Wednesday, December 15, 2004

iPod My Photo

The area of retail will never stop amazing me. iPod My Photo is a sight that will take an ordinary photo file and change it to look like those iPod/iTunes commercials. I kid you not. Check out this link.

At this point I am glad I didn't major in business or marketing. I will never understand these kinds of things. Honestly. I think it is beyond odd. Although, there is part of me that is just geeky enough to think it is a little cool. Not that I plan on spending money on that. The thought it amusing. I will let you think about it for a while, maybe someone else can explain it to me - along with those singing fish from several years ago.

Thanks for reading my blog. Until next time.

Monday, December 13, 2004

Straining Silicon Wafers

Alternative Title: The article heard by the computer geeks around the world.

I was beginning to think that there were not going to be any advances in the computer chip world unless a new material was developed. Well, I guess I was wrong on that one. Recently, IBM and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) have improved silicon straining and increase hence increase the power of the chips without significantly increasing the cost of making the chip.

According to the article, the process of straining silicon wafers was originally developed by Intel 2 years ago. It is amazing to me that improvements continue to be made. Computer science is an every changing field and always improving field.

One exam down, two exams remaining. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

Sunday, December 12, 2004

New Favorite Song - Sweaters

This week I downloaded a song from iTunes called "Sweaters" by Beth Waters. I have listened to the song a lot recently. It has a good beat and some really good and interesting lyrics. The chorus is my favorite part. I would highly recommend this song. She also has some other excellent songs - I have another song I have been listening to.

Favorite line from the song is:
"but I believe I can change the world just give me time"

That line of the song is very powerful. I think that everyone can change the world if they are given a chance. Maybe not the entire world, but if we each change a person or two and we go on the theory that everyone is connected within a factor of 7 then well you can see where this is going and I wouldn't do the proof of it. Just think about it. It is like that "Pay it Forward" movie.

Now I have to get back to studying for my exams. The next few days are going to be busy so I might not get much blog writing done. OK, so basically I will apologize ahead of time for the lack of updates. Finals week is always been extremely busy for me (exams, work, and figuring out my masters project will keep me busy).

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Until next time.

Saturday, December 11, 2004

In an odd way, I can understand this research...

According to this article some people are research the word dude. I kid you not - dude. Ok, so really bad joke.

I would think that is the oddest and pointless research I have heard off. But, then I realized what research means in an academic commiunity and realized that students working on their masters are often trying to find something to work on. I know first hand how hard it is to find a topic for a project. I also think about the fact that I have probably come up with just as weird of ideas for projects.

Webopedia

Earlier this afternoon I needed to figure out the advantages/disadvantages of twisted-pair cables had over fiber optic. I decided to start by searching for twisted-pair cable. The site that came up first was Webopedia. Webopedia is an online dictionary and search engine for technology and internet definitions. I was easily able to find the information I needed.

I am preparing for an exam in OS and Networking class. I am not a huge fan of the materical. However, over the semester I gained respect for the topic. I am glad I underatnd the concept of networking a little better now. The OS materical was interesting, but I knew the basics before taking the class. The only think I really knew about networking was the round robin method of passing information from a project I worked on my senior year.

Well, I have to get back to studying. I am glad that the full week of classes is over and I can start relaxing for a couple of weeks. Grad school can wear you out the last week. Actually, I take that back college can wear you out the last week. Because if memory serves me correctly I had the same problem in my undergrad years. Of course at this point I can't imagine having a 9 to 5 job. lol.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Until next time.

Friday, December 10, 2004

Cannot Live On Pizza Alone (although I tried)

Today is the first day this week that I am not eating pizza for a meal. The past two days can be summed up as eating pizza, eating cookies/candy, drinking diet pepsi, and working with html. Recently, I have been working on html more than usual - both my job and a school project. I haven't done this much html stuff since I was took at technical communication class as an undergraduate in web design! Don't get me wrong - I love web design. Of course the best part is knowing how to write html code so when the program is not doing what you want you can just edit it directly.

Although, I currently don't have a particular topic for my blog. I have been too busy to come up with anything. I briefly looking at Google News yesterday morning, but that is about all the fun "web surfing" I have been doing. All the school stuff will be done next week and I look forward to the break. Which if I am looking at my calander correctly is like 3 weeks long! Yippee! Three weeks of relaxing (and a lot of sleeping in and not doing anything school related).

As you can guess I am looking forward to it. I have one in-class exam on Monday and two take home exams Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. Then I have to work a couple hours and I then I can go home and enjoy the holidays. This is one of my favorite seasons of the year because it involves shopping - lots of shopping. Pre-holiday sales and tons of after-holiday sales. I also wait in excitment because next semester I start my master's project. Of course I don't know what that project is yet (details, details, details). Getting to this point is the really cool part. It is the point where you know you are going to make it and can handle grad school (i.e., the size of your ego increases by about 50%).

When I started college I realized how much better is was than high school. Now that I am in grad school I realize how much better it is than undergrad. For some odd reason I actually like going to grad school. I like the fact that I am insanely busy and think I have lost my mind completely by the end of the week. I like to learn new and cool stuff. There are still things I want to learn, there are still things I need to accomplish before I can be satisfied.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I think this one is really the oddest one I have written so far. I can follow the logic of my thoughts, but I am not sure most other people will be able to. Anyway, thanks for reading.

Thursday, December 9, 2004

Newest and Latest Topic at Apple - Color

Over on Apple's website there is a link to a section called Hot Topic: Color. Anyway, I think this is a great article to check out. It caught my attendtion because at a colloquium I heard someone speak about color mapping and saw a diagram similar to this one. Anyway, I recommend checking out this interesting information.

Tuesday, December 7, 2004

Schindler's List

Over the past few days I have been listening to the music from Schindler's List. I have seen about 2/3's of the movie over time. The movie is impressive and there are some excellent scenes. The fact that it is in black and white gives the movie something added - I would say power is the best way I can categorize it.

The music of the movie is powerful and mood setting. Some of the songs are sad and others are full of hope. The violins from the main theme of Schinder's List is highly recognizable. Some might say that the song is sad. I disagree. The violins are playing a song of survival, hope, fighting for what is right, and not giving up. If you have never heard the soundtrack to Schinder's List I highly recommend that you go out and get it right away.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Until next time.

Today's Quote (from the movie Schindler's List):
ITZHAK STERN: Let me understand. They put up all the money. I do all the work. What, if you don't mind my asking, would you do?
OSKAR SCHINDLER: I'd make sure it's known the company's in business. I'd see that it had a certain panache. That's what I'm good at. Not the work, not the work... the presentation.

Monday, December 6, 2004

History is Repeating Itself Isn't It?

Back when I was in high school (which seems like so many years ago) we discussed history repeating itself. Of course, we also talked about hind sight being 20-20 ;-) I also thought people simple forgot. Then I saw this article! (Thanks to Google News). Is this just a little hard to swallow? Not that it will change the results but darn that is close. One darn state and 118, 775 votes. Unbelievable. Is it just me or is there possibly a flaw with the way all this works? I can figure out if it is a flaw or just a lack of data points.

Yikes, as I read back over that I realize that I sound like I have been taking school to serious recently. Way to seriously. Ok, anyway. I figured I had to blog this article. It was an article that screamed "BLOG ME". Of course, it really wasn't screaming because most internet sites don't scream...

Ok, I am going to end this rather crazy blog here. Because who knows what I will write if I keep going. It is already not making a whole lots of sense. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog! Until next time.

Saturday, December 4, 2004

An Article Every Blogger Should Read...

This article is a most read for all the bloggers out there. Why? Because it is important to understand the current nature of things in the internet world.

What did is article do to me? I laughed and smirk as I write this. Microsoft has done it again. Not some of their better publicitiy (unless you are a huge fan of family values). I am sure the leaders of the "family values" movement are excited.

In one since I feel bad for Microsoft. As a leading computer software company their mistakes are national and lead line news. Many other companies have tried censorship and 100% of the time it does not work correctly. I compair censorship to auto formating features of software like Office or in IDE's for programmers. A lot of times it is really helpful it changes my 'teh' to 'the' and automatically spaces correct. However, there is the fact that Word has a really hard time letting me write this blog. It would keep trying to change my 'teh' and I would have to undo it. It is one of those things were you have to weigh your options. As artifical intelligence becomes a more up and coming area (again) then this kind of stuff will get better and smoother.

For now, hold on to your hats it is a bumpy ride out in Internet land.

Thursday, December 2, 2004

Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar Animation Studios has a little preview of a short film they are doing called Boundin'. I recommend that you take a look at the preview they have up right now. The animation is excellent. The animals are very cute. Anyway, check the preview out. As usual Pixar does not let you down.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. The lack of updates has been because I have been so busy with school work. I am looking forward to the holidays. This is one of my favorite times of the year.

