I am graduating today. I technically graduate from the master's program in August, but I walk the stage tomorrow. I wasn't really going to do the ceremony (since I already did that when I got my bachelor's in 05); but I think it was important to my parents that I do it.
Congratulations to (e:libertad)! He's graduating from Buff State also, but I think he's at a different ceremony.
I'm moving out today... which makes things kind of hectic for most of the day. I don't really want to leave Buffalo this summer, but I need to save the money I would be spending on rent here for Albany in the fall (I don't have to pay my parent's rent for the summer). Housing in Albany appears to be quite a bit more expensive than it is in Buffalo. I'm sure something will work out, though. Hopefully, I can find a job this summer in Jamestown.
I'm feeling bummed about leaving Buffalo. I know I will be back here during summer to take care of school stuff; and I'll probably be staying with Kristi (my best friend) fairly often. It's just hard to go.
I hope all of you (e:peeps) are having a good weekend.
Museumchick's Journal
My Podcast Link
05/12/2007 09:38 #39248
changesCategory: life
05/06/2007 16:32 #39179
it doesn't seem so bad...Category: dating
"When we hold each other, in the darkness, it doesn't make the darkness go away. The bad things are still out there. The nightmares still walking. When we hold each other we feel not safe, but better.'It's all right' we whisper, 'I'm here, I love you.' and we lie: 'I'll never leave you.' For just a moment or two the darkness doesn't seem so bad." Neil Gaiman
carolinian - 05/06/07 21:46
I really do either need to read Sandman or accept my fate as a cultural illiterate. I don't know the context, but cool quote anyhow.
I really do either need to read Sandman or accept my fate as a cultural illiterate. I don't know the context, but cool quote anyhow.
05/03/2007 10:35 #39138
yikes!Category: news
Judge sues cleaner for $65M over pants By LUBNA TAKRURI, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 3, 6:55 AM ET
The Chungs, immigrants from South Korea, realized their American dream when they opened their dry-cleaning business seven years ago in the nation's capital. For the past two years, however, they've been dealing with the nightmare of litigation: a $65 million lawsuit over a pair of missing pants.
Jin Nam Chung, Ki Chung and their son, Soo Chung, are so disheartened that they're considering moving back to Seoul, said their attorney, Chris Manning, who spoke on their behalf.
"They're out a lot of money, but more importantly, incredibly disenchanted with the system," Manning said. "This has destroyed their lives."
The lawsuit was filed by a District of Columbia administrative hearings judge, Roy Pearson, who has been representing himself in the case.
Pearson did not return phone calls and e-mails Wednesday from The Associated Press requesting comment.
According to court documents, the problem began in May 2005 when Pearson became a judge and brought several suits for alteration to Custom Cleaners in Northeast Washington, a place he patronized regularly despite previous disagreements with the Chungs. A pair of pants from one suit was not ready when he requested it two days later, and was deemed to be missing.
Pearson asked the cleaners for the full price of the suit: more than $1,000.
But a week later, the Chungs said the pants had been found and refused to pay. That's when Pearson decided to sue.
Manning said the cleaners made three settlement offers to Pearson. First they offered $3,000, then $4,600, then $12,000. But Pearson wasn't satisfied and expanded his calculations beyond one pair of pants.
Because Pearson no longer wanted to use his neighborhood dry cleaner, part of his lawsuit calls for $15,000 - the price to rent a car every weekend for 10 years to go to another business.
"He's somehow purporting that he has a constitutional right to a dry cleaner within four blocks of his apartment," Manning said.
But the bulk of the $65 million comes from Pearson's strict interpretation of D.C.'s consumer protection law, which fines violators $1,500 per violation, per day. According to court papers, Pearson added up 12 violations over 1,200 days, and then multiplied that by three defendants.
Much of Pearson's case rests on two signs that Custom Cleaners once had on its walls: "Satisfaction Guaranteed" and "Same Day Service."
Based on Pearson's dissatisfaction and the delay in getting back the pants, he claims the signs amount to fraud.
Pearson has appointed himself to represent all customers affected by such signs, though D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz, who will hear the June 11 trial, has said that this is a case about one plaintiff, and one pair of pants.
Sherman Joyce, president of the American Tort Association, has written a letter to the group of men who will decide this week whether to renew Pearson's 10-year appointment. Joyce is asking them to reconsider.
Chief Administrative Judge Tyrone Butler had no comment regarding Pearson's reappointment.
The association, which tries to police the kind of abusive lawsuits that hurt small businesses, also has offered to buy Pearson the suit of his choice.
And former National Labors Relations Board chief administrative law judge Melvin Welles wrote to The Washington Post to urge "any bar to which Mr. Pearson belongs to immediately disbar him and the District to remove him from his position as an administrative law judge."
"There has been a significant groundswell of support for the Chungs," said Manning, adding that plans for a defense fund Web site are in the works.
