Erin Miller is Asian

NKOTBSB Are In Sync

2010-11-23T08:06:00.002-06:00

Maybe I am a bitter *NSYNC fan, who secretly wishes they were reuniting, but Justin Timberlake's superstar status prevents any reunion hope.

Maybe the brainwashing to dislike New Kids on the Block worked. (I would like to thank the neighbors, who lived next to me in Jersey, for teaching me about common sense.)

Or maybe I just find something odd about a mutant boy band with an average age of 37 still performing. Coincidentally, both band names imply at least one member would be under 18.

My skepticism has the best of me, and I have lingering questions about this NKOTB and Backstreet Boys aka BSB formation.

Did they remember their old dance moves or did someone have to teach them?
Did they remember their old lyrics?
Did anyone ask *NSYNC if they wanted to participate? Or did the lack of a "b" in their band name stall any potential negotiations?
Did they ever think they would be performing again?

Several members are used to reviving their careers. Joey McIntyre and Jordon Knight of NKOTB had solo careers in the late 90s. They actually competed with BSB for some top spots on MTV's TRL.

Nick Cater of BSB tried his hand at reality television with "House of Carters" in 2006. I believe he revealed brushing his teeth every day is not something he practices.

Together these men form a mega band called NKOTBSB, and they proved at the 2010 American Music Awards that they still have appeal and fans. They even added an additional Chicago tour date in June 2011.

I am sure the lethal combination will generate lots of money so the members will not have to file for bankruptcy.

Many screaming fans will break out their old concert t-shirts and relive their younger years.

I wish I could do the same. Congrats, NKOTB and BSB fans. The time you waited for as finally come.

Jimmy Fallon Follows Me...

2010-09-29T15:31:00.003-05:00

Jimmy Fallon follows me. I guess my Twitter is more interesting than my non-updated blog. I'll work on that...

Ugh. Work.

2010-06-07T14:41:00.001-05:00

Most people spend 40 hours a week at work. People probably see their coworkers more than their family and friends.

Working with people you like can change the dynamic of an entire team. People work harder when they have colleagues they respect.

If you are lucky, you will find coworkers, who help you grow. If you are really lucky, you will find coworkers, who become your friends.

I didn't expect to form these kind of relationships professionally. I was fortunate to find a great team during my first post-college job.

Unfortunately, company structure trumps personal relationships. I learned the hard way that losing a member of your team can be heartbreaking. It feels like a loss, and you start to question your position and company.

I said goodbye to some great coworkers, who no longer had a place in our department.

Their departure taught me to treasure those relationships, don't make it just work and be thankful you are employed.

You Can Put it on the Board.......YESSSSSSS! or No.....

2010-04-14T10:48:00.003-05:00

After a little more than a week of baseball, the Chicago White Sox are developing a pattern.

Home runs, leaving guys stranded in scoring position and allowing guys to score with two outs and two strikes are contributing to this dismal 2010 start.

The White Sox 3-5 record leaves them tied for third place with the Kansas City Royals in the Central Division.

Many say the season is young, but if I know my guys like I do, I know the worst is not over.

They let the losses, lack of hits and other mistakes affect their playing, which contributes to more losses, lack of hits and other mistakes.

The one thing they don't lack - the home run. During the off season the team was revamped so the home run wasn't the only scoring method.

Power hitters like Jim Thome and Jermaine Dye weren't resigned to the 2010 White Sox in favor of guys who can score runs and drive in RBIs.

Well the home run was not lacking in those three White Sox wins.

Home runs

Outfielder Andruw Jones hit two during the 8-7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on April 12.
Paul Konerko, first baseman, had six hits this season and three of them were home runs.
Third baseman, Mark Teahen has one home run out of four hits.
Three home runs, courtesy of Mark Kotsay, Gordon Beckham and Konerko, sailed into the stands of U.S. Cellular Field during the 5-4 victory over the Minnesota Twins on April 11.

"We interrupt this broadcast of small ball to bring you back to the White Sox home run derby: 4 runs all off the long ball," Scott Merkin, MLB.com reporter said on this Twitter account.

I like to Eat, Eat, Eat

2010-03-25T13:25:00.004-05:00

As I get older, cooking is essential. My mom no longer makes dinner while I watch TV during its preparation.

When I was younger, my mom always made a hot dinner served promptly at 5 p.m. I fully intend to maintain this lifestyle so I am forced to enter the kitchen.

Ingredients, laziness and good recipes presented a challenge that I was determined to overcome in 2010. I wanted to save money and eat healthy.

I spent some time on FoodTV.com, talked to friends and made my own concoctions so that I could come up with a recipe arsenal.

Looking up recipes at the beginning of the week was helpful in planning my grocery list. I always try to find recipes that require few ingredients so I don't spend a lot of money on items I won't use again.

Here are some of my successful recipes.

Portobello Lasagna Rollups
This was my first recipe success. Ellie Krieger, a Food Network personality, created this easy dish. It is healthy and the leftovers freeze well.

Orange-Balsamic Glazed Chicken
Rachael Ray, who I credit for my food addiction, featured this recipe on 30-Minute Meals. I plan to make a few tweaks in the future, but my best friend found this chicken to be delicious. I will probably leave out the rosemary because I don't really like the taste and hold back on the chicken stock so my glaze is less runny.

Salsa Chicken
I didn't realize the popularity of this recipe until chatting with my friend Ross. This is a great, low-calorie way to satisfy a taco craving. Plus you don't have to chop up a bunch of lettuce and tomatoes. I paired this with a side of farm stand salsa courtesy of Tyler Florence.

Tortellini Soup with Mini Italian Meatballs
This recipe is my own creation. I had some delicious tortellini soup at a restaurant and wanted to create my own. I added a bunch of canned tomatoes, a can of V8 because I still thought it lacked flavor, white beans, spinach, garlic and onions. I took ground Italian sausage to make my own mini meatballs, which I cooked in the soup. I added cooked cheese tortellini and never looked back.

I always make my mom's chili during winter, pasta salads, tacos and steak, but now I have some additional flavors for my mouth.

I hope this inspires some of my friends to cook some meals.

My tummy is full, my savings account is larger because I am not eating at restaurants and I feel accomplished.

P.S. Nothing tastes as good as when someone else (especially your mom) makes it. I don't think I am ready to tackle my mom's spaghetti sauce.

Remembering a Decade

2010-01-05T08:26:00.002-06:00

This is the first decade where I was old enough to form memories that will last a lifetime. Here are my top 10 memories - good and bad.

10. The Chicago White Sox won the 2005 World Series. My Eastern friends and I spent hours at the bar watching. My friend died of ovarian cancer the same day the White Sox won. I will never forget those mixture of feelings.

9. I fell in love for the first time and felt my first heart break four years later.

8. Sept. 11, 2001 - This was the first historical event my generation experienced. My dad stood on the ferry as he watched clouds of smoke and debris fill New York City.

7. In 2008, I went back to New Jersey for the first time since 1993. I saw old friends, neighbors and my dad. This visit confirmed Landing, NJ will always be my home.

