Discovering Perspective

2008-12-14T10:24:00.003-05:00

I'm getting annoyed with conforming nonconformists. Seems to prove that their nonconformity is in all likelihood just another form of conformity completely lacking in creativity or self.

Mekki's Survey

2008-11-27T00:18:00.002-05:00

Hello all,

Mekki has just put live the survey for his thesis research. It would be great if you could go fill it out and pass along the link to friends, family, colleagues... the more the merrier.

The survey can be filled out online at http://survey.mektek.ca/ and takes approximately 5-15 minutes depending on your answers.

Thank you.

Elections and World of Warcraft

2008-10-07T09:59:00.003-04:00

I just read an amusing but scary post on BldgBlog discussing the American election and the demographics chosen by the media and political campaigns as (mis)representative of "the heart of America".

He refers to a BoingBoing post last year that discusses how there are more World of Warcraft players in the US than farmers (actual farmers, not Chinese gold farmers). When was the last time a politician took their campaign to Azeroth?

It's rather revealing how in the land of democracy (a.k.a. land of majority rules), populations is still valued by its physical geography, by proximity. The problem is that winning over the hearts of WoW players won't secure a win. They aren't (I assume) concentrated enough in any one riding (is it called riding in the US system?) to affect the outcome of the vote. accounts for the difference between popular vote and who wins the election.

It seems elections are more concerned with geography than demography. That use to make sense. There use to be stronger correlations between where you lived and how you lived - what you believed, what issues were of greatest concern, what you wanted from your government. Certainly, there are still regional concerns but how do they compare to national or even global concerns? The weight given to where you live over what you want is disturbing.

And just think of the voter turn out if you had poll stations set up in Shattrath!

To vote or not to vote, it should be a question!

2008-09-11T11:00:00.002-04:00

In the past, I have always voted for the Marxist Leninist Party (or some variation thereof). It has been my form of silent protest against a form of government that I don't support. Not a specific government, ie Liberal or Conservative, but the whole structure of how we choose and operate our government. That is not to say I think the Marxist Leninist Party would do any better. For me, it has always been about voting for what in principle or theory is more in line with my ideals without the consequences of how it will be practiced. I know they won't be elected and given the chance to screw it up.

But the irony is that I'm still falling into line. Still playing the democracy game. Even protest and disobedience fall into and get absorbed by the democratic electoral structure. I would assume because that is the structure on which it is based. Revolution. Give the people what they want. So, would the true, or at least truer protest be to not vote?

Why do I have a problem with the electoral democracy (as it exists currently in Canada)?

Long rant. I might follow up with more details over the next few weeks, but I will start with just a general overview of some of my biggest issues.

Democracy has evolved partially out of one major principle: "That all men are created equal." Sounds good in theory and has certainly had significant and important effects on shaping society. So everyone gets a vote and everyone gets an equal vote. But... I'm afraid I have to disagree. Should we not account for "quality versus quantity", and if so, how? Should everyone get an equal vote? In any debate or decision, aren't some people's opinions worth more than others? Perhaps there just isn't enough emphasis on the /created/ part. We all start off being worth the same as everyone else and can move up or down from there. Putting value to different people, obviously has risks and disadvantages. There's huge potential for corruption and instability, especially any that create more of "them" than of "us". There are obviously examples of corrupt governing systems based on assigning value to its people. But assigning no or equal value to everyone isn't much better. Actually, I believe it is worse. The obstacle I see in the valuation system is determining what is valued. Once that is figured out, it has huge potential. I don't see how to fix a system based on no or equal (essentially the same as no) value.

The whole thing is just so messed up. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of the details and nuances but let's go to the French Revolution. The intelligentsia realize that the aristocracy is corrupt, that ruling by divine right, by some constructed sense of entitlement is wrong and inefficient. It only benefits those at the top at the extreme cost to everyone else. This needs to change. Problem. They don't have the power to affect that change. They need support to overthrow the aristocracy. Rally the plebs! Problem. Now they have created a system where numbers, the masses, are more important than anything else. Just being now gives you a sense of entitlement. You share it with a lot more people than did the aristocracy, but meh! And we are left with a system that is corrupt and inefficient. It benefits almost no one by trying to please everyone.

