Camellia Sinensis: The Brewings

for the ultra-lazy

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 14:23:56 GMT

If you consider yourself at least a little lazy, I present to you a... SPOONLESS mug! Before you click on a link, try to imagine what that would look like. I had a lot of fun doing that. :) But then again, you would probably be too lazy to do that...

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/selfstirring-mug-for-the-spoonless-186161.php

coffee-stained nostalgia

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 20:23:48 GMT

I never thought i would say this, but sometimes I actually miss working in fast-food industry. High school.... The simple world of Tim Hortons, where if the coworkers are not sweet, at least everything else is.

DOWNSIDES:

it seems that clean uniform is designed to attract coffee stains and grease, until the original colour is no longer recognizable

peculiar smell of donuts, coffee and something else (i never found out what it was) that permeates your hands and hair by the end of the day

being on your feet 8 hours a day

having to deal with people's assumptions that you are dumb (turns into an upside when you can prove the opposite all while serving coffee)

you can't "go out for lunch", coz your lunch is 15 minutes of sitting down at a tiny table in the back

when you stop working there, no Tim Hortons employee can ever make your bagel "just right"

UPSIDES:

discounted Tim Hortons lunches and all the timbits you can smuggle

forced practice of addition and subtraction skills. I mean when was the last time you did THAT in your head?

access to fresh timbits (that is, hot timbits!). A regular customer can never get to those, since that's not the way they are supposed to be consumed. Says who??

working with your friends from high school (also includes extended conversations when the drive-through is slow)

You find out how donuts are really made (wait, maybe that's a minus...)

not worth keeping

Tue, 27 Jun 2006 17:06:48 GMT

Everyone knows that relationships cannot live forever without upkeep. You have to care for and maintain them - similar to flowers. Some relationships, however, are not worth keeping and maintaining. They are the ones that become a chore for everyone involved.

A lazy email once every 3 months: "let's get together". Similarly lazy response. Another few months pass by - nothing happens. If the two people actually meet, they barely have anything to talk about. After all, they are completely out of touch with each other's lives. Both check their watches conspicuously. Finally, lunch is over. They are noticeably relieved. The formality of meeting face to face is over, so they can go back to lazy emails.

These relationships are not worth the effort. These are friends, not business contacts we are talking about; hence, it should be pleasurable. If you do it, because you feel you should, or sense the same from the person, do everyone favour and let this "relationship" wither peacefully. No one likes artificial ways of keeping things alive, just let it die already.

oh where, oh where can good podcasts be?

Tue, 20 Jun 2006 18:26:20 GMT

Ok, so my new thing is listening to podcasts while working.

You would not belive though how difficult it is to find quality podcasts in the sea of junk. If you have ever tried to find a reliable online source for weigh loss (as one cliched example), you will know what I'm talking about. Once the keywords "weight loss" are entered, you are hit with 169,000,000 of mostly garbage. Good luck fishing through that.

This is one of those times, when you really have to know where to go, if you don't want to be lost in internet black hole for the next few days. I'm still searching for a good source... So much garbage, so little time. I know good stuff is out there somewhere, but it's suffocating in junk. So sad... :(

I've tried listening to some random podcasts - top 10, most popular, etc., but it's just too painful. Most of them are so bad, that I just get embarassed for those who recorded it.

Just gave another one a chance. Please shoot me.

Sunday horror

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 17:24:39 GMT

Watched the remake of classic "Omen" over the weekend. I actually haven't watched the original, so no point of comparison there. Besides the fact that it gave me a migraine, it was a decent horror movie.

One question though... If the kid is evil itself, why aren't there any signs until he is FIVE?

adults only

Wed, 24 May 2006 14:23:35 GMT

To be an adult is:

to drink responsibly
to take bad-tasting medicines when you are sick
to not be afraid to sleep in the dark
to vacuum immediately after you dropped a bowl of Tostitos on the carpet
to wash dishes after you eat (on the same day)
to wake up without the snooze button
to eat peanutbutter with a spoon (not finger)
to drink coffee black (not cappuccino with two marshmallows)
to exercise to be healthy not to look good
to read one book at a time
to be embarrassed/feel guilty to eat cold pizza for breakfast

... I am SOOO not an adult.

