Barack Obama takes the Presidency of the United States of America. Amazing.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
Its the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.
Its the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.
Its the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.
Its been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.
I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and hes fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nations promise in the months ahead.
I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.
I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nations next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy thats coming with us to the White House. And while shes no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.
To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what youve sacrificed to get it done.
But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.
I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didnt start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.
It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generations apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.
I know you didnt do this just to win an election and I know you didnt do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how theyll make the mortgage, or pay their doctors bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who wont agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government cant solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way its been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, its that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.
Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.
For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one thats on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. Shes a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldnt vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that shes seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we cant, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when womens voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that We Shall Overcome. Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.
The concept Volkswagen Passat R36 Variant. I'm not a Volkswagen guy, but I definitely like this wagon. With all the changes afoot, I may need to look into something like this....
So I've lived in Columbus for almost six months now and my general impression can be summed up by the following conversation synopsis:
Friend (from Pittsburgh, med school, college, Poplar Bluff, etc...): So how's the new job?
Me: Good! You know, settling in, getting used to things.
Friend: How's Columbus?
Me: Meh....
Yes, it's true. I'm no fan of C-Bus. People here are nice enough, but the town is a little vanilla. Plus, if you're not from here, people tend not to understand why you would want to be here.
Christmas pics from our mini lap of the Midwest including two nights in Nashville with Reddy's and Boorgu's and two nights in Detroit with the Patel's. Lots of food, fun and family time. And a lot of presents for the little ones!
They may have won the F1 championship this year and their road cars are the supposed end all be all of anything with four wheels. But lately, Ferrari in search for more money, has been doing some hard core merchandising. Unfortunately, they seem like they might be doing the brand more harm than good.
Example #1: Clothes, computers, and electronics are one thing--but this is too much.
And so my time at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has come to an end. I have spent the last six years of my life with UPMC as a Medical Intern, Radiology Resident and finally as an Abdominal Imaging fellow. My memories will be bittersweet, of course, but I will look back on my time here fondly.Thanks UPMC and thank you Pittsburgh. It is time to move on.
Mit and I attended the opening show of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at Heinz Hall. The Ninth has always been one of my favorites, but seeing the performance live reinforces what a tragedy it is that Beethoven was never able to hear the amazing music he created.
Excerpts (from a different performance, naturally) with Leonard Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic.
I had it on my Amazon wish list for a while and for a Star Wars geek like me, it totally lives up to expectations. It is packed with all sorts of behind the scenes pics and interesting information.
To wit: 1. Princess Leia's character was not in the first few drafts of the script. 2. Han Solo's character was originally an green-skinned alien monster. 3. "The Force" was not originally called "The Force."
I'm not sure how they can possibly justify this lawsuit considering the driver in question was drunk, driving without a seatbelt and using his cellphone. And he had marijuana in his car.
Mitva and I visited my sister, brother-in-law and niece in Nashville a few weeks ago. In addition to hanging out, having fun, and eating like crazy, we participated in Holi. Holi is the Hindu Festival of Colors. I have never been to a Holi party, but it was a lot of fun (and very messy.) Can't wait for next year!
Both of the regular readers of this blog may have noticed the distinct drop off in frequency of posting on this site. Besides the obligatory excuses of having a lot on my plate, work is keeping me busy, etc.... I also recently joined a collective blog called Clusterflock. I found the site quite a while back (my friend Patrick recommended it) and recently asked Deron, the site's founder, if I could join up. Long story short, I'm now putting a lot of my random musings on Clusterflock.
It's a great site with very interesting members, check it out.
Finally got to see this last week. Great movie and a surprisingly good (though not completely faithful) adaptation of the excellent book. Highly recommended for anyone unable or unwilling to understand the Indian-American experience.
Mitva and I love Ethiopian Food. One of our favorite restaurants in Pittsburgh is Abay. It rivals Mitva's favorite Ethiopian restaurant of all time--Blue Nile in Ferndale (outside of Detroit.)
Abay's food is great and the service is always friendly. We always leave stuffed to the gills but happy. Highly recommended.
Interestingly, there's a "Blue Nile" in Columbus. I don't know if they're related to the place in Detroit, but here's hoping.
