monday, April 24, 2006
Weekends
Just as I decided to try to restart journaling my life, I would as well start babbling about my weekends, which tend to be more eventful than weekdays; and as I spent most of my weekends with friends, the nature of those is much less private.
I believe weekends until 3/18 have been pretty well documented. From 3/18 till today, there are 5 weekends not counting the 3/18 one. How am I able to account for all these 5 weekends is anybody's guess ---- I can't. I can only say I had a haircut on some day, and a party on 4/15 for my assumed birthday, and probably last weekend.
Last weekend was a little bit hectic, but not too eventful. Good Buddy Yavi was finally convinced to change his Friday meeting into a phone conference, so that he could delay his trip to the rural area till Sunday night. On Saturday, when we got bored with the card game, we set off to the office to enjoy the snacks, drinks, and all sorts of gaming facilities. After a VERY HEAVY hot pot meal, the card games ran into late night.
On Sunday wife and I went to Bathlehem, PA for a farewell party to Idaho Zhao, who would leave for Boise, Idaho late this month to start her job at Micron. The barbecue was especially good, and other dishes did the same good job of stuffing me up to the neck; I was happy then.
Well as I drag on, another two weekends are accounted for. My visit to California was from 3/31 to 4/9, which pretty much covered 2 weekends. On 4/1 weekend we just spent some time in San Francisco, and met with Weird Name Guy, who this time claimed he was living on the Mars. Food there was pretty good, and the waiter was great fun. On 4/8 we took the day trip to Yosemite, and that was when I got the chance to drive on roads without speed limit.
As nice and easy as typing in here, I might need a private journal for some other stuff. Wife said she needed a access-restricted blog space, while I recommended pen and paper; that would never fail on me.
I believe weekends until 3/18 have been pretty well documented. From 3/18 till today, there are 5 weekends not counting the 3/18 one. How am I able to account for all these 5 weekends is anybody's guess ---- I can't. I can only say I had a haircut on some day, and a party on 4/15 for my assumed birthday, and probably last weekend.
Last weekend was a little bit hectic, but not too eventful. Good Buddy Yavi was finally convinced to change his Friday meeting into a phone conference, so that he could delay his trip to the rural area till Sunday night. On Saturday, when we got bored with the card game, we set off to the office to enjoy the snacks, drinks, and all sorts of gaming facilities. After a VERY HEAVY hot pot meal, the card games ran into late night.
On Sunday wife and I went to Bathlehem, PA for a farewell party to Idaho Zhao, who would leave for Boise, Idaho late this month to start her job at Micron. The barbecue was especially good, and other dishes did the same good job of stuffing me up to the neck; I was happy then.
Well as I drag on, another two weekends are accounted for. My visit to California was from 3/31 to 4/9, which pretty much covered 2 weekends. On 4/1 weekend we just spent some time in San Francisco, and met with Weird Name Guy, who this time claimed he was living on the Mars. Food there was pretty good, and the waiter was great fun. On 4/8 we took the day trip to Yosemite, and that was when I got the chance to drive on roads without speed limit.
As nice and easy as typing in here, I might need a private journal for some other stuff. Wife said she needed a access-restricted blog space, while I recommended pen and paper; that would never fail on me.
Diary
When wife was in China, I went through my old journal book, and wrote several posts about that. Last week, when wife wanted to know some details about an event, I just said "Check my journal yourself"; and that was the start.
Over these days, she has been studying it extensively, plucking out every details to prove that I am not treating her as affectionately as before. Whereas I never sensed that myself, it probably is true. After all, 7 years is a long long time.
Along the way, some tidbits of long lost memory have been picked up; that is the magic of Rotten Pen Tip. From between the lines, a happy aimless content soul was the one who wrote those text. As aimless as I was, it was a fine young life, which I don't have the luxury of claiming so any more. Although can't remember the details without the help of the jounal, I could still remember vividly the worriless years, like the faint remaining taste of wine on the back of my tongue.
Now that life is becoming a routine, in these 5 years there is much less to remember than the couple of years documented in my journal. Maybe, just maybe, I should pick up the pen and ink down whatever mundane life that is going on; and make that part of the routine itself. After all, it seems all famous people kept a journal, which sometimes made its way into a memoir.
Over these days, she has been studying it extensively, plucking out every details to prove that I am not treating her as affectionately as before. Whereas I never sensed that myself, it probably is true. After all, 7 years is a long long time.
