Friday, June 30, 2006

So Close...and then Not...

"Your space ship is double parked in my living room." - Tim O'Hara (My Favorite Martian)

I have trouble getting my cell phone to work on this planet. It appears that martians must have even worse problems. "Can you hear me now? Not on Mars"

This proves you never know what you are going to find or where you are going to find it: "Scientists dig up Ice Age bones in mid Los Angeles"

Another study I know you could live without knowing the results to: "Weighted toys may help kids get fit during playtime". (I can just imagine the parent at the toy store going "no you can't get that one, because it isn't heavy enough...")

Heard about Google Checkout? Well it appears to be a "Google Checkout Review". I think the concept is interesting, but usually when I buy online I am really only going to one store. So I am having a hard time seeing the usefulness. Yet, it does seem interesting...even easier shopping...more time to shop...hmmm...I will have to think about this one. (In the mean time you may want to read this review).

"Coming soon: Mind-reading computers" - that would be cool. Except when I am coding and the code is broken...then it wouldn't be such a good idea. But, it sounds cool doesn't it?

The summer I semester is over! I am done teaching. You know what one of the first things I did was? Shopping. Yes, I have issues but whatever. I didn't get any shoes. So, I am still keeping my goal of not buying anymore shoes in June. I have been enjoying my shoes :-) I bought (clearance) clothing instead. It was a lot of fun to not have to worry about anything for 24 hours.

Research is continuing upwards. I have just two small-ish (OK, that is a bit of a stretch, but whatever) parts to finish. Then I can completely wrap up all of my summer stuff and finally take a vacation. I am taking two months off to just relax and do...normal stuff (whatever that might be). I do have several books I want to read and movies I want to see. Plus, there are new episodes of Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis coming in July...July 14th...which is in a couple of weeks...

I better get back to coding. Thanks for stopping by and reading. Hope you enjoyed your visit. Come back again real soon now ya' hear.

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

And I thought Tuesday was bad...

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

It is the last day for the summer I term. My students have an assignment due at 5 PM. I just might go nuts before that point. I am kidding. It's not that bad. Of course, it's not my assignment that is due this evening! I am sure I will have a fun time grading these things.

About a 1/2 hour ago it was raining and hailing. It has been a while since I have seen hail that big. I am glad I parked in the bottom part of the garage when I got back from getting food. I decided to pick up food from Qdoba on my way back to my office hours.

"The Talking Camera - new handheld electronic reader will change the lives of millions" - just wow!

Aliens have invaded the planet, no wait it is just people text messaging on their cell phones ("Me little late meeting sorry sorry") - never mind.

Every city needs to get this system: "Top up your parking meter with a cell call"

Doesn't this so sound like something off of Star Trek Voyager? "Researchers Create New Organic Gel Nanomaterials"

Hubble suffers from symptoms of old age: "Hubble Space handicapped as main camera stops functioning"

I am not even sure what to say about this one: "Yellow chairs for free Wi-Fi"

Well, that is all I have time for right now - my students are asking me to find their bugs. Until next time...

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Final Tuesday Fun

"Well, I like my quirks. I think they make me unique." - Lois (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman)

Today is the last lab I am teaching. It is really, really nice. Of course, I still have many hours of office hours and grading todo, but the summer I term is coming to a close.

My research actually has some forward motion! I finally figured something out. Oh and I decided that Joone was not what I needed. Unfortunately, I do need to brush up on linear regression which isn't exactly my field of study. OK. so I took some stats and I did use it a little in my masters project. However, I am not really that 100% sure if I am ever doing it correctly. I also just hope that I did the programming correctly (or those who wrote excel did).

Anyway, enough of that. Here are some links to stuff you may (but lets all face probably not) find interesting:
Survey says what we all thought it would say: "Computers break down less often: survey"

Another we-are-totally-grasping-at-straws research study that makes us ask: why? "Men's sexual orientation depends on number of older brothers: study"

Everyone is trying to one up everyone else: "Take a Test Drive - Keep the Car!"

Are you bored this summer? For those of you who really, really love apple and old apple ads or those who just want to waste a few hours: Old Ads from Apple

Every wander about colors and the web? Well look no further: "The use of colour". (Don't worry this website is done using a very safe color that is generally protraded as good. Hense why blue is very commonly used on the web).