I stumbled across this webpage a few weeks ago. I guess a new magazine called "0-60" is being planned. Interesting stuff given that print publishing really has a hard time keeping up with the internet when it comes to breaking news. I really think Winding Road has moved the game on in terms of automotive journalism. But perhaps 0-60 has new angle to hook readers.
The car mag market is pretty crowded these days. I prefer the european mags-- Evo (the best), Top Gear (interesting), and Car (not as good as it thinks it is.) I also read Motor Trend, Road & Track, and Car and Driver. Motor Trend is pretty decent (they stole Car's chief editor a few years back.) Road & Track is in love with every car it tests. Car and Driver has rapidly become one of the worst car magazines we have in the US. It is complete crap. Pick up an issue and take a quick read. Don't buy it--it isn't worth the money.
Anyway, given the craptastic schlock that the American mags (stand up Car and Driver) have been foisting on us for years, new competition might be a good thing. Stay tuned.
The best chili cheese fries we've had in Pittsburgh. Couple this with a claimed availability of over 900 beers, and you've got yourself a fine eating establishment.
I've lived in Pittsburgh for almost six years. Now that I have just a few months left here, it seems I am finding new and interesting places in my city.
Example #1-- Dozen Cupcakes. We're big fans of cupcakes here, as our wedding cake will attest. Dozen Cupcakes is a new bakery in the Squirrel Hill area of Pittsburgh. I got Mitva several cupcakes to serve as an impromptu birthday cake a few weeks ago. The 'cakes were a big hit, and quite tasty. Also, the staff at the bakery were very friendly and helpful. Great service and great cupcakes. What could be better?
Anyway, this entry begins what I hope will be a series of entries on places I will remember fondly when I leave Pittsburgh (soon!)
I heard about this on the American Public Media "Weekend America" podcast. Smith Magazine is sponsoring a contest (and giving away an iPod!) for the best six-word memoir. The idea was inspired by Hemingway--a noted short sentence writer.
Summing up your life is difficult enough, doing it in six words is definitely a challenge. I came up with a rough draft on the way to work this morning....
Check out this news story about some dude in Florida who tried to kill himself by driving into a mall. I'm no expert, but I don't think this is the most high yield way of taking your own life... but it makes for entertaining TV.
As with any story about driving INTO a mall, The Blues Brothers must be referenced. Here's the obligatory clip....
Someone e-mailed me this a few years ago, but I had forgotten about it until it was recently dugg. The commercial, directed by Spike Jonze was supposed to promote the then newly revised gap.com but was ultimately pulled before going into wide release. Perhaps it made some execs nervous about in-store violence by khaki shoppers.
I had a mental infarct this morning while trying to dictate an MRA-- I couldn't come up with the branches of the vertebral artery proximal to the basilar artery off the top of my head. So I did what everyone in the medical field does these days when searching for an answer--I Googled.
Google Image Search is a pretty handy tool for a radiologist, but the pic I found made me laugh out loud. I'm still smiling as I'm typing this....
Back in September, actually. It's been a few weeks, but I finally got some pics together. Here's a photoset of some of our wedding pics off flickr (in no particular order.)
Drop me a line if you have some pics to contribute!
It is a house divided. Mitva, though not technically from Detroit, is rooting for the Tigers. I, though not technically from St. Louis, am rooting for the Cards.
Game 1 went to St. Louis last night (in resounding fashion, I must say.) But the Tigers are heavily favored, so we'll see what happens.
If The Cardinals win, it'll give the West County types even more reason to feel inexplicably smug about their city.
For the last few years of my MINI Cooper S ownership, I have been reading about other people's adventures after making basic performance modifications to their MCS's. Most people do a few basic mods-- less restrictive air intake and exhaust (more air in and more air out.)
The other major, relatively simple, modification is installing a smaller supercharger pulley (usually 15% smaller.) With a smaller pulley, the supercharger spins faster and pushes more air into the engine, allowing it to make more power.
My mods so far have been focused more on the cosmetic and functional end of the spectrum. But after almost 3 years of fun-filled stock MINI ownership, the time had come for a little more juice. I got in touch with Chad from Detroit Tuned, who installed a new Alta Intake, Milltek exhaust and an Alta 15% reduction pulley.
Here are some install pics...
That's the new 15% pulley Milltek Exhaust
The Alta Intake
After a week of driving around town and on the highway, I can't say enough about how these mods revitalize the MINI! It's like having a brand new car. The mods add about 25-30hp total and the acceleration is phenomenal. The car breaks traction (with the DSC on) in first and second gear. The sound of the new intake and (especially) the exhaust is downright intoxicating.
