Gas Stations and Pricing

Does anyone get a little suspicious at times regarding gas stations and their pricing policies? There is this corner where I live that has three gas stations within fifty yards of each other. Two are always within a penny of each other. The other (which admittedly is on the other side of the street) is anywhere from eight to ten cents higher at all times. Maybe there is something in its gas that deserves the higher price, but eight to ten cents more? I'm suspicious that this gas station is being used for other reasons other than making a profit for the owners -- like money laundering. I have no facts, but it always causes me to think.

Notes from Vivace

Blue Star Saturday Night - observation on bands' set lengths

I've gone to a number of local music venues and have the sense that sets are supposed to be thirty minutes. Saturday night I saw a band that did a 45 minute set -- if not a little bit longer. The band before and the band after both stuck with the 30 minute format. I checked out the band's myspace page and it isn't like they have 10,000 myspace friends and therefore have the fan base that wants to hear them play more than a 30 minute set. In fact, they have only about 2,400 myspace friends. I admit not every band I've seen sticks with the 30 minute set and often a club has someone who gives hints to a band that its time is up. (Another caveat to this is that the last band up tends to go on a little long, as well. I think this might be driven by the fact that they are the last band and also I guess people feel it is owed them since often times half the audience has left for the night by that point in time.) Who knows, maybe this band at Blue Star was coordinating the night and therefore felt like going longer than 30 minutes. I did get the sense that the next band up was getting a bit antsy about wanting to get on stage.

Notes from Vivace

Weather in late October

It is late October and by now I figure that when you're in the late afternoon the temperature should drop. Los Angeles is in a mini-heat wave (a couple days with the temperature in the 90s, luckily not in the 100s). For some reason, I found myself looking at weather.com during the afternoon. Come 5 p.m., the temperature was still at 90. I had a hard time believing this so I actually walked out of my office to check to see if weather.com was correct. I must say it felt like around 90 degrees. I could smell ash around me so I wonder if the afternoon temperature is being inflated by winds blowing heat into the city via the fires.

Notes from Vivace

The Kingdom -- The Movie

I saw The Kingdom a few days ago. While watching the movie, I was semi-disturbed. Is the Saudi Intelligence service really that incompetent? I would think they'd have a rather good Saudi version of the FBI considering that they're in the Middle East. Maybe I'm wrong. I also found the movie to be another one of those white men to the rescue type movies. Of course, Jamie Foxx is black so perhaps I should say it was one of those Americans coming to the rescue type movies. As another example of a movie that had this sort of underlying theme, The Last Samurai, which I like to call White Men Dancing with Samurai -- my take on Dancing with the Wolves. Maybe my memory is a little vague, but I do believe that both The Kingdom and The Last Samurai had that moment where the American gets to meet the royal family and immediately has some influence on future decisions -- give me a break. I've come to the point where I don't really like movies where Americans come to the rescue, because I really don't believe that other cultures need to be rescued or educated. Of course, I also hate movies where Americans are humbled -- such as The Day After Tomorrow. I guess I just hate implied storylines that deal with Americans being seen as overly helpful or overly in need of a lesson.

Over-all, The Kingdom wasn't a bad movie. It had some intense moments. I just had this sneaky suspicion that it was a movie that was trying to make the Saudi intelligence service look incompetent just to make the FBI look competent.

Notes from Vivace

Luxury Apartment Hunting in Hollywood

There's this luxury apartment complex called Sunset + Vine that I've driven and walked by for a couple years now. I've always wanted to check it out. So I was around the area during the apartment's office hours and decided to go on in and see what this place was all about. There was an apartment available in December, which would go for around $2,350. The sales lady took me to a demo one bedroom apartment that had a different layout, but would at least give me an idea of what a one bedroom looks like. My first thing was to try and compare it to the size of my current apartment. First, the living room was deeper than my current apartment and perhaps just as wide. The kitchen was perhaps about the same size as my current kitchen though my current kitchen is a bit more rectangular. The bathroom was about the same size, as well. Connected through the bathroom was a large walk-in closet. Even though it was rather large, I'd say the big different is that my current apartment has much more closet space.