Save Up Your Canadian Change

Apple recently released that iTunes is available in Canada. Each song is $0.99 in Canadian money. Anyway, Canada can now join the rest of the world in iTunes bliss.

Tuesday, November 30, 2004

Amazon's Lord of the Rings Store

December 14th is the new exciting day when Return of the King extended version comes out. Plus, lots of other extended goodies. The three movies are simply the best - and I am sure everyone agrees with me on it. The actors, the sets, the music are absolutely amazing. I am looking forward to December 14th and seeing the added parts of Return of the King.

Out today is Spiderman 2 on DVD (special edition). I can't decide if I like the 1st one or the 2nd one best. There were good parts in both. I think I liked the 2nd one slightly better - mainly the story and the action sequences. The first one was more emotional and less action. So run out to your local store and grab a copy (or order it off the internet and never actually set foot outside of your home) today!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Sorry for the lack of updates. Grad school is keeping me busy. Now I have to get back to homework and stuff like that. Until next time.

Monday, November 29, 2004

Program to Help Older Foster Kids

I think this article is wonderful news. It is about time they tried to help these children more. I can hardly imagine at 18 being out on my own with no help from my parents. Anyway, it is a wonderful article that makes you think.

Saturday, November 27, 2004

Muppets!

Remember the Muppets? This kid friendly site is a great place to hang out in. Not all of the components are working yet. It is different than it was last year (which is kind of cool - not to many places update their sites very often). Anyway, it is an interesting site and I highly recommend you checking it out.

Wow, a newspaper article on games I agree with

Finally, an article that doesn't put video games down. The article points out that the gaming industy is doing what it is suppose to and is putting the ratings on games. I agree with the article - parents should pay attention to what their children are playing. Also, that the gaming industry shouldn't stop making violent games. It also pointed out that the average video gamer's age is 24 who can purchase the game themselves.

Although I don't play a lot of viiolent video games I do like Halo and Return of the King. I am surprised sometimes at the high rating. OK, so back in the early 90's when games were in there earlier stages the realism was not the same as today. However, as another geek explained to me "so where is the enter key on the gun?" In responce to past about video game violence and how it teaching kids how to use guns.

So where was I? Right, this article is a must read. It is actually on the side of gamers and the game industry! The St. Paul Pioneer Press should get a big pat on the back for their wonderful article.

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Quotes from Mona Lisa Smile

Here are two great quotes from the movie Mona Lisa Smile:

Betty Warren: [in Betty's last editorial] Not all who wander are aimless. Especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition beyond definition beyond the image.

Charlie Stewart: My parents say my future is right on the horizon.
Connie Baker: Tell them that the horizon is an imaginary line that recedes as you approach it.

I think both quotes are great. The first has a lot of meaning. It is important to see beyond what you see. Really look at the whole picture (and the frame). That is how good chess players win. They look steps beyond the move they are making at the moment. Being very successful is about looking a few steps in front of everyone else and see what others don't see.

The second quote is more funny in nature. If you don't understand the deeper meaning read it again. The future keeps stretching out as we reach for it. Also, as we reach goals there are always more and better goals out there. To be successful you have to continually reach and go forth into the future. We can not back up. People have try, but it does work out for them. Don't live in the past, live in the present.

Hmm...sounds like some current events. There are those who want us to return to the 1950s. I don't. I am not against the clothes - I like the dresses and the purses of the period. I diagree with the views of so called "family values" these people want to enforce. I have what I believe is the best for me. I don't think others should have to follow my ideas and I don't think I should have to change because someone else doesn't agree with mine. Open you mind to the possibilities. The future continues to come. Lets move forward, not back.

With these quotes and thoughts, I want to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! It began to snow in Michigan recently - yikes snow already? It wasn't much snow, just a bunch of little flakes that melt right away, but still.

Monday, November 22, 2004

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Tomorrow Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban comes out on DVD (Nov 23)! I really enjoyed this movie as I have the other two movies. In my opinion they are all good. They stick to the books and only leave out a little bit.

Check out Amazon's Harry Potter Store to get Harry Potter products. I hope to watch the movie over the Thanksgiving break (which is coming up soon) - yippee. Don't get me wrong, I like school. I think it is nice to have a day off every once in a while. It gives me a chance to catch up on sleep. Plus, the day after Thanksgiving shopping is always fun.

Saturday, November 20, 2004

The West Wing Season 3

On Novermber 2, 2004 The West Wing Season 3 came out on DVD. I have been slowly watching the DVDs and I am about 1/2 way through. Season 3 begins with a great cliff-hanger (although the season 1 to season 2 was very powerful). The West Wing on a whole has great cliff-hangers between season. They really make you want the next season to hurry up and start.

Season 2 ends with the death of Mrs. Landingham and the President Bartlets announcement about his MS. The third season starts with Bartlet announcing that he is going to run for re-election and the investigations into the MS matter begins. Also, it begins Bartlet's campaign for re-election (about 10 episodes or so in to the third season).

If you are looking for a good show to watch I recommend The West Wing. Season 6 is currently being show on NBC on Wednesday nights at 9 PM. And I will end this review with a quote from the show:

Sam Seaborn: You're gonna get asked if you're supporting my campaign.
President Josiah Bartlet: Are you running?
Sam Seaborn: No.
President Josiah Bartlet: Then you have my full support.

Friday, November 19, 2004

Alex and Emma

Basic Plot: A writer Alex (played by Luke Wilson) owes loan sharks a bunch of money is trying to finish a novel so he gets paid (and get the loan sharks off his back). He calls for a stenographer and ends up with Emma (played by Kate Hudson). The movie has a lot of really funny parts. Especially, watching Kate Hudson play characters from the book with different accents throughout the movie and questions plot lines as the book is written.

I watched this movie several weeks back and remembered about it when I wrote my last blog for another movie with Kate Hudson in it. Alex and Emma is an excellent movie. It is very light and funny movie. The mixture of the story being acted out and the book writing it is very entertaining.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Le Divorce

Recently, I began watching the movie Le Divorce. It has an interesting cast - Kate Hudson, Naomi Watts, Stockard Channing, and Glenn Close. Stockard Channing is very interesting in this 2003 movie. She plays the mother of the Kate Hudson and Naomi Watts characters.

Overall, the movie is kind of weird. It makes more sense as you get part way through. Kate Hudson is wonderful in the movie. So is Naomi Watts and Glenn Close. Clenn Close plays a very different character than we often see her doing.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Geek Meets Style

If you have not heard - Burberry is going to start selling iPod cases. Of course they are not available on Burberry's site yet. $195 for a case seems high. You have to keep in mind that a Burberry scaves cost $225 - Burberry is expensive. However, Burberry is the latest "in" brand. So if you are looking to add a little style in your life this might just be what you have been looking for.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

Crystal Clear: A Human-Powered Methodology for Small Teams

As I mentioned earlier in my blog a new Crystal Clear book was published in October. I order the book from Amazon. I read the book over the weekend. It is absolutely wonderful! Alistair Cockburn did an excellent job. I am really beginning to understand what Crystal is and how it can be used - which is a good thing because I have to give a presentation with another student at the end of November.

I totally recommend you getting this book - the only one specifically on Crystal Clear.

Crystal Clear is designed to be used with small teams. There are a lot of similarities to XP but it is less strict. Teams can decide what practises work and which don't. They are not required to follow as many rules. There are only two rules - less than 4 month iterations and the methodology is adapting. Don't get me wrong - I like XP. However, there are times were Crystal Clear might be a better method. I think both are better than the traditional waterfall method taught in software engineering courses. However, this is just my opinion. I have done projects both ways - I personally like agile methods better than traditional methods.

Monday, November 15, 2004

League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is an organization located in Washington DC that premotes getting people involved with politics at the state, federal, and local levels. The organization was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in the 1920's under the name National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). The League of Women Voters has an interesting history that I highly recommend that you read. There are also some great pictures you might want to take a look at.

The organization even offers interships! I was surprised to find this out. I guess a lot of organizations do - I just didn't know that the League of Women Voters did. I bet that would be a very interesting intereship.

Thanks for stopping by today and reading my blog! Hope you have been enjoying this blogs. I am thinking about starting a new "theme" soon. I figure it is about time - now I just have to find some kind of topic.

Votes for Women 2004

Votes for Women 2004 is an organization that tracks the gender gap in voting and the power of the women's vote. Interesting information if you ask me. According to the site this year there was a 7% gender gap in the recent Presidental elections. The next questions is - is 7% better or worse? According to this site the gender gap was 10% in the 2000 presidental election.