To the Chungs and their attorney, one of the most frustrating aspects of the case is their claim that Pearson's gray pants were found a week after Pearson dropped them off in 2005. They've been hanging in Manning's office for more than a year.
Pearson claims in court documents that his pants had blue and red pinstripes.
"They match his inseam measurements. The ticket on the pants match his receipt," Manning said.
On the Net:
Thu May 3, 6:55 AM ET
The Chungs, immigrants from South Korea, realized their American dream when they opened their dry-cleaning business seven years ago in the nation's capital. For the past two years, however, they've been dealing with the nightmare of litigation: a $65 million lawsuit over a pair of missing pants.
Jin Nam Chung, Ki Chung and their son, Soo Chung, are so disheartened that they're considering moving back to Seoul, said their attorney, Chris Manning, who spoke on their behalf.
"They're out a lot of money, but more importantly, incredibly disenchanted with the system," Manning said. "This has destroyed their lives."
The lawsuit was filed by a District of Columbia administrative hearings judge, Roy Pearson, who has been representing himself in the case.
Pearson did not return phone calls and e-mails Wednesday from The Associated Press requesting comment.
According to court documents, the problem began in May 2005 when Pearson became a judge and brought several suits for alteration to Custom Cleaners in Northeast Washington, a place he patronized regularly despite previous disagreements with the Chungs. A pair of pants from one suit was not ready when he requested it two days later, and was deemed to be missing.
Pearson asked the cleaners for the full price of the suit: more than $1,000.
But a week later, the Chungs said the pants had been found and refused to pay. That's when Pearson decided to sue.
Manning said the cleaners made three settlement offers to Pearson. First they offered $3,000, then $4,600, then $12,000. But Pearson wasn't satisfied and expanded his calculations beyond one pair of pants.
Because Pearson no longer wanted to use his neighborhood dry cleaner, part of his lawsuit calls for $15,000 - the price to rent a car every weekend for 10 years to go to another business.
"He's somehow purporting that he has a constitutional right to a dry cleaner within four blocks of his apartment," Manning said.
But the bulk of the $65 million comes from Pearson's strict interpretation of D.C.'s consumer protection law, which fines violators $1,500 per violation, per day. According to court papers, Pearson added up 12 violations over 1,200 days, and then multiplied that by three defendants.
Much of Pearson's case rests on two signs that Custom Cleaners once had on its walls: "Satisfaction Guaranteed" and "Same Day Service."
Based on Pearson's dissatisfaction and the delay in getting back the pants, he claims the signs amount to fraud.
Pearson has appointed himself to represent all customers affected by such signs, though D.C. Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz, who will hear the June 11 trial, has said that this is a case about one plaintiff, and one pair of pants.
Sherman Joyce, president of the American Tort Association, has written a letter to the group of men who will decide this week whether to renew Pearson's 10-year appointment. Joyce is asking them to reconsider.
Chief Administrative Judge Tyrone Butler had no comment regarding Pearson's reappointment.
The association, which tries to police the kind of abusive lawsuits that hurt small businesses, also has offered to buy Pearson the suit of his choice.
And former National Labors Relations Board chief administrative law judge Melvin Welles wrote to The Washington Post to urge "any bar to which Mr. Pearson belongs to immediately disbar him and the District to remove him from his position as an administrative law judge."
"There has been a significant groundswell of support for the Chungs," said Manning, adding that plans for a defense fund Web site are in the works.
To the Chungs and their attorney, one of the most frustrating aspects of the case is their claim that Pearson's gray pants were found a week after Pearson dropped them off in 2005. They've been hanging in Manning's office for more than a year.
Pearson claims in court documents that his pants had blue and red pinstripes.
"They match his inseam measurements. The ticket on the pants match his receipt," Manning said.
On the Net:
jenks - 05/06/07 09:06
that makes my blood boil. Stupid asshole.
that makes my blood boil. Stupid asshole.
james - 05/03/07 16:29
I would like to note that he is a kook, and kooky.
He may cook, I don't know. But I am sure he would burn himself just to sue his stove manufacturer.
I would like to note that he is a kook, and kooky.
He may cook, I don't know. But I am sure he would burn himself just to sue his stove manufacturer.
james - 05/03/07 14:43
Aparently he is a bit of a cook and does this sort of thing from time to time. Yes, a part time cook, but a full time ass from the sound of it.
Aparently he is a bit of a cook and does this sort of thing from time to time. Yes, a part time cook, but a full time ass from the sound of it.
04/28/2007 07:47 #39070
oh, so random...Category: life
I have this wierd feeling that either Estrip or Paul's blog is going to win the artvoice award. Somehow, I just know one of them will win. So don't worry, (e:Paul).
