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Disney
Posted on April 8, 2009 by Mark
I thought this was interesting, the music with it is amusing too.
Mark on webtape
I guess I'll call this...
Posted on April 7, 2009 by Mark
The Day We Wore Shorts Pt. 3

There won't be much pwning here Joe, I was stuck with only 1 GB of space so I didn't take many pictures. Anyways here's some of what I have and a little story to go along with them, which may stray from the truth at times.


Just arrived and waiting for Joe and Hazz, who at this point were probably getting Hazz's car towed.


We went on an epic hike into the sunset.


Jeff had an epiphany, or something, climbing the hill.


Hazz, looking like he's laughing but really, he's crying in pain...


because Joe went crazy and stabbed him.


After he healed it was onward to the mud caves.


Where Hazz then became covered in dirt.


We also ate some Woe 2 in the caves.


Later Chris tried to make it to the top of Hollywood and Vine.


And we said goodnight to the moon one last time before leaving.

You can find these and more of my best photos from the weekend in this set on my flickr.

After camping I cleaned up, got a haircut, spent the rest of the day with my family, was upset that some country music awards thing was on instead of Amazing Race, and realized that there isn't really anything good on TV on Sundays until at least 8:00 pm.

EDIT: I forgot to mention, 94.9 is giving away Coachella tickets again this week. They give out like 4 pairs a day. I forgot about it today but here's a link to the list of places and times they will be the rest of the week. http://www.fm949sd.com/RandomActsCoachella/index.aspx


Let us win these tickets.

SECOND EDIT: I finished editing all the pictures and upload better versions of all these photos, if you couldn't tell they were different than before. Also, if you want high resolution versions of any of the photos let me know and I can link you to them.
Mark on webtape
DONT FORGET
Posted on April 3, 2009 by Mark
These are things you do you not want to forget to bring camping.

-chair
-whistle
-flashlight
-matches/lighter
-hat
-hiking shoes (some kind of athletic shoe)
-sleeping bag
-toiletries, (joe is bringing toilet paper)
-camera
-small first aid kit (we'll bring a big one too)
-your own snacks
-water (we bought some, but bring a couple bottles of your own)
-light backpack for hiking

we have everything else taken care of.
Mark on webtape
Losing Myself
Posted on March 30, 2009 by Mark
I feel that ever since graduating high school I've slowly been losing myself, falling victim to a life of routine and monotony. I used to be a lot more fun and interesting but now all I do is work and go to school. There's so many things I used to do just a couple years ago that I almost never do anymore and not only is it wearing me down, it's turning me into someone I don't want to be. Someone with a boring life, who is stuck on the safety and comfort of routine, who's journal is blank. For the longest time I don't know if I didn't care or if life was passing by too quickly for me to notice. But I've come to the conclusion that this is the reason that, beyond small moments, I haven't been happy. So now, yes, it makes me sad and anxious, thinking I'm not living my life to the fullest, taking advantage of every possibility. So I've been working on it, I'm tired of being boring. I'm gonna need some help with it though cause it's not as much fun doing things alone. I've started surfing again and it feels great being out in the water. It's freezing but it's refreshing and it's nice to get some exercise.

Thursday: Joe and I went to Shakespeare's Pub to try and win some free Coachella Tickets. Failed. Ran into some old friends, Craig and Monica. We sat around and chatted for a while over a couple drinks and some food. It was really cool seeing them again and having a good conversation. We then went downtown, where Chris and Ashley met us, to check out some clothes and then go bowling. It was way too expensive there so we went to Parkway Bowl. Lauren, Gracelyn, and her boyfriend (I forgot his name) met us there. We bowled, and yelled, and cheered, and offered our balls to the sky, which, if they came in contact with the center pin, resulted in strikes almost every time. Then we got some in-n-out and reminisced on high school and how cool and fun we used to be and the teachers we had. We parted around 2:30 am and while everyone else went home, I went to work early so I could leave early for band practice the next day. It was a great night and I really want to go bowling more often. Friday and Saturday nights, $1.50 per person per game. Let's go.

