Hey hey everyone. I'm here enjoying my lovely time at home on Monday night, as my class is cancelled. Yippie! It would be even sweeter if classes are cancelled tomorrow. C'mon where's the snow!?! Though according to theweathernetwork.com, we're only expecting 5-10 cms. Which sucks, cuz it's just irritating having trudge in the darn snow.

MCHQ: Matt's genesis in web design:
I was casually checking out some web stuff, when I all of a sudden stumbled on I site I created back in 1998! Omg, it's sad that I created the website seven years ago. It was called MCHQ-- Matt's Celebrity Headquarters- which is a portal of the several celebrity sites that I've created. I know I know, you guys are all probably laughing at me, for being a geek at such an early age. What's sad is that since the merger of Geocities and Yahoo several years ago, they've closed all my sites (because of the long duration since my last login), except for my Sugar Ray site.

In addition to those celebrities, I also made a Dexter Freebish website-- you might recall them from their album, A Life of Saturdays, and particularly their song Leaving Town. Anyways, I teamed up with this dude, Blaine, from Texas, and DFonline was born.

I also had a Savage Garden website, where a company sponsored me a free domain name in exchange for banner ads, but they closed down without any notice in 2003 :( Thank God I still have a back up of the site sitting on my hard drive.

Oh my gawd, I also made a site with Emily, which also was under the "Geocities Curse" It featured with fobby Hong Kong celebrities (y'know, when HK music was acutally good) like ???, ???, ???, ???, there were a few others, but I don't remember.

OMG, do you guys remember Asianavenue? Haha! It's still in operation! My user name is big-balbosky, named after the wrestler that I liked in high school, Val Venis, ohhh the WWF WWE, those were the days.

It's funny now looking at the sites that I've made. You've really seen so much changes in web development in the past decade. We've for sure came a long way-- some to our benefit, while others, not so much. I remember all the e-retailers before the big dot-com bust-- where sites were not all owned by evil Amazon. I really enjoyed the concept of "Neighbourhoods" from Geocities, and Yahoo! then took them over and scrapped their entire idea. Now, my precious Rogers webspace is also a Yahoo! Geocities account, since they've collaborated late last year, it is now called Rogers Yahoo! Canada Geocities. Crazy crazy crazy.

It's actually getting ridiculous-- the merger names. Kinda like chapters.indigo.ca, although I support them 100%-- if only they were as competitive as Amazon, haha. On a side note, Indigo is now selling iPod products, and is offering rebates if you sign up with audible.com, an audio-book e-retailer. Smart move Indigo, but quit it with the online jewellery.

QUEST:
Has everyone checked out the upgraded QUEST system? It's pretty neat, and resembles the other HR, and Jobmine interfaces. But apparently, it is giving grief to those who recently dropped courses before the Drop 1 date.

ADDENDUM:
Omg, I'm looking at this entry, and wow, it really shows how much time I had on my hands making all those websites. Good old high school! Remember when we'd talk about how "stressed" we were with ISPs (haha, it's so fun to say that again)-- or Independent Study Project. Haha! Haha, I recall how my "stress" involves slacking and shopping at Markville, Pacific Mall, and having "afternoon tea" after classes.

Aiya.

Hmm, I'm totally having blogging writers block-- but the disappearance of the most recent entry has called me to at least write something.

So instead, I realized pictures are worth a thousand words. So here you are. I scrounged through my sister's computer to find some interesting pictures I've taken back this summer. Yes, one of those totally crazy days of boredom that weirdly becomes a good time.

Meet my sister's cushon. It's actually kind of freaky, especially in the middle of the night. It always looks like it's staring at me. Ah!

Bowie's Home Alone rendition-- too bad the cushon didn't have a screaming expression

Here's me as Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua. I look so pretty.

Here's me in bed with my lover.

NEW UW WEB FORMAT:
Waterloo has finally announced that transition to the new layout standard. Say goodbye to the Gold Standard that we've all become used to-- and sick of. The old format was tiresome, has way too many unnecessary images, and just doesn't work well for the visually impared. This new layout is refreshing, organized, and accessible for all users. I'm lovin' it, McDicks Waterloo.

You might have seen the new layout being implemented already: Jobmine, Research + Technology Park, AHS, Campaign Waterloo

I can't wait to update the School of Planning website. Ah! There's actually an info session this week for all the web developers. I'm so excited. Yes, I'm a nerd, and totally proud.

I LOVE MTR
Shima mentioned if I was on something for me thinking Leo looks like Usher-- well, and I sort of am.

I'm totally high on Hong Kong's MTR's transit expansion plans. (I know you're totally jealous of my beautufilly composed segue).

MTR, or "Mass Transit Railway" (I know, so creative) is exactly what it is-- the region's local mass transit system. They have major plans to extend its existing rail developments into the east and south sides of Hong Kong Island.

For those who may be interested:
Here's the proposal video. This is like better than porn. *drools* You guys should really check it out.

