Sorry for the lack of updates. Just taking some time off from blogging. I felt bad about it until realizing that many of my fellow bloggers are doing this same thing. =D
Have spent today working on my analysis of the jUDDI project for project management and doing write-ups for software engineering. Of course the write-ups for this week are going particularly slow, as the first one deals with the axiomatic basis for computer programming. After this summer's study of axiomaticrap in systems engineering, the word causes my eyes to glaze over.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Friday, October 21, 2005
Hello, my name's Ilana, and I like Microsoft.
I just got out of Steve Ballmer's talk at Sloan. It was excellent. Some highlights:
1. My absolute favorite example of future technology was a system in which, if you were watching a sporting even on TV, you could say "Hey, Dad! What did you think of that call?" and it will automatically connect you with whomever you say. If anybody out there has ever watched a game with me or my family, you know we are on the phone pretty much the whole time. I want that technology!
2. In the future, there will be a "better architecture of big pieces of software," rather than more, smaller products.
3. Microsoft Windows' primary customers are software developers
4. Someone asked Ballmer what as a CEO he controls and what he delegates . He controls the culture of the company, the choice of excellent people to 3-4 levels below him, the overall vision of the company, and the external image of the company as a company.
5. When asked about open source, Ballmer noted this was a "forever" competitor, unlike the fleeting nature of some commercial competitors.
6. To compete with open source, microsoft must innovate, build a better ecosystem (i.e. environment around software), build strong security, and increase overall customer value.
7. Ballmer kept emphasizing software as a service. Very pertinent to me considering my current work at MITRE
8. When asked about competing with Google, Ballmer brought a laugh to the audience by calling them a "search and advertising business."
9. The next big vision is the "Backpack PC," a cheap, rugged tablet notebook for students.
10. Healthcare needs great software innovation. It is the least automated of all the categories
11. Companies today have a big advantage when competing, as the internet gives them much more "sensory input," including blogs.
12. Typical Ilana humor: a guy in a red hat asked a question. He wasn't a Linux guy, but of course his attire made me laugh.
13. As for emerging markets, Ballmer noted three levels: developed (e.g. competes with a company in US), emerging middle class (target market), and the "out of the economic mainstream" (needs to do "computing by the drop:" internet kiosks and cafes"
14. When asked about an alternative career, here were his choices: professional basketball player, pro tour in golf, and lastly a professor at a business school, to which he said "that was such shameless pandering it nauseated me, too."
Robbie will write his notes up later. Yoav, I'm sure, will comment as well =)
Oh, and I love panda bears! (I'm trying to see if the google ads will pick up on all the panda bear stuff I've blogged in the last week. Little geeky experiment for me. Sorry to my readers and to panda bears.)
1. My absolute favorite example of future technology was a system in which, if you were watching a sporting even on TV, you could say "Hey, Dad! What did you think of that call?" and it will automatically connect you with whomever you say. If anybody out there has ever watched a game with me or my family, you know we are on the phone pretty much the whole time. I want that technology!
2. In the future, there will be a "better architecture of big pieces of software," rather than more, smaller products.
3. Microsoft Windows' primary customers are software developers
4. Someone asked Ballmer what as a CEO he controls and what he delegates . He controls the culture of the company, the choice of excellent people to 3-4 levels below him, the overall vision of the company, and the external image of the company as a company.
5. When asked about open source, Ballmer noted this was a "forever" competitor, unlike the fleeting nature of some commercial competitors.
6. To compete with open source, microsoft must innovate, build a better ecosystem (i.e. environment around software), build strong security, and increase overall customer value.
7. Ballmer kept emphasizing software as a service. Very pertinent to me considering my current work at MITRE
8. When asked about competing with Google, Ballmer brought a laugh to the audience by calling them a "search and advertising business."
9. The next big vision is the "Backpack PC," a cheap, rugged tablet notebook for students.
10. Healthcare needs great software innovation. It is the least automated of all the categories
11. Companies today have a big advantage when competing, as the internet gives them much more "sensory input," including blogs.
12. Typical Ilana humor: a guy in a red hat asked a question. He wasn't a Linux guy, but of course his attire made me laugh.
13. As for emerging markets, Ballmer noted three levels: developed (e.g. competes with a company in US), emerging middle class (target market), and the "out of the economic mainstream" (needs to do "computing by the drop:" internet kiosks and cafes"
14. When asked about an alternative career, here were his choices: professional basketball player, pro tour in golf, and lastly a professor at a business school, to which he said "that was such shameless pandering it nauseated me, too."
Robbie will write his notes up later. Yoav, I'm sure, will comment as well =)
Oh, and I love panda bears! (I'm trying to see if the google ads will pick up on all the panda bear stuff I've blogged in the last week. Little geeky experiment for me. Sorry to my readers and to panda bears.)
One year ago today
One year ago today, I woke up ecstatically happy. We had beaten the Yankees in seven games. It was so unbelievable.
It's amazing the effect that sports have on a city. I remember going shopping the day after we were massacred by the Yankees in Game 3. Everybody was dragging, grumpy, and rude--even more so than normal. After Game 7 and throughout the World Series, the whole city was so upbeat it was unreal. As A. Bartlett Giammatti said, "School will never start, rain will never come, sun will warm the back of your neck forever."
I'll reminisce about last year and post some of the things I wrote as the week goes on.
It's amazing the effect that sports have on a city. I remember going shopping the day after we were massacred by the Yankees in Game 3. Everybody was dragging, grumpy, and rude--even more so than normal. After Game 7 and throughout the World Series, the whole city was so upbeat it was unreal. As A. Bartlett Giammatti said, "School will never start, rain will never come, sun will warm the back of your neck forever."
I'll reminisce about last year and post some of the things I wrote as the week goes on.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Steve Sinofsky Talk
Yesterday I went to hear Steve Sinofsky talk at MIT. He was a very good and entertaining speaker, and 90 minutes flew like it was nothing. Before the talk even started, I was able to pass the hour I waited talking with Paul B. and Robbie. That hour also flew.
Robbie always takes really great notes, so I will wait for him to post his (yes I'm lazy). The highlight of the talk was a preview of the next version of Office. It really looks excellent. It seems as though Microsoft is trying to step up its effort in order to show that paying for software has something over Open Source.
Ooo! And this was funny: some guy in a Google shirt sat slouched a couple rows behind me. I think his only purpose in coming was to ask Sinofsky when Microsoft would open source its components. Sinofsky responded "no time soon," and the student walked out minutes later. Hysterical.
Anyway, the project called Office 12 looked really good. As a prisoner of PowerPoint due to my work in defense, I am excited for its new ease-of-use features.
Dude, now this is written, I feel dirty. Extolling the virtues of a Microsoft project as a Java and Open Source-type developer? Inconceivable! (Sorry watched Princess Bride the other night =D)
Robbie always takes really great notes, so I will wait for him to post his (yes I'm lazy). The highlight of the talk was a preview of the next version of Office. It really looks excellent. It seems as though Microsoft is trying to step up its effort in order to show that paying for software has something over Open Source.
Ooo! And this was funny: some guy in a Google shirt sat slouched a couple rows behind me. I think his only purpose in coming was to ask Sinofsky when Microsoft would open source its components. Sinofsky responded "no time soon," and the student walked out minutes later. Hysterical.
Anyway, the project called Office 12 looked really good. As a prisoner of PowerPoint due to my work in defense, I am excited for its new ease-of-use features.
Dude, now this is written, I feel dirty. Extolling the virtues of a Microsoft project as a Java and Open Source-type developer? Inconceivable! (Sorry watched Princess Bride the other night =D)
SDM Bumper Stickers Found!!!
I have found the long-lost SDM bumper stickers. For some reason, I had them filed away among my bank statements and phone bills. I'll have them in class today =)
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The good part about Miers' nomination
The only part about Miers' nomination that makes me smile is Arlen Specter's visibility on the case. It reminds me of a time back in 1996 when I was at Dartmouth.
I was walking over to the apartment of my friends Melissa and Selma. Seeing as how it was senior year and a day that ended in a 'Y,' I was hungover. Okay, I wasn't that bad senior year, but I was definitely hungover that day.
I had almost reached their apartment when a funny-looking dude got in my path. He told me his name was (Something) Specter and that he was running for President. We often had presidential candidates running around Dartmouth during election years, seeing as how we were up in New Hampshire at all. These ranged from the Hemp Lady to Bill Clinton to Bob Dole. Despite this knowledge, I didn't believe this guy and his funny, made-up name for a second. "Sure you are," I replied. "So am I!" and walked away.
With that, I went upstairs to my friends' apartment, leaving the guy standing there looking flabbergasted. I told my friends that some dude named "Something Specter" had made up some story about running for President. Being much more politically savvy than me, they laughed hysterically and told me who he was. They then looked out the window and confirmed the guy outside was him.
Yay, hungover 22-year-old Ilana!
I was walking over to the apartment of my friends Melissa and Selma. Seeing as how it was senior year and a day that ended in a 'Y,' I was hungover. Okay, I wasn't that bad senior year, but I was definitely hungover that day.
I had almost reached their apartment when a funny-looking dude got in my path. He told me his name was (Something) Specter and that he was running for President. We often had presidential candidates running around Dartmouth during election years, seeing as how we were up in New Hampshire at all. These ranged from the Hemp Lady to Bill Clinton to Bob Dole. Despite this knowledge, I didn't believe this guy and his funny, made-up name for a second. "Sure you are," I replied. "So am I!" and walked away.
With that, I went upstairs to my friends' apartment, leaving the guy standing there looking flabbergasted. I told my friends that some dude named "Something Specter" had made up some story about running for President. Being much more politically savvy than me, they laughed hysterically and told me who he was. They then looked out the window and confirmed the guy outside was him.
Yay, hungover 22-year-old Ilana!
Bad Ilana
No sooner than I had written the post below (okay, half an hour afterwards), Katie and I left to take a rare lunch away from the office. We made a last-minute decision to go to Cheesecake Factory, which is in the Simon-owned Burlington Mall. D'oh! The wait was at least 30 minutes, so we went to Pizzeria Uno instead. Still in the same mall. I wonder if they will be shut down as well.
Now that I have bought stuff at that mall, I will need to go to Pizzeria Regina to make up for it. =D
Now that I have bought stuff at that mall, I will need to go to Pizzeria Regina to make up for it. =D
Principles vs. a lot of shoes all in one place
The Simon Mall group is screwing over Pizzeria Regina. Not cool. So do I boycott their malls? There own so many malls (Burlington, Phipps, Lenox, etc) and have so many stores there, like Lord and Taylor and Sharper Image. I guess I will try to shop elsewhere when I can and eat more pizza at Regina's to make up for their losses.
Leo probably headed to the Yankees, Shakespeare defamed, Regina's evicted. I need another panda picture.
Leo probably headed to the Yankees, Shakespeare defamed, Regina's evicted. I need another panda picture.
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Ok, now I feel better. |
Leave Bill Alone!
Yet more people who doubt Shakespeare's claim on his plays. Stupidheads.
These are people who should have gotten the whole decoder ring thing out of their systems before they turned 18. Now they are looking for hidden messages in Shakespeare's sonnets. Dudes, give it a rest. Go, like, find a cure for the common cold or something.
These are people who should have gotten the whole decoder ring thing out of their systems before they turned 18. Now they are looking for hidden messages in Shakespeare's sonnets. Dudes, give it a rest. Go, like, find a cure for the common cold or something.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Say it ain't so, Leo!
The Yankees are trying to grab Leo Mazzone, the Braves pitching coach. If you have watched a Braves game on TV, you have seen this guy. He is the one who rocks back and forth the entire time. He is also the one who built an incredible pitching dynasty in Atlanta (yes, that somehow could not win in the playoffs in the last few years).
Stay in Atlanta. Don't go to the Yankees. I don't want to have to root against you and mock the rock rather than cheer it.
Stay in Atlanta. Don't go to the Yankees. I don't want to have to root against you and mock the rock rather than cheer it.
Excellent Project Management class
I found today's System Project Management class to be very enjoyable. We had a guest speaker who led a discussion about a Microsoft Office case study. It is fun when we talk about software in the SDM core classes, as the people who are usually the quietest in most discussion suddenly come alive to talk about software.