Friday: After a normal day of work I went surfing for about the 5th time in the past 3 years. I used to go almost every day for 2 years, and then... I dont know... I got too busy I guess, or I just never made time for it. But friday I did and it was liberating. There was no one else anywhere near me (which was a little scary at times), the water was freezing (about 60 degrees), and the waves, although not too big, were rough. I caught maybe 3 waves in the hour I was out there but that's not what I was out there for. I surfed until my arms were too tired to paddle anymore and I decided to head back in. The climb up the cliff was terrible. My board WAS (we'll get to that later) 9'6'' long and too wide for me to carry at my side so I had to carry it on my head. I could feel the blisters forming on my feet as I went up the path and I had to stop 3 times to rest before reaching the top. That day was by far the most labor intensive day my body has had in a long time and it let me know it.

I was super stoked that we actually had band practice. We talk about doing it a lot and it almost never happens, but friday it did. As I got to Jeff's my feet were burning from the climb and I could barely walk. I was also exhausted because of the lack of sleep. We had some new ideas on directions of music and we wrote a couple new songs and they were awesome, I hope we continue to practice and keep this up. We then got food and some wine at Ralph's, where we ran into my dad and were treated poorly by a cashier thinking that some of us were underage and having the others buy alcohol for us. Then to 7-11 where some shady business almost went down, and back to Jeff's where I fell asleep on the couch almost immediately. I woke up at 3:45 am and went home.

Saturday: I went to Salk to do some work and then went down to the beach for a little bit to enjoy the amazing day. Then Chris called me and said he found someone selling ticket's to a Pink Floyd tribute band's show at HOB that night for $7 each. So of course we all got tickets and went to the show. I don't really know many Pink Floyd songs but for $7 I wouldn't pass up the show. During one of the songs this either very drunken or high lady, who was probably 3 times my age, was walking past me when she started to rub my head. "OK this is weird, but she'll leave soon," I thought as she was doing this, but she didn't so I had to intervene. I nicely pulled her hand away but was then caught in a trap when her hand latched onto mine and then her other hand grabbed my other hand. She was then dancing, fingers linked with mine, like vice grips, from which I could not escape. I stood there hoping she would stop soon but she didn't. Hazz yells "YEA MARK, GET IT!" not helping the situation. I was eventually able to free a hand and, shaking my head no, used it to free my other hand and tried to send her on her way. She frowned and disappeared into the crowd, looking back and waving goodbye to me.

Sunday: I woke up and waited for Joe to finish with his family and then we met some coworkers down at the beach. I let one borrow my board because he doesn't have one yet and they went down about an hour before we got there. When we arrived we learned that he had broken my board, which now lay on the sand in 2 pieces. That was my favorite board. Surprisingly, I'm ok with it being broken. I kinda assumed it would happen sooner or later cause it has sustained a lot of damage already and it should be fixable, it just might take a week or two. Ryan apologized profusely, said he would pay for it and I made sure he knew I wasn't upset and to not feel too bad about it. Joe, Ronan, and I headed out anyways, I used one of Joe's boards. Joe forgot his wetsuit and I felt really bad for him cause it was cloudy and windy and of course cold, but he braved it anyways. Props. We surfed till I couldn't feel my feet anymore and I noticed my pinky toes were blue. I was really surprised at how much easier the walk back was and how I didn't get tired at all while surfing, even though we had been out much longer than I was on friday. I felt athletic again. Afterward Joe came over and we watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

All in all it was a good weekend. Even Ryan breaking my board couldn't ruin the good mood I had going.

