My Misc.

One place for all essential software minus crap ware

2009-11-06T00:17:00.001-06:00

This is a note to self - Don't forget to visit Ninite to get all the essential software packages when I finally (not yet) buy the new PC.

According to the site:

We install apps with default settings and
say "no" to browser toolbars and other junk.

All we do is install the latest versions of the apps
you choose. Not even Ninite is installed.

And from my regular reading source, this sounds like what I'm looking for.

Farnsworth House and foliage

2009-11-03T23:55:00.003-06:00

Few weeks ago, I tagged along my roommate Welson to visit Farnsworth House, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Mies, a famous architect, was also our (IIT) head of architecture department. Some of his famous design includes IIT's Crown Hall ("widely regarded as Mies' finest work, the definition of Miesian architecture" - wikipedia), IBM Plaza, Barcelona Pavilion, just to name a few.

Why is Farnsworth House famous?

A quote from the wikipedia's entry

This small masterpiece showed the world that exposed industrial steel and glass were materials capable of creating architecture of great emotional impact. The glass pavilion is raised six feet above a floodplain next to the Fox River, surrounded by forest and rural prairies. The highly crafted pristine white structural frame and all-glass walls define a simple rectilinear interior space, letting nature and light envelop the interior space. A wood-paneled fireplace (also housing mechanical equipment, kitchen, and toilets) is positioned within the open space to suggest living, dining and sleeping spaces without using walls. No partitions touch the surrounding all-glass enclosure. Without solid exterior walls, full-height draperies on a perimeter track allow freedom to provide full or partial privacy when and where desired. The house has been described as sublime, a temple hovering between heaven and earth, a poem, a work of art. [...] The iconic Farnsworth House is considered among Mies's greatest works. The house is an embodiment of Mies' mature vision of modern architecture for the new technological age: a single unencumbered space within a minimal "skin and bones" framework, a clearly understandable arrangement of architectural parts. His ideas are stated with clarity and simplicity, using materials that are allowed to express their own individual character.

I am not an expert to fully appreciate Mies work of course. But with the colorful foliage along the beautiful yet simple and clean design of the house that resided just in front of the Fox River, I enjoyed every bit of the visit, except, for the chilly weather of course.

And thanks to Welson's awesome SLR camera, I'm able to share some pictures taken during the visit to the house.

Beautiful foliage

Main entrance to the house

Deck

A peek of the interior. We're not allowed to take pictures inside...

View from the back of the house

My favorite picture of the house!

After the trip, we went for a bike riding. We passed Crown Hall and Welson took a picture of the building

Bike the drive 2009

2009-10-23T23:17:00.003-05:00

So today I decided to catch up (again) with more pictures from late spring this year. It's yet again another biking event in Chicago. Can't help it, Chicago is a bike friendly neighborhood and plenty of paid and free events all year long.

Bike the drive is an annual biking event where lanes along the Michigan lake (Lake Shore Drive) are closed from automobiles and welcome all bike riders to enjoy the view of the city of Chicago and the Michigan lake, and "sometimes" nice and sunny spring air. Yes I claim sometimes because from my last experience (2007) and this (2009), it's either wet (rain) or cold (windy and chilly).

I am a bit lazy, so I'm just going to describe the event with description I found from about.com by Jennifer Roche:

Bike the Drive kicks the cars off of beautiful Lake Shore Drive so you can peacefully ride your bike along it. You get to admire Chicago from one of its best vantage points.

All eight lanes are open for riders along a 15 mile stretch. If you make the entire loop (north and south), it's a 30 mile ride.

Again, I am lazy. So I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking...

Where it all began...

This is Erica. You can tell from her attire and the accessories she's carrying (huge shades and a lady hand bag), she thought we're going picnic

More appropriate attires. Helmets on! Safety first!

As we just started, many were returning from the North point. We started at around late 7 in the morning. Others might started around 5 or 6... pretty hardcore

Posing for the pic

I was far behind. The tall building with two antennas is John Hancock Center, currently second tallest building in Chicago.

Taking a water break. Beach and lake view on the left, city and buildings on the right.

