The medium is the message. But for a few cents more you can supersize it. Or something like that. That's a quote by Marshall McLuhan, aka Big Mac, according to me.
I'm not realy sure what this means. But remember when Jerry and George had this idea of creating a show about nothing? They were asked why people would watch it, and they answered, "Because it's on TV." So I guess that's kind of what it means.
I won't pretend to be an expert about it like this guy:
I am pretty much McClueless about Marshall McLuhan.
But anyway, to ramble on, I happen to be on Twitter. And some of those tweets go on like this:
"I have 1000 followers. Help me get to 2000."
"I'm coming up on tweet number 50,000."
And so on.
Um, so what was my point? I don't know. I just wanted to blog about something.
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Timeout Boy at Brooklyn Bridge
Here is video of us at the Brooklyn Bridge after we went to High Line Park:
We had planned on going all the way to Brooklyn and hanging out at DUMBO (Downtown Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). There's a park there under the bridge where we could have sat and relaxed and sang "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Well, I totally didn't expect service changes on the MTA Subway. I don't ride it that much, and I should have known better that it would be out of whack on the weekend. So we spent a lot of time navigating, trying to find which line goes to which stop, and waiting and waiting for that next train, trying to stand far enough from the edge so the little boy doesn't run off and fall, yet close enough so other passengers don't cut us off. And stuff like that.
And anyway, we had to go home and do laundry and other chores, so we just bought Italian ice and called it a day. It cost $3 for the little cup you see in the video, by the way. Also, you know those guys who stand there all day selling that stuff? Well, they have to answer nature once in a while, and do you know where they go? Yes, right there on the bridge. But I didn't get that on video.
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We had planned on going all the way to Brooklyn and hanging out at DUMBO (Downtown Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass). There's a park there under the bridge where we could have sat and relaxed and sang "Under the Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Well, I totally didn't expect service changes on the MTA Subway. I don't ride it that much, and I should have known better that it would be out of whack on the weekend. So we spent a lot of time navigating, trying to find which line goes to which stop, and waiting and waiting for that next train, trying to stand far enough from the edge so the little boy doesn't run off and fall, yet close enough so other passengers don't cut us off. And stuff like that.
And anyway, we had to go home and do laundry and other chores, so we just bought Italian ice and called it a day. It cost $3 for the little cup you see in the video, by the way. Also, you know those guys who stand there all day selling that stuff? Well, they have to answer nature once in a while, and do you know where they go? Yes, right there on the bridge. But I didn't get that on video.
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Timeout Boy at the High Line
Have you heard about the High Line Park in New York City? Basically, the city took an old elevated train track and converted it into public space. It opened a couple of years ago. I wanted to explore it last year, but we didn't get a chance. Plus, Timeout Boy was just learning to walk, and I didn't want to push around a big baby cart stroller.
This year, we bought ourselves a lightweight umbrella stroller. One Saturday morning, we took the PATH Train to 14th Street. We stopped by Chelsea Bagels and had breakfast. Then we walked west towards Gansevoort and walked up the stairs easily, since we were able to fold the stroller and carry it up.
It's a nice park. Here is a video:
It was fun, but it was narrow so we couldn't just let the kid run around and bump into people. At the other end on 30th Street, there are some food trucks and benches. However, we decided to walk over to my office and utilize the facilities. We then ordered from Shorty's and ate at the conference room.
We then took the Subway downtown and walked over the Brooklyn Bridge before calling it a day.
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This year, we bought ourselves a lightweight umbrella stroller. One Saturday morning, we took the PATH Train to 14th Street. We stopped by Chelsea Bagels and had breakfast. Then we walked west towards Gansevoort and walked up the stairs easily, since we were able to fold the stroller and carry it up.
It's a nice park. Here is a video:
It was fun, but it was narrow so we couldn't just let the kid run around and bump into people. At the other end on 30th Street, there are some food trucks and benches. However, we decided to walk over to my office and utilize the facilities. We then ordered from Shorty's and ate at the conference room.
