64

The year of my car (a 1964 Chevy II/Nova)
The sum of the two even numbers (6 and 4) equals an even number (10).
The product of the two even number (6 and 4) equals an even number (24).
The number 2 raised to the 6th power.
The number 4 raised to the 3rd power.
The number 8 raised to the 2nd power.
The amount of days left before graduation day.

Two things never to mess with...

My mentor once told me that there are two things one should never mess with: another person's wealth and/or their beliefs. Messing with someone's livelihood destroys the harmony and balance of one's life. Messing with someone's beliefs have been the many purposes of wars.

So don't even joke around with those things, because it WILL lead to that person putting a wrath that you never knew existed in them.

Traffic in LA

I hate the traffic in LA. When I used to live here, the traffic didn't bother me. For me, it was a way of life. After living in Ohio for the last 2 years, I realized it should not be a way of life. Is it really worth it?

So yesterday I drove to my friend's work on the west side. I had lunch with her and told her I better get going before I hit traffic. That was 3:00 pm. I didn't get back to my parents' house in Highland Park until 4:15 pm. I should of known better.

So today, I'm contemplating whether to drive anywhere. It's noon right now and I think I'll just chill out here at home.

I hate traffic in LA.

And I'm off...vacation time

Finals for the summer quarter are over, and I'm heading home. I'm driving across country with a car rental and lugging home stuff I've accumulated here in Ohio. They are mostly books. And since I have a little VW Beetle, and I'm too cheap to get a u-haul a drive that in December, I'm going to spend my first few days of vacation driving across country.

There are a few things I want to accomplish back home in LA during the 2.5 weeks that I'm there. They are:

1. Pass the motorcycle written test.
2. Surf every morning.
3. Learn Python
4. Learn Visual Basic Studio
5. Learn J#
6. Polish up resume for CNB.
7. Make an effort to have lunch with people I haven't seen for over a year. (The others can wait till December)
8. Start studying for GRE and GRE Math
9. Finish reading books I purchased in the last 3 months.
10.Write in my blog at least every other day.

Okay, so to many that looks like a lot. But it really isn't. Time management people!!! I know...I'm a big nerd. But being a nerd will secure me a very high paying job.

So I'm off!!! Pray that I make it through all the severe weather!

Making 'slow jams' for someone

One morning last week, I woke up with an idea. That idea was to make a slow jam. Now many of you who knew me back in high school, I made slow jams (a cassette tape of different slow songs). That's what I was known for. And like many of you, I had a theme with each one and they were never the same. They may have had the same songs, but never all the same songs in the same order.

My mission was to make a slow jam for a special gal that I've been "courting" here in Columbus. The only thing I knew about her music taste was that she liked country music. Now I'm a big fan of all types of music. My ipod and cd collection ranges from everything from r&b, rap, soul, oldies, jazz, big band, classical, etc. Even though I have a good number (30) country songs, the songs were old stuff. So I asked for help of my ex-girlfriend who got me into listening to country. Well I find out that she never really was into country. Great! But it's okay, because she helped me select songs.

In the past, in order for a slow jam to be worthy of "Chad's slow jam" status, it had to flow between songs, words had to work perfectly and all be relative to each other, but most of all, it had to have the mixture of songs that represented my personality. So I spoke to some old school slow jam veteranos and I asked them for so advice since it has been about 12 years since I last made a slow jam and those things were on a cassette tapes that had two sides. Two sides meant I could do a few sub themes, transitions with sound bytes of classic lines, etc. (You would have to find these relics of creativity since I never make copies) They were excited to hear that I was back in the business of making slow jams but not too happy when I told them I was adding country music. At that point they didn't want anything to do with it.

So without their help, and going through all my cds and choosing a few country songs, I finished it! Here is the song list:

1. Something About Her...Brad Paisley
2. You Had Me from Hello...Kenny Chesney
3. Waiting All My LIfe...Rascal Flatts
4. Need to Be Next to You...Sara Evans
5. Just to See You Smile...Tim McGraw
6. By Your Side...Sade
7. Waiting In Vain...Bob Marley & The Wailers
8. What It Takes...Ron Sexsmith
9. Lovesong...The Cure
10. Deborah...Dave Edmunds
11. The Best of My Love...Eagles
12. Debra...Joe Kidd
13. Why Can't I?...Liz Phair
14. Sooner or Later...Popium
15. When You Know...Shawn Colvin
16. Quando, Quando, Quando...Michael Buble and Nelly Furtado
17. That's All...Michael Buble

Probably by looking at the list you know who it is for, and if you know the songs, you know what the theme is. I hope she likes it.