Also, you might know that Hong Kong, in its attempt to bring further promote is flourishing tourism industry, is the site of the newest Disneyland Resort. And of course, new developments mean new mass transit infrastructure. Disneyland is on the east coast of Lantau Island. The MTR will be creating a 3-km railway connection directly to the resort. Here are some potential designs of the train's interior. Here are project details.

Two words: TTC what?

Wait a minute, what happened to my writers block?

HAPPY NEW YEAR
First off, Happy New Year! HAPPY 4701 4702! Best wishes and hope everyone gets what they wish for!

V-DAY
It is half-an-hour away from Valentine's Day. My intention was to be totally bitter about this dumb-ass holiday-- especially me and my single-ness--but I refuse to have it get to the best of me-- or at least try.

But speaking of Valentines and lovers, it's time for my rant-slash-bitterness, even though it contradicts with what I just said. Anyways, I just feel that sometimes, it's just my luck: guys are always either unattractive, losers or taken. I hate to admit it but it's sad that is cliche is in fact true.

Omg, a song just came to me. Do you rememeber the cheesy Canadian boy-band, VIP? Remember their song, It's Just My Luck? Holy shit, how appropriate is this song or what?!? They're my new hero.

It has just dawned on me that it's been a good year-and-a-half since my last relationship-- man, time really does fly. There's this sudden feeling inside me to be with someone. After years of being overly caught up with the stresses with schoolwork and work-work, I just started to miss the feeling of being crazy about and spoiling someone again.

Watch out everyone, Matt's on the prowl. Haha. Rawr!

On another note, I hope everyone enjoyed their Valentine cards! I just love sending them out, it makes me so giddy when we used to all ritually distribute them back in the days of primary school.

USHER LEO?
On to other useless things: I went shopping with Planning Leo on the weekend. He was wearing this Mexx-ish top, a Von Dutch cap. and a pair of jeans. I told him to try on this blazer I saw in Gap, and boom, Leo magically transformed into Usher-- mind you, Leo's Taiwanese. Man, he looked so hot. Isn't it weird that all of a sudden, the blazer, and a shirt and denim has become the Usher signature look?

Man, if we had strobe lights and some skanky club chicks, we can so re-enact the "Yeah" video.

TTC FARES, OMFG
What other senseless junk should I talk about? Oh yes, so it looks like I was wrong guys, the City of Toronto has indeed raised fares starting March 6th-- 2.50 cash, or $20 for 10 tokens. The only thing I can say is I'm very disappointed. There is something really fishy going on (and it's not my pussy), and I don't like it, not one bit.

Here's an article for some backgrounder:
TTC believes in magic

That's all folks. Have a great one.

...I think it will make for an interesting year, don't you agree? Haha!

As many of you might know, we are quickly approaching probably my current second best holiday of the year-- Chinese New Year. Hence the reason for my excursion back to Markham this weekend.

But I came back to Mark's Ham to discover that there was no family dinner whatsoever-- it has been scheduled for next weekend. This is disappointing as I will not be home next weekend. I was expecting a big gathering, like super good food, those red papers with four character greetings on them, those big candy boxes, dragon dancing, those darn annoying drums, oh and those those firecracker things (hehe, maybe not the latter few).

MULLET MATT
Anyways, I desperately needed a haircut, so I zoomed myself to the local hair dresser to fix me up-- and of course there is a queue of like a bizilion people -- all trying to get their haircuts before the New Year. I couldn't pick a better time to get a haircut. According to my grandmother, you are not supposed to wash, let alone cut your hair on New Years Day. The "Choy Sun", or the Fortune God, gives you luck on New Years, so if you wash your hair, you will wash your luck. Also, I remember hearing that because the word "hair" in Cantonese sounds like the word "rich"-- so yeah, you get the gist of it.

A few years back, I had a haircut on that day, and my grandmother had the biggest fit. Oh my.

So yes, after a long wait at the hairdresser, it was finally my turn. I didn't wear my contacts that day-- stupidly enough-- and this hairdresser fucking give me a mini-mullet!

AHHHHHHHH!

Holy geez, it was disgusting. Anyways, I don't know where these people learn to cut hair-- and you know when they take the mirror and show you the back of your head? It never works, I can never really tell, just because you see the ends, but you don't see it in its relation to the rest of your head. Anyways, my mom had to do a small operation to make it better. UGH!

PARKING FIGHTS AT PACIFIC MALL (Markham's best pasttime)
So yes, my parents decide that they want to have Dim Sum with my aunt's, and of course, they wish to go to Pacific Mall. Why they choose to go there -- and on the weekend, a NEW YEAR weekend--is beyond my comphrehension because it is pretty much a warzone of suburban Chinese people.

Anyways, I decide to drop off my parents so they can "ba wai", or "raid a table." Seriously, the terms we use in the Chinese language is quite intriguingly humourous-- we must not get a table, but "raid" a table.

I'm digressing.

So I decide to just stop my car at one of the parking aisles and wait for incoming people who may be leaving. There is a Camry fairly close to mines, who is doing essentially what I am doing. Anyways, a person finally approaches our aisle and its attempting to leave-- their car (a Matrix) happens to be right next to where the Camry had idled.