Well, I better get back to office hours and the likes. I am going to just live a school for the next few days. I am running about 9 hours of office hours this week. Hopefully, all the students will finish their assignments. Hopefully, I will finish my coding as well. Thanks for stopping by and reading!

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Cars and Being Practical

"The more things change, the more they remain... insane." - Michael Fry and T. Lewis (Over the Hedge)

I am becoming...practical. Yes, I know that is hard to believe, but it is true. I am turning in my little cute 2-seater Mazda Miata convertable (that is horrible to drive in the winter) and getting a Ford Escape. I had my little Miata for almost three years and now it is time to turn it in.

It is weird how attached I got to that car. I think it might have something to do with the fact that it was the longest about of time I had the same car. Seriously. I am not making this up. Most cars I had for a year (or slightly less). They are lease cars, so I am use to them not sticking around very long. Every once in a while we have one long (like my Miata or that Cougar my mom had when I was in highschool). Hence I never became that attached to any of my earlier cars (one Escort Sport and several Mustangs).

Yes, I have almost always drove sports cars and now I am getting a nice practical car. It will be great for the hills out by school. There are several between my apartment and school. It snows a bit on the west side of Michigan. Something they are always blaming on the "lake-effect" - just don't ask, I don't. I don't live that far away from a lot of skiing areas. Actually, most people who grew up in the area ski. Of course, I don't but I didn't grow up on that side of the state (and I was way to busy ice skating to learn skiing).

Well, enough about me and cars. Lets move onto some news articles I thought you should be aware of:

Computers meet sports: "Apple technology brings World Cup updates to millions"

If you are not reading digg...you should be. "Digg to allow users to vote for many types of news"

To make your inner geek tinkle: "Nano World: Black silicon for solar power"

Well, I have to get back to learning about Joone for a research project. Doesn't that just sound like so much fun? (I can hear your jealousy from here). Thanks for stopping by and reading. Next week is the end of the summer semester! Yippee :-) I have three more days of work. Now, if I could just finish the research...

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Stargate Coming Soon...

"I'm just saying that if we're taking a page from the John Sheppard book of computer repair, we're really desperate." - Maj. John Sheppard (Stargate: Atlantis)

To ads for Stargate you totally have to check out if you are a Sci-Fi fan:
Sheppard
Carter

You can also watch promos for Atlantis and SG-1 via the Sci-Fi Video player. (Look under shows -> Stargate SG-1 -> next episode and shows -> Stargate Atlantis -> next episode).

It's only what like 23 days until an all new action packed and exciting season of Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis air? Not that I am counting or anything...

OK, I admit I did count. However, in my defense they are really the only shows making new episodes that I watch...well I also watch Battlestar Galatica...but that isn't going to have new episodes until what October?

Alright, I admit I am overly excited that there is going to be new episodes. I am a wacky Stargate fan. However, I have never been to a convention or anything like that. I just get excited about new shows. Yeah...I am just going to stop before I dig myself in deeper...

Plus, I have to finish preping for teaching a lab on using the IDE for C#. I am going to show them how to make a calculator and then (maybe) if there is time a very sad little music player. I call it a sad little music player since all it contains is a stop and start button. Hmm...maybe I could make that a radio button...just so that it would look cool...choices, choices, choices...

Well, have a great weekend. Try to stay dry (for those of you living in Ohio or Michigan) and cool!

News 'N Laughs

"Not that anyone cares what I think, but the restaurant is at the *other* end of the Universe." - Marvin (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy)

Hello! Sorry I haven't been updating for a couple of days. I really don't have an excuse, except that it is the last week of class for the first summer term. I have bene quiet busy helping students complete their assignments (and debugging odd errors in their program).

I have been watching The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy on one of my movie channels. It is a good movie. The first time I watched it I was kind of confused. However, when I watched it the second (and third time) I found it to be very entertaining and funny. It is truly a movie you have to watch twice. Marvin and the ship with a happy personality were my favorite parts.

