STUPID COMPUTER

[Editor's note: I am writing this after midnight on the 27th but the following takes place earlier in the night, on the 26th.]

I had this awesomely long post about how great the day was going as a result of two pieces of news that came my way earlier but based on the title of this post and the way the post started, there has to be a story coming...and there is!

While typing the post, I was also streaming Graham Colton live from a recording studio. I'm typing away and listening in the background and then out of nowhere, the music just started playing the same millisecond of sound on repeat.

BAM! Computer crashed. Had to manually shut it down and restart it. Sure enough, I come back here hoping to finish this post and get some sleep, and the post is no more. I thought these things had auto-save but NO. Epic. Fail.

Ok, maybe the posted should be titled "Stupid Me" but I like to blame others. Also, given all my computer issues in the past, it's so easy to blame the computer.

Maybe eventually I'll post the great news from earlier.

7 Months of Catching Up - Part One

After our carolling session last post, a lot of you have been asking me to elaborate on the list. As a man of my word (sometimes), I will. [Editor's Note: sometimes refers to being good on my word, I am ALL man ALL the time. Even on weekends.]

Today we will tackle items 11 and 12, both referring to Twitter. At some point roughly three months ago, yours truly joined Twitter. This was not an easy decision nor one that I am proud of, rather a necessary evil. But why is Twitter so bad?

There are two sides to this argument: those who feel the feel the need to tweet (took me 11 weeks to nail the lingo) every little thing that happens to them at six-minute increments (another reason I hate billable hours) and those who don't tweet and look down on those who do. I used to be in that latter group looking down on everyone who was so self-absorbed and thought their life was so important that they needed to narrate their life in 140 character posts.

I was probably just another hater because if you've read this blog you would know that I probably would not be able to keep to the 140 character limit--yet I'm very succinct with my texting (translation: I don't sound like a 12 year old girl or 40 year old perv, l8r LOL!).

Finally I just sucked it up and created an account. I figured with all the tools out their who are less important than yours truly, how can I not start tweeting? Okay, the real reason I joined was to gain support and use it as a tool to hype up my business. Then the strangest thing happened: I actually got hooked on it and discovered Twitter for all its power and glory. I started getting all the breaking news from my areas of interest and I started dropping knowledge on all my followers (there's a shout out to the 40 of y'all) and the world.

So I stand here today to announce that I, DotCW, tweet and I'm proud. Fine, proud might be over the top but something between proud and embarrassed works. It wasn't easy and I'm still learning, but I'm getting there. I think the "11 weeks learning Twitter" will probably run longer. You can reach me there @sorryimnottellingcuziwannakeepthisanonymous.

I'm Baaaaaack!!!

Wow, it's been awhile since I painted this space with letters, words, sentences, and assorted drivel. It's been a very interesting ride to say the least. A lot has happened since May and in due time I will catch you all up on all the craziness.

Before the recap of the past seven months, that I will try to condense to something that one can read over a coast-to-coast flight (you do still recall my knack for succinctness), I would like to announce some changes that will take place here at DotCW.

Last year was an experiment in blogging. Now, expect a slightly more professional style (translation: no more typos). That experiment lasted only five months but this time I plan to keep it going for the long haul. The topics will remain the same although a Digitus Medius spinoff is not out of the question. I will continue to post random musings and rant about anything, but I will also post updates on my business developments. Don't worry, this will not become a business blog. I will still keep things light the only way I know how--sarcasm and mono-syllabic words.

So here's what you all missed. I'm sure you will instantly recognize the tune (it's quite popular among my Jews).

12 weeks using Twitter,
11 weeks learning Twitter,
10 trips to the beach,
9 something somethings,
8 commandments broken,
7 month blog hiatus,
6 states visited,
5 dollar (parking) ticket,
4 failed '09 resolutions,
3 new blogs followed,
2 surgeries,
and few surprising courtesy waves!

Happy 2010 Internet People!!!

Ode to Summer

Summer is officially here everybody! Who's excited? I can't hear you. I said, "who's excited?" I could either sit here and retype that exchange until I start hearing actual voices or I can go on with my post. It might make an interesting read for you guys if I went nuts over a blog post and wind up a like a stunt dummy on Harper's Island (if you don't get the reference, only 6 episodes to catch up on).