We then took the Subway downtown and walked over the Brooklyn Bridge before calling it a day.
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Monday, July 11, 2011
Timeout Boy at the Turtle Back Zoo
I used to hang out at West Orange all the time, and I never even realized there was a zoo there. I only heard about Turtle Back Zoo a few months ago, and recently we decided to check it out. We heard it was a great place for kids, and indeed it was.
It was kind of hard to find. There's not a lot of signage pointing to the place. Even when we got to the parking lot, we weren't sure which space to take because we didn't see right away where the main entrance was. (We like to come early, and there weren't many cars yet.)
The playground was closed that day, but Timeout Boy still seemed to have a lot of fun. He liked the carousel and the bear house. He also liked the wolves, and we stayed to watch them for a long while. The best part is the bird house, where they sell these feed sticks that the kids can use to feed the birds. Here is a video:
There's also a train that goes by the lake. The kids there seemed to enjoy it, but Timeout Boy fell asleep during the ride. He hasn't had his nap all day, and after all that walking and running around all day, he was knocked out.
Afterwards, we drove around West Orange and Essex County. My wife and her cousin were a little on edge because I didn't tell them I was planning on driving through South Mountain Reservation. They were thinking of horror movie stuff and didn't want to go walking through the woods. Well, I didn't force them to, because it was raining anyway.
And then I took them to Eagle Rock Reservation. LOL. I was hoping we could see the New York skyline from there but it was foggy.
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It was kind of hard to find. There's not a lot of signage pointing to the place. Even when we got to the parking lot, we weren't sure which space to take because we didn't see right away where the main entrance was. (We like to come early, and there weren't many cars yet.)
The playground was closed that day, but Timeout Boy still seemed to have a lot of fun. He liked the carousel and the bear house. He also liked the wolves, and we stayed to watch them for a long while. The best part is the bird house, where they sell these feed sticks that the kids can use to feed the birds. Here is a video:
There's also a train that goes by the lake. The kids there seemed to enjoy it, but Timeout Boy fell asleep during the ride. He hasn't had his nap all day, and after all that walking and running around all day, he was knocked out.
Afterwards, we drove around West Orange and Essex County. My wife and her cousin were a little on edge because I didn't tell them I was planning on driving through South Mountain Reservation. They were thinking of horror movie stuff and didn't want to go walking through the woods. Well, I didn't force them to, because it was raining anyway.
And then I took them to Eagle Rock Reservation. LOL. I was hoping we could see the New York skyline from there but it was foggy.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Timeout Boy
Well, I promised myself I wouldn't share personal videos on here, but since no one seems to actually read this blog anyway, I decided to post something that I've been watching over and over. It keeps making me laugh. Here is Rocky* one morning in April. (*It's not his real name. I'm still not comfortable sharing it.)
For some reason, he came up with the idea of putting himself on timeout. It was a totally random thing that he hasn't done since. Check out his cute timeout face:
And then he does his little dance in the end. LOL!
Oh, and by the way, in front of the oven is not his timeout spot. We just happened to be having breakfast in the kitchen and that's where he did this.
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For some reason, he came up with the idea of putting himself on timeout. It was a totally random thing that he hasn't done since. Check out his cute timeout face:
And then he does his little dance in the end. LOL!
Oh, and by the way, in front of the oven is not his timeout spot. We just happened to be having breakfast in the kitchen and that's where he did this.
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Thursday, March 31, 2011
Commuter Illiterate: Search engine.
The other day I was "randomly" searched again on the PATH Train.
This is how it works. There at at least two police officers. One of them stands among the crowds and picks someone at "random". He makes sure the potential terrorist doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I don't know what his system is, but he seemingly knows. So I call him the Knows-Picker.
Then there's the guy who actually searches your bag. He stands to the side and waits for the "random" potential terrorist. He then examines your bag with his anti-terrorism device. To the untrained eye, this device looks like a simple rolling cart with a flat surface. But no. You're being stupid, stupid. For all we know, that is some high tech equipment there that we don't know about, and not just a table with wheels to make the search look more official.