Do you really want to continue supporting a system that was created with noble and grand intentions but in the end had to settle for keeping the plebeians happy so they would stop chopping off heads? "The fussy plebs!" Well, if you are a pleb you probably do. Probably also if you're about to get your head chopped off. "There's the rub!" They win by majority rules. By default, the system will always support the masses.

There are a lot of arguments I've heard as to why I should vote. I wouldn't mind picking some apart but for now, I'll just go with this one: "We owe it to those who came before us, who fought for our right to vote."

I disagree. I do not believe that they fought for our right to vote. "They" (dangerous concept) fought for our right to break free from an antiquated, corrupted, ineffective form of governance. If you absolutely feel the need to base your actions on some sense of obligation to our forefathers (that's another argument), than continue to fight to ensure our governing system is as effective and honest as possible. Don't just blindly do what they did then, do what needs to be done now to respect why they did what they did then.

Tricky part. What's the alternative?

Sarahworld is one option. I promise to be a benevolent dictator. Really.

I think that those who recognize the futility of the game, can't help but want to (A) pull themselves out of the game, or (B) redefine, improve, or reinvent the rules of the game. A is much easier than B. But A doesn't accomplish anything. It is as futile as continuing to play the futile game, it just saves you a bit of time. But B doesn't guarantee results either. Unless you succeed in bringing about a positive change, it just makes you feel like your doing something.

I'm working on B but in the short run, I might have to settle for A.

The choice whether or not to vote may be as important as the choice of who to vote or not vote for. What is actually important, in my opinion, is that you think about it and act or don't act accordingly.

The above rant is just that, a rant. A bit silly. A bit tongue-in-cheek. A bit messy. But I do believe it is a serious issue, one that will require a lot of thought before and after election day.

OAA Intern Architect Survey Results

2008-07-04T13:19:00.002-04:00

The results are in regarding the survey I talked about in the last post.

I'm happy to see some of my comments (directly quoted) and concerns (generally stated) are present. But, most of all, I have to share with you all the comment that made me laugh for five minutes.

In response to the proposed 5 year capped internship period:

"Does the OAA hate babies? Come on, at some point, we may all get occupied with making babies...."

Uphill both ways, in the snow...

2008-05-15T15:52:00.002-04:00

...pair of compasses in one hand, rolls of drawings in the other.

I've spent the afternoon looking through and commenting on the Ontario Association of Architects' Intern Architect Initiative website. I think I missed the deadline to have my comments and concerns included in the official report but hopefully not from being heard and considered.

No one would deny that there are some serious issues and massive amounts of red tape with the current internship process. On the frontpage it states that the average age of an Intern Architect in Ontario is 39. It is supposed to take three years after graduating to get your license. For me, that would be 28. There's a problem.

I'm very happy to see some movement and discussion on the matter.

I'm relatively happy to see some of the proposals being put forth.

I'm not so happy to see some of the responses.

There is a great deal of bitterness by those who have made it through the ridiculous system. Despite the more than likely fact that these people complained about the process when they went through, recognized its flaws and absurdities, they now feel it is a necessary part of the path to become an architect - an arduous obstacle course one must defeat to prove one's devotion to the profession.

I'm disappointed.

Do I feel that way when it seems someone is getting an easier ride than I did? Absolutely.

Do I want them to suffer as much as I did? Probably.

Do I expect an outdated and flawed system to continue to be outdated and flawed just so I don't feel cheated? No.

I ranted a bit to Mekki on MSN today:

Mekki: It seems to be the norm in every organization.
Mekki: People are stupid.
Mekki: Groups of people are stupider.
Mekki: Nothing ever gets solved that way.
Mekki: It's a shame.
Sarah: Self-serving but pretending to be concerned about "the community".
Sarah: There's nothing wrong about being self-serving.
Sarah: It's the pretense that drives me nuts.
Mekki: Don't get too worked up.
Mekki: I do it too much.
Mekki: It just jades you and drains you.
Sarah: I don't do it enough.
Mekki: Just say your peace.
Mekki: Move on.