6. I discovered a love for music that extended beyond 'Nsync. I have seen more than 70 bands perform, visited every Chicago venue and discovered new friends because of the influence of an unknown basement band.

5. Attending Eastern Illinois University was my best lazy decision. With applications to Syracuse University, Rutgers and Northwestern University sitting in front of me, I applied to the only journalism school that did not require an essay. Luckily I was accepted because I did not have a back up plan.

4. Seeing my byline printed in the newspaper was the exact moment I knew attending Eastern was the right decision. Writing for The Daily Eastern News was a gratifying experience that led to great friends, great memories and a great internship.

3. I went skydiving with a bunch of friends in 2008. We jumped out of an airplane at 14,500 feet and fell 100 mph.

2. When I was younger I thought you lived your life, died and came back to live it again. I was wrong. I realized time goes by quickly. Along with this realization, I learned to not burn bridges and appreciate every friendship. I will use this lesson for the rest of my life.

1. Appreciating my family is not something that came easy. My heart is filled with a lot of pain and anger. I am finally letting go so I can enjoy time with my growing family.

Thankful Thursdays

2009-10-01T11:23:00.002-05:00

I have not done one of these in a while, but this week really tested my ability to live. I’ve experienced everything from missing a train, being late to a meeting, being stranded with a broken car and using a stranger’s toilet (Thanks, Rock Band people!)

I will be thanking the people, who help keep my sanity during stressful times.

Amelia – Without her to chat with at work, work would be horrible. We try to keep our sanity in check. We share awesome music, movies and TV shows to help pass the 8-hour day. I’m totally stoked to have her in my life for at least 40 hours a week.
Andriana – She drove all the way into Chicago to pick up two stranded friends. She also engaged in some light, midnight drinking with me after a stressful night. Bestest best friend EVER!
Andy – He is my Kuwait husband. He is neither Kuwaitian nor my husband, but he is pretty rad. I appreciate the effort he puts forth into chatting with me daily and making me more Korean.
Bryce – I’ve known this guy since I was 16. He was nice enough to take me to a (not-so-free) concert at one of my favorite venues, Logan Square Auditorium. Passion Pit was awesome live! He even bought me a beer when he found $20 on the ground. We had an excellent adventure.
Colin – I haven’t seen him in a few months, but this guy is still an awesome friend and photographer. FACT.
Gable – He may be a broken bagel, but at least I get to talk to him more. He chatted with me until 3 a.m. after getting back from my Chicago adventure. Plus, he lets me pimp him out for a small fee.
Gingerman bartenders – They are friends and therapy wrapped into one.
Jilly – I am so thankful to have her as my cousin because my hair always looks awesome. Congrats to her and her husband on their baby Kian. I can’t wait to meet him.
Pete – He gives me the best hugs, free AMP energy drinks and plays with my hair. He also listens to all of my problems, and I always know where to find him.
Ross – I’ve known my fake ex-husband for three years. He always listens and gives me advice. He also reminds me when new music is released.

Thanks everyone for helping make life a little easier.

The Pains of Being Asian by Erin Miller 1.2

2009-09-27T17:02:00.002-05:00

I am a woman. I am Asian. I can't drive. I don't want to buy a new car because I can't drive. -The Pains of Being Asian by Erin Miller

The Pains of Being Asian by Erin Miller 1.1

2009-09-15T16:05:00.002-05:00

My Asian nose can't hold my glasses so every time I look down they fall off my face. When pulling down my pants to go to the bathroom, I fear my glasses will fall into the toilet. - The Pains of Being Asian by Erin Miller

This Week In Baseball

2009-09-06T16:14:00.006-05:00

Chicago White Sox's designated hitter, Jim Thome was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 31. While playing for the White Sox, Thome hit his 500th home run, helped claim the 2008 AL Central Division and passed Reggie Jackson on the all-time home run list

White Sox Starting Pitcher Jose Contreras was traded to the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 31. Contreras was key in helping the White Sox win the 2005 World Series by going 3-1 during the postseason.

Starting Pitcher Jon Garland was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Dodgers. He won his first game with the Dodgers on Sept. 3 with six strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA.

The White Sox beat the Chicago Cubs 5-0 during the Sept. 3 make-up game at Wrigley Field. Starting Pitcher Carlos Torres picked up his first major-league victory with five hits, six strikeouts and a 3.86 ERA.

Scott Podsednik was seen wearing long pants while playing left field for the White Sox against the Boston Red Sox on Sept. 4. Podsednik is usually known for wearing short pants.

Boston Outfielder Brian Anderson received a warm welcome from White Sox fans during the Sept. 4 game. Anderson played for the White Sox for four years.

The New York Yankees ended a seven-game winning streak courtesy of Toronto Blue Jay's starting pitcher Roy Hallady. Hallady pitched a one-hitter game on Sept. 4 with nine srikeouts and three walks.

All fans will get to see some minor-league talent because of the September call ups for the post-season push.

Starting Pitcher Gavin Floyd pitched a perfect game until the sixth inning for the White Sox on Sept. 5. He pitched eight innings, had 11 strikeouts and one earned run to help the White Sox beat Boston 5-1.

Brandon Inge hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to help the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3. This victory put the White Sox eight games behind the Tigers in the AL Central.

Note: This blog post is obviously biased towards the White Sox and players affiliated with the Chicago Puppy Eaters fantasy team.

Laser Beams

2009-08-25T16:00:00.003-05:00

I've been punched in the face by my mom, a friend or a boyfriend.

The story changes depending on who is listening.

Telling the story gets old, and I always have an explanation ready if I go anywhere sans make up.

Most of the time, people get the truth.

I have a birthmark on my right cheek that extends behind my ear and down my neck. This birthmark is called nevus of ota and affects Asians.

Most people don't know because I am good at applying my make up. This is something I've done since I was in sixth grade.

While other pre-teens were desperate to wear make up. I had to wear make up.

I would get up for school early so I had enough time to do my make up.

My brother didn't see my birthmark until I started going to community college when my schedule strayed from the normal 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. When he first saw it he asked my boyfriend hit me and was ready to beat him up.

I've seen three dermatologists about unrelated ailments, and upon seeing the mark they all recommended the same Chicago doctor.

I finally received a consultation, and he knew exactly how to treat the blemish.

I will undergo several treatments because he is using the less-aggressive laser. The more-aggressive laser may lighten my skin and cause scarring.

Today I did a test treatment to see how my skin would react and things are optimistic.

Health insurance may cover the treatments because the birth mark is caused by bad melanoma cells that can be cancerous. It is a couple hundred per treatment if it is not covered.

The time and money will be worth it because I hope to show my face to the world and save money on make up without looking like I got into a fight.

Note: My next appointment is a month from now so I hope to have updated pictures to show the progress.

Can of Corn

2009-07-31T10:40:00.003-05:00

For the past 19 years, Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson's voice can be heard on TV during most of the Chicago White Sox's home games.

Fans of other teams have always found him annoying. Sox fans didn't mind his catchphrases.

MLB.com even sells a cell phone mp3 of Hawk's home run phrase, "You can put it on the board....YESSSS!" (FYI, I bought this mp3 and use it as my text messaging alert during the baseball season.)