As you can tell, I'm pretty geeked about these mods, but I'm already contemplating more changes--suspension bits anyone?
Mitva and I recently bought new phones through T-Mobile.
Mitva got the Samsung T629 (on your left.) It is a slider with a 1.3 megapixel camera and a SD expansion slot. She seems pretty pleased with it, though she hasn't yet linked it up with her car's built in Bluetooth system.
I got the new Blackberry Pearl (on the right.) This is the new "smaller" blackberry model. Indeed, it is small enough to keep in your pocket without looking like you have an odd growth or mass. This is my first Blackberry and after having it for a few weeks now, I can definitely see why they call it a "crackberry." The ability to check e-mail and surf the web anywhere is pretty awesome (and addictive.)
I also think the Pearl is a fantastic looking phone, especially compared to my chunky clunky previous cell phone, the Motorola A630. It is almost as nice as my old Sony Ericsson T610 (the best looking cell phone, ever.)
On another note, the Blackberry is my fifth celly since 2001. I did some digging around and found my old cell phones. Here's a pic of my cellphone history.
My friend Daniel sent us this absolutely beautiful painting for our wedding gift titled "Swan Range, November". It arrived on our doorstep a few days ago and today I received a little background info on it (actually, it has been on his blog for a few days.) It is a watercolor and gouache on paper and depicts a mountain range in Montana.
As with most, if not all of Daniel's art, his inspiration and motivations for each work are deeply personal. The art that results is pretty amazing.
Check out Daniel's blog HERE and his personal site HERE.
Over the past 6 months or so, I've really gotten into podcasts--to the point that I hardly listen to radio or music when in my car or at the gym.
After the Engadget Podcast went on hiatus, I was really searching for a tech podcast replacement. A month ago I heard about a podcast called "Buzz Out Loud" from CNET.com. The hosts (Veronica Belmont, Tom Merritt, and Molly Wood) are funny and informed about tech issues and new products. Their commentary is interesting and intelligent and doesn't get as silly fanboyish as Engadget's. In fact, this 'cast has now replaced the Engadget Podcast on my playlist.
Check out this video of my friends Sharvari and Tarak getting down at their friend's wedding...
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Actually they're doing a dance from a big Bollywood flick from a few years back, "Shakti." The song is "Ishq Kamina" and is in Hindi, so I have little to no idea what they're saying. It sure is catchy, though.
The excellent on-line car magazine, Winding Road, dug up this old video detailing the adventures of Kenny Powers and his attempt to jump a rocket powered Lincoln (Lincoln!) across a one mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River in Canada.
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Click here for the article from Winding Road. Click here for more background information about the stunt. Click here for one of my favorite posts on another rocket jump!
The average person probably can't tell the difference, but a true MINI fan can spot each and every tiny change. While I am pleased the exterior didn't have too many alterations, I am totally blown away by the interior changes.
So last weekend, Mitva and I were officially engaged, thus completing Step 3 of the Master Plan. The traditional Hindu ceremony took place at my folk's house in Jacksonville.
A fun time was had by all--especially my niece, Malini.
Oh yeah, if you need to catch up-- here's Step 1 and Step 2.
In an effort to drum up interest and concern about itself and its cars, Ford has decided to document what it hopes will be its turnaround. It is presenting its turnaround plan (christened "Bold Moves") as a series of documentary films starring VP Mark Fields, his mullet and various other people.
I'm not sure the documentaries or the "Bold Moves" plan will work at all. Ford has neglected its core non-SUV/non-Truck business for so long that it will be hard pressed to convince car buyers (and, more importantly, Wall Street) that it has a viable business model.
The Big M is returning from India today. She has been telling me how everything in India has changed dramatically even since I was last there in 2001. In the last 10 years or so there has been a huge amount of foreign investment in India. Everyone jokes about getting tech support from some indian guy named "Bobby," but this investment and resultant economic expansion in India is still very impressive.
All the job creation has resulted in a new middle class with money to spend. Automakers have taken note of this and there now several car companies making significant investments in the Indian car industry. GM has been a player for several years and is now making a major push using the Chevrolet brand as its "world nameplate."