Most of us probably got out of work early on Friday (myself included) so we can really make the most of the long holiday weekend. I can tell you that here in the NYC area, the weather has been great since early last week. [Editor's note: It may be longer than that but my memory will only go back that far.] I bet your weekend plans are probably very similar to mine and likely involve the 3-B's--beaches, barbecues, and booze. Ironically [Editor's note: there is no actual irony here, but I like the way the word fits] we all tend to forget the real reason we have this long weekend.

Folks, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the start of summer is not an actual holiday. I, for one, has been to the beach about a dozen times already. I don't make a habit of wearing white but if I did, it wouldn't necessarily start now or end on Labor Day. Then again I don't travel with the snooty crowd and go yachting with men in crested blazers and women who wear big hats. Does Memorial Day mean anything anymore?

So while this is the first official day of summer, beaches can now charge us to tan, and we can start wearing white again (but only until Labor Day), please don't forget what's really important. On this memorial day, make a point to remember all those men and women who fought for this country and continue to keep us safe. This year we should also remember that Nancy Pelosi is a threat to national security (but that's another post for another time).

Time for the Z-Man to get his barbecue ready for tonight. Be safe!

And for those keeping score at home...

...and you should be, let's have a little recap based on yesterday's post:

1. I got three less than friendly emails regarding a sarcastic comment about abortion. Look, it's your body do what you want--until it becomes my child!

2. I was tempted to watch last night's episode of How I Met Your Mother again just for laughs (but I didn't)

3. I was however so inspired by that episode that my period of inspiration extended to this exact moment in time as I type this, making this two posts in two days (again, for those of you keeping score at home and I know you are)

4. I was also able to keep my promise of making today productive. I sent out those emails I needed to respond to but kept pushing off, sent out several resumes for job postings, and dealt with my stupid insurance company for hopefully the last time. I also spent 3 solid hours doing legal research and actually learned something! I even set up my calendar on my pocketPC for the next two weeks. This is actually a big step because it also means I got to throw out scattered post-it notes and little pieces of paper with small notes on them. The rest of my day was so much less important that even if I had Twitter and was the uber-twit (or is that uber-tweet), I still wouldn't tweet those details.

5. Of course the productivity ended a little after 5pm when I got a call asking if I wanted to go play tennis. I'm not all that good at tennis but I have a tendency to drop what I'm doing to play most sports. I hope to improve on both my tennis and golf games over the summer so stay tuned. Either way, after tennis, I showered and went for dinner and then it was bum-city for the rest of the night until now, as I type this. At least my day ended on a productive note!

Credits
Steve Somers - host of local sports radio show on WFAN; known for using that line on the air referring to either ad numbers or segment numbers (I don't recall having stopped listening to "The Fan" many years ago with the exception of actual sporting events)

Ted Mosby - see earlier posts

"We all wanna live forever
we all wanna be something, someday
ready to face whatever's yet to come
and I'm starting it all today"
Stir - Climbing the Walls

Kids, let me tell you about the time when...

...I finally got around to posting on this blog.

It's amazing that since January, I went from daily posts to posting on weekly basis. I'm still here so at least I kept one of my resolutions. It's not that I have nothing to write or that I don't care about my loyal readers (I'm optimistic that there's more than one). I come up with ideas for posts all the time but never actually get around to writing about them. I have a saved draft which contains a list of topics so I don't forget them but by the time I get around to write about them, they are no longer current so I exercise my pinkie and reach for that backspace key.

Of course today's edition was more than just to give another reason for lack of frequent posts. I was inspired to blog tonight after watching the season finale of How I Met Your Mother. As you probably gathered from previous posts (or the fact that I have a HIMYM tag) I'm quite a fan of the show. Well tonight's show was so inspirational that I actually used the word "inspire" twice.

SPOILER ALERT: IF YOU DID NOT SEE THE EPISODE YET, WATCH IT ONLINE AND CONTINUE READING IN 22 MINUTES. I WILL TRY NOT TO REVEAL ANYTHING CRUCIAL TO THE EPISODE BUT WATCH THE SHOW ANYWAY.

