Midway

September 4th. School starts tomorrow, but I won’t be there. Instead, I’ll be in Gastown, downtown Vancouver, working at Apparent Networks for a second co-op term. It’s really been an interesting last half year for me, so much has happened! I find myself making the most of my time. I’m not sure if it’s just the illusion of being in the moment, but it feels like I’m really getting some stuff done and following through with plans.

Co-op’s been pretty cool. It’s been a learning experience. Most people try to get internships with big name companies, as I did. Google, RIM, nVidia, HSBC, all companies I sent resumes to. I think that had I gotten any of them, the experience would have been unlikely to be as rewarding as what I’ve had with Apparent.

I’ve had my ups and downs in the term, though. Slow, gradual learning curves are frustrating. Motivational slumps are hard to get out of. And the stupid mistakes are just aggravating. Through it all, though, I think I’ve come out with a better understanding of the working world, self-motivation, interpersonal relationships, and oh yes, of course programming.

So I go into the 07-08 winter term with a bright outlook. From here on out, and for the next two years, it’s going to be a hectic alternating schedule between school and co-op. My next six terms looks like this (hopefully): Co-op | School | Co-op | School | Co-op | Break. Things are kinda falling into place. I have a plan in my mind for the remainder of my undergrad degree. What lies beyond, who knows?

So what have I been doing lately… I’ve been making good use of my time, doing as much stuff as possible. Doing the stuff I normally wouldn’t have time for during school terms. I feel like a broken record; I say this during every break, don’t I?

But anyway, lately I’ve been working a lot on my car. I remember saying a year or so ago, I think I’ll just keep it stock, it’s already good that way. Since then: Urethane shift bushings, Urethane motor mount, Synthetic tranny fluid, Autoexe grille, Aftermarket stereo, 323 badge, and Shorty antenna. Short shifter soon to come. They just build up like crazy over time! I should take stock of exactly how much I’ve spent. I’m sure it’ll surprise me. Though it really is pretty much still stock. My philosophy has always been that if it doesn’t look stock, it doesn’t go.

Top indications that you’re a car enthusiast:

1. When you can tell what kind of car is following you at night from the headlight beam patterns, and what kind of car is in front of you from the taillights.
2. When you have a barely resistable urge to change your oil and spark plugs, just for the hell of it.
3. When your car-related conversations last longer than all the others.
4. When you blog about your car.
5. When you describe nice cars or parts as “pure sex”.
6. When you can identify every car on the road by their make, model, and year.
7. When you’d rather listen to the engine sound than the radio.
8. When you do out-in-out within your own lane.
9. When people automatically come to you with car questions.
10. When you get frustrated working on your car and throw the wrench on the ground, and it rebounds off your foot and hits the car, and the first thing you do is check to see if the car’s okay, and then apologize to it for getting mad.

I’ve also been working on a hockey film with a bunch of people. We planned it at the very end of summer, which wasn’t that smart because we eventually ran out of time to film. Creativity doesn’t come on schedule. Luckily we got kinda enough footage, though! It’s been a really fun two weeks. I’ve dedicated so much of my time for it when I could be doing other stuff, but I think it’s worth it and I hope it’s worth it for everyone else when the thing is done, too. Far from done, though. Now I need editing and some better voice and sound samples. I have a feeling I’m going to be returning to sport chek soon with a sound recorder.

Hockey season is starting soon! There’s been a lot of excitement around that lately. First, the Vancouver Canucks unveiled their new jersey. It brings absolutely nothing new to the table, except for “VANCOUVER” in big block letters on the front. People don’t seem to like it, and there have been riot calls, but honestly I quite like it. I think it’s an improvement from before. True, I like the vintage more; it’s a timeless classic. But I think the new jersey does look nice, represents Vancouver, and even the block letters don’t bother me. Rather, they fill out the space, I think. Though, I do think “CANUCKS” would have looked better. NHL 08 is also coming out soon. 8 days. I’m planning to get it right on the day it comes out. Or actually, maybe I’ll wait a couple days and see if it’s next gen. Honestly, EA is not ripping me off again with their rehashed crap. Lastly, the hockey pool is starting again. There is still a whole month before the season starts, but several people are already tweaking and re-tweaking their roster to find that perfect fit. I found the whole thing last year to be high on addiction and low on reward, honestly. Kind of like smoking, I supposed? Not that I’ve tried.

I like that new Avril Lavigne song, “When You’re Gone”. Actually I think there are a few pretty good songs out lately, including “Don’t Stop the Music” and “Stronger”. Love the beats for while I’m doing some random coding.

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I’d need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I’m alone
And the bed where you lie
Is made up on your side

When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now?

When you’re gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you’re gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you’re gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day
And make it OK
I miss you

I never felt this way before
Everything that I do
Reminds me of you
And the clothes you left
They lie on the floor
And they smell just like you
I love the things that you do

We were made for each other
Out here forever
I know we were
Yeah Yeah

All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I do I give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me
Yeah

Imagine

Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

Is it Really Possible to Understand Women?

A man walking along a California beach finds a Genie in a lamp. The Genie says “I will grant you one wish.”

The man said, “Build a bridge to Hawaii, so I can drive over anytime I want to.”

The Genie replies, “Your request is very materialistic. Think of the logistics of that kind of undertaking. The supports required to reach the bottom of the Pacific! The concrete and steel it would take! It is hard for me to justify fulfilling such a wish. Take a little more time and think of another wish.”

The man thought about it for a long time. Finally he said, “Ok, my wife says that I am uncaring and insensitive. I wish that I could understand women. I want to know how they feel inside, what they are thinking when they give me the silent treatment, why they cry, what they mean when they say “nothing”, and how I can make a woman truly happy.”

After a few minutes the genie said, “You want two lanes or four on that bridge?”