Doobybrain.com

I kick myself every time I do it. When I leave my house without my camera but don’t have enough “good reason” to go back upstairs and get it because I think nothing interesting will happen while I’m out. And as it would turn out, when I do go back up to get my camera, nothing really does happen and I end up not using my camera. But when I decide that it’s not worth the trouble to go get it, I go on my merry way, and sure enough, once-in-a-lifetime events flash before my very eyes. It’s an inevitable part of my decision-making. If I do, it won’t. If I don’t, it will. That’s how my day usually flows.

So today I am reminded strongly of why I should have brought my camera out. I drove today. The thought of not bringing my camera with me when I drive makes me go insane because I always think “Man, what if I was in an accident and I can’t document the jerk who crashed into me so I can publicly humiliate him on Doobybrain.com?” (notice how I am never the one causing the accident). Ok, sorry, I digress. The reason I was reminded of why I should have brought my camera out today was because I bumped into Christina’s cousin, David and his mom and dad and his aunt today in Pathmark! I missed that kid so much. I used to see him quite often and it’s been nearly a year since I last saw him. He wears glasses now! Anyway, if I had the friggin’ camera with me I would have totally taken a photo with him. I hope I bump into them again — next time with Jonathan there too.

Above is a photo of Michelle, Joel, and myself hanging out in front of the MET last weekend. It’s been nearly a year since I’ve met these Texans and I must say, they make Texas seem a lot cooler than most people would think! Come to think of it, I met a good amount of folks from Texas this past year and I think that really contributes to the fact that out of all of the 50 states, I want to visit Texas most. Texans have so much state pride that I think it’d be fun to go down there and either 1) ruin it for them; or 2) see what the fuss is all about (because I’m sure it’s something pretty neat). Anyway, Texas is in my view, but I suspect it’ll take me a while to get there. Sigh…vacation is too far away.

I really dig Ashley’s new apartment that she shares with with Christine(a?) and Susan. It’s such a nice place and the view of urban destruction below is just wonderful. Plus, she lives across the street from a 24-hour Dunkin’ Donuts — I would kill for that. The picture above is something that caught Ashley’s eye: her sheets sort of match my Timbuk2 colors. Weird.

I can’t believe Parsons [New School] Christian Fellowship is the only Christian fellowship at school. Seriously…

So here’s a funny story. I think I may be allergic to Kam Man brand dumplings. I haven’t tested it on its own yet, but the last two times I ate those dumplings with Sriracha hot sauce, I had some crazy hives to deal with. I took some pictures of myself with the hives, but I don’t want to post them just yet. I am waiting for a time when I don’t have anywhere to go or anything to do so I can force myself to eat the dumplings OR the hot sauce just by itself to see which one I’m really allergic too. It’s all a process of elimination and right now I’m down to these two things. I really do have a hunch that it’s the dumplings though. I’ll see very soon if I’m correct.

New School is finally catching up with the times and has added two new things to its online arsenal this year: a New School web portal (to replace the horrible ALVIN interface) and an academic course organizer called Black Board. Unfortunately, it looks like New School didn’t properly train the instructors on how to use Black Board which translates to the Black Board not being used at all. THIS IS NOT GOOD! Black Board could be incredibly useful in terms of relaying information between teachers and students. At the moment, all of my teachers still communicate with the class through mass emails and frankly, it’s really annoying. The Black Board “launch” at the beginning of this year also had serious problems I hear, so even the teachers who wanted to initially use the board couldn’t. I can’t believe New School botched their opportunity to bring the school into the 21st century. I still feel like I live in the year 2000 when I go to New School. Sure, we have new computers and the latest “gear”, but our online interactivity is really losing this race. Sigh…maybe (or hopefully) next year.

By the way, if you have nothing good to listen to, then listen to Briefly by Better Than Ezra. The song at the post-3-minute mark will make you feel like flying.