His list of phrases continue to grow, along with the annoyed Sox fans, who are sick of hearing them.

I was never bothered by his catch phrases, until this season. I enjoyed hearing them because it brought a sense of familiarity and excitement to White Sox games.

This season, however, he relies too much on his catch phrases and neglects the game description. The increased enthusiasm in his voice makes it apparent he is more of a fan than an announcer.

When someone hits a long ball, even if it is apparently foul, Hawk shouts "stay fair." This phrase gives me false hope that an obviously foul ball had a chance of being a home run.

He always yells, "stretch, stretch, stretch," when the ball is apparently a "can of corn."

Last night when the White Sox played the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field, the game was tied 2-2 into the bottom of the ninth.

White Sox Outfielder Dewayne Wise hit a single to get the winning run home. Hawk started shouting, "Sox win" before pinch runner Scott Podsednik even made it to home plate to take the 3-2 victory.

His excitement and catch phrases take away the accuracy broadcasters should have when announcing a game.

I am not sure if the change of color announcer from Darrin Jackson to Steve Stone is contributing to the more-annoying 2009 Hawk broadcasts.

Regardless of the reason, White Sox fans would like an announcer that shows some objectivity, not a fan.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

2009-07-21T22:35:00.008-05:00

This summer I visited three ballparks I have never seen before. These three stadiums bring the official count to seven.

Living in New Jersey gave me the opportunity to see my first baseball games in two of the most historic ballparks in the United States; Shay Stadium and Old Yankee Stadium. As an Illinois resident, I have seen U.S. Cellular Field and Wrigley Field.

Here are some highlights from Miller Park, Milwaukee; Progressive Field, Cleveland and Busch Stadium, St. Louis.

Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers Miller Park, which opened in 2001, has a retractable roof so the game will go on regardless of weather. Even when the roof is open, the overhang makes it feel like you are inside. For those who enjoy the outdoor stadiums, this could be considered a negative aspect.

Every seat has a great view, parking is inexpensive compared to Chicago and it is within two miles of Miller Brewery, which offers free tours and three free beers.

Progressive Field, Cleveland Indians

Progressive Field formerly known as Jacobs Field has all-you-can eat seats, which gives you popcorn, peanuts, hotdogs, nachos and soda included with the ticket price.

Their screen, which is also one of the biggest in baseball, showed movie clips and replays. The fans weren't as enthusiastic as I am used to, but I was definitely impressed with everything the stadium had to offer.

Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals

Busch Stadium is the newest ballpark out of the three I saw this summer, and it also felt most like "home" aka U.S. Cellular Field.

The fans paid attention to the entire game and cheered for their team.

Unfortunately, no one hit a home run into Big Mac Land, which earns fans $1-Big Macs.

We arrived two hours early, which gave us the chance to see batting practice. Fans could easily walk around the lower-level seats so they could get a closer look at the players.

Time

2009-07-08T11:03:00.003-05:00

Time brings people together. Time takes people away. Time goes by way too fast.

Most of us spend our time waiting for the weekend to arrive. Even the subtle moments at work, school or home should not be taken for granted.

You don't realize the importance of every second until it is taken away.

Certain moments in life help you realize this fact.

After watching Michael Jackson's public memorial, which was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, I realized once again how fast time goes.

I sometimes forget because I spend most of my time angry at life. As a chronic pessimist, I am trained to think everything will end horribly.

The death of a good friend in 2005 taught me the value of time. I thank her for teaching me this lesson sooner rather than later.

Even though I don't always treasure every second of the day, I try to remind myself to do this.

This post goes out to all of my friends, who have stayed my friends and made an effort to maintain our friendships even though time gets away from us.

This is to everyone, who has the ability to forgive. This is to my friends, who I have lost, but will always remain in my heart.

This is to my friends who are having a hard time....

Hats off to Journalists

2009-06-09T09:06:00.000-05:00

The motto of my college newspaper is, "Tell the truth and don't be afraid." Reporters everywhere risk their lives to find out the truth.

The North Korean sentencing of two U.S. journalists remind me of the danger journalists face every day.

Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced, Monday, to 12 years hard labor in a North Korean labor camp.

These camps are known for their inhuman treatment and come in a close third to Hitler's concentration camps and Stalin's gulags, according to an article in Daily News.

North Korean officials have not specified the nature of the crime, but described it as "grave."

United States officials are trying to get a political pardon for the two women. An envoy with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and former Vice President Al Gore is also being discussed.

Gov. Richardson helped negotiate the release of U.S. prisoners from North Korea in the 1990s. Gore founded the TV station that employed Ling and Lee.

Ling and Lee are just one example of the dangerous situations journalists seek out to share the truth with the world.

Cam Simpson, reporter and Eastern Illinois University alum, wrote a story for the Chicago Tribune in 2005 about 12 Nepalese men who were misled and murdered by an Islamic group while traveling to a U.S. military camp.

In 2006, I heard Simpson speak about his experiences as he retraced what happened to these men.

He traveled to Nepal and Iraq with a translator. The translator told him later that some of the situations they entered could have cost them their lives.

I will remember his story for the rest of my life.

I commend these journalists. They risk their lives for something they love. They educate the world by uncovering the truth. And they do it for little pay.

Thankful Thursdays

2009-06-04T09:34:00.002-05:00

I haven't done a "thankful" post in a while. May was a pretty rough month for me, and I am hoping June will be better. So when I am up and down, I found it best to remind myself of why I am never down and out.

1. Baseball season. I love this time of year. The hitting of baseball bats is like music to my ears. I watch SportsCenter right after the game so I can relieve moments. The good moments always outweigh the bad.

2. Friends. I saw a lot of my friends last weekend at a wedding. No matter how much times passes, we can always pick up where we left off. It is interesting to watch my friends get married, have babies and work at real jobs. It is comforting to know most of us have not changed, just matured.

3. Music. Some people make fun of my music selection. Some commend me on the ability to like bands before they reach popularity. I like my music because it brings back memories and helps me through hard times.

4. Blackberry Pearl. Earlier this month my phone broke. I was forced to dust off my Motorola RAZR while I waited for a replacement phone. The RAZR and I had some good memories, but it's texting and phone capabilities seem lacking when the Pearl has full internet.

5. Health. I receieved some less-than-ideal news about my health. I am hoping everything is fine, but I definitely took it all forgranted.

6. Hope. Without hope my life would be crap. I have to hope things will work out for the best.

I guess this month was harder than I thought as I can think of only six things. I also didn't want to repeat things that appeared in previous posts.

Surprises in Baseball

2009-05-28T15:45:00.002-05:00

Joe Crede is playing for the Minnesota Twins after eight years with the Chicago White Sox.

Scott Podsednik, who went from 2005 World Series "hero" to "awful", is back wearing number 22 for the Sox.

And, surprisingly, the normally-horrible Kansas City Royals are holding their own thanks to starting pitcher, Zach Greinke's 0.84 ERA.

The AL Central is usually a consistent league. This year, however, they decided to keep fans guessing.

In 2005, 2007 and 2008, the first-place team as of May 27 ended the season in first.

