Random Traffic Through Nick's Brain http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic What happens on Earth, stays on Earth. Wed, 09 May 2012 08:56:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 One unforeseen benefit of a standing desk http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-09-one-unforeseen-benefit-of-a-standing-desk.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=one-unforeseen-benefit-of-a-standing-desk http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-09-one-unforeseen-benefit-of-a-standing-desk.htm#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 08:56:39 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3771 It’s easier to dance while working.

]]> http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-09-one-unforeseen-benefit-of-a-standing-desk.htm/feed 2 New generation http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-06-new-generation.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-generation http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-06-new-generation.htm#comments Sun, 06 May 2012 09:55:11 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3768 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-05-06-new-generation.htm/feed 0 If I ruled the universe http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-04-01-if-i-ruled-the-universe-3.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-i-ruled-the-universe-3 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-04-01-if-i-ruled-the-universe-3.htm#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 04:43:09 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3761 Universal sockets would be the standard in hotel rooms and conference rooms.

]]> http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-04-01-if-i-ruled-the-universe-3.htm/feed 0 Second time’s not a charm http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-second-times-not-a-charm.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=second-times-not-a-charm http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-second-times-not-a-charm.htm#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 17:51:55 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3759 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-second-times-not-a-charm.htm/feed 0 Time… http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-time-3.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=time-3 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-time-3.htm#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:57:32 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3757 … is what keeps everything from happening at once.

]]> http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-time-3.htm/feed 1 Business trip lessons learned http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-business-trip-lessons-learned.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=business-trip-lessons-learned http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-business-trip-lessons-learned.htm#comments Wed, 28 Mar 2012 04:53:15 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3754
  • Bring a DSLR. An iPhone camera just doesn’t cut it.
  • Bring gym clothes.

    • Thankfully I have done both on this trip.

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-28-business-trip-lessons-learned.htm/feed 0     Bali http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-26-bali.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bali http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-26-bali.htm#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 15:29:46 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3750 As it worked out, I met Dan in Bali for a week before my business trip to Singapore. Random notes.

    • Upon arrival, I withdrew one meeeeeeeeeeellion Indonesian Rupiahs! I.e., $100.
    • Massages were $10 an hour. Somehow I only managed to find time for 3, despite being in Bali for 6 days.
    • My first breakfast included ginseng coffee and avocado juice. Mmm. Overall, the food was great.
    • I felt like a horribly sexist dad because I just wanted to buy my little girl jewelry.
    • I was bitten by an ant for the first time in my life. And then bitten by another few dozen.
    • I don’t believe that they only produce 300kg of Kopi Luak. There was at least 60kg on sale at the Denpasar airport.
    • I saw Being There on the plane. I like it even more now that I’m an adult… I didn’t quite get the absurdity of the whole thing when I first saw it when I was younger.

    Things Dan and I wanted to (re)search / Google:

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-26-bali.htm/feed 0     How Apple could get even more money from me http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-how-apple-could-get-even-more-money-from-me.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-apple-could-get-even-more-money-from-me http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-how-apple-could-get-even-more-money-from-me.htm#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:06:20 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3747 I’m going on vacation soon. In the past, I would have bought a travel guide / city guide. Either walk down to the bookstore in Harvard Square and ask for recommendations, or browse Amazon. Now, I prefer to have everything on my iPhone. If I search for Bali or Singapore, I get tonnes and tonnes of listings, with no good way to differentiate them other than clicking through. Notably, I can’t filter by rating. If I was confident that I’d get something useful, I’d be willing to pay $10 (well, 10CHF). Instead, I get frustrated and give up.

    Anyone know of a good way to search for good apps?

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-how-apple-could-get-even-more-money-from-me.htm/feed 2     Vacation prep http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-vacation-prep.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vacation-prep http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-vacation-prep.htm#comments Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:02:50 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3745 I have unlinked my phone from my work email.