Both the Camry, the Matrix and myself pretty much have an understanding that the parking spot will go to the Camry-- as he has been waiting their much longer than I had. Then suddenly, this see lai with a Pathfinder swooshes by from the opposite direction and signals for the Matrix's spot.

Uh oh, here comes trouble.

Anyways, the Camry attempts to back into the spot, while the Pathfinder see lai abuses her horn. The Pathfinder lady then leaves her car and smacks the hood of the Camry-asking him what the fuck he is doing. She yells at him that she signaled first. The man in the Camry seem somewhat passive and just took it.

Anyways, the man continues to attempt to back in, while the see lai runs into the spot, preventing him from taking the spot. This went on for several minutes-- but let me remind you that the see lai is now blocking traffic on both directions, since her SUV is still parked in the aisle.

I just couldn't take it anymore and got up and told the see lai to just let the Camry man park, since I can witness that he's been waiting a long time. Not to mention that she is indeed making a big fuss and blocking traffic.

She didn't budge.

Seriously, what a bitch. An inconsiderate, ignorant bitch. First of all, don't you dare smack a person's car-- that's really asking to get punched or something. And because of her, it clogged up the aisle for a good ten minutes.

Finally I found a spot, but she gave in when she found another spot. That's right sucker! Haha, although I learned a valuable lesson that day, don't mess with see lai's.

I hate P-Mall for that reason, just being in there stresses you out. You just can't not be angry when you go there.

Markham, gotta love it. Yikes.

THE PORN...
First of all, Shima and Laurence are a bunch of sickos-- even for me. But oh wow, it's so hot-- perhaps a revolutionary breed of pornography for the 21st Century.

THE INTERVIEW (and more)...
I'm here anxiously waiting on my interview (I have a gap between the group interview and the individual interview), so I'm destressing myself by not thinking about it too much.

On a side note, I officially designate this next week and the following week HELL WEEK ALPHA and HELL WEEK BETA. Papers, midterms, papers, assignments, and more papers. I don't know anything about you, but the paper-driven nature of this program is starting to really decline my learning ability. I understand that, as planners, we need to communicate effectively and efficiently-- orally and in writing. But it is getting to the point that we are literally writing out of our asses.

...and MILLER
On a side note, after performing the daily skimming of thestar.com, I have to rant about how tired I am of TTC's claims to increase fares. Miller time and time again continues to use this irritating political tactic to give pressure to Federal and Provincial counterparts to step up and provide more funding for the city.

This is riduculous. It's really getting to the point that citizens and government officials are desensitized to this whole bogus threat. Stop it already! This dirty trick is getting fucking old. I really suggest Miller do a book review of the Boy Who Cried Wolf. I understand that Toronto is the economic engine of this province, and the nation, but really these media political strategies are getting really ridiculous.

Let me remind you that the TTC is already getting sustained favourable funding (respective of other municipalities) from the Province-- in the degree of $81 million this year-- and the amount is expected to rise each year. Also, Toronto is also expecting to receive a large portion of funds from the Federal gas tax allocation. And rememeber the $70 million to prevent the fare hike back in September? Yes, after a few months, here goes the TTC going at it again. Fuck, stop the madness.

Miller has been speaking like a true New Democrat-- which he is. I understand his concerns to build a great city, but seriously, he need to realize that he is severely spoiling his relations with the Province. It's important to realize that although Toronto is the provincial economic superpower, the 905 is where the votes are. Who is the province going to listen to? So for the sake of the city, suggest him to make amends and shut the hell up.

So, I'm really digging my WLU marketing class. It's great just to have one class that is not planning-related--- just to keep you sane from the abundance of papers I have to write.

Anyways, my marketing group is super cool. I work with these two mature students (and this other WLU student)-- and I'm becoming more "see lai" because of them.

On a side note, see lai is a Chinese term defined as middle-aged women who perform most of the household duties, who in Tiffany's definition are "long winded woman, slightly overweight who enjoys to gossip, make soup, and plays Mahjong." Maybe you would disagree with the definitions :P

So yes, my group are pretty much that-- my definition anyway-- but still carry a full-time job. They enjoy talking about their children, and I get so intrigued in their discusssion, because you just don't normally interact like this. We were talking about how one of my group member's teenage daughter is so hard to manage, and telling me how she doesn't understand us Generation Y's, and they were asking me for advice to 'cure' her adolescent daughter-- I had no advice for her, c'mon surely we're in the same generation, but tweens are yet to be understood.

The funny thing is that I enjoy talking to them. Last night, when we get sidetracked on our project (again), and I was ranting about how I can't and hate to cook. Michelle, one of my group members, stepped in a gave me a few pointers for easy, healthy cooking. OMG. These ladies are too cool.

Just you wait, we're going to start having tupperware parties, and oh Mary Kay parties! OMG. lol.

Another great thing is that they're so eager to work! Oh they're just great. Maybe I, too, will be a see lai one day. Hmm, Matthew, be careful what you wish for.