January 2012
2 posts
New RSS
Ok, so that was super easy. It’s already on Tumblr. This RSS will be discontinued, so if you’re reading this via RSS, please go to iamdz.com and re-subscribe in your favorite RSS reader (I prefer Google Reader). Thanks! Posted via email from Long Way Round | Comment »
Switching Platforms to Tumblr
Posterous has had a few rocky patches with their service going down recently, coupled with some email troubles. I’ve been a big fan of Posterous early on for its simplicity and ease of use, but in my opinion, they have been lagging for quite some time in building a better product in the past year. Along the same lines, Tumblr has been continuing to innovate and have built a very diverse and...
December 2011
2 posts
2011 In Review
I’ve been doing some reflecting about the year 2011. The biggest story is work has taken me to many different places and away from home. I’ve flown 103,108 miles, spent 123 days on the road, 239 hours on the plane, and 90 nights at various hotels. I drank 61 cups of coffee from Starbucks according to my Starbucks rewards card, which I only started halfway into the year. I stayed in 11...
Making It Work All The Time
A little side hobby of mine is keeping track of the state of mobile payments technology. The future is going mobile, and soon the mobile device will be the primary device in which we interact with our data, and manage our financial transactions. it’s already fast becoming our primary device for our online activity, so it is only a matter of time. Which brings me to the Starbucks App. The...
November 2011
1 post
The Upside to Skinny Jeans
Skinny jeans is quite popular these days, among men. Those benefiting from this trend, besides hipsters, are cellphone belt holster makers and keychain carabiner manufacturers. Putting an HTC Evo in your pocket would be no small task, and a keychain full of keys is nigh impossible. Next time you’re out on the street, do an informal visual survey yourself. You’ll be pleasantly...
October 2011
1 post
Innovate or Die
I’ve been using Posterous ever since its inception. I’ve always liked it over other publishing sites like Wordpress or Tumblr, because of its ease of use. You email it to post@posterous.com, along with any links, and it does everything else for you, including embedding videos and photos. No need to mess with HTML tags or CSS. “It just works.”I was content with it for the...
September 2011
1 post
The End of Summer Is The Beginning of Post Summer
Summer is already over. When it began, I had ambitiously set out to accomplish two goals, which were diametrically opposed to each other. And now, as I look back, I realize I’ve failed both in spectacular fashion. After four weeks of P90X, I called it quits. I rationalized with myself saying that I didn’t really want hard abs or beautiful shoulder blades. Instead, I opted for something...
August 2011
1 post
Everything Is Amazing Nobody Is Happy
I’m sitting on a plane surfing the internet, complaining at its slow bandwidth because I can’t watch my football highlights. Louis CK had an opinion about this, and the gist of it is that “everything is amazing, and yet nobody is happy.” Technology is truly amazing, but I guess it doesn’t bring happiness. Now, I’m just going to use this to make everything ok.
...
July 2011
1 post
War of Words
The wife and I have a habit of getting into intense debates. Early in our dating period, in one of our car rides, we had what started out as a very light hearted conversation about government taxation. It soon escalated into a war of words by the time we arrived at our destination. I advocated for the need to tax more, especially the rich, and she, argued for a flat tax system where the rich...
June 2011
1 post
Summer
Went on a nice run through the suburbs of Deerfield, IL on a midwestern summer evening. The sun was setting, warm air was filling my lungs, and the smell of green grass lingered throughout the brisk jog in this quiet and idyllic neighborhood. It reminded me of my time in Ann Arbor, of all the summer runs I embarked on, from the Arb to Gallop Park, to North Campus and back. It was a place called...
May 2011
2 posts
Rewards
I’m here at the airport, waiting on yet another delayed flight home. I’ve been thinking about the “traveling consultant” life these days and the single biggest takeaway is that I’ve become obsessed with “rewards.” It’s in the game of achieving milestones and amassing points. Airline rewards, hotel points, and rental car upgrades. It’s even bled...
I Hate Android, I Love Android
Ever since the Nexus S debuted, I drooled over it incessantly. Here it finally was, a successor to the Nexus One and markedly a vast improvement from Google’s first iteration of its Android phone. It was to be the pinnacle in the marriage between hardware and software from a company that was known for its “engineering approach” to solving problems. In my mind, it was also the...