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-17-vacation-prep.htm/feed 0     Misc thoughts http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-13-misc-thoughts.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=misc-thoughts http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-13-misc-thoughts.htm#comments Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:52:30 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3743
  • Alex’s classmate, who comes by every morning to pick him up on the way to kindergarten, has declared that they’re going to get married.
  • The depths of my packing OCD have surfaced. I’m fully packed for my trip to Bali (vacation), Singapore (work), and Mumbai (work), this weekend. Problem: I don’t have my ticket yet.
    • ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-13-misc-thoughts.htm/feed 0     Arianna skis http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-11-arianna-skis.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arianna-skis http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-11-arianna-skis.htm#comments Sun, 11 Mar 2012 21:15:17 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3741 ]]> http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-11-arianna-skis.htm/feed 0 Arianna’s ABCs http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-ariannas-abcs.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ariannas-abcs http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-ariannas-abcs.htm#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:35:14 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3739 A, B, C, D, E, F, G,
    H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P,
    Q, R, S, Z, U, V,
    W, Y, Z.
    Now I know my A, B, C.
    Next time won’t you sing with me?

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-ariannas-abcs.htm/feed 0     Alex bikes, Arianna scoots http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-alex-bikes-arianna-scoots.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alex-bikes-arianna-scoots http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-alex-bikes-arianna-scoots.htm#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:33:30 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3737 Apparently, Alex just learned to ride a 2-wheel bike. No training wheels. Meanwhile, we’re still waiting for the back wheel for Arianna’s scooter (which is currently worn down to an oval). She tends to sing the ABC song while scooting… with a jittery voice due to the back wheel.

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-alex-bikes-arianna-scoots.htm/feed 0     Mumbai, India http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-mumbai-india.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mumbai-india http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-mumbai-india.htm#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 18:24:31 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3735 A couple of random notes:

    1. We didn’t rent a car from Avis… we hired a car and driver. It’s amazing that the driver can afford to wait for us.
    2. The pictures should be scratch and sniff. The city smelled peacefully beautiful. Some sort of combination of cinnamon, flowers, and wood.
    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-mumbai-india.htm/feed 0     Not the carnivore you’re looking for http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-not-the-carnivore-youre-looking-for.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=not-the-carnivore-youre-looking-for http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-not-the-carnivore-youre-looking-for.htm#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:17:39 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3733 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-not-the-carnivore-youre-looking-for.htm/feed 0 Pictures – Skiing in Laax http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-pictures-skiing-in-laax.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pictures-skiing-in-laax http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-pictures-skiing-in-laax.htm#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2012 07:47:34 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3731 Pictures from Laax, Switzerland of our boys’ ski weekend.

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-10-pictures-skiing-in-laax.htm/feed 0     Learning styles http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-07-learning-styles.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=learning-styles http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-07-learning-styles.htm#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2012 11:23:44 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3728

    There are some people who learn by getting, or taking, progressively more responsibility.

    There are some people who learn by being thrown into the deep end of the pool.

    Then there are the people who get thrown into the deep end and sh*t in the pool, ruining it for everyone.

    – Nick, discussing learning styles – 2012-03-07

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-03-07-learning-styles.htm/feed 0     Giving up on skiing http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-26-giving-up-on-skiing.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=giving-up-on-skiing http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-26-giving-up-on-skiing.htm#comments Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:47:54 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3725 I am tired of the tyranny of ski boots, so I returned them (and their accompanying skis and poles) one day early. Now I’m frantically Googling “How to snowboard.” I think that this is a longer term thing than just this weekend. I’ve been struggling with the pain that ski boots inflict on my feet and calves for the past decade or two… I think it’s time to give up and try something new.

    We’ll see what I post tomorrow after 4 hours of snowboarding.

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-26-giving-up-on-skiing.htm/feed 2     More from Alessandro http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-11-more-from-alessandro.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=more-from-alessandro http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-11-more-from-alessandro.htm#comments Sat, 11 Feb 2012 07:04:07 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3723 Alex: Everyone has a big name and a small name. My small name’s Alex. My big name’s Alessandro.
    Dina: What’s daddy’s small and big name.
    Alex: His small name’s Nick. His big name’s… Drax!

    ]]>     http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-11-more-from-alessandro.htm/feed 0     Düsushisseldorf! http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-07-dusushisseldorf.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dusushisseldorf http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-07-dusushisseldorf.htm#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:50:06 +0000 nvaracalli http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/?p=3721 http://www.varacalli.com/random-traffic/2012-02-07-dusushisseldorf.htm/feed 0