Complaints
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Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com
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Ms Pac Man and the Final Final
In 2009 I did not think I would be going on about a great game of Ms Pac Man but it was like watching Wilt Chamberlin scoring 100 points but Matt scored over 120,000 points in Ms Pac Man (OK, I am not sure if this was an all time high but for me, it was the best arcade game I have seen.)
On Sunday is the Kaiser half so I will not be entering a wing eating contest the night before.
Had lunch with Rik in Bernal Heights at a Mexican joint. He is also taking a break from the sauce. I do enjoy it but I am not missing it if that makes any sense.
On another note, someone put an idea in my head to adopt retired guide dogs.
One of my favorite series of books is the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Whenever I go to 24 Hour fitness with my towel I always think of the guide.
Anyway it seems there will be a sixth book written by Eoin Colfer. At this point I do not think there will be a second movie. The first one was quite good but did not make the type of money a "Mall Cop" would make.
One of my favorite things written by Douglas Adams was an account of his visit to Santa Fe New Mexico and spending time with dogs.
Honestly all of the difficulties and disappointments I had today I have no one but myself to blame. I drive into the city and I discover I do not have my phone. Not an issue because as always I have budgeted enough time to get where I am going. I take the N Judah and honestly I think I could be a super hero because I am faster than the train (as it was stopping every five feet). I was not able to call my friend that I was meeting in front of the Moma. Luckily ran into her in the area. (Another demerit from not having my phone...)
Later in the day, I am in the sunset and I decide I would walk around Golden Gate Park eating an apple. Purchased an apple and saw they had blueberries in the middle of January for $1 for 4 oz! They traveled all the way from Chile! Sat down on a park bench to eat the blueberries and well you get what you paid for. They felt like blueberries but they were a bit bland. The apple was fine and I did not remember any blunt force trauma that killed my taste buds.
Monday, January 26, 2009
On another note, I will be dog sitting in Palo Alto as the Steelers are in the Superbowl. It does make sense. I have the Kaiser half on Sunday so Saturday I will be going to bed early early.
May see a movie Saturday night.
This is a George Harrison themed week.
First off I had a great run from the Marina Green to the Ferry Building. My pace and stride were good. Its amazing how a pace that would have bummed me out to no end in the 1980's is labeled as a great run in 2009 (but was completely out of the question in 1999). Its all perspective.
Now you may be wondering about the title of the entry, the picture of spilled wine or the video of "Spill the Wine" because you know, its not March and I am on the annual wagon.
Did I go home and celebrate with a bottle of wine from the Hecker Pass?
No, this entry is not only a narrative of what happened to cause a bottle of wine to spilled/shattered all over my kitchen floor but also something to remind me, I need to get some oatmeal as I am out.
I was making myself some post run banana/honey/peanut butter/oatmeal bowl when I saw that I had reached the end of my oatmeal. I was tossing the empty container into my recycle bin when one of the bottles of red wine slipped out of the box and shattered onto the floor causing the mess. I cursed up a bit but somehow that did not cause the bottle and the contents to reform and go back into the box. I am sure it was a Ghost of some sort.
Considered going outside and taking a nap on the grass and dreaming that I was the star of a Bollywood Movie but I was concerned Sasha might have decided to become a Sommelier and ended up with a bit of glass so actual action was required. so I cleaned it up.
I am still interested in being a star in a Bollywood movie OR be given two different BBC shows, one called "Me and My Mates" and the other is "ello gov'na
I just realized that both Elmo and I talk about ourselves in third person. I talk like either a pro athlete or a puppet. The puppet has a longer shelf life.
So I heard that Tina Fey (born 1970, she can be on the bus) was on Sesame Street and somehow, I missed it. Not so into pirates but I do like puppets.
My other favorite Sesame Street appearance was Feist.
I like going into places where English might not be the top language reciting this song. Counting penguins, chickens and monsters. Nothing can compare.
Obama names George Michael.
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Former Wham Singer George Michael was named special envoy to China during an event at the State Department on Thursday afternoon.
