Earthly Possesions

Camera's broken. Some $500 when I bought it, but that's okay. And I'm not filthy rich, either. This was more than half of a decade ago and I think it's time I need a new camera, anyways. (Cheaper, too!)

So over the years, what happened were:
- Protective lens covering was lost at San Francisco Int'l Airport
- Sliding door to turn off/on the camera won't lock in place
- (Today) Lens started making rattling noises and jammed. The final death blow. Hm, talk about the death rattle.

I was extremely frustrated when this happened. Opening my camera up to see what was causing the jam, but the manufacturer used glue as well as screws to keep the camera intact. I really could do nothing. As I was putting back the screws, 2 of them wouldn't budge in completely. So for the rest of the afternoon in the 90 degree heat while I sweat my ass off, a screw was screwing me and my day up as opposed to me screwing in the screw (= the bolt).

I NEED A NEW ONE ANYWAYS. Damn. But after a time where I finally put the camera back intact, I realized there was no reason to be angry. When I die, I die. The (stupid) camera won't follow me into the afterlife, or at least I hope. (lol)

So what will follow me? And what would I carry along with me?

Love, of course.


I should feel silly to be worrying about my camera.
Now let's hope dad understands.

Brushes with Death

"Owie!" a voice stole my attention from stirring the whipped cream Frappucino.

I look up, with the straw frozen in my hand, to see an innocent face melted by fear. It was a young boy was holding his index finger up, as if he was pointing at the ceiling. His mother quickly went over to pull him and his chair away from the wall, where another man diligently working on his laptop had stood up to access the situation.

"Don't touch the metal on the wall" his mother said. The man on his laptop realized that the child had touched a loose prong from his adapter connected to the outlet. Worried, he asked whether the child was okay, and his mother reassured him that everything was under control.

The child was sucking his finger the rest of his time in the cafe.

----

I, myself, have been shocked two times in my life that I can recall of--the latest being the worst. As a baby, I remember (doing a VERY STUPID THING and) sticking a penny just to see whether it would fit in the outlet on the wall. I was during my crawling stages.

Damn, the penny won't fit. The solution? Simply jam it in harder and move it around.

And sure enough, the outlet on the wall coughs up a white/bluish spark and buzzes at me. I was startled by it, immediately dropped the penny and crawled as fast as possible away behind a corner. After a few seconds, I crawled back to look at it again, and headed for my parent's bedroom. My parents had announced there was a blackout. Oops.

This memory is foggy but I certainly know the details were true.

The second time, I wanted to rewind a VCR tape (REMEMBER THE 1990s??) so I had to plug the tape rewinder in. I don't know how I was shocked this time but sure enough as soon as I had inserted the prong it, my body jolted for a second or so until I was aware that I was being shocked. I promptly dropped the plug, backing up and took the time to make sure I was okay.

My heart was racing. I was sweating. I had to make sure no serious damage had taken place, and so after that, I never touched that horrible device again. I would kick it now if I had the chance to.

I've been in other accidents as well, and MANY near-death experiences with traffic by careless drivers. (Aside: I hate old and most of irresponsible, young teenage drivers the most, so sorry if you're in this category!) And almost by lightning too, which struck some 2000 feet away from me.

All these experiences have had me thinking why am I still alive today? I clearly don't know, but I'm ever so grateful that someone has been watching me ever since. Thank you, God? My Angel? My ancestors? Whoever you are, I owe my life for you.

All of this certainly plays a role in my optimism.


I.M.O., Everything happens for a purpose or a reason.

Your Fault

Really. Where are the racks?
So it's not my problem. I had no choice.

@ Starbucks Cafe, Murphy Ave (District 4)

The City's Response

I received an email reply back from the city in regards to my complaint. Sorry to keep you all waiting.

Mr. [L.],

I am responding to your e-mail to Amy Olay on July 14^th.

Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding detection of bicyclists at traffic signals.

You will be happy to know that a recent State law (AB 1581) requires that enhanced bicycle detection be incorporated into signal designs for new signal installations and signal modifications. The State is currently developing the standards for bicycle detection, but San Jose has already begun to include bicycle specific detection devices as well as the associated pavement markings in some projects.

We hope to expand the installations to retrofit all intersections, but due to the budget constraints you noted, this will likely be a long-term effort.

Regarding your suggestion to add detection location markings to existing loops, the City has found that most existing loops do not detect bicycles well, and indicating that they will be detected when they may not be is problematic.

I hope this addresses your concerns. Feel free to contact me if you should have any questions.

Best regards,

John Raaymakers, P.E.

Associate Civil Engineer

Department of Transportation

Guess we all have to wait, they've been working on this.

Step by Step

There's so much more for me to see out there. I've only just poked a hole on the surface.

"Not all those who wander are lost."




♪ Aerosmith "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"

Yes, I "Got" It

You're going to love this. You're sitting inside from the hot weather drinking your pearl drink and you see this outside. (taken near the Montague light rail station)



And yesterday, a friend told me he hates drivers because he was honked at for 5 seconds on an overpass. Bay Area drivers, jerks, aren't they? He's still new cycling with traffic on the road so whenever he sees me do something outrageous (to him), he backs off and goes on the sidewalk.

: lol derek and I call that "pulling a jimmy"
me: "pulling a jimmy" lol wtf
me: how about "pulling a tip from Derek's online manual"

Breakfast Time

Okay, I eat breakfast in the afternoon, I admit it. Snoozing in during the summer is what I do.

So today, I seriously thought I was eating Cocoa Puffs for breakfast all along--turns out it was chocolate Rice Krispies after I thought about its small size.

I'm losing my familiarity with American brands. Oh no!

(Picture not by me)

Please Turn Green

I was waiting at a left turn signal today. Green light didn't trip so I nearly had an accident getting over to the sidewalk from the center of the road.

So off goes my complaint to the city. I'll keep you all updated.

"Hello Ms. Olay,

As an avid cyclist, I would like to request that new traffic signals or current traffic signals on San Jose's roads that have bicycle lanes to have easy markings of actuators on the ground for easy identification. Cyclists should easily spot these actuators on the ground such that they can place their bicycles directly over them to request green, especially on left turn lanes.

I have noticed that there are some roads which do in fact have these markings (with tar), but some others--notably older ones, and repaved roads--make it hard for one to find the "spot" on the road in order to request a green light from the signal, thus forcing one to run a red light (safely) because the light never turns green.

By simply marking these with white paint, or cheaper with tar since the city is facing a tight budget, we all could make San Jose a green and unique city promoting its citizens to find cleaner alternative methods of travel, as well as protecting those who have already chosen this greener alternative.

Thank you for your consideration, and your time!
Jimmy L."

I was actually at Piedmont & Sierra today, not way over at 33rd St.