Does anyone even use Xanga anymore? Seriously! WTF man.

Yet again, it has been way too long since I've updated this page. I always have such high hopes when I start blogs...but unfortunately it is not meant to be. Anyway, of the 3 people that read this blog, I'm guessing only 1 is left. So lone reader, thank you for caring. I really do appreciate it.

Let's update you then, lone reader, on what has been happening in my life, since I haven't been updating you on it in any other way.

Since the last I've written 2 big things have happened in my life. First, I have gotten into a serious relationship. Yes. Big surprise. We all knew it was coming (based on my character), it was only a matter of time. To your dismay, things are actually going very well. I know somewhere in your heart you're happy for me (all eye-rolling aside). She's pretty cool, and easy to get along with, so that's really good for me. She's also down to earth and practical when need be, so that's pretty good too. History aside, she's top notch. But in all honesty, we all have our bad history. You can't blame someone for what has happened to them in the past. It's that past that makes people who they are, and I really like that person for who they are, so why look down on their past? Well, of course the conservative Asian in me is always going to be pulling on my shirt about it, but in the the big picture, it's not all that bad. You can't go back in time, so why bother trying. Yes. I know. That's very mature of me to say. Must be me getting old.

Tangent: holy shit I'm old. I'm 24 going on 40. What kind of 24 year old groans at the thought of clubbing on a Friday night and looks forward to watching pirated comedies at home on a Friday night? Me. That's who. It's like I've done a 180. Jeez. I can't believe myself. Me. DJ Motherfuckin' Silver. Mr. Grind for 5 hours at Bomber with legs giving out but still have energy for a Just N' Pita. Mr. Afterlife 3 fridays in a row 3 summers ago (yes I know it's lame but at least I was out). I've gone soft. Shit. Does this happen to all people when they turn 24? I'm guessing it's going to be worse when I'm 25. At this rate when I'm 30 I'll be wearing Depends and drinking carrot pulp through a straw... damn it.

Hey, I think in my old age my writing skills have perhaps improved a bit? Yes/no/maybe? I read a few books before I started working, so maybe that helps.

That brings me to my next major happening in my life. Work. That's right man, phase 2. (Phase 1 is School, phase 3 is retirement and slow degredation of health). Where I'm working? Reuters. Now Thomson Reuters, but I'm oldschool and I like to call it Reuters. So what does this so-called company do? Well (*pushes up glasses*), many people know Reuters as a news company. They have over 100 news bureaus around the world and are usually first on site at many major world events. Reuters photographers have won many awards in the past. Check out this link http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/slideshow?collectionId=2013&galleryName=Showcases#a=1
Before you click it be warned that there are some pretty dramatic warzone pics in there so don't click if you're not up to it. Anyway, 10% of the business is media. The other 90% of the business is financial products. You know when you see traders on TV look at computer screens with a bunch of stock prices coming through? Those are Reuters screens. So we have this software that lets traders across all asset classes do their jobs efficiently and effectively. What do I do? I'm what they call a client trainer. So what I do is I visit these trade desks and answer questions people have about the software, and I show them cool features. Why? Sometimes these traders are super old and don't know much about computers. Sometimes they're young, but just to stubborn to learn the software properly. My job is to spoon feed. Sounds like a bitch job, yes. But it's an awesome place to start a career in financial markets....because I get to work with a variety of people, and I can really learn the markets....

Anyone reading still?

Anyway, right now I'm stationed in Montreal covering for another trainer who is on leave. Thing is, I'm still on contract and to be honest I'm getting paid shit. Well...not SHIT, but not very much for someone my age and with my background. So I'm sort of just waiting for a full time position to come through. My manager says she's working on it, but I don't know... so that part worries me. I'm also trying to study for a CFA...which is going to be hell. I haven' treally started yet, but I have to start soon because the test is in 6 months. WTF is a CFA you ask? (*pushes glasses higher yet on nose....takes of glasses...breaks them....adds tape...pushes up again*) CFA is a professional designation: Chartered Financial Analyst. Basically all the who's who in the finance world have this designation. It's like the P. Eng of finance...except it's a lot harder to get. I have to write 3 tests over the course of 3 years. And people who graduate from crazy business schools sometimes can't even make it in. It's really only the brainiest of the bunch that can get through it. But once you get through it, you're set (hmm..where have I heard THAT before). SO...I'm doing that...so that wil take up a lot of my time after work and stuff. And it will keep me pushing forward...so that's good.

Holy shit. I wrote a lot.

Anyway, that's all I have for now. I know...abrupt end to a long post. But my fingers are tired...so screw you Xanga. I'll see you in another year or so......

-Ian
10:24pm, Montreal, PQ

...because I have my windows in my room open...and there's probably a skunk nearby.

So what's up. Good evening. For those loyal readers (all 3 of you), you'll notice that I have spiced up my xanga page a little, with the white frames and all that goodness. I should have pictures from iLounge coming up on the right bar soon as well. I'm not too sure when that's going to happen. Why all this sudden attention to Xanga? Well, facebook is giving me no action as of late and I feel like going against the grain a little bit. Maybe now that I'm stuck in an unemployed rut, I'll have more of a reason to write things here....but not tonight...because I already spent all this time spicing up the page, so now I don't have any creative energy to write anything.

So BLAH.

Quick Plug: Genesis comes back to Federation Hall tomorrow night! Yes, I realize I shouldn't be hanging out at Fed Hall anymore, but it's all I got damn it! Anyway, spinning all night so if any of y'all who are reading this are in town tomorrow night (Thursday) come by and say hi at the very least.

Use caution before releasing grade 10 Ian. His weakness is deadly.