uvageek

Ahhh, what a nice evening to hang out with Brian and Cathy and a host of others. It’s always nice to get out of the house, watch some football with friends and enjoy cheering for any team that is playing either the Denver Broncos or any team that is in the NFC that might bump the Redskins out of playoff contention. Yes, I realize that this year that means that they’re already out of playoff contention, but for those years where they actually do have a chance… Thanks for the text messages DP. Makin’ me smile. G’night all! By the way, if you’re reading this at the time of its posting, yeah, you should already be in bed if you’re on the East Coast…

To those of you that aren’t from Northern Virginia or if you’re not reading this on Monday, October 25th, you probably won’t understand this, but it truly amazes me that on that Capital Beltway at 7 AM there can be bumper to bumper traffic, moving along at approximately 20 miles per hour. Luckily with the beautiful clouds and light drizzle I was reminded just how beautiful a world we live in. True, most would say that this weather is dreariness that is very saddening however in my world I would say that it’s one of the most beautiful things in the world, seeing all the different variations of that the weather can take. Plus, with U2’s most recent album “All That You Can’t Leave Behind”, five tracks later and I was in to work mellow and soothed Cheers all!

For those of you that own an iPod, or even for those of you that find humor in the little objects that so many people covet and protect as though it is their baby, here’s something to definitely check out - http://www.ipodonut.com. Yes that’s right, it’s a donut, non edible according to the Q&A Answer 6. Eat your heart out Homer Simpson
One of the guys that I know from work pointed this out to me and told me that he was ordering one for his 3G iPod. I think that I’m going to see how well it handles and how bright it gets before placing my own order. After much thought and consternation he decided to go with the plain donut (what no glaze???) as they have a few different designs to choose from. I could definitely see some of them to be more hypnotizing than others.

It is pretty ingenious though that they came out with such a little device. I think it’s pretty sweet that they would make something that would actually make it easier to use your iPod while you’re driving home late at night from a friends house that happens to be an hour or two drive from where you live. Okay, so maybe I shouldn’t be advocating the use of the iPod while driving, especially since it might get you a ticket if you happen to be using the scroll wheel while driving through Washington, DC and you get a ticket for being a “distracted” driver (see the law here).

I began a race back on April 22, 2002, taking a position as a scientist. After two years and fourth months of working as a scientist, I resigned my position to move onto more exciting work. I have mixed feelings about doing this obviously. And as it would be, my life has definitely taken on an interesting twist, seeing weaknesses and strengths, seeing what I am able to do and where I utterly fail.
Some might say that I was crazy to leave my job as the money was decent, the benefits were numerous and the risk of losing my job was nearly obsolete. But for the first time in my life I decided that it was time to live on the edge and see where the Lord would lead me.
I admit one thing that I’ve already found is just how selfish I am as a 25 year old male. It’s funny at times when I am sitting in a seminar or with friends or just day dreaming and I start to think, “What is the utility value of this? How does this affect me? How is this useful to me? What can I use this for? How can this help me?” It’s at this point that I see that my education at the University of Virginia really did have an effect on my life, making me scrutinize all things in my life. It’s times like this that I see that all of these questions reflect back onto me and I see just how selfish I am. So I hope not to be overbearing in this blog with those sorts of thoughts, though if they do surface, my apologies as I work through my “issues” of my life.
So here I am, living on the edge, trying things out, seeing how life really works, seeing what I do and don’t know. Some of the postings that you read here might seem utterly random, others might seem highly intellectual and others you might wonder, “What is he talking about?” As my friend John from high school used to say, “Only from the mind of Minolta.” John was quite a racey fellow mind you with racier thoughts than I.
Enjoy the ride and let me know what you think? Advice, comments, concerns, let your thoughts flow forth.

