10-hour Bali Stopover

I started out being half-a-million-aire.

I left my stuff at the lockers in the airport -- near the domestic departure gates behind McDonald's. It cost me 25k, but I figured it's worth it. Left my luggage and laptop. Leaving me with only Gelo (my backpack) to carry.

A guy offered to take me to Kuta beach on his motorcycle for 50k. Gave me a short tour -- he didn't point it out, but there were stores selling magic mushrooms on pretty much every corner. He dropped me off by the market where I had a midnight snack/meal.

The old lady gave me everything on their menu (about 8 viands) for only 20k. That was a lot! Wasn't able to finish everything. I was so full that it took me a few minutes to get up on my feet.

After eating, I walked to the beach. On the way, I found a Circle K (a convenience store) where they're showing some football match. Watched a bit while taking advantage of the a/c. A guy offered me ladies, magic mushrooms and mj. When I refused, saying I have to leave in the morning, he offered to drive me to the airport. What a resourceful fellow!

I got to the beach and decided to walk around the streets first. Most places are closed, and most of the ones that are open are noisy dance-dance shitters. Found a quiet bar and got a drink there. Sat there for an hour or so reading Going Solo. Went back to the beach when i realized the bar was closing.

Sat there watching the waves. I realized why it's a good place to surf. Most of the waves are unbroken and they're pretty consistent -- each wave 5 meters behind the other. Staring at the stars, I fell asleep for a few hours. It was nice and breezy. Woke up with sand on my arms and legs though.

My day started with a bottle of Bintang and a chicken mcmuffin. After that, I decided to walk to the airport. I still had 3.5 hrs and I figured it's a good way to pass the time. On the beach, facing the sea, the sun rose from behind me, so to my left was south.

Went for a bit of a swim then started walking. I planned to walk along the beach, but it got a bit rocky. Went east a bit and found a path that seem to go all the way south. It was close enough to the beach so I took it. It was great going barefoot on that path. Followed a guy that seems to be going to the airport (or near the airport) too. When we're near enough the airport that I could hear the roaring of the planes, the guy went right to a road in some rich-looking village. He went into some store so I decided to go south again through that road.

A few hundred meters down, I found a Circle K where I bought some water. I also asked the guy how to walk to the airport from there since the road's going to the East. He told me I have to go back, turn right at a small street and go straight.

It was an incredibly small street. It was just wide enough for a small sedan to go through, provided the side mirrors are folded in. I had to move to the side of a house when a car passed by. When I got to the airport, I saw a few skaters making use of some big blocks of concrete as their rails. It's by the side of the airport where hundreds of motorcycles are parked.

I was completely dry by the time I walked with dozens of airport/airline employees to the terminal. Picked up my luggage and checked in. There was still two hours before my flight, so I did the usual airport-rounds.

Eman Resume

Emanuel Gardaya Calso

58 Road 7 Project 6, Quezon City, NCR, Philippines, 1100

Phone: +63 2 455 3222; E-mail: egcalso [at] gmail.com

Skills

I am highly proficient with programming languages such as Perl, Python, PHP, C, C++ and Java. I have experience in setting up various GNU/Linux boxes such as Slackware, Cent OS, Nitix, Trixbox, Ubuntu & Debian with various applications such as Asterisk, LAMP, and Kannel.

