Sucker Shot

See here's the thing- I don't like these shots (Color spotting in a B&W, either by pseudocoloration or resaturating a spot) in wedding portfolios cause they're WAYYYYYYY over used (that and the fact that 99% of the people that shoot and publish B&W didn't compose the shot to be B&W to begin with).

That being said I couldn't help myself on this great B&W surf shot I took last year.

~ Chris

How soon is too soon?

**I apologize there was an error in the HTML that made this movie a link for some time. Sorry for those of you that suffered. I fixed it.

Not having children of mine own, I can't speak. That being said, I feel that the sooner kids know the safer they'll be.

We often times feel that PSAs are "preachy," or that they don't mean anything to us, I for one feel that this PSA is perfect.

Chris

Graffiti or Art?

So I vote for art (I think Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde would agree with me). Let's face it- it's an ugly storage container on the side of a hill- painted in drab and rust; or, it is a source of a smile everyday for me and others as we walk to work.

Why?

So the question I pose is not, "Why does this area exist?" It is instead, "Why do we need a sign reminding us what is not allowed in there (keep in mind the lactation area should be in a clean area, one would hope) since, in theory, that stuff is not allowed in ANY clean area?"

'Course maybe it's just a nice reminder not to walk in if you don't want an awkward encounter. Especially if you come bearing bad stuff.

Why I need a GPS

So I try to avoid posting too much crap on the blog that really doesn't belong there (All my Star Wars crap, etc.) but I've found a new reason to get a GPS

TomTom

(Be sure to stay till the end as there is a great musical moment in the last 10 secs)

I can say this: I know what I want for Christmas.

Chris

Empire

So for everyone out there who is not me- this Friday is the 30th Anniversary of the Empire Strikes Back- the best, in my opinion, of the Star Wars saga.

In honor of that, I found the following:

Empire (premake)

Interestingly, other than the starting roll of words and text all the scenes are from other movies from the 40's - 60's. Nice to see the roots of such an awesome movie.

All things Star Warsey

First is quite possibly the best wedding cake I've seen in a long time.

Bridepop

The other one is a great site that I followed for the better part of a year. The guy who did it is a great photographer. Good use of macro (close-ups) and the juxtaposition of subject matter was just awesome. I recommend you take the time to look through the whole album at some point.

Stormtroopers 365

May 20th

So I am defending my PhD dissertation that morning.

As is required it is a public defense. So that means that anyone and everyone is invited- don't worry you won't be the only non-scientist as I know for a fact several of our friends and family will be there as such here are the details:

Moores UCSD Cancer Center

Goldberg Auditorium

May 20th, 9:00 AM

3855 Health Sciences Dr. 92093

It will last about 1 hour (maybe a few minutes over)

after the defense we'll be having food and such in the next room over, so...

If you're gonna come and want to eat please just RSVP us by any means (Text, IM, here on the blog, facebook, etc.)

Thanks to all the well wishers and everyone for the help.

Really!?!

So I saw this story on yahoo this morning and all I could say was, "Really!?!" I must be living in the wrong country...

Yahoo Video

And we're done!

That's right I'm finally going to receive my PhD. May 20th I have the final public defense of my dissertation and then it's only a few pages of paper work and, presto, PhD. Until then it's kinda strange cause I am still working but am job hunting from my desk all day. Hope I get something soon.

Chris

Two months and counting

I know it seems like a long time out, and yes I will be the first to tell you this should have happened 5 months ago, but the truth is at least its happening. In two months I will have defended my dissertation and will be done with all the requirements for grad school. Now the main reason for the wait is job hunting- I'm still without a job, but I will be employed yet! In the mean time I can continue to enjoy my "stipend" which at least pays better than most people's jobs in UT (too bad the cost of living is twice as much here).

