I'm back.

So we were having the NYC transit strike. A big big pain. I won't go into the details but I'm not on the unions side. Though my opinion is based on the news articles I read, who knows how much the full story they tell. Anyhow, I was forced to work from home. That I thought would be relaxing, but really, it isn't. Its hard to work from home and cumbersome too sometimes. I'm a ton more productive at work. The one good thing was that if I'm forced to work from home, I might as well work from home in Sauga. So I left a day earlier than planned. My bus leaves Port Authority at 845. I went to the car service people at 130pm to arrange a car. They are like no problem, just call us as 6pm. So I call at 530. I'm sorry we're all booked, click. Ahh!!! I need a cab. I decide ok, I should just leave now. I pack a couple more last minute things and I'm out the door by just before 6. I go outside and walk a couple blocks to the next car service ppl. I'm hoping they can help me out otherwise its gonna take me 3hrs to walk to port authorty. I go there and YES they can give me a lift. I wait there 20mins and then we leave. They pick up a few more ppl on the way (just the way it is with the strike). But traffic is packed! Its nuts! After picking up people, I notice it is now 640 and I am exactly 1 block from my apartment. Listening on the radio in the car, Avenues 1& 2 are fully jammed. Actually entire east side is backed up. West is a mess by avenue 10&11 are going alright. Every bridge is jammed, except Holland Tunnel since its hard just to get to holland tunnel. But the driver was good, we did a round about route taken 11th avenue and got to Port Authority by a bit before 8. So its was fine. Normally by subway, this would take me 35mins. Anyhow, I take the bus home, it was rather uncomfortable and cold. The heating system on the bus was broken. And I didn't really sleep much at all. I got to Toronto at 720am. Got home, had some cereal and then went online for a full day of work. man oh man, so exhausted. I stayed up later than I should have that night too. I went to bed, and fell asleep before evening closing the lights. A deep deep sleep. oh so nice. I woke up around 9. turned the lights off, put my book that i had originally planned to read on the shelf and went back to bed. Woke up around 11. Friday night, yesterday. I went to Jenise's house where she was having a potluck. I haven't seen her for at least 8 months, and i'm not sure but its possible I just haven't seen her this year. crazy. Anyhow, played a bit of poker, I lost coming in 4th of 6th. Played War with Benson. Man, fastest game of WAR ever! Benson getting lucky and stealing my Aces...grr..After that Benson and I went to Demetres to meet up with Gordon and Loretta. It was fun catching up a bit and just talking and hanging out. I don't get to do that enough in NY. I also got a lot of compliments on my appearance which was cool and just also put me in a good mood. Today, I'm going out to dinner with my cousins at Ming Room. And then? not sure, a movie or something with them. Its nice to be back home. Its nice to be able to make plans to do something everyday. Its nice to sleep in a real bed. I'm having pretty deep sleeps. And some interesting dreams. Some good....some not so good... Dec 30th, going bowling and maybe dinner or something with friends. Contact me if you're interested in going as well. Oh, oh. I past 2000 hits and then some. But stupid 2000th person never left a comment! BOOOO. Don't be shy people. You know, some people (more than 1 easily) tell me they don't leave comments cause they don't know my other friends or anyone else that I know. Um...So what? This is my blog, just leave a comment. Some ppl say they don't leave a comment cause they talk to me directly. Thats cool. I do prefer direct communication...so ok, thats cool. Anyways, the 3000th person better leave a comment when the time comes!

I didn't do it.

