April 2004 Archives

Just returned from watching Cats in Southampton. This is the second time I've seen it. (I won tickets from the BBC three weeks ago and saw it then, but a couple friends and I had already purchased the tickets for tonight.) This time, we were in the Dress Circle. I went on stage and got my Cats program/booklet autographed during the intermission. Good production both times; gets scores for song and dance. The story itself is a little strange.

Dissertation idea: J2EE and web services. I plan to examine case studies from companies who use web services with J2EE to correlate the use of web services, examine what sorts of companies use web services, and if web services have met the company's demands. I will also develop a small scale project from scratch to learn any issues involved in the ease of use and development of a web service for a small company. (This idea is subject to change.) Other news: I fixed a couple of broken links in my Flash and Programming sections.

The good news is I've completed my dissertation proposal; the bad news is that I've only got a few more days before having to drive to classes again. *sniff* I'll discuss my proposal later; I'm not in the mood to go into depth about it now. I wanted to mention my latest Indian restaurant accomplishment. I love hot & spicy food -- the hotter, the better. I attempted (successfully) a chicken Bangalore Phall, which is at least three times hotter than a vindaloo. Unfortunately, most of the Indian restaurants don't serve anything hotter than a madras or vindaloo. (Of course, one needs to build up a level of tolerance to hot & spicy food first.) On another note, I finished reading The End of the Affair by G. Greene last night; I paid 20p for the book, an issue of The Guardian, a music CD with nothing on it I'd ever listen to, and another small book. In my opinion, The End of the Affair started out well, but then it lost direction somewhere in the middle, became too repetitive, and ironically turned toward religion. This past weekend, I bought several books in Winchester to get me through the rest of the year.

I've just returned from a mini-break to Yorkshire. I was successful in locating my ancestors who lived in Welburn (buried in Bulmer), Yorks. I met a friendly person with some information on the family, which she later sent me via the post. Some of the lineage were butchers, so I am assuming that was their trade. Both villages have grown to be ideal and expensive places to live and only a short commute to York; they're picturesque villages. A quick walk on York's old city walls was nice with thousands of daffodils in full bloom. I also toured around the North Yorkshire moors, Whitby (to the abbey), Helmsley castle ruins, and Harrogate. I stayed in Harrogate a short walk from the town centre. (A special thanks to my friend's parents for the hospitality.) Harrogate was very lovely and colorful. I had a relaxing time, and that is exactly what I've needed.

Happy Spring! to all of my visitors. I will be away in Yorkshire for nearly a week. I look forward to your emails when I return.

Spring break at last! I will be going to Yorkshire on Thursday (returning Tuesday). I have completed my Xbox game, Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. The game was not that difficult; however, why is Gollum so tough? Shouldn't a few swings of the sword or an arrow in the back finish him off? With my second attempt, Frodo sent him spiralling into the fiery crater of the volcano. He had Sam's help, of course.