Archive for the 'Daily' Category

In Memory of Carol

Published by dara on 22 January, 2012 in Daily. Closed

Today I went to the memorial for Carol, one of my grandmother’s best friends.  Carol passed away last month after a long illness.

It’s hard to know what to say at such an event.  Words seem painfully inadequate.  She was an extraordinary person in many ways, but above all she had a knack for bringing cheer and joy wherever she went.  In our hurried, impersonal world, that is indeed a rare gift.

One of the more poignant moments at the memorial came when her close friend explained that Carol had said previously that she didn’t want any memorial to be held.  ”I know.  But it’s not for you.  It’s for us,” the friend replied.  And it was.

Goodbye Carol.

Site anniversary

Published by dara on 20 January, 2012 in Daily. Closed

It’s hard to believe that I made my first post to this site’s predecessor (myownlittleworld) exactly ten years ago.  The site has had its ups and downs since, much the same as its author, but I’m hoping it will still be going strong ten years from now.

Looking back at old posts and the memories they conjure up, I recognize the skinny, sharp, cynical, occasionally confused kid who posted his musings on these digital pages.  I’m not sure quite what he’d think of the current version of me, but I hope wouldn’t be too terribly disappointed.

And if I could send a message to that fellow (not that he would have listened!) what with hindsight being a benefit and all, it would have been: Don’t take yourself (or anybody else) so seriously.  Life is just too short.*

*Seriousness is a leading cause of chronic overcautiousness among other damaging neuroses.  Such a condition, if untreated by ample quantities of levity and silliness, frequently degenerates into a state known as ‘being a tiresome bore.’

Getting Colorful

Published by dara on 4 November, 2011 in Daily. Closed

The leaves are about to ‘peak’ here in southern New York state.  I made a short detour to Rockefeller State Park this morning (Westchester, near Briarcliff Manor).  It was a scenic but crunchy walk.

Leaves

Autumn Weather

Published by dara on 29 October, 2011 in Daily and Photo. Closed

Two days before Halloween in New York City, and there’s 3 inches of snow on the ground.  I’m sure there’s a good explanation for this.  In the mean time, I’m glad I have winter hiking gear.

Snow in NYC

Fall is Here

Published by dara on 22 October, 2011 in Daily. Closed

Fall is Here

 

Fall is arriving in New York.  Sadly so are midterm exams, term projects and an ample number of problem sets, but it’s nice to see a little color on the occasions that I manage to escape the city for a bit.

Glitches

Published by dara on 9 October, 2011 in Daily and Tech. Closed

Since moving in to my apartment I’ve been trying to get my computer setup ironed out.  I’ve hit a few glitches along the way.

Continue reading ‘Glitches’

Chance Encounters

Published by dara on 8 October, 2011 in Daily. Closed

Low Memorial - Concert

 

I went down to campus this morning to do some work at the library.  On my way out, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a concert in progress on the Low Steps.  Quite a talented group, particularly the lead singer Bri Arden.  Chalk that up as another good reason not to stay indoors on a pleasant Saturday afternoon.

Mobile phone annoyances

Published by dara on 7 October, 2011 in Daily and Tech. Closed

Cell carriers

Thanks to (previously mentioned) problems with AT&T at my new apartment, I’m in the market for a new cell phone carrier.

Unfortunately, this being the US, that means I also am in the market for a new phone.  Mind you, I’m perfectly happy with my current phone.  if I could use it on someone else’s network (i.e. not AT&T), I’d be happy to.  But I can’t.

Continue reading ‘Mobile phone annoyances’

AT&T Wireless Woes

Published by dara on 30 September, 2011 in Daily and Tech. Closed

I finally got my housing assignment from the university last week (I was waitlisted).  Pretty nice place if I do say so myself.

Only one problem: I don’t get any cellular reception in the apartment.  I’m not talking about having 1 or 2 bars and suffering dropped calls.  I’m talking about no reception whatsoever.  Oh sure, if I open a window and lean out at the right time of day, I might get 1 bar.  On a good day.  If I’m lucky.  Other than that I get nothing.

My first instinct was to blame AT&T.  After all, it’s AT&T that had a huge dead zone in the middle of campus at my last school, and it’s AT&T that offered almost no coverage at home back in California.

Apparently, my instincts are correct.  My roommate, who also has AT&T, has the same problem.  My neighbor, who has Verizon, has no problem at all.

So naturally, I called AT&T to complain.  Their suggestion, after I had spent a nice chunk of the afternoon on hold, was to purchase a ‘MicroCell tower’.  This device which attaches to your internet connection, acts as a cell-phone booster and re-routes cellular communications over your network.

Here’s the problem: I’m already paying AT&T monthly (~$65) for service.  Now they want me to pay $60 in addition, just so I can use the service I’m already paying for?

Thanks, but no thanks.  Goodbye AT&T.  Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to miss you.

A Dash of Color

Published by dara on 16 September, 2011 in Daily and Daily Photo. Closed

Colorful

A good friend was in town to look at business schools.  I took the afternoon off to wander about central Manhattan, camera in hand.  We started at the main Columbia campus, meandered through Central Park, and ended up on the west side.  I came across this particular building around 90th street.  The long hot summer has finally moved on, leaving the sort of cool crisp weather that makes fall my favorite season in NY.