Also, on this site is a great list of other sites on both current and historical issues regarding women voting. The list includes some great resources as well (Iron Jawed Angels movie and a book available at Amazon).

Saturday, November 13, 2004

Louise Green Milinery Co.

Louise Green Milinery Co., sells hats. I saw the ad in a magazine. Hats are making a come back (or atleast I think they are). You are either a hat person or your not. I know a lot of people who don't like wearing hats. I think hats are really nifty and fun - especially in the summer. I am not sure about winter hats. They are really fancy and a lot of fun. Anyway, check out this site for some interesting and pretty hats.

Sewall-Belmont House

I know you are asking - "What is the Sewall-Belmont House?" and "Why link to it in your blog?". Both are reasonable questions that have reasonable answers. So, in order to explain, I will simply start at the beginning. I am continuing my blog theme of blog topics relating to woman's suffrage. The Sewall-Belmont House was used as the National Woman's Party's headquarters. The Sewall-Belmont House is now a museum and education center for both suffrage and equal rights.

I highly recommend that you take a look at the IBM Project. There are interesting photos on several pages in the site. (Site navigation is a little bit tricky with Firefox or Safari - but if you find links within the page you can easily more around within the site or by viewing source). There is an interesting history associated with the house - that I also recommend taking a look at. There is even a library - which contains many feminist resources. The house and grounds are being restored this year and there is information about that as well. If you are looking to donate there is information regarding that as well.

Thanks for stopping by and reading another entry in my blog. I am sorry for the inconsistent blog entries. I didn't enough blogs written during last weekend - which allows me to be more consistent with my blogs during the week. Anyway, maybe this week I will be more consistent. Happy Weekend Everyone!

Friday, November 12, 2004

The Michigan Simulation Users Group

Recently, I attended The Michigan Simulation Users Group's annual conference. I had a lot of fun. Although, simulation is not my direct area of interest - I find the subject to be extremely interesting. The group contains many highly experienced people in simulation - people with 20+ years of experience in industry.

Anyway, like I said I had a great time at the conference. There were a lot of great presentors. One of them even mentioned agile software development and compared it to simulation. Since I was taking a class in agile software development I thought this was most interesting. The site has some great information on it. I highly recommend you checking it out.

Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Alice Paul Institute

I decided to continue my previous blog topic about the real people who contributed to Women's Suffrage. The Alice Paul Institure is an organization that educates about Alice Paul's life and work. Also, the organization hopes to "educate and empower women and girls to accept leadership in their communities and workplace". I highly recommend you visiting their site.

A Little Information I found out while looking around on their site that gives you some basic facts about Alice Paul:
  • She was from New Jersey
  • She dedicated her life to securing equal rights for all women
  • Family home Paulsdale and is now the home of the Alice Paul Institute (API)

Monday, November 8, 2004

History of Woman's Suffrage in the United States

As anyone who has been following my blog will notice I have been making a large deal about voting and the movie Iron Jawed Angels (a movie about the fight for woman's suffrage). Today I decided to write a blog dedicated to the real women that worked extremely hard throughout history to get women the right to vote.

Its said that women's suffrage begun in the late 1770's when Abigail Adams wrote letters to her husband (John Adams) reminding him that women should be mentioned specifically in the early documents of the United States. During the mid 1800's the first Women's Right Convention was held. In 1866, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony started the American Equal Rights Association. The associations goal was to get everyone the right to vote. They presented a petition for the right of women to vote to Congress in 1866 (which was not ratified).

In 1869 Stanton and Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA). The NWSA was consided, by most, ratical. Lucy Stone, Henry Blackwell, and Julia Ward Howe, on the other hand, organize the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). AWSA was considered more conservative and was based out of Boston. In 1872 Susan B. Anthony is arrested for attempting to vote and Sojourner Truth tried to vote in Michigan but was turned away. In 1874 the U.S. Supreme Court states that states can decide if women are allowed to vote or not.

In 1913 Alice Paul and Lucy Burns organize a suffrage parade in Washington, D.C. Over 5,000 women attending the parade. Unfortunatly, the crowd got hostile and the police did not act swiftly. However, suffrage did make headlines in the newspapers. In 1916 Alice Paul decides to splits with NAWSA because of disagreements. She forms the National Woman's Party (NWP). Their purpose is to get an admendment for national suffrage. In 1917 the NWP begins to picket outside of the White House.

In 1918 - 1920 the NWP continues to picket outside the White House, eventhough World War 1 began. Many of the women picketing were arrested for obstructing traffic. Most of the women refused to pay the fine and were sent to a work house. The women then went on hunger stikes while at the work house. Adventually, stories of mistreatment made it to the newspapers and they were released.

In August of 1920 the Nineteenth Amendment is ratified. The NAWSA was no longer needed and it becomes the the League of Women Voters. In 1923 the NWP proposes the Equal Rights Amendment to eliminate gender discrmination, but it was not ratified.

*Referance: HBO's Iron Jawed Angels Site under Suffrage History

Hope you enjoyed these little bits of information. Thanks for taking time to read my blog. If you liked reading about the history of woman's suffrage there are tons of places on the web for more information just search on Google. If you liked the blog topic let me know by leaving some comments.

November 9th - Lots of new stuff comes out

As a really good friend of mind would remind me Halo 2 (the soon to be greatest video game of all time after Halo and Return of the King) is coming out tomorrow (Tuesday). I am sure that geeks around the world will be up late on Tuesday playing their pre-ordered Halo 2 and writing reviews on their websites.

Mary Higgins Clack and her daughter Carol Higgins Clark book "The Christmas Thief : A Novel" is coming to bookstores tomorrow as well. Both are excellent authors and the Christmas stories are some of my favorite. The pairing of characters from each author into one book is excellent.

The movie: "The Stepford Wives" is also coming out tomorrow. I was never able to see it - yet. The movie looks interesting and the cast is amazing (Bette Midle, Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close, and many others).

"Gone with the Wind" 4-DVD set is coming out on Tuesday as well. This movie is very amazing to watch. Especially, if you think about the fact that they didn't have the graphics and technology that we have today. Watch the part with all the injured soldiers in the field. Many of the soldiers laying there are not real. Some of the actors had strings to move the arms and legs of other fake soldiers. Yet, the scene is realistic looking. Now we would just used computer graphics - but it is interesting to look at some of the old tricks.

Sunday, November 7, 2004

Crystal Clear Book

Finally, Alistair Cockburn's book on Crystal Clear is available on Amazon. Cockburn is the creator of an agile software development methodology called Crystal. Crystal focuses on people and communication. Crystal is mentioned in several books on agile software development. However, it is a difficult methodology to really grasp fully. There are some similarities between XP (Extreme Programming) and Crystal. To read more about Crystal I highly recommend that you visit Cockburn's Crystal Main Foyer.

So run don't walk over to Amazon and order your copy of Alistair Cockburn's book on Crystal Clear today!

Quotes by Great Women of History

I really like reading quotes. Today I came across this great list of quotes mostly by women who played an important roll in women's history. There are quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Alice Paul, and Maya Angelou. So if you are looking for some great quotes I highly recommend this page.

In the coming week I will continue with more blogs about women's suffrage and related subjects. Hope you continue to visit my blog. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Hope you are having a great weekend!

The West Wing: An idea that just might work

This week on West Wing an interesting topic came up - marriage. In the show it was mentioned that maybe the government should not be involved in marriage. That marriage should be left to places of worship, department stores, and Vegas. At first one might think this to be a very odd idea. However, the more I think about it the better the idea seems.

I already believed that the government should not be deciding who should be able to get married before watching the show. I believed that it was really none of their business. By eliminating it from the government control maybe they would have more time to devote to important things - like governing the country. The writers of The West Wing (or who ever came up this that idea) should be rewarded for such a simple and realistic solution.

Saturday, November 6, 2004

Largest Voter Turnout!

The world has been a mixed up place this week (in my opinion at least). Any year that there is a Presidential elections makes for an interesting week. First there is all the buzz leading up to the election. After the election there is the buzz of "who is it going to be?". Currently, we are on the analysis stage while the news media waits for the final figures to be announced. And unless you have been living under a rock, you know that the projected winner is Bush. However, this is not the main focus of this blog entry.

As I stated earlier in the week, I was interested in knowing if there had been a change in voter turnout. According to CNN there has been. I am glad to hear that all of the "get out and vote" strategies worked. My particular favorite was the TV commercial were all the young women were stating that "the rest of America was going to take care of it". I also liked the commercials were everyone stood around looking at a piece of trash and commenting on how awful it was. Both commercials made profound statements about why you should vote.