Along the way, some tidbits of long lost memory have been picked up; that is the magic of Rotten Pen Tip. From between the lines, a happy aimless content soul was the one who wrote those text. As aimless as I was, it was a fine young life, which I don't have the luxury of claiming so any more. Although can't remember the details without the help of the jounal, I could still remember vividly the worriless years, like the faint remaining taste of wine on the back of my tongue.
Now that life is becoming a routine, in these 5 years there is much less to remember than the couple of years documented in my journal. Maybe, just maybe, I should pick up the pen and ink down whatever mundane life that is going on; and make that part of the routine itself. After all, it seems all famous people kept a journal, which sometimes made its way into a memoir.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
30?30!
Hard to believe I'm inching close to that time of life. After the big party we held last Sat, although it's still about 1 month from my real 29th birthday, it's inevitably incredibly close.
Some crazy pictures of our celebration/mourning: http://s88134149.onlinehome.us/gallery
Ok, think I'll stop here, before I sound like a age-whining sissy :) Anyway, the record that party set is, at least 5 totally drunk, and numerous quite drunk, and yet some slightly drunk. When things were quite out of control, threats about eating the pet bird, driving in reverse on RT-1 at 60 mph etc were proposed; it was quite close to the point where the house could be burnt down.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Speed Limitless
J-132, CA
On our way to Yosemite, we were detoured on to SR-49 => J-132 from SR-120. This detour was not only very long, but exciting; J-132 was mostly without a posted speed limit during the detour. Driving through it, you could see "Speed Zone Ahead", followed by "End Speed Zone" a few miles further; within those speed zones, the limit was usually 40 or 30; between them, it was like autobarn in Germany, no posted speed limit. Unlike autobarn, I could hardly reach 60 mph; it was treacherous paths meandering through mountain ranges; there were places where suggested cornering speed of 20 mph or even 10 mph. Usually when the suggested cornering speed is above 30, you could safely do it with at least 20 mph above that; but when that gets down to 20 or below, it means business. I was doing 30 at a corner marked with 20, and heard the squealing sound from the tires; I definitely didn't intend to screw that one, as the cliff beside that gave no forgiveness.
The more exciting experience was in the night. As usual, we left the destination after dark. My adrenaline rushed to the head for what I saw; total darkness was what covered us. High beam could not serve the purpose at all on winding roads; light travels straight lines, it's that simple. Balancing among the urge to experience the extreme, the eagerness to get back earlier, and the fear for anything unexpected, it was surely the experience I would like to put down in records. Even in this wilderness, signs were posted marking "Residential Zone", and those were where we sighted a coyote, where the stars outshine lights, where the only evidence of residence were the road and sporadic mailboxes by it. By the time we reached places where we badged suburban in the morning, they looked welcomingly mordern.
Last weekend was the Rodeo festival of Oakdale, CA. When passing through Oakdale, the festive dust stired up by hooves, together with the cowboy hats, painted a subtle image of cowboy into our journey.
On our way to Yosemite, we were detoured on to SR-49 => J-132 from SR-120. This detour was not only very long, but exciting; J-132 was mostly without a posted speed limit during the detour. Driving through it, you could see "Speed Zone Ahead", followed by "End Speed Zone" a few miles further; within those speed zones, the limit was usually 40 or 30; between them, it was like autobarn in Germany, no posted speed limit. Unlike autobarn, I could hardly reach 60 mph; it was treacherous paths meandering through mountain ranges; there were places where suggested cornering speed of 20 mph or even 10 mph. Usually when the suggested cornering speed is above 30, you could safely do it with at least 20 mph above that; but when that gets down to 20 or below, it means business. I was doing 30 at a corner marked with 20, and heard the squealing sound from the tires; I definitely didn't intend to screw that one, as the cliff beside that gave no forgiveness.
The more exciting experience was in the night. As usual, we left the destination after dark. My adrenaline rushed to the head for what I saw; total darkness was what covered us. High beam could not serve the purpose at all on winding roads; light travels straight lines, it's that simple. Balancing among the urge to experience the extreme, the eagerness to get back earlier, and the fear for anything unexpected, it was surely the experience I would like to put down in records. Even in this wilderness, signs were posted marking "Residential Zone", and those were where we sighted a coyote, where the stars outshine lights, where the only evidence of residence were the road and sporadic mailboxes by it. By the time we reached places where we badged suburban in the morning, they looked welcomingly mordern.