On the quantum front: "Measuring single qubits"

Orchid lovers check this out: "Scientists Find Self-Fertilizing Orchid"

"What can a magnet tell you about rain patterns?"

Microsoft goes boldly into new frontiers: "Microsoft sees future in robots"

Good news for all you pandas who read my blog: "Panda poo raises conservationists' hopes for its population"

First iPods and now search engines: "Most Microsoft Workers Search With Google"

What is the world coming to? "Parents pinch pennies from piggy banks"

Thanks for stopping by! Well, I better get to my afternoon office hours. Until next time...

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Tombs, Florida, Encryption...

"Some music *needs* air. Roll down your window." - Claire Colburn (Elizabethtown)

In the news:
Cool: "Man Leads Archaeologists to Frescoed Tomb"

I knew there was a reason I loved visiting Florida: "Florida's seas may offer cancer cure"

An always important issue: "Encryption, security policies tools to reduce laptop risks"

For those of you (who are like me) and love Wikipedia: "Growing Wikipedia revises its 'anyone can edit' policy"

I am so not going to talk about how my research is going. I did uncover one of my problems at 2 AM. Of course, now I have to figure out how to fix it. I now need to find out the magically function I need for the conclusion/consequent. The paper that I am implementing refers to it as f. I have a feeling it is problem specific. Of course, I don't know how to find said formula. I am just hoping that someone else is going to be responsible for figuring that out :-)

Well, thanks for stopping by and reading let another one of my blogs! Happy weekend! (If you are in Michigan try to stay dry!)

Saturday, June 17, 2006

Music 'N News

"Three failures denote uncommon strength. A weakling has not enough grit to fail thrice." - Minna Thomas Antrim

First the News:
For your inner computer engineer: "Researchers Reveal New Insights into the Surface of Silicon Semiconductors"

Many will try - but how many will succeed?: "Microsoft said to be developing iPod rival"

The "missing link" isn't missing anymore: "Waterfowl fossils fill in a big missing link: 110 million-year-old birds bridge gap between age of dinosaurs and today"

Because I liked the title: "How to Bake a Galaxy"

Another important study brought out by people who were seriously grasping at straws for research to do: "Web news readers spend more money online: study"

I have been searching (OK, not that hard but still) for some new songs to listen to. Anyway, I thought I would tell you what I have recently downloaded (yes from iTunes...I like iTunes...no making fun!):

"Blue and White" and "I Still Belong to You" by Beth Waters (be warned, site plays music)

"Over My Head (Cable Car)" by The Fray. I had forgotten about this song until one of my students (again, no making fun) mentioned it to me.

"You and Me" by Lifehouse

"It's Goona Be Love" by Mandy Moore. Yep, the song from A Walk to Remember

"The Old Apartment" by Barenaked Ladies. I re-stumbled onto this song :-)

Well, I better get back to work and all that fuzziness. At least I got the grading done! I have a week and a half more of teaching. Then I am going to try and take most of a term off. Assuming I ever finish my research...but lets just not go there okies?

Happy Weekend folks. Thanks for stopping by. Try and not melt out in that warm summer weather :-)

Friday, June 16, 2006

Let's Go Fly a Kite

"You know, you can say it backwards, which is 'dociousaliexpiistic-fragilcalirupus'. But that's going a bit too far, don't you think?" - Mary Poppins (Mary Poppins)

Two different (and totally unrelated) Microsoft articles: "Gates to 'transition out' of Microsoft leadership" and "Windows Vista's OEM hardware requirements give glimpse of new hardware adaptation" for your reading pleasure.

The latest on the search front: "Google to Launch Government Search Site"

"Correlating Space and Time" - umm...no comment on this one. I just thought the title was cool.

I was ma'am-ed today when I stopped to pick up my lunch at Pancheros and two weeks ago when I stopped for crazy bread at Little Caesars. I am started to feel really old :-) I am not against the term "ma'am" I am just not use to it. Quiet frankly I don't think I will ever get use to it...

It is Friday - finally! Surprising (or not really) I plan to spend most of my weekend working on my program for my research and grading. Sounds like so much fun doesn't it? (I know you are all so jealous right now). I think it will be a fun weekend. Although a hot weekend. Today it is 86 and tomorrow it is predicted to be in the low 90s.

