I've made it to the iPhone

Hey, I guess I don't post here very often. But I thought I'd let the world know, a logo I designed for an iPhone app is now up. The app just recently launched and it's crazy to think that something I worked on will be available among ALL the iPhone users.

Here's a link that shows it, I also have made a few changes so the main logo might be updated soon.


GameTrac

I should also mention to check out the MSU Ballroom Dance Club since I designed the whole website and I have also been updating it here and there to include information about the competition team (which I am on). There is also a blog that you can find on there. It should be updated more often and I'm going to make sure of it now.

Well that's all for now.

Home Vacation

I went home to MN for 6 days and I have some pictures of my adventures. Enjoy!

July 2nd, went to The Taste of Minnesota and saw Staind and Chevelle perform. At the end of the concert Aaron Lewis showed up mid-crowd and played a few last songs. Pardon the quality, I had only my cell phone to take pictures. The concert was pretty fun.

And a video

On July 3rd I sort of spontaneously decided to check out some guitars and ended up getting one!

It's hard to tell from the pic but it's a dark blue. I really like the feel and I can try some new things.

Later that day my dad and I went out to the Twins game. It was a long battle.

The good ol' metrodome. Probably the last time I'll go to it (for a Twins game).

The Twins were down 7 to 1 and came back to tie the game. If you look closely below you can see that it is a very long game here tied in the 15th inning. The game ended up going 16 full innings and unfortunately the Twins lost. I was so tired for being there 5+ hours but I couldn't just leave the game at a tie!

At home my sis had me take care of her new pup Chloe during the week. She's a lovable lil one who's very nice and playful.

Also during the week, no photos though, I did play some bingo and messed up missing out on a $248 pot (one number too late). I played some roller hockey, hung out with Kyle and Brianna a bit. Played some Wii Fit. Had my sis' annual 4th of July/B-day BBQ party. Removed and repaired siding on the house. Ate a delicious and fancy ribeye steak, with blue crab cakes and lobster bisque to start and creme bruleé to finish.

Now I'm back to work, but summer is halfway over. We shall see what happens next!
Also paid $966 this morning for repairs on my car :(

Twins vs Cubs

Last Sunday I made a day trip out to Chicago and met up with my buddy Matt. We hung out then went out to the baseball game. Here are a few pictures of the trip. Click the panoramas for a full view.

Wrigley Field

The old fashioned scoreboard

the infield a bit closer

After the game we wandered around. There was a blues fest going on.

and me pretending to play guitar

For Hire

I've come to find myself in a bit of a bind lately. I'm trapped in a little bit of uncertainty. Pardon my ambiguity here, what I'm trying to say is that I still haven't found a summer internship.

After a handful of callbacks for interviews, I've come up dry each time. I've been trying to figure out exactly what's going wrong and what's keeping me out of reach of any potential job. So far, I've only come up with one thing: I must not interview well.

This conclusion arose when I realized that my resume was getting attention and interviews. This meant I had some good stats to my name. I get the interview, and within some time I am rejected. In the meantime I hear of my colleagues, my friends getting the job as I sit disappointed in myself. I don't want to say they aren't as qualified as I may be, but I don't see what makes them so much better than me. Hell, they even tell me (truth or not) that they don't understand why I can't find a job. I can only imagine that my academic and preceding experience just wasn't enough? It's like they want something more out of me that I don't feel is of the same importance as my actual skills and performance.

Anyway, aside from that, the bind it creates is something of a torturous and familiar path. Mid-April approaches once again, I am without a solid summer internship. Yes I have my current research position, but that isn't supposed to last me more than a couple weeks out of school. With this uncertainty, I have no idea where I am going to be placed this summer. I could potentially stay in EL if I am able to stick around for research, or I could be forced to go back home. Going home doesn't mean I have a job, and if I do find some income.. it will most likely be unrelated to the industry. This means I will be screwed out of the experience that my peers are getting in the industry giving them an upper hand when it comes to full-time positions post-college. When I lack that experience it traps me even more in the future and I could be caught out of college with no job. Given this economic situation, if I can't start out soon I'm screwed. When I'm out of college, well that means another thing: student loans. I have a tremendous and growing amount of student loans to be paid off as soon as I graduate. If I'm cornered, I won't be able to pay them off.

