Mindless Philosopher

After getting some shopping lessons in previous weeks, I did some shopping on my own on Wednesday…over the Internet. Though, I had good reason to shop in the virtual world: vegetarian (i.e., non-leather) dress shoes are practically impossible to find in stores. So I did some google searches, and within 30-minutes I was the proud owner of two new pairs of shoes.
When I arrived home yesterday I was pleasantly surprised to find the first pair of shoes waiting for me…well, it was a pleasant surprise until I opened the box. Damn are they ugly. I’ll get at least one more real-life opinion before sending them back, but feel free to take a look yourself and offer your advice. Of course, the pictures on the Internet don’t look half-bad, which is mainly why I bought them. The problem is that the front of the shoes are very square, thus making my feet look big, which is just weird in general. Hopefully, the other pair I bought will be more of what I expect.
On the good side of Internet shopping, I just received my ergonic mouse and my right wrist has never felt better (well, in a post-6.170 world at least).

Lots of adventures over the past few days. Thursday I finished up my temporary work at NGP Software, so I could spend Friday with Hillary who flew up from FL for the march. Used my last day of unemployment to sleep in. Then we played mini-golf, met up with my ‘rents and spent the afternoon in traffic on the way to Baltimore. Merged with the extended family at Harbor Lights and quickly ate before the Orioles game.
And we had a very special treat at Oriole Park at Camdem Yards: The West Wing! Martin Sheen (but not Allison Janney) was there to throw out the first pitch and to be filmed while doing so. Four times he threw out the “first” pitch…and four times he threw a ball. Well, I guess they don’t pay him to throw strikes. Though he was just as effective as Toronto’s pitching as the then-first-place O’s crushed the Blue Jays 11-3. :)
Saturday Hillary and I tried out a local Synagogue for Shabbat morning services. We happened upon a Bat Mitzvah–the young woman was very well prepared and did a great job reading the Torah and Haftorah. Then we visited Jane at Udvary-Hazy and checked out lots of planes and the Enterprise Space Shuttle (highly recommended). That night we saw Man on Fire with Denzel Washington, which is not as highly recommended.
Sunday we marched. And marched. And marched some more. People held signs that read “A Bush in my pants is better than two in the White House” and “Keep your rosaries off my ovaries.” Alix Olson made a brief appearance; as the Washington Post reports:
“Then a spoken-word poet stood onstage and waved her arms around and riffed on the Con-stitution, the coun-try, coun-ter-revolutions — except in each of those c-words, please insert the naughty c-word. (The one we’re not supposed to say in print.)”
This from the same man who said about marchers of my gender: “And the guys! These could be, like, some of the best boyfriends and husbands ever.” Let’s just say I definitely know some females who would disagree with that sentiment.
Today was my first day of work, which went very well. Left in time to see Ms Olson in concert. Very passionate. And sweaty. In the political way.

Happy Spamiversary!

Saturday went to Dos Gringos on Mt Pleasant St for the second time in as many weeks. Katherine invited me there to eat with her Truman scholar friends Julie and Tess. Got into some good political conversation with Tess. Saturday night went to a family dinner in Georgetown.
Sunday I again traveled on the Green Line to meet Beth where we delayed our Zoo trip (it was rainy) and instead went to the Natural History Musuem. Dinosaurs, yay! Too much fun. We saw T-Rex in 3D at the IMAX theatre, which had a very involved plot for a 45-minute flick.
Today I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau with regard to Sprint PCS’s poor customer service and over-billing (this followed a 40-minute call to Sprint on Friday). I also set up some temporary work starting tomorrow at NGP Software, my old employer.
Random info: First, with all this time in the city, I finally bought a Metro SmartTrip card. What’s really cool is that I can just touch my wallet (unopened) on the reader and it senses the card. Second, I finally updated my Friendster and Orkut photos. Third, your link of the day: Right-Wing Eye.

I forgot to post the first April Fool’s joke I ever played on anyone (I’ve refrained in previous years given the fact that I’m a terrible liar).
Allison from Dean campaign always plays jokes on her mom on April 1. This year she recruited me to leave the following message on her mom’s voicemail. (Allison’s mom already knew that Allison’s laptop was in the shop.)

Hello, my name is Mr Strauss and I am calling from PCStore. This message is regarding the laptop that Allison —- dropped off for servicing. This phone number was in our files. Unfortunately we found illegal file-sharing software on your computer, and many infringing music files as well. In fact, there are 5GB of infringing music present. Unfortunately, our CEO just signed a contract with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) saying that we must report any illegal activity. Thus we are bound by law and this new contract to report your name to the RIAA and have done so. A subpoena will be delivered to 999 —— ——-, — 00000. Please do not contact PCStore as this matter is now between you and the RIAA. I recommend that you retain a lawyer and await the subpoena. Personally, I know that many of these lawsuits are settled out of court for around $10,000. Good luck.

Incredibly, her mom was completely fooled and Allison regretted that April Fool’s Day is only 24-hours.

The job search trudges on. Have an interview on Thursday, but nothing terribly exciting. And for those interested, I’ll be at MIT Monday for Passover. Moving to the past, Tuesday night Katie and I went to Diner 29, which was very reminiscent of the Red Arrow in Manchester (except this diner actually sold milkshakes). Wednesday was West Wing night: the company was great, the show was horrible. Seriously, whatever treatment program they have Aaron Sorkin in NBC needs to take him out and have him write WW scripts again.
On Thursday Ted, his brother Matt, and I saw the Return of the King at the huge screen at the Uptown. I noticed a few more things the second time around (I can’t believe I’ve only seen it twice). For instance, at the end of the movie, Elrond appears happy with the merger of Arwen and Aragorn. I seem to recall from the appendices to LOTR that Arwen’s relationship with her father ended on a more sour note. And Frodo’s middle-finger gets chomped off in the book, not his index. But clearly the movie is an epic.
Knocking on wood for sun by 4pm tomorrow.