It's hot here...can't wait for winter.

So the last few days it's been hot. Also our air condition broke down again, so it's hotter in the house than outside. Except for last night. I woke up at 3 am, at I was sweating like crazy. I had the windows wide open and the ceiling fan on high and I was still hot. So I turn on the tv to the weather channel and low and behold, 78 degrees with 78% humidity. So I walked around the house to see if the living room was free, but my housemate had already taken over that. I can't stand this hot weather and humidity.

So today when I got home from studying in the icebox called the library, I received bad news. Not only is the air condition still not work, but my other housemate possibly as mono. I guess I'll be living in the icebox for the next few weeks. I have a 2nd midterm tomorrow morning, a paper due next week, and finals in three weeks. Ugh...I can't wait for winter.

Update I know, I suck!

16 weeks and counting...

That last few weeks have been pretty much up and down. I like to know where I'm heading after graduation in December and I didn't have a clue whether to stay in Ohio, move to Boston, or go back to L.A. After a few epiphanies and watching a great movie "The Notebook," I've decided to head home and go back into the corporate world. Why if I was so miserable when I left? I look back at one of many reasons why I was miserable and one that stuck out was that I didn't have this degree. It is important to me because I knew I needed it for me to do the things I knew I was capable and wanting to do. One of which is doing a job that will pay me more. See as a capricorn, as you know, I need to always reach for the stars (career-wise) and getting this degree is going to allow to go to places I never thought of before. Okay let me get out of the philosophical route. Basically, I've finally stopped thinking about what could of been, and am now starting to think what will be and what I want. Two years ago I wanted my degree, and now I'm just about done. Okay going off on tangents again.

So for the longest time I didn't have a short and intermediate goal. I didn't know what I wanted and now I do. I'm returning back to L.A. to another position in the corporate world. Going to continue on with my Masters degree in Mathematics near the beach, and apply for my motorcyle license and get a motorcycle by mid year 2006. For my 32nd birthday I want to start the process in obtaining my private pilot's license, and then by 35-36 hopefully purchase a plane. I really want to travel to not only the usual typical touristy places, but also places of early civilizations. You've probably have seen all that, but I haven't.

I've also decided to let go and stop dreaming about the "perfect, ideal" romance. So I'm no longer working and dreaming about meeting that special someone. BUT if she does come around, and it's a perfect situation, I know me, I'll probably marry her after 2 days or something. :)

So that's me in a nutshell. I have only 3 more weeks left of school this quarter; then a 3 week break; then another 11 more weeks of school, and I'm done. Life was a little sad for awhile since I knew I wouldn't be able to see the faces of the people that have inspired me to finish, but then remembered that there is so much life to go and live for. I want to live the fullest life. And I think I am on the right track...

Moving out

Well actually I'm just moving from one room in my house to another room in the house. And it's just the room next door. Why? It's bigger! But it's the hottest day of June and humid! I want to get this over and done with.

The interesting thing is that when you move, you find things that you haven't seen in...for me, 9 months! So I did a lot of throwing out stuff and moving things to my storage. My R.A. thinks I'm weird moving my stuff into the storage because I have a bigger room now, but I just don't like clutter. Plus, I'll only be in this room for 6 months, then I'll be moving out again due to graduation.

Moving in December is going to suck. Oh well.

Surfer not surfing

You would think that the first thing I would of done was hit the water, but I've been home for a week, and I still haven't gone surfing, and I'm leaving on Sunday. But that's what happens when you have no car. *Sigh* Hopefully I'll be able to get out of here and this June gloom here in L.A. burns off.

Techno parents

It's my fault. I got my parents to appreciate technology. See, I'm a techno geek myself and I love all the gadgets that come out to make life easier. Unfortunately for me, my parents just want it to work and not think why something is wrong. So I've become the son/computer guy/cell phone guy/tivo guy/anything technical guy.

So I've spent my summer break fixing all the stuff that went wrong in the last three months. I don't know how they did it. Even with three computers in the house, yes three, they have had some complaints, and would call me back in Ohio, to ask me to fix it. So here I am, fixing it.