I think this is kind of funny because Chevy is marketed here in America as an "All American, meat, potatoes and NASCAR" kind of company. Apparently in India, GM is pursuing the same advertising message--except with chole, chappati and cricket.
Take a look at the homepages for the brand. Try to guess which ad belongs to which country.
I'm all for brand consistency, but you would think they might have ditched the red, white and blue for the Indian site....
I will admit that I don't know all ten commandments, either. But then again, it isn't my religion and I'm not trying to force taxpayers of many DIFFERENT beliefs, denominations and religions to pay for displaying them in public buildings.
So my beloved MCS is in the shop for servicing and new tires. I was given a MCS Checkmate as a loaner. For those non-MINI Nuts out there, the Checkmate is an option package that can be added on to either an Cooper or Cooper S--basically some badges, decals, and wheels....
Oh yeah, and the interior! I have to say this is one of the nicest MINI interiors out there. I love those seats with the silver contrasting stitching. The blue dashboard and door panels are nice too. I'm not a fan of this model's chrono option package (no signature big ass speedometer in the center of the dash) but I had to have a long talk with myself to hold back from trading in my MCS for this one.
Here are some pics:
I generally don't like the idea of specific option packages in MINI's because it flies in the face of an entire MINI brand identity that emphasizes individuality (the forthcoming GP is an exception, of course.) Unlike most cars these days, MINI's can be ordered with such a wide variety of individual options that the chances of seeing one identical to yours is almost impossible (like 1/300,000.)
Still, this was a really nice car--love that interior!
In a previous post I said today's NBA isn't very interesting. Well, I take it back-- I have been watching this year's NBA Finals and I gotta say the series has been quite entertaining.
This is partly because of the usual sideshow stuff that happens in the Finals: complaints about officiating, famous non sports people being involved, Mark Cuban silliness. But the major excitement of the finals has been provided by the amazing play of Dwyane Wade.
This guy is on the verge of being a superstar and is carrying his team (including Shaq) right now. I saw him play for Marquette during March Madness a few years ago and I thought he was very good, but he has taken his game to another level.
The New Math?
I swear Wade has some moves that are vintage Jordan circa 1995 (after he developed the great fall away jumper.) Plus, in a league of thugs and wanna be thugs (Jason Williams, anybody?) Wade definitely is a stand up kind of guy.
Anyway, I was checking YouTube for Dwyane Wade highlights and I found this Converse ad from several months ago. While the ad is not quite as good as the Jordan ones back in the day, it is still pretty well done and even a little inspiring.
I have many small pet peeves, but one of my biggest is poor spelling. In this world of Microsoft Word, there is absolutely no reason any document produced for mass consumption (private or public) should contain a misspelled word. What set me off today was an unsolicited response from someone I don't know to a mass e-mail we both received. The responder obviously thought enough of his ideas to share them with the other 20-odd people on the list... in the end, his misspellings and poor grammar just detract from his (rather pompous) statement.
Here's the e-mail text:
I still think that bollywood is decadentand superficial. Like most of hollywood and so many popular forms of enterntainment (sports, general tv shows...) diverts people from the issues in our lives. Real beauty is also missed. The films glorify and promote an intense materialism that has huge impact on people's values and the way they live their lives. The consequences are severe. Of course, the enterntainment industry is not solely to blame, but is a major factor shaping people's minds.
Mira Nair is an excellent film maker (except for mississipi masala), and has enjoyed huge succes. Hence she has the luxurey to be optemistic about bollywood, but there are so few good independant films comming form india it is pathetic. compare to china, isreal, usa, canada, europe japan etc...
Why would i complain about this .. we just have to study the collective impact of the world's material pursuites. whether it is the Iraq war or Global warming, these are only 2 examples of many other major issues. please do see "an inconvenient truth", the movie. Not that this movie is revolutionary in any way .. alll the things that is speaks of hav been known for the past few years. However, it is yet another excellent presentation that puts a truth together beaurtifully. Contrast that with the thrust of bollywood.
Holy crap. I hope this guy doesn't turn in term papers of this quality. It's called a spell-check people. Use it!
I just surfed into an interesting blog by an amateur mixologist. The site is called Sloshed! and covers various aspects of making and drinking mixed drinks.
I have a wet bar in my house that I've never really taken advantage of other than to stash random bottles of liquor in. Now that the specter of boards are over (for at least ten years,) I might have to stock up the bar and do some partying!