I call this guy... The Searcher. Dun-dun-dun! But until the "random" potential terrorist is actually brought to him, you can call him... The Waiter!
So the other day after work, I was "randomly" selected again by the Knows-Picker. He walked up towards me, and I stopped in my tracks. (Get it? Cos I was headed for the train). Anyway, he didn't have to say anything. I know how it works.
I gave out a loud sigh and walked reluctantly towards the high-tech anti-terrorism device which to the untrained eye looks merely like a rolling cart with a flat surface. As The Waiter turned into The Searcher and searched my bag, he asked, "Is there a problem, sir?"
"This is not the first time I've been searched," I said, not really wanting to talk in the first place, or even acknowledge other human beings in the first place.
"Well, I got news for you," he replied readily. "This won't be the last time."
"No shit." "Yeah, I bet," I said.
"You think I like doing this?" he offered, unsolicited. "You don't think I want to be someplace else? I don't like doing this either."
Before I could even think of a response, which probably would have been about me not caring about what he would rather be doing or not doing, we were interrupted. I hadn't mentioned this, but sometimes, there are more than two officers there. Sometimes you have a couple of cops who hang around in the back, probably serving as back-ups if necessary.
If not necessary, they hang back and talk to each other, presumably about how effective "random" bag searches are and how potential terrorists would be too dumb to just use the opposite entrance across the street where they never wait and search. Or about how safe travellers must feel with them hanging around in the back talking. And how scientific it is to foil potential attacks by "random" sheer utter luck. And/or how they can improve good will between officers and citizens through their courtesy, professionalism and respect. (Oh wait, does that apply to the PAPD? Well, then, what's the motto with you?)
Anyway, one of these guys in the back (I call them The Guys Who Like It in the Back) interrupted and said to me, "Let me tell you how it works."
I said, "I know how it works."
"If you don't agree to the search," he continued as The Searcher handed my bag back to me (which might indicate to any observant person, whether a police officer on duty or not, that the search has actually finished and therefore taken place and therefore agreed upon, albeit reluctantly), "You cannot take the train."
"Yeah, I know how it works," I repeated. "I didn't say anything. He asked me." I wasn't even sure if I was making any kind of sense, but I wasn't expecting to be in the middle of a debate either. I then proceeded through the turnstile and went about my business.
Ah, yet another wonderful exchange with the Port Authority Police. Just another perk of being "randomly" searched on the PATH Train. Not that I have problem with the cops themselves. The way I see it, being "randomly" searched is just like stepping on dog shit. You don't blame the dog. You just wipe your feet and move on.
And now, here is Monty Python:
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This is how it works. There at at least two police officers. One of them stands among the crowds and picks someone at "random". He makes sure the potential terrorist doesn't get lost in the shuffle. I don't know what his system is, but he seemingly knows. So I call him the Knows-Picker.
Then there's the guy who actually searches your bag. He stands to the side and waits for the "random" potential terrorist. He then examines your bag with his anti-terrorism device. To the untrained eye, this device looks like a simple rolling cart with a flat surface. But no. You're being stupid, stupid. For all we know, that is some high tech equipment there that we don't know about, and not just a table with wheels to make the search look more official.
I call this guy... The Searcher. Dun-dun-dun! But until the "random" potential terrorist is actually brought to him, you can call him... The Waiter!
So the other day after work, I was "randomly" selected again by the Knows-Picker. He walked up towards me, and I stopped in my tracks. (Get it? Cos I was headed for the train). Anyway, he didn't have to say anything. I know how it works.
I gave out a loud sigh and walked reluctantly towards the high-tech anti-terrorism device which to the untrained eye looks merely like a rolling cart with a flat surface. As The Waiter turned into The Searcher and searched my bag, he asked, "Is there a problem, sir?"