• Python
• Used to create an sms-based inventory system with a web-based reports;
• Used to create an email-like interface for sending and receiving SMS;
• Used for a WMS (almost an ERP) type of project;
• Used for the Operations Research module for EMANS;
• Used for an accounting software for cooperatives.
• Perl
• Used for CGI scripting as a core developer for several websites (for CMS, mail-list type of programs, et al);
• Primary language used to develop EMANS (Extensible Mathematical Analyser for Numerical Solutions at http://emans.tigris.org/);
• Used to create reports on some testing jobs; and
• Used as a scripting language for administrative tasks for my servers & personal boxes.
• PHP
• Used for CGI scripting as a core developer for several websites (for CMS, mail-list type of programs, et al);
• Used for a web-controlled camera project; and
• Sometimes used as a scripting language for administrative tasks.
• MySQL, Sqlite & PostgreSQL
• Used with Perl, Python, PHP & C for different programs;
• Familiar with setting up database server from source.
• GNU/Linux & BSD
• Familiar with BSD & System V types of systems;
• Used Redhat, Mandrake, Gentoo, Slackware, Debian, SuSE, MontaVista, et al;
• Used FreeBSD (4.7, 4.8), OpenBSD;
• Compiled custom Linux kernels (2.2, & 2.4); and
• Familiar with 2.6 Linux kernels.
• Apache
• Used for a survey system using PocketPC's;
• Currently using 1.3.31, 1.3.33 and 2.0;
• Has experience in using mod_perl, mod_includes, mod_php, mod_python, mod_rewrite, et al.
• Asterisk
• Used as a base for a few call-centers;
• Used AGI/EAGI scripts to integrate with other applications (ie, CRM's and ERP's);
• Used to extend call centers and other IP-PBX.
• Kannel
• Used for various systems that requires SMS.
• C/C++
• Using sockets programming, created a server which handles requests from a remote control;
• Has experience debugging dialling software (gnudialer).
• Java
• Made a few programs to solve Linear Programming Problems.

Experience

• Systems Developer
• Top Networx (http://top-networx.com/)
• From June 2007 to present
• responsible for the customization and maintainance of SBPA's
• involved with Asterisk deployments
• involved in the development of an ERP-POS system with multi-language support
• Lead Programmer
• 8layer Technologies (http://8layertech.com/)
• From 2006 Mar to May 2007
• responsible for the development and maintainance of SBPA's
• involved with Asterisk deployments
• developed a CTI (Computer-Telephony Integration) system
• Application Programmer
• HB&A Research, Inc.
• From 2006 Feb to 2006 Apr
• developed a that accepts input from a PocketPC to create a report of the surveys made
• Web Programmer / Maintainer
• Realty Manila (http://realtymanila.com/)
• From 2005 Sep to present
• developed a real-estate showcase website from scratch
• recommends methods to improve search engine ranking
• Web Programmer
• Octa-A Trading Philippines (http://www.octa-a.com/)
• From 2005 May 30 to 2005 Jun 7
• developed & integrated CMS using Perl & SSI
• made "Contact Us" script using PHP
• Web Programmer
• BP International Shipping Corporation (http://www.bpships.com/)
• From Apr 9 to 12
• configured CMS (Coranto)
• made "Contact Us" script using PHP
• made "Application Form" program using Perl, MySQL, & PHP
• Web & Applications Programmer
• Mindworks E-Library for FEU-FERN basic ed. dept. (preview available upon request)
• From 2004 Aug to 2004 Nov -- responsible for the functionality & security of the whole application.
• Web & Applications Programmer
• EAZIX Inc. (http://eazix.com/) Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
• From 2004 May 31 to 2004 Jun 12
• responsible for the web interface (including layout, coding & interaction with OS) for a video camera;
• documented tests, coding procedure (for costumisation) and user instructions; and
• assisted in the integration of the web application with the whole project
• On the Job Trainee (Tester & Developer)
• EAZIX Inc. (http://eazix.com/) Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines
• From 2004 Apr 21 to 2004 May 22
• tested (including wiring, installation, kernel compiles, configuration, and documentation) network interfaces of a prototype camera device for speed and reliability; and
• tested mass storage devices, and other peripheral devices.

