Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Whereever my muse takes me...

(Otherwise titled: I have no idea where I am going with any of this, but I figured I would torture you with my horrible attempts at writing anyway).

"Is that an old habit from ballet class or from a lifetime of walking on eggshells?" - Nick Mercer (The Wedding Date)

Today's music to blog by: Children (Dream Version) by Robert Miles

In the news:
"Microsoft Debuts Windows Live OneCare"

"Microsoft Desktop Keyboard&Mouse Combo For Mac"

"Hidden Ecosystem Discovered Beneath Cement Quarry"

"Hot stuff: Riddle of Saturn's moon may have been answered"

So here I am at my office hours. I was working on my research until well about 1/2 hour ago when I decided it was time for a break. I hadn't read any of the current tech news and I figured that it would be a good time to write a blog. A couple of my students are (get ready to be shocked...are you ready?) are here for my office hours!

I also wanted to point out a book I recently finished - Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot. Another excellent book in that "click-lit" category. Anyway, the main character is from Ann Arbor Michigan and attended the University of Michigan. Since I went to that university it made the book even more interesting. There were a few little mentions of Ann Arbor (like Kerrytown, etc). I loved the book. I would totally recommend it to anyone who liked light and funny books.

Well, I better get going. The professor I work for just walked by the lab and informed me that the exam I am giving tomorrow is ready. I better go pick it up before I leave. Thanks for stopping by and reading my rambles!

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Florida and Cake

"There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents ... and only one for birthday presents, you know." - Lewis Carroll

So I got "older" today. Yikes. It has been a pretty interesting few days. To celebrate my birthday my parents took me on a quick trip to Sanibel, Florida over the long weekend. Since I teach on Tuesdays and Thursdays it was a short weekend trip, but so totally wonderful. I didn't take any grading or research with me. I didn't even take my cell phone with me or a computer. It was kind of weird and wonderful at the same time.

If you are ever thinking about visiting the area I recommend you check out the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chambers of Commerce site. There are tons of places to stay (I recommend Sundial Resort) and many really good resturants (I recommend Mc T's Shrimp House and Hungry Heron).

On the plane ride back and forth from Florida I read Lauren Weisberger's new book Everyone Worth Knowing which I thought was a really funny book. It was a great on-a-relaxing-vacation-read kind of book. Of course, you have to be fan of the new 'chick-lit' books - which I totally am. Oh and the trailer is out for the movie based on Lauren Weisberger's other book The Devil Wears Prada. You can check out the movie website (and trailer) here.

Other news you might find interesting:
"Nano World: Superior nanowire transistors"

"Home broadband users up 40 percent"

"Poison Ivy will likely thrive as global warming increases"

Well, I am off to do play with the new speakers for my iPod shuffle...err...do lots of work...coding java...well after I plug in my iPod shuffle speakers and get a piece of cake.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Looking Forward...

"You know, outside the circus, most people were afraid of me. But I didn't hate them. I pitied them. Do you know why? Because most people will never know anything beyond what they see with their own two eyes." - Nightcrawler (X2)

News worthy news:
First there were shoes, now there is pillow.

Interesting article: "Why we all sell code with bugs"

Stop the presses: "Teen cell phone use tied to unhappiness". (Another study that makes we ask why?)

Reminds me of Star Trek: "Robot carries out operation by itself"

"Scientists Predict How to Detect a Fourth Dimension of Space"

This is going to be one pretty short blog. Mostly because I don't have much to tell about. My time has been consumed by helping students and writing code. Although, I still recommend not trying to teach C# and write java code in the same term. However, you can really see the similarities when you are going back and forth between the two languages.

Hope you have an exciting and warm holiday weekend!

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

There's a new front is moving in...

"He knows a hero when he sees one. Too few characters out there, flying around like that, saving old girls like me. And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people. Setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there's a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride, even though sometimes we have to be steady, and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams." - May Parker (Spider-Man 2)

"Microsoft releases test copies of Vista". Of course, everyone has there opinion on how good or bad ("Windows Vista Beta 2: The key word is 'Beta'") it is. Microsoft has other news: Windows Live Local Goes Into Beta 2.

Music and Shoes ("Nike+iPod") - the next interesting development brought out by Apple. You can check out the shoes here. I just might have to take up running...Or not.

Summer is finally coming to Michigan. Last week it was a bit chilly, but this week we are finally seeing some sunshine and warmth (today it is suppose to be 78). Of course, I am stuck in a lab for several hours...But I refuse to let that dampen my spirits. Well, I better get a move on because I have a bunch of student assignments to grade for tomorrow! Cheerio! :-D

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Agh Bunnies!

"Leo, there are times when we are absolutely nowhere. " - Sam Seaborn (The West Wing)

I have been undiligent in my blogging. I apologize. Teaching and working on research has my time really booked pretty solid. I am teaching C# and my research stuff is being done in java. They are so close and yet there are these little differences. But enough about that, lets more on to more interesting stuff shall we?

Random news I felt like linking to:
For the sports fans: "Physics can improve your football"...errr...soccer...

Einstein collectors: "Einstein papers to go on sale in London"

I am not even going to comment on this article.

"Mammoth skeleton found in Siberia"

Another reason to work at Microsoft: "Microsoft plans perks to retain staff"

Only in Ohio: "Bear escapes from cage, attacks neighbor"

Comic that any PhD student would enjoy/understand...

Well I better get back to work...only 2 more hours of office hours...