Between my Business of Software and Project Management classes, I am beginning to think they should change the name of the school to the Microsoft Institute of Technology. =) However, that might just be because I think I'm funny. Yoav commented that the name should involve a mention of the defense and aerospace fields that are always cited. I agree with him there, too, but my new name for MIT is so cute it's like, panda cute!
Between my Business of Software and Project Management classes, I am beginning to think they should change the name of the school to the Microsoft Institute of Technology. =) However, that might just be because I think I'm funny. Yoav commented that the name should involve a mention of the defense and aerospace fields that are always cited. I agree with him there, too, but my new name for MIT is so cute it's like, panda cute!
My car passed inspection!
Yay! My car passed inspection!
Nothing much else of note today. This morning as I was driving to the gym I heard a really sad song on the country station. Something about a girl that gets cancer, her hair falls out, she wants to go to the prom but has no hair, a boy asked her, he shows up with a shaved head, they go to the prom, they dance, they're in love. Yup, it had me all teary and I had to wait to go to the gym. The moral of this story is don't listen to the country music station when you're still more asleep than awake.
Now I'm in class waiting for project management to start.
Nothing much else of note today. This morning as I was driving to the gym I heard a really sad song on the country station. Something about a girl that gets cancer, her hair falls out, she wants to go to the prom but has no hair, a boy asked her, he shows up with a shaved head, they go to the prom, they dance, they're in love. Yup, it had me all teary and I had to wait to go to the gym. The moral of this story is don't listen to the country music station when you're still more asleep than awake.
Now I'm in class waiting for project management to start.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Everything is a bright, shiny object today
I am having one of those days in which everything is distracting me. It's been very hard to settle down and get work done. Not quite sure what the cause is. Maybe seeing the sun after so much wind and rain? Hmm...I have no idea. I'd like to continue guessing, but I need to go try to focus my attention on something. What, I have no idea. But something.
OOo! And I hope y'all noticed that earlier today I finally put a description under the "Ilana's Blog" up top. I'm proud of me and my description-publishing initiative.
OOo! And I hope y'all noticed that earlier today I finally put a description under the "Ilana's Blog" up top. I'm proud of me and my description-publishing initiative.
Who'sh an 'ittle panda bear?
From Boston.com, the new panda at the Washington zoo. Too cute to not post:
For all you South Park junkies: when I just looked at this picture again, all I heard was the "Sexual Harrassment Panda" theme song. HAHAHA. That always makes me laugh.
"When one little panda calls another little panda a name, that makes me a saaaad pannnn-da."
For all you South Park junkies: when I just looked at this picture again, all I heard was the "Sexual Harrassment Panda" theme song. HAHAHA. That always makes me laugh.
"When one little panda calls another little panda a name, that makes me a saaaad pannnn-da."
Thank you, Quality Volvo Auto Repairs!
This morning I took my car into Quality Volvo in Wakefield. It had failed inspection for the second straight year for the same reason: the driver's side front suspension. I had been dreading this appointment all week. I really like the mechanics there, but was willing myself to leave if I felt they did not treat me fairly.
I got there around 8am. I told them what had happened and asked to get an estimate before they went ahead and did any repairs. I sat down on the couch (with the owner's golden retriever that is always in the office), and did homework.
At 9:15, they gave me the bill marked with no charge. They had replaced a part on the car for free. They said it really didn't need to be replaced, but since it failed inspection, they considered it to be under warrantee and fixed it. I asked how it wouldn't need to be replaced if it had failed, and they told me that Volvos have different alignment from most cars, and some of the inspectors do not account for this.
I really don't like the guy who did my inspection. After taking it back to get my sticker (I already paid for the inspection, and the final look has no charge), I will not return there. I went back this year because I was happy he had found something wrong the previous year, figuring his attention to detail would help me be more safe. Finding the same thing two years in a row is a little weird, though.
I got there around 8am. I told them what had happened and asked to get an estimate before they went ahead and did any repairs. I sat down on the couch (with the owner's golden retriever that is always in the office), and did homework.
At 9:15, they gave me the bill marked with no charge. They had replaced a part on the car for free. They said it really didn't need to be replaced, but since it failed inspection, they considered it to be under warrantee and fixed it. I asked how it wouldn't need to be replaced if it had failed, and they told me that Volvos have different alignment from most cars, and some of the inspectors do not account for this.
I really don't like the guy who did my inspection. After taking it back to get my sticker (I already paid for the inspection, and the final look has no charge), I will not return there. I went back this year because I was happy he had found something wrong the previous year, figuring his attention to detail would help me be more safe. Finding the same thing two years in a row is a little weird, though.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Thank goodness for LaDainian
Tomlinson has thrown for a TD, rushed for a TD, and caught a TD. He is the anchor of my fantasy team. Can't believe I even considered picking Shaun Alexander with the number one pick. Yay, LT!!
Go, studmuffins! Let's improve to 4-2!
Go, studmuffins! Let's improve to 4-2!
Pats Game Disqualification
What kind of crap is this? Logan Mankins (#70) gets kicked out of the game for supposedly throwing a punch from where he was laying at the bottom of a pile? Are you kidding me?!?! Denver has been taking cheap shots all day, ever since the Pats first run in which someone had a very late hit on Pass. Grrr...
Yes, the Pats look really bad today, but bad officiating still stinks.
Grrr.
Yes, the Pats look really bad today, but bad officiating still stinks.
Grrr.
Saturday Update
Yesterday was a great day. I puttered about until about 5:30, at which time I picked up Brian and headed to Dave and Christian's. There we met up with their friend Matt, Dave's sister Meghan, and picked up Matti and Dave's friend from college Erica.
We headed down to Fall River to see the (crap, Denver just had a huge run) The Avett Brothers, a bluegrass group out of North Carolina. Dave and Christian have been watching these guys for years (crap, Denver scored. We look bad). I went with them once before to a concert at a bar in Harvard Square.
The concert was even better this time. The venue was at a Fall River arts center. It was a big open room set up with pews. The only problem with the set-up was that it did have a church-y feeling to it; during the opening act, I felt like I was talking in class when I whispered.
Then the Avett Brothers came on. They are so much fun. Great energy, great humor, great songs. By the end, we were all up and dancing in the back. Oh, and Dave and Matt went out to get take-out for dinner: buffalo wings, hummus, and bruschetta.
Afterwards, we headed home, with Christian DJ'ing once again on Meghan's iPod. Too much fun....
And today: After having some trouble getting out of bed this morning, I went to Costco. (Oo...Simms just called this challenge wrong. He said the elbow didn't count as being down, but then the referees contradicted him. Now he's pretending he was saying this the whole time. Dumbass). I finished my errands in this whipping wind and headed home.
We headed down to Fall River to see the (crap, Denver just had a huge run) The Avett Brothers, a bluegrass group out of North Carolina. Dave and Christian have been watching these guys for years (crap, Denver scored. We look bad). I went with them once before to a concert at a bar in Harvard Square.
The concert was even better this time. The venue was at a Fall River arts center. It was a big open room set up with pews. The only problem with the set-up was that it did have a church-y feeling to it; during the opening act, I felt like I was talking in class when I whispered.
Then the Avett Brothers came on. They are so much fun. Great energy, great humor, great songs. By the end, we were all up and dancing in the back. Oh, and Dave and Matt went out to get take-out for dinner: buffalo wings, hummus, and bruschetta.
Afterwards, we headed home, with Christian DJ'ing once again on Meghan's iPod. Too much fun....
And today: After having some trouble getting out of bed this morning, I went to Costco. (Oo...Simms just called this challenge wrong. He said the elbow didn't count as being down, but then the referees contradicted him. Now he's pretending he was saying this the whole time. Dumbass). I finished my errands in this whipping wind and headed home.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Busy Friday Night
After class, Robbie, Yoav, Dharmesh, and I headed to the Helmand to discuss our Business of Software project. After a bit of initial talk, we ordered a delicious dinner and got deeper into our topic of Web 2.0. It was really quite an exciting discussion; the group is very knowledgable about basically all aspects of Web 2.0, so it was good to be able to listen and participate. I had initially had trouble with the definition of Web 2.0 itself, but that is part of what everybody runs into with it apparently.
After that, I rushed home, dropped off my car, and raced into the North End to meet up with Suzanne and Matthew who were in town so that Matthew can look at schools. They saw Tufts yesterday, and are off to Bowdoin today. I sat with them at the restaurant for a while. Afterwards, we headed to Mike's but the line was ridiculous, even the "local express" line (i.e. the rapid way to the counter for those that lived in the North End and know the tricks =D). We left there and walked to Bova's instead. From there, it was back across the bridge to Charlestown.
It was pouring the whole time. At one point, a car hit a puddle, and a huge wall of water like they show in cartoons hit and drenched me. Matthew and Suzanne were hit by separate waves. By the time we got to my condo, we were soaked to the bone. I gave Suzanne a pair of my jeans (which I had inherited from Eve...thanks Eve! We talked for a few hours, then they left at 10pm. I had such a great time with them.
I then started getting ready for bed. However, I talked to Sam on the phone, and ventured out to his friend's party instead. I was happy I did. It was great to hang out with Sam and his friends Brian, Milt, and John. I haven't been to a house party for a while. It was nice to be at one.
This morning I dropped a bunch of clothes and luggage off at Rosie's Place. It took me about a half hour from the time I left my door until I finally left the building to head over there. First, Rosie's Place wasn't on my GPS, so I had to run up and get the address off my computer. Then I ran back downstairs, hopped in my car, reached for my phone, and realized I had no idea where my purse was. I took all the donations out of the trunk to look for it, put them all back, and headed back to my condo where my purse sat next to my computer. I grabbed it and went back downstairs. I was finally on my way.
And now I'm doing homework. =)
After that, I rushed home, dropped off my car, and raced into the North End to meet up with Suzanne and Matthew who were in town so that Matthew can look at schools. They saw Tufts yesterday, and are off to Bowdoin today. I sat with them at the restaurant for a while. Afterwards, we headed to Mike's but the line was ridiculous, even the "local express" line (i.e. the rapid way to the counter for those that lived in the North End and know the tricks =D). We left there and walked to Bova's instead. From there, it was back across the bridge to Charlestown.
It was pouring the whole time. At one point, a car hit a puddle, and a huge wall of water like they show in cartoons hit and drenched me. Matthew and Suzanne were hit by separate waves. By the time we got to my condo, we were soaked to the bone. I gave Suzanne a pair of my jeans (which I had inherited from Eve...thanks Eve! We talked for a few hours, then they left at 10pm. I had such a great time with them.
I then started getting ready for bed. However, I talked to Sam on the phone, and ventured out to his friend's party instead. I was happy I did. It was great to hang out with Sam and his friends Brian, Milt, and John. I haven't been to a house party for a while. It was nice to be at one.
This morning I dropped a bunch of clothes and luggage off at Rosie's Place. It took me about a half hour from the time I left my door until I finally left the building to head over there. First, Rosie's Place wasn't on my GPS, so I had to run up and get the address off my computer. Then I ran back downstairs, hopped in my car, reached for my phone, and realized I had no idea where my purse was. I took all the donations out of the trunk to look for it, put them all back, and headed back to my condo where my purse sat next to my computer. I grabbed it and went back downstairs. I was finally on my way.
And now I'm doing homework. =)
Business of Software class very good
I am liking my Business of Software class more and more. After the initial premises for the class were established the required terms defined in the first few weeks, it has become a very interactive and interesting class. There is a lot of diverse experience in the room, and it is good to hear others' points of view. Prof Cusumano has been doing an excellent job of guiding the discussion, adding his viewpoints, but letting the class learn from each other as well.
Between this class and Prof Leveson's Software Engineering, Friday is becoming a very, very enjoyable day for me.
Between this class and Prof Leveson's Software Engineering, Friday is becoming a very, very enjoyable day for me.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Leveson's class out early
Today Professor Leveson ended class early because she had gone through everything she wanted to. So nice to have a professor that does not just idly fill time.
The class itself was good as usual. We discussed object-oriented programming vs. functional. After that, we got into a discussion on reuse. It's' really interesting to hear the classes' opinions on different subjects. Very diverse.
The class itself was good as usual. We discussed object-oriented programming vs. functional. After that, we got into a discussion on reuse. It's' really interesting to hear the classes' opinions on different subjects. Very diverse.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Hi, my name's Ilana, and I'm a SYTYCD junkie
Okay, I admit it. I have four episodes of "So You Think You can Dance" saved on my TiVo. I've watched each at least three times. Sometimes to perfect the steps I've learned off the show, sometimes just to watch.