Which raises an additional concern, academic performance! Yes I've always had a significant hold on my academics, but I need to keep them strong for at least this semester. If things slip out of my hands (namely biochem) it could hold me back from necessary scholarships. This means more loans, and less money that I'll have after graduating. So in essence, it all matters. Some people say I'll be fine without an industry job, or I'll be fine if I don't do well in this one class. Maybe they're right, but I would rather not risk it.

Either way, my point of this is to vent a little about how frustrated I am in trying to figure out my near future which logically affects my long-term future oh so directly. Good night.

Potholes and Tow Trucks Cont'd

In case you were browsing, or haven't heard the full story.

This is a continuation and resolution of my previous post.

Date: 2/28/09
Day: Saturday
Time: Approx. 6:15 P.M.
Place: Back lot of Best Buy in Okemos, MI.
Events leading up: Driving car back to get previously purchased stereo installed.

As you can see in the pictures below, there is an obscenely large "pothole" located in the middle of the road. At the time I had not been aware and did not see the pothole until it was too late. The front of my car bottomed out and a hefty thud shook me. I feared it was damaging but hoped nothing serious. I went inside the shop to query about my 6 P.M. appointment to install my stereo. It turned out the fella was tied up with a previous job and could not make it to my car in time. I rescheduled and then proceeded to depart the grounds. Not even before I made it back to the front of the building did I hear a scraping noise. I immediately stepped out of my car and saw what it was. The bottom protective cover for my engine (made of plastic) was broke off its brackets and dragging. I was a bit irritated until I noticed a liquid dripping from the engine. I was in disbelief until I touched my finger to the forming puddle. It was oil. As soon I realized this I brought my car back to the shop and asked the fella for some assistance. He could not do much but ensured me that I needed a tow. I did not argue, for that much oil leaking from my engine would certainly cause it to cease up. Luckily I had AAA to assist me, for the - I don't know - nth time. I got my car towed to a local shop, but of course being a weekend I had to wait until Monday for inspection.

Moving into Sunday. I had a terrible night's sleep and was upset about the whole ordeal seeing as I had just changed the oil in this car I just received a couple weeks ago from my dad. I was now again without a car until further notice. My roommate Phil and I proceeded back out to Best Buy where I took pictures of the hole and spoke with the management. The manager I spoke to was surprisingly agreeable to my complaint and quickly helped me to fill out a proper form. My reasons for requesting their liability are as follows:
1. Holes so large that they could damage or injure someone should be repaired.
2. If repairs are pending, clear markings of the dangerous area must be made.
3. It was clear that the hole had been noticed due to remnants of fluorescent pink paint (as seen in photos) were seen on edges of the hole as an old attempt to indicate of its enormity.
4. Despite it being known about, it had clearly gotten worse and nothing was done to fix the hole (with possible exception of filling with sand that had already been washed away).
I was happy to note that my justification would not be ignored. I then awaited further notification.

Monday, the estimate. I received a phone call from the auto shop regarding the estimate on my car. It was roughly $470 alone for the parts and labor of repairing the oil pan. Aside from that the plastic cover was scrapped so it became bare. This meant for a replacement part, the recommended Panzer Plate. It is a metal cover that will guarantee durability and protection for the underside of my car. That cost about $580 parts and labor. This estimated my total cost over $1000. I requested this part and told them the situation between Best Buy and myself. They gladly started repair as soon as the parts came in.