The move could signal that Obama plans to get involved in China early in his term. President Barack Obama has always been a big fan of George Michael both as a member of Wham and as a solo artist.
It was announced just before 3 p.m. at an event with President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
After he was officially named Obama's envoy, Michael said, "I don't underestimate the difficulty of this assignment."
"The situation in China is volatile, complex and dangerous. But the president and the secretary of state have made it clear that danger and difficulty cannot cause the United States to turn away," he said.
Michael said that along with Obama and Clinton, he believed in the resolution of long standing issues in a possible Wham reunification.
"From my experience there, I formed the conviction that there is no such thing as a conflict that can't be ended," Michael said. "Conflicts are created, conducted and sustained by human beings. They can be ended by human beings."
In recent days, Obama officials talked to Chinese diplomats about the choice, sources close to the administration and diplomats told CNN. Many were excited and they hoped one day for a Wham reunion.
After Michael was introduced Thursday, Obama said, "Time and again, in public service and private life, he has acted with skill and acted with integrity. He will be fully empowered at the negotiating table, and he will sustain our focus on the goal of peace. "
Michael while still a member of Wham served as a cultural ambassador by performing in China (in 1985). He told the Chinese during this historic performance, "I do not want your freedom, all I want right now is you".
Frank Chu speaks about the inauguration of Obama
For the inauguration of Barack Obama, technically the 45th President of the United States, I went down to the Civic Center in San Francisco. For the record I was wearing short sleeves.
They had a booth where you could toss shoes at Bush.
I do not consider myself a liberal (or a conservative) or a democrat (or a Republican) but I was really impressed with his speech.
For a transcript go to here
Two things that I really liked were
1)We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth. (One of the things that turned me off to the GOP is how wrapped up they are in the whole Christian Right and I seriously doubt Jesus would have many of those views...)
2)We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality... (For the obvious reason I am very passionate about the advancement of science specifically stem cell research. One of the main reason I was against Bush in 2000 was his stand on this issue.)
Ran into Frank Chu and I got his thoughts on Obama.
25 random things about Marcus Ronaldi
Here are twenty five random things about me
2)I used to be afraid of red jello
3)My favorite book is Confederacy of Dunces
6)My longest tenure at any job was at the Gap I worked with and met some pretty good folks, some of which may be reading this...
7)I have gone to Australia twice, New Zealand, Belgium and Italy on United miles.
8)When I was a kid, I was afraid of dogs. It was not until Noel arrived did I become a fan.
9)I did the news for a college radio station in West Virginia
10) I wrote a column for The Daily Athenaeum in the mid 1990's.
12) I do not consider myself to be cheap, but I am frugal.
13) I won an essay contest at my library a few years ago but based on my handwriting, I think I won the Children's division.
14) If I go to a movie theater I like to sit on the aisle.
15) I cannot blow bubbles (with bubble gum)
16) I do not know how to drive a stick shift (ask John)
17) Started running again in 2007 as I was working at Google which has AMAZING food and I was concerned that without that I would be on one of those shows. My goal is not speed but to continue. It clears my head and I am glad I started on that again.
18) If you want to get on my good side laugh at my jokes and make me think I am clever.
21) In the past couple of years I have taught myself how to cook for myself. It is way better for yourself and way cheaper. Mostly stuff in a wok. Also like making stuff in a juicer.
23) To give myself a break from being connected I will leave my cell phone at home. This sometimes causes issues if I miswrote the address of where I am supposed to go.
24) I will be skipping my 20th High School reunion to play in the Kickball thing in Vegas in October.
25) My Ultraman tattoo on my left arm chained the course of quite a few peoples lives.
Honestly when it comes down to finding someone to blame, I have no one
but myself to blame.
On a side note, and before I forget, one of my favorite things about
the iPod is discovering music that I may have loaded and never found.
One is an artist I never heard of called Famous L. Renfroe.
http://fatpossum.securesites.net/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=A&Category_Code=119
and a song called Slave, by Elton John on Honkey Chateau.