The one thing I can't watch is Lauren Sanchez. That woman freaks me out. She makes Michael Jackson look natural. Seriously, check the photos.
Anyway, the more I watch, the more I still think Nick should have won. However, I also still think Ashle should have been the top woman. She has incredible lines; she always holds her form. She also has longer lines than little Melody, which may have hurt her in the fast-paced final girls dance. It's much harder to get those longer legs to do the quicker movements (believe me, I remember from being a way over-tall pre-teen).
I'm sure most of my audience just doesn't care about SYTYCD, but I am seriously hooked.
Thankfully, another very guilty pleasure--Comedy Central's "Drawn Together"--starts back up next wednesday. Dude, between "Lost," "South Park," and "Drawn Together," Thursday TiVo will be just awesome. And if they get SYTYCD back on Wednesday at 8pm...dude...
The one thing I can't watch is Lauren Sanchez. That woman freaks me out. She makes Michael Jackson look natural. Seriously, check the photos.
Anyway, the more I watch, the more I still think Nick should have won. However, I also still think Ashle should have been the top woman. She has incredible lines; she always holds her form. She also has longer lines than little Melody, which may have hurt her in the fast-paced final girls dance. It's much harder to get those longer legs to do the quicker movements (believe me, I remember from being a way over-tall pre-teen).
I'm sure most of my audience just doesn't care about SYTYCD, but I am seriously hooked.
Thankfully, another very guilty pleasure--Comedy Central's "Drawn Together"--starts back up next wednesday. Dude, between "Lost," "South Park," and "Drawn Together," Thursday TiVo will be just awesome. And if they get SYTYCD back on Wednesday at 8pm...dude...
Controversy too well-timed?
The whole "run-to-first-base-on-third-strike-after-being-called-out" controversy seems like something a little-too-perfect to happen to the most boring ALCS in years. All of the media is lamenting a Red Sox- and Yankees-less ALCS, citing the probability of low ratings? Then all of a sudden, this huge controversy?
Okay, so the terrible call and subsequent run to first happened. But can't you see the conversation among the umpire and referees? "Dude, let it stand. We only have .0001 viewership right now." "Yeah, this could push us to .001." "Let's leave it."
The best thing about the whole thing is seeing all the replays of Slappy McSlapsalot from last year (ARod slapping the ball out of Bronson's glove).
Okay, so the terrible call and subsequent run to first happened. But can't you see the conversation among the umpire and referees? "Dude, let it stand. We only have .0001 viewership right now." "Yeah, this could push us to .001." "Let's leave it."
The best thing about the whole thing is seeing all the replays of Slappy McSlapsalot from last year (ARod slapping the ball out of Bronson's glove).
Gotta love Belichick!!
In response to the Falcons listing Michael Vick as "Probable" (meaning he will most likely play) rather than "Questionable" (50/50 chance), the Patriots listed 15 of their own players as "Probable." HAHAHA.
Full details here.
Full details here.
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Scott Berkum Talk
Today I went over to MIT for a talk given by Scott Berkum, a former Program Manager at Microsoft. His talk was very enjoyable, though I really did not learn much new. It was mostly directed at those who have not yet been in the workplace, which I have for over nine years now =). Great and entertaining speaker, though. I'm bummed to have to miss his 4pm talk on "Why Software Sucks," but religion calls.
Some pointers and thoughts from the talk:
* Don't send out bad resumes. It's seem obvious, but a lot of people do it (you wouldn't believe the crap I saw while at SI. I think my favorite all-time was one in which the person had put "Great written and oral communicator" and "communicator" was misspelled)
* Berkum used a picture of a football team to illustrate the different roles a person can play. You want to be the guy making the tackle, even if someone is drawing a face mask penalty on you at the same time
* Chewing with your mouth closed is a good thing. Smacking is gross (Oops, sorry. That was inspired by the guy sitting next to me. It was seriously making me nauseous)
* Work-life balance is incredibly important. Yeah, we all know this, but I loved the quote: "You work eighty hours a week?!?! That's embarrassing!"
Some pointers and thoughts from the talk:
* Don't send out bad resumes. It's seem obvious, but a lot of people do it (you wouldn't believe the crap I saw while at SI. I think my favorite all-time was one in which the person had put "Great written and oral communicator" and "communicator" was misspelled)
* Berkum used a picture of a football team to illustrate the different roles a person can play. You want to be the guy making the tackle, even if someone is drawing a face mask penalty on you at the same time
* Chewing with your mouth closed is a good thing. Smacking is gross (Oops, sorry. That was inspired by the guy sitting next to me. It was seriously making me nauseous)
* Work-life balance is incredibly important. Yeah, we all know this, but I loved the quote: "You work eighty hours a week?!?! That's embarrassing!"
Nomaaaaaah
Nomahhh saved two women from drowning. I'm sorry, but the best part of that article isn't Nomar diving in to save them or the uncle jumping from the 20-foot balcony...it's the fact that the second woman fell in after the first.
Seriously....close your eyes, great mental picture (well, close them after reading). They're leaving Tavern on the Water. They've had a wee bit too much to drink. One of them leans over the water to look at something sparkly and falls in. The other one leans over to check on her friend and ker-splash! If it wasn't for Nomar, I'm guessing the second may have qualified for the Darwin award.
So do you think Nomar was just jealous of all the attention that A-Rod was getting for saving the little boy last year (by pushing him out of the street, away from an oncoming car)? I also can't believe Nomar's place is only on the second floor. I thought we were talking, like, penthouse here. I wonder if he's the one with the telescope. If you live in Charlestown or have ever walked by those condos (blanking on the name), you know the one I'm talking about.
PostscriptOkay, I just read that the woman was trying to save her friend. I should feel like a jerk, but I still think the above image is funny in sort of an immature Ilana type way.
Seriously....close your eyes, great mental picture (well, close them after reading). They're leaving Tavern on the Water. They've had a wee bit too much to drink. One of them leans over the water to look at something sparkly and falls in. The other one leans over to check on her friend and ker-splash! If it wasn't for Nomar, I'm guessing the second may have qualified for the Darwin award.
So do you think Nomar was just jealous of all the attention that A-Rod was getting for saving the little boy last year (by pushing him out of the street, away from an oncoming car)? I also can't believe Nomar's place is only on the second floor. I thought we were talking, like, penthouse here. I wonder if he's the one with the telescope. If you live in Charlestown or have ever walked by those condos (blanking on the name), you know the one I'm talking about.
PostscriptOkay, I just read that the woman was trying to save her friend. I should feel like a jerk, but I still think the above image is funny in sort of an immature Ilana type way.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
Dude! We're legit!
Too legit...too legit to quit (sorry, had to channel MC Hammer for a second).
Yahoo is placing Blogs side-by-side with news.
I'm sure I'll be getting a call any day now. This site is definitely at least as informative as that of my former employer.
Yahoo is placing Blogs side-by-side with news.
I'm sure I'll be getting a call any day now. This site is definitely at least as informative as that of my former employer.
Monday, October 10, 2005
Jaws is a darn good movie
Just watched Jaws while avoiding watching the ALDS. Dude, that is a darn good movie. The shark was obviously pretty fake looking, but what a movie! It's amazing how much we have learned about great whites since it was filmed, even just in the way they move. Truly beautiful creatures, though I must admit I have no desire to meet one face-to-face.
Oh, and the ANGELS WON!!! YAY!!! We love and miss you, Orlando.
Oh, and the ANGELS WON!!! YAY!!! We love and miss you, Orlando.
MITRE uses VenSim
Just did a Google search on MITRE's internal pages, and 45 results were returned for VenSim, the systems dynamics project management software I was panning.
Luckily I only had a small lunch so I have room for dessert when I am forced to eat my words.
Luckily I only had a small lunch so I have room for dessert when I am forced to eat my words.
Enlargement patches?
I just got an ad to my yahoo address for penis enlargement patches. We all get these weird enlargement emails, but the subject of this one made me laugh outloud. I guess if you stick enough patches on, it's bound to look bigger.
Saturday, October 08, 2005
Another project management homework...
...another tool to be learned and forgotten.
I have yet to meet someone in the real world who used anything but Microsoft Project or a lower-cost equivalent. Why is it that we are continually forced to learn tools that are not at all applicable outside the doors of academia?
I have yet to meet someone in the real world who used anything but Microsoft Project or a lower-cost equivalent. Why is it that we are continually forced to learn tools that are not at all applicable outside the doors of academia?
Still here
I decided not to go to Atlanta this weekend. While I was really looking forward to seeing Sharleene and my other friends--and of course watching the Patriots from ten rows back--I forewent the trip in favor of catching up on stuff here. I want to get ahead in my homework so that I can spend time with my family this coming week and finish swapping out winter for summer clothes.
I tried to change my flight from coming home Tuesday to coming home Monday or Sunday after the game, but couldn't, and that ended up being the dealbreaker.
I have been cleaning and doing errands this morning. I decided to take a spare suitcase that has been sitting in my closet since I used here into storage. When I lifted it for the second time, I realized it was heavy. I opened to see if there was something in it, and there was....it was full of clothes!!! Winter clothes! Over half still had their tags on. There was also a sweater that Kellie and I had bought together. We had bought twin outfits from sweater to skirt to boots, and I was really sad to have lost the sweater. But I found it! YAY!
I tried to change my flight from coming home Tuesday to coming home Monday or Sunday after the game, but couldn't, and that ended up being the dealbreaker.
I have been cleaning and doing errands this morning. I decided to take a spare suitcase that has been sitting in my closet since I used here into storage. When I lifted it for the second time, I realized it was heavy. I opened to see if there was something in it, and there was....it was full of clothes!!! Winter clothes! Over half still had their tags on. There was also a sweater that Kellie and I had bought together. We had bought twin outfits from sweater to skirt to boots, and I was really sad to have lost the sweater. But I found it! YAY!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Good day, except for Sox
Today was a good day. Great software engineering class in the morning, then, after a two-hour sit through system architecture, great business of software class.
Interesting contrasts today... in software engineering, we were talking about the failure of reuse, while in business of software, we talked about how it helps. I still think that reuse needs to be done with care and only in appropriate situations (easy for me to write, huh?)
Then after watching the Sox, Eve and I went for dinner at Legal Seafood. We each had a bowl of chowder, then shared the butterfish and crab dip appetizers. Sooo good. I felt Eve's baby kick (she is 6.5 months pregnant). So exciting.
Then over to Tavern on the Water for a drink with Jeff (Eve had water). We only stayed for about an hour, then headed home to watch the Yankees game.
I'm still debating going to Atlanta. On one hand, I'd love to see the Pats game and all my friends there. On the other hand, I wouldn't be flying back til Tuesday morning, keeping me from my own bed for three nights. Hmmm... It's tough with all the classes...i'm so scared to get worn out and fall behind.
Interesting contrasts today... in software engineering, we were talking about the failure of reuse, while in business of software, we talked about how it helps. I still think that reuse needs to be done with care and only in appropriate situations (easy for me to write, huh?)
Then after watching the Sox, Eve and I went for dinner at Legal Seafood. We each had a bowl of chowder, then shared the butterfish and crab dip appetizers. Sooo good. I felt Eve's baby kick (she is 6.5 months pregnant). So exciting.
Then over to Tavern on the Water for a drink with Jeff (Eve had water). We only stayed for about an hour, then headed home to watch the Yankees game.
I'm still debating going to Atlanta. On one hand, I'd love to see the Pats game and all my friends there. On the other hand, I wouldn't be flying back til Tuesday morning, keeping me from my own bed for three nights. Hmmm... It's tough with all the classes...i'm so scared to get worn out and fall behind.
Are you f'ing kidding me?????
Bases loaded??? No outs??? Your season on the line, and you don't score?!?!??!?
Nothing like it
Nothing like yet another lecture on creativity delivered in a monotone. At least this guy's slides have color.
Instead of having SDM students take System Architecture to learn creativity, we should have to take a liberal arts-type class. Make us take creative writing to learn about thinking outside the box. These dull creativity lectures are deadly ironic.
Instead of having SDM students take System Architecture to learn creativity, we should have to take a liberal arts-type class. Make us take creative writing to learn about thinking outside the box. These dull creativity lectures are deadly ironic.