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Defuzzification

EDIT: "Review leads to sweeping changes in grad programs". The part that caught my attention: "Eight doctoral programs and 13 master's programs will be eliminated. Programs at the doctoral level that are slated for elimination are: applied economics, clinical psychology, comparative religion, computer science, public administration, school psychology, Spanish and statistics." Of course, I have 7 years to actually finish my degree, but it was a shocking read. Absolutely shocking.

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything begins to look like a nail." - Lotfi Zadeh

Nope, I am not making defuzzification up. It really is a word...well it is a word in the world of fuzzy logic anyway. Basically defuzzification means finding the answer based on a bunch of fuzzy rules. (Still don't believe me? I'm not making it up. If I was going to make something up I would pick something way better than that).

Well here are some articles you might find interesting:
Sports meets science: "Physicists: Here's how Beckham bends it"

"Software Adds Age To Photographs of Faces" - one of the reasons I linked to this site was the inventive ad which looks like the corner of the page bend down. It was the first time I had either seen (or noticed) that kind of ad. Anyway, I thought it was kind of ducky. Completely pointless, but ducky all the same.

Computers making the world a better place for all creatures: "Can computer models replace animal testing?"

Google-fied: "Google Web Toolkit - Build AJAX apps in the Java language"

"Scientists Reveal How Signals Travel Through Rats' Whiskers"

Oh and complete side note, in C# you can't print a square root symbol to the console. If you try to print the unicde for the square root symbol you actually get a ?a I believe. Not like that is useful info or anything...unless you are a grad student and one of your students ask you something like that. Luckily, I haven't gotten anymore good but off the wall questions.

Well, I have to go post up the next assignment for lab tomorrow and a few other little things like that. So I will just type myself off into the sunset....

(I have no idea where I was going with that...but whatever...)

Friday, May 12, 2006

Friday Fun...

"Let me teach you a trick: if you look people in the eye, they won't notice what you're wearing." - Nick Mercer (The Wedding Date)

It is Friday! I taught my first lab of the summer session on Thursday. It went pretty smoothly. Now I am reading up on fuzzy logic. It is slightly connected to some research I am working on. OK, that is wacky...I am doing research...ducky.

On Thursday I went shopping. I bought more black shoes :-) Well, one pair was sandals. However, in my defense they were clearance shoes...the 75% off kind. Let's just move on shall we?

Links (which is the real reason you all come to my blog):
"For a Bigger Hard-drive, Just Add Water"

Why the internet exists reson 273: "The Crustastun – World’s first Humane Electronic Crustacean Stunner"

New Google service: Google Trends

Music to blog by: also on Thursday I picked up the soundtrack to The Da Vinci Code. Simply excellent.

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Sticky Water?

"Masquerade...paper faces on parade. Masquerade...hide your face so the world will never find you..." - The Phantom (The Phantom of the Opera)

"Scientists discover water is sticky on a small scale"

Other news 'n stuff:
"Taking Computers to the Quantum Level"

"Microsoft introduces public beta of Windows Live Messenger" (See I point out nice stuff about Microsoft...every once in a while...)

"Dolphins Name Themselves With Whistles, Study Says"

Not much of interest to report. I have had a little bit of time on my hands - which is often common during the first week of classes. So, I have had time to watch a few of movies (because I get a bunch of those movie channels with my cable). Anyway, I am watching The Phantom of the Opera. I hadn't seen the movie version before now which I have to say is an excellent movie.

However, I think I enjoyed going and seeing the musical in person. I will never forget seeing it in Toronto when I was in middle school. The soundtrack is so wonderful - absolutely wonderful. To read more about The Phantom of the Opera musical I suggest this link.

Tuesday, May 9, 2006

What's On?

"Always keep your bowler on in time of stress, and watch out for diabolical masterminds." - Emma Peel (The Avengers)

During my week off I have been watching a bit of TV. (OK, I know this isn't a surprise or anything). So since on Monday I posted what I had been reading - I decided that for today's blog to post what I had been watching. I just love when they bring out a whole season of a show on DVD...

Been watching:
Lois & Clark: The Complete First Season
Lois & Clark: The Complete Second Season
The Avengers Emma Peel Disc 17: BONUS Disc DVD
The Avengers '62 DVD Set

Still to watch (but have):
Fraggle Rock Season 1

Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, May 8, 2006

Busy, Busy, Busy...

"Yeah, well, just remember there's no perfect sunsets. There's a little crack in every cloud, but that's what gives you your silver lining." - Perry (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)

Hello! I'm back :-)

Actually, I didn't actually go anywhere. Well, only around Michigan. I spend a week shopping, relaxing, reading, watching TV, and sleeping. I actually had time to read books that are not about computer science! In all seriousness I read all the time, but usually only a few pages at a time (because that is really all the time I have). So I decided to give you a little list of books I have been reading. (Of course, this might have something to do with the fact that I don't have any other blog topics...but lets not dwell shall we?)

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot - I am a huge fan of Meg Cabot's writing style. In this book the story unfolds via a bunch of emails between all of the characters. It a great book, but you have to like romantic comedies.

Hitched by Carol Higgins Clark - Another book in a series about her character Regan Reilly. Excellent mystery for any mystery fan.

Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark - An excellent mystery with great characters that keep you on your seat the entire time. However, like any good mystery I can't tell you too much or I will ruin it for you.

See Jane Date by Melissa Senate - Another romantic comedy that was quiet interesting and very funny.

The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger - so far I like it but I haven't finished it - yet.

On a complete side note I wanted to post a link to the new Get a Mac ads from apple.

Well, I better get back to reviewing C#. I am going to be teaching a lab this summer session for a C# course. It is going to be a fun summer session :-D I am quiet excited. Thanks for stopping by and reading!