Is it just me, or does it seem somewhat suspect that when I open up cnn.com and I see a story stating that Billy Joel has married a 23 year old, Kate Lee. Now, let’s do a little bit of math and morality (M&M as I like to call it) — yes this is something we physics majors like to do when we’re not thinking about quantum entanglements or the rotational speed of the earth.
First piece of data, Billy Joel is 55 years old. A respectable age. Next piece of data, Billy Joel has been married before and has a daughter Alexa. Again, nothing earth shattering or mind breaking. Next please… oh yeah, his daughter Alexa was born in 1985. Wait a second, that makes her 19 years old.
So yes, let’s see, Billy Joel wed’s Kate Lee, 55 year old marries 23 year old. Somewhat sketch if you ask me… his daughter is only four years younger than his new wife. Now, is it just me or does this seem somewhat out of regular standards or morals?
Oh well, I’ll let you make your own decision, but to me that just seems odd. I mean what does Alexa call her mom?
‘Nuff said…

Interestingly enough a friend of mine wondered why it is that I’m able to publish such prose with the thoughts that I do. Wondering why it is that whenever I talk on the phone I seem to be talking and making sense, but rather that I do not come off quite as refined, rather seeming to have a warm personality and yet a random sense of humor. I attribute this to my personality type, according to the Myers - Briggs Personality Instrument I am an INTP.
(more…)

Have you ever noticed that there are geeks mixed in with society and that you would never know it unless you were really looking to find them?
This is not to say that geeks are like Waldo, wearing a large mad hatter cap and a striped red rugby shirt walking around in some random scene setting. Rather that there are those in society that have some of the most incredible thoughts and ideas for the world, and yet hide them, attempting to blend in with the rest of society, wishing not to attract attention to themselves. Why am I writing about this? Just because I find it interesting how many people out there are afraid to show their true colors of knowledge in their field, hoping to encourage them to be motivated in displaying their skills.
(more…)

After wondering duing the off season if the UVA Cavaliers would have a decent team this year, it would seem that the coaches and sports associations had it right. The Cavaliers walked all over Temple today, what a game to listen to via Yahoo! Plus, Virginia Sports is going to start showing games online — can we say whoa? As my friend Ashley would say, “Like Whoa”. — http://www.virginiasports.com.
Go Hoos!

How many times have you felt as though you were pulled out of a dream in a way that lacked something soothing? Used to that alarm clock buzzing obnoxiously next to your head? Tired of it? Have an iPod or use iTunes all that often? Use a PC (yes, I know, I’m a sinner for not owning a macintosh…)? Is your PC in your bedroom? Well then, perhaps you should check out the iTunesAlarm clock http://minimalverbosity.com/archives/2004/05/27/itunesalarm/
Very cool program if I might be allowed to say so myself. I like the ability to create a wakeup playlist — good for those nights when I go to bed at 1:30 and need to be up at 5… oh wait that’s every night.
Nonetheless, check it out, try it out and enjoy it.

Well, after switching web hosting companies and working on learning PHP a little bit better I thought that perhaps I would open back up to the world and start blogging again. For those of you wondering when I might post previous posts back upon onto the web, I’ll see what I can do. Some of them may or may not be appropriate depending on how much you know about me and besides some of the posts deal with events and other things that are in the past which are no longer all that noteworthy.
Nonetheless, I thought that I would give a short recap on events in the past six months. On April 2, 2004, I was in an accident that involved my 98 Maimxa (may you rest in peace my humble chariot) and a Kenworth Tractor Trailer. It was not the most pleasant of experiences and left my car’s front end with something to be hoped for. On the plus side of things, I walked away from the accident with a scratch on my left leg and bruised ribs and a shoulder that hurt like the dickens. I didn’t drive for about a week and a half and then after that my great car search began. After test driving somewhere around 25 different cars I finally decided to go back to Nissan and begin the procurement of a 2004 Nissan Maxima SE. To say the least, it flys. Below is a picture of her — Max 2.

Beyond that, life has been somewhat uneventful, with the minor exception of my nephew who has excelled in his academic studies, learning to turn the lights on and off and speak Spanish before the age of 2. Needless to say, I am a proud uncle.