Last weekend was the Rodeo festival of Oakdale, CA. When passing through Oakdale, the festive dust stired up by hooves, together with the cowboy hats, painted a subtle image of cowboy into our journey.
Google Analytics
I pointed Google Analytics to my blog, and here's the result I'm getting:
Interesting facts:
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Profile Name: scentofoat.blogspot.com
# Report Name: Executive Overview
# Date Range: 4/3/2006 - 4/9/2006
#--------------------------------------------------------
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Visits and Pageviews
#--------------------------------------------------------
Date Range Visits Pageviews
Mon 4/3 14 40
Tue 4/4 14 16
Wed 4/5 6 6
Thu 4/6 7 11
Fri 4/7 14 17
Sat 4/8 3 3
Sun 4/9 4 4
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Visits by New and Returning
#--------------------------------------------------------
Visitor Types Visits
Returning Visitor 40
New Visitor 22
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Geo Map Overlay
#--------------------------------------------------------
Country/Region/City Visits
Edison|405378|-743714 10
Alviso|374412|-1219905 7
Pasadena|337866|-1182987 6
(not set)|(not set)|(not set) 6
Philadelphia|399597|-751968 3
Redmond|476706|-1220685 3
San Mateo|375550|-1222687 3
New Brunswick|404834|-744433 3
Berkeley|378668|-1222536 2
Jersey City|407245|-740621 2
Hayward|376503|-1220730 2
San Leandro|377035|-1221484 2
Monterrey|256667|-1003167 1
New York|407267|-739981 1
Wichita|376910|-973292 1
Poreba|504833|193500 1
Oakland|377950|-1222193 1
Ottawa|454167|-757000 1
New York|407619|-739763 1
Wantirna South|-378833|1452167 1
Piscataway|405516|-744637 1
Farmington|424831|-833774 1
Kirkland|476966|-1221970 1
Zapopan|207167|-1034000 1
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Visits by Source
#--------------------------------------------------------
Sources Visits
thelustforlife.blogspot.com 33
(direct) 19
google 3
msn 2
spaces.msn.com 2
Interesting facts:
- I'm losing traffic, mainly due to lack of activity I guess
- Visits are mostly accounted for by the list of my friends
- More than half visits are from Six Crawl's blog, that's a good place to place ads :)
- Due to the massive success of Six Crawl's novel, I got most clicks on Monday
#--------------------------------------------------------Firefox is used more widely than IE in my audience; however, sadly on windows IE is still dominant.
# Profile Name: scentofoat.blogspot.com
# Date Range: 4/3/2006 - 4/9/2006
#--------------------------------------------------------
#--------------------------------------------------------
# Browser & Platform Combos
#--------------------------------------------------------
Browsers - Platform Visits
Internet Explorer 6.0 - Windows XP 24
Firefox 1.5.0.1 - Windows XP 14
Firefox 1.0.7 - Linux (unknown version) 5
Mozilla 1.7.8 - Linux (unknown version) 3
Firefox 1.0.6 - Windows XP 3
Firefox 1.0.7 - Windows 2000 3
Internet Explorer 6.0 - Windows 2000 3
Firefox 1.5 - Linux (unknown version) 2
Firefox 1.5.0.1 - Macintosh PPC 2
Mozilla 1.7.12 - Linux (unknown version) 2
Firefox 1.5.0.1 - Linux (unknown version) 1
Friday, March 24, 2006
Funny Numbers
These numbers are from a research in the database of a dating service website.
- Male and female users typically reported that they are about 1 inch taller than the national average
- Men are in line with the national average on weight, women typically said they weighted about 20 punds less than the national average
- 70% women claimed "above average" looks, including 24% claiming "very good looks"; 67% men claimed "above average", including 21% "very good looks"; 1% chose "less than average"
- 4% of men and women claimed more than $200k annual income, while less than 1% of typical internet users actually earn that (here one doubt is where that 1% stat comes from)
- Men who posted a photo get 4 times more emails than the ones who didn't; for women, that ration becomes 6 to 1
- And here is the best; men who say they want a long-term relationship do much better than men looking for an occasional lover; but women looking for an occasional lover do great
Flame Teasers
Obviously a lame topic I posted last night started a fire. It's not hard to foresee though; one topic is guaranteed to be eternal: girls.
Boys talking about girls, girls talking about girls, that is endless. Girls flattered, girls offended, boys joking, boys mocking, girls revenging, girls biting, boys wincing, boys execusing; nasty, but hot.
