Sam's L33t Journal

Various things of note this week:

I saw a tailor about some dress shirts, which should arrive in six to eight weeks. If that does not result in some shirts that are an excellent fit, I will be sorely disappointed. Also placed a small order here and here, and that will also take some weeks before I know exactly how I managed to get the fit completely wrong. It's a process. More expensive ideas have been staved off until if/when the Google deal closes (also if/when I have a better idea of what I'm doing).

My comforter is beginning to fall apart and my sheets are starting to get little holes in them, so I put in an order to replace those with something that is (hopefully) a little more durable. Still haven't bought a bed (a frame for my futon, rather), since I really have no real need for such a thing, but that's still on my to-do list. Also ordered a small space-heater for the coldest part of winter. Wish my room had a radiator.

Started doing 100 Pushups, for kicks.

Looks like Yahoo is going to be shutting down Delicious. That's terrible! I love that service, and no one does quite what they do quite as well. I'd hope that Yahoo would be willing to consider selling it. (And I'd hope that Google would be buying. Google should have acquired the site back in the day. It's a valuable trove of information and the main thing that could improve the site is better search integration.)

The Obama-Republican tax plan passed. At least my representative still has some semblance of honor. Wish I could say the same about my senators.

Nikki will be in town this weekend! DJ and I will be accompanying her to a Christmas party on Saturday. I am excited.

Things I did the past week: Danced, climbed (some tricky v0s and an easy-ish v1, I need to get back to top-roping at some point), went drinking with DJ, Michelle (a different Michelle, a prospective girlfriend of DJ's), and Jess in various combinations, went hat-shopping, fought off a cold, saw The Social Network with Jess and Film Club (worth seeing, well-acted), conversed with Julia.

Near future: Date with Cidney, figuring out various travel plans.

Thursday: Went to a Jim Malcolm concert with Julia.

Saturday: Hanging out with Ames, Owen, and Dante.

Sunday: A date with someone I met online. Was feeling kind of pessimistic going into that, but it was a very pleasant conversation, at the very least. Later in the evening, was up stupidly late playing Shank.

Monday: Bouldering! Climbed a bunch of v0+s and failed at some harder things and ended up very sore indeed.

Today: Ames was over again (taking a week of vacation from Job Corps), the weather is wicked-hot, I am sore and coming down with a cold.

Other things: Working on some hard bugs at work. We get our Letters of Intent from Google tomorrow and the next day, so that's exciting. The Grotto has a new housemate, a graduate student named Saam.

Friday: Storytelling and sandwiches with Michelle
Saturday: Trainer, house showing, Mario Galaxy 2 all afternoon
Sunday: Brunch with Xave, saw Micmacs (funny!), went to play DDR at Nurit's party (was good to reconnect, last time we met was a while ago)
Monday: Climbing ("Why is + Afraid of 5" (5.8-) climbed (almost passed), "White Ghost" (5.7) passed on first try, "Our House" (5.9-) failed (almost climbed))
Tuesday: Meet with DJ to get paperwork settled
Wednesday: Trainer again (moving to Wednesday because lots of booked weekends coming up), dancing
Thursday: Dinner with Michelle at Picante
Friday: Home to Cleveland for weekend

Plus hitting the gym and some very difficult bugs at work. At least it's not boring!

Tough week. Busy at work. Missed work Tuesday and Wednesday because I was struck flat by some sort of virus. Still trying to shake off the last bit of sore throat and cough from that. Hopefully will be able to have a useful workout tomorrow?

Interesting watching the markets crash this week. Seems like everyone's dropping everything to buy gold. Oil is back down close to $70 on decreased expectations for the actually doing things sector of the economy.

Obama's picked a nominee for the Supreme Court, with rather divided reactions. Lawrence Lessig likes her, Brad Hicks is so fed up that he's ready to slap on the Palin '12 bumper sticker and stock up on riot supplies.

MIT Anime Club is closing their events to non-student outsiders and alumni starting next semester, so that's one thing knocked off my schedule.

Last Thursday, got back to bouldering, failed two v1- courses ("All Over the Place" and "We Do Things in Reverse"), but passed a short v2 ("Lizzie-Life").

Yesterday was good, struck up an interesting (if brief) conversation at the cafe, had a good workout, bought new shoes, spent some time with Patti.

Today I was full of restless energy, unable to concentrate on anything.

On a mostly unrelated note, I have a new website to tinker with.

Went climbing today, did a few bouldering courses:
Monos Are Feet (name?) (v0, passed)
(Unnamed Orange) (v0+, failed)
Sloppy Joe (v0+, failed) (got closer to passing after many attempts, but still not quite)

Unfortunately, I manged to hit my left wrist against something and now have a rather impressive looking bruise. At least it doesn't hurt (yet).

Today, had a good hard workout. I felt fine after, but later in the day my back suddenly became very sore. It's a bit better now, but I'm still skipping climbing tomorrow.

A package containing delicious honey-cake arrived from my mom just in time for Rosh Hashana and was enjoyed by myself and housemates.

In the evening, I went to see 9 (film based on this short film) with Ames. The movie was awesome, very in line with the feel of the short film. So if you like the short film, consider seeing the full feature.

After, I didn't feel like spending time alone, so I went to the Central Square Tavern, drank some interesting beer, and despite being probably the most awkward and least fashionable guy in the place, was still invited to join in some pleasant conversations. So it's been a very good weekend so far.

Saturday, got a new exercise routine at FT, then spent some time with Ames. Also started playing Persona 4, which is a nifty game once you get past the slow start (and addictive, which has meant quite a few late nights for me since).

Went to the healthcare reform rally on Monday and marched with SEIU and others. After, rewatched The Girl Who Leapt Through Time with Xave.

Yesterday, wrapped up one of my major bugs at work.

Today, life is a drag. I'm trying to figure out a new bug at work but still in the high confusion stage.

Now, taking a break and going to the gym before I get hungry for dinner.

On an unrelated note, have a comic:

Climbing for today:
Send City (5.8 (+?), failed twice)
Blackfoot's Revenge (5.8, climbed barely)
Chocolate Cake (5.7, climbed (almost passed))