http://iscaliforniaonfire.com/

I heard on the radio this morning that there are currently 1100 fires burning in California right now (or maybe just Northern California? It was early; I wasn't really paying attention) and we're really starting to see the effects. The air outside is hazy, even in San Francisco, and farther now the peninsula, you can smell smoke outside.

On the plus side, the sun is red, which is kind of cool. I imagine it would be a great few days to shoot outdoor portraits, since you get warm, sunset-like light all day long.

I'm participating in the AIDS Walk this year. If you can spare it, please consider donating to the cause. Thanks!

Uploaded to Flickr on 24th June, 2008.

At the gig he and Owen played on Sunday. More pics here.

And by "lazy" I mean I went to work. Saturday was a laundry day, then we had dinner at Aslam's Rasio in the Mission, which I thought was excellent, but maybe not worth the Muni ride + walk out to the Mission.

Sunday I went to work for 5 hours or so to get a little more ahead on my current task. On the way in, on Yar's recommendation I tried the McDonald's Southern Style Chicken Sandwich, which is supposed to be a poor man's Chick-Fil-A sandwich, and I gotta say it's pretty decent. Not as good as Chick-Fil-A, but considering the nearest Chick-Fil-A is 40 miles from SF, I'll take it. Of course, without the cole slaw and waffle fries, it wasn't really a complete experience, but I'll take what I can get.

That evening we went to see Owen and his friend Yair play at Epic Arts in Oakland. It was a great show, and I got to exercise my 5D under very challenging lighting conditions (very dark room + backlit performers), so I'll have to see how those came out.

Other than that, I watched a lot of Dexter, which I highly recommend, though maybe not right before bed, as that leads to really weird dreams.

Stan Winston, VFX guru, passed away today. As someone who was a genius in traditional special effects, it's a huge loss for an industry that has become over-reliant on computer graphics. I've always been a huge fan of his, and I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to meet him at EA a few years ago, so I'm very sorry to see him pass.

Uploaded to Flickr on 17th June, 2008.

Hooray for promotions!

Uploaded to Flickr on 15th June, 2008.

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

Kid 1: Dude, I hate my car. If I had a choice, I'd sell it.
Kid 2: Who's car is it?
Kid 1: Mine.
Kid 2: Did you buy it?
Kid 1: No, my parents bought it for me. Whatever, it was only like $29,000.
Me: ...

Uploaded to Flickr on 10th June, 2008.

I got promoted a couple of weeks ago to Software Engineer III (from Software Engineer II.) There's not any really big changes in responsibility; it's more that my level is more in line with the work that I have been doing anyway.

This, while exciting in itself, was made even more exciting by the fact that I told myself I could buy a 5D. I ordered it last week, and it's on its way. Woohoo!

Your boss's boss might see you in your underwear.

Awkward turtle!

Oh, and to the lady at the treadmill in front of me: far be it from me to make fun of someone for being slow, but I'm pretty sure walking at a 25:00/mile pace doesn't really qualify as "exercise."

Might want to get a credit report. Apparently there was a laptop stolen that contained the personal info of a bunch of current and former Stanford employees.

Thanks to Peter for the heads up. Or was it really Peter??

Hooray! This is probably the first time I've really supported a candidate for what he is, and not what he isn't. Imagine that.

Honestly, I don't understand why this election has the word "primary" in it. It just confuses me.

In case all you California folks didn't hear, today is yet another election day, so get out there and do your civic duty. Also, save rent control -- vote no on 98!

• Enzo needs another medication (aluminum hydroxide, a phosphate binder), which brings the total up to 6. (7, if you count the fluids.)


• When making beef stroganoff, don't go for the cheapest steak you can find at Safeway. It just isn't worth it.


• Climbing 3 times in 4 days makes me tired.


• Enzo decreases in volume by approximately 50% when wet, only to increase by 200% after being dried by a shop vac in reverse.


• That girl in the building next door? She'll take your wet clothes out of the washer.


• June 1 is the perfect date to remove the ski rack from one's car.