Manny, MickyD's, and Me
Last night I had a dream that I was waiting in line at McDonald's behind Manny Ramirez. He ordered a water, which came to $1.35. I stepped up and also ordered a water. Manny then turned around and told me he made millions of dollars, so he would pay for my water. Any idea what this means? It is unclear whether or not I was there *with* Manny or if we just met up there.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Rude guy outside of Sys Project Management class
While waiting to enter PM today, Deming and I wandered over to where Biju was sitting. Near him was a cup with two butterfinger bars in it. So, of course, Ms. Jingle woman over here has to sing, "Baby Ruth...and Butterfinger...Fresh! Guaranteed!" (We all remember that one, right?)
Some old professor dude comes up, takes the cup and says, "So you lost it huh? Pressure too much?" His tone was quite rude. I decided not to get offended and said, "Lost it a long time ago. Just riding it out now." He gave me a look and said, "And your hair used to be straight and blonde, too, huh?" Hmm...wonder why there aren't momre women at this school...
Some old professor dude comes up, takes the cup and says, "So you lost it huh? Pressure too much?" His tone was quite rude. I decided not to get offended and said, "Lost it a long time ago. Just riding it out now." He gave me a look and said, "And your hair used to be straight and blonde, too, huh?" Hmm...wonder why there aren't momre women at this school...
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
So you think you can dance ends....
So sad! After a great night at Warren Tavern, I came home eager to watch "So You Think You can Dance." Nick won, followed by Melody, Jamile, and Ashle. I think Nick deserved to win, but think Ashle should have been second as she was much more versatile.
Katie came over to go to Warren Tavern tonight. We ran into Rooney and Donny as soon as we walked in. Greg was working bar. Paul, along with his brother Peter and Peter's friend Frank stopped by to meet us later. The Sox lost. I don't want to talk about it.
Eve and I have tickets for Saturday's game. I had really hoped the Sox would win the series that day, but they can't possibly take it that day. Friday is a big night. Me scared.
Katie came over to go to Warren Tavern tonight. We ran into Rooney and Donny as soon as we walked in. Greg was working bar. Paul, along with his brother Peter and Peter's friend Frank stopped by to meet us later. The Sox lost. I don't want to talk about it.
Eve and I have tickets for Saturday's game. I had really hoped the Sox would win the series that day, but they can't possibly take it that day. Friday is a big night. Me scared.
Tuesday
After the batting cages, I went to Project Management class, then headed over to SDM with Paul B., John Haj, Sonny, and Biju. Paul, John, and I grabbed a room and started working on system architecture. We worked through one of the problems, and I headed home to work on the reaminder.
I took a quick break to head to Pizzeria Regina's with Jeff. He had never been there before! We shared a pepperoni pizza and pitcher of Sam Adams Octoberfest. Not your typical Rosh Hashanah dinner, but still good.
Then it was back home to finish off system architecture. WOohoo!
I took a quick break to head to Pizzeria Regina's with Jeff. He had never been there before! We shared a pepperoni pizza and pitcher of Sam Adams Octoberfest. Not your typical Rosh Hashanah dinner, but still good.
Then it was back home to finish off system architecture. WOohoo!
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Batting cages
I have had a very stressful few days, and the work just keeps piling up. I therefore left work 15 minutes early for class (after getting there two hours early this morning for a meeting), and hit the Ironwood batting cages. I hit 75 balls. It felt really good, and helped to blow off some steam. I continued on to school and found a great parking spot right on Memorial Drive. WoohoO!
Monday, October 03, 2005
Excellent article
Excellent article by John Donovan, a very nice guy I worked with while at SI (and apparently very intelligent too =D)
One excerpt: "[...] the Sox, the hugging-est group of grown men this side of the Promise Keepers [...]"
Go here
One excerpt: "[...] the Sox, the hugging-est group of grown men this side of the Promise Keepers [...]"
Go here
From one who loves bright, shiny objects...
Heard on MikeFM this morning:
"Here at MikeFM, it's like we have A.D.D. That's because we play all kinds of--Hey look! A firetruck!"
"Here at MikeFM, it's like we have A.D.D. That's because we play all kinds of--Hey look! A firetruck!"
I cannot type the word "methodologies"
I love spell-checking my software engineering papers. Every time I do, I find at least nine different typos on the word "methodologies." They are all entertaining. Other words I consistently mistype include programmers and developers.
Just in case you were interested =)
(BTW, I had to go back and retype the title to this page. I had spelled it "methologies")
Just in case you were interested =)
(BTW, I had to go back and retype the title to this page. I had spelled it "methologies")
Sunday, October 02, 2005
DSM Homework Really Pissing Me Off
I am still working on the frigging project management homework. This is unbelievable. I have tried three different tools to execute on the DSM and none of them work. What is the point of this homework? It is of no use to have a project management theory with no tool. Not even Microsoft Project implements this crap (and the plug in downloadable on the site just throws errors).
SOOoo grumpy.
SOOoo grumpy.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Yucking Fankees!
Still a great day, though. My dad and I got to our seats before lineups were announced (with beers in hand of course). I had bought a calendar to support Canine Companions, so i entertained myself looking through the calendar, which is filled with pictures of Red Sox players and puppies. And you know me; when i got to David Ortiz, I was particularly joyful. "Big Papi! Small puppy! Big Papi, Small puppy!"
My dad should have been in the dugout today. Here's what would happen when Randy Johnson was pitching.
"Watch. Fastball"
I look up. Fastball 94
"Slider."
Look up at the board: slider 68.
"Another slider."
Yup, you guessed it.
he didn't get one wrong once! Yay, Dad!
Not many fights during the game until the 8th and 9th when Yankee fans were egging on Sox fans by waving their shirts around. There was almost a girl fight five rows behind us. One of the girls who was talking smack had a hat made out of balloons, like you usually see on five year olds. Tough to look tough while wearing that.
Sad game... Meredith and John who sit next to me and i were discussing the similarity of the crowd behavior to game 3 of the ALCS last year. Very interesting stuff.
At least Cleveland lost, and the Sox will win tomorrow! Go Sox!
After the game, we went to my condo to pick up my mom and go out for ice cream. Now it's off to meet Katie to head out to see Oge and friends. YAY!
My dad should have been in the dugout today. Here's what would happen when Randy Johnson was pitching.
"Watch. Fastball"
I look up. Fastball 94
"Slider."
Look up at the board: slider 68.
"Another slider."
Yup, you guessed it.
he didn't get one wrong once! Yay, Dad!
Not many fights during the game until the 8th and 9th when Yankee fans were egging on Sox fans by waving their shirts around. There was almost a girl fight five rows behind us. One of the girls who was talking smack had a hat made out of balloons, like you usually see on five year olds. Tough to look tough while wearing that.
Sad game... Meredith and John who sit next to me and i were discussing the similarity of the crowd behavior to game 3 of the ALCS last year. Very interesting stuff.
At least Cleveland lost, and the Sox will win tomorrow! Go Sox!
After the game, we went to my condo to pick up my mom and go out for ice cream. Now it's off to meet Katie to head out to see Oge and friends. YAY!
I am Kermit
Hmm...I guess this is accurate...or it could be because my favorite color is green.
You are Kermit the Frog.
You are reliable, responsible and caring. And you have a habit of waving your arms about maniacally.
FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS:
"Hi ho!" "Yaaay!" and "Sheesh!"
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"How Green Was My Mother"
LAST BOOK READ:
"Surfin' the Webfoot: A Frog's Guide to the Internet"
HOBBIES:
Sitting in the swamp playing banjo.
QUOTE:
"Hmm, my banjo is wet."
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are Kermit the Frog.
You are reliable, responsible and caring. And you have a habit of waving your arms about maniacally.
FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS:
"Hi ho!" "Yaaay!" and "Sheesh!"
FAVORITE MOVIE:
"How Green Was My Mother"
LAST BOOK READ:
"Surfin' the Webfoot: A Frog's Guide to the Internet"
HOBBIES:
Sitting in the swamp playing banjo.
QUOTE:
"Hmm, my banjo is wet."
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
Feeling lucky today
I am feeling very fortunate this morning. My parents are coming in around 11:30. My mom is going to stay here to watch the game while my dad and I head over to Fenway. I feel very lucky to be going to the game today and very excited.
Tonight I get to see a very good friend of mine, Oge, who is in town for the weekend. Life is good.
Of course, you are all right. I am writing this before I go to the game. Hopefully, I'll feel just as lucky afterwards! =)
Tonight I get to see a very good friend of mine, Oge, who is in town for the weekend. Life is good.
Of course, you are all right. I am writing this before I go to the game. Hopefully, I'll feel just as lucky afterwards! =)
Friday, September 30, 2005
Baseball history?
If the series this weekend is split 2-1 in favor of the sox, and Cleveland also goes 2-1, we are going to have a double tiebreaker, something that has never happened in baseball. Sox-Yanks for AL East, Loser of that vs Indians for wildcard. Of course, i hope the Sox sweep this weekend and it's not even a problem.
My dad and I are off to see the Johnson-Wakefield matchup. We saw the same matchup a couple weeks ago in New York, which ended up with Wakefield pitching a gem but Johnson still getting the win, 1-0.
Go Sox!
My dad and I are off to see the Johnson-Wakefield matchup. We saw the same matchup a couple weeks ago in New York, which ended up with Wakefield pitching a gem but Johnson still getting the win, 1-0.
Go Sox!
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Young Dartmouth Alumni
I just returned from a Dartmouth Young Alumni event. I originally was not going to go, as my allergies have left me feeling very weak and icky, and I actually got sick from not eating anything and taking allergy medication...ick! I decided that these events happen once a year, so I should just suck it up and go.
Let me tell you, I may be a Dartmouth alumna, but I am certainly not a young one. Everybody at this event graduated in 2000 or after! Well, everybody except for the three other 96's and one '98 who eventually stood clustered in a corner.
It was open bar, so I made my way up for a drink. It was seriously like being in Theta Delt on a Wednesday night. People were ordering 4-5 drinks per person, and shoving against the bar. Very weird. I tried to leave the bar area so I could go to the adjacent bar and buy a drink, but the entrance was flooded with the young'uns.
So, as previously mentioned, I ended up talking with the three 96's. Who started talking about their kids. And that's why I'm back home at 8:35. =D
Weird night. I'm looking forward to this weekend when Oge, a fellow 96 and good friend, comes to Boston for a Saturday night pub crawl. woohoo! Then I'll feel like a young alum again....
Let me tell you, I may be a Dartmouth alumna, but I am certainly not a young one. Everybody at this event graduated in 2000 or after! Well, everybody except for the three other 96's and one '98 who eventually stood clustered in a corner.
It was open bar, so I made my way up for a drink. It was seriously like being in Theta Delt on a Wednesday night. People were ordering 4-5 drinks per person, and shoving against the bar. Very weird. I tried to leave the bar area so I could go to the adjacent bar and buy a drink, but the entrance was flooded with the young'uns.
So, as previously mentioned, I ended up talking with the three 96's. Who started talking about their kids. And that's why I'm back home at 8:35. =D
Weird night. I'm looking forward to this weekend when Oge, a fellow 96 and good friend, comes to Boston for a Saturday night pub crawl. woohoo! Then I'll feel like a young alum again....
Applying MIT Minds to Baseball Standings
Interesting column from Gordon Edes in today's Boston Globe about probabilities of the Sox taking the division or wild card
So you think you can Dance and Lost
I was supposed to get lots of work done last night, but my allergies are making me really foggy, so I found myself in front of the TV for my two favorites shows.
So You Think You Can Dance was excellent. The four finalists deserved to be there. The only exception I may have made was trading Jamile for Blake because I believe Blake to be way more versatile. Of course, that may be because my own style is more similar to Blake's =D. However, Jamile definitely has the better personality, so yay!. I am rooting for Ashle to win. She is a stunning dancer; she looks natural doing any type of dancing. Ooo...blanking on the non-Jamile guy, but he is my choice for second. Third would be Melody...she's a gorgeous dancer, but always reverts back to the same ol' lyrical tricks. Anyway, that's my take.
And Lost kicked butt as always. I know people TiVo this show, so won't say too much about it, except that the first half was pretty slow but the last 15 minutes kicked butt.