April 2011
1 post
Goals For The Summer
I have two contradictory goals for the summer. One is completing the P90x physical regimen. I’ve been growing tired of the spare tire that continues to inflate around my mid section. And it doesn’t help that I now live in a town with some of the most physically well endowed people. This is a place where many have aspirations to make it on the silver screen, and looking good is akin...
February 2011
1 post
I Left My Heart In The Bay
After almost four years in Northern California, the wife and I packed our little apartment and moved further south, to tinseltown. We moved to be closer to family. That’s code for going to be the uncle and aunt that will spoil the heck out of their niece and nephew. Life in tinseltown will probably be different. I won’t be going to any tech conferences hobnobbing with other geeks. I...
January 2011
1 post
Paris
It’s hard not to like Paris. A large cosmopolitan city in the heart of Europe, it is a city that blends the old and the new seamlessly together, creating a place that’s mindful of the past, but also looking to the future. Every arrondissement is a self-sufficient town in and of itself, making you feel like you’re in a small village, with its patisserie, brasserie, and market all side by side....
December 2010
1 post
Computers in Disguise
At the dawn of the Windows era, 3.1 to be exact, my mom told me Bill Gates predicted that in the near future, using computers will be as easy as using a telephone. This was at a time when using a telephone simply meant picking up the receiver, dialing the person’s number, and waiting for that person to respond. Easy. It was also a time when using a computer was akin to rocket science, where...
November 2010
3 posts
The Tradition
When every freshman arrives in Ann Arbor for their first year at the University of Michigan, the first lesson they learn is not in Econ 101 or English 125. It is not in the venerated Angell Hall, or in room 170 Dennison Hall. It is on that very first Saturday, in every dorm room, fraternity house, sorority house, and of course, the big house. It is the first Michigan football game in which every...
instead of a love letter...
Chicago is a strange place. It is an urban canyon with towering skyscrapers and glittering signs. It is a city fascinated with revolving doors, steel bridges, and perfectly symmetrical street blocks. The sidewalks are immaculately clean, and in every corner there is yet another architectural marvel and historical landmark waiting to be discovered. And yet, there is a Midwestern sensibility...
Meta
I have written my magnum opus for my blog. Like many great things of the past, it came in a flash of brilliance. It is the grand finale. It shall be my swan song, my justification. It is the namesake, The Long Way Round. Everything will make sense when reading this final piece. All the convoluted roundabouts will now come to a resolution. Loose ends will be tied, and questions will be answered. ...
October 2010
1 post
Becoming a Man
The ancient Hawai’ians had a certain way of transferring their way of life from one generation to the next. The men, who were warriors, were tasked to mold and shape their young boys into future warriors. As much as Hawai’i was about the friendly and warm aloha spirit and still is today, it was also a place where survival was essential and conflict between other islands of Polynesia a...
August 2010
1 post
On Writing a Book
Blame it on the book, Siddartha, but I’ve had a moment of “om” lately regarding life that has constantly been bringing me back to the idea of purpose as the framework in which to explain my life in the past, my current iteration, and the yet unknown future.I understand and embrace more clearly today than ever before why I was a “man of the cloth” for six odd (or...
July 2010
4 posts
2010 World Cup Final Review
After exactly a month, the 2010 FIFA World Cup has come to an end. The final was anything but the spectacular, dazzling display of finesse, skill and teamwork we were promised with a dream match up between the Netherlands and Spain. The Netherlands decided to abandon their stylistic play for a more brutish attack, best epitomized by Nigel De Jong’s flying karate kick to Alonso’s chest....
2010 World Cup Semifinal Review
28 days later, the World Cup is rapidly coming to a close. It seemed eons ago when many a nation had dreams and hopes of reaching the final. Now, most of those dreams have been crushed save for two. And this time, whoever wins, it will be a first. So don’t worry about whether Germany would get to keep the Jules Rimet after their third win much like when Brazil won for the third time in 1970,...
2010 World Cup Quarter Finals Review
Jay-Z’s recent remake of “Forever Young” by Alphaville made me think a lot about my high school days. For every high school dance I can remember, there was always the obligatory “Forever Young” slow jam, and every love bird would hit the dance floor wobbling along like penguins, not having a care in the world because they were in love. I remember in many cruises...
2010 World Cup: Round of 16 Review Part 2
It’s been a full three days, and my legs and knees are still sore from playing soccer. It’s either because I’m getting older, or really the legs take a beating when you’re sprinting every other second up and down the field. It makes me appreciate older players like Sol Campbell who is still making an impact for his team. Yes, I am one of those that would wish Arsene Wenger...