Thursday, first contact. I received a phone call in my lab from a representative of Best Buys insurance company. Mike is his name. I first explained to him what the situation was, why I felt they were liable and how I was without a car thus preventing me from getting to work. He quickly ordered me a rental from Enterprise with everything taken care of. I was happy about this. At the time he was hesitant to claim liability because it is my duty to be aware of my surroundings and drive carefully. I agreed, but still felt this was not the ordinary pothole. I later contacted my dad and spoke with him about this (he was already filled in about the damages and situation). We then spoke to our own car insurance as a backup plan. After a number of phone calls I felt a bit more secure an official about this. I also spoke with the repair shop and they estimated to be done with the car on Friday. Later on I called Mike and spoke briefly with him and mentioned the photos I took. He was delighted that I had them and glad to look at them, so I emailed him the photos.

Friday, last chance. I received a call from the repair shop saying the car was completed and ready for pickup. I was happy this was fixed so timely. Unfortunately, after speaking with Mike, it was still pending. He awaited the estimates from the repair shop as the appraiser visited that day. It was still uncertain if the repairs would be covered. I had to leave my car at the shop.

Monday, the answer. I call Mike earlier in the day to ask about how close the file is to being completed. He informed me that he received info from the appraiser, but needed to speak to the shop. I then waited. My phone rings and it's Mike. He let's me know the outcome. They are claiming liability and will send me a check for the sum total amount of the repairs. This total was $1082.76. I was quite thrilled that things finally worked in my favor. Mike turned out to be very understanding and compliant with me. I then continued by returning my rental and picking up my fixed up car. Of course afterward I ate lunch with Kayla at Hobie's.

One of the few setbacks to this (aside from all the phone calls and not having a car), is that the check is not instant. So I was pressed to pay all of the costs out of pocket. Eventually a check will arrive in my name and I will have this money moved back around to even things out.

So my lesson here is... pay more attention to the roads. Yes Best Buy was deemed liable, but I would have preferred to avoid all of this. Though, I guess it was a good experience?
Oh not to mention during this whole week I had work, a major biochem test on Thursday, two big homework assignments due on Friday, and a quiz on Wednesday.

Potholes and Tow Trucks

I have gotten oh so familiar with the site of a tow truck. More to come on this story. For now, enjoy the pictures.

A marvelous toy

When I was just a wee little lad,
Full of health and joy,
My father homeward came one night
And gave to me a toy.
A wonder to behold it was
With many colors bright
And the moment I laid eyes on it,
It became my hearts delight.

Refrain:
It went zip when it moved and pop when it stopped,
Whirrr when it stood still
I never knew just what it was and I guess I never will.

The first time that I picked it up
I had a big surprise
Cause right on the bottom were two big buttons
That looked like big green eyes
I first pushed one and then the other,
Then I twisted its lid
And when I set it down again, here is what it did:

(refrain)

It first marched left, and then marched right
And then marched under a chair
And when I looked where it had gone
It wasnt even there
I started to cry, but my daddy laughed
cause he knew that I would find,
When I turned around my marvelous toy
Would be chugging from behind.

(refrain)

The years have gone by too quickly it seems,
I have my own little boy
And yesterday I gave to him
My marvelous little toy:
His eyes nearly popped right out of his head
And he gave a squeal of glee!
Neither one of us knows just what it is
But he loves it just like me!

It still goes... (refrain)

Preemptive post, interesting lyrics to a song. Made me laugh pretty well when I first joked about what this toy might be...

Car Troubles

To add to my luck with life, as of a week ago I no longer have a car to drive. No accidents, no poor maintenance or neglect to my car caused what turned out to be an expensive fix. I am not writing to complain about the struggles of not having a car, although I will discuss the inconveniences that came with.

So good the ol 99 Chrysler Concorde is no longer with me. It turns out the build of the engine in my car uses a timing chain, rather than a belt. The reason for this, from my researching, was to allow for those who own such a vehicle (it also occurred in a few other models) to worry less about maintenance. Take not that having a belt requires it to be replaced in a given period of time, and Chrysler (as well as Dodge) decided most people would be too neglectful to perform such maintenance. Anyway, the chain is not supposed to break making it better for such neglectful owners to keep their car.