Okay, think I've procrastinated enough...I have a big presentation at noon. It's at the point where I really can't look at it anymore or touch any of the software, so I'm kind of floating along in my allergy haze. =)
So You Think You Can Dance was excellent. The four finalists deserved to be there. The only exception I may have made was trading Jamile for Blake because I believe Blake to be way more versatile. Of course, that may be because my own style is more similar to Blake's =D. However, Jamile definitely has the better personality, so yay!. I am rooting for Ashle to win. She is a stunning dancer; she looks natural doing any type of dancing. Ooo...blanking on the non-Jamile guy, but he is my choice for second. Third would be Melody...she's a gorgeous dancer, but always reverts back to the same ol' lyrical tricks. Anyway, that's my take.
And Lost kicked butt as always. I know people TiVo this show, so won't say too much about it, except that the first half was pretty slow but the last 15 minutes kicked butt.
Okay, think I've procrastinated enough...I have a big presentation at noon. It's at the point where I really can't look at it anymore or touch any of the software, so I'm kind of floating along in my allergy haze. =)
Things that scare Ilana...
Commitment! Nah, just kidding. What scares me is learning new technologies such as DSM that when Googled point primarily to educational sites. Robbie's and Yoav's blogs were actually among the top results. Maybe it doesn't scare me so much as frustrate me. I just feel I could be spending my time more effectively by learning technologies and techniques that are more accepted by industry standards.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Go, Sox!
Katie and I headed to Fenway last night after work, but the game was rained out. We met up with Jeff and Steve and went to Jillian's for drinks instead. It was a very fun time.
Today, Katie and I once again made our way over to Fenway. The day was perfect: sunny, breezy, gorgeous. Jeff came over to sit with us in the 7th inning. It was a great game! Sox won 3-1. Everybody stayed until the very end of the game. I really didn't see any of the crowd leaving early.
After the game, we went to Jeff's apartment to pick up his very well-behaved chocolate lab Riker. We walked Riker across the bridge to Katie's car in the west lot annex. Jeff, Riker, and I then made our way over to building one, where I planned to see if I could catch up with John Haj or anyone on my project management team as they filed out of class. I unfortunately missed them all. Of course, the author of the delightful note below was one of the few folks I ran into. Nah, that wasn't at all awkward. Then I walked to the west annex lot with John Wang, who I really haven't seen much this term and was great to catch up with.
All in all, a wonderful afternoon! Now I am going to try to punch out some of the software engineering homework and business of software stuff before my next project meeting.
Today, Katie and I once again made our way over to Fenway. The day was perfect: sunny, breezy, gorgeous. Jeff came over to sit with us in the 7th inning. It was a great game! Sox won 3-1. Everybody stayed until the very end of the game. I really didn't see any of the crowd leaving early.
After the game, we went to Jeff's apartment to pick up his very well-behaved chocolate lab Riker. We walked Riker across the bridge to Katie's car in the west lot annex. Jeff, Riker, and I then made our way over to building one, where I planned to see if I could catch up with John Haj or anyone on my project management team as they filed out of class. I unfortunately missed them all. Of course, the author of the delightful note below was one of the few folks I ran into. Nah, that wasn't at all awkward. Then I walked to the west annex lot with John Wang, who I really haven't seen much this term and was great to catch up with.
All in all, a wonderful afternoon! Now I am going to try to punch out some of the software engineering homework and business of software stuff before my next project meeting.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Boston Women: Beware of Taxis
Those of you who have ever gone out on the town with me know that I hate taking taxis by myself, and would prefer to walk as long as the walk is on crowded streets.
Here is a good reason to buddy up when taking cabs:
Scary article
Thanks to my mom for this information.
Here is a good reason to buddy up when taking cabs:
Scary article
Thanks to my mom for this information.
No traffic on 128!!!!
I had barely any traffic on my way into work today! That in itself is blogworthy. From gym to MITRE took 18 minutes where it normally takes at least 30. Hit a little traffic at route 3, but never came to a complete stop. I'm so happy....yay! It truly is the little things in life....
Friday, September 23, 2005
Outstanding instructors
I think Professor Leveson has potential to end up in my Outstanding Instructors category. I believe this to be a group of people who know their subjects and are effective at passing this information along. Here are my members so far and what they taught:
Junior high: Ms. Dow (Gifted and talented general classes), Mrs. Engdahl (English)
High School: Mr. Pane (English), Ms. Conley(English)
College: Prof Saccio (Shakespeare), Prof Rassias (French)
Grad: ?
Other: Lisa Kaplan (Jazz/Lyrical dance), Ahron Davidi (religious school) (No, he's not in here just because he is my dad)
Looking back, I can see why I was influenced to study English literature and creative writing in college after having such great teachers in my younger years.
Back to the present, I really enjoy Leveson's teaching style as well as the reasonable amount and type of work she assigns. The three-hour class goes by like nothing.
Junior high: Ms. Dow (Gifted and talented general classes), Mrs. Engdahl (English)
High School: Mr. Pane (English), Ms. Conley(English)
College: Prof Saccio (Shakespeare), Prof Rassias (French)
Grad: ?
Other: Lisa Kaplan (Jazz/Lyrical dance), Ahron Davidi (religious school) (No, he's not in here just because he is my dad)
Looking back, I can see why I was influenced to study English literature and creative writing in college after having such great teachers in my younger years.
Back to the present, I really enjoy Leveson's teaching style as well as the reasonable amount and type of work she assigns. The three-hour class goes by like nothing.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Taguchi
Ohmigod....I was just putting on eye makeup, getting ready to go out, when i thought back to our chat today. I laughed so hard AGAIN I almost put out an eye.
Hand-in-hand up the hill, giggling rolling down the hill, into the hay...
(Sorry to non-chatters. Definitely a location joke.)
Hand-in-hand up the hill, giggling rolling down the hill, into the hay...
(Sorry to non-chatters. Definitely a location joke.)
Good news
Actually, great news. Legislation will require that pets be evacuated as well as people. See CNN article
As for bad news, I am completely ignoring the Red Sox right now, including the fact that Foulke is out for the season.
As for bad news, I am completely ignoring the Red Sox right now, including the fact that Foulke is out for the season.
VCR/So You think you can Dance Result
I didn't set the VCR up properly. I got an hour of blue screen.
At least the people I wanted to be voted off got voted off (Ashlee and Jamile got to stay)
So sad I didn't get to see it...I'm hooked on that show.
At least the people I wanted to be voted off got voted off (Ashlee and Jamile got to stay)
So sad I didn't get to see it...I'm hooked on that show.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
HOLY CRAP LOST WAS SO GOOD
WOW....okay, I wasn't on pins and needles over the summer, but I definitely wondered what happened after the season finale. Not going to give anything away here, but usually the premier of the next season SUCKS. This one absolutely did not. Wow. Who writes this stuff????
Lost!!!
Lost starts back up tonight!!!!! I am so excited. SUCH a good show. Unfortunately, it is on at the same time as "So You think you can Dance." This means I am going to have to use my VCR to record "Dance," as I will be out to dinner during the shows. Should be an interesting challenge. I heart my TiVo.
Not much else knew. I spent the day at the offsite for my department. I have so few hours in the day to spare between work and school that any time wasted driving really irks me. The drive up there took 1.5 hours in the morning, and 1 coming back. Sigh... It's fun to see everybody though.
Autumn starts oooo....five minutes ago. Good-bye, Summer. I will miss you. You will live on forever in my heart and in my tanning booth. (Yes I am committing to staying tan this year! Of course, I always say that and never do. Please no comments on how bad it is for my health.)
Okay, gotta go figure out the VCR. Should be fun.
Not much else knew. I spent the day at the offsite for my department. I have so few hours in the day to spare between work and school that any time wasted driving really irks me. The drive up there took 1.5 hours in the morning, and 1 coming back. Sigh... It's fun to see everybody though.
Autumn starts oooo....five minutes ago. Good-bye, Summer. I will miss you. You will live on forever in my heart and in my tanning booth. (Yes I am committing to staying tan this year! Of course, I always say that and never do. Please no comments on how bad it is for my health.)
Okay, gotta go figure out the VCR. Should be fun.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
"What's it like being one of so few girls?"
That is a question I am often asked about being one of 5 women in a 61-person class at MIT. I always answer that the guys treat me with so much respect that sometimes I don't even notice the large gender gap. However, this morning, that respect was broken when I received the following email from a classmate. It is in response to him having received my profile as a potential match on a dating site (yes, I'm out there)
Email starts here:
Jesus Christ, Ilana, you got emailed to me as a match. You’re aren’t you?
So. How about a little incest? Anyone with as much mutual hatred as we started out with is bound to give it a go, in the movies at least.
What are you doing on Yahoo anyway? It's because I told you I was on there isn't it--not that you came on there for me, but I made you think of Yahoo Personals. Did you pay for Yahoo or just do free post?
Let’s go for it. Mmm. . .cohort incest. You know I actually did have a Moment of Lust for you, didn’t think it was possible. Looking at your calves, tanned calves, sitting down, very nice. Very beautiful, tanned Ilana, hate to admit it, but there it is. One moment to just reach down and brush that calf with my palm. Didn’t do it of course.
You want me to write you on the service? Pick you up like a stranger? LOL, it’s all a game. So funny, so exciting, and in the end, so very sad. Yet we all play, one way or another, online or off.
-----
Now here's the game: I'm not going to write who this person is, but I bet my fellow classmates can guess. Try not to vomit.
Email starts here:
Jesus Christ, Ilana, you got emailed to me as a match. You’re
So. How about a little incest? Anyone with as much mutual hatred as we started out with is bound to give it a go, in the movies at least.
What are you doing on Yahoo anyway? It's because I told you I was on there isn't it--not that you came on there for me, but I made you think of Yahoo Personals. Did you pay for Yahoo or just do free post?
Let’s go for it. Mmm. . .cohort incest. You know I actually did have a Moment of Lust for you, didn’t think it was possible. Looking at your calves, tanned calves, sitting down, very nice. Very beautiful, tanned Ilana, hate to admit it, but there it is. One moment to just reach down and brush that calf with my palm. Didn’t do it of course.
You want me to write you on the service? Pick you up like a stranger? LOL, it’s all a game. So funny, so exciting, and in the end, so very sad. Yet we all play, one way or another, online or off.
-----
Now here's the game: I'm not going to write who this person is, but I bet my fellow classmates can guess. Try not to vomit.
Meeting luck
Some of you may remember my incident of 2003, my first meeting at MITRE in which I went to use the ladies room before and somehow broke the side zipper on my pants. It wouldn't zip back up. I ended up having to rush back to my office and staple my pants to keep them on. I kept checking my pants throughout the meeting, and never noticed that the middle button of my blouse was unbuttoned the whole time, exposing my bra. Woohoo!
Today I went to use the lady's room before a big presentation. I glanced down at one point and realized, "Hmm...I usually can't see the floor through my pants. When I pulled them back up and felt the air conditioning, I realized what was wrong. They had somehow split from front to back up the, umm, butt seam. So my pants were gaping open, and I was trapped in the ladies room. 10:47. My meeting is at 11:00am. I took my jacket off, wrapped it around my waist, bolted for my office (which I now of course share with a boy), grabbed my sewing kit, and ran back to the bathroom. Of all the domestic skills, I believe my sewing to be among the best, right up there with my cookie baking. I managed to sew up the pants, grab my laptop, and be ready for the meeting at 11:00.
The clients showed up at 11:35.
Today I went to use the lady's room before a big presentation. I glanced down at one point and realized, "Hmm...I usually can't see the floor through my pants. When I pulled them back up and felt the air conditioning, I realized what was wrong. They had somehow split from front to back up the, umm, butt seam. So my pants were gaping open, and I was trapped in the ladies room. 10:47. My meeting is at 11:00am. I took my jacket off, wrapped it around my waist, bolted for my office (which I now of course share with a boy), grabbed my sewing kit, and ran back to the bathroom. Of all the domestic skills, I believe my sewing to be among the best, right up there with my cookie baking. I managed to sew up the pants, grab my laptop, and be ready for the meeting at 11:00.
The clients showed up at 11:35.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Check me out!
Ummm....my profile has now been viewed 666 times. Not that I'm a suspicious girl or anything, but I can't help but remember that both the Sox and the Pats lost today. Can somebody please click on my picture to the right and boost me up to 667?