Boys talking about girls, girls talking about girls, that is endless. Girls flattered, girls offended, boys joking, boys mocking, girls revenging, girls biting, boys wincing, boys execusing; nasty, but hot.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Travellers
- Dipper Who would like to see the world outside, but feels quite insecure when being away from home for a short while.
- Kite Who has a home, but can rarely stay there for long; the heart is always in somewhere far away.
- Roamer Who is comfortable everywhere; who can pack all he has into a car or even a suitcase anytime, getting into a completely new place, and start a life.
Tricks to Lure Girls
It's really not wise to leave such a nostalgic post at the top, it only shows my weekness; I'm obliged to write a new post, and another post soon only to drown that one deep into history.
This topic should be pretty provoking: what are the most effective tricks in luring girls. As surely I'm not good at these tricks, and history has proven my failure in using any of these, they only serve as a theoretical weapons of mass seduction, without any first-hand applications.
This topic should be pretty provoking: what are the most effective tricks in luring girls. As surely I'm not good at these tricks, and history has proven my failure in using any of these, they only serve as a theoretical weapons of mass seduction, without any first-hand applications.
- Playing guitar Playing guitar, as described by Auntie Sun, is very effective on music loving girls; she was once almost captured by this simple trick ---- being invited to listen and sing along, she was mesmerized ...
- Taking girls for a ride on a motocycle This trick emerged from the book I recently read; let the open road lead two free souls to the open unknown. This should work well in places like Montana or Iowa, not in New Jersey. For the rough type, you could wear a T-shirt which says "If you can see this, the bitch fell off" on the back, which seems pretty popular in the biker circle.
Monday, March 20, 2006
The Other End of the Tunnel
Saturday, March 18; Saturday evening.
This probably was my first time driving throught Holland Tunnel, or at least the first time I could remember. I was stuck in traffic for more than half an hour before entering; as soon as I was inside, the dim light, the off-white walls, even the whirling sound of the air circulation system, vaguely hinted something to me; suddenly I felt lost in the time-space. It felt like I was only minutes' drive from my parents, my home in Shanghai ---- the tunnel is so much like Da Pu Bridge Tunnel. Driving alone, without the interruption of any conversation, I was able to let my thoughts wander. I have always favored a song by Jacky Cheung (张学友), named 纽约的司机驾着北京的梦; however, it could only be a dream, as always. On the other end of the tunnel, how I wished it would be the familiar signs and roads guiding me home; instead, this tunnel was only on my way to pick my wife up at the airport, who just came from the home on the other end of the globe.
I hate to admit I've finally got a bit of homesickness after more than 3 years of no returning. There is even no reason for this hating. Maybe it's only because I'm too aware that even after so many years from home, I can still hardly call this place a home; even if I could visit *home* for several weeks, it is never the same sweet place as before; everything, whatever sweetness deeply planted in my memory, can only be memory forever.
This probably was my first time driving throught Holland Tunnel, or at least the first time I could remember. I was stuck in traffic for more than half an hour before entering; as soon as I was inside, the dim light, the off-white walls, even the whirling sound of the air circulation system, vaguely hinted something to me; suddenly I felt lost in the time-space. It felt like I was only minutes' drive from my parents, my home in Shanghai ---- the tunnel is so much like Da Pu Bridge Tunnel. Driving alone, without the interruption of any conversation, I was able to let my thoughts wander. I have always favored a song by Jacky Cheung (张学友), named 纽约的司机驾着北京的梦; however, it could only be a dream, as always. On the other end of the tunnel, how I wished it would be the familiar signs and roads guiding me home; instead, this tunnel was only on my way to pick my wife up at the airport, who just came from the home on the other end of the globe.
I hate to admit I've finally got a bit of homesickness after more than 3 years of no returning. There is even no reason for this hating. Maybe it's only because I'm too aware that even after so many years from home, I can still hardly call this place a home; even if I could visit *home* for several weeks, it is never the same sweet place as before; everything, whatever sweetness deeply planted in my memory, can only be memory forever.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Sleepy Now, Kind of Early
As days passed by, I didn't make any attempt to post any thing here. It seems the fate of my previous journals is inching closer towards this blog as well. At the beginning, I fervently posted multiple posts in a single day, only to see this trend dimishing to less that a trickle.