Sorry for the long post and not supplementing it with photos. I need to start taking pictures again.
Mark on webtape
Let us wear these hats
Posted on March 25, 2009 by Mark
I wish I would have not slacked off so much in English last semester, it was so much easier with that professor than it is with this one. I also don't like how each professor teaches the class a different way. I can't be lazy and recycle essays. I don't like my c++ class. I'm actually understanding everything we are doing now and how it works, but I just don't like the way it's taught. There's no point in me going to class besides to help other people debug their code and make sure I get the assignments, since I have a different book than the professor is using. Java is ok, it's simple, even being entirely online. I forget about it sometimes because something wont be due for like 2 weeks and I end up turning it in a day or 2 late. I need to start keeping a calendar to help me keep track of due dates. Linear Algebra is cool. SOOO much better than last time. I'm actually understanding it this time. I just wish I was at UCSD taking real courses instead of fillers and retakes to boost my GPA. I'm bored with the material and don't really care. I have to though (I need to cross these classes off my list), and it's hard. I'm glad I have Chris in Linear with me to keep me motivated. The fact he already took intermediate c++ helps too cause he can help me with my programs. Chris, you are the reason I'm even doing well at all this semester in those 2 classes.

After class last night I watched a few episodes of The Office at home (I've recently started watching them over from the beginning), then went to LR for a while, and eventually decided to go to work after LR closed. I got to work at 2:20am and worked until 9:30am. I left early cause I had a dentist appointment today. The appointment was at 10:00 am. I had to get numbed for it. The left half of my face is still entirely numb. I can't talk very well, and I can't eat cause I'll bite my tongue or cheek. I'm starving. As soon as the numbness goes away I'm getting a turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich from Cosmos.

I'm sick of my long hair. It's too much of a hassle to make it look good. And really... does it ever look good? I'm either going to buzz it again soon, or at least get a good amount cut off to where it's manageable. I'm tired of wearing this freakin beanie every day. I need some change.

After this exam tonight I am essentially on spring break (a week early) cause I don't have anything due in my classes next week. I'm ready for a break. Most of you are/will be on spring break. Let us do something.
Mark on webtape
Grey Room
Posted on March 23, 2009 by Mark
My mood has been all over with the weather lately. Last week was good. weekend, not so much, this week is off to a good start.

(good sunny days)
-SUNDAY:
- Chris and I auditioned for The Amazing Race. We didn't make it to the next round.
-Monday:
- I was excited for St. Patrick's day and a day off from work and school.
-Tuesday:
- Hanging out with Gina all day preparing food.
- Everyone coming over for a huge, delicious feast.
- Whiskey and apple cider, yum.
- Lestat's and hanging out in a park.
- Slumber party at Jeff's.
-Wednesday:
- Arriving at work in time to see the moment when the first harsh sunlight hit the dew covered grass, causing an instantaneous evaporation and a fog to lift, lasting about 15 seconds. I wish I had my camera on me for that one.
- Too lazy to journey into the dense fog, down the stairs to the beach, I perched out on and edge of a cliff in the sun for an hour, where I could watch people disappear and emerge as they traveled up and down the slope.
- I threw pebbles at some crows as the circled over me, letting them know I wasn't a dead animal. I never did hit one.
- Stayed the night at Jeff's (for the 2nd night in a row).

(somewhat depressing, cloudy day)
-Thursday:
- The fog advanced, I worked in the clouds all day and into the night.
- Living Room by myself to make an attempt at writing my essay a day early, sat next to a guy with a portable cd player, a little outdated, it was still in good shape.
- Mayonnaise, mustard, bacon, and potato chips proved to be "cheesecake." After a few tries, it was concluded pickles were not.
- Slept over at Jeff's (for the 3rd night in a row) as I tried to work on my essay.

(nice, kinda sunny day)
-Friday:
- Arrived at work around noon, I don't think I did anything. Then almost wet myself when I saw Vilayanur S. Ramachandran. He's a leading Cognitive Neuroscientist, he makes me want to study the brain.
- Webtape meeting at LR while I worked on my essay. Finished the rough draft in time.
- Denny's, "Jack Murphy," dead man in the parking lot, and a confusing drive to drop Annie off at home.
- Slept at home.