Of course, it is predicted that about 60% of registared voters actually voted - which according to CNN is the highest voter turnout since the late 1960s. Also, according to CNN many people waited in longer lines to vote that previously - a surprise to many people. I think it is great that more people were out voting this year. Many wars and battles have occured since the beginning of the United States of America to give us a say in government. Wouldn't it seem like a huge waste now not to vote? Well, that is my opinion on the matter.

Wednesday, November 3, 2004

Music from Iron Jawed Angels

OK, so several of my previous blogs have been about this movie - but it is a really good movie. I thought I should point of again the great soundtrack. Several of the songs I purchased from iTunes the other day and I have been listening to them over and over again. Have you ever done that? Heard a song in a movie or a TV show and as soon as you get the song (CD, iTunes, etc.,) listen to it over and over again? I have done it on several occations. Iron Jawed Angels, West Wing, and Pretty Women are just a few shows/movies that have had that effect on me.

Well, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Tuesday, November 2, 2004

Speaking of Quotes...

I found some great quotes from the Iron Jawed Angels. I decided that I should post a link to them. I know - I have mentioned the movie in two blogs now - but well it is such a good movie and everyone should see it. Did I also mention the wonderful music in the movie. Many of the songs are available on iTunes. There is not a soundtrack released yet - but I am looking forward to that day. The music really sets the tone for movies in my mind.

A Very Funny Professor Quote

I had to add this link to my blog. I thought this was in a very funny quote and very truthful quote. I am interested in learning the results, but I think I will wait until tomorrow morning to see who wins the election. The other thing I want to learn is how many people in the 18-25 age group votes this time. From what it seems many polling stations were very busy this morning - which is an extremely postive sign. Maybe all the Rock the Vote and similar organizations have made a difference.

Hope you enjoy the quote. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Monday, November 1, 2004

Iron Jaw Angels

This evening I was looking through the movies available on HBO Demand anyway, one of the movies available was Iron Jaw Angels. I read the little information about the movie and decided that I would watch the movie. It was very good and I recommend it to almost anyone. As I watched the movie I recognized several of the cast from other movies. The cast was very impressive. The characters are excellent and the acting is excellent.

I thought this movie fit in with tomorrow being Election Day. So, make sure you go out and vote. Many people worked hard through out history to maintain our rights to be heard. So let your voice be heard - go out and vote.

Saturday, October 30, 2004

Wacky Site 8: Search for Halloween

I decided not to just pick out one Halloween related site because there are so many to pick from. I began my quest by doing a Google search for Halloween. The was a large quantity of results but I had expected that. I decided to check out a couple. Here are two you might be interested in visiting:

Halloween Online - It claims to be "your guide to Halloween". Basically this site is a bunch of links to other sites. There are links to sites about fog machines, Halloween news, coffins, toys, films, and a safety guide. Everything and anything relating to Halloween.

Halloween Magazine - Yep, there is an online Halloween Magazine. Although, I am really not surprised. The holiday is heavily celebreated in the US. If you are looking for last minute ideas this might be the site you were looking for.

Happy Halloween! Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

October Music Playlist

This is the "I don't have any other blog topic" topic. I have no idea if people ever find this interesting or not. But, just about everyone else has a blog entry about their playlist so I am going to as well. Without much further ado - here is the list:
  1. Run Away by the Real McCoy (yes, it is the song from a recent car commercial).
  2. Last Thing by Diana Anaid
  3. I'm Still Here (Jim's Theme) by John Rzeznik
  4. Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler
  5. Footloose by Kenny Loggins
  6. Trouble by Bonnie McKee
  7. Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
  8. One More Murder by Better Than Ezra
  9. Against All Odds by Phil Collins
  10. Listen to Your Heart by Roxette
  11. Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits (I heard this first on The West Wing)
  12. I Can't Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt
  13. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx (I heard it on The Ellen DeGeneres Show recently)
This is my list of songs I have been listening to. Most of these songs are available on iTunes. Thanks for stopping by and taking time to read my blog!

Thursday, October 28, 2004

I never knew a class about algorithms could be so funny...

I am taking an algorithms course this semester. As our professor pointed out this morning the names the book used must be some sort of inside joke. Due to the greatness of Google I was quickly able to find a great list. Even if you don't have the book this list is pretty funny. All of these names are used in the examples/excersises in the book. I think textbooks written by authors with a sense of humor are better. A little humor here or there adds a more relaxed feeling to the subject.

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

iPod Photo

I wonder what Apple will bring out next? Displaying photo's on an iPod sounds pretty cool. Of course, if you already own an iPod you will have to purchase a new one ($499 for the 40 GB model, $599 for the 60 GB model). It states that the new iPod has a longer battery life - not that I thought there was a problem with the battery life of the old iPod. The thought of a color screen is pretty cool. Apple is right in time for the holiday season. Plus, they have been running a lot of commercials on TV (the new U2 one). There is even a new limited edition U2 iPod for only $349 plus some iTunes gift certificate for U2 music ($50).

Now I leave you will a puzzling question: Do customers really think that $3.49 sounds cheaper that $3.50? Even if we talk about $200 vs. $199? I always wondered if that marketing scheme worked or maybe it doesn't and they just want us to think that it does. The other day when I was in Target I noticed that all their prices end with either $0.99, or $0.49. Does that really get me to buy more?

Tough questions and I certainly don't have all the answers. I will let you pounder of that for a while. In the meantime, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Wacky Site 7: "Never Threaten To Eat Your Co-Workers"

"Never Threaten To Eat Your Co-Works: Best of Blogs" is a book written by Alan Graham and Bonnie Burton. The title alone is extremely funny. This is the site associated with the book. I suggest checking it out. Currently, it looks like they are want submissions of blogs.

Oh wait there are two parts to this - make sure you check out both parts. Anyway, I figured this would make a good seventh wacky link. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog.

Monday, October 25, 2004

Wacky Site 6: Would you believe....

Hello again! It is Monday and I have brought you another wacky site - The Get Smart Page. I know you are asking that always important question - Why? And this time I have a good answer.

This weekend I was home visiting my parents. My mother told my father to "86 it" when we were looking for through some apples (so we could make carmel apples). My thought was - is that why Maxwell Smart was agent 86? Max Smart was the main character in the 1960's TV show Get Smart played by Don Adams. It appears that I was correct (or at least someone else believes it too). I think that is just extremely clever (or maybe that is just me). The internet is just peachy for finding out information.

Now I just have to find were the phase "take a gander" comes from a phase I just don't understand the origin. A gander is a duck and "take a duck" doesn't make any sense. Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog.

Sunday, October 24, 2004

Na-No-Blog-Mo

Blogger has decided in honor of National Novel Writing Month is having a site containing a list of people who are planning to blog their novel. It is an interesting idea. Writing installments at a time. Of course, it is a lot harder (I would think) then it sounds. There would be a lot of people giving you feed back, so that would be a plus. A lot of the novels sounded sci-fi related when I check the site a little bit ago - witches, wizards, trap doors into other worlds and things like that.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Also, a thank you to a person who actually left a comment on my post about desktop google. Hope you are having a good weekend.

I am glad to know Einstein was correct...

It appears (according to this article) that Einstein was at least correct in his theory about relativity. This really is a great thing for science. It has been debated and until this experiment difficult to prove. There is still a long way to go before all of his theories can be proven. Einstein is a remarkable scientist. He had a vision very few have. The article is pretty short if you want to check it out.

Wacky Site 5: 404lounge.net

Here is a wacky site - 404lounge.net. I would highly recommend checking out the gallery and some of the interesting 404 pages. 404 pages are funny in general. I saw some in the gallery that were very funnier. I thought this site easily qualified as wacky. Good, but wacky.

Thanks for stopping by and reading this installment of my blog. Hope you come back again. I am going to try and post more during the week. School and work keeps me rather busy.

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

Geeks Trying to Make a Difference

Last year, I was impressed and surprised. The guys who write Penny Arcade started a charity drive called Child's Play. The idea was to purchase items from Amazon to be donated to the Seattle Children's hospital. This year they have expanded the charity to five hospitals. Penny Arcade has a huge following and a very generous following. Follow this link and get all the details.

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

Great Mac Hall Comic

Ok, you have to check this Mac Hall comic out. Anyone who has ever been in school can relate to this comic strip. Mac Hall is an excellent comic about a bunch of guys in college. There are lots of computer science and video game references. Because it is written by students, updates are not on a regular schedule. So you have to check back often to see if there has been updates.

Wow, lots of blogs today - its not a bad thing. I have had a difficult time finding things to blog - but today there were lots of great things to post in my blog. Well, thanks for reading.