This blog was started less than 2 months ago, 1 week after my wife left for Shanghai. At this moment, she should be already onboard the flight to Seoul, where she'll transfer for JFK. I have a window open on the other monitor beside me, keeping an eye on the status of the flight, just as what I did for her departure flight. It is hard to say why I am doing this, maybe a mixed feeling of eagerness for a change of life style, in both cases.
I have been reading a book about a solitary journal of a woman on a bike, across the continent. It is not a book with dramatic story lines; it more or less just followed the timeline of the author's travel, and the flow of her thoughts. As I read throught it, I am almost 100% sure I won't remember those roads, towns, or people; at most I might remember some nice places she laborously depicted. I still enjoyed it, as she did something I might never be able to achieve. That actually is the main thing that kept me engaged in the past several days and not posting anything there.
This blog was started less than 2 months ago, 1 week after my wife left for Shanghai. At this moment, she should be already onboard the flight to Seoul, where she'll transfer for JFK. I have a window open on the other monitor beside me, keeping an eye on the status of the flight, just as what I did for her departure flight. It is hard to say why I am doing this, maybe a mixed feeling of eagerness for a change of life style, in both cases.
I have been reading a book about a solitary journal of a woman on a bike, across the continent. It is not a book with dramatic story lines; it more or less just followed the timeline of the author's travel, and the flow of her thoughts. As I read throught it, I am almost 100% sure I won't remember those roads, towns, or people; at most I might remember some nice places she laborously depicted. I still enjoyed it, as she did something I might never be able to achieve. That actually is the main thing that kept me engaged in the past several days and not posting anything there.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Something about Quail
Quail is suspicious in every way these days.
Last Friday, Milk Bottle called him up to invite him for a dinner gathering with two of their high school classmates, both beautiful ladies; Quail rejected saying he had plan.
Doggie invited us for a hike in Delaware Water Gap on last Saturday; Quail rejected saying he was sick with bird flu.
Now story from Six Crawl saying Quail was using the excuse that he didn't want to be a light bulb in Doggie couple's hike, while not mentioning anything about the fictional bird flu at all.
From all these facts, it is pretty sure that Quail did not *want* light bulbs.
鹌鹑有问题！
Last Friday, Milk Bottle called him up to invite him for a dinner gathering with two of their high school classmates, both beautiful ladies; Quail rejected saying he had plan.
Doggie invited us for a hike in Delaware Water Gap on last Saturday; Quail rejected saying he was sick with bird flu.
Now story from Six Crawl saying Quail was using the excuse that he didn't want to be a light bulb in Doggie couple's hike, while not mentioning anything about the fictional bird flu at all.
From all these facts, it is pretty sure that Quail did not *want* light bulbs.
鹌鹑有问题！
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Peace Corps
When read about Peace Corps, I bacame interested and did some search. It is a volunteer based non-profit organization. The missions last for 27 months, without home visits during that. It also provides allowances for living and traveling; sounds like a pretty good experience. However, I am not qualified for one reason, that is I'm not a US citizen.
But anyway, there is still hope, as there is not upper limit on age in volunteering. Spending a little bit more than 2 years, experiencing places in greatest needs, would be a very nice touch for the life. This might well be the reason for me to apply for US citizenship in the future. (Otherwise, why bother?)
But anyway, there is still hope, as there is not upper limit on age in volunteering. Spending a little bit more than 2 years, experiencing places in greatest needs, would be a very nice touch for the life. This might well be the reason for me to apply for US citizenship in the future. (Otherwise, why bother?)
Thursday, March 09, 2006
NYPL
New York Public Library is superb. Years ago I applied for a card, but didn't use it even once. Today I went there again, trying to get a new card, only to be told that my old card is still valid. Suspicious, I tried to borrow a book with it, and succeeded.
As I live in NJ, I also have a library card there. When compared side by side, it becomes obvious that the NY one is far superior in every aspect. I can request hold online, request books to be shipped to a particular branch, borrow audio and video materials, all free of charge; let alone the abundance of books; there are a long list of painstaking services, for the only purpose of making books accessible to every one. Just seeing such a well organized effort makes me feel happy that my NY state tax dollars are at work.
As I live in NJ, I also have a library card there. When compared side by side, it becomes obvious that the NY one is far superior in every aspect. I can request hold online, request books to be shipped to a particular branch, borrow audio and video materials, all free of charge; let alone the abundance of books; there are a long list of painstaking services, for the only purpose of making books accessible to every one. Just seeing such a well organized effort makes me feel happy that my NY state tax dollars are at work.
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