System architecture analogy
For my system arch class, we need to do a grid in which there are a number of system architect experts listed across the top, then three categories along the side: product, design process, and implementation process. Each of these has a line for each of the basic questions: how, what, why, when, where, how much, who.
I am really struggling to see the relationship between the rows and columns. To me it seems as if you put baseball teams across the top (Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Braves, etc.) and on the side had three categories: pasta (spaghetti, ziti, fussilli...), carpet type (shag, persian, throw), and music type (rock, country, classical). If you stretch your mind, you can make these connections: the Red Sox live in Boston where there is a tunnel, so they like ziti.
The whole thing is just so incongruous, and I am getting very frustrated trying to make everything fit. Is anybody else running into this for opp set 1, question 4? Or am I missing something that would make this job incredibly easy?
I am really struggling to see the relationship between the rows and columns. To me it seems as if you put baseball teams across the top (Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, Braves, etc.) and on the side had three categories: pasta (spaghetti, ziti, fussilli...), carpet type (shag, persian, throw), and music type (rock, country, classical). If you stretch your mind, you can make these connections: the Red Sox live in Boston where there is a tunnel, so they like ziti.
The whole thing is just so incongruous, and I am getting very frustrated trying to make everything fit. Is anybody else running into this for opp set 1, question 4? Or am I missing something that would make this job incredibly easy?
Pats losing, Sox losing, Ilana grumpy
The Pats still look awful. The Sox are down 12-1. The Yankees (thankfully) are down 5-4.
I am so tempted to turn off the televisions set. The Pats just don't look like themselves. Then again, this team has delivered so much that one can never count them out.
Besides, if I shut the TV off, I need to do System Architecture homework. Then again, that might be less painful than watching this damn game.
I am so tempted to turn off the televisions set. The Pats just don't look like themselves. Then again, this team has delivered so much that one can never count them out.
Besides, if I shut the TV off, I need to do System Architecture homework. Then again, that might be less painful than watching this damn game.
What's wrong with the Pats?
They look awful. They are making mistakes worthy of the 49ers of last year. They look like themselves in 1989. C'mon, Pats! Let's go! I don't care if I lose in Fantasy Football!
Oh, yeah, and speaking of...please get Deion Branch some passes, and no interceptions, Tom!!
Oh, yeah, and speaking of...please get Deion Branch some passes, and no interceptions, Tom!!
Commentator humor/poetry
The commentator for the Pats game just said, "Randall Gay is on his way to get some BenGay." Such poor taste. The guy might have just snapped his ankle in two and play-by-play boy is making funnies that aren't very funny.
I am playing the Pats' defense in fantasy football this week. Such a rooting quandry. NOT! Go Pats! Dubya's Crusaders, you still suck!
I am playing the Pats' defense in fantasy football this week. Such a rooting quandry. NOT! Go Pats! Dubya's Crusaders, you still suck!
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Donate directly to Katrina victims
My friends Tara and Goober in Atlanta sent this email.
My wife Tara and I along with another couple (Denny and Lauren) are sponsoring/adopting a group of 15 evacuees from the same church/community in New Orleans. Denny and Lauren were kind enough to take their 4,000 square foot house for sale in Norcross off the market and allow the group to stay there for the next 2 months rent free. They are also trading in an RV to purchase a vehicle for the families to use in their job search and then to attend those jobs. Our goal is to keep them in the house as expense free as possible for as long as possible (hopefully at least for the next 4-6 months) and to help them find employment. We are asking for any help we can get in the form of monetary or gift certificate donations. We mostly need help paying for the utilities, additional months rent and on going necessities. We have already received many furniture, clothing and food donations, however, we do still need a little help furnishing the house and keeping them with food and necessities. For more info on and pictures of the group, a list of items donated and needed, descriptions of their clothing sizes and a list of contributors please visit www.lennysbeachhouse.com/Katrina.
Any monetary donations can be made by check, money order, cash or thru the pay pal account on the website. Checks and money orders can be made payable to Adventure League, Inc. and sent to 3051 Highland Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080. We also have a tax deductible nonprofit (501c) organization (The Children's Fund at www.thechildrensfund.org) a place that will donate 100% back to the families. If you are interested in donating thru The Children's Fund please contact me for instructions. Also, if you know of any job opportunities in the Metro Atlanta area please let us know. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail or phone (w)404-846-5049, (c)404-798-2808. Thank you in advance for all the responses and support.
My wife Tara and I along with another couple (Denny and Lauren) are sponsoring/adopting a group of 15 evacuees from the same church/community in New Orleans. Denny and Lauren were kind enough to take their 4,000 square foot house for sale in Norcross off the market and allow the group to stay there for the next 2 months rent free. They are also trading in an RV to purchase a vehicle for the families to use in their job search and then to attend those jobs. Our goal is to keep them in the house as expense free as possible for as long as possible (hopefully at least for the next 4-6 months) and to help them find employment. We are asking for any help we can get in the form of monetary or gift certificate donations. We mostly need help paying for the utilities, additional months rent and on going necessities. We have already received many furniture, clothing and food donations, however, we do still need a little help furnishing the house and keeping them with food and necessities. For more info on and pictures of the group, a list of items donated and needed, descriptions of their clothing sizes and a list of contributors please visit www.lennysbeachhouse.com/Katrina.
Any monetary donations can be made by check, money order, cash or thru the pay pal account on the website. Checks and money orders can be made payable to Adventure League, Inc. and sent to 3051 Highland Drive, Smyrna, GA 30080. We also have a tax deductible nonprofit (501c) organization (The Children's Fund at www.thechildrensfund.org) a place that will donate 100% back to the families. If you are interested in donating thru The Children's Fund please contact me for instructions. Also, if you know of any job opportunities in the Metro Atlanta area please let us know. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail or phone (w)404-846-5049, (c)404-798-2808. Thank you in advance for all the responses and support.
Emergency brownies safely in freezer
As part of my procrastination tonight, I made brownies. I like to have brownies on hand at any time, as they are a beautiful, wondrous food. After I make a batch, I eat a little row of them from the bottom of the tray. I then wrap each brownie individually and put it in the freezer. That way, whenever I want a home-made brownie, I only need to open my freezer, tear through some tinfoil, and either microwave it or just dig in. Yay, emergency brownies!
What? Stop procrastinating and go back to my reading? But why? Sigh...okay....
What? Stop procrastinating and go back to my reading? But why? Sigh...okay....
Software engineering reading
Andrew just called. He asked what I was doing. I responded with, "It's a Saturday night! What do you think I'm doing?" To his few guesses I answered, "No! Homework! Wheeee...."
I love my software engineering class. The professor is wonderful, and the readings are excellent. I am almost positive that this class will be one of my favorites--if not the favorite--of my classes at MIT.
The homework for the first couple of weeks is very time-consuming. We need to write a half-page summary and half-page critique on each article we read. While I think this is a good way to ensure that we thoroughly understand the paper, it certainly is a lot of work. I can't complain about it because I feel it is truly beneficial. I'm just kind of babbling on here as a procrastination device.
I am working on my fourth of the twelve that are due this Friday. Okay, I'll shut up and go back to my essays so that I can devote all of tomorrow to the bliss that is System Architecture homework.
I love my software engineering class. The professor is wonderful, and the readings are excellent. I am almost positive that this class will be one of my favorites--if not the favorite--of my classes at MIT.
The homework for the first couple of weeks is very time-consuming. We need to write a half-page summary and half-page critique on each article we read. While I think this is a good way to ensure that we thoroughly understand the paper, it certainly is a lot of work. I can't complain about it because I feel it is truly beneficial. I'm just kind of babbling on here as a procrastination device.
I am working on my fourth of the twelve that are due this Friday. Okay, I'll shut up and go back to my essays so that I can devote all of tomorrow to the bliss that is System Architecture homework.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Yankees within 1.5
Yankees are only 1.5 games back. Frankly, it frightens me. They have one extra game to play, so we could potentially have a one-game playoff a la 1978/Bucky F#$$# Dent.
We need to stop getting hurt, improve our pitching, then prepare to sweep the Yankees in the final game of the season. Easy, right?
We need to stop getting hurt, improve our pitching, then prepare to sweep the Yankees in the final game of the season. Easy, right?
In software engineering
We are at the break in software engineering. I really enjoy this class. It's great to finally be in a class in which I feel that I am in the more experienced half of the population, unlike classes like ERBA or systems engineering in which I really had to struggle.
The professor, Nancy Leveson, is very intelligent and has a very quick wit. It seems price of tuition also earns you admission to this comedy club.
Okay, back to class. Then to system architecture in which the wonderful feelings of clarity I have achieved in this class will rapidly dissipate.
The professor, Nancy Leveson, is very intelligent and has a very quick wit. It seems price of tuition also earns you admission to this comedy club.
Okay, back to class. Then to system architecture in which the wonderful feelings of clarity I have achieved in this class will rapidly dissipate.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
One Art
I am too sleepy to write my own stuff today, so am posting one of my favorite poems by Elizabeth Bishop. I was reminded of this poem while trying to remember where I put the SDM bumper stickers...and other stuff....
-----
One Art
by Elizabeth Bishop
The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.
--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
-----
One Art
by Elizabeth Bishop
The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.
I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.
--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Bush's Vacation
Poor taste? Maybe. Accurate? Definitely. For me, this captures Bush's attitude towards New Orleans. Can't blog anymore about it or I will get angry.
Thanks to John for the image.
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
It's the little things in life....
I had to take a break from doing my software engineering homework to blog about the best fruit salad I have had all summer.
When i lived in Atlanta, Sunday night was always a time for me to spend about half an hour chopping up watermelon, cantelope, honeydew, and pineapple to make a big huge fruit salad to last through the week.
I still cut up fruit every week, but have found the melons here to be a lot less satisfying than down South. I therefore do not toss all the fruit together, creating separate bowls for the excellent watermelon, mediocre cantelope, passable honeydew, or whatever the melon of the day brings.
BUT today! Today! Today everything was great! DELICIOUS watermelon! Same for the honeydew and cantelope! I threw them all together in my big, huge silver bowl. I even took a handful of blueberries and threw them on the top. This salad is just amazing. I'm so happy.
The fruit was all bought at Wilson's Farm in Lexington, for any of you Massachusetts folk out there hoping to reach the level of euphoria I have achieved today.
For those not into fruit, I am going to try to get my pregnant little sister to guest blog for me about the wonders of Fluff.
When i lived in Atlanta, Sunday night was always a time for me to spend about half an hour chopping up watermelon, cantelope, honeydew, and pineapple to make a big huge fruit salad to last through the week.
I still cut up fruit every week, but have found the melons here to be a lot less satisfying than down South. I therefore do not toss all the fruit together, creating separate bowls for the excellent watermelon, mediocre cantelope, passable honeydew, or whatever the melon of the day brings.
BUT today! Today! Today everything was great! DELICIOUS watermelon! Same for the honeydew and cantelope! I threw them all together in my big, huge silver bowl. I even took a handful of blueberries and threw them on the top. This salad is just amazing. I'm so happy.
The fruit was all bought at Wilson's Farm in Lexington, for any of you Massachusetts folk out there hoping to reach the level of euphoria I have achieved today.
For those not into fruit, I am going to try to get my pregnant little sister to guest blog for me about the wonders of Fluff.
Monday, September 12, 2005
Quick summary, then more software articles...
The Yankees games were great, especially Saturday's when we won! I enjoyed Sunday's game due to being able to spend time with my good friends and New Yorkers Jeff and Dingo (along with girlfriend Lynnette).
Some observations about the series:
Some observations about the series:
- When New York was down, the PA folks played a song to encourage them. I may have been one of the few in the stadium to realize what it was: the finale to "Bring it On," a movie about cheerleading competitions. Hmmm....interesting choice, boys.
- There was very little fanfare for the 9/11 game. When I was there in years past, they had parachuters and eagles being released. Sunday's game was very subdued, though it was awesome to hear a few veterans introduced before the game
- The fierceness of the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry can eclipse even the emotion of the day. By the ninth inning, people were already growling at each other again
- After "God Bless America," I heard a chant from the audience, and thought it was "Yankees suck," a chant I thorougly dislike. I listened closer, and it was a few sections of combined Yankees and Red Sox fans shouting "USA! USA!" Funny how much it sounded like "Yankees suck." It was cool though.