Wacky Site 4: iPodlounge.com

I learned this afternoon from MacBlog.com that there is a special U2 iPod is going to be released (or so it says at iPodlounge). From following the link I learned about a new site! Basically, a site all about iPods! This seemed like the idea wacky site number 4. I will have to wander around this site and check out what kind of cool stuff is on it. It appears to mainly be articles and reviews. So to check out the latest information on iPods visit iPodlounge.com today.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out today's wacky site!

Google-rific!

Google has something new - Desktop Google. It allows you to search for stuff on your PC. The program indexes Outlook mail, your documents, and even websites you have visited recently (so you can view them later without being online). Ain't that sound cool?!?

One problem - only available for Windows 2002 (service pack 3) and Windows XP. Well, it is pretty cool anyway. Plus, since it is a product of Google we know it must be good.

Monday, October 18, 2004

Wacky Site 3: The West Wing Cookie Jar

This is someone's site all about The West Wing TV show. The site is named: The West Wing Cookie Jar. Which would be an odd name for a site - unless you remember certain things from season 1 of the show. Personally, I thought the site name was pretty clever.

The site was some excellent quotes from several seasons of The West Wing show. OK, so I have this obsession about West Wing. I admit it. Anyway, check this site.

As always, thanks for stopping by. Until the next wacky site.

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Wacky Site 2: Great TV Quotes

Another wacky site is Great TV Quotes. Don't get me wrong - I think this site is well done and includes some really great quotes from some really great TV shows. I just think a site with only TV quotes is wacky. (Note: wacky is not negative, just different). Check out all The X-Files quotes - those are some great moments from that show. I decided to include a couple quotes for your entertainment:

THE X-FILES:

SCULLY: But, Mulder, the new millennium doesn't begin until January 2001.
MULDER: Nobody likes a math geek, Scully.

SCULLY: You know, on the old mariners' maps, the cartographers would designate uncharted territory by writing "here be monsters."
MULDER: I've got a map of New York City just like that.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MURPHY BROWN:

JIM: Perhaps you need to be clearer.
MURPHY: Clearer? Jim, the other day I rolled up my car window while she was still talking to me! I drove away and she actually ran alongside the car until she was able to pull her hair free at the onramp! I'm telling you, the woman cannot take a hint!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GET SMART

MAX: I'm sorry I'm late, Chief, but I was stuck in the car for almost twenty minutes.
CHIEF: I know, 86. The traffic.
MAX: No, the seat belt. I can never get that darn thing unbuckled.

I selected just a couple from the massive number of quotes posted on this site. I highly recommend checking this site out. Of course, I really like quotes - which may be why I like this site so much.

Wacky Site 1: HP Calculators Museum

HP Calculators Museum is a site all about HP calculators. I stumbled upon this site looking for something else entirely. I thought this site really fit in the wacky catagory. If you are into seeing pictures of old computer related stuff - well this is a prefect site for you. I was unaware of HP's prevalance in the calculator industy. I am more familiar with TI (Texas Instruments) calculators, but then I did live in Texas a long, long time ago.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog today. I appricate the interest. Until next time.

New Week, New Theme

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I thought I would post a quick note on my blog theme for next week: Wacky Sites. Yep, that's right. I actually know of many wacky sites and I am going to post one each day (or so I hope). As a graduate student you never know your actually schedule until after it happens ;-) Although, I am have a feeling that being a grad student is easier than having a real job (or so I have heard).

Well, now I have to go find the first wacky site I want to post. So many out sites, so little time. Choices, choices, choices...

Saturday, October 16, 2004

Quote 12: "...if it was so, it might be..."

"'Contrariwise,' continued Tweedledee, 'if it was so, it might be; if it were so, it would be; but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic.'" -- Lewis Carroll (Through the Looking-Glass: And What Alice Found There)

This quote was in a programming book back with I was just learning C++. Lewis Carroll's books are full of wonderful quotes. Another one I like is:

"'When I use a word,'" Humpty Dumpty said in a rather scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.'"

This quote is also from Through the Looking-Glass: And What Alice Found There. Lewis Carroll was a mathematician which to me makes his books quiet interesting. The books are very entertaining to read. However, I find it interesting to look at the contents of the books. The logic discussed in both books is really quiet interesting. Read the first quote again and thing about it.

Well, I will leave you with these interesting food for thought quotes by Lewis Carroll. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog! Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, October 13, 2004

Quote 11: "When you have eliminated the impossible..."

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." -- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)

This is my favorite Sherlock Holmes quotes. Why? Because it is an extremely truthful statement. When you have miss placed a book you need and you look in all the places it should be - you have to look in the places it shouldn't be located. So, really I like this quote because we can easily be applied to our life on a day to day basis.

The Mirror Has Two Faces is a movie that has similar theme. But I won't spoil it for you. You can watch the movie yourself. I really like the movie. The main characters Rose and Gregory are played by Barbra Streisand and Jeff Bridges. There are lots of funny parts in this movie - which is why I like it so much.

Well, thanks for stopping by today and reading my blog!

Saturday, October 9, 2004

Quote 10: "We must have ideals and try to live up to them..."

"We must have ideals and try to live up to them, even if we never quite succeed. Life would be a sorry business without them. With them it's grand and great." - Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Avonlea)

I picked this quote because my last blog was all about the future and stuff like that. As part of my grad school orientation we have to some interesting sessions about various things. I am watching video taped sessions. Anyway, I decided to watch ones about job seeking. Anyway, it makes me think about me goals and what I want to do. Of course, I am still fuzzy on all that stuff. What can make my life wonderful? What kind of things do I want to do with my degree? Of course, I am totally off the topic of todays quote.

I think we all have ideals of what life should be like. We are always trying to live up to what we think is these ideas. Ideals are like goals, sometimes we reach them and other times we don't. What are your ideals? I am not sure what mine are exactly. Well, that will give you something to ponder for the weekend.

Completely off the subject - links you might like to check out (or avoid):
Mac New Network - a site all about Apple
Zappos Vegetarian Shoe Section - for all the vegetarians out there
ProfQuotes - very funny to read
Jon's World o' Squirrels - yes, there is a site about squirrels

Well, thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. Have a good weekend!

Thursday, October 7, 2004

Quote 9: "Not all who wander are lost"

"Not all who wander are lost." -- J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings)

(Subtitle: Where am I going next? The major question of grad school).

Every weekday evening I get home from school and make dinner. I set aside dinner time to be my chance to watch a little TV and checkout my favorite sites online. Today as I watched TV I began to wander - what is it that I want to do with my life? I know what you are thinking - why did she starting thinking about this while I was watching TV? Isn't watching TV suppose to numb the brain?

I know, how dare I think and watch TV at the same time. ;-) Of course, this is not the first time I have thought about it. As I am finishing a year's worth of graduate school I am starting to get to the point were I need to pick what I am going to do next. I have planned to go on in my studies - actually I pick that part first before I even knew what I was going to major in!

Now after working on my masters, I have to narrow down what is it about computer science that I really like. What is it in computer science I want to study even more? These are difficult questions to answer. I know several things I don't want to study. I like a lot of areas of CS. Maybe if I can figure out a way to combine these areas and then throw in a little classic civilizations (a totally outside area that I happen to enjoy, more like a hobby at the moment).

Why do I need to figure this all out? The school I am currently attending doesn't have a phD program in CS, just a masters. I am trying to look for next schools to go and one of the things you have to fill out on the application is area of study and interest of research. When I applied for masters programs it was easy to put a broad area. You would think after almost a year I would have a better idea wouldn't ya? But the reality is, nope. However, I am not going to worry to much. One of these days I will figure it out.

I thought that the J.R.R. Tolkien quote fit right into this topic and is the reason why I selected it. It is one of my favorite lines written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It is short, simple, and easy to understand. What more could you ask?

Thanks for stopping by and reading yet another installment of my blog. It was extremely nice of you. Until next time.

Wednesday, October 6, 2004

Quote 8: "They all pretend to be very high-minded..."

"They all pretend to be very high-minded. They claim that their sole aim in excavation is to uncover the mysteries of the past and to add to the store of human knowledge. They lie. What they really want is a spectacular discovery, so they can get their names in the newspapers and inspire envy and hatred in the hearts of their rivals." -- Elizabeth Peters (Deeds of the Disturber)

This quote is from another great author - Elizabeth Peters. She writes a great series about Amelia Peabody. I have not read all the books - yet, but the ones I have read are wonderful. Why did I pick this quote? Because I think this quote is about a truth of human life. As humans we get a lot of satisfaction out of doing well and getting recognized for it. It maybe the darker side that we don't really want to think about, but it is still true. I have seen this a lot in my years of school. We compete to be the best, to get the A, to get the highest score, etc.

Well, thanks for stopping by today and reading my blog! Until next time.

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

Quote 7: "Well I am sorry, but I find Iceland extremely fascinating..."