Well no one is perfect, and from what I have seen the Chrysler engine is not that great. In fact, it is a common issue for this timing chain to break. Often the break occurs in cold weather, which is clearly inevitable seeing as I reside in the Midwest. Well my battery had died due to my transmission being faulty to begin with. I had issues with the key not turning all the way off, as well as the fact that I could remove it while my car is running. Moving on, I found a parking services truck to help jump my car. It didn't work. I heard a weird noise the first time I turned the key, almost as though it was about to turn over but I prematurely let go. I then retried repetitively and it was just not going. Even if my battery wasn't dead, it wasn't going to start. Unfortunately I did not know that and I went out and purchased a new battery. I soon found out my car has a difficult placement of its battery. I could not do it myself...

So a few hours later I had AAA come over to tow my car somewhere that would be able to replace my battery. The tow truck driver also tried to jump my car, he said that my car should be able to jump and I might have more problems than I thought. I eventually got it towed to a nearby garage. Unfortunately because of the time of day it was already closed (most were already). The next day I went into the garage and asked for them to perform a diagnostics check to make sure as well as put the battery in. I then waited.

On Wednesday I received a call from the garage. It turns out the previously noted timing chain was a potentially broken. The mechanic at the garage had spoken to his friend at the Chrysler dealer. This is where I found out that the problem was common to my particular engine. It later motivated me to find more about the problem. The repairs for the car were estimated to be about $5000. As soon as I heard that I knew it was over. With such money spent on essentially overhauling the engine, one could simply purchase a used car that would not be at risk of such critical failure once again.

With phone calls, emails, and text messages to my parents. We are trying to figure out what to do about this situation. Clearly we are now done with the Concorde, so I have removed every little piece of property from the car as one step. It is unclear whether I will sell the car to a salvage yard or donate it to charity. The charity one would yield a tax write-off for the KBB value of the car regardless of working condition. One solution that has been discussed and may be most likely is for my dad to drive out here and give me his 99 Audi A4. This would be a reasonable replacement with the exception that it is quite compact so its storage capacity is limited (which would make moving difficult). Other options include using a special discount my mother has through her company to possibly buy a new car. My family is very tight on money so I would not think this would happen.

Now here comes the question, do I really need a car right now?
The answer is, YES. It may seem that I am acting spoiled, but bear with me. You see my job, I have not worked at it once this semester. Having income is important for me to purchase groceries and other necessities that I use daily. Now, the first week I was attempting to gather myself and understand my schedule. I was planning on getting back into it this past week. Unfortunately without my car I am unable to take myself into work. This makes me unable to earn money. I also have certain needs for a car to pick up groceries as well (if I was making money). Aside from that I have been needing to bum rides from friends and even borrowing the twins' van.

Well as things get sorted out and my professor hopefully responds to my email regarding my lack of car, I shall write an update to what happens and what solutions come about. So for now, wish me luck.

Can't make song

Here I am
watching Star Wars with Marla. Can't Make song... new inside joke.

Anyway, I am back in the EL.
I am now using a cane as a safety device to prevent myself from hurting my recently operated on knee. I can walk but with a limp and my knee is the size and shape (but not color) of a grapefruit.
My travels today included waking up at 5 am and then heading to the airport as a cripple. With some gimping I made it to the gate just in time. Once in Detroit I was thankfully wheeled to my connection way across on the other part of the airport. Only to, of course, make it on the plane and sit on the plane for 2 hours (for a 22 min flight!). But I did make it back and that's what counts I suppose. Ate some delicious Olga's for a late lunch. The waiter stamped the shit out of my smoothie card.. oh yeah I'm excited.