- Speaking of cool, one side of Yankees stadium is about thirty degrees hotter than the other (sun side vs. shade side).
- Many people were chanting "Yankees suck" or "Red Sox suck." If you combine these, you can get any of the following:
Rankees suck
Yank Sox suck
And my favorite: Rank Sox suck. - It's great to have friends like Jeff and Dingo who you can call up after not speaking for a while and just go see a game.
- I realized the amount of dirt available on me at that game was very risky. Jeff and I were born three weeks apart and have been friends since the playpen. Dingo knew me in college. Waaaaaaay too much ilanaknowledge for my liking
- What starts off as a short list can grow much longer when you are procrastinating from reading software articles.
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Go, Sox!
I am in New York for the Red Sox-Yankees series. Today I am heading out with my parents and Eve. Jeff will be attending in our other set of seats with one of his brothers, his brother's girlfriend, and an evil Yankee-fan friend. Despite my devotion to my Sox, I do like Yankee stadium (and Derek Jeter). However, I love my Sox and hope they kick butt both days. GO SOX!
BTW, for those tracking, my schedule since Monday has been:
Monday: Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Tallahasee
Tuesday: Tallahassee, Destin
Wednesday: Destin, Atlanta
Thursday: Atlanta, Boston
Friday: MIT
Saturday: Boston, Sharon, New York
BTW, for those tracking, my schedule since Monday has been:
Monday: Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Tallahasee
Tuesday: Tallahassee, Destin
Wednesday: Destin, Atlanta
Thursday: Atlanta, Boston
Friday: MIT
Saturday: Boston, Sharon, New York
Friday, September 09, 2005
Scam warning
Please be aware that even though most people are good at heart, some are not. Beware of Katrina scams.
Also, for those wanting to help the animcals, go to the ASPCA website
Also, for those wanting to help the animcals, go to the ASPCA website
Yay, Pats!
Due to my exhaustion from my trip, I passed out last night at 7pm. With the exception of a 9pm phone call, I slept straight through until 7am. I had to watch the SportsCenter highlights to get a handle on the game. The Pats looked good!
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Just getting back
I am just getting back to boston and will have to catch y'all up on Destin and the trip. Another time though...class starts in less than two hours!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Dear ol' Destin
We woke up early this morning and headed to Destin. On the way, we stopped at Po' Folks for a breakfast buffet. It was okay...biscuits and gravy, eggs, and grits were fair-to-middling while their french toast sticks were excellent.
We arrived in Destin and hit the beach. It is amazing how much work has been done here since the hurricanes that hit here last year and earlier this year. Many places on the beach still show damage, but they also all show signs of having been worked on. They also continue to replace the gorgeous white sand that was lost to those storms. It really gives a situation like the Katrina one some hope to see all the work that has been done here.
I will blog more later, but it's now off to dinner at Kellie and Allen's
We arrived in Destin and hit the beach. It is amazing how much work has been done here since the hurricanes that hit here last year and earlier this year. Many places on the beach still show damage, but they also all show signs of having been worked on. They also continue to replace the gorgeous white sand that was lost to those storms. It really gives a situation like the Katrina one some hope to see all the work that has been done here.
I will blog more later, but it's now off to dinner at Kellie and Allen's
Happy to be here
Dan and I flew into Atlanta today from Pittsburgh, and immediately got on the road. We drove to Tallahassee with brief stops just south of Atlanta to see Dan's sister Susan's new house and in Cordele for a very good Southern food buffet: we're talkin' fried chicken, mac and cheese, collard greens, ocra, potatoes, biscuits...YUM!
When we got down to Tallahassee, we headed over to the game, me in my Florida State shirt and Red Sox cap. It was amazing how many people shouted "Go Sox!" as I would pass them. The first time it took me too off guard, but after a while I would just respond with, "Go Noles!" It was great to see all the Sox fans and no Yankee gear anywhere.
As for my fears, they were all unfounded. It looks the same as it ever has down here. It's kind of weird. The one thing that struck me as very ironic was that people were standing outside the stadium protesting Florida State's mascot (the Seminoles) but not Miami's (the Hurricanes). We'll call this "Deep thoughts by Ilana Davidi."
The game itself was great though sloppy. We started tailgating at about 4:30, and went until 7:30. The usual group of Dan's fraternity brothers and spouses were there. We sat separately from them, though. The game looked sharp at first with FSU's running game in gear, but it quickly disintegrated. Luckily, both teams looked pretty bad and FSU ended up on top for the first time in seven games. Go, Noles!
When we got down to Tallahassee, we headed over to the game, me in my Florida State shirt and Red Sox cap. It was amazing how many people shouted "Go Sox!" as I would pass them. The first time it took me too off guard, but after a while I would just respond with, "Go Noles!" It was great to see all the Sox fans and no Yankee gear anywhere.
As for my fears, they were all unfounded. It looks the same as it ever has down here. It's kind of weird. The one thing that struck me as very ironic was that people were standing outside the stadium protesting Florida State's mascot (the Seminoles) but not Miami's (the Hurricanes). We'll call this "Deep thoughts by Ilana Davidi."
The game itself was great though sloppy. We started tailgating at about 4:30, and went until 7:30. The usual group of Dan's fraternity brothers and spouses were there. We sat separately from them, though. The game looked sharp at first with FSU's running game in gear, but it quickly disintegrated. Luckily, both teams looked pretty bad and FSU ended up on top for the first time in seven games. Go, Noles!
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Animal rescue blog?
I know in my blog travels of the past week that I found a woman who was looking to help the animals in New Orleans. She was matching funds for people donating to the animal shelters, and when I checked on Friday was looking to have someone match her own final donation of $105. Even if she was not still matching, I would like to donate to the organization she was supporting.
Does anyone have a link to this blog? I can't find it and would like to donate (as well as help publicize the effort)
Does anyone have a link to this blog? I can't find it and would like to donate (as well as help publicize the effort)
Pitt definitely worth flying USAir
I continue to have fun in Pittsburgh. Today we met Katie and Josh for breakfast at Pamela's. It was great to meet Josh, who had a really fun sense of humor. Brunch was awesome: I had to breakfast special of pancakes, eggs, and bacon (I think in a less politically correct time, it would have been the "Lumberjack's Special). Everything was outstanding.
After breakfast, Dan and I did some shopping. I brought nothing but tanktops, so had to buy a cute little sweater at the Gap.
Then it was off to Jay and Christy's wedding at the Botanical Gardens. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and they both looked so happy. The reception was at a wonderful restaurant at the top of a hill. We had a great view of downtown Pittsburgh. I continue to be more and more impressed by this city. Now if only they could get rid of the Steelers.... (oh, and send me Ben Roethelisburgher...c'mon, I love my Pats, but I'm not completely prejudiced to other AFC teams...it's just I only like certain team members....)
ANYWAY, wedding was great. Got to meet lots of good people. Dan and I conked out after a while and had to walk to the funicular with John and Christy, a fun couple we were sitting beside. The walk was refreshing, and I haven't been on a funicular since living in Lyon in 1994. (Dude, I'm old)
Dan and I both have early morning flights so I am off to sleep. Will update you on travel plans at some point tomorrow.
After breakfast, Dan and I did some shopping. I brought nothing but tanktops, so had to buy a cute little sweater at the Gap.
Then it was off to Jay and Christy's wedding at the Botanical Gardens. The ceremony was beautiful, the weather was perfect, and they both looked so happy. The reception was at a wonderful restaurant at the top of a hill. We had a great view of downtown Pittsburgh. I continue to be more and more impressed by this city. Now if only they could get rid of the Steelers.... (oh, and send me Ben Roethelisburgher...c'mon, I love my Pats, but I'm not completely prejudiced to other AFC teams...it's just I only like certain team members....)
ANYWAY, wedding was great. Got to meet lots of good people. Dan and I conked out after a while and had to walk to the funicular with John and Christy, a fun couple we were sitting beside. The walk was refreshing, and I haven't been on a funicular since living in Lyon in 1994. (Dude, I'm old)
Dan and I both have early morning flights so I am off to sleep. Will update you on travel plans at some point tomorrow.
Pittsburgh Journey Log
Remember the scene in "Gone with the Wind" when Scarlett is standing in the middle of the fields at Tara after vomiting up the radish she ate, saying with great vehemence, "With God as my witness, I will never be hungry again!"?
Well, picture the same scene with me as Scarlett, no radish boot, saying the same thing about flying US Air.
I called twice in the last four days about flying standby. Both times I was told that all I had to do was go to the airport, pay $25 dollars, and hop on a non-stop flight to Pittsburgh. Now that struck me as strange (both times) because I bought my ticket on Expedia and it includes a changeover in Philly. I pointed this out to both "Customer Service" reps on the phone, and both said that it did not matter.
SOoooo, instead of sleeping in util 8am to catch my 10:30am flight, I woke up at 3:45am and booked it over to the airpiort to catch the 6am. Now, not only does this involve losing sleep I desperately need, it also means taking a cab ($26) instead of the subway ($1.25).
To summarize, the people at the front desk did not let me check in for the 6am. I spent 20 minutes at the desk, then had to call their consumer affairs number, which yielded about the same result as if I'd stood around playing hopscotch for 30 minutes instead of being on hold and talking to two agents.
So I finally returned to the same damn booking lady (a supervisor), and told her.
Now I need to mention that numerous times thorughout this process, I told them that I understood the rules and policy. I was just upset that I was given wrong information twice by two different people. US Air hires incompetent people and the customer is punished.
Of course, no one understood what I was saying because I must have switched into Swahili or something, and they all just kept explaining the policy (Well, you bought on expedia, and these tickets are $584, and you paid $101.) Stupid people piss me off. Listen!! Listen to your customer!
So anyway, I was talking to the supervisor, and of course, you know me. I started crying. (In case you don't know me, here's an example of me watching a commercial: "He didn't wear Right Guard? And he killed the poor squirrel. That's so awful! "
So the lady put me standby on a 6:30 am to @#($*#@$) Philly. I think she felt bad because she knew I was right, so she waved the $25 change fee.
I arrived in Pittsburgh eventually, and plopped myself down at a bar for a few beers while waiting for Dan and Jamie to arrive. I ended up sitting next to a woman from Thetford, VT, who explained to me that it was four miles from Dartmouth College. I told her that was where I did my undergrad, and we sat and talked a while. Anyone that is already halfway through a beer by 10:30am is my kind of person! She eventually had to run for a flight, but a stream of other fun people kept coming. I love airport bars.
Dan and Jamie arrived around 11:45, and we went to pick up the rental car. We drove to the hotel, dropped off the car, checked in, then Dan and I took off for PNC Park to see the Pirates-Cubs game. We bought tickets on the street for $10 a piece. The game at that point had been going on for about an hour. The seats were about 15 rows back from third base! They were great.
We really liked PNC Park. Great view of the city, good food, none too crowded. It looks almost exactly like PacBell in San Fran, possibly designed by the same guy. We had one of the Pittsburgh sandwiched that has meat, coleslaw, tomato, and french fries on it. It was pretty good.
Well, picture the same scene with me as Scarlett, no radish boot, saying the same thing about flying US Air.
I called twice in the last four days about flying standby. Both times I was told that all I had to do was go to the airport, pay $25 dollars, and hop on a non-stop flight to Pittsburgh. Now that struck me as strange (both times) because I bought my ticket on Expedia and it includes a changeover in Philly. I pointed this out to both "Customer Service" reps on the phone, and both said that it did not matter.
SOoooo, instead of sleeping in util 8am to catch my 10:30am flight, I woke up at 3:45am and booked it over to the airpiort to catch the 6am. Now, not only does this involve losing sleep I desperately need, it also means taking a cab ($26) instead of the subway ($1.25).
To summarize, the people at the front desk did not let me check in for the 6am. I spent 20 minutes at the desk, then had to call their consumer affairs number, which yielded about the same result as if I'd stood around playing hopscotch for 30 minutes instead of being on hold and talking to two agents.
So I finally returned to the same damn booking lady (a supervisor), and told her.
Now I need to mention that numerous times thorughout this process, I told them that I understood the rules and policy. I was just upset that I was given wrong information twice by two different people. US Air hires incompetent people and the customer is punished.
Of course, no one understood what I was saying because I must have switched into Swahili or something, and they all just kept explaining the policy (Well, you bought on expedia, and these tickets are $584, and you paid $101.) Stupid people piss me off. Listen!! Listen to your customer!