"Well I am sorry, but I find Iceland extremely fascinating, and I will not rest until I have visited the ice hotel" -- Meg Cabot (Princess in Love)

You didn't think I could bring up books and not point out one of my favorite authors did you? OK, so yes I have this weird obsesssion with these wonderful books. I remember high school and it is a difficult time in a person's life (and I went to an all girls high school). It is nice to look back at it and laugh about it. Maybe that is why I like these books so much.

Now I know the question you are thinking is - why? Why on earth did she pick that quote? I picked it because well I have often had odd fascinations with topics. Yep. Several in fact. Including: witch craft in Salem, Egyption history, Egyptian writings, Roman lifestyles - just to mention a few. While I was taking a class on Roman lifestyles, I would tell people about it all the time. I think everyone was tired of hearing about it. I have made similar statements - including the one about one day owning a large house in Florida or another warm climate on the ocean (or the Gulf of Mexico). It is like a goal in life to one day live there.

So now you know two things: 1) My goal to live in FL and 2) That I am more wacko then you thought. Well, I feel that this blog has served it's purpose ;-) Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Monday, October 4, 2004

Quote 6: "Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day..."

This week I will focus on quotes from books (with a possibility of later in the week switching back to TV and movies). However, I am going to focus on books - or at least try darn hard to. It is one of those things, I have a couple great ideas, but by Wednesday I have used up my ideas and can't think of anything. Then the following week I think of all these great things I could have done. It is like when someone asks you a question and you just can't think of the answer. You know you know the answer you just can't think of it at the moment. Maybe it is just me, but that is what happens. Anyway, without further delay, here is my first book quote to start us out:

"Marilla, isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?" -- Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

I really like all of the books by Lucy Maud Montgomery - especially the Anne series. The books are well written. The characters are great. Anne has an imagination and even makes mistakes. I highly recommend these books to anyone. The quote I selected is one of many possibilities from the Anne of Green Gables book. There is an important idea Montgomery put into this simple sentance of dialog. Everyday is new and we have a chance to start the day off with nothing wrong and try again. Sometimes we make mistakes, we are only human, but tomorrow we can try again.

Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. I enjoy writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it!

Sunday, October 3, 2004

Quote Grab Bag

For my Saturday/Sunday blog, I decided to have a bunch of TV, commercial, and movie quotes that I like. Most of the quotes are in this blog because I think they are funny or I just like them for some odd reason. Unlike the other quotes this week which were useful and thought provoking. So without further delay here are the funny quotes:

"Nobody ever poses with their toaster" -- Mercedes-Benz commercial

"True or false, if I were to stand on high ground in Key West with a good pair of binoculars I'd be as informed as I am now?" -- Leo (West Wing)

"As always, this is as good as it's going to get." -- Mia (The Princess Diaries)

"Can we take a direct flight back to reality, or do we have to change planes in Denver?" -- Scott Calvin (The Santa Clause)

"Sometimes the only sane response to an insane world is insanity." -- Mulder (The X-Files)

"Ohh, what's really going to bake your noodle later on is, would you still have broken it if I hadn't said anything?" -- Oracle (The Matrix)

"Hey, Hong Kong Fooey. Watch the fists of fury." -- Shaggy (Scooby-Doo Movie)

"If lack of attention to personal finances is a mark of refinement, then the Marches must be the most elegant family in Concord!" -- Jo March (Little Women)

"I'm an engineer! I stopped running when Nixon was president!" -- Jerry O'Neill (Space Cowboys)

"There has to be a mathematical explanation for how bad that tie is." -- Nash (A Beautiful Mind)

"I've flown with you twice and you've crashed half the time." -- Robin (Six Days Seven Nights)

"No, that's silly. The man who *lives* in my finger hired the crew. " -- Fozzie (Muppet's Treasure Island)

"I am invisible, and I am wet." -- Mia (The Princess Diaries)

"I'm not going to ask you if you just said what I think you said because I know it's what you said." -- Scully (The X-Files)

"You know, I have a theory that hieroglyphics are just an ancient comic strip about a character named Sphinxy." -- Harry (When Harry Met Sally)

"For the last six months, he's gone to Harvard and Berkeley. I'm betting he can get a passport." -- Carl Hanratty (Catch Me If You Can)

"I am the same color as the Department of Motor Vehicles..." -- Lavinia (The Banger Sisters)

"I'm a homicidal maniac, they look just like everyone else." -- Wednesday (Addams Family)

"Well, I told him I work for the Bureau of Internal Revenue." -- Max (Get Smart)

"It couldn't have gone far, right? Somewhere in this building is our talent." -- Toby (West Wing)

"Gee. Do they still make wooden Christmas Trees?" -- Lucy (A Charlie Brown Christmas)

"Yes I've heard how difficult it is to work with Judy Garland. Do you know how difficult it is to BE Judy Garland? I've been trying to be Judy Garland all my life! " -- Judy Garland (Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows)

"LeBeau, this is a prison camp. Nobody's trying to break in!" -- Hogan (Hogan's Heroes)

"Not all who wander are aimless. Especially not those who seek truth beyond tradition beyond definition beyond the image." -- Betty Warren (Mona Lisa Smile)

"Bob Vila would have a field day with this place!" - Jim (The Haunted Mansion)

"Why is it that everytime I think I know the answers, someone goes and changes the questions?" -- Mulder (The X-Files)

"I have never worn pantyhose but it sounds very dangerous." -- Joe (The Princess Diaries)

"It looks like the inside of a raincoat!" -- Tony (How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)

Well, that is all the quotes I have for now. This coming week I will continue with my quote blogs and other random tidbits. I figured I would publish one blog for the weekend. It took awhile to find the quotes. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

Friday, October 1, 2004

Quote 5: "Remember, the shadows are just as important as the light."

"Remember, the shadows are just as important as the light." - Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre, 1996)

Although this quote did not appear in the book, it is one of the best quotes from the movie. The timing is also extremely forshadowing of later parts of the movie. In the movie Jane is teaching Adele to draw. Jane states this to Adele after Mr. Brocklehurst asks to speak with Jane. It is a statement that completely fits in context with the action, but has a hidden meaning. (Which was driven by Mr. Brocklehurst next statement - but I don't want to ruin the whole movie for you so I won't tell you what it is). I like statements with a double meaning. It is like a two for one sale. Who could turn that down?

Anyway, the real question is: Are the shadows and dark parts of one's life as important as the lighter and happier parts? I think that there are. If there were no shadows or dark, then how would we really enjoy the happy times? Of course, I (like the rest of the world) wouldn't mind less dark and more light. But, I don't think I really have many skeltons in my closet as they say. Which leads me to my next question: who really are they? I have heard the term "as they say" and I have always wondered about that. I think that is one of those unanswerable questions and totally off my topic.

So before I divert further from the topic I will end my blog here. Hope you are having some light parts of your life today. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog!

And to steal a classic line from SNL and rewrap it - "I am Stephany Coffman-Wolph and - you're not."

Thursday, September 30, 2004

Quote 4: "Nothing is impossible, just Mathamatically improbable"

"Nothing is impossible, just Mathamatically improbable" - Sir August DeWinters, Avengers (movie 1998)

Although, Sir August DeWinters was the bad guy, I think the quote is a good one. It is important to remember this fact. Basically, you can do anything if you really want to. If it was easy everyone would be able to do it. Alright, I am trying to explain it, but really I am just making it harder to understand. So, I am going to just not explain it and hope you are able to figure it out on your own. You are all smart people, I have no doubts that you can figure it out.

Thank you for stopping by and reading today's quote. Sorry about the lack of updates. It has been a very busy week! (Two exams and such). Of course I never thought grad school was easy.

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Quote 3: "Courage is not the absence of fear..."

"Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all." - Mia's Father in The Princess Diaries movie.

(Of course, anyone who knows me knew that I was going to have a quote from one of my all time favorite movies). This quote in the movie inspires the main character Mia to decided to take the throne of Genova.

Anyway, I think it is an interesting and great quote from the movie. There are other great quotes from the movie. Most of them are not in the inspirational - they are just simply funny. Not that funny is bad, but that was not my point in this blog. Maybe I will have some funny quotes in a different blog. My favorite part of the quote is the last part. If you never take any risks than you are not really living. All the exciting things involve taking risks.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by and checking out today's quote!

Monday, September 27, 2004

Quote 2: "I'll think about that tommorrow"

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tommorrow." - Scarlett (Gone With the Wind).

I know what you are thinking - how can you possible get a positive spin out of that quote? I know that the point was to show how spoiled the character Scarlett was, but really there is something good to be said of the quote.