The AL Central was unpredictable in 2006, but that was the same year the AL Wild Card aka Detroit Tigers went on to the World Series.

This season is proving to be similar to 2006.

Probably the biggest surprise for me was seeing Pods return to the Sox.

Podsednik's walk-off home run in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series made him a hero. By 2007, Sox Manager Ozzie Guillen was "fed up" with his performance.

After playing a year for the Colorado Rockies he was reunited with the Sox in a minor-league deal. About 15 days later, he was added to the Sox's active roster.

Now he is credited with "heating up the bats" of the Sox offense.

Other surprising things in baseball...

The Sox trying to acquire Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres.
Mark Buehrle's amazing season (so far).
The Cubs - I thought they would be in first.
The Yankees' ticket prices.
Chicago Puppy Eaters being in first place in fantasy baseball.

Business in Las Vegas

2009-04-05T11:52:00.002-05:00

Las Vegas. I’ve seen the city millions of times on TV through the eyes of celebrities, reality shows and travel programs.

I thought I knew what to expect – drinking, fun and some gambling.

My experience would be a little different since I was going for a business conference. I knew my workdays would be long, and I would have early mornings.

Despite all of this, several friends told me I would still have time for fun.
We stayed at The Rio, which looked decent upon arrival.

I didn’t have high expectations because I knew it wouldn’t be as nice as the resorts I’ve stayed at for previous conferences.

The casino was smoky, the room windows didn’t open and I felt trapped.

After about 48 hours stuck in the hotel we finally made our escape. Several of us ran to the doors because we were desperate for fresh air.

We headed to a restaurant, which was located by the Wynn. During the cab ride, I spotted a billboard advocating the prevention of teenage prostitution. I found out this is becoming a huge problem in Las Vegas. Gross.

An article in the Las Vegas Review-Journal stated about 150 cases of teen prostitution was handled last year and 47 this year.

Legislators are working hard to increase the punishment for pimps who employ prostitutes under 18.

After seeing that billboard the city lost its luster.

After dinner we headed back to the hotel to gamble and drink. We tried our luck at roulette. I put $10 on black. I lost. I spent $2 on slots. Fail. I decided to not invest any more money into my bad luck.

Several of us headed up to Voodoo, which is 51 stories above Vegas. We avoided the $20-cover with some coupons we received earlier in the night.

Even though the 30 mph wind made it difficult to stand outside for long, the view was amazing. The lights made Vegas seem enjoyable - more peaceful.

After working 61 hours, I think my view of Vegas is a little skewed. I plan on visiting again on my own terms, but at least I know what I would do differently.

Are we done yet?

2009-03-19T10:50:00.002-05:00

I hate missing a deadline. In school, I always turned my assignments in on time. While working for the newspaper, I always had my stories done by the time the design meeting rolled around.

Meeting a deadline is essential for a good grade, a daily newspaper and a happy client.

My stress level and blood pressure greatly increased these last two weeks as I scrambled to meet deadlines while more deadlines were being thrown at me.

I found some deadlines were completely out of my hand because they were unattainable from the start.

I used to be in control of my deadlines. If a school assignment was late it was because I was watching too much TV, drinking too much beer or spending too much time with friends. I knew the cause of the missed deadline - my laziness.

At the newspaper, I was fortunate enough to work with a talented group of people, who were all passionate about their jobs as reporters. They knew missing a deadline would reflect poorly on them and the newspaper.

We all wanted to look good because our name would appear next to the story.

After almost three years in the corporate world, I find deadlines are harder to meet. I rely on more people than I did at the newspaper or in school. Not everyone cares about putting in the extra effort to meet those deadlines.

You can play the blame game at a company. Bylines are printed in the newspaper so it was easy to figure out whom to compliment or blame. You put your name on top of every assignment in school.

A gap is created because at a company each department has different goals. The roles for each department are different. We don’t always see the complications, limitations and accomplishments of the other departments.

At the newspaper, everyone had the same goal – get the newspaper done on time with good content.

I will always be grateful for my time at newspapers because I will always know the meaning of a deadline, teamwork and hard work. Too bad not everyone will get those same experiences.

"Who is your daddy? And what does he do?"

2009-02-04T11:42:00.005-06:00

Attending former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial, writing a story about the anniversary of “the day the music died” and being surrounded by people with the same passion is something two of my good friends were able to experience during the past week.

This is something I miss.

I gave up that world because I would not be able to afford all my expenses on a reporter’s paycheck. I will always wonder if I made the right decision?

I loved seeing my byline, meeting new people, getting new sources and having a better story than the local paper. I liked the fast-paced business of newspapers.

Sitting in a cubicle did not do anything for me. Being out in the community did.

Alas, I spend 40 hours a week surrounded by felt walls. I have to stand on my tiptoes and look past a sea of workers to find a window. I never know what the weather is like until I leave the building.

I do have job security, a shiny new MacBook Pro and my weekends. Weekends are nonexistent for reporters because we learned “the news does not stop for the weekends.”

Am I a sell out? Probably. I hope to eventually pick up some freelance work when the economy improves.

Newspapers around the country are cutting jobs, however, so is the rest of corporate America.

The professor of my first college journalism class said, “Reporters always need a ‘fuck you’ savings account because you will have a day when you need to tell an editor to ‘fuck off’ because you don’t agree with something.”

In 2002 it did not cross his mind that a reporter may need an “I got laid off savings account.”

For now I will keep my consistent paycheck and live vicariously through the lives of my talented friends. (Note: Google Marco Santana or Stephen Haas because I guarantee you will find some awesome stories and sweet photos.)

I will keep coding away at Web sites and eagerly wait for the day when I can forgo the paycheck to see my byline again.

The good. The bad. The moving on.

2009-01-18T17:21:00.002-06:00

We are only three weeks into the New Year, and it is already a rollercoaster. People died, moved and came back into my life.

The good.
I heard from someone, who I have not talked to in two years. I didn’t realize all that time passed.

We always had a hate/hate relationship, but despite everything we came out of it alive. We are happy, more mature and even a little nicer.

Officially, we spent one day together. We spent another year or so not defining our friendship. Yet during that time I think we learned a lot about each other.

The bad.
I handed Andriana my shoebox full of letters and told her to not throw it out, but hide it from me. I shouldn’t look at them.

My heartbreaks every time I think about the way things worked out. We weren’t supposed to be like this. We were going to be friends forever.

A brief encounter Friday night confirmed we can't be friends.

Well I guess friendship is a lot to ask after spending an official 4 ½ years together.

The moving on.
I think this week was the first time I realized I could move on, keep friends and grow.

I gained so many good friends during the past three years while also holding on to old friendships. I will look back and have no regrets. Too bad others can’t do the same.

For once I know I am the bigger person.

My next goal is to have someone move away and actually give me a formal goodbye. So far I am 0-2.

Happy New Year

2009-01-06T13:06:00.002-06:00

With every new year comes new lessons. Sometimes people will never learn.

I found this on failblog.org, which I think is one of the best blogs.

For those who don't know:
your = when you want to say something like: "Your grammar is bad."
you're = when you want to say something like: "You're going to feel stupid because you have bad grammar."

