Technology

Summer of 2010

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and wrote here. Twitter has just been so handy and generate so much conversation that I don’t feel the need to sit down and blog anymore. Nevertheless, I miss it, and sometime, it’s better to write more than 140 characters. Speaking of which, if you haven’t already, you should follow me @timylee on Twitter!

Though it’s only the beginning of October, I’m already feeling the approaching end of 2010. This year has gone by fast, and it’s been such a ride.

In June, I had the privilege to attend my first Electronic Expo, ever. It was a dream come true, getting to try the latest and greatest video game that are not yet due on the market. My favourite would have to be the ‘Epic Mickey’ Booth, though I might be a little biased. It was also an eye opening experience zipping through Los Angeles on their public transit system. Man do I take the TTC for granted sometime.

At the Disney Interactive Booth

I also learned that I’m not all that prone to conventions and expos as I thought I would be. I was exhausted by the end of the week, and that was suppose to be my vacation. I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a journalist at E3 for a week trying to cover everything.

In July, I went on a trip to Las Vegas with my Support Team at FreshBooks, and well, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. ;)

FreshBooks at Zappos

In August, I went to Disney World (again) for some R&R. We decided to upgrade ourselves and stayed at the Kidani Village at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was an incredible trip, and I definitely had lots of fun strolling through the parks with friends. I also got to visit some friends I haven’t seen in a while, so it was a relaxing trip over-all.

Trip-wise, I’m heading out to Taiwan for my cousin’s wedding, which is always exciting. Then, it’s the Christmas season, which I’m greatly looking forward to. 2010, what a year already.

Dell UltraSharp 2408 Monitor

Workstation Setup

Well, after saving up for a while, and under the recommendation of my friend Alex, I decided to grab myself a Dell 2408 WFP Monitor. So far, it has been amazing. I have not plug a computer into it yet, but I have plugged my PS3, and it looks fantastic. I’m glad I made the purchase when it was on sale too! ($200 off!)

I haven’t had time to play around seriously with the calibrations yet, and I probably won’t till I have my new computer built. But from the reviews online so far, it’s a great set. The inputs are plenty and 1920×1200 at 24 inch looks so pretty. I pop-ed in Wall-E in 1080P earlier today and just sat there and drooled.

Can’t wait until the end of this month / early May when I have my new computer up and running.

VIVA Youth Singer: A Simple Song Concert, & FYDP Symposium at University of Waterloo

Viva! Youth Choir, and FYDP @ Waterloo

If you are around downtown this Sunday, January the 18th at 3:00pm, then feel free to drop by the Trinity-St. Paul’s United Church on 427 Bloor St. West for some youth-choir awesomeness. Viva! Youth Singers are celebrating Jewish composers from around the world. I will be accompanying a choir as well as perform in a few others. Tickets are around $10 each I believe. If you’ve attended The Nutcracker with the National Ballet of Canada the past December, you’ve probably heard some of these kids in the beautiful music.

As well, a few of my friends, Alex, Dan, Adrian and Sherman are presenting their fourth year design project: Gesture Based Presentation System at University of Waterloo’s Design Symposium on Wednesday, January the 21st. From what I’ve heard, their system earned raved reviews from their professors. Catch their presentation, and this very cool hand gesture system in William G. Davis Computer Research Centre, room 1304 at 11:20am.

Sub-zero water filter, and science experiments

Water Filter... Frozen!

So the other day I decided to make some instant noodle… only to find that my water filter has frozen under the harsh conditions of a residence fridge. This thing is so old, that one half an increment makes a difference between “Mr. Freeze” and “Let’s spoil everything”.

Today I once again became a lab rat, no, not someone who spend too much time in a lab (I’m getting there though), but rather, someone who has decided to become part of the experiment… all in the name of science. It was a 4th year thesis project for my friend Jon. He was testing to see if a strapped ankle has better balancing technique than non-strapped ankle by using EMG measurements, as well as a freaken cool looking, pre-programmed moving platform in which I get to stand on with one leg and attempt to balance. Pretty cool stuff.

Speaking of science projects, my friends Alex, Dan, Adrian and Sherman have made some significant progress with their FYDP Laser Project. They’ve recently integrated several components of their projects to finally put together a working gesture-based presentation system. Some pretty incredible stuff, check it out.

House of Goofs / S-Club Reunion Round III!

House of Goofs / S-Club Gang

The past weekend I was reunited with my house-mates and friends from my Disney Internship two years ago. It was, as usual, a fantastic time. Believe it or not, we barely did anything that was really “Disney”, instead, we hung out and just had a good weekend being together again. The first night we went bowling, to which we came up with the best names for ourselves ever. They were so weird and quirky I was afraid other people at the bowling alley would think we’re from outer space or something.
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