There is often times in one's life where someone or something that drives you crazy occurs while you are preparing for something important (presentation, quiz, exam, etc). I find that it is useful to think about the crazy thing tomorrow. Blocking it out of my mind until after the important event has occured. Of course this doesn't work for everytime or for everything. Often times you need to deal with it at that moment and it can't wait.

Anyway, I like the quote and Gone With the Wind is a legandary movie. I have seen it so many times. I am not sure why I like it. Possibly, because of the large scenes and this is before high tech computer graphics. It is an impressive movie and one that people really should see.

Thanks for stopping by and reading todays blog. Hope you enjoyed your visit.

Sunday, September 26, 2004

Next Week Theme: Great Quotes from Movies and TV Shows

(And Why I Think They are Great)

I will probably focus on movies, but occationally there is a great quote from a TV show that might end up in the blog. So, in other words, I didn't want to rule out TV show quotes as a possibility. Partly because come Friday one starts to run out of ideas.

I will probably repeat last weeks theme of questions later in October. I thought I would take a break there and do some lighter material. So to start the week off I will begin with one of my favorite quotes from a movie that I think everyone over 8 has probably seen (and because of the release of the DVDs this week).

"Do or Do Not. There is no try" - Yoda (Star Wars)

This quote is well, one that my parents often repeated to me as a child. Basically, my interruptation is either decide to do something or don't do something. Trying is not really an option. Or another way to think of it is 3 done things are better than 6 partly done things. As a college student I can see this quote having a lot of meaning. You can do whatever it is you want if you think you can. However, if you just "try" at it you are not going to get the full end result.

Hope you enjoy this weeks theme as much as I do! And you are having a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by and reading this blog. I appricate your visit.

Saturday, September 25, 2004

A Classic 80's Mac Game - Solarian II

From MacBlog I followed a link to a classic mac video game Solarian II. According to the site they have made a OS X version. So for those out there looking for some classic 80's games of their childhood to play again you should race over to this site and check it out. The game only cost $10. Which is pretty cheap if you think about it. (Of course I am thinking of most current video games which range from $20-$50).

Why Do We Visit other Countries?

Recently, I watched a re-run of a West Wing episode where people were heading to the United States in basically rafts and things loosely defined as row boats. I find it interest how many people in the United States want to visit other countries when it is clear that many people want to come to the United States because they believe it will give them a better life.

Of course most people want to visit Europe which last I checked, these people are not trying to come to United States for a better life. However, many people visit Mexico a country where many come to United States for jobs and trying to make better lives for themselves. I find this to be interesting. Of course, people visiting Mexico helps their society from the turists. I had know several people who have visited Mexico on school related trips and found it to be very exciting. The Travel Channel had a very interesting show about visiting Mexico - the beaches and oceans there look really nice.

Anyway, I always like thinking about the irony in situations. Well, Happy Weekend! The weekend is, in my mind, the greatest part of the week. Thanks for stopping by and reading my blog. By the way, tomorrow (or Monday) I will post my idea for next weeks theme.

Thursday, September 23, 2004

Lack of Females in Computer Science - One Geek's View

As a female in computer science I often have puzzled over this question. Why does computer science seem to have so few females? As a graduate student, I see a higher percentage of female's in computer science than I do at the undergraduate level.

Computer science has many female role models (Grace Hopper, Lady Lovelace). There is even a company (Her Interactive) that specializes in computer games focused on the female market. So why the extreme lack of interest? I personally find the area to be highly rewarding and extremely fun.

Possible Reason #1: Old sterotypes still exist. Which I do think is true. There are some educational systems which still make females feel that math and science are not areas they excell in. Of course, those people are so totally wrong! Females can be just as good (or better) then males in math and science and gender has nothing to do with it! However, if the sterotype is seeded in one's mind at a young age, then it can be hard to alter or remove this incorrect information.

Possible Reason #2: Video games of the 80's were male focused. Ask any male computer science major why they decided to major in computers and most will give a similar answer: "I remember playing . I thought it was so cool! I wanted to know how to do that..." I dare you to try it out. Anyway, games are becoming more gender neutral in my mind. But without this important seed being planted in females at a young age, they have never wanted to find out how video games work.

Possible Reason #3: Don't want to be labled "geek". In a world were white teeth are the "in" thing, hoolywood role models are extremely thin, and the "in" clothing color is pink - geek just doesn't fit in. I know I have often stuggled with the two sides of my personality. I own more shoes than most of the male geeks I know put together. My thought - who cares if you are a geek? However, this takes someone who is not wanting to "fit in" with the sterotypes of society. I strongly believe that you can wear pink or the latest style and also be a geek - but, of course, that is just my opinion.

Possible Reason #4: They just have never thought about it. Really, I think most females never consider computer science as a major. That really we are dealing with a large group of people who do not really understand what being a computer science major is all about. Other science areas have been around longer and have a clear meaning. Computer science is an ever changing and evolving major. The area has made leaps and bounds in the past 20 years. So maybe by just getting the word out will help females become more interested.

Whatever the reason I am sure that one day computer science to will balance out as has the medical field and business. When will that happen? I don't know. One day female geek with be a tend and an "in" thing, until then those of us already in computer science will need to carve out what it means to be a female geek so that others may follow in our footsteps. If enough people slowly follow, the once light trail with become a well traveled road.

Thanks for stopping by. Join my blog another time for a new exciting blog. Happy Thursday everyone!

Wednesday, September 22, 2004

What is it with Reality Shows?

According to the Bravo Channel their show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy got an emmy for best reality show. Which makes me wonder, what is the huge thing with reality shows? Why does it seem that so many channels are maving so many reality shows?

I have puzzled for this question everytime I see an ad for a new or returning reality show. So as you might guess I have puzzled over this for some time. I don't enjoy watching "reality shows" because well to me they don't seem very real. But a show about computer science graduate students would be rather boring if you think about it. Watching a bunch of 20 something's sitting around coding would not be very exciting. I am not against anyone else watching reality shows. However, these conclusions have still not anwsered my original question - why are there so many of these reality shows?

One thought I did have was the reality cheapness of the show. Think about it. Casts for some shows, for example Friends, made what was it a million per episode? (Trust me if anyone offered me a million an episode to be on a show I would jump at the chance. Also, I am totally for actors making that kind of money). A reality show where they give one person a million at the end (or after several shows) is significantly cheaper. Also, reality shows seem to get a lot of outside free publicity - "An American Idol" comes to mind. There was not a talk show or radio show not talking about it.

Plus, reality shows seem to get people involved in ways that other shows can't - or some say. However, I would think that many soap opera's have a similar "suck you in" aspect. I know people who follow some of the shows regerously. But, this blog isn't about soap opera's - so back to the subject at hand - reality shows.

I think the mystery of reality shows will remain hidden from us until we can completely develope artifical intelligence. Then we can create a super brain and ask it these very important questions. Lets just hope it doesn't give us the number 12.

Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed todays blog. Until next blog, so long!

Tuesday, September 21, 2004

Why Would Anyone Want to Watch This?!?

The discovery channel show BIG! is one show idea I really wonder about. It is not a bad thing - but really how did they come up with it? Can you imagine the meeting?

Person 1: "Hey I just thought of this great idea!!"
Person 2: "What is that?"
Person 1: "Lets have a show where we build really big things!"
Person 3: "Hmm...sounds interesting...what would we call it?"
Person 2: "How about 'Design Big Versions of Random Stuff'?"
Person 3: "No we need something more simple."
Person 1: "Lets call it 'BIG!'"
Person 2: "'Big?'"
Person 1: "No - 'BIG!' - with an explaination point."
Person 3: "Definatly with an explaination point. Otherwise it would just wouldn't work."

Actually, I am sure that someone worked long and hard on the idea from this show. I have personally not watch the show - but I have heard about it. It seems to have a following of sorts. I don't know about you, but I could live without there ever existing a 7-foot toaster. But of course, that's just me.

Monday, September 20, 2004

Is the "War Paint" Really Needed?

I once heard make-up refered to as "war paint". I thought this was an interesting phase to associate make-up with. However, I can see some of the simularities. Anyway, as a female in my 20's I honestly say that I see a lot of females wearing a ton of make-up on nearly a day to day basis. I am in college, the heart of make-up wearing for females. This is partly due to the fact that these students are away at college for the first time and their parents don't see them on a regular basis. Anyway, this seems to lead to large quantities of make-up wearing. (Of course this is just my opinion and is not based on any hard evidence - just observations).