Wow, I'm at 1987 hits! 2000 hit person better leave a comment! Counter is on the right hand column if you hadn't noticed! And they get a prize! (Don't worry Benson, I remember I still owe you a chocolate bar too). Alright so whats going on with me lately. Last week was super busy at work, hence the lack of blog updates. I handed in a self-review to Tom which we'll be discussing later this week to decide on my bonus. And then we'll be doing a full review (where others and himself review me) in January to talk about Salary. Should be fun =). I have to review 3 other ppl myself by later this week. Thats not so much fun. I saw King Kong. I didn't know what to expect at all cause I've seen neither the original or the remake, but I really liked it. I want to see the new Jim Carey movie (did I spell his name right?) coming out this friday now. That was Saturday night. When I saw the movie. During the day, Anojan invited some of his co-workers over for a sort of christmas party. They were all very nice ppl and it was fun. The games we played were cool. Not at first though. Cause we're all tech geeks. And well, describing them we kinda (well not me) became geekier. We were playing a couple games and in explaining the rules ppl aren't understanding at first. So then a couple people are think of token passing algorithm. And someother is like no no, its public and private keys. The best analogy though really is tcp/ip protocols in message passing with awk and awk back. So yeah, half the ppl were talking about that and the other half were groaning about the analogies. It was fun though. We played a game called 7 and then we played Mafia. Mafia is a game where there is a killer in the group and the group has to figure out who it is before the killer kills everyone. Anojan WITHOUT FAIL accused me each and every round! Half the people left before we started so we only had 8 or so ppl for the game, but it was still a lot of fun. Hopefully we can play again sometime. oh oh, there was one point during the game 7. ok there is 1 guy in the middle, Ian, who wasn't aware of what was going on because Ian has to count with his eye closed at the start (no its not hide and seek). And then 1 guy behind him does something and EVERYONE starts luahging. So Ian stops and is like what happend? And Alex says while laughing, someone just did the dumbest stupidest thing. And Ian turns right to ANOJAN and says his name with a question. And everyone bowls over laughing cause it was Anojan. I would explain what but its hard to without explainging the game so i won't bother. I found out Jenise is taking snobbing to a new level. She waits to visit the place I move til when I'm coming back home and wont' be there. Such a snob! This week should go by quickly. I have a lot of work. Tuesday I have the regular developers meeting and marketing meetings to attend. Then at night I'm meeting one of my friends and going to the bookstore at union square. Wednesday is a slightly shorter day (til 530 still) cause its the office christmas dinner. Then Thursday I'm returning back back! I leave Thursday night and I'll be back Friday morning! Til Jan 2nd. Let me know your plans ppl! I want to be doing something every day. I don't plan to rest very much. My cousin Rasheed might return with me to NY to hang out for a few days so that will be cool. Meaning even less rest when I come back, but its cool. I'm looking forward to finally doing a few things in NY I haven't had the chance to do yet. Tomorrow might be the start of a NY transit strike though. Which means no running subways. That sucks! As much as working from home would be kinda chill (and really I think I would get a ton done) it would mean I can't get anywhere. I'm totally dependent on public transportation here! And its not easy to get a cab in Brooklyn. Manhattan a cinch but Brooklyn, not so much. So I'd have to figure out a way to get to Port Authority on Thursday to take the GreyHound to toronto. Also my plans for tomorrow and wednesday would be kind of shot then. Blah, well we'll see what happens. I was talking to some co-workers while we all walking to Quiznos for lunch. And I mentioned how I want a thinner jacket. Like a black wool jacket or something. And then they are like oh, its not cold enough for the canadian, you want a light jacket, maybe just wear a t-shirt or something. haha, if they only knew how i compare to pretty much everyone and dont' like the cold. sometimes you do wonder, is it worth it? i haven't excercised in awhile. quite awhiel. its cause i hurt my arm. its almost 100% better now but it still hurts in certain positions if i put presssure on it. so i decided i'll just work out again once i return after holidays. i'm eating bad foods though. however! i'm not eating very much at all. like very little. so overall i think my calorie intake isn't bad. i've been living off of like 1.5-2 meals a days. usually 1 normal one. and then peanut butter or turkey breast cold cut sandwiches. and/or ice cream. =) i had the poor ukraine guy working til 2-3am his time on friday. I told him we are rolling out to production and I need these bugs closed today. But i recommended he get 80% of his bonus this month so its good. I think i feel like eating some ice cream now. I'm kinda getting hungry again. And I ask myself oh why oh why Bono one of times man(men) of the year? cool I have 200 pages left in my book. And I have 4 books sitting waiting for me to be read. And theres 3 books more on my mind that i want to read. Although i want to go out when i go home. i'm gonna spend a lot of time reading too. i want to finish 2 books while i'm at home.