So the size of the apartments are probably very similar; however, that's about where it all ends. Two big selling points to living at Sunset + Vine are: there is a laundry and dryer inside the apartment and there is central air. When you live in an apartment that has a community laundry room, there are those unfortunate Saturday/Sundays when one family has about four months of laundry to do and they start the process at noon, which locks everyone out of the laundry room until 10 p.m. When that happens, it really stinks. And as for central air, during those three or four weeks when the temperature is just outrageous, central air would so help improve my hours of sleep.

There were other nice things about the apartment. It has what I guess is currently in vogue, the polished concrete floors. There were Quartz countertops in the kitchen. The kitchen came with refrigerator, microwave and stovetop. There were lovely outdoor living areas with fireplaces. There was a 24 hour fitness facility (which honestly I'd probably seldom use.)

There were the negatives. The price is obviously steep. And while walking around, I only saw people in their early twenties. I couldn't help but think that these were kids with rich parents. After reading the details; however, I learned that 2 people are allowed into a studio, 3 people in a one bedroom and 5 people in a two bedroom. Three people in a one bedroom seems like a squeeze, but perhaps this is what is happening. If you fit 3 twenty year-old college kids into a 1 bedroom, each pays a reasonable $800 a month rent. For Los Angeles, that probably isn't outrageous. Either way, kids with rich parents or three students squeezed into a 1 bedroom doesn't exactly sound like a place I might want to live. I have nothing against college kids other than the fact that we have different sleeping patterns. To off-set this, I was told that the windows were sound proofed, but though the windows might be sound proofed the walls might not be -- thinking strong bass on the stereo playing a 1 a.m. on a Tuesday night; the college kids are studying for finals while I'm needing to wake up early to go to work in 6 hours. The other negative, and perhaps this is me being picky, if I'm paying $2,350 a month, shouldn't the complex throw in free cable and high speed Internet access for free?

Anyways, I tossed this idea of moving to Sunset + Vine to a couple of friends. Both think I'm crazy for entertaining the idea and think I should just continue saving for a house. Oh well, I'll probably check out a few more apartments over the course of the next few months and see what else is out there -- especially those with central air.

Note: If you live in Los Angeles and went through this recent (felt like 3 weeks) heat wave during late August/early September, you know why I'm focused in on central air.

Notes from Vivace

AIDS Walk Los Angeles

I did the AIDS Walk Los Angeles today. It was the first time in awhile. I was supposed to go with a friend, but in the end she didn't register. I decided to go anyways, since I'd signed up via my church group. Even though I hadn't gone for awhile, some things were still the same. I always find it amazing when the walk starts how there is this sea of people both in front and back. And then on La Cienaga there was the Christian group that is all into hell and brimstone. Somethings never change except this time a bus driver decided to drive his/her bus right in front of the protesters. I quickly left my church group behind as I wanted to speed walk through the 10K. It was a tough 10K to speed walk through. The prior two times I'd done the walk, it was overcast. This time around it was hot. It must have been around 80 degrees. Towards the end, I was feeling it. There was a photographer ahead of me. I caught up with her and passed her by. Then with about 100 yards left I looked up and there she was ahead of me. I was slowly down. Anyways, I did the walk in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Even now, I'm a bit dehydrated, but hopefully I'll be able to get my friend out next year so that we can speed walk through the AIDS Walk together.

A couple corporate t-shirts of note:

Hustler Staff. Relax. It's just sex.

Okay, someone doesn't need to even be into porn to know that Hustler is known for explicit images. I don't know about that t-shirt, especially with so many kids doing the AIDS walk.

Fresh and Easy. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you.

I know corporations do these sort of events to gain publicity, but this one just seemed over the top. I looked up their website and I know that this is their logo, but it seemed so much like an advertisement that it seemed contrary to the very reason why everyone was doing the AIDS Walk. To me, instead of emphasizing the desire to find a cure, the t-shirt was focused on drumming up profits for Fresh and Easy.