Anyway I feel guilty. What about eh? I promised my professor that I would work on the research project over break. My reasoning was that I would actually have time for myself and could get something done without school getting in the way. Good idea, but it didn't work out. Aside from the first week of having a million appts and the second being on a cruise, I ended up getting caught up in some issues (one of which included my knee). Now I am back I have yet one day until school begins again and I have not accomplished anything. I am seriously not motivated. I don't know what to do because I feel bad for blowing it off, but at the same time I feel like I've put all the effort I personally care for into this project and sort of just want to quit. Quitting would fuck me over though, means no money and I don't think I have the energy or time (esp with my knee) to find another part-time job during school. It's a predicament, aside from the fact that I want a more involved and applicable internship this summer and haven't made any progress on that (except a few dead interviews).

Moving on, the sweats I designed for the MSU diving team turned out great and I feel cool that my lil digital creation has been rendered as something a sports team will be wearing. It's a cool feeling; makes me kind of wish I could just do that sort of thing for a living. Unfortunately the money is not so great in that so it shall remain a hobby.

I think that'll be all for now. For all those millions of readers out there, take care of yourself and watch out for the blizzard that hit us today.

Post-Op

So I had the surgery yesterday. All went well. In fact I am actually able to walk but not perfectly. For the most part I am painless and will probably not need the vicodin they prescribed me. Anyway I have some pictures to show!







As you can see they scoped around my knee and noted that every other aspect (aside from the chip and defect) are quite healthy. The piece they removed was mostly cartilage and had some bone in it as well. If the bone was thicker it would have been reattached. Also the defect was on the part of my femur that is not load bearing, as they put it, so it shouldn't cause me troubles in the near future.

Well that is all for my medical journal.

Frank Says Hello

Here's a real life video of Frank. Today may be his last day.

My right knee

The good ol blogosphere... I have not been a part of it since - well since before it was dubbed so.

This entry will be short.. and sweet (just for you Marla)

I entitled it "my right knee".. because I am going to talk about my right knee! To avoid a long entry about its history, I shall at first be brief.

I had aches in pain in my right knee as a child growing up. I eventually 'grew' out of it. Come my first years of high school I had begun track. Low and behold my right knee acts up again. It is somewhat achy again, yet occasionally during high jump I would get sharp pain in it. It appeared to the trainer to be unstable and simply needed physical therapy to strengthen the area. I eventually moved on from that and thought little of it (with minor aches but no sharp pain). This is necessary because it was proven to be the cause of my current condition.

As of a few months ago (uncertain of the date but sometime in November of 08). I was resting on the couch and my knee suddenly locks up. From here I experience more troubles. Instability, pain (sharp and dull), as well as a fear that my knee was falling apart. I at first thought it a mere injury and 'walked it off'. Unfortunately one day it happened again and I realized it was not to be ignored. I informed my parents of my condition and set up an appointment with an orthopedic doctor back home (my dad's). Anyway with time I eventually was diagnosed with OCD.

Yes, I have OCD. Who knew? Well it's not what you think, quite an interesting name though. In fact OCD stands for osteochondritis dissecans. What is that you ask? Fucking bad news man that's what. (What's with my rhetorical questions? ignore the irony of the additional question) Anyway, OCD is a sort of degenerative condition (see below). I have effectively chipped off a part of my femur at the knee. It has slowly sat there in pain and as of the recent even escaped. It hasn't gotten far but is now a floating body. This is stage IV of OCD and means surgery is inevitable. So I go in this Wednesday for arthroscopic surgery to either remove or reattach this floating body (I call him Frank). It will cause me a great inconvenience for these first few weeks of the upcoming semester, but it shall undoubtedly be worth it once healed. I will feel grand to, at least for a while, have 'healthy' knee to frolick about on.

As for now I await the surgery. I dread using crutches so I plan on finding a cane to strut campus with. Oh yes, a cane... just like Dr. House (love that show).

Well this turned out to be much longer than anticipated. With that I leave you.