Moron Aging

More on aging:

I hope I never get to the executive level where it is not ok to dress up on Halloween. I'm glad I saved my costume for *after that meeting. However, I would not mind being the one exec who is crazy enough to dress up. Or encouraging others. I'd be ok being the cooky exec.

Hopefully I will work in a place where dressing up is encouraged for Halloween.

I'm geeking out about it!

Anyone know what the blog title is from? I'm geeking out about it? Bonus points if you know!

So, I finally have a good example for a talking point on what I am passionate about technology (and why I love the social spaces group, and why I'd consider doing grad work in psych/soc/informatics/something not straight up CS).

So here we go: Facebook is a technology that was created to support social interactions. The technology itself changed the way people conceptualize their own social interactions (because many students are staying inside surfing facebook rather than talking to their floormates in the dorms, the integration of the verb "to friend (someone)", etc). Facebook, then, has to maintain its technology in a way that supports "social" movements. Particularly, when one particular facebook group gets a million members in 9 days, and creates trouble for the facebook servers. Interesting, eh? I'm guessing Mark Zuckerburg never imagined he'd have to consider server capacity/stress/whatever based on a group for... Colbert for President?

Also... its kind of incredible to think what would happen if everyone who joined that group actually went out to vote. I can't decide if I'm more concerned that it won't happen or that it will...

Aging

I hope I'm this cool when I'm older.
"If anyone wants to join me I will be at the Silver Legacy in Reno Nov. 4th, 5th and home on the 6th. to celebrate my nothing (84) birthday. Now next year maybe I will do a
tandem parachute jump or something really exciting for my 85th. I only countthe ones ending in 5 or 0. " (From an email from my grandmother, otherwise known as Granny).

Habits are hard to break... *sigh

Powerful

1) This was a new video for me tonight. Wow.

2) If you haven't seen this yet, you need to.

I came to a realization that most of the jobs I want I'm not qualified for. I really like management and people development and change management and facilitation and that sort of thing. I don't want to do HR though. Group dynamics eh?

Books

Bookmooch. Cool idea.

Also, everyone should check out manyeyes. Particularly this visualization. Data visualization is cool. Amazing the message that can be sent by presenting information that exists in a different way, eh?

Also, I wish I hadn't left my Tufte books at home. Doh.

Even the identity matrix doesn't work normally

Toxic

Why I love Nickel Creek (aside from my obsession with fiddles, mandolins, and bluegrass music)

"When You Come Back Down"

You got to leave me now, you got to go alone
You got to chase a dream, one that's all your own
Before it slips away
When you're flyin' high, take my heart along
I'll be the harmony to every lonely song
That you learn to play

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I'll keep lookin' up, awaitin' your return
My greatest fear will be that you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire
I'll be the other hand that always holds the line
Connectin' in between your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end, To hear you when you call
Angel, you were born to fly, If you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall

[Bridge:]
Your memory's the sunshine every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel, let me help you with your wings

When you're soarin' through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare

I'll still be there
When you come back down
Take every chance you dare,
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

Also this is great.

The way my brain works

If you don't know about idealist.org, you should check it out. The way my brain works though its interesting that the word "Idealist" is the same as idea-list.

Also, completely unrelatedly, the lolcat bible. Its funny that there is an entire linguistics movement around lolcatetse. Ok, so maybe a movement is too strong a word - but really? A whole pidgin syntax for lolcatese? Srsly?

And I want life in every word to the extent that it's absurd

I visited Purdue this weekend, and it was amazing. So much fun, and so many good people. It did confirm that I am glad in my decision not to go to Purdue. I apparently take a lot of pride in U of I's campus. I also stopped in at the Y on the way back for a long time and saw a lot of people (what? Me seeing people I know at the Y? Really? Never...) At some point in the near future I will write out things I've learned from being involved with the Y. I miss being on campus a lot...

Have you ever listened to a mix cd or a song that you really liked a couple of years ago and realized just by listening to the song how much you've changed in that time? Its a weird feeling. (Re: "Sweet Avenue" by Jets to Brazil, and "Clark Gable" by the Postal Service.)

This should be a good week - Nickel creek concert on Tuesday and some interesting things going on at work.

If nothing else, this semester has taught me that I can not sit and do nothing evenings/weekends. Its kind of nice for a few months, but ultimately, its not who I want to be.

Weeeeee

Ever have days where you get like 4 projects at once? Where it goes from being reasonably calm to WTF just happened?

I'm ok with it... I like having a lot to do. Just weird when it starts on a Friday.

Also, if you're ever in a hospital, wash your hands every chance you get.

I should have brought my Tufte books with me to STL...

Anyone else feel empty after puzzlecrack?

Right brain, left brain.
Can you trick your brain into seeing it both ways? Its kind of freakish.

Reduce Junk Mail
(compliments of Emma)

Also, everyone should read this blog post and watch the video discussed.

Holy Cow Batman!

Uh, global climate change, in a picture. I'm scared.

Also... how am I ever going to pick classes for next semester?
Port 400 Portugues for romance lang speakers 4-4:50 mwf
LIS 202 social aspects info systems 10-11:20 TR
CS 598 advanced social computing WF 11-12:15
cs 598 distributed sensor class? WF 2-3:15
LIS 390 knowledge management, science and the internet, computers and cultures
FIN 232 Personal finances TR 8:30-9:50
*Ling 270 Language, technology, and society MW 2-3:20
psych 245 - industrial org psych
psych 333 - social psych in natural settings
psych 429 - HCI Lab
psych 527 - engineering psych
ge 461 - intro tech entrepren
ge 498 - entrep approach to green engr
ge 498 - sales and marketing for engrs
ge 498 - business technical consulting
ge 498 leading sustainable change
ge 498 service systems eng
aged 430 youth development programs

Wow

Everyone should watch this video. It is long, but totally worth it. Also... man, I want to go to grad school. One day a week consulting positions? Much yes. I think I want to go to CMU whenever it is that I decide to go back to grad school. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=362421849901825950&q=achieving+your+dreams&pr=goog-sl

My interests are way too scattered

Why is this so interesting? Why? So geekin' out right now.