Well, I better get back to work! Happy weekend!

Thursday, June 15, 2006

Random Rambles...

"Nero Wolfe gets what Nero Wolfe wants, or he throws a tantrum and I get fired." - Archie ("A Nero Wolfe Mystery")

"Photos Taken of 'Living Fossil' in Laos"

This must be a very popular area of study: "Wine researchers at U.S. university seek genetic answers to ancient headaches"

OK, is it just me or doesn't almost everything "contribute" to global warming? "Night flights contribute to global warming, says new study"

It has been a long and interesting week. I actually came out to school a day early for scheduling reasons. I will be happy to get back to the quiet neightborhood of my parents. Actually, my apartmnet complex is pretty quiet, except for the sprinklers spraying the window of my bedroom at 12:10 am. It tends to get a little annoying because it lasts for like 20 minutes. I have been getting up earlier in the mornings and hence trying to go to bed earlier so I can still function without large amounts of caffine.

My only really good news (worthy of sharing) is the fact that I finally fixed one (of many) problems I was having with my FuzzyJ code. I had declared the fuzzy variable range to be between 1 and 100. I then was getting an error about the value being outside the set of disclosure. It turned out that I needed the fuzzy variable to be between 0 and 100. I would say the whole thing was pretty funny if I hadn't spent 2 days trying to find the problem.

(Shaking fist a code/computer while yelling bah!) Anyway, that problem fixed. Now I just have to fix the rest of it...

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

It's Wednesday...

"Winds in the east, mist coming in, Like somethin' is brewin' and bout to begin. Can't put me finger on what lies in store, But I fear what's to happen all happened before." - Bert (Mary Poppins)*

I honestly don't have anything to tell. I have been working on research and teaching. The students are working on classes and overloading operators. Fun stuff todo, not so fun on the teaching aspect. You feel like you have gone over the same couple topics so many times...with so many students...it gets to be interesting. Of course, I know have my little "speal" memorized. Would you like to hear it? No, I wouldn't either if I were you. It's not that good - honest.

Otherwise, I have spending a bit of time reading all about The Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy system. I am trying to write this program see - for research see - and well at least I sort have a little bit of understanding regarding fuzzy stuff. I know a lot more the fuzzy terms now which helps a lot when I am reading some of the papers. Still have a long way to go.

Links to articles I thought you might find interesting:
"Scientists develop algorithm for ultra-secret security technique"

"Researchers uncover earliest dental work in this hemisphere"

"Microsoft Adds Webcams To Hardware Line"

"Two Butterfly Species Evolved Into Third, Study Finds"

*I absolutely love the Mary Poppins movie. I have read the books that the movie was based. Of course, the movie makes Mary Poppins a much more lovable character then the books. Anyway, the point is, yes I like the movie and there is no point in smirking at me regarding it. You know who you are. For everyone else, please continue having a bright and shiney day! Thanks for stopping by :-D

Saturday, June 10, 2006

What does Ikea and shoes have in common?

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Recently (i.e., Wednesday) an Ikea store open Michigan (Canton, Michigan to be exact). To read more about the open go here. I went on Friday morning because I am not insane (however, the jury is still out on that one). It was interest and fun. They had (and I bought) an ice cube trays in the shape of puzzle pieces ($1.50). There was interesting apartment like set ups in real apartment sizes. Actually, one of them was smaller than my apartment when I lived in Ohio. You could actually see how much (and by that I mean little) funiture you could actual fit. Furniture was interest and reasonably priced. Now I just need to save up money to buy a piece of funiture :-)

After a really long week (the class I am teaching the lab for learned about classes this week for those readers who are programmers) I took part of Friday as a shopping day. I also learned that I have an addiction to clearance shoes (and especially sandals). This week I have purchased a total of three pairs of shoes. Hense forth, I have set a goal of not buying any more shoes until next month. Of course, in my own defense the shoes were 50% off and really cute.

So lets move away from one of my many short comings and discuss other stuff. I am still looking for music recommendations. Seriously, I will take any :-) I listen to a wide range. This morning it was Judy Garland. Yesterday it was Enya , on Thursday it was Matchbox Twenty, and on Wednesday it was a little Tchaikovsky. Anyway, drop a comment if you think of anything. Thanks!

