MacBook Pros aren't really pretty inside...

All our MacBook Pros certainly look pretty on the outside, but what about on the inside?

So today I decided to actually take the plunge and replace the puny 120GB hard drive in my MacBook Pro - I had already purchased a 320GB one from Newegg, so I cloned my current hard drive to it, and then went in search of a place to replace it.

The Apple Store won't do it because it supposedly voids the warranty, so I went to a local outfit called WeFixMacs in Palo Alto. I asked them how much it would cost to replace the hard drive? The guy quoted $95 an hour, and said it would take 90 minutes - basically $150. That's ludicrous!

So I just went to Fry's and got two screwdrivers for $7 and did it myself. I think I will never pay for Mac service again other than from Apple - it's blatant price-gouging.

Opposite Legend Concept Posters

I like the idea of "teasers", stuff that doesn't really tell you what's it's all about, but kind of makes you wonder in the process. So I made these two opposite posters - they're not final, some gradients need smoothing and what not - but it makes for an interesting design exercise.

Dragon:

Lion:

Palo Alto Weirdness

Some general thoughts on Palo Alto:

• For such an affluent community, Palo Alto has a lot of homeless people. I feel sorry for them and all, but some really smell bad. I wish there was a way I could help them. (I gave one of them some food)
• There's a lot of religious proselytizers. On the other night, I got accosted by some Hare Krishna people and I basically got away by impressing them with "namaste." Today, I and the other interns were walking down University Ave when a bunch of Scientologists came up and gave us pamphlets. I dumped it in the next trash bin within 5 seconds.
• I'm moving into another house tomorrow! :D

Change I Experience In

Living in Palo Alto by myself for the last few days have given me some things to think about. Sure, it's not like it's the first time I'm living by myself (college, and last year at Palo Alto too) but it's the first time walking around as an 18-year-old, as an adult, and as someone who's went through a year of college and survived somewhat. I guess you begin to look at things differently or through a different lense. (No more trying to qualify for the kid discount, by arguing you're 17! XD)

Maybe it's because I walk to Firestone almost everyday at Princeton, but I don't dread walking long distance - well, not as much as I used to. I think also it has something to do with my really bad estimating of distances. Witness:

Me: "Oh, it's like 1.4 miles to the library."
"1.4 miles?! You're crazy! That's hella far to walk!"
Me: "Oh, I dunno... Shouldn't be that bad..."

Twenty minutes later, I'm sweating profusely in the 100-degree sun and wondering why it seems so much farther on foot than on Google Maps.

I'm stupid that way.

Another thing I've noticed is food wise, I can subsist on very little. I don't think I eat much more than a thousand Calories everyday (2000 is recommended) but I don't feel tired or exhausted. Even after the walk back to where I live, it's not too bad. Sweat is about the extent of my problems. What does that mean? I felt more tired at Princeton way more tired despite eating in Whitman and not really doing anything except sitting in class or in my room all day.

I feel healthier, which is good. Plus the sun is good. I stay too much inside to get a tan unfortunately, but enough outside to get Vitamin D. Plus I think that comes in the Jamba Juice I drink.

Legend Logo v2

In April, I began work on creating a logo for Legend. That effort resulted in this logo here. Well, that was April. Soon after I began looking around campus at the logos of various dance groups and clubs, in order to see what made a logo, and its associated organization, stand out.

In that process, I realized I hadn't adhered to the most basic principle of graphic designing in the logo - that "Less is more." Problems with it?

• Not everyone will understand the Chinese inherent in the design. A lot of people won't actually. To Chinese-speaking people, they'll understand that the logo itself means dragon, but anyone else won't.
• Too many elements - stuff that won't even be noticed by most people. That way it's cluttered.
• Any logo that takes explaining in order to allow people to see the name is bad. A lot of people couldn't tell that it said "legend" without someone else who knew it already telling them.
• Too dragon-focused. Not a good enough balance of both elements.

So I've spent last night working on this new logo, which I think satisfies those shortcomings - it combines elements from ancient Chinese (yin-yang 太極圖） and old English script. The silhouettes of the animals also should make it clear as to the purpose of the club.

This design isn't done yet, but that's about how much I've worked on so far, and please, feedback! Also, I've begun using my deviantART account again, check it out at http://kungming2.deviantart.com/.

Number 1 Threat: Bears!

This is quite funny. A bear in Princeton? Especially notable are the instructions to Do not approach the bear or attempt to feed it. Somehow I could see an entry ritual for a club/frat growing up around doing something to the bear.

Campus Safety Alert

This notice is to advise you of an incident that concerns the University community.

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2008

Incident: Black Bear Sighting

The Department of Public Safety is alerting community members about a reported sighting of a black bear in Princeton Borough. The bear was seen by Princeton Borough Police at about 9 a.m. today. In addition a bear sighting was reported in Princeton Township and Montgomery Township on Friday, June 6, 2008, in the evening hours.

Princeton Borough Police, Princeton Township Police, the municipal Animal Control Officer, and the New Jersey Division of Wildlife Fish and Game were alerted to this report.

The borough police reported the bear was seen on Cleveland Lane, Westcott Drive and Pardoe Road. It was last seen heading west by Mountain Avenue and Great Road.

The bear did not come into contact with any person, nor did it present any threat. Do not approach the bear or attempt to feed it.

If you see a bear, please contact the Princeton Borough Police, Princeton Township Police, the University's Department of Public Safety, or dial 911 and give the exact location of the animal. Leave the area calmly and slowly.

Things to keep me occupied...

Just a listing of things to ground myself and remind what's got to be done. Basically, stuff that has to be done this summer.

• Study Nakama 2 for Japanese.
• Finish CTTB Guidebook design.
• Work on Legend workings and university red tape.
• Work on BSG events and plans.
• Get Palo Alto funding/residential sorted.
• Get reincarnation of a certain website back up and running.

Yes for Measure B!

Today was a big day for America, with Barack Obama becoming the Democratic nominee for president (much celebration was held on Facebook amongst us college students), but it was just as big a day for Mendocino County, as today, by 55-45%, Measure B was passed by Mendocino County voters.

So what's Measure B?

As everyone knows, Mendocino County is part of the "Emerald Triangle." Basically, most of the US' marijuana is planted in the three counties of Trinity, Mendocino, and Humboldt in California. That's not something to be proud of - a recent estimate put Mendocino's economic money from pot at $500 million - five times more than our semi-famed wine industry.

High school teachers, newspaper reporters, and such have all been arrested with the possession of tens or hundreds of plants. It's disgusting.

So Measure B would roll back Measure G, which was passed in 2000 which allows Mendocino "patients" to have 25 mature plants and also to make it the lowest priority in proscecution. Basically, it would go back to the state limit of six plants.

I still think that's excessive because everyone here knows that people who smoke marijuana here don't have illnesses of any sort. Some write in the paper saying it's a "right" to smoke pot. While I acknowledge there may be cases when people need it, this here is about commerical exploitation and profiteering. Urgh.

So today, Measure B was passed, and I'm really, really, happy. Better future for the US and Mendocino County!