OK back to the main subject which is I showed up to the Long Run and I
discovered that I had not charged my iPod. I would have to run ten
miles with only my thoughts to distract me.
Part of me considered skipping the run but it was a perfect weather
day. (its mid January and the weather is better than Summer)
So I decided to release expectation and simply run without connection
to speed or distance. Normally I do not like running over the Golden
Gate Bridge but I got the "runners high" on my run back over the bridge.
Some of the things I thought about included how I am now the same age
as George Foreman when he was an ancient boxer set on winning the
heavyweight title of the world. Not only did he come back as a great
fighter but he had reinvented himself from a surly bully to a friendly
giant (who could still knock you out). I also thought of the coming
transition of power and how Obama's speech is the most pivotal one for
a down trodden nation. Briefly considered going to it but felt that I
could simply get wet socks and then find a crowded freezer. I may go
to the Civic Center to watch the ceremony OR it may be on television.
I have found him to be the best speaker I remember.
I met someone with a dog who did not have a name and I suggested Sully
based on that pilot who landed that plane. So if you ever need a dog
named let me know.
After the run we all headed over to fleet feet where psoas were doing
massages. I had them work on my calves which have been a bit tight as
of late. It was the hardest massage I ever had. With all of the
running I am doing, I should consider working that into the process.
http://www.psoasbodywork.com
Again it was a perfect mid-January sunday. A bunch of us from the
Marathon training program were in the back of the Chestnut Street
Fleet Feet. Brett was making bagels on a grill. I did not know you
could do that.
On another note, the Arizona Cardinals are going to the super bowl. A
black man is being sworn in as President. Three of the four
heavyweight champions are white. We are in the Twilight zone ; )
Had my Sunday conference call
Later in the evening went to a networking party where they had Tandori
Paneer. Was not aware you could do that.
So I went to Sonoma county via a Limo (see the earlier entry about not getting run over...)
You could not ask for more perfect weather. Short sleeve golf shirts in mid January. Kind of glad I am not in DC for the Inauguration which I would imagine would be both cold and crowded.
At one point I had to get out and push the Limo. Luckily some other people decided to help me.
It was a fun field trip all around.
http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/17_A_Cat_eats_cheese.html
Here is a video of a cat eating cheese on my trip to Sonoma county where I did not see Robin Quivers.
http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/17_The_downside_to_being_low_tech....html
Sometimes when I go out, I leave my cell phone at home. When I do that, I should make sure that I properly write down the address of where I need to be. I was going on a field trip to Sonoma county. Was very punctual but a block away. Walked back and stopped off at the Apple Store and checked the address, I was a block off and ran back and somehow was able to catch the limo. Luckily I was not hit by a car and flown fifty feet into the air.
Outside of comfort zone confusion
Someone I know named Molly Wheeler has set up a weekly conference called "Out of Your Comfort Zone". Last Sunday one of the callers, Chris Peterson mentioned his respect for the people on the street with the clip boards. So yesterday instead of looking away I was upfront and friendly. The call is through something she set up called, www.yournaturalhigh.com
So I am walking Palo Alto and I smile at this attractive woman walking down University. She smiles back and we keep walking. Then she stops and in some accent she asks, "Do you cruise.."
I was a bit thrown off thinking that I had stumbled upon the magic formula or I was going to end up like the guy in the Kidney Thieves urban legend
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/robbery/kidney.asp
Locked out..
http://web.me.com/hydra9/Site_5/Blog/Entries/2009/1/9_Locked_out...html
So the photo and the song has NOTHING to do with my day (Ultraman).
For the second time I had a situation with a locked door. Gave a talk at the Peninsula Works about how being a Power User of social netwoking can find you a job.
Discovered my keys were not on my person. As I was driving the Prius (which does not have Satellite Radio or a jack for an iPod so I have to listen to crummy peasant Radio which is FULL of commercials.)