(depressing cloudy weekend)
-Saturday:
- Waking up early for a memorial for a coworker's wife.
- The office and whiskey w/ Joe.
- Sleeping the entire day away, waiting to hear from someone.
- A little reading before going back to sleep.
-Sunday:
- Woke up to rain.
- Reading and drinking all day and into the night.
- Jeff's for an all night homework-athon

(fantastic sunny beginning of the week)
-Today:
- Taking the day off work to finish homework.
- Laying out in my backyard while reading for an hour (because the beach is too far away).
- Riding my bike to Cosmos for a wonderful turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich and to finish a take home exam.
Mark on webtape
Hackers
Posted on March 17, 2009 by Mark
I hate them. They have learned how to post anonymous comments on webtape. Although their comments do not show, it causes an error and all comments on the post cannot be seen. Just so you guys know what those errors are on posts you've recently received emails about.
Mark on webtape
St. Patty's Approaches
Posted on March 13, 2009 by Mark
So, St. Patrick's Day is this Tuesday. I actually have nothing at all to do that day because 1) I don't usually work at Salk on Tuesdays, 2) Helix is on spring break so I won't be tutoring, and 3) my English teacher canceled class for that day. I don't know what everyone's schedules are like for that day or the day after but I would like to do something. Hopefully have a feast and/or party of sorts, have some good Irish food and alcohol. Maybe listen to some U2 and Damien Rice. I actually already bought the alcohol because the Bevmo by me only had 1 bottle of the good Irish whisky and vodka left, so I snagged them up. So let me know if you guys are down to do anything. Or if it would be easier to push it forward or back into a weekend.
Mark on webtape
full moon
Posted on March 11, 2009 by Mark
I hate myself. I've been slacking on schoolwork and I hate myself for it. Although I am happier because I'm slacking. I feel like either I hate myself and am enjoying my life, or I hate my life but am pleased with myself for being so studious and committed. I can't be pleased with both.

I've finished almost all of my paintings I've been working on. I ran out of canvasses so I bought a couple more last night and am looking forward to working on them.

Because my sleep is so spread apart and when I do sleep it is for long periods of time, I've recently noticed that I've been having trouble distinguishing memories between the two. Sometimes I'm unsure whether or not my memories are real or if they happened in a dream. Not to the point of The Science of Sleep, when I really think about it it becomes obvious, but there is that split second where I question whether or not it was real. I really need to try and fix this. I've also learned that lack of sleep is terrible for your short term memory. Which is one of the reasons I like using twitter. It helps me keep track of the things I did during the day.

Whenever there's a full moon I listen to Werewolf. It just seems appropriate. It was so bright last night that I felt like going out and doing something in the moonlight. So instead of going home and sleeping I decided I'd go hang out at the beach. So I drove to Salk and was so tired when I got there that I slept in my car from 12-3:30am. It was freezing and miserable, I wish we had a couch or something in the lab to sleep on. I woke up and went for an early morning walk down the cliffs to the beach. The moon was so bright I had no problem getting down the path and the ocean was lit beautifully. The tide was super low and would have been perfect for skim boarding. I hung out down there for about an hour and then came up to work around 5:45 am. I'll probably go home and take a nap before class at 5:30pm.

My english teacher canceled class on St. Patrick's day, awesome.

I don't know about this time change thing. It's weird coming into work at 6 am now and it being dark for another hour.

One more thing: I've made friends with our building's facilities guy, Victor, cause he's always in here at 6 am, and I guess so am I now. Anyways, his family has a duck and it lays lots of eggs and he doesn't know what to do with them. So if anyone would like to try duck egg I'll be getting some every so often, starting tomorrow.
Mark on webtape
JEW
Posted on March 7, 2009 by Mark

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