Kindle?

Sorry I haven't been able to post in a while, I'll try to be better about it.

So, it's no secret that I love gadgets - from phones to video games to mp3 players, technology is pretty freakin' awesome. Following that sentiment, I have been thinking about buying an Amazon Kindle. It's a slim e-book reader that uses Amazon to download and store up to 1,500 books in its memory. My boss is actually the one who got me to thinking about purchasing one. She mentioned it in her GChat status and it intrigued me :P

On one hand, I don't have much time to read, and it is quite expensive. On the other hand, buying a device like this would definitely motivate me to read, especially since I will want to squeeze every penny out of the purchase. If I end up getting one I will certainly write a follow-up and let you know how it is.

Plenty of fish, but not this weekend...

Lots has happened since I last posted about something other than technology or silly online videos.

I got promoted! You are now looking at (or reading about) a People Programs Specialist, not a mere Coordinator. What does this all mean? Well, I get paid more (which is AWESOME), and I have officially climbed a rung of the Google ladder. Other than that, nothing much. My work load is the same, my projects are the same, and the people I will interact with are the same. The only difference is that now, hopefully, my advice and my agenda items will be respected just a little more :)

I also went on the annual family fishing trip this past weekend. Wow. What an uneventful, frustrating experience. This was the slowest weekend I have ever experienced when catching fish! Only 3 fish for the whole weekend. My smallest brother didn't catch anything. To his face, I laugh and make fun of him for not being a very good fisherman, but actually it is very unusual for someone to go 3 days without a catch. I feel sorry for him. Hopefully he will go out with my dad next weekend to a local river and catch something.

In order to make the drive to the mountains, I rented a car from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. This place is THE best! The girl who rented my car was very nice, friendly, and quick. Her name is Natalie. I highly recommend renting from this place if you live in Emeryville, and don't have a Zipcar account :) I ended up renting the car and driving up the same day. IN the evening I got a call from Enterprise, and I thought there was a problem somehow. I chose not to pick and just let it go to Voicemail. It ended up being Natalie - she was calling in to see if the car was ok and if I got to the mountains alright. I was very impressed by the service.

The car I rented was a Ford Focus. I liked the ride better than my old Civic, and this was a crappy Ford Focus! Every time I rent a car it makes me feel like I should get a new one... Ah, who am I kidding. I'm too cheap to buy a new car and too sentimental to let go of my little Civic. Damn you, Civic!

Wow, a whole post about fish and rental cars...it's a wonder you even read this thing.

Finally settling in

This past weekend Jack, Rustom and I hoisted the TV up on the stand, ordered a rug, and almost put felt feet on our couch. The living room is mostly livable now, which is nice.

Also, I have all but finalized my room - I just need to return a defective Ikea chair (damnnnnn you Ikeaaaa!) for one that actually assembles correctly.

I want to see Star Trek!

Paintballin yo' face

We went paintballing this past weekend! It was great!

I've always wanted to go, but never had the time, opportunity, and a group of friends that wanted to put their bodies on the line.

This Saturday we went to Paintball Jungle in Vallejo. $65 a head got us 500 paintballs each, rental guns, a mask, and CO2. It's a pretty expensive hobby, but I think I'm hooked. The place is outdoors, very large, and it had space for us to play by ourselves without many people interfering.

The service was alright, though they didn't explain things to us in as much details as I would have hoped. It worked out though, and we all stayed safe and ready to shoot other people with awesome firearms.

If you haven't tried it, you definitely should!

Fore!

When I was young, I would go golfing every once in a while with my dad. I was always impressed with his game, he loved to golf when he was younger, and he has had a lot of practice. Because he liked golf so much, he also liked to atch it on TV. Back in those days I swore never to like golf. It was boring when it was on TV, and frustrating when played in person.

Now, I love it! Kat took Rustom on a golf trip for his birthday and invited Jack and I to come along. It took us 3 hours to complete the back 9. For those of you who don't know whether that's a long time or not, the course marshall drove by on his cart and politely suggested that we hurry the crap up :)

Even though we were rushed, poor shots, had to wake up early, and tired from running around chasing balls - it was really fun to be out in the morning air and trying not to suck. I have definitely changed my mind about golf! I even managed to get par on the 18th hole, which is something I really hope I can repeat next time :P

I'm thankful for my dad, he taught me the basics of the golf swing! And with practice, I'm hoping I'll be able to become a decent golf player. Now all I need is a good set of clubs...

Rustom and I went snooping around local garage sales and thrift stores looking for some clubs. We bought 10 for $14, which ain't too shabby, if you ask me. These clubs are kind of hit or miss, but most are in pretty good condition, and held up nicely at the driving range today.

Golf, anyone?