Thursday, December 31, 2009

Thoughts

It is New Years Eve and I have a bit of time to kill between now and when people start putting on their party hats on so I figured I would write some thoughts on the year that is ending and the year ahead. 
Without going into a whole lot of details, this was a tough year but life is not only comprised of trips to Kings Dominion. 
They were challenges with some distractions. 
The way Bay to Breakers went this year reflected the whole year, way too hot and not enough shade.
I have new shoes and a guitar waiting to face the year like a Japanese show from the 1970's. 
Getting started the year right with a 10K in Palo Alto. 

Test

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--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
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Bizzaro World

I got a call from my Brother who told me some news that I found shocking.
He would be taking the bus from New York to Washington. Normally he is way too Bourgeois for such a mode of transport. I imagined an old creaky bus stopping in every small town between New York and Washington with an overnight stay in Chambersburg. (In reality these are much nicer express coaches, but I like to imagine awful bus trips IE the time I took a bus from Sacramento to Reno with a bunch of derelicts). Right off the bat, two great Dustin Hoffman movies end on buses. 
Afterwards, I got a voucher that gave me $50 off a $100 purchase at Whole Foods. Some people, not me, refer to it as whole paycheck. I do not buy produce (go to the Mexican or Asian Markets) as ginger is $2.99 a pound BUT their private label items are a good price and do not have high fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated oils (they are in line for what Safeway charges...) So I had to spend $100 to get the $50 back. Anything under, I do not get the discount, anything over, and the percentage of discount goes down. I end up buying frozen blueberries, Midas Touch beer (shout out to Santa Rosa to show me that Delaware makes awesome beer), GT's Kombucha, noodles, shrimp, cereal, soy milk (it keeps way longer than cow milk) and licorice. If you are ever tasked with 1) buying me beer go with a proper Belgium (Chimay not Stella) or locally brewed IPA or any Dog Fish. 2) Licorice, Australian or Europe, no Twizzlers as that is crap. (No light beer or twizzlers) 
So as my brother was taking a midnight bus to Washington (I have no idea if it was Midnight, I am trying to make this a Greatest Blog and yes, I know the time difference does not make sense but neither did The Empire Strikes Back http://www.nitpickers.com/movies/nitpick.cgi?np=41065) I was at a high end supermarket buying a 4 pack of beer for $12. (midas touch) 
Highly recommend the Midas Touch..

Earlier in the day I donated blood. As I needed to eat something I stopped off at one of those hall in the wall Vietnamese places. This place was on Masonic. This place was AWFUL. They did not have shrimp rolls (fair enough) so I ordered the chicken rice plate which was exactly as I ordered, microwaved chicken on white rice, no sauce. Even the lighting was bad (flickering fluorescent). They are plenty of hole in the wall places that are far better. I did not remember the name of the place. It has to be a front for something else. 

Underestimated the Masses, finished 2nd

For the most part, I am really good at estimating crowds and issues with parking and such. For example, I do not go see Avatar on opening day as I like to sit at the end of a row in the movie. 
Anyway I thought that the Tuesday between Christmas and New Years would be an ideal time to visit the Academy of Science. I was very wrong. Most of the time Tuesday in the park equates to easy parking but it was like the Hippie Jam Fest. 
My friend gave up and I decided to walk back to the Marcusmobile that was parked near Kezar. I saw the member line was short so I decided to walk in and WOW, that place was crowded. The displays about global warming were OK but the rain forest exhibit was like one of those phone booths in the 1950's where people pack themselves in. 

Before I run on Tuesday I hang out at Starbucks across from the Marina Safeway and do work. My friend Gwen thinks this is strange. But I think that Starbucks is near a crack in the ground where crazy people come out. One guy was mumbling to himself about wrapping people in paper mache. Last week someone was in talking about radio signals. 

Ran in the rain and pushed myself for an extra mile which I was happy with. The book What I Talk about When I Talk about Running is one of the best running books around...
One of the best things about running groups is the schedule to run. I would have not run in the rain had I not signed up.

Pub Quiz was good as we came back from a tough first round and we finished 2nd, losing by 1 point. 

Monday, December 28, 2009

Dream

I had a dream that I was for some strange reason unbeknown st to myself was in rural Northwest China and happened across an airport where I got a really cheap flight to rural Northern India. The plane was really nice and mostly empty. When I got to India (it was a short flight) I realized that I did not have any ID so I could not get into India and would have trouble getting back into China (and the next flight was the next week...)