Group pictures

The exit on the north route. Erica really thought this was a picnic

Grand park, where after event party was hosted.

First Bulls game @ 100 level

2009-10-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

Now that the NBA 2009-10 season is about to start, I am following up with some really "ancient" pictures - even before the playoff series against Boston which they lost in 7 (Here, here, here and here). It was a regular home game vs Lakers. Bulls had a lopsided lost, of course. But before the second half, they really had a chance to win, with the lead that they built since the beginning. They simply fall apart in the second half...

Why do I mention some history? Because we're at the game! And I paid for a ridiculous amount just to experience the 100 level of excitement! It was fun! Until they lost... and we realized we could not use the ticket stub to exchange for a McDonald's burger (Requirement: Bulls to win and over 100 points).

Enough rumbling of something old! Here are some shots:

Shot of our 100 level's tickets

Not view from a big screen TV. We're sitting THIS close!

Opening fireworks

I was struggling. Go Bulls? Or Go Kobe??

Luva Bulls

Tipoff

The four of us, from left: Linus, Chris, Sonia, me

Benny, the Bulls mascot

The poster to wave when opponent is shooting free-throw on our side of the court

our #1 pick and rookie of the year, Derick Rose, handling the ball

Lamar Odom shooting free-throw, and we're waving our poster

It's Kobe!

From the gestures, I think the Bulls were losing pretty badly at this point...

After the game. Bulls lost... by a lot! So we're just taking more pictures to make the money spent worth it!

And one last group picture before we left the stadium

New bike

2009-10-06T00:01:00.001-05:00

After a few months without a bike, I bought a new 2009 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 5.

Here are some great shots of the bike, courtesy of Welson, my new roommate!

Yes, it is light!

And of course, I took it out for a ride before it gets cold in Chicago...

Day out with my new ride

Linus last night in Chicago

2009-09-23T00:28:00.000-05:00

It's this time of the year again. Linus, my friend and roommate of two years is leaving Chicago for good.

Either it's attending the Bears game

Or watching the Bulls game on the 100 level for the first time

Or just some fun night in the club and you hooked up with some random chic (joking)

Or craving on some grill in the backyard

Or picnic at the beach

Or riding bikes in the beautiful neighborhoods

Or just partying at home...

It was a fun and memorable two years. Wish you all the best and hopefully we'll meet soon in the future!

CCM May 2009

2009-09-16T23:10:00.003-05:00

While I still had my bike, we participated our first critical mass of the year. Weather was on the chilling side but was nonetheless a fine evening for a bike ride.

The trip was detour and we ended up riding up north instead of south to meet in Chinatown (They eventually did). We were so hungry and in need of a bathroom break that we dropped from the mass earlier, had late dinner at the first restaurant we saw (Flat Top Grill around Halsted up North), then made it back to downtown and parted our way and headed home.

Welson and Abbie, joined CCM for the first time

Nice gentleman (we borrowed his bike pump) and his dog

Group picture. Linus and his trademark "idiot" pose

And here we are at the starting line.

Summer picnic at the beach

2009-09-14T00:11:00.000-05:00

So I mentioned that I am going to catch up with updates from months ago. Here's my first of the many.

Late in June, when the weather finally turned nice in Chicago, we went for a picnic on a lake shore beach on the north of Chicago.

Enjoyed the nice weather

Had some good food (Thanks Erica+Sonia!)

Threw some football

Or played some volleyball

Admired this really expensive bike. Even more so now

And pet Bucca, the dog

Tribute to MJ's inducement to the Basketball Hall of Fame

2009-09-11T23:53:00.001-05:00

Today's the day when Michael Jordan was induced to the Basketball Hall of Fame. I was able to watch the ceremony and his live speech sitting in front of my TV! Awesome!

Few weekends ago I visited Kelvin and June in Boston. It just happened that Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame was in Springfield, MA! While Kelvin was fighting with sweat and strength on the tennis court, June drove me to pay tribute to the place. Thanks June!

I was lucky. It was the MJ's exhibit at the moment! Here are just some pictures I took with my phone camera. More high resolution pictures should be added once I get them from June.