Unlike a lot of medical types, I wasn't always a good student. Make no mistake, I have never been the smartest guy in my classes-- I made up for it in high school and college by working harder than most everyone else. Medical school was another story--my classmates were smart AND they were hard workers....Thus my drift towards the middle of the bell curve after college.
Anyway, back in 8th grade I struggled in my Algebra 1 class. My problems came from a combination of not understanding algebra, not cheating on the tests like a many of my classmates and just not working hard enough.
My math teacher noticed I was stuggling to keep up and took me aside one day for an attempted pep talk. Here's how it went down:
Teacher: Vinney (they called me Vinney back then), what do you want to do when you grow up?
Me: I'd like to be a car engineer or an architect (the ugly run-in with Calculus-based Physics that turned me into a Biochemistry major was still five years away.)
Teacher: Really? Well, you're not doing so well in this Algebra class.
Me: I'm doing my best.
Teacher: Maybe you should consider taking up English Literature or something in the Arts.
I ended up getting a B- in that stupid Algebra 1 class at the end of the year, no thanks to that motivational talk. Ultimately, I did get my ass in gear in high school and became a decent student.
We all have our own intrinsic and extrinsic motivators... some of us choose to focus on positivity while others (myself included) need negative threats to get ourselves going. While I can't deny that I have had many kind, helpful and encouraging teachers, professors, and attendings go out of their way to help me in my academic and professional career, those "words of encouragement" from my 8th grade math teacher still ring in my ears 16 years later.
So to you, Mr. Hillis of the Poplar Bluff Junior High School Math Department, I dedicate this: Sometimes, the people who don't think you can succeed are the ones who help you the most....
So this evening, Mitva and I went to get takeout food from my favorite Mexican restaurant here in Pittsburgh. While we were waiting at the front of the relatively empty restaurant for our order, a couple of white yuppie type dudes and their dates wandered in.... They greeted us with a big "Hello!" You know, the kind of hello you say to the proprietor of a store or restaurant when you walk in. The kind of hello you would say to someone who is not of the same ethnicity as you. They stood there looking at me expectantly for a couple of seconds. Then I realized what was going on.... I looked at the first guy and said, "We don't work here."
He stared at me with a look of bovine incomprehension for another beat, the idea that a brown person in a Mexican restaurant might not actually be Mexican slowly rattling around in his big empty calvarium (I swear, I could hear it.) Then he replied, "Oh. I think we're going to the patio anyway."
Fighting the urge to pop him in his mealy ass mid twenties middle management former frat boy office worker making twice what I do but working less than half as much mouth, I pointed him, his idiot buddy and their dates to the patio. Did I mention that I wasn't wearing anything that would indicate I was a waiter, maitre' d or kitchen staff?
While Pittsburgh is a million times more racially sensitive and culturally aware than my armpit of a hometown, Poplar Bluff, MO, I was not surprised by this evening's interaction. Growing up in Southeast Missouri in the 80's and 90's taught me quite a bit about racial insensitivity and pure straight up racism. I have been asked if I was a "Spic," I have been called a "Gook," and I have even been called the N-Word when I lived in Poplar Bluff. Not surprising given the general closed mindedness and chromosomal homogeneity of the region.
Pittsburgh doesn't have a big Hispanic population, but it does have a significant Indian/Pakistani population. I guess it was all too much for this idiot to put together. My exchange this evening with that ass monkey only brought back all the ugly memories I had tucked away from my youth in Missouri.
From now on, when I ponder my and my fiancee's futures here in Pittsburgh, I only think of one thing: Thirteen More Months.
My friends Sharvari and Tarak (top row) recently completed their lap of the planet and have returned, safe and sound, back to the US. I spoke with Shirv last night and got to do some catching up. Find out more about their adventures HERE.
In other news, Steve, of TheFatManWalking.com fame, completed his cross-country trip today when he crossed the George Washington Bridge into New York City. I wrote this post about him last July.... It looks like he also has had quite a trip. Read more about Steve HERE and HERE.
And, just for both of you lovely readers out there, here's a nice montage of before and after pics of everyone:
That's Shirv and Tarak on the top row and Steve on the bottom in case you were wondering.
Maybe I'm not so bummed about missing MOTD 2006. The driver of this MCS hit some gravel while cruising The Dragon. The car slid off the road and then tumbled down an 80 foot cliff.
