Familiar notes stopped me

As I walked down the stairs, I heard the familiar melody. He was strumming a recognizable series of chords on the guitar.

I hesitated for a moment as I pulled out my wallet to tap my transit card into the BART. As the chords continued, nostalgia tugged at me. Vague memories of unrequited love, difficult friendships in college, mistakes, successes…all these emotions…flashed before me. In mere seconds.

Then he started singing, “Kaaar…ma police”

Not quite the same as Thom Yorke, so I continued into the station. But I found myself wanting to relive those moments in college again.

Who is your top 4?

Or top 6?

As I sat listening to today’s UX talk, I wondered who they were.

It’s easy to answer why I do what I do. Why user experience? they may ask. Because I am fascinated with people, I say.

But realistically, it’s because I want to learn more about myself. I want to know why I am the way I am. And there’s hope inside me…that by other understanding others, I can understand myself.

I glanced around the room when the speaker made the conclusion. There are 4 people that are close to you. Sometimes 6, but usually 4. There are usually 4 that you participate with the most on Facebook…each day.

Is it your spouse? Your sibling? Your roommate? Someone you consider your best friend? A classmate? A neighbor? A coworker?

And most importantly, is it mutual?

What I learned in Vegas…and CES

  • There is something special about the air in Vegas—it sucks you dry during the day, makes you hungry all the time, mysteriously leeches dollars from your credit card, and it…makes you always late
  • Booth babes…very occasionally can speak proficiently about the product they are promoting
  • There is always a way to get great seats at a sold out show
  • It will take an hour to get anywhere in Vegas. Never have back-to-back meetings
  • Don’t rely on mobile reception for anything during CES
  • The wireless at the Venetian (even in the lobby) is the worst thing ever, but there’s no way you can talk out of the “resort fee” they charge to your room
  • Eat at Bouchon for breakfast. As often as possible.
  • The fullness you have after a buffet only lasts three hours even though you think that you stuffed yourself for about a week
  • Always bet on black
  • Take an airport shuttle. The executive shuttle is $6 while every other shuttle is $7.
  • Leave for the Las Vegas airport about 90 minutes before your domestic flight or else you’re going to waste a lot of time at the gate
  • Even if it’s convenient, there’s a $3 surcharge for credit/ATM card in all Vegas cabs
  • Expect excellent service at all the restaurants
  • Thinner is the standard trend at CES
  • Schwag is not the trend at CES
  • Always enter every prize drawing.
  • It will take at least an investment of 10 minutes at a booth to get to know the product. Don’t waste your time if you’re not interested.
  • Always say yes
  • Be selective of your time with home theater experiences—they’re always not that great
  • CES is focused more on hardware than software. So it’s unlikely that you’ll run into great software on the floor
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Walk on the carpet of booths as much as possible to give your feet a rest
  • Take off your lanyard once you leave CES. The rest of Vegas despises CES attendees since it brings down the general business
  • There is a Zombie Apocalypse Store off the strip. Go.
  • Make reservations for dinners. It’s impossible to walk in unless it’s casual dining.
  • Big hotel rooms are meant for sharing
  • Bring your phone charger with you and try to charge your phone as much as possible
  • 2011: Photo

    Sift through all the photos of you from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are, or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where, and what it best reveals about you.

    Tomato Battle!

    2011: Everything’s OK

    “Let me tell you something,” she started and she said something that suddenly clarified everything. Last year, it was an action of committment and this year, it was a moment of clarity, sincere belief and friendship

    What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? And how will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead?

    The following day, I was planning to do a century bike ride so I had invited Joe and his girlfriend out to dinner. Pasta dinner to be exact at Valencia Pizza and Pasta. Earlier in the day, I had been moping about my demise, my agony, what I perceived as self-destruction. I needed comfort from my best friends and I sought Joe.

    As our pasta arrived in the restaurant, we chatted about innocuous subjects—the awkwardly 90s-like patrons around us, how I was expected to make balsamic dressing by myself with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, their plans over the holidays, the funny comic Carolyn drew posted on Facebook and the incredibly delicious garlic bread.

    And then I described my dilemmas. I drew a picture in the air, waving my hands. I imitated the past conversations—the words said and the words forgotten. I could fear the tear inside me, the stabbing wound…as I continued lamenting.

    Joe comforted me with his funny comments—his hilarity that I always appreciated in the midst of disaster.

    But then Carolyn stopped Joe. She gave me a long stare across the table. I always had difficulty in connecting with her, always trying my best to connect with my close friend’s girlfriend. “Let me tell you something,” she started. “This is always consistently true: 99% of men are stupid.”

    Joe laughed, “I don’t think that I am the 1%.”

    I paused for a second, contemplating…swirling the spaghetti around the plain tomato sauce and bits of meatballs.

    “Why yes,” I said. “You are so completely correct.”

    Year 2011

    2011 was a year of change. There were the years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. And in 2010, I was frustrated that everything was completely the same. But 2011 changed…everything—some by my choice and some not.

    2012. Is it the end of the world? Is it change? Is it rebuilding? Thankfully, the sun always rises and we can look forward to…the future. I haven’t talked to a fortune teller yet, but only time will tell.

    Continue reading →

    Travel in 2011

    More trips in 2010, less in 2011, but more in 2012.

    How did you travel in 2011? How and/or where would you like to travel next year?

    In 2011:

  • A long weekend> in NYC
  • Two weeks in Peru (visiting the rainforest, Cusco, Macchu Picchu, Lima)
  • A few days in Santa Cruz (if that counts)
  • In 2012:

    It will be most certainly be Las Vegas (for CES), Dublin, London, Berlin, New York City.

    But will there be the ride across Idaho, a ride in France, wedding in Columbus, Vancouver, Toronto? Who knows….

    Dear Jenn of 2016

    Last year, I wrote of clear idealism. This year, probably moving on.

    Future Self. Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Bonus: Write a note to yourself 10 years ago. What would you tell your younger self?)

    —

    Dear Jenn of 2016,

    Keep moving. As you and I both know, our biggest regrets are when we did nothing. Fear is seizes us too easily and causes us to fall in stagnation. Express yourself and your needs…and it will be ok.

    Let others take responsibility for their own actions and emotions. If they disappoint you, that’s really their problem. If you have made your boundaries clear, then they know already and then you can decide from there.

    Be wary of those who don’t know how to communicate clearly. Mixed messages are a waste of time.

    Most importantly, never trust anybody who does not love music.

    Jenn

    —

    Dear Jenn of 2001,

    That two boys whose names start with Al- were not worth it. You have higher standards than them.

    Also, remember to write a lot. You have so much unharnessed creative potential that you don’t know that you have.

    Jenn