Five TV shows I live for (these days)

Fri, 05 May 2006 20:29:54 GMT

House
Third Rock from the Sun
Bones
Family Guy
American Dad

Oh... and did I mention House?

food porn (yes, you heard me)

Wed, 03 May 2006 15:44:05 GMT

Yesterday I asked my coworkers whether they knew what food porn was. The glances that I received demanded an explanation. Below is the definition from Wikipedia (so it must be true), and this is primarily to prove that I’m not making this up, and such a thing does in fact exist!!!

Food Porn is a term for a spectacular visual presentation of cooking or eating in adverts, infomercials, cooking shows or other visual media. The most notable example may be Iron Chef, which has very little educational value, but scores remarkably high on the visual spectacle of cooking, cooking implements and the ingredients of food preparation. In much the same way that pornography can be a vicarious substitute for actual sexual relations, "food porn" is seen as a substitute for actually cooking and eating the food in question. Similarly, in much the same way that pornography may display feats of performance that average people would not attempt, "food porn" sometimes features exotic ingredients and excessively elaborate recipes and preparation.

Food Porn is a term for photography and writing about food that is done in a decadent and borderline erotic style. This has become particularly prevalent in food blogging. One of the main food blog lists being called Food Porn Watch

pet peeve # 4 - wrongfully brewed

Mon, 01 May 2006 14:16:09 GMT

One thing you gotta know about me is that for me tea is not just a hot beverage. Oh no. It’s so much more. One day I will elaborate.

Today, however, is all about the art of blasphemy in tea-making. Is it really so hard to make a cup of tea properly? And note: I’m not even talking “rinse the cup with hot water first” and “one teaspoon person and one for the teapot” kind of properly. I’m not expecting excellence here, but if I will see someone at a coffeeshop pouring milk in the cup first and then hot water over top, I’m gonna scream. Two rules, people – they are simple, I promise. Sugar/sweetener goes in before hot water, milk/cream after. That’s it.

I’m making a big deal out of nothing you say? Think for a second, most tea that’s made in coffeeshops is in teabags. You pour cold milk in a cup, then submerse a teabag IN COLD MILK, and then pour hot water over it. The result? The teabag which is already wet and distressed in general, doesn’t brew as well as it’s supposed to, making the owner of the cup (me) distressed as well. So annoying, yet so simple to avoid.

working on conference presentation

Fri, 28 Apr 2006 00:56:52 GMT

To start tomorrow's presentation on a light note, I decided to open with a relevant cartoon... I found a whole bunch!

Here's my favorite:

(more text below)

By the way, I had a nightmare about this conference last night. I arrive at the conference last minute, and they announce that I'm the first to present. And I realize that I forgot my USB key with all of my Power Point slides, analyses, stats - everything. So I talk the organizer into allowing me to present closer to the end, and drive home like crazy to get that damn USB key. When I come back, I can't find a parking spot. Your classical nightmare... When I finally make it to the stage, I realize that all the audience already left.

Any Freudians out there - take it away. :)

pet peeve # 3 - ambiguous definitions

Wed, 26 Apr 2006 23:30:32 GMT

Degrees of freedom can be defined as:

the number of independent pieces of information that go into the estimate of a parameter
the number of values in the final calculation of a statistic that are free to vary
the number of independent components minus the number of parameters estimated
measure of variability which merely expresses the number of options available within a variable or space
(my favorite) a mathematical property of a distribution related to the number of values in a sample that can be freely specified once you know something about the sample

Call me stupid, but I find it ~~pretty freakin' frustrating~~ mildly annoying, when I read five definitions for a concept and still do not understand it enough to explain it to my grandmother.

This reminds me the abstract instructions they used to put on electric appliances with one button - "the operation of this electric appliance is performed by compressing the red-colored knob at the front of the appliance". These instructions are also known as "Push the red button!".

pet peeve # 2 - cruel price

Tue, 25 Apr 2006 17:23:19 GMT

Aren't certain things created for pure enjoyment? In my opinion, such things should not have consequences attached to them, because pleasure and responsibility are very hard to combine.

If the above it true, then why is it that after enjoying the following:

1 pina colada
2 glasses of pink zinfandel wine
1 pint of Rickard's Red beer
3 unidentified cocktails
1 bright green apple liquor shot

one should pay with an awful-awful headache the next day? Oh, why?