"Tell the truth and don't be afraid."

2008-12-09T08:18:00.005-06:00

A Chicago Tribune source said Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into custody this morning because he was under investigation.

This makes up for any disappointment I felt when he got re-elected in 2006.

While working for The Daily Eastern News, I found Blagojevich's office to be difficult. His former press secretary, Abby Ottenhoff, would get back to me after a persistent string of phone calls. (*NOTE: I found her job posted on CareerBuilder.com last year.)

As a reporter, I was able to talk to Fall Out Boy's public relations manager, who sent me tickets so I could review their 2005 Nintendo Fusion Tour. I've talked to New Mexico's governor, Illinois State Representatives, judges and lawyers without a problem. And lets not forget my weekly meetings with Charleston's very own Mayor John Inyart, who still holds a special place in my heart.

I dreaded a story where I would have to get a quote from Blagojevich's office because I knew I would spend the better part of my day trying to get ahold of him.

Not only do I have a personal vendetta against him, but I watched his office in action during a field trip to the Chicago Tribune.

His office over estimated the state budget so it looked like Blagojevich came in under budget at the end of the year. They told this to the Trib's Editorial Board, who decided not support him in their next editorial. I wonder why?

The details of Blagojevich's alleged corruption are not clear, but I look foward to anything they find.

As for the reporter in me, I feel vindication, and times like these make me miss the newsroom the most. At least I know the truth comes out eventually.

Thankful Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T11:56:00.004-06:00

I won't be by a computer tomorrow so I figured I would post this early. I think it is extra important to remember what to be thankful for because quite a few family members and friends had a tough November.

1. My Aunt, Uncle and Cousins. A dear friend of mine lost her cousin a few weekends ago. He was only 25. I am thankful all of my cousins are healthy and happy. I am also thankful they are in my life because I am not really close to my dad's family. I am also glad we will get to spend Thanksgiving together this year since last year my cousins went elsewhere. A special shout out to Jill because my hair would look horrible without her!

2. My mom. As a single mom she has always done her best to help me and my brother. Even though I don't show my appreciation, I will be grateful to her for doing everything possible.

3. Andriana. She always gets a shout out in these posts because it is so rare to find a great best friend. She definitely fits the bill.

4. Forgiveness. I am glad people have the ability to forgive. Everyone makes mistakes, and without forgiveness the world would be a sad place. Once broken friendships have grown stronger through forgiveness.

5. Joree. She died on Saturday at the age of 25. I am thankful to have known her.

6. My car. I was sans car for a few days because of repairs. I am glad all is well, and I am able to transport myself places.

7. My job. As much as I complain, I am thankful I am employed at this difficult time in the economy.

8. Bacon. This wonderful food item brings so much joy to my life. It is excellent for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

9. My manager. Again, he was included in my last "Thankful" post, but he is pretty awesome. It takes a special person to let his team write haiku e-mails, play with remote control cars and look at YouTube all while working.

10. My friends. This goes out to everyone who makes me laugh and accepts me for who I am. I will give a special shout out to Laura, who felt left out in my last "Thankful" post. Lady, I miss having my room next to yours!

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving!

A Dear Friend

2008-11-23T16:05:00.003-06:00

This is the first time I have cried since finding out my good friend passed away this weekend. She was only 25.

My most treasured high school memories involve eight friends, who did everything together. We always hung out on the weekends playing "night games," making jokes, working and even planning our ill-fated Wisconsin Dells vacation.

Time dwindled our group down to two, but I have never forgotten any of them because without these friends, I would be an entirely different person.

I remember the first time I met Joree. She was blunt, funny and known for her constant sexual innuendos. Most importantly, she was honest.

Finding out about her death came after a week where I thought "nothing else could go wrong."

The shock still hasn't worn off and we are still looking for answers. I have not seen most of these friends in a few years, but my scrapbooks are filled with pictures of them. My heart filled with memories.

Dear Joree,

You influenced my life more than you will ever know. I am so thankful to have had you as a friend. I will never forget you because you were involved in some of the best years of my life. You always laughed and always defended us. I will miss you, but you will always be in my memories. I hope you have found peace.

Love, Erin

P.S. We are sorry for writing a fake letter from the "Great Wolf Lodge" in Wisconsin Dells so we could get money from you. The hotel never knew you broke the lamp. So don't haunt us for it! :) Oh, and please haunt Justin for me...let him know I am looking for him.

SAKI BOMBS!!!

2008-11-20T08:15:00.004-06:00

To entertain ourselves several of my friends and even my boss have found different versions of the popular YouTube video "My New Haircut." My favorite so far is "My New Haircut - Asian Edition."

Here are some other versions that were funny as well.
Emo Version
World of Warcraft Version
Geek Version
Wigger Version

New Design

2008-11-18T21:34:00.001-06:00

I finally found a layout I like for my blog. Thanks to Luis for creating the header graphic!

I Love Technology..

2008-11-18T09:03:00.000-06:00

Technology is rapidly changing so here are a few things I stumbled upon in the last week.

Gmail added a video feature to their chat application. This is similar to Apple's iChat video feature. My friend, who shall remain anonymous to protect any embarrassment he may feel by me posting this picture, and I decided to try this out since we both have Macs with a built in iSight.

It took a few tries, but we spent a good two hours staring at each other while we worked. Not only can you see the person, but you can also talk to them. The video and sound quality were pretty good, but I think the quality of Mac's iSight helped.

The technology world just got a little friendlier with video chat. And for the agoraphobics in society, you can still see friends without the pressure of leaving your home.

Also, Adobe just released Creative Suite 4, which has enough new features to make me feel all warm and tingly inside. I am hoping my company will want to pay the money to upgrade all of us.

You can check out a demo here. Flash and Photoshop have probably the best new features. Let me know what you think!

Changing Layout

2008-11-17T20:37:00.001-06:00

I am in the process of changing my blog layout. I haven't found anything I liked so far.....please excuse the ugly graphics until I fix the coding.

Thankful Thursdays

2008-11-13T08:35:00.001-06:00

One of my friends does "Thankful Thursday" blog posts to remind us even during the bad days, we have a lot to be thankful for. I had a few bad days so I figured this is the perfect opportunity to do a "Thankful Thursday" post.

1. Awesome co-workers. I came out to my car on Tuesday morning to find I had a flat tire. After some help from a neighbor, I was still unable to get my tire changed. Several co-workers offered their tire-changing assistance, and one even succeeded! Without these guys, I would still have a flat tire.

2. My manager. Having a good manager changes the entire work environment. Luckily, I have one who enjoys a personal pitcher of PBR, buys us beers after work and has the YouTube video "New Haircut Guy" on his iPod. And anyone, who listens to me complain as much as he does deserves thanks.

3. My mom. She not only adopted me from Korea, but the woman swapped cars with me and scored me an awesome discount on my car repairs. When was the last time you paid $78 for labor on new tires, oil change and new wind shield wipers.

4. Andriana Davis. Bestest best friend EVER!!! I know many of our friends have heard this more than once, and some even insist we act like a married couple. But without her, I would probably still be living at home, find life a lot more boring and be one lonely Asian.