First, a quick round of "What Did We Learn" from tonight's episode?
To "pull a Mosby" means to tell a girl (or other half) how much you love her just so she can say no and push you away. In short, a great way to sabotage a relationship. (Exhibit A: Ted and Robin)

The show ended with the message to take that leap. [Editor's note: This is not a public service announcement condoning suicide. This leap is actually a metaphor if you choose to keep reading. But while I'm on the subject, maybe some people should just jump off their nearest tall structure. And while I'm being mean and hateful, over the many years of my life, I've season several examples of why abortion should be legal at all stages of pregnancy.]

...But I digress.

If you aren't completely repulsed by my views or attitude, back to this post. All the characters were facing some sort of struggle or challenge and rather than leave us the typical season finale cliffhanger (beyond the never ending question as to who is the mother) they all took a leap. I will not tell you what they did or how it played out, but I too am going to take a leap.

After a lazy day doing a little work-related research and not much else, I am declaring tomorrow a day of more productivity. I made a list of all the things I want to accomplish. A wise man once said "The road to productivity starts with a list." He also said "The road to discovery begins with scrapping that list" but I don't want to go there yet.

The leap started with this post, will continue tomorrow with a productive day (until I lose my list or get distracted), and will extend to an ongoing covert operation with Agent RW. Hopefully I will stay productive and ultimately score a new job.

That's all folks!

"Go on, get up, get out, don't even think about it,
you don't need to leave it behind but you can live without it,
jump in your car like you're ready to ride
You got a buck forty-five left to keep you alive"
-My Favorite Highway, Getaway Car

I got a wave!!!

The name of this sad excuse for a blog is Death of the Courtesy wave, so it goes to follow that a number of posts relate to the actual courtesy wave. The courtesy wave is actually a metaphor of society as we know it, as depicted in a number of other posts labeled I-Society.

Now that I got that out of the way for the two people who may be confused, back to business. It is with great pleasure that I announce that this past weekend I got the wave!

I was in the city on Sunday with a friend, just minding my own business and out of nowhere, there it was...A hand directed at me with all five fingers extended. [Editor's note: I felt the need to add that last part because I have received a fraction of those fingers on many occasions.] I wish I could tell you what street I was on but unfortunately I got so cought up in the moment that the rest of the details are vague. It's like the opposite of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

And now to burst your collective bubbles...

Yes, the wave was real. Yes, it was in Manhattan. Yes, it was directed towards me. BUT I happened to be on my bicycle at the time (which is allowed) and the person waving to me was also on a bicycle.

I'm not going to get all preachy about being green and riding a bicycle because that is not me at all. On Earth Day I did not go out and get a Prius. I did however tell a bunch of people on the street trying to get me to become greener that they can do their part in cutting back on carbon dioxide (an alleged greenhouse gas) released if they would only stop breathing. Needless to say that while I don't "intentionally" destroy the environment, the vehicle that takes my bicycle to the place I go riding is usually an SUV that gets about 18-19 miles per gallon on the highway.

I'll tell you all about the ride in a later post but the point is that we should all take note of this cyclist's conduct and learn from him. I take part in a number of long distance cycling events and have found cyclists to be the friendliest and most courteous bunch around. This Sunday's event was no exception. Of all the riders on Sunday, I would say that a good 75% of those I encountered signalled to indicate a move they were about to make and then responded with a friendly wave.

Maybe it's because over the years we have learned the necessity to signal so we don't get hit by a car rather than actually being a good person, but whatever the reason, I'll take it. I get a little satisfaction in believing that if they signalled just so they don't get hit by a car, that incentive would no longer exist when there are only bicycles around them, yet they still signal.

Have you ever heard of the rival Cannondale and Schwinn biker gangs?

"I want to ride my bicycle,
I want to ride my bike"
-Queen, Bicycle Race

The Courtesy Wave is only Dead in Spirit

Over the weekend I was carded at the Inc Lounge at the Time Hotel. One of the girls I was with got grilled about the information on her license because she looks young. [Confession of an un(der)employed JD: This girl was more than legal for me and could legally drink in the US for a few years now. This is not the story of how your Uncle DotCW got arrested.] Before I put my license away I started reviewing the content of my license. At that moment I realized that I've had my license for almost 10 years.

