Apologies to The Red-Headed White Devil Apologies to The Red-Headed White Devil Apologies to The Red-Headed White Devil Well, it has been brought to my attention (on more than several occasions), that I had not posted Dan's birthday on my blog. I didn't think he cared, and it's not like Claudine posted anything on here for him, either. But I send my apologies, and also my thanks for housing all the crap that is on this site. So anyway, Happy belated birthday to Dan. Now leave me alone! Also, happy birthday to Stephanie! Good luck to Dave, who has got a med school interview at UIC tomorrow. I'm crossing my fingers. I really want to stay at home for his residency. Good luck to Rusty Smith, Apolo Ohno, Shani Davis, and Derek Gray in Bormio, Italy this weekend, who are competing at the World Cup for Short Track. I'll be watching! If you're bored today, and looking for something fun to do, and you're a Michael Jackson (well, if you're NOT a fan), check out this site...Catch the Baby! Lots-o-fun. I haven't been updating this as much as I should because I've been addicted to the Sims online. What an awesome game. Goodbye real life, I'm living the Sim life now! - Yano, 12:25 PM |

Thursday, December 5 Thursday, December 5

The Happiest Place for Pigeons The Happiest Place for Pigeons The Happiest Place for Pigeons Well, I'm back from DC. It was a pretty successful trip, except that the database server went down right before I left. But it wasn't my fault! Anyway, we were done early (not much you can do without a database) and so they said I could leave early. So we started chatting about this and that, and I noticed that they kept on changing the subject to different things. After a while, they had said 'Did you notice that we keep on changing subjects? We're trying to trick you into staying. We don't want you to go!" Aww. That was really sweet. What a great client! Anyway, I took a nice walk during my lunch today, and I followed the signs to the White House, and I actually found it! I'm so proud of myself. I was thinking that I was going to get lost in downtown DC. So I stood outside and took pictures for a while. I looked for George Dubya and Co, but didn't see anyone. I also noticed that DC has some of the FATTEST pigeons and squirrels I've ever seen. They get fed by so many people, they're seriously obese. I have a picture of one squirrel who was so stuffed that he couldn't move off the top of a bench. It was so funny. The first pic is the DC Metro - the subway system. Doesn't it look really alien and futuristic? Rod's been helping me with ideas on my redesign. To thank him, I've posted his name here, because it always gets him so excited to be in my blog. Visit him and make him feel loved! - Yano, 1:21 AM |

Tuesday, December 3 Tuesday, December 3

This or That Tuesday 1. Go out and buy gifts, or shop online/mail order? Last year I discovered the joys of shopping online. It's easy, and you don't have to carry it all to the car. I had a really bad experience at a mall parking lot which has caused me to avoid malls during the Christmas season. It's not worth getting an ulcer over. I'll go once or twice to check out the decorations and such, but other than that, target.com and amazon.com are my weapons of choice. 2. Gift cards/certificates or pick out gifts? I like to pick out gifts, no matter how hard it is. 3. Pay cash or charge holiday gifts? I've got a Mileage Plus card. By buying gifts for other people, I'm buying myself a trip to Hawaii. 4. Are most of your gifts mailed or given in person? In person. I'm not keen on mailing big packages. 5. Are you an early-bird or last-minute holiday shopper? Last minute, though I vow this year to start early. 6. If you shop in stores...big chain stores or smaller specialty stores? It depends. I travel a lot, so I end up in little stores every once in a while. If I find anything, I buy it. But chances are, I'll find it in a bigger store. 7. Wrap gifts yourself or have them wrapped at the store or mall? I have two little elves named Claudine and Fatima that get paid by the hour. But I insist on putting on the bows myself! 8. Shopping on *Black Friday* (day after Thanksgiving)...did you or didn't you? Not this year. I know that if I did, I'd go crazy. I've been REALLY good about saving money for the wedding, and I haven't been shopping at all. If I went out on Friday, it would be over. I would buy everything in site. 9. Is your holiday gift list large or small? Small. I accept cash and checks can be paid out to 'The Christine Wedding Fund' thank you very much. 10. Is it better to give or to receive? I'm totally serious when I say that I love to give presents. I love to buy people little knicknacks that remind me of them. Of course, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't like getting presents too, but I think my sisters can vouch for me when I say that I give a lot more than I recieve. *cough* *cough* - Yano, 12:13 AM |