P.S. I need a massage...

very cool art

Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:27:54 GMT

Check out this link and be blown away...

http://mcstrick.livejournal.com/724835.html

getting to know you questionnaire

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:26:26 GMT

I got this email from a friend, and although I've probably seen a dozen of similar ones before, I find them enjoyable - you always find out some random facts about people you never knew before... Feel free to reciprocate. :)

1. What time did you get up this morning?
7.25am

2. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
V for Vendetta - I think I need to see a couple of more times to actually get it...

4. What is your favourite TV show?
Third Rock from the Sun, House, Bones, Family Guy, American Dad, Simpsons, Everybody Loves Raymond, Sex and the City - order depends on my mood

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?
cereal with milk, waffle, tea

6. What is your middle name?
I don't have one.

7. Favourite food?
pizza, fancy pasta dishes

8. What foods do you dislike?
fatty meat, cooked vegetables, strong coffee

9. What is your favourite chip flavour?
I don't really like chips

10. What is your favourite song at the moment?
Obsession by Army of Lovers (+ Crucified + Israelism by them as well)

11. What kind of car do you drive?
Kia Rio - she is my favorite girl!

12. Favourite sandwich?
assorted at Mr. Sub

13. What characteristics do you despise?
incompetence, stupidity, being late

14. Favourite item or outfit?
brown leather jacket that I got from my grandma - it's over 25 years old, true vintage and oh so cool!

15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where?
Tokyo, Japan

16. What color is your bathroom?
whatever beige shade all the apartments' bathrooms are painted

17. Favourite brand of clothing?
Parasuco, Guess, CK

18. Where would you retire to?
Tuscany?

19. Favourite sport to watch?
basketball (to play too)

20. Furthest place you are sending this?
not sure yet... Mississauga? (HI, BARBARA)

21. Goal you have for yourself?
Figure out what the goal is. :)

22. Who do you least expect to send this back to you?
Definitely, Rachel - that is, if I'll dig out her email address first.

23. Person you expect to send it back first?
whoever has the least to do right now :)

24. When is your birthday?
August 25, 1983

25. Favourite flowers?
Lilac, blue roses

26. Are you a morning person or a night person?
Definitely a night person. I tried to convert couple of times, and failed miserably...

27. What did you want to be when you were little?
I think a translator - but I wasn't really that little at that point

28. How are you today?
Injected with caffeine, and, therefore, SO VERY ALERT... zzz... zzz...

29. What is a date on your calendar you are looking forward to?
May 13 - getting the hell out of here to Mexico with my family, and away from my thesis

pet peeve # 1 - the new toothbrush effect

Wed, 19 Apr 2006 16:40:00 GMT

You have been using your current toothbrush for 1-4 months (or years, depending on your values regarding oral hygiene), and you decide that it's time to get a new one. Or possibly the old one breaks, gets lost, gets eaten by a dog, gets flushed in the toilet (pick your favorite). You buy another one - whether it's manual or automatic, with straight or crossed bristles, whitening or not - who knew technology goes that far in the field of toothbrushes!

Well, here's the kicker - no matter which toothbrush you buy (even if it's exact same one you were using before), it feels weird in your mouth for the first week or so. It's really rough, the bristles are hard, it scratches your gums, tickles your tongue, and does everything else it's not supposed to. Couple of weeks later you stop noticing the annoyance - and it becomes "just a toothbrush". Until you have to buy a new one, that is…

Thank god this effect does not apply to new underwear and socks - that would be a pain (literally)!

heels and pedals

Mon, 17 Apr 2006 20:53:35 GMT

Realization of the day: while driving in high heels may be sexy and all, if you drive manual transmission, it's also extremely inconvenient… (DAMN IT!).

Maybe I"ll carry a pair of running shoes in the car, but then stopping, untying your laces, taking off (possibly) smelly running shoes and slipping (ever so gracefully) into heels kinda kills the effect, don't you think? So as I said previously… DAMN IT!

don't tell anyone

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 23:09:10 GMT

I've been ....ing (insert your favorite verb here) with my data for the last three days. If you've never encountered the monster, hiding under the name of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, you are plain lucky. Computer programmers can probably relate to the agony of staring at thousands of lines of data and code, and trying to locate the damn character (!) that causes the whole thing to crash.

Well, I managed to find numerous such characters and delete them with pagan ritual music playing in the background (kidding, I don't have such music... but if anyone does, do share!).