I do a lot of driving. My last car lease gave me 45,000 miles but I wound up driving close to 55,000 miles over those three years. Fortunately I switched cars with the 'rents who used mine for local driving so I can continue my 60-120 mile daily commutes without getting slammed for going over my mile allowance. Yet with all this driving I cannot recall the last time I was the recipient of the courtesy wave.

Take yesterday for example. After riding 24 miles in Central Park, I went to Long Island to mark the first beach day in New York. Because of traffic I took a different route. I'm on the Van Wyck and some old guy in a Chevy Impala cuts me off. I was about one and a half car lengths from the car in front of me but he just shot in there and slammed on his brakes causing me to stop short. Just before cutting me off he was bearing right to go on the Jackie Robinson but then swung left through that painted white triangle by the exit ramp. Next thing I know he's right in front of me.

You would think the old guy would have given me the courtesy, but NO! I can understand the young people (like me), many of whom grew up without a care in the world and everything revolving around them--the card carrying members of the I-society, as I prefer to call them. But this guy was from a different generation, from a time when everyone gave the courtesy wave, a time when you smiled and waved at the guy in the car stopped next to you at a red light because you probably knew him from somewhere (and if not, you still smiled and wave just to be polite) NOT to see who can get through the intersection first. Clearly I was mistaken.

Fast forward to today where I am still trying to bring back the courtesy wave. This may take some time but everyone can do their part. I stand here today to tell you that while the courtesy wave is on life support, this blog is not. With a little help from you, the future can be a bright one. With a little less laziness from me, this blog's future can be just as bright. Let's all do our part to create this wonderful future (and vote for me for _____ in 20__!!!)

[Editor's note: while reading over this post, I noticed a few instances of a blog post reading like a political speech. It is for that reason that I chose to end the post as I did.]

I'm Alive

Just wanted to let everyone know that Z-Man is alive and well and will be back with regular posts before you can name every country and capital on this great planet.

Which reminds me...for my next vacation, I wanna go to Phuket, Thailand. Not because I like Thai food (they just call it food) but because it's funny when people try to pronounce it.

HINT: it does not rhyme with bucket.

Pop Quiz

Q] How do you keep the blogosphere in suspense?


A] I'll tell you later


Happy Friday!

I'm Baaaaack!

Dear Readers,

As much as I resolved to stay on top of this blog, I have failed. But guess what? I don't care.

While I plan to keep up with this, I still make the rules. I reserve the right to go on vacations, get sick, or stay away from computers for extended periods. However, at the request of my fans, I will resume posting and include the posts that I wrote in my head during my absence.

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder. [Editors note: I've never said this nor heard anyone else actually say it, but just roll with it.] Thanks for missing me and stay tuned to a record [for this blog at least] number of posts over a short period of time.

Warmest regards, [can I be any more full of it?]

DeathoftheCourtesyWave [can I have a longer name?]

Finally a reason to go to California

As fun as it would be to continue a certain blog war with Danielle, I don't think it needs to go beyond "I HAVE NO INTEREST IN SEEING SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE REGARDLESS OF HOW CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED IT WAS!"

There were other topics of conversation that night. For one, we also discussed her desire/plan to move to California. I have never been to the left coast. [Been as far as Edmonton, Alberta Canada, which is in the Canadian Rockies for those non-moose loving or geographically challenged folk.] I want to go out there and ride along the coast on my most awesome Cannondale roadbike, and also see friends, hit the beaches and check out the girls. Not that there aren't enough fake or enhanced girls in New York!

[NOTE: I would never go out there and escape the seasons. I am perfectly content with my New York summers and winters. I love the beach and love to ski. I can do without spring and fall.]

ANYWAY, Danielle asked me if I would visit her if she moved out there. Considering that in my many years of existence I have never ventured out there, was this enough to tip the scales, and go west (albeit for a brief vacation)?