I personally don't wear much make-up. Mostly, I use lip gloss and/or lipstick. Nail polish is more of my thing. Why don't I wear make-up? Is it because I refuse to wear make-up? Am I against make-up? Is this my way of making a stand? No, No, and No. I simply don't wear make-up for two reasons 1)I am often allergic to the make-up and 2)I simply don't want to. On a day to day basis I don't want to wear make-up. While I was involved in competitive skating I did wear make-up at competitions. I wore make-up to weddings and my high school prom. I don't want to take the time to put make-up on before class, I would rather sleep. Don't get me wrong, make-up is fun and I like wearing lip stick. I just wonder - do more females feel like me or do they really think they "need" to wear make-up? Why do females choose to wear make-up? I think it can be boiled down to one simple answer "it makes you feel pretty".

Anyway, my point is: Wear make-up if you want to. Don't wear make-up if you don't want to. Over the years many people have commented on my lack of make-up wearing. I figure they are just jealous because I am comfortable enough with myself that I can choose not to wear make-up. So if you are a non-make-up wearing person and people feel the need to point this out - well all I can stay is keep your head up those people are just jealous.

Sunday, September 19, 2004

Theme of the Week - "Questions"

I finally thought of a topic for this week - Questions. I figure it is a vast topic and if I think of lots of things I might try to extend it for two weeks. Surprise. Actually, I find myself asking "Why?!?" often. So I am hoping that the "idea well" will be full and doesn't dry up quickly.

Happy Sunday Everyone! Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog!

Saturday, September 18, 2004

How to Talk Like Pirate

Had to add a link to that. Since it is a "how to" guide.

Smells of Fall - Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

Hi Everyone! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Here in Michigan it is in the low 70's - which is a big change from the upper 80's earlier in the week. Today, I stopped at an apple orchard place and got some cinnamon sugar donuts (oh and some apples too). The best part about Michigan in the fall is the cinnamon sugar donuts. Almost every apple place sells the donuts. The donuts are, of course, best fresh.

Last week I did "how to" articles. Which was fun for me, but I quickly ran out of ideas. I liked having a theme, but it is restrictive in a way. So the big question is what should my topic be next week? Hmm... as soon as I figure it out I will let you know. I have some ideas, but a theme is hard because you have to think of about 5 subtopics or parts. I also know that I will be pretty busy this week with class work - so that makes things a bit limiting. Maybe I can use a topic with only three subtopics next week.

Maybe I will just drop the theme idea. Who knows. I guess your will just have to stop by later this week and see what I decided. Until then, thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 17, 2004

How to Get More and Spend Less

Hi there! Welcome to Stephany's "How to Get More and Spend Less" post. I decided that like the 100's of women focused magazines out there - I too should include my thoughts on the subject.
  • Target - I suggest if you are a "must have latest fad" this should be your first stop. Plus, many have $1 bins at the front of the store near the enterance. Check out some of the great $1 tendy stuff here. I got some great $1 asian inspired purses! A buck?!? I know I was shock, but I splerged and got two. Ok, so not all the clothes at Target look designer - but a lot of it does. I check out the clearance racks weekly (make sure you check the end of the aisles for bargins). If you save on the everyday things, you can have more in the long run.
  • Coupons! The key to bargin shopping. Often the ads and coupons make the Sunday paper worth getting delivered.
  • Check out the ads - often several stores have same or similar items.
  • Department store sale racks - this is the key of all good bargin shopping. Check these racks and check them often. Also, be willing to try on a size larger than you normally wear. Often the ones left are cut slightly small and you end up with a good bargin.
  • My personal rule of thumb: if you "love" it and it is under $6 you should buy it.
  • Never spend more than $7 on underwear - I have lived by this rule for more than 5 years. Plus, I have more underwear now then ever before. I have purchased CK underwear at a department store for $2. Just wait until they get the new colors in and buy the old clearance colors. Under jeans no one is ever going to see your last season underwear.
  • Never spend more than $100 on dress clothes (suits excluded). Dressy clothes are great and often on clearance. So, for the most stick to the clearance racks here. Of course how many really fancy dresses do you need?
  • Purse are best brought cheap. This works for me because I like to have lots of purses and change them to match shoes/outfit. If you are more like my mom, buy one really good quality purse and use it for the season (or 2). So there is some options one this one.
  • Rotate clothes and outfits. It is good to buy outfits, but it is better when it goes with several things. Basically, this makes it look like you have more to everyone else. (Some weeks wear the shirt with jeans other times wear it with black pants or a shirt).
  • Check the back of your closet it just might be back in style. I have recent found my 3/4 length light purple button up sweater I brought like 7 years ago. I started wearing it in January when Gap started having them again.
  • Black pants and shirts go with almost any color dress shirt or nice sweater. Every year department stores get these, so always watch for them to go on clearance.
  • Go to big sales on the first day. When Kohl's has their 75% off the clearance sales go early on the first few days. Also, go to more than one store. Every store has different stuff left.
  • Internet shopping - Ok, so this may or maynot be a good idea. Although I have seen a lot of shoes at Overstock.com that looked interesting.
Well, I hope reading this was not a complete waste of your time. I am sure most people know of this tips - but it always surprises me when I find people who don't. Hope you have a great and relaxing weekend!

Wednesday, September 15, 2004

How to Keep From Falling Asleep While Reading

(especially while reading boring stuff for school)

Another topic that I am very familiar with. I have taken a lot of classes with really interesting information, but some classes just have boring books. I have one of those books right now. The topic of the class is great, but the book is not the greatest to read. Ok, so I have a really hard time staying awake actually. So I have decided to give you my list of possible ways to stay awake while reading those - shall we say harder to read textbooks?
  • Stock up on caffinated beverages (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Coke, Diet Coke, Green Tea)
  • If your eating your not sleeping so here are some snacks I recommend:
    • Cheetos (I found these to be a great snack)
    • Chocolate covered peanuts or other chocolate treats (Snickers or 5th Avenue bars)
    • Ice cream
    • Popcprn
  • Break up studying into managable pieces and do fun activities in between (watching TV, writting your blog, going shopping, etc)
  • A very uncomfortable chair (alright not the best idea, but I have used it before exams)
  • Running the air conditioner (or not running the heat) - remember heat makes you sleepy
  • Take notes on vocab or make vocab flash cards (interaction seems to keep you awake)
  • Listen to your favorite movie soundtrack (it will block out un-wanted noise)
Well, that is all I could think of. Those are the tricks I use. Maybe these will work for you, maybe they don't.

Hope you enjoyed today's installment of "how to". The weeks not over (of course my idea well is beginning to dry up). So stop by tomorrow and see what I come up with will you? Thanks for stopping by!

How to Piss Off Your Pair

Hello again! For my Agile Software Development class we are, of course, using the concept of pair programming. This site offers a very interesting "How to" guide. The professor of the class actually pointed out this site to us. I found it very funny.

Anyway, this site fits so well into my theme this week that I decided to add this quick post. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Tuesday, September 14, 2004

How to Talk to Geeks

It came to my attention a while back that many people might not know the best way to "chat" or "talk" with a geek. So here is my help guide: "How to Talk to Geeks" and yes I have true life experiences. I am a geek and I am a CS* graduate student I have talked to many geeks in my day.**

Basically geeks are great people. Often, (and I am totally including myself here) geeks can be shy people. I know a few who are not, but many are. It is not that geeks are unfriendly, they might just be shy. Anyway, below are tips and great conversation starters for talking to geeks.

Tips:
  • It is important to keep in mind that geeks primarily deal in the electronic media world. Basically they sit around in front of computers for approximatly 85% of the day.
  • Majority of geeks live off of (or would like to live off of) pizza and soda pop (Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Coke, Diet Coke, or Mountain Dew).
  • Universal geek topics: Video games, Cartoon Network, Computers, Slashdot, Startrek, Star Wars, any movie made by Pixar, Matrix movies, Lord of the Rings movies, best Unix editors, latest technology, Microsoft, Apple, and SciFi channel's latest shows.
  • Basic background research might be needed. Basically, headlines and a little bit of understanding are all that is needed to start the conversation. You probably won't need to stick to the "universal geek topics" the entire time - but don't be worried if you do. Geeks as a general rule love talking about computers (hence they are a geek) but are in general well rounded individuals and often have additional interests outside of computers (a surprise to many).
Conversation Starters:
  • "So have you read Slashdot recently?"
  • "Have you seen the new iMac pictures? Is that screen not really cool?"
  • "Did you see the episode of last night?" (recommended shows: Enterprise, Family Guy, and Stargate SG-1)
  • "Are you a Mac or a Window's person?"
  • "What is your favorite Unix text editor?"
Anyway, this is my guide to talking to geeks. So anyone out there who was having trouble chatting with geeks I hope this helps. Well, it can't hurt is my thought. I hope you enjoyed this installment of "how to" by Stephany.

*CS = Computer Science
**This guide was written to help with talking to geeks, but may be useful in other settings. Nerd is not the same as geek. Also, sorry no refunds. You get what you paid for.