--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

My LinkedIn  Profile
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Sunday, December 27, 2009

Back and Forth

I have been between Palo Alto (dog sitting two very silly labs) and my place in Daly City (with the Brimful of Asha). Yesterday I ran 8 miles in and around Palo Alto (as I did not want to drive up twice). I am in a good mood after a run but I may be grouchy. If I was a character on Sesame Street, I would most likely be Oscar the Grouch but I think he is the most real. Everyone else is so flighty. Oscar is consistent. 

In the afternoon it started raining really hard. I like it when it is one type of weather all day and it does not go back and forth. 

I was thinking if given the chance, would I want to live in a hotel ala Royal Tenenbaum or Telly Savalas.

Friday, December 25, 2009

All I want for Christmas is Snake Whiskey from Laos

I like going to Pluto's on New Years Day when everyone is either nursing a hangover or watching the Sega Dreamcast Bowl between Maryland State and University of New Jersey. Today was Christmas and based on schedules and airfare we decided to descend upon the Churchton compound on MLK weekend (airfare is 1/3 the price as are most gifts)
So I was expecting everything to be deserted. It sadly was not.
First off Sandwich Friday was odd as it was more of a wrap.
Starbucks on University Avenue was PACKED with people. I bought a gift for the Urban Diversion secret Santa thing from the CVS ($15 gift card for iTunes). My  on those exchanges is I buy something I would want. 
Was expecting the roads to be clear and parking to be easy but sadly these people felt it was a day out rather than sitting around in a Stern 94 shirt. The Fisherman's Wharf area was bustling. If you have a business in that area and it was closed, you are missing out. 
The Urban Diversion potluck/gift exchange was fun. Near the beginning, I got a bottle of white win so I encouraged stealing.  I ended up at the end with my gift card but exchanged it for a bottle of snake whiskey from Laos. 
To give you a sense



Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Run and Pub quiz on Tuesday

Had a good run on a cold (for the Bay Area, I do not want my friends in Denmark & Maryland to be calling me out...) night. My legs felt solid. Sometimes I will go out for a two mile run and it is a struggle and other times I will be like a slice of bread in the movie, The Fantastic Mr Fox (I thought this was a great movie). If you want to be my friend on Netlfix go to
Writing this at a table in the Borders in Palo Alto which offers free WiFi. I do not understand that business model because if I had a venture, the squatters with laptops who are not required to buy a book a slice of bread will not be giving you any bread.

Yesterday we had pub quiz at the Bitter End and the music round was tough but I am not sure who else who knew Tennessee Ernie Ford and 16 Tons or Back Door Santa by  Clarence Carter. Waiting to see how we did. 





Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Why Math is Important

Often school kids will wonder, why is math important?
Here is a simple example of the importance of math or if you are not good at Math, you will most likely get ripped off.

Check out this piece of ecommerce
https://www.affordit.com/products/XBOX-360-Elite-white/?gclid=CO-g1Zf16p4CFShGagodfRYOKg
The deal is that you put down $89 and for only $19 a week for 18 weeks, you get an XBox 360.

So you are paying $89+ (19*18) = 431 for an item that goes for $299 at walmart.com or a 44% premium for being an idiot.
Imagine the lottery tickets or Jon & Kate + plus eight box sets you could buy!


--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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The First Noel

I am trying to figure out when Noel, the Standard Poodle wandered in on a cold December day. I know Noel was around during a blizzard which everyone keeps saying was 1978.
Did Maryland also get hit by a Blizzard in 1979?

As far as the day, I know it was one of the four days between my birthday and Christmas but not Christmas Eve, most likely. By Christmas she had shown us whatever she was supposed to do and we already exchanged the movie rights for an Atari 2600 which at the time was the most advanced gaming system out there.

Accounts of who first came across Noel (Jeff, Andrea or I) vary.

Tommy at the time worked at Montgomery Wards, probably imaging the future technology of a speaker phone on a television!!

I remember turning around in the side yard and seeing this very large white dog and my first reaction was not what a nice dog.

Jeff and Andrea both said they saw the dog first.

I remember the dog sitting on the cold porch and running inside when given the chance.

