07/9/08

Limited or no connectivity

A week or two ago, I lost internet access. I checked the router and the settings were not changed. The other computer had internet access. I checked my ethernet cable, my ethernet card, and fiddled around with the Windows network settings with equally negative results.

Turned out my problem was following the Windows Automatic Updates’ recommendation to update to XP SP3. A whole bunch of people had the same problem as me after installing SP3. They would receive the “limited or no connectivity” message on their network icon and pull their hair out trying to find the cause.

A simple uninstall of SP3 through the Add or Remove Programs tool under the Control Panel fixed the connectivity issue.

Forward three weeks later, the automatic update from Windows struck again, installing a security fix which seemed to fix my internet connection to not allow me to connect. Again, the only workaround was to uninstall the fix. And turn off the automatic update so this does not occur again.

This may have been a ploy by Windows to push everyone towards Vista!

07/5/08

Movie Review: Never Back Down

Never Back DownNever Back Down is a good fighting / action movie.  The story involves a former football player from Iowa moving to the sunny beaches of Orlando where he discovers organized fighting.  The fighting is in the form of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), with its combination of boxing, kick-boxing, wrestling, and street fighting.  He ends up being lured into competing at Beatdown, an underground fight tournament.

If you are a fan of fighting movies, you will like this movie.  If you are a fan of MMA, go watch Forrest Griffin fight Quinton ‘Rampage‘ Jackson in the UFC instead.  As with most Hollywood movies, the fighting is choreographed for as much action as possible for the standard audience member.  This basically means very little blocking, a lack of proper technique, and all offense.

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06/25/08

Book Review: Dragondoom

Lately, fantasy stories showcase dragons as wise beings befriending a human or as the mounts for dragonriders. The various races would all travel and greet one another in a matrimony of happiness and invariably, the dwarf in each tale would take up his role as the protagonist’s loyal sidekick and comedy shtick.

That is not the case in Dennis L. McKiernan’s Dragondoom.
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06/24/08

Cajun Food

Wow.. first time I’ve tried cajun food. I went to Creola with a friend. Upon arriving, there was only one customer there. Maybe we were early. The atmosphere seemed like a more quiet and personal type of environment. The place was nicely decorated and a few tables along the wall even had couches with pillows. I was very anxious to try out the what Cajun food taste like. The last time I went to try was at Crawdad King in Milpitas. They didn’t have any Gumbo or Jumbalaya, so we were stuck with only eating Cajun Crawdads. But this time was a little different!

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06/18/08

Best Fries in Downtown San Francisco

Ayola, on 114 New Montgomery Street, has the best fries within a three block radius of 2nd and Howard in downtown San Francisco. They are meaty and large to chew and seasoned well. You come away surprised when you realize they are originally frozen; most likely purchased from a bulk wholesaler.

But, their frozen starting state does not deter me from ordering the fries every time I go to Ayola for lunch. The frozen fries are dumped into a metal tray and slid into the Fry Master 4000 (?). Three to five minutes later, they spit out toasty hot. The overseer seasons the hot batch of fries considerably and then scoops a load full into the brown paper bag to go along with the rest of the order.

Sometimes I forgo the rest of the order and just get the fries to go along with food I purchased from another establishment. I am not a big fan of the texture of the meat in the gyros. They seem packed to me. If I had to choose though, I usually get the Chicken Shawarma.

06/17/08

Highly Recommended Optometrist

For those working in the financial district in San Francisco, I highly recommend Dr. Marc Lester for all your optometry needs. I needed a new pair of glasses due to my old pair losing its integrity; the waxy part that sits on the nose.

Dr. Lester came highly recommended by my co-workers and the positive reviews on Yelp are absolutely glowing.

Dr. Lester was easy-going and personable while also being efficient and professional. While other optometrists would extend the visit unnecessarily by talking about their day, their kids, and their love life, Dr. Lester was all business. He gave me the checkup and helped pick out my new glasses in under 20 minutes. A perfect pace for those on the go.
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06/16/08

Book Review: Khi to Freedom

I picked up Ardath Mayhar’s Khi to Freedom for the novelty of it. I have a friend whose name matches exactly to the first word in the title.

The plot of the book compares favorably to a combination of Star Trek: The Next Generation and the Matrix. The book follows a human, Hale Enbo, as he works as a planetary scout exploring and documenting new races and species.
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06/16/08

Goooooooooooooooooal!!!

Saturday was my first time watching soccer live and I have to admit, I enjoyed the game.

Prior to attending, I had many misconceptions of the game. Based on watching the game on television, my thoughts were that the game was slow and boring. The players just seemed to kick the ball back and forth between themselves in the middle of the field with the occasional kick from the corner.

At the time, soccer was like watching hockey except on a wider field with less scoring and no fights.

Coming into the match, I had no expectations. I left my thoughts and beliefs back in the City.
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06/14/08

At the old ballgame…

Treated a buddy of mine to a baseball game between the Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics, at AT&T Park for his birthday.

The night started out pleasantly enough. We nabbed ourselves an orange jersey t-shirt during the free giveaway and made our way to our seats. I have never sat so close to the action before. Usually I sit way up in the rafters. Sitting in the first couple of rows on the lower level is whole another experience.
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06/11/08

Rick Roll’d by KOIT

The clock hand was pushing past the midnight hour as I laid in bed waiting for the Sandman to claim me. Thirty minutes of waiting came up fruitless. I turned to one of my favorite remedies; listening to soft rock on the radio station KOIT 96.5 AM always seem to do the trick.

I was in my happy place near the end of England Dan/JF Conley’s I’d Really Love To See You; my mind had let go of all the daily worries. I was at my most vulnerable moment. Unconciousness was only moments away.

1:18 AM

I hear this filing into my empty head, breaking my trance:
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