The Airness and his wingspan

The famous Jumpman

What time is it? Hang time!

The last of the second threepeat

MJ and Phil Jackson

Urth Caffe

2009-08-27T22:15:00.001-05:00

During my short stay in LA the past weekend, we went to this awesome coffee house, Urth Caffe. It's located in sort of a funny location - a warehouse in a not so easy-to-find industrial site, surrounded with factory converted pricey apartment building.

Regardless, the weather was awesome, and the wide selection of music playing in the background made it a perfect late afternoon tea time (though we ordered coffee) and great for some conversations... The price of drinks and dessert were in the range of $tarbucks but with better quality, and they served with drawings on the foam!

From Urth Caffe in LA

View Larger Map

First trip to Des Moines

2009-08-13T00:19:00.002-05:00

The past weekend, I finally visited Des Moines, where my bro studies and hangout.

And check out the all-you-can-eat Sweet Corn Festival in West Point.

Yummy! I had four.

Had some funnel cake. (I was thinking apple fritter for a minute...)

And planned to check out the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. Too bad it was canceled...

So we were just sitting on the ground, checking the fun-fare.

And check out others people

And of course drink some lemonade because we're thirsty.

And finally got back to Chicago after 360.9 miles of driving the following day...

BBQ for the summer

2009-08-05T20:53:00.001-05:00

It has been a weird summer so far. It's early August now yet we have yet to turn on the AC in the house. With the sun and great weather, we had a small BBQ session last weekend, in celebrating--> my 4th stolen bike in Chicago??

We were BBQing on the deck in the backyard, then the weather turned bad...

So we moved to the garage...

To also have an early celebration of Rich's (阿福) and Julia's birthday.

And shot some hoops before dawn to end the session.

Bike stolen, again!

2009-07-30T22:52:00.008-05:00

View Place where my bike was stolen in a larger map

Bicycle Type: Road Bike
Serial No.: SNIDT71101792
Color: silver and blue
Police Report No.: HR457268
Size: small

Stolen registration
http://chicago.stolenbike.org/node/183948
http://www.stolenbicycleregistry.com/showbike.php?oid=5026

4th bike stolen. I am such an idiot!

Updated with details

School? Done!

2009-07-27T22:53:00.000-05:00

As of last Thursday 8:30pm, I officially completed all my course works in the MSF program in IIT! Cross my fingers that I'll pass the final two courses I had...

Now I can finally resume my blog post on a regular basis and read the book I like to read! Woohoo!

Might be gone again

2009-06-05T22:47:00.001-05:00

So as you have noticed, my last post was almost about three weeks ago. Why did I not update my blog about anything since?

It turns out a graduate degree is not enough qualification for me to apply for a permanent residency (a.k.a green card) through work. Due to the pathetic economy, there might be a lot of unemployed, over qualified people in Finance that also do IT stuff want my job if there are any postings.

So from the advice of our immigration attorney, I registered for Series 65 (a.k.a Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam) to at least have one more qualification just to be safe.

Studied in less than 3 weeks, I took the test this evening.

I failed miserably. Not even close.

I think I bought an over simplified reference for the test. So if you are about to take the exam and also did your reference search on Amazon, you know what NOT to buy.

So now I have to re-schedule to take the test again in the next 30 days before I run out of time for my green card process. Other than that, I have two more classes (Mon~Thu 6~8:30pm) I need to conclude my graduate studies. Well into the end of the beginning of the semester, I am hating one of the classes already!

What a nice way to welcome my summer!

*So the bottom line is that while I still have quite some pictures updates dated back into March, you most likely won't hear from me again till 30 days later to either bitch about the exam or share with you my joy of passing the test. This summer suck.

New Star Trek Movie

2009-05-17T23:06:00.003-05:00

I just watched the latest Star Trek movie, and while I must admit that I know little about the series, the movie is simply awesome!

ps No prior knowledge is required to enjoy the movie.