and then there was 1

I'm tired. This will be a short update. Sunday I did laundry, no that was saturday. Sunday I did groceries. And went to the gym. And watched Survivor. Its over now. Stephane lost (YES!) and Danni won (not bad). Now the only show I watch is Apprentice. And theres only 1 more episode of that left. After that....I don't know. I might just give up tv watching. There is nothing I really feel the need to watch. And I do feel the need to read or go watch movies which I don't do as often as I use to. Monday, was work. I had a talk with Ukraine guy cause I wasn't happy with his communication (or lack thereof). Then had a long meeting with Romania guy. There was a group review meeting in the afternoon. I have to review 4 guys and 3 (or more) will review me. Results sent off and consolidated then we'll get it back in early Janurary. I also talked to Tom about a few other things that I want to dicuss. I'll see what he says. My last email was around 830 and everyone else had already left the office. I was there late tonight b/c I wanted to send Romania guy an updated spec but had spent time talking to him in the morning, then testing the work of Romania guy and other work in the afternoon so I didn't get started on it til late. Funny cause that was the 1st document I opened in the morning too. The first thing I had wanted to finish. Oh well. I was working then around 730pm, Caitlin calls me and says she's in town. She came for a shoe sales. So I said I have to work for awhile and she said she'll shop for awhile and call me back. I do some more work and then leave around 830. I meet up with her and one of her friends in China town and we have dinner and talk. Afterwards her friend and her head back to the train station and I had home. Try to buy some home supplies on my way home but its past 10 and the stores nearby are closed. I don't feel like walking further out, its cold. So get home, change check my mail (my real mail, not email). And then sit down. Probably started around 11-1130 and its 130am now. Finally finished and email out! Kinda feeling tired. Knowing I should sleep, but I didn't get a enough just chill time so I wish I could stay up. I want some ice cream actually. But none here. oh well. I could read but i know id read only a few pages before feeling really tired. i have a few emails to respond to as well. I'll do so during lunch tomorrow. I've pretty much decided i'm taking the bus home on the 22nd. So I'll be free to do things from the 23rd to the 1st. I have to send my laptop in for repairs once i get home so best way to get a hold of me will be my cell. its still the same old 416 number. I only have a week. I know the time will fly. Probably wont' get to see everyone either, but oh well. Let see what happens. Let me know what days are best for you guys. Til next time. a bumble bee beside me who knows not how she came to be wonders where she ought to be oh my, what a curiousity The thing is, a moment, only lasts for a moment.

