Elliott C. Back: Internet & Technology

This is a brilliant meta-photo of me that Wendy took in the British Museum!

It’s an ominous word, that one, and yet it’s incredibly important for me to wake up and realize how little time I have. My day can be divided into a 12 hour chunk from 7 AM to 7 PM when I am working and eating. Then I need 7 hours of sleep. That gives me five hours for the day, less if I work later or have a long dinner, or just want more sleep. There’s not a lot you can get done in small four hour chunks, so I need to set my mind on it and establish some goals for myself, firm, workable goals in order to get them done.

“I’m quite excited about what the future brings for this website and myself.”
“But it won’t happen unless I conspire with all my will.”

First, I need to begin work on secret project X. Tomorrow I will code the backend; php/mysql will suffice to code the functions insert, update, flip, delete, rate, and comment [ed note--done]. Wednesday I will test the backend code against a basic layout. Thursday I will layout the page elements and begin working on the javascript. At this point, secret project X will be nearly done and I can polish details during the weekend, and prepare it for release.

Second, I need to finish the design of my new blog layout. Admittedly, it’s taking a long time. First on my list of priorities is to get my idea of tagging working properly, then to improve the overall layout. The menubar needs a lot of work. The comment form will receive particular attention; my ideas for this are actually innovative, for once. WP 2.1 code needs to be installed immediately, then the usual gamut of caching, searching, etc plugins must be installed and tested and tucked into corners. The theme must be widgetizable.

Third, I just bought a site. It’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this. I’m not quite sure what to do. My thoughts on the matter are: 1) get the site operational on my servers, 2) reduce its operating costs, 3) increase community appeal by allowing visitors to tag and comment on context, 4) monetize, 5) promote. It’s going to be very new to be trying to turn over a business site, instead of the usual pseudo-personal blob dabbling I’ve done.

Finally, I have another idea for a business-oriented site that will leverage the “blogs are hot” mentality. It will probably take about a month of undivided time to execute, because the service it provides will be quite high-load. However, I had an inspiration last night for the interface and I will jot it here:

^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

    = - .. a
    = - .. b
    = - .. c
    = - .. d

  ## ## ## ##

I am really not kidding you ^.^! If I can accomplish these four menial tasks, I will have accomplished the following goals:

• Diversified my online holdings
• Founded new profitable, self-sustainable business
• Increased the worth of my existing blog properties
• Won the undying affection of my Wendy

I know it all sounds a little vague, endearingly romantic, and naive, but trust me on this one. I’m a professional, I’m in my game, and I’m going to turn out some good work soon. I just need to focus my mind away from the distractions of games, movies, tv, books, sloth, food, and all those things that slow the mind, and keep low the spirit. Fly, Halcyon! Fly, Moon!

While I was in Shanghai three weeks ago, I had a chance to try all kinds of food I’d never tried before. It was all great–I loved the authenticity of eating Chinese food in China. I also went with my girlfriend Wendy who did a fantastic job of finding us places to eat. Had I been alone I might have succumbed to the temptation of the familiar “golden arches” of McDonalds. That would have been ironic beyond belief. Never go to a foreign country and eat American food. It’s just bad taste!

The above little beauty is a mound of shaved, packed ice covered with sweet beans, black jelly, and some caramelized vegetables. It has also had a sweet sauce poured over it. It may very well be the strangest thing I ate in Shanghai, yet my girlfriend loves them. And, once you get over how odd the combination of ingredients is, and the shape, so unlike anything I’d ever seen before, it was actually quite tasty. You want to balance the solid stuff with the cool ice, and enjoy them in mixed proportions together.

Walking in that same mall’s food area, we came across this phoenix watermelon fruit juice drink. I wanted to order one just to take a picture of it, but I settled for a quick shot in the window. I think the price was $18 RMB. Only $2 for something so majestic! Drink the elixir of the everliving bird and you shall never die!!

Our last dessert for the evening, I point out this ice cream advertisement on the streets of (correct me if I’m wrong darling) the Xujiahui district. I was immediately struck with how clever the execution of the ad was–it reminds me a little of the Freakonomics title with its classic orange/apple synergy.

We did end up eating Pizza once from a Western pizza chain… it wasn’t bad, but my garlic breadsticks were cold. And, it wasn’t Chinese food. However, the next image shall redeem me:

Oh, what is this? Well, it’s the delicious brunch that Wendy brought me for in the rotating restaurant at the top of the Oriental Peal Tower, the tallest tower in Asia, and the third tallest tower in the world. The view was spectacular, the food well presented and wide in variety, and the company stunning. I couldn’t have asked for a better meal!