Another instant classic game

2009-04-30T22:40:00.001-05:00

Yet another instant classic between the Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics! No NBA playoffs can't be better than this! After 3 Overtime (OT! Again!), the Chicago Bulls won (128-127) and even the series with the Celtics at 3-3!

I have faith that the young Bulls will take care of the old and slow Celtics in Game 7 in Boston this Saturday.

Go Bulls!

*Picture courtesy of NBA.com

My thought on Twitter

2009-04-29T22:31:00.000-05:00

Stumbled upon this article on PC World:

Why Most Twitter Users Give Up

[...] I neither want nor need to know the minutiae of their daily lives[...]

[...]If there's such a thing as sharing too much information, that was it[...]

The author's opinions on Twitter is right on. And for the exact same reasons, I don't use Twitter.

The only time that I think Twitter is useful, is for sports commentator or live news reporters to provide the first hand information at the scene. But TV and Online Gameday already do that.

Great but heart breaking lost!

2009-04-28T22:29:00.000-05:00

Bulls again gave Celtics, the defending champion, a lot of challenge tonight. Too bad that Bulls did not cash in on Ray Allen's fouled out tonight and lost (OT again!)! I cross my finger and hope that they will take care of the Celtics this Thursday!

It was yet another great game, but a heart-breaking one for the Chicago Bulls fans...

Bulls amazing win on Game 4

2009-04-26T23:47:00.000-05:00

If you watched the game this afternoon, you should agree that it's an instant classic! And yes, Bulls won!

Completed last of Harry Potter

2009-04-25T19:19:00.000-05:00

After started to read the Deathly Hollow casually few months ago, and a few nights of intense reading before bed and another one hour or so today, I completed the reading. It's my favorite read of the series so far.

8 games in 2 days

2009-04-20T00:30:00.001-05:00

While I think it's great that the Chicago Bulls won, spent the whole weekend watching all 8 NBA playoff games is a little too much, and that I should never do it again!

“Never judge a book by it's cover"

2009-04-15T23:30:00.003-05:00

I came across Susan Boyle, a contestant on Britain's Got Talent, when I was reading news on CNN and also shared on Facebook multiple times by friends. Out of curiosity, I checked out the video. I am amazed. You have to check the video yourself to know what I'm talking about!

Here's the reported news on CNN

Like the comment at the end of the video said, "Never judge a book by it's cover".

ps1 Did not know Simon Cowell smiles like that!
ps2 Here's the youtube link to the video： http://tinyurl.com/cmh36p

Redirect to Feedburner

2009-04-09T10:47:00.003-05:00

I am now redirecting the feed to FeedBurner.

Update: It seems that the existing feed subscription will not automatically re-direct to the new feed, so I'll keep the current feed link for a while before completely switching to feedburner.

Link to the new feed I'll be using:
http://feeds2.feedburner.com/kiatblogfeed

Date style change

2009-04-05T22:47:00.007-05:00

I found this blog template tip that make the date format a bit nicer.

As you can see, I did apply the java scripts and css styles to my existing template. A bit of modification though... From the comments, I found that there a few mistakes that need to be corrected.

1. There's a typo for the 29th of the month. Instead of showing 29th, it's showing 29yh.

Fix: Search "29yh" in the dates array and replace it with "29th"

2. The date is off by one day.

Fix:~~Search for all date.getDay() functions (Should be two of 'em), change to date.getDay() - 1 to correct the date~~ Search for "dates[ date.getDate() ]" and replace with "dates[ date.getDate() - 1]"

3. The DoW (Day of week) is off by one day.

Search "days = [ 'Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed', 'Thu', 'Fri', 'Sat', 'Sun' ]" and replace with "days = [ 'Sun', 'Mon', 'Tue', 'Wed', 'Thu', 'Fri', 'Sat' ]"

4. "8th" and "11th" DoM (Day of month) are missing from the dates array.

Search "'10th', '12th'" and replace with "'10th', '11th', '12th'" in the dates array. Search
"'7th', '9th'" and replace with "'7th', '8th', '9th'"

ps All the corrections are in the bloggerbuster-calendar.js.

Or, if you have your own online hosting, you can find the corrected file here. Just make sure you change the reference in the template.