In real news:

A science article that by title only sounds completely convince (and developed by people way smarter than myself: "Nano-tip could play integral part in heat-assisted data storage devices"

"Robot with the human touch feels just like us"

Because we were all dying to know: "Spike 'wrote world's best joke'"

Well, I better get back to my attempt at coding using FuzzyJ now that I have finished the grading for my lab section. Thanks for stopping by and checking out the latest blog! Until next time...

Wednesday, June 7, 2006

Quest for Music...

EDIT: Saw this interesting article: "Home Of The Year 2006 › An Avatar Is Born" and I wanted to share it with you. I saw the original link via Slashdot. By the way, doesn't slashdot look so different now? But it a totally good way. Don't know what made me want to comment on it now, but whatever...

"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." - Batman (Batman Begins)

I am looking for some new music to listen to. I have been doing so much coding and driving back and forth... Anyway, I am looking for recommendations of songs and/or groups. So if you have some favorites leave me a comment or send me an email. Thanks!

Well now lets move on to the interesting news items I want to point out to you:

What do computers and fast food have in common? "PC makers bet on super-sized laptops"

This just sounds cool: "Physicists generate ball-lightning in the lab"

Oh and so does this: "Marine technology inspired by dolphins' speed" (On a complete side note: when I was in Florida we say a lot of dolphins).

Umm...ahh...OK...no comment on this one: "A Sixth Sense for a Wired World"

Very sound advice for all grad students

Tuesday, June 6, 2006

Google is Our Friend

"Well you shouldn't have started with a question, because people want to answer a question." - Ed Bloom (Big Fish)

The world is slowly becoming Google-fied: "Move over Excel, here comes Google Spreadsheets"

"Apple Introduces the New U2 iPod" again...

Rumor has it: "Apple and RIM may join forces"

Science meets history: "Researchers find hidden Greek text on 'world's oldest astronomy computer'". (Actually, I saw a history channel special about this astronomy computer thing, it was pretty interesting show actually. Yes, I watch the history channel...)

Because I know these questions was really eating at you: "Scientists resolve 60-year-old plutonium questions"

Otherwise, I really don't have anything of interest to report. Another week as started. I am making progress on my research! I have a bunch of coding still to do, but I do have some working code.

Of course, I did spend several hours looking at output and trying to figure out what was wrong with my code only to finally realize several hours later that I was comparing the wrong 2 things. So yeah, it turned out there was nothing wrong with that part of the code...fixed a lot of other problems so it wasn't a complete waste. However, it wasn't one of my more shining moments :-P

Well, I better get back to err...work and err...having office hours...yeah...
Thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, June 1, 2006

All Hail Firefox...

"In the beginning there was nothing. God said, 'Let there be light!' And there was light. There was still nothing, but you could see it a whole lot better." - Ellen DeGeneres

Today's music to blog by: Black Balloon by The Goo Goo Dolls

A really good friend of mine sent me a link to this little movie late last night and so I decided to post a link on my blog. He thought it was funny, I thought it was funny, and I am hoping you will find it funny.

I saw security over the weekend in Florida using Segways and I guess they aren't the only ones ("Chicago Cops Crack Heads, Ride Scooters").

It is June 1st? Where did May go? I guess I was a bit busy. Anyway, did you know that on June 1, 1938 the first Superman comic came out? I didn't know until like 5 minutes ago.

Napping is good for you: "Why we could all do with a siesta"

I am not sure if I should say "cool" or "yuck": "Energy snack: Chocolate-munching bugs provide fuel of the future"

Well, that is all the fun I have to report. I love my job. I get to sit, eat breakfast, and watch my students take their exam. It is interesting to watch. I remember being an undergrad and having to take those programming exams. Of course we I went the grad students had to wait in the hall because of the honor policy - but that was a whole wacky engineering thing...so lets just move on 'eh?

Hope you all have a lovely weekend! I will be spending a large chunck of my time working on research (i.e., making up for my so-totally-worth-it weekend last week). However, I expect to sneak in a little tiny bit of fun :-)