June 2010
12 posts
2010 World Cup Round of 16 Review - Part 1
It was 94 degrees today, and people were crazy enough to play soccer. Every time I sucked hot air into my lungs, it was immediately transformed into lead and coursed its way down to my legs. After 90 minutes of running in what was like the sahara desert from the movie Lawrence of Arabia, a few chances at goal came and went, and it began to dawn on me that the Suarez-esque late winner I was...
1 tag
World Cup 2010 Day 12 & 13 Review
As a companion to the World Cup, I’ve been reading Soccernomics, and it has been revelatory. The book borrows from Michael Lewis’ Moneyball, an in-depth look at Billy Beane’s strategy in looking at statistics and buying for cheap to build a very competitive team of relative unknowns, and then making a further profit by selling those players for much more. The book talks quite a...
World Cup 2010 Day 11 Review
In our pickup game yesterday, we played with a real Jabulani ball. Not the cheap $20 replica, but the official one that costs a mere $149. The ball did have more flight and stayed up in the air longer, as if it grew wings every time it took off. It might have even elevated everyone’s games, as we looked like a well oiled machine, playing the “beautiful game” with pass after pass...
World Cup 2010 Day 10 Review
It’s a funny World Cup when news from the training camps are more dramatic and interesting than news from the pitches themselves. But that’s just what 2010 South Africa is turning out to be. When we look back, perhaps we will say that the 2010 World Cup was the end of the football domination by the old world, and the crowning of a new era of the new world. Powerhouse Germany lost to...
World Cup 2010 Day 8 & 9 Review
At work we have a live feed of the BP oil spill underwater cam on one of our screens. It’s atrociously amazing how much oil is being spilled out, after its first burst in April 20. That’s a full two months. The full consequence of the damage it will bring is still to be seen. But really, all is not right with the world because we have seen quite a few controversies on Day 8 of the 2010...
World Cup 2010 Day 6 & 7 Review
I really don’t want to write this. I really don’t. A loss is devastating, you see. I’ve braced myself for it, and I was very realistic about it, but when it happens it is crushing nonetheless. But let me get onto other news around the World Cup scene. Giants Beaten The biggest upset from the tournament came on Wednesday when tournament favorites Spain lost to a very defensive...
World Cup 2010 Day 5 Review
The World Cup is in full swing, and only four teams have not yet played their matches. Already, lots of controversy surrounding the ball is making its rounds in the news and a lot of teams are playing very conservatively and ending up with draws rather than wins. A lot of the stars that people expect to perform at a high level have been largely silent, perhaps except for Messi and the Ze Germans....
World Cup 2010 Day 2, 3, and 4 Recap
What a weekend. Went biking with the mrs, played some tennis for the first time since high school, and went to the AT&T Park in the city for some afternoon fun. A little burnt on the nose signals a return of summer.But you’re here for the World Cup. It’s been hard to write a review every day, so here goes a lump summary of the past three days. The Hand of Clod Robert Green has...
World Cup 2010: Opening Day Draws And The Mystery...
South Africa narrowly continued the tradition by not losing and ending with a draw with Mexico. No host nation has lost their opening game, and South Africa showed a lot of confidence in the second half, eventually scoring on a clean breakaway. Mexico equalized with defender Rafa Marquez scoring a goal. I didn’t know Rafa still had it in him. Dos Santos looked good all game. Blanco seemed...
World Cup 2010: Groups F through H Preview
Just one more day till the beautiful game starts. I’ve made a lot of predictions this year, and in my heart of hearts I know that all of this will be turned upside down on its head. All I hope is that RVP will play beautiful football and restore hope to the world, and Messi will show why he’s called La Pulga Atomica (the atomic flea). Oh, and an African nation making it to the semi...
World Cup 2010: Groups A Through E Preview
Who will make it out of their groups? Will France, a traditional power house make it out? Will defending champions Italy make a deep run? Does North Korea even have a chance? Will Bendtner become the world class striker that he says he is for Denmark? I’m sure many of you are already reading Soccernet, the Guardian, and goal.com. But to add to your appetite, here’s the lowdown, very...
