iMac? I Want!

Today Apple released another revision to their consumer computer line. The all new iMac is practically a monitor and nothing more. All the innards are crammed behind the display! And best of all, a lightning fast G5 processor under the hood. I still have to see it in person to really crank up the drool factor. It would make a nice gift (for myself!), but I already have a kickass laptop which accompanies me everywhere I go. Between the new iMac and my almost-a-year-old PowerBook, I definitely prefer having power and portability.

But I'm not ruling it out just yet... ;-)

The Frances Countdown

Right now I'm up, staring at my laptop screen, unable to sleep soundly. Why? Or should you ask What, or even Who?

Frances, that's what (or who, depends on your point of view). A category 3 hurricane that will pass north of the Island, but we might feel the tropical storm winds during midday to late afternoon. True, it's not gonna slice us in half like her predecessors Hugo and Georges. Alas, these truly "freaks of nature" never have me at ease.

I'm just hoping it doesn't take any wrong turns and ends up at our doorstep. If so, I'm gonna have to hold our apartment together with my own bare hands!

Christmas In August?

Yesterday I tried to call my wife close to her lunch hour to see how everything was going. No response; I continued with my IT duties.

After a little while, I receive a call on my cel. It was her so I picked up.

"Santa Claus?" she uttered.

"What? Is that you, my love?"

"Hi there Santa! How are you?" she continued.

At this point I'm going WTF, but she added, "I have a boy here in my classroom who doesn't want to eat his lunch. So I'm calling you to let you know of how a bad he's behaving." A shriek from a small boy is heard in the background.

I realize I was being used to psychologically induce fear into a child of probably 5 years of age. So I played along.

"Is that so, Mrs. Kathy?" I asked in a deep voice. "Good little boys are the only ones who get presents for Christmas!"

My wife then put another kid on the phone and I had to talk like Old Saint Nick! She even put me on speakerphone!

But after all that holiday improv, my wife's teacher's aid went and got the brat something else to eat.

As for me, I guess I can pass as Kriss Kringle, but I'd have to gain some serious weight to fit the suit!

Cue Queen's "We Are The Champions!"

FINALLY! After over 100 hours of gameplay, from waiting in the car to doing something in the stall, I beat the Pokémon Sapphire Version game on Sunday after 3AM!

Are you done laughing yet? No?

Now? Ok.

Well, I've been the Pokémaniac since the Blue and Red versions hit the market in the '90s. I could say I was persuaded into buying the game, but more likely brainwashed by my friend René who had the game and needed someone to play and trade with. From that point on, I was addicted to the whole concept of collecting and training these digital monsters.

Almost a decade later, I'm still trying to catch 'em all in Pokémon Sapphire and Pokémon Colosseum (more info on both games here). So, why all the hoopla? Not only did I beat the Elite Four and the League Champion in one sitting, but also assemble a team which can rival my current, uhm, rival José Daniel, a.k.a. Tumbark!

Watch out JD 'cause my monsters are out to get you!

Sunday In A Nutshell

I was planning on writing yesterday's events last night, but inspiration didn't hit me until now.

Among the things I accomplished yesterday:

1. Went to breakfast at Denny's with my wife
2. Got a much needed haircut
3. Visited my aunt and grandmother
4. Visited my wife's grandparents
5. Went home and worked on A Day In Kindergarten video project

That's about it. I'd delve into more details, but I'm at the office and time is tight!

In Pajamas For A Day

Like the title reads, that is how I spent my entire Saturday. The week was tough and I was in need of a recharge. I slept in and woke up before 10AM. Still groggy, I noticed my dog was whimpering, waiting for me to finally get up and take him for a walk. So I slipped on some sweat pants and a t-shirt and we went outside. Upon returning I cooked some hotdogs, not for me, but Baileys, since we ran out of dog food on Friday. To join him for breakfast, I had some cereal.

My wife arrived from her Masters' course, brought me a sandwitch and then left for Plaza Las Americas to buy a bag of dog food. When we came back we went straight to bed. I slowly drifted off into a nap, but I woke up around 7PM! From there on we watched Law & Order: SVU until 10PM. My wife was asleep so I took Baileys out for his evening stroll. I came back and fixed myself a bowl of soup, took a bath, and caught a rerun of The 4400 finale.

And now to play Pokémon until I fall asleep again. Nighty night!

Credit Where It Isn't Due

This is unbelievable.

Try to follow me 'cause it might get confusing.

Someone praised someone else for hooking up a friend we have in common with a girl we know.

Still with me? I didn't think so.