Here's the secret: now that the ugliest part of code-staring is over, I allowed myself to take a break. Guilt-free leisure - something I know nothing about. Well, after running few tests on reliability of my questionnaires, I paused... and CONTINUED working!!! Now that the numbers are working, and combine, magically arranging themselves into tables and histograms that I can understand, as compared to WARNING #4506 announcements, this is actually engaging...

spice up your life

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 02:27:59 GMT

My favorite spice ever is Montreal Steak Spice. Here's my favorite recipe: take a big piece of meat, sprinkle it with Montreal steak spice, stick it in the oven. Repeat as necessary. :) Works every time!!!

pet peeve disclaimer

Fri, 14 Apr 2006 18:02:13 GMT

Among other things that will make it to these pages will be some of my pet peeves. Regular every-day dumbness is sometimes just too good to pass up. Not that I'm such a hateful person, but I figured that if I started actually voicing all of these to my friends and family, then I will definitely get that reputation. :) Webspace is often seen as a tool to do just that - to vent frustrations and bitch about things you can't do anything about. Besides, I'll be SO happy to find out one day that there are people who share my hatred of long toenails and decaf tea.

Until I figure out a better format, I will just number the pet peeves sequentially, because that's what I already do with my recipes, and because that's just the kind of an organized freak I am. :) Also, this can serve as a self-awareness tool - If I'll be on my pet peeve #455 in a week, then I'll know I have a problem. If any of you have seen those commercials for diapers, you'll remember that format too. "Story #324" or "toddler #132", and then we are shown another cute kid drawing on wallpaper, and his smiling mom, who couldn't be happier about it. I tried looking for that commercial online, so I'm a little less incoherent, but all I got were numerous websites on diaper fetish, so I quickly stopped. :)

P.S. The idea is mostly inspired by this blog: http://www.bittershirts.com/thingsihate/

today's application of the Pareto principle

Thu, 13 Apr 2006 03:29:20 GMT

The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule) states that for many phenomena, 80% of the consequences stem from 20% of the causes. The principle was suggested by management thinker Joseph M. Juran. It was named after the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed that 80% of income in Italy was received by 20% of the Italian population.

Today's application: 80% of work is done in the last 20% of the remaining time until the deadline... (no, I'm lying - it's really more like in the last 5% of the remaining time).

Is it sad or impressive that I have done more in the last week than in the last six months? {Yes, this was a rhetorical question...}

Centipede

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:06:04 GMT

forwarded by one of the co-workers:

This guy was lonely and he decided life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a centipede (100-legged bug) which came in a little white box to use for his house. He took the box back home, found a good location for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to the bar to have a drink.

He asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to Frank's with me and have a beer?" But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked him again, "How about going to the bar and having a drink with me?"

But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. He decided to ask him one more time; this time putting his face up against the centipede's house and shouting, "HEY, IN THERE! WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TO FRANK'S PLACE AND HAVE A DRINK WITH ME?!"

A little voice came out of the box, "I heard you the first time! I'm putting on my fucking shoes!"

Moral of the story? I'm not sure - but I thought it was cute. :)

armed with love

Wed, 12 Apr 2006 02:47:05 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwuWsz9-UR8&search=army%20of%20lovers

Army of Lovers... If you've never heard of them, you are not alone. I found this video yesterday - major trip down the memory lane. I think I'm way too old. Anyway, feel free to check out their videos; just keep in mind that they are weird (to put it lightly). I mean just look at them:

Walmart - the good, the bad, the scary...

Tue, 11 Apr 2006 13:30:14 GMT

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/77/walmart.html

A link to an interesting article.

Can't say I found out a lot of new information, as most of these points were addressed by the beloved Larry Smith in Macroeconomics few years back. However, it makes you think, and that counts for something! :) My view - although the author makes valid points, the truth is that people will continue to shop at Walmart. The American economy will crumble, we will shop ourselves out of a job, etc., etc., but at the end of the day, it all comes down to paying $1.00 or $1.50 for a loaf of same bread. While there are university students and single mothers out there, Walmart will not run out of customers.

purpose statement

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 21:53:05 GMT

In all the truth, this website was largely created to serve as a procrastination tool. So if you will see regular postings, it means that I should really be doing something else. :) Although this may be seen as a waste of time by some, I figured it is better to create a written trail of my albeit random thoughts, than to spend the same time mindlessly browsing the web.

In a couple of weeks, I will become a free person (academically), and this may turn into a pleasant hobby of mine. (Will that day never come?)