Writing The Future
Nike has a new ad campaign for the world cup called “write the future.” I’m sure you’ve already seen the commercial. And in some sense, every individual representing their country in six days is going to write the future with their performance, whether for good or bad. Many of the countries are currently playing their last friendly matches before the real event and so far,...
May 2010
5 posts
12 Players To Watch This World Cup: Part 2
14 days left till the World Cup in South Africa. Anyone else getting excited? Last time around I was lucky enough to have a flexible schedule and ended up watching every single game live. I was so pumped back then, I remember blogging about every game after the group stage, but alas, I have since moved platforms and my old blog is nowhere to be found. Those were the glory days when my beloved...
12 Players To Watch This World Cup: Part 1
One thing I’m looking forward to most is seeing how certain players perform at soccer’s biggest stage. This is a chance for budding stars to break into the scene. It’s also a chance for older athletes to prove that they still have what it takes to change the game. And then for some, it’s an opportunity to be grouped with the best of the best, where their exploits will be...
Ushering A New Era
I’m retiring my car of 9 years, 130,000 miles, four trips from Michigan to the East Coast (Boston, New York, New Jersey), countless weekend commutes from Chicago to Ann Arbor, treks through Canada, one cross country trip from Michigan to California, several Norcal-Socal trips, rain, snow, sleet and hail. Now ushering a new era in. Posted via email from Long Way Round | Comment »
Thoughts On World Cup Squad Announcements
Just 27 days left till the beautiful game starts, and most of the national teams have announced their provisional squads. there’s quite a bit of controversy for some of them so I thought I’d lay them out here. FRANCEThe biggest controversy is with France. I’m no fan of Domenech, and think that he should’ve been axed a year ago. Yet, he’s still in charge and with his...
The Greatest Summer
Get ready for world cup 2010, happening in 34 days. Posted via email from Long Way Round | Comment »
April 2010
2 posts
On Leadership and Mad Men
I had a thoughtful post-modern, existential piece of review on the TV show Mad Men waiting in queue for about two weeks now. That’s all gone to pieces after reading my friend’s blog post. For those who know me decently well, know that I am very much against our never-ending war efforts. I, along with those close to me during my youth pastor days, have endured what nobody should have to...
While I Was Away
Easter has come and gone. This time, it’s the most quiet Easter ever. No buzz over a large production event. No hoopla behind a special drama, or dance that took months in the making. And no early morning sunrise to recreate the resurrection. Anne Lamott compared the faith journey to skipping from one lilly pad to another, as opposed to a roller coaster ride of highs and lows. I feel like I...
February 2010
5 posts
Observing Lent
As stated in Wikipedia, “Lent, in Christian tradition, is the period of the liturgical year leading up to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer — through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial — for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus, which recalls the events linked to the Passion of Christ and...
Weekend Reading
A lot has happened this week. Toyota recalled the Prius for brake problems, compounding to their recall woes. Google announced its social media efforts called Buzz. And Arsenal beat Liverpool by a hair in one of the most uninspiring matches in history. But I want to direct you to this week’s interesting reads that has nothing to do with any of the above mentioned. My friend Eric is a...
Thoughts on Landon Donovan
After signing on with Premiership club Everton on a six month loan deal, Landon Donovan has really blossomed into a world class midfielder. His tireless work ethic (rumor has it that he’s the most fit and rigorous in training amongst all the US national team players), and constant improvement on the pitch while with the Galaxy has culminated to a strong appearance in England so far. Funny...
Weekend Reading
I’m starting a new section called “Weekend Reading.” And in celebration of this glorious new beginning, I’m writing it while in a car driving across central California heading back to the bay. The Verizon USB modem is good enough to keep me connected and productive. And yes, I’m in the passenger seat. I’m a big proponent of reading. A lot of times, my reading on...
Is Social Search The Future?
Aardvark, the social search engine, recently published a paper titled “Anatomy of a Large Scale Social Search Engine.” The title is an ode to Sergey Brin and Larry Page’s paper explaining how Google search works, which was aptly called “Anatomy of a Large Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine.” And similar to the Google paper, which was published back in 1998, Aardvark...
January 2010
3 posts
Thoughts On The iPad
The iPad is finally here. I was waiting with a lot of skepticism, but now that it’s released, I’m actually kind of a fan. Actually, I’m a big fan. Here’s why. The iPad is not the end game. Capacitive touch computing is. The world of computing is entering a new era where the way we interact with computers will primarily be through touch. During the nascent stages of Windows,...