5. Gchatting with friends. I would like to thank everyone who talks to me on gchat everyday because they usually make me laugh, tell me good stories and make the work day bearable.

6. Time-wasting Web sites. Thank you YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Explosm and Engrish because you bring joy to my life on a daily basis.

7. Being Asian. Where would I be without my awesome ninja, oragami, dry cleaning, manicuring and rice picking skills? I would probably be a better driver, have bigger eyes and not be so yellow. None the less, I am happy to fill the Asian quota every day. Plus it gives me good comedic relief.

8. AP Style. I love grammar and anything that helps people achieve better grammatical skills.

9. My puppy. She makes me laugh whenever I am sad.

10. Life. If I weren't living, I would be dead. I would like to think that is a bad thing

Working for the Weekends

2008-11-04T09:26:00.000-06:00

Life would be even more boring and mudane if I really only worked for the weekends. This is only partially true. Luckily, I have a great group of co-workers..wait friends, who keep me entertained Monday through Friday and the occasional weekend.

During our time at work we developed a game called "Creepy Camera Bear," take road trip lunches on nice days and even grab a few beers after work. We each have our own little quirks, which makes coming to work enjoyable.

This blog entry is dedicated to Amy, Andrew, Cori, Luis and Mickey. Without these five people, my sanity at work would greatly decline.

R.I.P Motorola RAZR

2008-11-03T19:25:00.000-06:00

After many nights drinking, many falls and several stays in a beer puddle a 3-year-old Motorola RAZR finally died late October.

This simple, yet practical phone, saw many text messages, phone calls, number additions and deletions. All efforts to save the phone failed, and the owner was forced to replace the phone with a Blackberry Pearl.

I did not want to replace my phone because I liked the interface, and my phone did everything from calling friends to checking the Sox score or my e-mail.

Alas my phone could no longer endure my clumsy abuse. I did not want to purchase a new phone because I knew I would become even more dependent on technology.

My new Blackberry Pearl now has gmail, facebook, Chicago White Sox and ESPN applications, which allows me to access these Web sites with even more ease. I even downloaded a "theme" so my phone looks like the Apple iPhone.

A lot of Web sites even have mobile stylesheets to accomodate the growing popularity of the smart phone. This makes me want to explore the possiblity of taking our current Web sites from the computer to the phone.

I guess at the very least, this phone will allow me to further my knowledge of technology and Web sites, which should do well for me at future jobs.

Oct. 26, 2005

2008-10-26T19:15:00.000-05:00

This is an editorial I wrote in honor of my friend. Three years have passed since she died, and I know she is still missed by everyone.

Certain life events make you look back on the past to reflect on what you could have done differently. Unfortunately, those events are usually the ones that hurt the most.

A few weeks ago my best friend from junior high lost her battle to ovarian cancer. She was only 22 years old. I started to think about memories, which prior to her death were scattered among other things in my brain.

Upon leaving for school this year, I knew I would have to go home to attend her funeral. But, nothing could have prepared me for how I felt when I found out she had died.

My mom had called me a few hours after it happened, but I ignored the call because I thought she was going to yell at me for spending too much money on alcohol. I returned the call, telling my mom to only call back if it is important because I was going to watch Game Four of the World Series at a bar with some friends.

When my mom called me back, I felt selfish for ignoring her call earlier. The news sent a chill down my spine, left me speechless and gasping for air. I couldn't think.

She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer just a little before her 21st birthday. The cancer had already spread throughout her body. She spent the next year in and out of hospitals for numerous surgeries.

The last time I saw her was at a benefit dinner, which would help pay for the abundance of medical bills. Her once healthy body was frail, her shoulder-length blonde hair was thinning and she was forced to sit in a wheelchair.

At this moment, I remembered the moments we shared in junior high. We always got in trouble for talking too much in class, being too energetic and passing notes. My mom constantly tried to separate us because we spent far too much time torturing my younger brother.

We joined the basketball team together, tried out for cheerleading and even shared our already-chewed gum, which grossed our classmates out. It is hard to believe those days are distant memories.

Everyone has those friends in life they will never forget, even after years have passed. She is one of those friends. I started to think about how our friendship faded. It was, of course, something stupid, which now seems irrelevant. I wish I could tell her that "I'm sorry" for not staying friends. I could spend a lifetime dwelling on the regrets and another lifetime trying to apologize for them.

Regretting things will never make up for the mistakes we have made. We can only hope our actions, and our memories, will help show those we love that we still care.

We can only treasure the times we spend with our friends. At the end of the day, the relationships we form should exceed any arguments. Instead of spending time regretting those mistakes, we should learn from the past and take every opportunity to spend time with our friends because you never know when those friends will be taken away.

If we are lucky, we will come across those special people in life, who will affect us beyond words. She is one of those people, and I can only hope she knows how she helped me become the person I am today.

Taking Back Web Design

2008-10-13T15:32:00.001-05:00

A lot of band Web sites do not follow good design rules in favor of over-the-top graphics and flash designs. While looking up tour dates, I stumbled upon T aking Back Sunday's Web site.

They have simple flash navigation, some awesome graphics and a pretty decent CSS layout. For those with the Firefox web tools, I suggest taking a deeper look into the coding.

Flash and CSS are quickly becoming the popular web languages for designs. Many tend to forget using these elements can be tricky. Too much flash can slow the loading time of a Web site, be hard to navigate and even more difficult to update.

These elements are powerful, but only when used properly.

In other news, Taking Back Sunday has a show in Loves Park, Ill. on Dec. 11. They are the one band I have not seen. I don't think I want to go to Loves Park to see them.. even though I hear they put on an awesome show.....

emmiller2@gmail.com

2008-10-10T19:32:00.001-05:00

For those who have not received an e-mail response from me, make sure you remember the "2" after the emmiller. I found out if you leave off the "2," Evan Miller receives my e-mails.

Evan was so kind to forward one of my e-mails he received last Christmas.This picture was sent to me from my friend Kim, who also e-mailed him about her upcoming wedding shower.

Dear Erin,

I'm pretty sure your email was a subtle way of asking whether I had any mail for you. Well I do! Here's a picture of Santa Claus and two dogs from last Christmas. Awwwwww. Just think, if you had chosen a more unique email address, you would have enjoyed this picture 10 months earlier.

I have to say I was pretty confused about an email called "My Shower" requesting RSVPs. I thought maybe Kim had recently renovated her bathroom and was having a big ribbon cutting ceremony for the bathtub and shower. Now it all makes sense.

I was thinking we should host an E.M. Miller party and invite emmiller3 through emmiller30 or so. This way we'd have a better idea exactly whose mail we're getting. Also it'd be a great place for singles to meet since if any of the E.M. Millers got married they wouldn't have to change their last names or even buy new monogrammed towels.

Evan Mason Miller

"The Original" Emmiller

Oddly, Evan also designs Web sites and lives in Illinois.....

Well for those who have accidentally e-mailed emmiller@gmail.com rather than emmiller2@gmail.com, have no fear, I will get the e-mail eventually.