I said yes because that's always the right thing to say, but then yesterday I finally got a good reason to go to California. After that football game last night (which I did watch very intently), I went online to re-watch the Audi commercial with Jason Statham ("The Transporter" or "El Transportador" south of the border). I also found this other Audi commercial which did not air in the US.

And THIS is why I need to go to California:

Confessions of an Unemployed JD

That was actually my second choice for this blog's title. I'm generally a very private person and did not want to turn this blog into a personal diary (Dear Diary, I need to tell the world everything I did today and then complain about girl problems. YEAH, that is SO not for me). I prefer keeping this forum for this, that, and the other thing--lots of that other thing. Plus, "Death of the Courtesy Wave" has a much better ring to it.

Of course, since I make the rules, I can also break them...

First, let me clear up one small point. I am not exactly unemployed. In fact I have a great part time job where I set my own hours and love what I do.

What can possibly be wrong then? Well this job requires professionalism, some basic knowledge of accounting, and good people skills. Most of my work can be performed by someone with a two-year degree from a community college. I chose to go to a top tier private college and then to law school. Total tuition was roughly $180,000 for those seven years. I got scholarships but I still had to pay the difference. Let's just say I know owe somewhere in the area of less than $180,000 in loans.

I know I made the choice to go to a private college and then law school so I am not exactly bitter about the debt. I am a little bitter about how I still see no return on that investment. Yes, I definitely learned a lot in those seven years, but it's debatable as to how much I gained from actually sitting in the classroom.

I've been looking for a job since the start of my final semester of law school. I took a break from the intense job hunt so I can focus on studying for the bar. After taking some time to recover, I resumed my search which leads me to where I am today, sitting in a massage chair writing this post. I was told jobs would surface after the bar--LIES! I was then told more jobs would appear after the results of the bar exam came out (which I passed)--more LIES! I was then told that jobs would surface after New Years when firms have money budgeted for 2009--still more LIES!

You don't need an economics degree to see the direction our economy is going (but I have one anyway). Still it would be nice to read about hirings rather than firings and layoffs.

I've seen sporadic job postings and have sent some resumes out to firms who practice areas of law that interest me. I have not applied for just any law job because I don't want to be trapped in an area of law that I don't like. The last thing I want is to see that perfect position in real estate but my resume shows recent experience in insurance defense.

Maybe going to law school really isn't worth it these days. Heading in, I was never sure how much I wanted to practice law. I still applied and enrolled because I wanted that advanced degree to open doors for other career paths. In this economy however, I am looking at alternative career paths and tradition law jobs, partly for the experience but partly for money to start my own businesses.

At this point I'll take anything that requires at least a college degree and a major in something other than music, English, or underwater basket weaving.

And Now, Some Good News!

After 2 nominess for the Digitus Medius Awards in the last week alone (here and here), I don't want you to think that I am a full time hater. Ok, so I am a full time hater but that just wasn't the direction I wanted to take this blog.

I woke up this morning asking myself if there was some good news or some surprisingly positive story I can report on today. It only took 2 hours to find material for today's post.

As you know, I'm trying to start 3 businesses. They're coming along very slowly. The actual business plans are in the works and so far I bought a laser printer and two pieces of software. Total cost: free after rebates (I'm real good).

One piece of software I ordered online two weeks ago and downloaded from the manufacturer's website. Today I finally got to installing it. Sounds easy, but of course my computer decided to reject the software like a kidney. Now I'm generally very good with computers but this problem just didn't want to go away and the software could not be installed. I wound up calling customer service-GASP!!!

I've had my trouble with customer service in the past. The last thing I wanted was to speak to some guy named George Smith who sports a thick Indian accent. Just my luck, I get a guy with a common American name and a thick South-Asian accent. It turned out that this guy was uber-helpful. He talked me through re-downloading the software (which took 20 minutes on my DSL connection) and stayed with me the whole time, guiding me step by step through the installation.

I still received the same error messages as I did when I installed the software myself but we determined that it was my computer and not the software. This guy even went out of his way to try to talk me through the computer problem--which is not part of his job, but just because he happens to know about computers and not just how to read a customer service manual. He diagnosed the problem but was unable to solve it without gaining access to my PC (yeah, not a chance). Either way, I now know what to do when I fix the computer problem.