So anyway, I was talking to the supervisor, and of course, you know me. I started crying. (In case you don't know me, here's an example of me watching a commercial: "He didn't wear Right Guard? And he killed the poor squirrel
So the lady put me standby on a 6:30 am to @#($*#@$) Philly. I think she felt bad because she knew I was right, so she waved the $25 change fee.
I arrived in Pittsburgh eventually, and plopped myself down at a bar for a few beers while waiting for Dan and Jamie to arrive. I ended up sitting next to a woman from Thetford, VT, who explained to me that it was four miles from Dartmouth College. I told her that was where I did my undergrad, and we sat and talked a while. Anyone that is already halfway through a beer by 10:30am is my kind of person! She eventually had to run for a flight, but a stream of other fun people kept coming. I love airport bars.
Dan and Jamie arrived around 11:45, and we went to pick up the rental car. We drove to the hotel, dropped off the car, checked in, then Dan and I took off for PNC Park to see the Pirates-Cubs game. We bought tickets on the street for $10 a piece. The game at that point had been going on for about an hour. The seats were about 15 rows back from third base! They were great.
We really liked PNC Park. Great view of the city, good food, none too crowded. It looks almost exactly like PacBell in San Fran, possibly designed by the same guy. We had one of the Pittsburgh sandwiched that has meat, coleslaw, tomato, and french fries on it. It was pretty good.
Friday, September 02, 2005
Something to make you all laugh
"So You Think You can Dance" has taken the coveted position of my second-favorite show (behind "Lost"--hmmm...I just realized both shows feature handsome, shirtless men. Am I predictable or what?)
Anyway, having completey depressed and exhausted myself by looking at pictures of the Katrina tragedy and trying to decide about my upcoming vacation, I did a Google search of "blog" and "so you think you can dance." I'm number one! Go see for yourself.
Man, I needed that laugh.
Anyway, having completey depressed and exhausted myself by looking at pictures of the Katrina tragedy and trying to decide about my upcoming vacation, I did a Google search of "blog" and "so you think you can dance." I'm number one! Go see for yourself.
Man, I needed that laugh.
Dartmouth comes through
After all the stupid crap the current administration has pulled over the last few years (i.e. yanking all the keg taps from the fraternities and sororities while only the sophomores were on campus), they have finally done something right.
They are offering admission to students displaced by the hurricane. Pretty darn classy. I might stop donating only to the Dartmouth football team and start donating the the college again. More details here.
They are offering admission to students displaced by the hurricane. Pretty darn classy. I might stop donating only to the Dartmouth football team and start donating the the college again. More details here.
Read the blogs
My advice is to stop watching the news, listening to the radio, and read blogs instead. I always wonder about how sensationalist news is, and it certainly is right now. They only report the bad, not the good. They are also not reporting about anything other than the New Orleans tragedy, while many areas have actually been hit.
Start with these:
MaxedOutMama (Drove from Atlanta to Gulfport)
Cyli (in New Orleans)
Man still in New Orleans. Many pictures
Update:
Not a blog, but interesting. Thanks to Sam for this link. Why don't we ever listen to ourselves?
Start with these:
MaxedOutMama (Drove from Atlanta to Gulfport)
Cyli (in New Orleans)
Man still in New Orleans. Many pictures
Update:
Not a blog, but interesting. Thanks to Sam for this link. Why don't we ever listen to ourselves?
What it's like
I have told most people I have contact with this story, but it's an amazing one, so I'll type it as well:
My friend Dingo keeps a blog. He is a member of a democratic circle-linking-type thing to which a member called MaxedOutMama also belongs.
Long story short is that MOM reads Dingo's blog, and recently read about his search for Boomr in New Orleans and Gulfport. Without having met Boomr, MOM traveled down to Gulfport from Atlanta to rescue him and his parents. She was unable to find him; apparently his family has moved from the furniture warehouse. However, she did give a good report on what is going on there.
If you have time, please stop by and leave her a comment. If we had more people like her in this world, it would be an amazing place.
My friend Dingo keeps a blog. He is a member of a democratic circle-linking-type thing to which a member called MaxedOutMama also belongs.
Long story short is that MOM reads Dingo's blog, and recently read about his search for Boomr in New Orleans and Gulfport. Without having met Boomr, MOM traveled down to Gulfport from Atlanta to rescue him and his parents. She was unable to find him; apparently his family has moved from the furniture warehouse. However, she did give a good report on what is going on there.
If you have time, please stop by and leave her a comment. If we had more people like her in this world, it would be an amazing place.
Decision Update
I am swaying among the extremes. On the one hand, I would love to go to the Florida State-Miami game. I tell myself that it's about 4.5 hours from New Orleans. Then again, Mobile, Gulfport, and Biloxi were also destroyed, and those places are much closer.
I would say there's anywhere between a 95-98 percent chance that I will go to Tallahassee, have a great time at the game, and nothing will happen. It's the 2-5 percent chance that something will happen that has me terrified.
My main points of fear are on the road. All it takes is one nutcase needing a car with gas. But then I tell myself, wait...you'll be far enough away from all of the damage to avoid all this.
My friends down south seem to think things are fine, while everybody up here is panicking. How much is what we see in the news exagerrated? Are the problems more limited? More widespread? Are they showing just the bad parts about New Orleans while ignoring everything about Mobile?
In the map, Destin is at about the L's in "Tallahassee."
I would say there's anywhere between a 95-98 percent chance that I will go to Tallahassee, have a great time at the game, and nothing will happen. It's the 2-5 percent chance that something will happen that has me terrified.
My main points of fear are on the road. All it takes is one nutcase needing a car with gas. But then I tell myself, wait...you'll be far enough away from all of the damage to avoid all this.
My friends down south seem to think things are fine, while everybody up here is panicking. How much is what we see in the news exagerrated? Are the problems more limited? More widespread? Are they showing just the bad parts about New Orleans while ignoring everything about Mobile?
In the map, Destin is at about the L's in "Tallahassee."
Thursday, September 01, 2005
Update from Destin
I just talked to Kellie. Destin is running low on fuel. She drove by five stations trying to find gas. Four had none. The fifth had two of eight pumps open.
I am finally watching the news rather than reading online. When you read online, you can select what you read. When you watch TV, it just gets thrown at you. This is why I don't normally watch the news on TV.
I am finally watching the news rather than reading online. When you read online, you can select what you read. When you watch TV, it just gets thrown at you. This is why I don't normally watch the news on TV.
Best news all day
The best news all day are that Abi and Boomr are both alive. Abi is in Boston, and Boomr is with his parents in Gulfport, living in a furniture store while awaiting help. (Nobody has spoken with Boomr to get any more details than the address he left on his cell phone. You can read more about the situation on Dingo's blog.)
I'm scared.
I had/have plans to go to the Miami-Florida State game in Tallahassee, FL on Monday, and was really looking forward to the game. I'm a little frightened to go, though. Dan and I were/are going to fly into Atlanta, then grab his truck (which has a full tank of gas), and drive to Tallahassee.
Here is a list of what I am afraid of. Please don't judge me based on these; some of them sound petty compared to what people are going through down South, but I'm trying to be honest.
Carjackers
Sickness from refugees (not sure if it's just disease from dirty water or contagious stuff as well)
We get to Tallahassee, but they're out of gas, and we can't get back to Atlanta
We get to Destin and the place is overrun with refugees (petty, maybe. But this is my vacation...I don't want to come back more sad)
We somehow run out of gas in the middle of south Georgia
Lawlessness spreads from New Orleans down route 10
They start cutting flights because they cannot keep the planes filled with gas
I guess that's it. Looking at my list, it doesn't seem too bad, I guess. We wouldn't drive through Alabama or any of the back roads like we usually do to get down south. We'd take route 10 to 75 to get back to Atlanta from Destin.
So what does everybody think? Am I nuts to go? Nuts not to go? Just plain ol' nuts? I've really been agonizing over this decision (okay, that's a bit strong, but I am trying to decide whether or not to go).
Here is a list of what I am afraid of. Please don't judge me based on these; some of them sound petty compared to what people are going through down South, but I'm trying to be honest.
Carjackers
Sickness from refugees (not sure if it's just disease from dirty water or contagious stuff as well)
We get to Tallahassee, but they're out of gas, and we can't get back to Atlanta
We get to Destin and the place is overrun with refugees (petty, maybe. But this is my vacation...I don't want to come back more sad)
We somehow run out of gas in the middle of south Georgia
Lawlessness spreads from New Orleans down route 10
They start cutting flights because they cannot keep the planes filled with gas
I guess that's it. Looking at my list, it doesn't seem too bad, I guess. We wouldn't drive through Alabama or any of the back roads like we usually do to get down south. We'd take route 10 to 75 to get back to Atlanta from Destin.
So what does everybody think? Am I nuts to go? Nuts not to go? Just plain ol' nuts? I've really been agonizing over this decision (okay, that's a bit strong, but I am trying to decide whether or not to go).
Real Quick Rant
I have to do a big briefing at 3:00, but figured I'd blog about this real quick:
Last night I went to my softball game. I was happy to be playing because softball always calms me down. Wait, did I write "always?" I meant "always except last night."
One of the guys on the team was insisting on playing with three fielders and a short fielder. Most softball teams play with four fielders (left, left-center, right-center, right). My reasoning for playing with four is that if the ball gets to the short fielder, it's already a base hit. The team also incurs the increased liability of opening up many more gaps in the field for the other team to shoot for. Short fielders bring nothing positive.
Four fielders, however, closes the gaps and allows for more mobility. A player can always run up on a ball. It's much more difficult for a short fielder to chase one back (it's called "momentum of the ball," people).
ANYWAY, one of the guys on the team insisted on having a short fielder. When I objected, he became very condescending. Some highlights of our conversation:
Him: "Listen, Ilana. I've been playing baseball for thirty years now."
Me: "Wait, how old are you?"
Him: "Twenty-nine."
Seriously, you can't make this sh*t up.
Me: "Um...I know I might be an MIT nerd, but that math doesn't add up."
Him: "Well, I've been playing since I was four."
Me: "I think that equals twenty-five years."
Him: "You should do stats!"
Me: "I did do stats. At Sports Illustrated. For five years."
This guy also does not know how to keep a scorebook. When he "slid" poorly into a base, I asked him (jokingly) how he had managed to play division one baseball, but could not slide or keep a book. He told me he could slide, and that he never sat on the bench long enough to do the book. I reminded him that true baseball fans care enough about the game to uphold its traditions and understand its scoring.
His division one school, btw, was Niagara. Should I tell him I lettered in football for a D-1 school? I got a letter from Dartmouth for managing the team.
Last night I went to my softball game. I was happy to be playing because softball always calms me down. Wait, did I write "always?" I meant "always except last night."
One of the guys on the team was insisting on playing with three fielders and a short fielder. Most softball teams play with four fielders (left, left-center, right-center, right). My reasoning for playing with four is that if the ball gets to the short fielder, it's already a base hit. The team also incurs the increased liability of opening up many more gaps in the field for the other team to shoot for. Short fielders bring nothing positive.
Four fielders, however, closes the gaps and allows for more mobility. A player can always run up on a ball. It's much more difficult for a short fielder to chase one back (it's called "momentum of the ball," people).
ANYWAY, one of the guys on the team insisted on having a short fielder. When I objected, he became very condescending. Some highlights of our conversation:
Him: "Listen, Ilana. I've been playing baseball for thirty years now."
Me: "Wait, how old are you?"
Him: "Twenty-nine."
Seriously, you can't make this sh*t up.
Me: "Um...I know I might be an MIT nerd, but that math doesn't add up."
Him: "Well, I've been playing since I was four."
Me: "I think that equals twenty-five years."
Him: "You should do stats!"
Me: "I did do stats. At Sports Illustrated. For five years."
This guy also does not know how to keep a scorebook. When he "slid" poorly into a base, I asked him (jokingly) how he had managed to play division one baseball, but could not slide or keep a book. He told me he could slide, and that he never sat on the bench long enough to do the book. I reminded him that true baseball fans care enough about the game to uphold its traditions and understand its scoring.
His division one school, btw, was Niagara. Should I tell him I lettered in football for a D-1 school? I got a letter from Dartmouth for managing the team.
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