Where do you want to go today?

Redmond, Seattle!

Yes, sirs, I'll be heading down to Redmond on February 5 for an interview with the software behemoth: Microsoft. The position I'll be interviewing for is Software Engineer In Test. Oooooh.

And yes, sirs, I'm extremely excited. I'd never thought I'd get an opportunity like this. Ever. I thank God.

My trip will be all paid for my Mr. Gates; everything from my airplane ticket to my hotel and my food. Can anyone say "Red Lobster!"? I'll be flying back late on February 7th, so I'll have ample time to sightsee the city I may work in for the next few years. Yes, I also get a rental car!

At the same time, I feel devastated. The interview can last anywhere from half a day to a full day. I'll most likely be interviewed by 2 teams - Office Shared Services and Customer Representative Management. Why these two teams need software testers, I have no idea. However, between now and then, the teams may change, and I may find myself going after a position with the Windows Mobile team or Xbox 360 team.

Also, I'll be very sad to leave Vancouver. My friends and family are here, and it'll be tough for me to make new friends, being the shy person that I am.

Whatever, I don't know if I'll get the job. I'm thinking too far ahead. Rent down in Redmond I hear is overpriced, just like here in Vancouver. Again, I'm thinking too far ahead.

Nerds Unite!

It seems like the perfect setting for Triumph the Insult Comic Dog to make his next appearance. Who knows, maybe tonight on Conan, you'll see Triumph at the long lineups at Best Buy or Electronic Boutique, jabbing people with nerd jokes and exposing the sad reality of what MMORPG's have done to this demographic. I mean, look at this guy...



Yeah man. You're the bane of our society.

If he'd won the lottery, I don't blame him. If he passed the SAT, good for him. If he got a girlfriend, he'd have reason to celebrate. But if he got his hands on a computer game that will be widely available without the billion hour lineups in the near future (perhaps next week), puh-leez.

Why do people do this to themselves? Has anyone not seen the South Park episode where a fat ass slob kills off players in WoW? Look waht became of Stan, Cartman and Eric! That is exactly what's going on in our society now. It's also what I observe at the Magic Card conventions. It's a whole new breed of male.

Children of Men

*****

I can't emphasize how much this film kicks ass. Not only because I got a free ticket (the projector shorted out and we had to wait 5 minutes in suspense to see what happens next), but the cinemtography and directing were stellar - Alfonso Cuaron is the next Spielberg. Mr. Spielberg, step aside for Alfonso Cuaron!



One thing that I noticed that was strikingly similar to Spielberg's style was the long shots and the numerous events which took place in the shots. There were two continuous shots which lasted for at least 5 minutes each. If Cuaron doens't get a Best Director nomination, there is injustice in Hollywood.

I tip my hat to Mr. Cuaron for the best directing I've ever seen (2nd to Schindler's List) and Clive Owen who carried the picture with an amazing performance.