Yesterday when I rolled up to the Guard booth I said, "Hello Governor" in a bad cockney accent. In my mind, I have this idea of being on some sort of short lived but well loved BBC show called, "Hello Governor". I do not think he understood what I was saying or why I was saying it.
Seeing the NFL live is an inferior experience
I have seen quite a few news stories about how the Minnesota Vikings had an issue selling out their playoff game (which they lost). Failure to sell out, means that the game is not shown on local TV. Based on the total cost of going to an NFL game between the tickets, parking, food and drink I am amazed that they sell out at all because watching the games at home (or at a bar) is a far better experience. Give me Kezar over Candlestick anytime.
Last year the average NFL playoff ticket was $121. So lets round down to $100. If you were taking a date, it would cost close to $300 for something you could watch far better at home. Two parents taking their two kids would be close to $500. Your team advances and has home field advantage?
Watching the game live, I am always wondering what is going on. Plus add the crowd, the elements and the thugs watching at home beats it.
The NFL (and the other major sports) really need to be really careful as they are an indulgent luxury and their place in the circus can easily be replaced.
Next season I can see an issue with the NFL selling out which will lead to more black outs which will lead to lower interest and ad revenue. If a game is blacked out in a local market the NFL typically does not show another game in its place.
I used to be really into boxing in the late 1980's and 1990's but I lost interest due to the lower quality match ups on the pay per view card.
Look at this article about the Tyson Ruddock fight from 1991
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFDA1E38F93BA25750C0A967958260
Besides a matchup of two of the top heavyweights, each of the other two fights were worth turning on the PPV card.
Then they started watering down the undercard and then they were bad decisions (such as Holyfield Lewis I) and way too many governing bodies. When they are four heavyweight champions and I could not pick one out of a line up then there is an issue. (OK, the 7 foot tall Russian but I could not name him)
So the connection between the expense and the experience of the NFL and me (and many others) losing interest in boxing is they both did not see the damage of short term gains on long term interest.
Somehow the Snapple Winner was not aware of the Willie Wonka Movies.
(for more stuff click on link above...)
The big event of the day was a hike in the Muir Woods with Urban Diversion. The map below shows where we hiked.
The first exciting thing that happened was a couple locked their dog in their Outback. They asked if I had a coat hanger. I have lots of junk in the trunk including a bag with some random books and coat hangers. The books came from a book swap and I will probably be donating as they will not be part of the 52 books I will read in 2009.
We hiked to Stinson Beach. I went to the market (which was pretty pricey) for cheese and turkey while everyone was eating in a place that seemed well, they put the pepper on if you know what I mean.
Anyway we were all discussing what happened on New Years and it turns out one of the hikers won a nationwide contest for Snapple drinkers. The whole thing sounded a bit like the movie Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. The odd thing, this person never saw the movie and had no idea what I was on about. The waitress with the pepper thought I thought she looked like an oomba loompa.
So if you have never seen the movie or the Oomba loompa here it is.
The bit where the kid got sucked up the tube in the first movie was really scary when I was a kid.
I did see a Standard Poodle so it was a good day.
It was a challenging hike back up. I am glad I have been running and such.
Later in the day I gave the book away from earlier. So if the people had not locked the keys in the car I would have never known the Parable of the Skilled Physician and his Sick Children and then passed it on.
Word of the day..
So it is a new year and all of those self improvement things always suggests the learning of new words and working them in conversations.
So the word of the day from
http://wordsmith.org/words/shilly-shally.html
is Shilly Shally which means To vacillate; to dawdle.
I am going on a hike today in Marin and I am guessing many of the people will be running late. With everyone who is on time assembled I will say, I hope they do not Shilly Shally. Then I will go on about what I meant and how they should be striving to improve their vocabulary.
First 10K of 2009
For some reason some maniac signed your humble narrator for a 10K. If you are in training to run a race, I would not recommend drink followed by a late night.
Drove to Palo Alto and later added to my pie chart.
Did not have an optimal run (see the pace). Was glad that it was not hot.
Afterwards had my annual "I am legend" lunch at Plutos. All in all it was very similar to the start of 2008.