So today we salute you, Mr. South-Asian with American name tech support guy.

Living the I-Society

...no, it's not a new product from Apple.

There are few things I enjoy more than getting dressed up and pretending to be part of high society. I am not rich, in fact I have a law degree and only a part-time job, while carrying a boatload of debt. That still doesn't mean that I can't pretend I'm wealthy every so often. We're talking about attending fundraisers for causes I believe in, networking events with those more successful than I, and the occasional movie premiere (and party). The return on this investment makes it all worth it as I get good use of my tux and suits while also enjoying the networking, catered meals, and open bars. To be honest, the "high society" that I meet at these events are no different than I am--other than a bloated salary. We both need a private elevator car to fit our egos.

This rant is geared towards the I-Society, or the society of "me." We're living in a time where selfishness is prevelant. We fail to se how our actions can impact others. No, I'm not going to segue into global warming (ehem, SHAM!) or socialism. We all know that socialism does not work. Even kibbutz life is on the decline and that is the longest surviving instance of working socialism. I will break my rule about not delving into politics (because I can) and say that any plan to redistrbute wealth on a national level is just a terrible idea (but it does work in professional sports).

ANYWAY, I'm thinking that the problem lies with Apple. Ladies and gentleman, I stand here today to tell you that Steve Jobs is the root of the downturn of society. I don't (really) mean that literally. Apple has made its resurgence with products that preach to the I-Society. Take the iMac, designed with the user in mind, which in many ways outperforms the PC (and looks nicer). Ever hear of the iPod or iPhone? Same thing! Now people ride the subways with their little white earbuds and tune out the world. Marketing an entire portfolio of products that start with "I" is subliminally turning us away from human interaction leading to an inability to function as a society.

Coming soon to a MacWorld convention:
1. The iTown: small parcels of land in their own bubbles; similar to a garage door, a latch at the top of the bubble allows the flying iCars to get residents to and from home.
2. The iStoop: individual stoops for bums to gather with their booze in brown bags; never again will bums congregate on a single stoop
3. The iCan: a briefcase that when opened becomes a personal toilet; never again will peopel have to share a bathroom. Kinda looks like the original iBook BEWARE: if you run out of toilet paper, don't expect anyone to share a square.

CONFESSION: Forgive me William Gates for I have sinned. I gave in to the temptation of greed and own an iPod shuffle (only cost me $100,000) and the sin of lust. In my defense, the iPhone looks so cool!

Death of the Courtesy Wave and Ode to Mr. Potts

I promised I would explain the title of this blog, so here goes...

For years I've noticed a decline in standards in all aspects of life. Now by no means am I perfect. I am, however, better than everyone else.

Since I have a tendency to ramble on and on, I thought I might some day write a book about life which would serve a as humorous road map (or cautionary tale). This was going to be the title of that book.

So where did this golden phrase come from? Funny you ask! I've been driving for over 10 years now. While I like to consider myself a calm person, these years of driving produced what I like to call selective road rage. I have ZERO tolerance for stupidity. If you decide to move all the way to the right on a single lane street and then come to a stop in the middle of the street with no indication of what you're about to do (not that you have any options other than going straight), I will assume the position behind the wheel (no, not the digitus medius out the window) but my patented "one foot on the break, one hand on the horn" for as long as it takes for you to realize that you're an idiot.

Also, I've noticed that nobody gives the ol' courtesy wave when someone lets them in. It is a dying art that I am doing my part to preserve. I was fortunate to have a good instructor for Drivers Ed (the class to get your license a year early--I mean make you a better driver). The instructor's name was Mr. Potts. He was a tall, older man with thin, wavy hair and rocked the 'stache. He probably was a hippie back in the day. Every week he came to my high school in his 1991 Plymouth Acclaim. He taught us to perfectly parallel park and the k-turn/y-turn/three-point-turn. He made sure we waved when someone let us in on the highway or when we approached a stop sign at an intersection at the same time as the other 3 cars or to the creepy guy in the neighborhood who waved at all the passing cars.

