Whenever I have multiple denominations of bills in my wallet, I have to have them stacked in order, a special order. At the bottom are the $20's, then come the $10's, then $5's and $1's respectively. If there are multiples of the same bill, the cleaner ones go to the bottom and the uglier ones near the top. They all have to line up perfectly and no bill can be folded, crooked or have its edges leafed inwards.

My justification: it makes it faster for me to count my money and withdraw it from my wallet without letting others know how much I have. Efficiency and safety? Plausible. Could there be something deeper? Perhaps.

Posted in: Life,

It is about a month into the new year (1/12 over, about 92% left). Anyways, I have just started on one of my main new years resolutions ... from 2003. I've finally started working out on a regular basis. Granted, I didn't do it all on my own - I have buddy who's a big motivator. The physical exercise doesn't seem as important as the fact that I actually did something. I have an apparent tendancy to simple plan out everything but never act. One of the managers at work dubs this as "paralysis by analysis". And he's right, more than he even realizes when it comes to me.

So while I'm not out to impress the ladies with a sculpted bod, I am intent on making myself do the things that I want but hesitate over risk or some sort of uncertainty or doubt. I need to do something for me. And while I don't plan on leaving my calculations and risk assessment behind, I am starting to do more and bring myself out of this complacent notion that merely being comfortable is satisfactory.

If that isn't a good ANY-TIME-OF year resolution, I don't know what is.

Posted in: Life, Philosophy,

Wow! How blog worthy! Google's email service finally gets a stupid delete button! Took you guys long enough.

Don't be fooled. You may think your email is being deleted however chances are it still sits in their system while their databases build a more accurate profile of you. Oh well!

Posted in: Internet,

I was doing some after Christmas shopping today and I ran into my high school Calculus teacher. He just called out at me "What's your name? Don't I know you?". I walked past him a few times in the shirts section and didn't notice but a good look at his face and I knew exactly who he was. He seemed happy enough to see me even though he didn't remember my name. It's been over 8 years, and I'm surprised he even noticed. He asked about my brothers and sister and lastly about me. He seemed to note things by that particular year's good students (namely the genius's and overacheivers). I know I was a good student, but not perfect. I learned every topic without incidence (except radial integration, curse you theta!!!). I only had to tell him the name of one arrogant indian guy (not me) and it all came back to him. I remembered his class very well, and even though he as a teacher did not have a profound influence on me as a person, he was a good teacher and somehow I know that he had some genuine faith in me (I got a 5 on the A.P. exam, so at least I was okay in his eyes).

When I told him about my younger brother's success and about my sister, he finally asked about me and told me "Looks like you're not doing too bad yourself!". I was still dressed from work, tidy and neat with all my new Christmas clothes, shoes and jacket. Yeah, I would say I looked okay, but probably not for the same reasons he thought. After I wished him well and said bye, I felt disappointed in myself. I regret I didn't ask him how everything was going for him and that I remembered his class and all his nuances and mannerisms with some fondness. I'm not sure why I should care, but then of course, I'm still a bit surprised he remembered me at all.

I wonder if teachers ever find out how far reaching their influence actually is?

Posted in: Life, Random,

Well I just wanted to wish all my friends and family and unknown internet readers a very Merry Christmas. I know that this year has been tough for many so if you stop and think about it, chances are that the simple things you have in life put you well above the millions in poverty, homeless or with broken families today. And even though this day isn't different from others, it's a good day for reflection, whether religious or not.

Well I'm terribly sick at home, but it's a nice home with loving family. I couldn't ask for more.

Posted in: Life, Religion,