"This is not the first time I've been searched," I said, not really wanting to talk in the first place, or even acknowledge other human beings in the first place.
"Well, I got news for you," he replied readily. "This won't be the last time."
"No shit." "Yeah, I bet," I said.
"You think I like doing this?" he offered, unsolicited. "You don't think I want to be someplace else? I don't like doing this either."
Before I could even think of a response, which probably would have been about me not caring about what he would rather be doing or not doing, we were interrupted. I hadn't mentioned this, but sometimes, there are more than two officers there. Sometimes you have a couple of cops who hang around in the back, probably serving as back-ups if necessary.
If not necessary, they hang back and talk to each other, presumably about how effective "random" bag searches are and how potential terrorists would be too dumb to just use the opposite entrance across the street where they never wait and search. Or about how safe travellers must feel with them hanging around in the back talking. And how scientific it is to foil potential attacks by "random" sheer utter luck. And/or how they can improve good will between officers and citizens through their courtesy, professionalism and respect. (Oh wait, does that apply to the PAPD? Well, then, what's the motto with you?)
Anyway, one of these guys in the back (I call them The Guys Who Like It in the Back) interrupted and said to me, "Let me tell you how it works."
I said, "I know how it works."
"If you don't agree to the search," he continued as The Searcher handed my bag back to me (which might indicate to any observant person, whether a police officer on duty or not, that the search has actually finished and therefore taken place and therefore agreed upon, albeit reluctantly), "You cannot take the train."
"Yeah, I know how it works," I repeated. "I didn't say anything. He asked me." I wasn't even sure if I was making any kind of sense, but I wasn't expecting to be in the middle of a debate either. I then proceeded through the turnstile and went about my business.
Ah, yet another wonderful exchange with the Port Authority Police. Just another perk of being "randomly" searched on the PATH Train. Not that I have problem with the cops themselves. The way I see it, being "randomly" searched is just like stepping on dog shit. You don't blame the dog. You just wipe your feet and move on.
And now, here is Monty Python:
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Friday, February 11, 2011
Queue Tips: Blue Valentine
Apparently, "Blue Valentine" is not the sequel to "My Bloody Valentine". Or "Blue Velvet". This is a film starring Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling. Also in it is John Doman, who played Rawls in HBO's "The Wire".
I really liked the writing and editing of this film. The past and future were intercut together very well and pretty seamlessly. Unlike in "Rabbit Hole", we were able to see the characters change.
The film starts with the death of their family dog. It instantly reminded me of "Wendy and Lucy" where Williams plays a character who has lost her dog. And then I thought maybe this film was made by the same director. Maybe Kelly Reichardt finally realized she should try and connect with the audience. Well, after the film, I checked the credits and found that this was directed by Derek Cianfrance, about whom I pretty much know nothing. I think he did an excellent job with this film, and I look forward to seeing more from him in the future. Meanwhile, Reichardt is probably working on some other boring shit.
The acting was superb. Ryan and Michelle were both very natural and believable. What else can I say? I think of stuff while viewing but totally forget once it's done. And it doesn't help when so much time passes before blogging. So I guess, just check it out when you get a chance.
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I really liked the writing and editing of this film. The past and future were intercut together very well and pretty seamlessly. Unlike in "Rabbit Hole", we were able to see the characters change.
The film starts with the death of their family dog. It instantly reminded me of "Wendy and Lucy" where Williams plays a character who has lost her dog. And then I thought maybe this film was made by the same director. Maybe Kelly Reichardt finally realized she should try and connect with the audience. Well, after the film, I checked the credits and found that this was directed by Derek Cianfrance, about whom I pretty much know nothing. I think he did an excellent job with this film, and I look forward to seeing more from him in the future. Meanwhile, Reichardt is probably working on some other boring shit.
The acting was superb. Ryan and Michelle were both very natural and believable. What else can I say? I think of stuff while viewing but totally forget once it's done. And it doesn't help when so much time passes before blogging. So I guess, just check it out when you get a chance.
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