Chim chimminy, chim chimminy chim chim cheree

I'm not really in the mood to blog, however, I have nothing else to do so...yep. Lets see, Thursday I was thought I was meeting some people to go to the New York Comedy Club. But nope, I guess it was a misunderstanding or something, I don't really know what happened. But nothing. But I got home in time to watch Survivor and Apprentice. Then I just went to bed early. Like before 12! I dont' even remember when I last went to bed before 1am. It was a nice sleep. I had an interesting dream. I was back home in Mississauga. And then I was at Pearson. I was leaving, and I was waving goodbye to my family and as soon they were out of sight, I woke up. I open my eyes. And my alarm clock is right infront of me. I stare at it for like 10secs or so and it goes off. Interesting dream and timing. Friday, I went to see Chronicles of Narnia with Anojan and his co-workers. I liked the movie. It was funnier than I expected. I don't recall any of the books anymore. I believe there are 4 or 5 of them. I read them long ago when I was in grade school. After that we went to the Comedy Club. Someone had free tickets. What are the odds? So yeah, went there. Food and drinks were ridiculously overpriced. 1 orange juice and small small plate of nachos with a side of cheese (like store bought nachos would be better) cost me $13. But considering the show was free I guess overall it was fine. I'm gonna be back from the winter holidays in Mississauga. Let me know soon ppl if you want to do something. I'm only take 1 week off. I have to renegotiate my contract at my company. I enjoy the work but I don't know, we'll see what happens. Its almost 50/50 I'd say what I'm going to do. I still get contacted now and again by other companies or guys seeing if I'm available. The latest for a 1 year contract in Seattle. Though I just told the guy I was unavailable and didn't talk about interviews or anything. I've talked to a few friends about this too. A lot of ppl are trying to figure out what they want, where they want to go, how they want to get there, and really just the balance for it all. Thats what I'm looking for. The balance. Today I did my laundry. Fascinating, Fascinating way to spend a Saturday in NY i know. I went to the gym as well. I'm retiring from the threadmill. It just doesn't agree with my knees. I like the crosstrainers much better. I did a new one today for 30mins. 350calories in 30mins, not bad eh? I'm so out of shape though. I went workout a bit after that. But only did 2 sets on the flatbench. My left arm was hurting. Almost a sharp pain. I figured I shouldn't push it and just went home. I was suppose buy shoes. Maybe tomorrow. I'm feeling kind of hungry right now. But what to eat? Raptors won today! Thats good. I'm getting tired of things. I get these moments of a lot of energy and wanting to take on the world. I guess this is a moment of the opposite. Just tired. I guess thats all I have to say for now. When the spent sun throws up its rays on cloud And goes down burning into the gulf below, No voice in nature is heard to cry aloud At what has happened. Birds, at least must know It is the change to darkness in the sky. Murmuring something quiet in her breast, One bird begins to close a faded eye; Or overtaken too far from his nest, Hurrying low above the grove, some waif Swoops just in time to his remembered tree. At most he thinks or twitters softly, 'Safe! Now let the night be dark for all of me. Let the night bee too dark for me to see Into the future. Let what will be, be.'

Paper Clips Yo! Paper Clips!

I'm in a pretty good mood. Work is going well, though still a lot of things to be figured out about that. I'm not happy with my weight, but I'm healthy, and i'm improving there. I'm gonna go to a check out a Comedy Club tomorrow (Thursday), Friday is Narnia! AND AND we got paper clips yo! Thats right paper clips! hehe, ok. so its not a huge deal. but i didn't have any at work for the longest time. And now I do. You don't know how much this will help. stacks and stacks of paper on my desk can now be organized into....papercliped stacks hehe. but seriously, this really was good. I just had a shower, ate some food. its 1215am. Um, I feel energized. Not tired. Not sleepy. I want to take on the world and I feel like working, as crazy as that sounds. I want to tackle my latest projects. I'm sure i'll feel differently in the morning, when I'm all tired and stuff. You know what, I'm almost suffering withdrawl. I kind of miss coding. Its fun. I also miss web development. But I like what I'm doing more. I'm gonna compensate by just making my newer specs even more technical inshaallah. heh, just write out some stuff in pseudocode. Funny story. But I can't write it here. Cause some people that read this. Aren't allowed to know this story. I wonder if I need to give the ppl at work a gift or something for xmas. And what about the doormen. I guess I should probably get the doormen a card. Maybe just bring in a box of chocolates or something for xmas. I don't know. I need to buy a hat. I want to buy a jacket too. Did I talk about that already? I dont feel like checking. I want to buy a warmer tuque, and a thinner coat. I like the black/grey ones. But then those are so common now. I think I actually want soething without the front breast flaps though. More of a flat front. Maybe sherwani style. But if a it had a hood that would be cool too. First I need shoes though. Definitely shoes. I'm already starting to slip and slide when walking. Almost fell down the stairs going to the subway the other day too. k, i'm out. some last min msn'ing and then off to bed. g'nite all. On the rooftops shouting out, Baby I'm ready to go I'm back and ready to go From the rooftops shout it out!