Notes from Vivace

Depeche Mode's Blasphemous Rumours

This might be blasphemous, but I've always found this song encouraging.

Girl of sixteen, whole life ahead of her
Slashed her wrists, bored with life
Didn't succeed, thank the Lord . . .

Girl of eighteen, fell in love with everything
Found new life in Jesus Christ
Hit by a car, ended up
On a life support machine . . .

I don't want to start any blasphemous rumours
But I think that God's got a sick sense of humor
And when I die I expect to find Him laughing

I've read up a little on it before writing this blog, and learned that this song caused some controversy when it was released.

I believe lyrics/poems are left up to personal interpretation. The whole issue of attempted suicide out of despair and then finding God always touched me. Then the idea of the "sick sense of humor" always got me thinking that perhaps God gave this young girl a second chance. God wasn't responsible for her attempted suicide and God wasn't responsible for the car accident . . . but perhaps he intervened in her suicide attempt and when she got to Heaven he planned to tell her about it.

I'm sure that's a blasphemous interpretation.

I'm writing this post after hearing this song recently on the radio.

Notes from Vivace

In the Workplace: working the long hours

There are periods of time at work where working long hours are required. My definition of the long hours is starting work at 8 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. or later. Now, currently, is one of those periods where I've needed to put in the long hours, working as late as 1 a.m. I can usually handle it for a few days, but after awhile my body asks for a rest. I can usually tell that my body wants a rest when I arrive home late and I start to bump into every furniture and doorway in my apartment. It is an amusing process, trying to get from the living room to the bedroom. Actually, sometimes it isn't amusing when your foot bangs against something a little too hard.

I occasionally read about CEO who put in 100 hours a week, week in and week out. I'm not sure how they do this, but congrats to them for having that ability. For me, I'm hoping the long hours end soon.

Notes from Vivace

In the Workplace: Air Conditioning

At my office, during the winter months, the air conditioner seems to work extra hard at blowing frigid air down on me, while during the summer months it doesn't seem to work at all. Luckily, I have an illegal space heater next to me that I am currently using. I don't know the mechanics behind the building's air conditioner, but I wish I did because I'd like to know why it suddenly just goes crazy during the winter months. Maybe I'm just more likely to notice the cold air during the winter months, but I do swear that I don't hear the draft as strongly during the summer months.

I will say this, last year I got seriously ill during the winter months and I blame it on the freezing office. Hopefully, this time around with the illegal space heater, I keep myself healthy.

Notes from Vivace

Perceptions of a Denny's

A group of us headed to a Denny's late tonight -- Friday night. When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was that none of the parking lights were working. Next, two homeless men came up asking for money. We entered the Denny's and it didn't have the feel of a Denny's. It looked more like Chucky Cheese's Pizza Restaurant than the Denny's that I've eaten at in the past. We huddled for a few moments, wondering if we should just walk out. Were our cars safe? One had two guitars in her back seat. I had a bunch of stuff in my back seat as well.

A number of us just got a bad vibe. Who knows, perhaps it also didn't help that it was raining, giving the night a depressed feel to it. In the end, we decided to stick around, but I suspect we might not be going back for awhile.

Notes from Vivace

Google Logo Tweak: Sputnik

So Google recently tweaked its logo to mark the 50th anniversary of the Sputnik launch. I had no clue about what this logo tweak meant until reading it in the Los Angeles Times today. I consider myself a libertarian -- not so much a conservative -- but I also have my strong patriotic streak. I agree with the critics who have an issue with Google changing its logo to mark the Sputnik launch. I understand that Google is a global corporation. Reading the article, I've learned that Google has recognized other world events/holidays. I don't see a problem with that, but recognizing Sputnik seems to be going a bit far considering that the USSR isn't seen in a very positive light. I'm not saying this simply because they were a communist regime, but because of their repressiveness. Sputnik was after Lenin and Stalin, but it was during that era when people couldn't travel freely and there was a Cold War going on. I'm sure if I knew my USSR history better, I could list even more nasty things about this regime.