--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Thoughts on Christmas Music

I am in a coffee shop that is playing Holiday music. Wanted to give my thoughts on some various songs.
First off, Santa Claus is coming to Town. This is an Omnipotent power that is watching you at all times and acting as both judge and jury. Then the song says to be "good for goodness sake" which is weird because you are being good because of this outside party is watching you. This song is the rantings of a paranoid. 
The First Noel is the best of all Christmas songs but I think I am in a small group that is attached to this song. 
I am cool with Frosty the Snowman. It is as realistic as the story and it is a bit more hopeful. Frosty is OK with going away which is a good message. 

"Frosty the snowman knew
The sun was hot that day,
So he said, "Let's run and
We'll have some fun
Now before I melt away.""
He has accepted his fate and is OK with it and focuses on enjoyment of the present moment. 


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Culinary Advice from the greatest blog... Sag Panner.

OK, here is the deal. I made Sag Paneer for lunch yesterday.
Started with Garlic and Ginger in a wok and added olive oil, curry and cinnamon. 
Allowed it to cook for a bit and then added the quicker cooking onion and spinach and then cheese. 


Thursday, December 10, 2009

Cold

I am not complaining. I know cold. I loved in Maryland for a long time, went to school in State College and West Virginia, visited Scandinavia in the winter (not a wise decision) but it has been cold the last few days. I think I may have seen a snow flake.
It is cold from a relative stand point.
Trying to think of something profound/interesting about the cold, but I am drawing a blank. Writing this in a Starbucks near the Marina Safeway. Last time I was hear I took a survey which led to a free drink which I am enjoying today. The free refills with a registered card goes a long way. I cannot see they are making money on me.
Went running in the snow (OK, they were flurries but to make it more interesting it was snowing.) In my mind I was like Rocky in Rocky IV but what are you going to do. Most unexpected good movie was Rocky Balboa considering what a piece of garbage Rocky V was. Also Rocky III and IV are both a bit heavy on the montage which I guess what people did in the 1980's.
On another note, we are now up to 403 extrasolar planets. I need to buy a new mouse. In the last 14 years we have had a 40X increase in the number of planets (even with the loss of Pluto)


--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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Sunday, December 06, 2009

The Greatest Blog Tren de medianoche a Georgia

This is good blog writing weather. Kind of cold, not cold enough to snow because in my theory, San Francisco would have never existed as a city if it snowed.
(too many hills..) I have no clue if it has any bearing in reality.

Recently I have considered 1) learning Spanish and 2) learning to play the guitar. I think taking up these type of oddball challenges is good.
(and not because I want to get a job singing on Tren de medianoche a Georgia on Súper Sábado Sensacional.

On a recommendation from someone, went into the Salvation Army to look at guitars but they were not part of the 40% off sale. Need to find a recommendation on the type of guitar to get.

As far as learning Spanish, that is one of those things that I have talked about for a while. I think it would be practical and I know a little bit.

This past week, I had dropped off the Marcusmobile at the auto-collision center where they know my name. All of the workers had pictures of my car. My car started talking. Got a Nissan Altima but did not have the need to drive to Reno or Disneyland. In fact I did not do that much driving.

We finished in a three way tie for first at pub quiz. Could not thing of anything original or creative for a team name.

Took a CPR class at the Sports Basement.
http://www.sportsbasement.com/classes/cpr.html
this was followed by hanging out at the all you can eat chicken wings Happy Hour hoping to practice.





--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

My LinkedIn  Profile
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Thursday, December 03, 2009

Choosing not to be annoyed

One area that I (and I am guessing most people) can improve upon is how quickly I choose to be annoyed.
Writing this from a Starbucks (love the free refills) when this person sat down next to me.

He started talking on his cell phone LOUDLY. Normally this would cause me to select from annoyed on the pull down menu of reactions.
I would think about wanting a cell phone blocker and how cell phone conversations in public is the cigarette smoking of the 21st century.
But I had a small experiment. I would choose not to be annoyed. Radical idea. These were not vital conversations, but rather, calling back unknown numbers.
He was trying to figure out how to get somewhere and mid-conversation I tapped him on the shoulder and showed him a Google Map of where he needed to go. This turned the interaction from a bumbling adversary resulting in my grouchiness to a friendly interaction.

--
Marcus Zack Ronaldi
http://www.marcusronaldi.com

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