Season Over on South Side

2008-10-06T22:20:00.000-05:00

The White Sox avoided elimination four times in a row, but tonight was the end. The Tampa Bay Rays head onto the ALCS while the Sox players head home.

Starting pitcher Gavin Floyd gave up two home runs to B.J. Upton leaving Ozzie looking at the bull pen early.

Paulie and J.D. each homered to get the Sox on the scoreboard, but alas these solo home runs were not enough.

Despite the loss in the ALDS, the Sox had an excellent season. I am definitely proud, and I will anxiously await the 2009 baseball season.

At least I can act like a normal person again. (The constant score checking and my short temper make a bad combination when the Sox are losing.)

I wish Tampa Bay luck as this young team continues on toward the World Series. They will take on Boston in the ALCS, which is a team they battled all season for first place in the AL East.

I Love This Game

2008-10-05T20:33:00.001-05:00

The slight rain delay and cold temperature would normally discourage a baseball team. After the Chicago White Sox lost their first two games of the ALDS at Tropicana Field, which has artificial turf and a dome, the varying climate might have worked in their favor.

The Sox 5-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays saves them from post-season elimination. Gavin Floyd is set to pitch Game 4 at U.S. Cellular Field on Monday.

When the Sox clinched the division, I did not expect much. Tampa Bay won 97 games this year, almost 10 more than the Sox.

For nine years the then Tampa Bay Devil Rays never saw a division title. Last year the Devil Rays had only 66 wins. Now as the Rays, they became the team to beat.

I went into the post season knowing the Sox would not make it past the ALDS. Now as they keep hope alive, I want another World Series title. Despite all the injuries during the regular season, the Sox have the right formula to beat the Rays.

Jermaine Dye, who won the 2005 World Series MVP, is batting .556. Paulie, Dewayne Wise and Alexi Ramierz all have a batting average of .333. Starting pitchers Mark Buehrle and John Danks have also had amazing outings.

I remembered how excited I was during 2005. I hope to experience that same excitement this year. I live for this game.

Even if the Sox do not make it to the ALCS, I enjoy watching other teams in the post season. I thought the Chicago Cubs would have made it further considering their 97-64 record. I also expected more from the Angels because they won 100 games this year.

I do not have any predictions for the 2008 World Series because right now it seems like anything is possible. Soxtober is still alive until they lose. Lucky for Sox fans, the closer the team is to losing the harder they play.

Why are Cubs fans cheering for the Rays? Strange but true facts:

In 2003 the Cubs were playing an interleague game against the Devil Rays when Sammy Sosa’s bat broke on a pitch, revealing a corked bat.
Lou Pinella managed the Devil Rays before becoming the Cubs manager. The Rays made Pinella step down as manager because of his temper.
If the Rays win the World Series, they would have gone only nine years without a World Series title as opposed to the Cubs’ 100 years. (This is a fact sportscasters keep throwing around when discussing the Rays. If this happens I believe the Cubs would look even more foolish. Not to mention them already looking foolish because of their six errors in the post season.)

The Myth, The Curse and The Mistakes

2008-10-03T12:37:00.000-05:00

Everyone thought someone died. She closed her office door, put her hands in her head and started crying. No one knew what happened to make the bank president so upset.

Everyone in the bank checked the news to find Steve Bartman caught a foul ball, which Cubs left fielder Moises Alou was also trying to catch for an out against the Florida Marlins in Game 6 of the NLCS.

The bank president was upset because Bartman was her nephew.

After Oct. 14, 2003, everyone in the bank was advised to not talk about the Cubs.

Our Cubs casual attire days came to an end, and we were forced to wear our business clothes again.

Many fans and players blamed Bartman for the Cubs eventual defeat in the series against the Marlins, who went on to win the 2003 World Series.

Actually, Cubs shortshop Alex Gonzalez misplayed a potential double, loading the bases and giving the Marlins the advantage. I believe that was more damaging to the game than Bartman’s catch.

Five years later it becomes more apparent the Cubs have no one to blame but themselves. Even though the fans blame the “Billy Goat Curse” and Steve Bartman.

Last night in Game 2 of the NLDS, the Cubs lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-3. They gave up five runs on three errors to the Dodgers in the bottom of the second.

Second baseman, Mark DeRosa, started the streak of errors as he attempted a double play by flipping the ball to Ryan Theriot, who caught the ball off the bag. Everyone was safe, one run scored.

Casey Blake hit another potential double-play ball to first baseman Derrek Lee, who knocked it down and lost track of the ball for the second error of the inning.

Fans and critics have said the Cubs do not play well under post-season pressure. Oddly, many Cubs players have had post-season success with other teams.

Lee, who played for the Marlins in 2003, doubled to bring in the tying run against the Cubs in Game 6. He also won his first Gold Glove award during the 2003 World Series.

Juan Pierre played for the Cubs in 2006. Pierre was also a major contributor for the Marlins’ 2003 World Series Championship. During the 2003 season with the Marlins he led the majors with the lowest strikeout percentage.

Now Pierre is helping the Dodgers beat the Cubs in the 2008 NLDS. He never made it to a postseason during his short time with the Cubs.

A little more than 30 former and current Cubs players won World Series titles with other teams. (Former White Sox pitcher Jon Garland was in the Cubs minor league system before being traded to the Sox. Garland pitched a full game in the 2005 ALCS against the Los Angeles Angels.)

I do not believe in curses. Chicago and the Cubs, however, are letting the curse get the best of them. Among all the curses and errors, hope stays alive with Cubs fans as I was please to see most of the seats still filled in the ninth inning.

Don't Stop Believin'

2008-09-30T21:25:00.000-05:00

The Chicago White Sox made it to October after leading the AL Central for most of the season. Impressed? So am I. Most Sox fans are pessimists. We have seen the Twins sneak in on the division title too many times.

This is the first time since 1906 the Chicago Sox and Chicago Cubs have both made it to the post season. I hope the outcome is not the same as it was 102 years ago with a crosstown World Series. (I think Chicago would literally explode.)

Several Chicago Tribune columnists thought the Sox season was over after a disappointing outing against the Twins last week. It didn't help when the Sox fell into a five-game losing streak after falling short to Cleveland in their first two games at U.S. Cellular Field.

This type of disappointment is what turns the Sox into a winning team. I am glad I was able to witness the first game that led the Sox to become AL Central Division Champions.

As the pesimistic Sox fan, I do not think they will make it past Tampa Bay. At least my baseball season extended another week.

Some of my favorite Sox players:

Jermaine Dye (RF) - JD played baseball like it was 2005. With 34 homeruns and 96 RBIs he kept hope alive for the Southside.

Brian Anderson (CF) - Banderson is always one of my favorites. I was disappointed when he was sent down to the minors last year after the Sox aquired Darin Earstad.

Paul Konerko (1B) - Paulie had a rough season. He was put on the DL for the first time in his career and hurt his knee in early September. The Sox team captain recovered from both injuries and became pivitol in helping the Sox reach the 2008 post season.

Bobby Jenks (RP) - Not much to say about him because his 2.63 ERA speaks for itself.

Alexi Ramirez (2B) - He received the nickname "Cuban Missile" because of his four grand slams in one season.

