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switching gears

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 19:51

This blog used to be about my professional life and interests. Now it’s about my love of electronic music. Hope you enjoy.

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John McCormick - You out there?

Thoughts About Life, Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 16:18

I now live in New York City and I know a long-lost friend of mine is living in Queens. The trouble is that I don’t know how to get a hold of him. So if you’re in Queens and know a John McCormick who’s obsessed with the New York Rangers, Slayer and April Wine, please let me know.

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dfw as religious experience

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 07:14

I don’t know quite what to say. I’m choked. Remarkable talent gone.

“A top athlete’s beauty is next to impossible to describe directly. Or to evoke. Federer’s forehand is a great liquid whip, his backhand a one-hander that he can drive flat, load with topspin, or slice — the slice with such snap that the ball turns shapes in the air and skids on the grass to maybe ankle height. His serve has world-class pace and a degree of placement and variety no one else comes close to; the service motion is lithe and uneccentric, distinctive (on TV) only in a certain eel-like all-body snap at the moment of impact. His anticipation and court sense are otherworldly, and his footwork is the best in the game — as a child, he was also a soccer prodigy. All this is true, and yet none of it really explains anything or evokes the experience of watching this man play. Of witnessing, firsthand, the beauty and genius of his game. You more have to come at the aesthetic stuff obliquely, to talk around it, or — as Aquinas did with his own ineffable subject — to try to define it in terms of what it is not.”

From his ode to Roger Federer:
Roger Federer as Religious Experience

His take on the usage wars:

Technorati Tags: david foster wallace, dfw, roger federer

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the most important drum loop

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 18:57

… in history

A fascinating look at the Amen Break:

Technorati Tags: Amen break, drum ‘n bass, hip hop, jungle

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after the quake @ berkeley rep

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 16:08

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of attending the Berkeley Rep’s stage production of After the Quake. After the Quake is based on a collection of short stories by Japanese author and Gen X darling Haruki Murakami.

Frog in After the Quake

It’s a slightly surreal tale with much of the action taking place within the protagonist’s mind. For example, you’ll get to meet one of the principle characters: a frog simply named Frog. This surrealism doesn’t detract from the touching commentary on family, love and friendship.

I left the play perfectly pleased by these genuine reflections on the human condition which were complemented by the sensory experience of wonderful acting, music and set design. It was a great 90 minutes of theatre.

The one thing that struck me about my fellow bloggers and our discussion with the Assistant Director is how everyone else seems to love to dissect art. What did it all mean? What were the themes? Let’s discuss the symbolism. Perhaps I’m just an anti-intellectual when it comes to these things but I find that this deconstruction detracts from my overall enjoyment of the piece. Why is it when artists work together to achieve a wonderful harmony, we feel the need to rip it all apart? Thoughts anyone?

Thank you to all at the Berkeley Rep for inviting some of us bloggers to take it all in and thanks to Kevin for organizing.

Technorati Tags: murakami, after the quake, berkeley rep

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it’s the little things…

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 20:02

Unlike Canada, one has to endorse one’s checks (cheques) before depositing them into an ABM (ATM) in California. Who would have thunk it? I’ve had two checks rejected. Consequently my new bank account remains empty.

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sunday travels

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 11:38

Trying to figure out public transit in a new city is a bit of a drag. (No I don’t have a car yet :)) I’ve grown frustrated with 511.org and wanted something better. Hopstop.com is the answer. The ability to save addresses is big. The SMS and Blackberry integration is bigger. Check it out if you’re traveling in: San Francisco, NYC, Washington, Chicago or Boston.

Technorati Tags: public transit, new york, san francisco

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shameless plug

General Business, Marketing, Technology, Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 23:05

For those of you who don’t know yet, I’m proud to be part of the team at Offermatica (recently acquired by Omniture). Here is what I’m sure will be the first in a series of shamless plug posts as I use most of my energy to get settled in SF.

The Wall Street Journal’s list of best-selling books for the week ending September 8, 2007 - 2 out of the Top 14 mention Offermatica:

No. 2: Four-Hour Workweek;

No.13: Super Crunchers

Full list here:

(Credit to Stephanie Yang at Offermatica.)

Technorati Tags: Offermatica, Omniture, Super Crunchers, Four-Hour Workweek

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personal update

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 13:04

Good day everyone,

So I’ve made my way to San Francisco and will be spending the remainder of the day preparing for my first night in my new apartment. For those of you who know SF, I’m living in the Inner Richmond. I’ve got great views of the park and am dangerously close to Tommy’s. Come and visit when you have a chance.

Tomorrow is my first day on the job at Offermatica — I’m excited and energized. More updates soon.

Ciao

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what geeks

Uncategorized — ivanovick @ 20:53

I promise a more substantial post is coming soon. In the meantime, I want to share an actual conversation between my boss and I:

Me: You know this may sound incredibly geeky but…

Him: Yeah

Me: I really want to get back into math. I enjoyed it and want to continue learning about it.

Him: (Completely serious) Me too! I miss it and was thinking about brushing up on my calculus.

Does anyone know of any good math tutorials out there? What about a book? Perhaps more importantly — are these desires normal?

Technorati Tags: math, geek, social problems

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