I am blogging on a Google blog site, but I have to say I think Google was wrong.

Notes from Vivace

Pittsburgh Steelers Game 5 2007

I live out on the West Coast. I only see the Pittsburgh Steelers on television. I don't go to a local Steelers' bar and I don't have one of those all access sort of passes on television to watch all the games. So I only see the Steelers a few times a year. On Sunday, the Steelers were on television playing Seattle. Now I knew there were some issues. I knew that both Troy Polamalu and Casey Hampton were sidelined. I knew that Hines Ward was also sidelined. Then I found out that Santonio Holmes was sidelined because of a strained hamstring during pregame warm-ups. (I'm not the biggest expert on football, but that sounds a bit embarrassing.)

I have to admit I was thinking that I was going to be wasting three hours of my morning, because how could the Steelers win. I have such little faith. They won 21-0. It took awhile for the offense to get on track, but the defense held strong for the first half. I believe it was the first score in the second half that was just amazing. Two holding penalties and a sack, and yet Big Ben was able to overcome these setbacks and lead them to a touchdown. Big Ben's performance was so amazing that I just can't figure out how they lost last week to Arizona. I didn't catch that game -- wasn't televised here on the West Coast -- but I just can't see how they lost. How did Big Ben throw two interceptions? His performance against Seattle looked so smooth. He seemed to be in a zone -- even after being sacked, I believe, three times. I don't recall to whom he threw one particular pass -- probably Cedrick Wilson or Nate Washington -- but he just floated it out there twenty yards or so and it landed perfectly into the arms of the wide receiver.

Anyways, a great game to watch. Amazing defensive effort in the first half. Unbelievable ball control in the second half.

Notes from Vivace

Eagle Rock Music Festival

I headed out to the Eagle Rock Music Festival in Los Angeles. This is the second year I've gone. I'd say last year was better. Last year I saw Great Northern and Monsters Are Waiting. I liked Great Northern. I fell in love with Monsters Are Waiting. This year I caught The Mormons, The Pity Party, Black Shakespeare, Virginia City Revival and Under the Influence of Giants.

The Mormons and Virginia City Revival sort of perform in a world that makes comedy of religion. The Mormons is obvious. The band members dress as Mormons on bikes. They also take another shot at Mormons as there is a guy who just stands back, smoking. Virginia City Revival makes fun of Southern Revival meetings. Both are a little much for me. VCR does have some great costumes. One guitar player plays in drag. The lead singer like a Southern preacher. I guess you should give them props for that.

The Pity Party is an interesting two piece band. One plays drums and keyboard at times. The other is on guitar. I wasn't the most impressed with this group, but it was interesting. There was a guy in the audience who was yelling out, "You suck." I'm not sure why you'd say that to a local band that plays gigs for free. It just seems rude. A security guard starting walking over, but the guy moved on.

I saw Black Shakespeare while eating. Interesting world music band. Sort of funk. Sort of African.

Under the Influence of Giants was the main draw. They're sort of a mellow rock group. The instrumentals aren't out front like other bands. I don't believe the drummer ever had his moment. This isn't criticism. It is just how the band works. Amazon.com classifies them as a funk band. I'm not sure if this matches them well. I enjoyed the band. There was a bit of fun regarding a light saber. And the lead singer took a dual role on the drum set. It was an interesting sight seeing two people playing the drums. It was a cool band to end the night with.

Do Not Accept the New Dollar

So I got one of those chain e-mails from a friend that goes like this:

U.S. Government to release new dollar coins. [Picture of the coin.] You guess it 'In God We Trust' IS GONE!!! If ever there was a reason to boycott something, THIS IS IT!!! DO NOT ACCEPT THE NEW DOLLAR COINS AS CHANGE. Together we can force them out of circulation. Please send to all on your mail list!!!

My friend's father had e-mailed this to her and added that this was a sign of the prophetic fulfillment in the apostasy of the United States.