The DL players - Carlos Quentin definitely deserves AL MVP for his 100 RBIs in his first season with the Sox. I was also happy to see Joe Crede back on the field for most of the season after being gone all last season because of his ongoing back injuries.

Annoyed at Work

2008-09-26T14:26:00.000-05:00

Editing videos and web editing have apparently become one. For the last two days, most of my time is spent trying to get rid of a buzzing noise in the background of one of the sessions I recorded while at conference in Arizona.

I do not like video editing or would like it more if I had the proper training and equipment. So instead of editing videos, I have created my own someecards, done photoshopping and practiced my Engrish. I am not sure which is my forte, but all are equally valuable distractions.

I promise to post more meaningful blog entries soon.

All work and no play.

2008-09-16T22:12:00.000-05:00

I find it impossible to rest because I spent the last three days working no less than 12 hours. I need to find a job that gets me out of the cubicle and lets me travel more, even if I don't get any further than the hotel. (*Note to Bryce, I don't want to travel as much as you.) I need a job that is not in Illinois.

Business trips tend to bring out the Stephen Haas in me. This picture is not my favorite, but this was probably the first time I was able to relax. The weather in Arizona was perfect, especially since Illinois was flooding when I left on Sunday.

This was my second and most-stressful business trip. At least my company always pays for drinks. I don't think I would get to experience these $500/night hotels if it wasn't for business.

After traveling to New Jersey/NYC last month and Phoenix this month, I am finding myself getting restless.....

What Goes Around Comes Around

2008-09-12T09:08:00.000-05:00

The great, wonderful and hot Justin Timberlake once brilliantly wrote, "What goes around, goes around, goes around comes all the way back around." I am in a firm believer in this motto because everyone eventually gets what they deserve; good or bad. I have definitely been on the receiving end of such downfalls.

From the time you are little parents always tell their children to treat others like you would want to be treated. This "golden rule" is also known as the ethic of reciprocity. Many of us lose this moral value somewhere between being a child and an adult. I think I lost it around age 17.

A friend of mine is probably hurt because of something one of their friends did to them. Well perk up, because this "friend" will eventually get what they deserve. If anything, you realized they weren't a true friend. I think the value of knowing this outweighs the pain, even if it doesn't seem so right away. And if all else fails, I will help you plan a Chili Con Carnival. The tears of unfathomable sadness are always yummy and sweet.

I've gotten the exact backlash I was expecting after one of my great mistakes. It stings a little, but at least I won't have to keep wondering what I will get in return.

A co-worker also "resigned" from their job today because of something they did in their past. At least they were given the option to resign.

The Cubs are still struggling because the owner of the 1945 Chicago Cubs would not let Billy Sianis' goat stay in the stadium during Game 4 of the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. The Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox are two teams that overcame their "curses" by winning the World Series in 2007 and 2005. I wonder what those teams did to reverse their misfortune?

Personally, I am trying to be nicer, which is a difficult task. I am trying to be more understanding, patient and mature. So far, I haven't noticed my luck improving. Maybe I need to try harder. So for all of those who have experienced my sarcastic, mean and otherwise crazy behavior........

My Weapon of Choice

2008-09-09T13:47:00.000-05:00

I always loved writing leads to a story. Mostly because a well-written lead captivates the reader and helps them understand the story without having to read the entire article.

This particular lead, however, probably did not need much to captivate an audience. My attention was caught when the man started to rub spices on his victim and slap him with an 8-inch sausage. Some leads are easier to create than others.....

A burglar who broke into a home just east of Fresno rubbed food seasoning over the body of one of two men as they slept in their rooms and then used an 8-inch sausage to whack the other man on the face and head before running out of the house, Fresno County sheriff's deputies said Saturday. Read more....

I am not sure if this would be considered a sexual crime since he was rubbed with spices or a robbery since "some" money was taken. I also wonder how long the burglar was in the kitchen looking for this spice and sausage. I think I would have woken up long before he made his way into my bedroom.

In between catching up on my news and working, I also found a love for www.someecards.com. I think I would send the following card to both the burglar and victim.

Browser Wars = Headaches

2008-09-04T13:09:00.001-05:00

Having a name like Google behind a new browser is not helping the popularity of Chrome. Google released this new Beta browser on Sept. 2. News outlets pinned this browser against Microsoft's Internet Explorer stating the security and speed are better than IE 7.

About 1 percent of the population downloaded the browser within the first day, and the reviews are mixed. Many news outlets such as PC World, think Chrome's reputation is already "tarnished" because of its security issues. Hackers have already found a way to crash the browser. Other security problems range from users downloading malicious code to issues with downloading files. Chrome uses different coding than other popular browsers such as IE 7, Mozilla Firefox and Apple's Safari.

One of our programmers downloaded Chrome, and he could not get any of his coding to display properly. If you are a web developer, you know all browsers display lines of code differently.

I tend to favor Firefox because the browser is a little more forgiving if I forget to close a tag or have a corrupt image. Many already know the release of IE 7 also released a lot of headaches for those in the web world. When developing web pages, Safari tends to be the red-headed step child. Most people still use Windows PC because of its affordability so web developers are not too concerned with the compatibility of their Web sites in Safari.

Microsoft and Mozilla are not threatened by the development of this new browser. Microsoft predicted "most people will embrace Internet Explorer 8." (They will embrace the upgrade because IE 7 was a mess.) Mozilla said Chrome is not aimed at competing with Firefox.

I have not yet tried the new browser because they are still developing the Mac version. Until then, I won't worry about all the headaches another browser will add to my web editing job.

Fears

2008-09-02T22:45:00.000-05:00

This blog will be about everything-- web editing, grammar and myself. I feel like all of my friends blog so I should too. I don't think anyone will really read what I have to say, but I will feel better knowing it is out there for all to see.

The summer is coming to an end. Summer 2008 was not as exciting as last summer, but I don't know why. I think I accomplished a lot. This summer was all about overcoming fears.

Fear #1: Flying. I hate flying. I cry every time I get on an airplane. To correct this fear, I jumped out of a plane. It took 15 minutes to get to 14,500 feet. I was the last to jump. It wasn't as thrilling as I thought because it felt more like swimming. I will definitely do it again shall the opportunity arise. I am already thinking of my next adventure.

Fear #2: My past. My childhood was always something that haunted me. I never visited New Jersey because it is painful. Seeing my old house, my dad and everything that made me happy, makes me sad because I don't know what happened. I visited my house, my dad and survived. I remembered everything; Giants games, Yankee Stadium, the Lincoln Tunnel and 22 Arnold Rd. Although since my New Jersey trip, I am having a bit of a personality conflict. It shall fully pass soon. Until then, I am kind of a mental patient.

Fear #3: Change. No one ever likes change, but I took a leap of faith, interviewed in New York City and faced the possibility of moving my life. If I get the job, I'll move.

Today someone made fun of my roommate because she said "whomever." I always stop to make sure I use the word properly. I may never get it right, but I always mentally sort through the AP Stylebook to make an effort. Who is always used for humans and animals with a name. Whom is used when someone is the object of a verb or preposition.