its time for us to starting making some changes

Come on everybody, get it together. Ital pasta's going to take you away-eee-ah Sorry, that just popped in my head for some reason. meh, its better than meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow right? right? whatever. Yesterday (monday) was suppose to be a scary day. And I was all ready for it. Nervous and anxious of course, but ready. THEN my cousin Rasheed gives me some last minute tip causing me to delay til Wednesday. On one hand, sure I don't have to worry (as much) for a bit, on the other hand. Bigger hand, I really just don't want to delay. I perhaps could have today, but today is quite busy so it would be difficult. Tomorrow it is. InshaAllah it all works out well. My mom had some exciting news. I would get in trouble if I said what it is, and if you're reading this please don't say anything to anyone. But it sounds pretty cool. Kind of hard to imagine, and I can totally see a ton TON of complaints by certain people because of it. And it would be super tiring as well. Hopefully tomorrow goes well. My mom keeps impressing me. And then she just has to make the comment to rub it in (not really) to me as well :P But then I dont' believe anything is final yet anyways. Haha, this is all so vague, dah well. This past weekend I didn't do much. I went for like a 3hr walk on Saturday. Doing some chores, banking, book store shopping, exploring, grocery shopping, and I went to the masjid to ask some questions about seafood. But I wasn't able to talk to an actual Imam (like a priest) and the responses I did get seemed kinda fishy. pun intended :) . Sunday, I did some work from home until dinner. Went out to dinner with anojan to some restaurant locally. It was alright, meat was kinda dry. Worked out for a bit. I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. I don't like that fact. Like I'm heavier than Darrin! Not that Darrin is fat or anything, but he's always been heavier than me. And at first I would say its not all muscle, cause I've definitely been stronger in my life, but now. You know what? I'm getting closer to my past peaks. Not quite there yet, but closer. however, still I'm too heavy. Though I don't mind how I look, if I think vainly for a moment. Well not happy, not entirely, but who ever is, but in certain regards, i feel good. I have lost 1 pound since i discovered how heavy i was so thats good. Ok, that was all at lunch. Then I got busy. So now I'm at home its like 1234am I should sleep. But I want to finish this up. Even though I don't really know what I want to say. I've been sticking various song lyrics that pop into my head. I don't feel like writing it up right now, but if I did, I would be putting Changes by Tupac around here somewhere. Mayor Hazel McCallion came in 2nd in the World Mayor 2005 contest. 1st was the mayor of Athens. I think thats pretty impressive. I found out I've been mixing up Romania Guy and Ukraine guy this whole time! Not by name of course, just the countries that they belong to. haha. I'm thinking of buying myself a jacket. But I'm not sure. Cause I kind of like those black/grey jackets. They look clean cut and professional. Problem is, everyone has them! I think I want something like that though. A thinner coat for sure. I wonder if I can find something with a hood. But a wool jacket with a hood? not easily done. hehe, my cousin rasheed is like, guy, you want to buy an IPOD, a jacket, go here and there, get your bonus first. get yourself a real bed. lol. can't really argue with him there. yeah, IPOD cause its easy to just go and picup at the store. bed would probably be my next thing. But of course, a few other things need to be settled first. I wonder....hmmm....hehe, no expanding on this. there was more to write. but i can't recall. and its nearly 1am. and i promised myself i'd get some sleep tonight. i haven't been sleeping nearly enough these last few days. so a goodnight to all of you. i'm sure i'll have stuff to blog about over the next few days.

Pictures!

Grand Central Station, where I take the train to New Haven. I think this is Caitlins favourite pose. Somehow I end up with what seems like a lot of these pictures. On the drive to Canada. Dinner at Jack Astors with some of the gang. Jessani, Ken, June, Myself, and haha Ben got cut off up top. Later that night some Setters at Jessani's house. Natasha and Shahzad. I think I surprised them. Adil and Jessani. Weekend flew by, Driving home now. Anojan: Noooo! I forgot Battlestar Galatica at home!!! Yesterday, I tried to go see the Tree Lighting at Rockefella Centre. I couldn't get through the mob. This is the crowd when I'm still 2 blocks away. I did get to see some very nice decorations at Macy's departmentstore though.