As it turns out, the MINI did its job: The driver was unhurt except for a bruised arm. I'd probably be inconsolable if this happened to my car, but it is important to remember what is replaceable and what isn't.
I've been meaning to post these fun pics for a while.... But, in honor of several potentially fun events that I will not be taking part in due to test/life related conflicts I've decided to turn them into another Phriday Photo Phun post.
A great idea for Halloween, I think.
Oh yeah, here are some of the fun things I won't be taking part in this year:
Those silly GTI fast commercials can now be put in perspective. Rich guy Ron Patrick spent $250K adding a JET ENGINE to his Volkswagen New Beetle. Craziness!!!
Holy crap! Have you seen these Volkswagen Jetta commercials?
Wow. VW USA's new ad agency, Crispin Porter + Bogusky (who essentially created the MINI USA brand) has really been doing some great work lately--especially with reintroducing the GTI to America. Take a look at the GTI website and the MINI USA website. They seem slightly similar in my eyes.
These Jetta commercials are just a little disturbing. Car wrecks freak me out--thankfully I haven't had one (three actually) since my intern year. Knock on wood.
Still, good advertising is always worth appreciating and these commercials are definitely provocative. But unlike a good Jordan commercial, I don't think I could watch these more than once.
I just realized the NBA Playoffs start this weekend. I think the last time I paid attention to the NBA this late in the season was back in 1998, the last title run of Michael Jordan and the great Bulls teams. I was in med school by then, but I can remember watching the playoffs on NBC almost every summer from my sophomore year (1991) of high school through 1998 just knowing that whatever happened, the Bulls and MJ would come out on top.
I guess my lack of interest makes me a fair weather fan, but I just don't find the current NBA players as compelling as the old school guys. Maybe Allen Iverson, but mainly because everyone hates him despite his continued excellence on the court. Oh well.
Anyway, I found a great version of the Jordan XXI commercial that was running on TV a few months ago. It shows the recreated famous Jordan moves against the originals.
The "Shot on Ehlo" from the '89 Playoffs is one of my favorite sports moments ever and the commercial does an excellent job of recreating it (as you can see in the side by side shots)--my heart rate actually goes up a little when I see it, even 17 years later.
There are a ton of great Nike/Jordan Brand commercials, but I think this is one of the best. Maybe I'll try to post a few others....
Last Christmas, Mitva gave me an awesome Canon Powershot SD550. I love taking pictures and I definitely enjoy using my new camera. However, as a non-user manual reading type of guy, there are tons of features in this camera that I am only learning about after four months of ownership.
Last weekend, our friend Samir (a fellow SD550 owner), showed me how to take photos that emphasize a single color using the "My Colors" feature. Once I figured out how to do it--I just had to take some pics of my favorite subject. Check it out!
I was messing around on Wikipedia the other day when I found a list of the top movies in order of the number of times they drop the F-Bomb. In honor of noted F-word user, Quentin Tarantino's recent birthday, I decided to post it on the blog. Interestingly, Pulp Fiction is only #17.
I especially like how the list is broken down by sheer numbers and also by "FPM's." I won't elaborate as I am trying to keep this a G-rated post.... E-mail me if you have questions.
These days GM can't seem to get any breaks. Chevrolet recently released a new ad campaign for the Tahoe, their new elephantoid SUV. The company teamed up with Donald Trump's TV show 'The Apprentice' to create a website that allows folks to make their own commercials online.
The new Tahoe with GM "Product Czar" Bob Lutz.
Unfortunately for GM, several people made commercials that were hilarious, but not so flattering. Click the following links to watch the commercials before they get taken down ! (Number 3 is my favorite.)
Dubs and spinners can now take a backseat to the newest innovation in big ass wheel technology. Leftlanenews.com has a story about DUB Wheels new brand of custom wheels called "PimpStars" (heh.) They use computer controlled LED's to display custom messages on the wheels while they rotate.
The "Hey Baby. Call me." is particularly classy!
I know its tacky and cheesy, but imagine how cool my MCS would be rollin' on these bad boys. :-) Unfortunately starting at over $12K, they are a little out of my price range... bummer.
Every day a guy named Doug Savage draws a new chicken-based cartoon on a post-it note and publishes it on this website. It's an odd concept, but I like it! Follow this link for some laughs.