I do consider myself a Christian, so I obviously do not wish to attack his faith, but I researched this on snopes.com. Snopes.com is a website dedicated to looking into mass e-mail chains to see if these chains are urban legends or not. This one is an urban legend. (I didn't have one of those dollars coins handy at the time so I couldn't just look at the coin itself.) The 'In God We Trust' is inscribed on the edge of the coin instead of on the face due to space restrictions on the face of the coin.

I haven't e-mailed her back, because I don't want her father to think I'm some jerk for attacking his beliefs that the Second Coming is near. I obviously also believe that Jesus will come back some day, but the supposed lack of 'In God We Trust' on the new dollar coins isn't a sign of His soon return.

That second cousin and a job

My second cousin left me a phone message on Friday, Sept 14. "I'm looking for a job and I know you work for Company X. Can you help me in my job search." I did a little research via our job website and then contacted HR. I called him up on Tuesday, Sept 18, leaving a detailed message about contacting a specific person in HR. Then on Tuesday, Sept 25, I decided to call him up again between band set breaks at The Key Club. I hadn't heard anything from him so I decided to see what was up. He picked up the phone and told me he had just had an interview at Company X that day. I found this a tad irritating. Why wouldn't he tell me I'd gotten him an interview? So along comes Friday, Oct 5, and I get an e-mail from my mother, "Your aunt [his grandmother] would like to thank you for getting Cousin J a job at Company X." Hmm, I didn't get him a job, I only got him an interview. Why am I being sent a thank you e-mail? I decided to look up his name on the company e-mail database. There his name was.

I'm a bit irritated with my second cousin. We're not necessarily close, but we do know each other and see each other at family gatherings. I went to his high school graduation. I would have gone to his college graduation party except for the fact that it was mid-week and I had some work deadlines that day. So it isn't like he randomly called some distant relative for a job. Why wouldn't he tell me that he'd interviewed for a job? Why wouldn't he tell me that he got a job offer? Were we just going to randomly run into each other some day on the Company X complex? At the least, I'd think he'd have called me when he got the job offer? "Hey Notes from Vivace, I got a job offer. The offer is for $$ salary amount. Do you think that is fair? Have you heard of my new boss? Do you think I'll get along with him? Do you think the position has upward mobility?"

Oh well. I'm happy he got his first job out of college. For a lot of people, me included, finding that first job after graduating is a very stressful process. For him, it took him four months after graduating to find his first job. I hope he does well at Company X. He better say "hi" when we run into each other some day.

Notes from Vivace

The cat in the apartment window

When leaving for work, I walk past this apartment unit where there is a cat that sits on the window seal each morning looking at me while I walk past. This time, the cat was missing. I actually felt sad that I wasn't able to see the cat as I headed to work. I was leaving for work a few minutes later than I usually do. Maybe the cat has this routine of sitting on the window seal for only a few minutes a morning and then he/she is off to eating breakfast. Oh well, that cat better be back next week staring at me as I walk by.

Notes from Vivace

The Term Infamous

I've had the term infamous applied to me twice in the past few months. Just recently a myspace bulletin was sent out asking people to show up to an event, because I was going to make my infamous brownies. When using this word, I think the people meant it in a positive light. I believe they misinterpret the meaning of the word. I think when people see the word infamous they think it is another word for famous. But the term infamous means notoriously evil or disgraceful. I am sure I misuse words all the time so I can't get to critical of those misusing the word infamous. But just as an FYI to anyone who comes across this blog: infamous means evil not good.

Notes from Vivace

The Electric Bill

I live in Los Angeles and during late August/early September there was a serious heat wave that hit the city. I live in an apartment and only have a wall unit air conditioner in my living room so for a few nights I slept in the living room with the air conditioner on all night long.

I dreaded the upcoming bill. The bill arrived recently and it was high. It was at an all time high -- by $1. I was expecting it to come in at 20 to 30 percent higher considering that the air conditioner was on all night long. When I saw the bill, even though it was at an all time high, it was a very pleasant surprise.

Notes from Vivace