I love driving around Manhattan and having a car around. I've been cut-off my share of times and cut many people off (mostly cabs, but they deserve it). I have yet to receive a courtesy wave, not counting the woman with a stroller who had the right of way and I was patiently waiting to make a right turn.

On a related note, I don't buy into the stereotypes about certain groups as drivers. I am an equal opportunity hater if you drive like Stevie Wonder (because he's blind not cuz he would have an Escalade with 22" chrome rims and thinks he owns the road).

The courtesy wave is neither the cause or effect of society's downfall, rather a symptom. It will serve as my inspiration for many posts to this blog. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy the $8 tub of popcorn.

[In case you were wondering, that driver was so kind to wave me to pass him and go over the double-yellow. I passed him and watch through my mirror as he tried to make a u-turn but fail miserably. He should take a few sessions with Mr. Potts!]

Got Blogs?

While this is my first blog and I've been at it for a whopping 5 days, I am not exactly new to the blogosphere. I may have waiting until the waning hours of 2008 to write my own, but I have been visiting blogs for years.

My first time (still talking about blogging) was in college when we had a class blog. I would read it semi-regularly and comment less regularly. It was one of those classes that was known to be an easy A (which I got) and counted towards my business minor.

Since then I've moved into blogs about topics that interest me and later started following my friends' blogs. Now that (in your best Kramer voice) I'm out there [Jerry] and loving every minute of it, I'll share some of the blogs I follow. On the right side of the page I included this (growing) list of my top blogs.

If you have a blog and want a shout out, leave a comment.

1. AUTOBLOG - Updates on everything cars. News, concepts and can't wait for the full Detroit Auto Show preview. (I'm a bit of a car nut)

2. DON'T STOP BELIEVING! - Law school friend and classmate, who like me is wasting away on the blogosphere rather than making a REAL difference in the world (but she did vote)

3. ENGADGET - All things technology. Yeah, there are lots of geek toys but some of those toys we expected to see at the start of this millennium (ya know, the year 2000, the future!). A few have actually been developed in some form. I like expensive toys and between this blog and Autoblog, I anxiously wait for my flying car but will settle for a Back to the Future hovercraft.

4. GET LUCKY - friend who introduced me to GOOD scotch. That's an automatically shout out.

5. SHE'S JUST THAT GIRL - the only girl I know who can match my sarcasm

Honorable Mention: Ryan Star - Singer, songwriter and reality TV star (not the girl from American Idol).

I Am Now a Member of the Blogosphere

After reading and following blogs for years, I figure New Years Eve is a good time to launch my very own blog.

So you're probably wondering what took so long to finally launch this? I figured that if I was going to do this, I wanted to do it right. That means a look to match the posts and the commitment to stay with this. Also, you can ask anyone that knows me, when I'm at a computer typing anything, I have a tendency to type and type and type and type some more. That's helped me a lot with papers but not so good with blogs. No one wants to read about me going on and on over something that can be told in 5 lines.

Blogging Rule #174: No rambling

I know you have been waiting a while now for me to launch a blog but now I finally found some time (read: wanted to procrastinate) and created this train-wreck that I call my blog. I would like to thank those who pushed me to finally blog, Dee and RW.

For those who missed it, here's the transcript of the press conference announcing the launch of my blog.

reporter: Why New Years Eve?
me: I don't make resolutions because I know I can't keep them. I've been pushing this off long enough so at least I can end the year accomplishing something.

reporter: What's the origin of the title?
me: Without giving away too much information, let me just say 'stay tuned.'

reporter: What can we expect from this blog in the future?
me: Lots of rambling. If every idiot can have their soapbox, why can't I? Actually this will be full of random musings, rants, observations and society (this should be fun!). Some content will be based on what happens around me and parts will be based on friends' experiences. Names MAY be changed to protect the innocent (if I feel like it).

reporter: Do you have any advice for the future bloggers out there?
me: [fumbling for an answer because this one caught me off guard] Um, wear sunscreen? (Did I really just say that?)

That's all for now. Have a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

PS: San Dimas High School Football Rules!