Just the fact that someone else is taking credit for this really confirms my hypothesis: There is such a thing as a thin line between friend and foe. Sound immature? Probably, but I'd like to think otherwise. I had the best intentions for my friend and I know he's grateful. For someone else to bask in the glory, that's just plain wrong.

Am I gonna make a huge fuss and point fingers or what not? No. Just blow off steam while typing this.

Regarding that someone else, simple really: there's no turning back.

200 Dollar Dash

I was hysterical on Monday the 9^th. 3 checks were gonna be cashed, but our account was not prepared to withstand such a withdrawl. At my office, I asked that morning to receive an advance on my salary due for this Thursday. I got the ball rolling, but it wasn't fast enough. Noon was upon me, I was hungry and still no check. I rushed home where my wife had my meal ready. Practically inhaling my food, I was done and out of the door. That's when I picked up my cel phone.

Grandma, always there when you most need her, was my choice for monetary salvation. Upon explaining my economic plight to her, she didn't hesitate to lend me a couple of bucks. I drove from Guaynabo all the way into the heart of Hato Rey, picked up the $200, thanking her greatly in the process, and depositing the money in the nearest bank.

Funny thing is that when I arrived back at the office, they had the check waiting for me. So after 5PM I had only 1 hour to get to the bank before it closed. Taking into consideration the heavy traffic, I was cutting it pretty close, but to my relief I arrived just in time to deposit my earnings.

The bills can now be paid and my wife and I can relax, maybe even treat ourselves to dinner and a movie.

4400 Finale: Fascinated And Furious

I can't believe that the series known as The 4400 ended as quickly as it began. This past Sunday, USA had a marathon of all the episodes so far leading up to the series finale. My wife and I decided not to leave the house so we could watch them again and see if we missed any important details. Speculations, hypotheses, and questions were flying: Were they abducted by aliens? What's the purpose of their powers? Will USA continue this addictive series?

The truth behind their abduction was revealed. Not by aliens, but by humans from the future! I was shocked, but at the same time confused. Why did the "Time Machine" come from outer space? Do the future humans live on another planet? Why didn't the returnees grow old or remember what happened in the future? I was left with even more questions that I didn't have answers to and I sure hope the network doesn't drop this show.

I truly believe a gaggle of geeks will storm the USA Network offices if they don't. I'd better keep an eye out for that!

Two Days And Three Nights

As the title suggests, I'll be summing up the weekend as either AM or PM.

Ready?

Set?

READ!

1. Friday July 30
• PM

I stayed in and watched Monk, Law & Order: SVU, and Best Week Ever in bed, cozy with my wife.



2. Saturday July 31
• AM

I asked my wife to wake me up early so I could take the car to get an oil change at the dealership. When I arrived, with crusty eyes and unkept hair, I read on the service station's door that they're only open Monday thru Friday from 7AM to 6PM. While I almost wished hellfire would smite the dealership for making me get up early on a Saturday and drive all the way there for nothing, I just got back in the car and returned home. I couldn't sleep so I ended up finishing (finally!) The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker. When my wife returned from class, she plopped onto the bed and I joined her to regain the Zs I sacrificed during the morning.

• PM

We woke up, took a bath, and drove off to get a bite to eat and see a movie. I "strongly persuaded" my wife to see The Village. Even though the movie is really a love story, but filled with mystery and suspense, I really got a kick out of the film's twist in the end. I was at the edge of my seat and I really enjoyed it, except the part where I almost lost my left arm due to my wife clenching to it from beginning to end. Anyway, thumbs up to you, Mr. Shyamalan!



3. Sunday August 1
• AM

There's not much to say about what I did in the morning because I got up almost at noon. But my wife prepared a succulent breakfast of cheesy scrambled eggs and sausage patties. We hit the bed again to wait for our meal to digest and did a little channel surfing in the meantime.

• PM

We got dressed and went to visit my wife's classmate who gave birth on Saturday evening at the hospital. She had a baby girl and my wife suddenly began to get that "Oh-I-think-I-want-to-have-a-baby-too" look on her face. But then I gave her the "You're-still-studying-two-master's-degrees-so-no-baby-until-you-finish" look and she calmed down. We then left to a meeting I had with the PRJO, where we discussed future activities for the group and the upcoming release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVDs. Afterwards we dropped in on my parents' home, had a nice dinner, stayed to watch The 4400 and The Dead Zone, and headed back home when they were over.

Wow, it took me a while to compile all this, but it was worth the effort. Good thing I didn't forget most of what I did!