Oh, and I went to Grandma Mora's on Hertel yesterday with my best friend Kristi. The food was decent and the margarita was inexpensive and tasty. I think I liked Cozumel a little better, though. The atmosphere at Cozumel is pretty fun.
I'm trying to finish up my thesis like a mad fiend... that's the rest of my life.
I would have written this in haikus, but I think (e:carolinian) is the master:).
Oh, and I went to Grandma Mora's on Hertel yesterday with my best friend Kristi. The food was decent and the margarita was inexpensive and tasty. I think I liked Cozumel a little better, though. The atmosphere at Cozumel is pretty fun.
I'm trying to finish up my thesis like a mad fiend... that's the rest of my life.
I would have written this in haikus, but I think (e:carolinian) is the master:).
mike - 04/28/07 12:17
it is honestly one of the tastiest things I have ever had. And I don't love Cozumel food in general but the rock shrimp are too die for!!!
it is honestly one of the tastiest things I have ever had. And I don't love Cozumel food in general but the rock shrimp are too die for!!!
paul - 04/28/07 11:04
Someone once told me that Granda Mora's was spanish not mexican food. I can't remember what it was like because the last I was there was so long ago.
If you like shrip and have never tried the Rock shrimp appetizer at cozumel you have to try it. It is kin dof expensive at $12 but feeds several people and it is so freakin tasty.
Someone once told me that Granda Mora's was spanish not mexican food. I can't remember what it was like because the last I was there was so long ago.
If you like shrip and have never tried the Rock shrimp appetizer at cozumel you have to try it. It is kin dof expensive at $12 but feeds several people and it is so freakin tasty.
04/22/2007 18:40 #39003
earth dayCategory: thoughts
Happy Earth Day!
It's a really beautiful day. The sky is so clear and sunny. I woke up feeling sick from the lupus this morning, but as soon as I went out for a walk- I felt so much better. It was great to sit outside in the breeze.
In recent years, the current presidential administration hasn't seemed to put the environment as much of a public policy priority as they really should have (I don't mean to single out the most recent one entirely- many leaders didn't care that much). Hopefully, that trend will reverse. There are so many interesting ideas out there to use new technologies that would combat polution, sustain our fossil fuels, and improve the quality of resources around the world. I hope greed and shortsightedness won't thwart this.
There is a lot that can't be undone, but there is still the possibility that we can turn things around for the better (if only we make it a priority).
It's a really beautiful day. The sky is so clear and sunny. I woke up feeling sick from the lupus this morning, but as soon as I went out for a walk- I felt so much better. It was great to sit outside in the breeze.
In recent years, the current presidential administration hasn't seemed to put the environment as much of a public policy priority as they really should have (I don't mean to single out the most recent one entirely- many leaders didn't care that much). Hopefully, that trend will reverse. There are so many interesting ideas out there to use new technologies that would combat polution, sustain our fossil fuels, and improve the quality of resources around the world. I hope greed and shortsightedness won't thwart this.
There is a lot that can't be undone, but there is still the possibility that we can turn things around for the better (if only we make it a priority).
metalpeter - 04/22/07 18:51
It is my belief that there are a few reasons why canidates don't mention the environment. Firstly they belive that it isn't a big issue for voters. It also isn't a moral issue. Meaning there is no good or bad to it. But I think one other reason is that there are so many interest groups invovled. You have all the money from the oil companies. I'm not only attacking big oil but all big companies. For example what about recycling. Whey can't all us companies that use boxes be forced to recycle cardboard instead of throwing it in with the other trash. Why arn't there big incentives for companies to use recycled cardboard and paper. That brings up another point. I think a lot of those issues might be state issues and not federal. But maybe the most important reason is that as imporant as an issue the enviroment is, no one really has fun talking about it or debating it so no one talks about it. Again this is just my own theory, maybe some other will add there own points as comments also.
It is my belief that there are a few reasons why canidates don't mention the environment. Firstly they belive that it isn't a big issue for voters. It also isn't a moral issue. Meaning there is no good or bad to it. But I think one other reason is that there are so many interest groups invovled. You have all the money from the oil companies. I'm not only attacking big oil but all big companies. For example what about recycling. Whey can't all us companies that use boxes be forced to recycle cardboard instead of throwing it in with the other trash. Why arn't there big incentives for companies to use recycled cardboard and paper. That brings up another point. I think a lot of those issues might be state issues and not federal. But maybe the most important reason is that as imporant as an issue the enviroment is, no one really has fun talking about it or debating it so no one talks about it. Again this is just my own theory, maybe some other will add there own points as comments also.
I admit I haven't been following your journal very long but I am interested to see you're moving to Albany-- I grew up in Troy. So I'm from that area.
Housing's more expensive in Albany than in Buffalo???
I suppose that's good to know. I've never, of course, tried to rent in that area, as my parents still live there and I only visit for short periods of time...