What have I done? Well let's see. The newest computer, had too many viruses, and too much spyware. So I had to throw everything out and start from factory specs, then delete unnecessary software. Next I had to reconfigure the wireless router. But then my parents saw how I could be outside with my laptop and wanted to know if I could make the entire house wireless. So after assessing the other two computers which were running Win 98SE, and discussing with my computer consultant, I had to go to my local CompUSA and purchase a new router(a more secure one), a laptop wireless card, and a gadget from Linksys that after installing the software you just plug the device into the USB port and bam, you are connected. Beats me having to open that computer up. But then the old desktop, which used to be my sister's computer before she made the switch to a Mac, had video card issues, so I had to replace that.

Well after two days of running around back and forth to the computer store and updating computers, I have finally got it done. All three computers are working faster than ever. All have been networked on a wireless system, so no pesky wire running across the house.

My parents and sister, and brother appreciate how fast the computers are running now. Although my sister has mentioned that she thinks as soon as I leave the computers will start acting up. Hmm...a claim that my best friend says about how his children, my godchildren, are saints when I'm around, but become a pain in the ass when I leave. Hmm..

So I wouldn't have done this for anyone else FOR FREE. Any of you who have done this sort of thing, know how much of a pain in the ass it is. But its my parents, and it's the best thing I could do for now.

BUT if this happens again, and my sister is right. I'm switching them and handing over my Mac.

Not following routine

The last few days, I've been bored with life. Nothing really exciting happening, just lots of studying. Which can become really old really fast. So today I woke up deciding not to do the same ol' thing I do each day. I decided to not set my alarm so I would wake up when I wake up (still 7am). Decided to not go to the library to study and slept in. Went to my Number Theory class (11:30) and then headed to lunch at Bob Evans restaurant, and then headed to a movie. I saw "The Interpreter" only because Nicole Kidman was in it. I think she's so hot! So I feel good, and going to start on my numbers homework that is due tomorrow.

Hit with a snow again!

We are approaching the end of April and it feels like January. This sucks! For the last three weeks, we had 70-80 degree weather and now we are back in the mid 30s. So I had to get my heater out of the box, and take out some of my sweaters out again. It's snowing right now and at times like this, I can't wait to get back to L.A., for some surf.

Screaming at the top of my lungs...in silence

Have you ever wanted to shout out and express yourself? Or you wanted to tell someone how you felt and wanted to share it with the entire world but shouting on a roof top?

I have and the last time was 2 years ago.

Elizabeth I want to say how I feel and shout it off the roof top to let you and everyone in the world to know. But I can't. And for now, I'll just keep it inside...and scream in silence.

Yes I'm alive

Okay, many have emailed me why I haven't updated this thing. Well today, I'm going to start do a better job. I've just finished two midterm exams and I'm ready just to relax.

As many of you know, right now, my life revolves around solving math problems. Not the (-1)(-1)=1 kind, but the ones where you have to prove that (-1)(-1)=1. That's probably the simplest example I can come up with since the other stuff I'm learning you'd have to have some heavy background in calculus, number theory, or topology(don't get me started in explaining what that is). So as you can see, there really hasn't been much for me to talk about.

Except that I am concerned about the energy bill and the bankruptcy bill that recently got passed, but most people I know don't give a hoot, so I've been doing math.

But something came over me as I was walking home in the rain, my adventure is almost over. Barring a romance to develop in the next 4 months, I'm going back to California. Why? It's time to get back to the "real world" and make some serious money.

Prior to coming here, I worked in bank and made decent money. Living here, I make no money! But now I'm 30 and I need to grow up again. I've realized there a few things I want to do on this Earth prior to me being sent back into the Earth and it involves money. So that's it.

By the way, I was reading a friend's blog and realized she just puts things down that is on her mind. So I'll try to be more active.

Getting stressed before finals? Listen to The Cure!

Okay, tomorrow is the last day of class, but I still have one more test to take before finals next week. And I'm stressed out. I've been studying so much that I'm at the point of "I just don't care!" Seems like I need some motivation, but my pep talks only work on other people and it's kinda hard not to beat yourself up. So what am I to do? Well my housemate who I share a common wall with has some friends over and are playing Phil Collins loudly! Don't ask! Well after going downstairs and doing my required 3 hours of studying, I came up to my room to wind down. Seems like they decided to now sing in unison. Don't ask! Well only way to combat that problem is to play music also. Now the people who normally read this blog know that I listen to all types of music. And I have it all on my computer. At first, I wanted to blast "Gangsta, Gangsta" by N.W.A., but I realized I might do something I'd regret like pull out my sawwed-off...just kidding...I don't even own a gun! Or I could of played some NOFX, but again, I'll probably get angrier. So I decided on The Cure. And it's working. Not because of their cheery words but...well I don't know. It's kind of peaceful music I guess...and I can blast it. And it worked! Okay...need to calm down and not think about someone, and try to get back to studying some Linear Algebra.