Monday, December 2 Monday, December 2

Metro-Gal Gets a Flick Metro-Gal Gets a Flick Metro-Gal Gets a Flick I'm so proud of myself. I took the Metro (that's what they call the subway system here) and I didn't get lost. I was concerned that I would, but the directions that I got were good. The Metro here is pretty cool. It really reminds me of hige underground alien caves. There's even little UFO-like lights that blink when a train is coming. I took a picture of it, but I don't have my cable to upload it. I tried to be quick and cool when I took the picture, because I didn't want to look like a tourist. I quickly took out my camera, clicked the shutter, and put my camera back in my bag. Unfortunately, this lady saw me take the picture, and said really loud, 'Honey, you want me to take your picture in the Metro tunnel?' Sweet, yes, it's nice that she asked. But I was like 'uh, no, that's ok. Thanks a lot for asking.' as the rest of the rush hour crowd stared at me. Oh well, DC gets points for nice, helpful people. The reason I'm here is to help out a client that's been having a problem with the installation of our product. I'd been working on the phone with them for a month or so, and they just decided to have me come down and take a look at their whole setup. After a lot of testing and stuff, I determined that it isn't even our product that's causing the problem. Which is a good thing. So we set up a whole new test server, and we got everything working. Once I brought up the system, one of my contacts flicked me on the shoulder. A flick of pure happiness, but a flick nonetheless. (flick = putting your middle finger against your thumb and 'flicking' it on someone or something) I've never been flicked by a client before. It was weird. But kinda funny, too. I'm watching 'Sweet November'. What a cheesey movie. But I can't stop watching it. I admit it. I'm a sap. Oh my god. I'm at the part where Keanu is singing. I think I might actually puke. And I thought him saying 'Whoa' in every movie was horrible. (ok, i like that) Oh, but he is the ultimate eye candy!!! Happy Birthday to Jen! I know she's not looking forward to another birthday, but I hope it's a good one. Not like she reads this anyway. And a Bon Voyage to Lizzy, Susan, Noelle and the rest of the Bormio traveling circus. I hope you guys have a great time! - Yano, 11:43 PM |

Sunday, December 1 Sunday, December 1

The Adventures of Alki-Man The Adventures of Alki-Man The Adventures of Alki-Man I'm in D.C. today. Whoo hoo! I'll be here til Wednesday, and I I'm hurtin'. I only have a dial up connection, and anytime I log in, it's on the company card. Argh! Well, it will give me time to work on my page and get it all nice and pretty. I'm watching 'My Dog Skip' right now, and it's the cutest movie. Anyone with a dog should watch it. It'll make you cry! Where is Yano Today? Washington, D.C. Yesterday we partied for Marky's birthday. It was a really good time, and I saw a couple people I haven't seen in a while. Emer was a bit hammered, which is a surprise. Ok, no it isn't. So early on in the night, he comes up to me (and he was already long gone) and asks, 'Christine, do you know what super hero I want to be?' I'm thinking he's going to say something like 'Superman' or 'Batman' or something. So I bite, and say, 'What?' And he says 'I wanna be Alki-Man.' It figures! And later on in the night, where I'm at the point where I'm holding him up, he says to me, 'Christine, you're gonna make a post about this. I want you to make a post about me. And put some pictures in there.' 'What pictures, Emer?' 'I don't give a fuck, put Psylocke or somethin'. Or me. Just don't post any more pictures of those skater guys.' Ha! When's the last time I posted a pic of a skater guy? You just wait til February, buddy, there'll be skater guy pics galore. So I tell him I'll dedicate my post to him, and I'll post up some pics. So here's some pics of my favorite drunk Emer, and Psylocke. (some of the pics are kinda old, you can tell by my hair) On a side note, the room service guy just knocked, and when I opened the door, he just stood there. Then he said 'May I come in?' I swear, my vampire alert turned on. I mean, isn't he SUPPOSED to come in? Mental note, pack crucifix and garlic for next trip. - Yano, 9:53 PM |