New Adventures in Shaving

Three days ago I accidentally dropped my Braun 7570 Syncro in water. I would think that such a marvel in German engineering would survive two seconds submerged in water, but alas, it completely died. Kim gave me this shaver as a Christmas gift nearly 6 years ago and it has been a very trusty and efficient shaver since. I would go so far as to say it is the best piece of electronics I have ever owned. After going through the 5 stages of grief for my deceased shaver, it was time to move on and revert back to a manual blade shaver.

I have been using a Shick Quattro shaver since and despite the fivefold increase in time to shave, I must admit it has been a pleasant experience. This morning, I spent nearly 20 minutes standing in front of a mirror, savoring the warm blade against my skin, navigating around pimple scars, relishing in the slight burning sensation of a freshly shaved upper lip. You could, if you are so inclined, call it a religious experience.

Recent Thoughts

Since moving to the new job 4 months ago and with Maddie getting more and more...demanding, you may have noticed that it's harder and harder to keep up with a blog. I've decided to temporarily (?) shut down the Chronicles of Madison as a public blog, since I think it's a shame to keep a blog about my daughter and not even update it. If I knew that my parents kept a blog about me and never updated it, I'd think that it would suck. Why keep a blog about someone you love and not write in it? Anyhow, it's gone private for now...it will serve as a diary for me but I don't think it will be updated much.

I'm now putting in about 10 hours a day into work (minus 1 hour of lunch), starting at about 8am and getting out of there at about 7pm. I think that for most people nowadays, it's impossible to be the breadwinner and only work 40 hours a week.

Audio Adrenaline - Ocean Floor

For the first time, my favorite song (one that I don't mind humming, listening to repeatedly, singing in the shower, etc etc) is by a Christian rock band (gasp!). Audio Adrenaline was very popular in the Christian circles when I was in college, but at the time I never gave them a chance.

Here's the video: link

Here's the lyrics:

The mistakes I've made that cause pain
I could have done without
All my selfish thoughts, all my pride
the things I hide...you have forgot about

They're all behind you
They'll never find you
They're on the ocean floor

You're sins are forgotten
They're on the bottom
of the ocean floor

My misdeeds, all my grief
All the things that haunt me now
They're not a pretty sight to see
but they're wiped away by a mighty mighty wave

(chorus)

You're sins are erased
and they are no more
they're out on the ocean floor

Take them away to return no more
Take them away to the ocean floor

Movie Review: A Knight's Tale

Wow! It's been quite a while since I wrote a movie review - for obvious reasons. My personal movie watching is now limited to the rare nights of insomnia which hit me from time to time. Anyhow, when I saw the TV ads for Heath Ledger's A Knight's Tale back in '01, I thought at the time that this has got to be the lamest movie ever. Pretty boy Heath Ledger? Rock songs set in medieval times? The "We Will Rock You" chants during jousting tournaments? Stuuupid!

Many thanks to TNT for airing A Knight's Tale, because I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by this movie. It reminded me of "A Princess Bride", complete with the interesting traveling companions, references to pop culture, and decent action sequences. I actually teared during one part in the movie - bleh! I'm sure the historical references in the movie are entirely wrong, but who cares...it was entertaining!

One of the best lines of the movie:

French Squire 1: An Englishman will not win this French tournament. English legs are unsteady on French soil.
French Squire 2: And because French wine is too much for English bellies.
French Squire 3: And most importantly, because the Pope himself is French.
Roland: Well, the Pope may be French, but Jesus is English! You're on!

9 out of 10.

The Brood is Expanding...

Test was taken September 2nd.

Test post

This is a test post

Farewell Arlon, Hello M.C. Gill Corporation

For the past 6 years, I've been happily employed at Arlon. It's been a great growing experience, not only in my engineering skills, but also learning how to manage people and dealing with company politics. However, in order to continue my career development and to be closer to home, I've jumped ship and for a month now been employed at the M.C. Gill Corporation in El Monte. My commute has dropped from 1-1.5 hours one way to 15 minutes! Being able to see Kim and Maddie during my lunch break has been awesome.

I'm still getting familiar with everyone and the company culture. It's definately going to be a challenge here trying to fit in - especially now that I've left behind 6 years of built-up goodwill and experience. Let's hope for the best!

An Official Patrick Chiu Statement of Appreciation

I would like to take this opportunity to officially thank my wife, Kimberly, for "convincing" me to get the Treo. This phone has consolidated and replaced several of my gadgets. It gives me basic web browsing and email, a PDA (I <3 PalmOS 4 evar), digital camera, digital camcorder, and of course, a phone.

Granted, the resolution of the camera and video are low, but what is most important is that the Treo has allowed me to simply and conveniently "capture" the moment...especially those with Maddie.