MichaelGuo.com

Apparently, shlocky sci-fi is much harder to write than I thought. After I started my novel, I realized that I needed to do more research. While it’s fiction, I think that good sci-fi is at least loosely based on fact, and I just didn’t know enough about my topic to keep on going without doing hours of research. As a result, I switched gears after writing most of my first day’s quota, and I am now writing about stuff I know better, basically a trumped up version of my life. It just pours right out now, and if I ever get stuck, I guess I’ll just copy and paste from here.

Plus, I’m happy to write that I’ve been accepted for a volunteer internship at HOBA. There’s even an AmeriCorps education award for when I complete my 300 hours of service. I’m excited about it! It’s been a while since I’ve done anything so worthwhile. I start Tuesday.

Now, back to work. I have lots to do!

Oh, don’t forget to go out and vote for Obama today! I already mailed in my ballot, which should’ve arrived yesterday.

Apparently, San Francisco has been so exciting that I’ve completely forgotten to update my blog for almost two months! Well, it’s not all been fun and games. There’s been a lot of cleaning, fixing things, moving in, etc. Plus, I’m trying to drum up some more business for my company (do you know anyone who needs help with web development or anything computer-related?) while studying for the GMAT, which is scheduled for December 5. I also want to participate in National Novel Writing Month this November. Rather than trying to write an epic and failing like last year, I think I’ll just stick to some shlocky sci-fi. If I can’t reach 50,000 words, then I’ll just make up some technobabble filler!

Anyway, yes, I’ve been busy. I have some work to do by tomorrow 8 AM Eastern, some studying to do to keep falling off track, and a growing to do list. Plus, I’ll see some family this weekend. Then, there’s Halloween in a week. I, of course, need to spend some time debating whether or not I should actually bother dressing up.

It’s been a good few days at home. I’ve basically done nothing except for eat, sleep, watch TV, and spend time with Wei-ying. Well, I did drag her to the Fogg Art Museum yesterday for the community open house weekend, as it’d likely be my last realistic chance to see it, and we tried out Flat Patties for the first time. Then, we dealt with the world rice shortage when we had to buy a paltry ten-pound bag of rice rather than a twenty-pound bag at Super 88.

I definitely find traveling west easier than traveling east, though I keep on getting confused by the early hour at which I wake now. I wonder how long this will last. The one thing that better change, though, is the amount I’m eating. Now that I’m back to a more sedentary lifestyle, I had both better cut back and find some sort of enjoyable physical activity to shed the extra pounds.

By the end of today, I hope to have a slew of updates and pile of work complete. Let’s see if that happens.

I finally arrived last night after three flights (two of which with loud babies nearby; one of whom actually pooped himself during the beverage service stinking up the whole plane), had a night of rest, and am now up to tackle the monstrous pile of crap that’s piled up over the last month. I was a little horrified by the pile of mail awaiting me, much of it seemingly important. Then, there are all my money-making schemes and other assorted matters to attend to.

The last couple days of my trip were spent in and around Paris, mostly wandering around. I of course made sure I went to Berthillon again for more ice cream and also spent a day at Versailles, which is just massive. I’d never realized how big it was until I saw it in person

After coming out of the freezing cold that’s Boston at the moment, I’m currently in blog update mode. Next on the list is DTEIY. I’m not sure why I started so many blogs, but they do help organize my thoughts and give me a place to park info I need for the future.

I’ve also started uploading some photos from Vancouver. There isn’t much there, but there will be many more shortly. Of special interest will be the Pride Parade. I took 281 pictures and was kicking myself for not bringing more memory cards. Then again, Vancouver was something of a testing ground for my Leica M8 before heading to Europe. I didn’t really know what I was doing at that time, so many of the pictures came out like crap.

Anyway, it’s time to tackle a few to do list items, so I can finally start feeling a little useful this year.

I resolve not to make any resolutions.

For some reason, I am really sleepy, but I’ve only been awake for about 13 hours. I think I need a nap, but it’s almost time to go to bed anyway. However, my eyelids keep on drooping uncontrollably.

The apartment is becoming spotless bit by bit. Today, I thoroughly cleaned the bathroom. Well, almost thoroughly. I was spraying a bottle of X14 on the tiles in the shower when the bottle suddenly stopped spraying. I kept on squeezing the trigger, but nothing was happening. Then, the cleaning fluid starting running onto my hand from the faulty nozzle. That definitely freaked me out, and I kept on washing my hands over and over to try to get the stuff off. It really does melt away mildew before your eyes, so I can only imagine how unhealthy it must be for human skin.

I just found out that Guitar Hero III is available for the Mac! Must resist the urge to buy!

Oh, and I shaved myself a mohawk.