In Southern Cali: Surf is up!!! In Central Ohio: Snow

Just came home from one of my classes and I turn on the tv to see Cortes Bank on the weather channel with some guy riding what looks to be at least a 30 foot wave. So I check all the webcams and surf reports to see that places like "The Bu" is at 3-4 feet fair-good...El Porto is 5-8 feet fair-goodand Huntington Beach is 6-8 feet with occasional 9 feet and fair-good conditions. Normally I would be out there joining the rest of the crew, but I'm here in Ohio, where it's 23 degrees and snowing. Oh well...Spring Break starts next Thursday, and I'm heading back to L.A. Hopefully this swell sticks around.

I need shampoo

I knew from this morning's shower that I would be needing to purchase shampoo soon. But since it's the last week of the quarter and I still have two more tests this week, and finals next week, and it's snowing out, I don't feel like getting any. Hopefully, I can squeeze the last drop out tomorrow morning, otherwise I'm wearing a beenie to school.

Mommy...I don't like my name

Being a Godparent, or in my case, a Godfather, I always felt that my duty was pretty much just being a person that a child can go to for spiritual guidance. As for me, I knew who my Godparents were, but when it came down to any kind of guidance, they weren’t the first ones on the list that I turned to. But, in the last two years my Godchildren have come to me numerous times to answer questions that their parents didn’t have the answers to. Their parents believed that any question they ask, a made up answer isn’t good enough. Especially when it came to science. It’s not that their parents are not loving enough or aren’t smart enough, but ever since their father has been working abroad in Sweden, mother has been taking care of a newborn, and since I’m the only one in the same time zone as them, these curious, intelligent five year old twin brother and sister have come to me with questions.

So last night, I got a phone call from Chantal, in which she left a voice message where she said, “Hi Uncle Chad…this is Chantal…can you call me back please, thank you.” Usually when she calls me up this girl cannot stop talking. So listening to her whispering voice and the length of the message led to there is something up. When I called back at around 8:30 p.m., I spoke to her mother to get the heads-up of why Chantal called me. It seems that Chantal hasn’t been herself in school and has been a little shy among her fellow classmates. Even with brother Chad around, her mother says that Chantal has been quiet. So yesterday afternoon, Chantal tells her mother, “Mommy…I don’t like my name.” Thrown a little off guard by the statement, Stacy didn’t know what to say. After ten seconds of silence, and then Stacy yelling for Chad, Chantal then goes to the phone and dials a phone number. As her brother comes strolling along and asks, “What are you doing Shanny?” “I’m calling Uncle Chad!” she exclaims. Stacy says to herself, if anyone who can have an answer to that statement would be Chad.

After Stacy gave me the reason behind her daughter’s call, I spoke to Chantal. Usually I get the “Hi Uncle!” followed by the “I did this today….” But this time, she came out and said, “Uncle Chad…I don’t like my name.” I asked her, “Why not?” Seems like the other girls in school have the ever popular traditional names like Elizabeth, Jennifer, and Brittany or the “transformed cool names” of Kayla, Kaitlyn, and Trisha. She felt that her name wasn’t cool enough and she wanted a new one. So I asked her, what name would she liked to be called. And she said, “Betsy.” I almost started laughing out loud, when I realized who was on the other line again, and made explained to well that Betsy is a fine name, but the name that her parents chose for her took a lot of thinking to have a significance. Since they were going to name their son, Chad, they wanted her to have at least the same three letters, so that no matter where they are, they will have each other and a special bond between each other; that the remaining four letters of her name represents her great grandparents: A for Ana, T for Timothy, N for Nancy, and L for Lawrence; and I mentioned to her that she also has a Baptismal or Christian name: Elizabeth. At that point, I heard her returning to her old self as she wanted to know more about these other people from which her name was generated.

As the call was coming to an end, I last mentioned to her that a name is a name and a number is just a number, but it’s who you are inside that really does matter(didn’t want to go into the what you do in life talk just yet) but if she preferred I’ll have a talk with her mom and dad about calling her Betsy or that I’d call her Elizabeth or Liz since that it is her Baptismal name.

She said, “No thank you, I LOVE my name!”