Vocab for 3/12/10

Hemophilifixed

v. The act of making so many changes to so many parts of a shared Microsoft Office file (i.e. Word document, Powerpoint presentation, etc.) that the next author to open views such a plethora of red that it appears as though the author was drafting the document next to a hemophiliac with a nervous shake attempting to shave for the first time, with no water or cream, on stage, in front of 20,000 hecklers.

e.g. Upon seeing all those red changes marked-up in my document it looks like the editor really hemophilifixed my manuscript for me.

The Way it's Done

Today I just submitted the first draft of my last paper to my boss. So what does this mean? Well first of all it means that in the last 3 weeks I have written three journal papers (A summary of a subset of my research that gets published in a peer-reviewed journal). This means that I now have four first-authorships and I am in a prime position to finish writing my dissertation in the next month! I have no idea how I did it, but I succeeded in writing 50+ pages of science crap in less than 2 weeks total time. All I can say is my brain hurts! Now I just have some revisions and some minor details to iron out.

And just to preempt any discussion I have NO IDEA when I'm "Going to be done" so don't bother asking, and NO, I don't know where we're going to be next. I just know this. I did a lot of writing and I feel good that it will pay off before too long.

On another positive note- I may actually be able to enjoy a Saturday, even if I have some work to do.

Chris

A Nibble

So I got first word back on one of the jobs I was trying for. Good news is that I have been given an invite to come speak to them. Hey that's awesome cause it sure beats being told flat-out, "NO."

So we shall see...

When prowling turns to hunting

So I had to bite the bullet and start job hunting (as opposed to THIS). I forgot why I was dreading it until I started to have to submit a resume and fill out the stupid online portions of the application. Yes, I'm telling the truth. No, I haven't had federal sanctions against me. Yes, I am a US citizen. No, I've never been deported. Etc. Etc. . I just can't wait till I can at least have an interview. Turns out (AKA have been told) I may be better to meet in person than on paper. I think that's a compliment but I'm not quite sure how....

Until then...

I'll keep people posted if I actually get any hits.

Chris

Vocab 2/18

Dungeon Dwelling

v. The act of hanging out in a dungeon-esque locale. Usually associated with subterranea and a lack of basic necessities (e.g. Sunlight, social interactions, cell phone reception, warmth).

e.g. Well, since I have 32 images to look at on the microscope I plan to take up dungeon dwelling full time.

Chris

Vocab for 2/16/10

Muesday

n. The day of the week that comes into existence only on a 4-day work week. It is to be more dreaded than a normal day as it has been known to not only possess the evil traits of Monday, but also has the ability to slow down time making a 4-day work week feel like a 40-day work week.

e.g. I can't believe it is only 10:30 AM on Muesday and I have enough work to last two weeks.

Vocab for 2/6/10

Succep Backward

n. The moment in which one seems to achieve a modicum of success only to realize that it is, in fact, a movement in the reverse direction of the intended endpoint.

e.g. The fact that the experiment worked is a real succep backwards for my dissertation.

Vocabulary (aka WotW)

We (the staff) feel it is necessary to rename the Word of the Week posts to "Vocabulary" due to the frequency of new words needing to be dissemniated.

So without further ado...

Motivisery

n. The drive, by force of misery, to get things done. Often associated with a feeling of, "either do this or suffer more." May often be found in electronic mail format or public reprimand from superiors. Also associated with dread and helplessness. A common trait amongst people who are trying to get a dreaded thing out of the way.

e.g. Man that e-mail from my boss really gave me the motivisery to finish that experiment so I can graduate.

1 down, 3 left to go

So I finished a successful run on the microscope so that means I only have one of those left to do and then 2 gels and we're looking at the end of the road. Now we know that my boss will have something else to say on the matter but you know you gotta take what you can get. The first of the final three manuscripts went to him (the boss) this morning and that means yours truly is looking at maybe a month or two left and hopefully only a couple weeks of benchwork left. So the prospect of getting out before the end of spring is starting to look more like a reality. Man wouldn't that be sweet. I do know that I will have to stall as I am slated to go to DC for AACR and Lish has already bought her tix to join... looks like I get to stall.