Education

• University of the Philippines, Los Banos
• BS Applied Mathematics Major in Operations Research
• Graduated October, 2005

How to Clean a Snapping Turtle

1. Put live turtle in a 55 gal. drum for 7 days, to allow it to empty it's system, it helps with the smell. Keep fresh water in the drum. Scoop out the feces with a net.
2. Using channel locks, hold him tight by the mouth with neck stretched out. Cut off his head.
3. Hang him upside down to bleed out for about 30 minutes.
4. Put him on his back, cut claws and feet off.
5. Cut skin around shell top and bottom, cut and pull skin away from shell on the front legs until skin is removed.
6. On the soft shell belly outside edge of shell, cut through soft shell contact points and remove.
7. Remove guts and innards.
8. Remove front legs, may need to twist to break the joint.
9. Cut and peel skin from back legs and neck.
10. Remove back legs and neck, again twisting to break joints.
11. Leave meat on bone, but try to remove as much fat as possible.
12. Wash with cold water, repeat until clean.
13. Freeze submerged in water.

Cook the turtle like you would chicken. Season it with paprika, salt and pepper and roll in flour. Fry in a skillet or bake it like a pork tenderloin. If anyone has any recipes for cooking turtle, send them in and we will add them to our recipe page.

From: http://www.backwoodsbound.com/xturtle.html

Why is programming fun?

Why is programming fun? What delights may its practioner expect as his reward?

First is the sheer joy of making things. As the child delights in his mud pie, so the adult enjoys building things, especially things of his own design. I think this delight must be an image of God's delight in making things, a delight shown in the distinctness and newness of each leaf and each snowflake.

Second is the pleasure of making things that are useful to other people. Deep within, we want others to use our work and to find it helpful. In this respect the programming system is not essentially different from the child's first clay pencil holder "for Daddy's office."

Third is the fascination of fashioning complex puzzle-like objects of interlocking moving parts and watching them work in subtle cycles, playing out the consequences of principles built in from the beginning. The programmed computer has all the fascination of the pinball machine or the jukebox mechanism, carried to the ultimate.

Fourth is the joy of always learning, which springs from the nonrepeating nature of the task. In one way or another the problem is ever new, and its solver learns something: sometimes practical, sometimes theoretical, and sometimes both.

Finally, there is the delight of working in such a tractable medium. The programmer, like the poet, works only slightly removed from pure thought-stuff. He builds his castles in the air, from air, creating by exertion of the imagination. Few media of creation are so flexible, so easy to polish and rework, so readily capable of realizing grand conceptual structures. (...) Yet the program construct, unlike the poet's words, is real in the sense that it moves and works, producing visible outputs separately from the construct itself. It prints results, draws pictures, produces sounds, moves arms. The magic of myth and legend has come true in our time. One types the correct incantation on a keyboard, and a display screen comes to life, showing things that never were nor could be.

Programming then is fun because it gratifies creative longings built deep within us and delights sensibilities we have in common with all men.

Fred Brooks, The Mythical Man-Month

Semi-sleeping all the time

A disappointing breakfast made me go back to bed.

"Do i have to love you to love to have you?"

Does anyone remember the song that asks, "Do i have to love you to love to have you?" Do you know who sang it?

We Can and We Must Live and Escape Pod

The We Can and We Must Live PodCast is getting pretty interesting. Also, i found another good one: Escape Pod. I liked the "Mount Dragon" story and am now listening to "The Ludes."

Lotte Spout Pepermint

yum yum

"God spoke to me" posted by Animats (122034) on /.

With the Holosonics Audio Spotlight [holosonics.com], you can now make people think God is talking to them! Range from 20 to 200 meters. And the speaker is just a flat black disk about a foot in diameter.

It's really clever. It works by projecting audio as two ultrasonic signals, which produces a very narrow beam. You can't hear the ultrasonic components, but the difference between them becomes audible some distance from the speaker, because air isn't entirely a linear medium. Some museums now use these things, so that the recorded message for a display is only audible in a small area. We're going to be seeing more of these very soon; the price is about to drop.

So if you hear voices in your head, start looking around for 1' diameter disks pointed in your direction. Move around a bit; the beams are very narrow.