Author Archive
Wednesday, July 21st, 2010
I’m on a Boat
Today I’m on a boat (viewer discretion advised). It’s pretty cool, but I have been having the hardest time for the past few months figuring out how ships sail upwind. My difficulty stems from my strong understanding of the physics of wheeled things. If you take a little Brio train or matchbox car, set it [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Monday, July 19th, 2010
America: Day 49 – The beginning of the end
Last night I started my 48-hour train ride back to New England. I have three-hour layovers in both Chicago (today) and DC (tomorrow). My trip has been exciting and a fantastic experience, but I miss home a lot and it will be great to return there. Today I’m writing the first post-trip evaluation post: what [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Weddings and new friends
Yesterday I went to the wedding of one of my best friends from high school. It was mildly hectic, but went off without a snag and was calm and fun. It was held at the Denver Zoo, where after the ceremony the wedding party and guests rode on a merry-go-round. Late into the night after [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Train Cuisine: bring it yourself.
I am not one to bash food based on high standards of quality. But food on Amtrak is really unjustifiably expensive. I will endeavor to bring a whole bag full of my own for the next extremely long leg of my trip. Access to cheap and healthy food will make me a much happier traveler. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Friday, July 16th, 2010
Inspiration, momentum, and stagnation
When I was very little, I participated in a secret gift exchange where I used the alias “Lots of Ideas”. I continue to periodically have these grand visions, and these days they’re usually oriented toward improving one of my communities, or to making myself loads of passive income. I announced here a while ago that [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Aha! I found what makes me stressed & angry!
So, I was going to leave the Bay Area yesterday and arrive in Denver tonight. Unfortunately, I made the stupid mistake of incorrectly transcribing the departure time, so I missed my train. I re-booked it for today, but now I’ll be rushed at the arrival end, and I had to pay $38 for the new [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
And you kids get off my lawn, too…
Today I finished watching Once Upon a Time in the West. As my host pointed out while we were watching the beginning of it the other night, this is not a movie made for modern American sensibilities. Its length (2:45) defies our short patience, and its long, artistic scenes are more filled with characters’ themes [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
New default procrastination method: making music
Procrastination happens. Let’s acknowledge that and stop running away from it. The more effective habit to attempt control of is how we procrastinate. Currently my default procrastination method is to go on the computer. I check my five websites (Facebook, Gmail, Google Reader, Huffington Post, and the Youth Dance Weekend registration list) and then run [...]
2 Comments » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Monday, July 12th, 2010
Responding to Tone
I’ve been having a discussion on Facebook about private property and theft, sparked by my dismay at the capturing of the Barefoot Bandit in the Bahamas. Not to get into the details of the argument here (I was defending my romanticization of his story, and asserting that owning a plane or a yacht is barely [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Uncategorized by Alex
Sunday, July 11th, 2010
America: Day 41 – A Climactic Adventure
[This is an account of my most recent adventure, barely edited from the form in which I related it to friends this morning on gchat.]
Last night I went to the Palo Alto contradance. I knew three people there: the two friends I’d come with, and another exuberant tall young guy who I’d met just twice. [...]