But the rant doesn't end there. I need to say my peace.

Mekki's been looking into the P.Eng. licensing process recently so I thought I would take a look at the competition. I was pretty shocked. Well, not really shocked. The engineers are being logical and reasonable. The architects are making things way more complicated than they need to be to maintain some sort of image. That (can be) a quality in architecture, not in the logistics of an organization.

So, in addition to completing the survey and providing detailed comments on all the proposed changes, I added the following note to the general forum:

"What would engineers do?"

I realize there is always a hint of professional animosity and competition towards our friends the engineers, but maybe they might have figured something out that we're missing here.

Below is the professional licensing procedure (unofficial based on what I gather from the PEO's website and friends in engineering):

1) All the required exams, with the exception of a professional practice exam, are included in the curriculum of accredited programs.

2) The required four years of engineering work experience are recorded by the applicant with explanations of positions held, projects, and responsibilities with an explanation of how the work "applied engineering theory". This allows for a variety of experiences, flexible to the field of specialization of the applicant, to count towards their experience (subject to review, of course). They don't need to account for every minute of every day and have every action signed off on by a supervisor.

3) In stead of a supervisor signing off on experience logs, three referees able to comment on the applicants "capabilities and suitability for licensing" are required.

4) Annual licensing fees are reasonable and do not act as a deterrent to completing the licensing requirements and registering as a full member ($220 annual fee compared to the OAA's $798).

5) There is also a limited license for those who have completed the necessary experience but lack other requirements. This allows them to step up out of the "in-training" status while acknowledging not everyone practicing engineering requires full licensing.

The PEO does have problems with their system, especially in the are of certifying graduates from non-Canadian universities and the reciprocity with other jurisdictions. They also have a much larger member base and have greater lobbying power.

Regardless, I think there is a lot of food for thought here. The PEO approaches their licensing process with (at least seeming) clarity and simplicity, flexibility, and respect for the professionalism of its members to act ethically and know their own boundaries.

The biggest problem I see with the proposed solutions to help reduce the number of Intern Architect and increase the number of Licensed Architects is that the problem isn't /just/ that the process is complicated, redundant, unreasonable, expensive, lacking flexibility, etc. The problem I didn't see addressed in any of the proposed solutions was what's the benefit of being a fully licensed architect?

Most firms only /need/ one (licensed) architect, someone to stamp the drawings. So a lot of people practicing architecture in a firm, and otherwise fully qualified to be architects, don't need to be licensed themselves - especially not when the annual fee goes from $120 as an intern to $798 as an architect.

There is a reasonable (financial) incentive to remain an intern especially when compared to the minor (practical) incentive to register as an architect. In stead of trying to encourage its members to register as fully licensed architects, by either removing the financial downside or increasing the practical incentives, the OAA seems to want to take the approach of preventing its members from staying interns by placing a five year time limit.

My comments on these points were:

I /strongly/ disagree with this additional requirement [of a five year time limit]. As mentioned above, my concerns include:

1) What forms of considerations will be made for those who have extenuating circumstances that prevent them from finishing on time? For example, maternity/paternity leave, opportunities oversees, relocation, being laid-off, returning to university, medical reasons, etc.

2) Will there be an option to apply for a leave of absence without forfeiting existing experience?

Interns have already invested six years towards joining this profession before even starting their internship. Delays do not mean the intern is not serious about joining the profession. Perhaps penalties or repetition of requirements is more reasonable than outright banning from reapplication. Or better, increase the incentives to become a full member.

-------------------------------------

Again, I /strongly/ disagree with this solution [of denying reapplication for internship status]. You have not provided any explanation as to why the option of reapplication is not being proposed. Similar to the Ontario Graduated Driver's Licensing, you could impose a five year timeline to achieve all the requirements but still allow for reapplication, including penalties such as repaying registration fees, repeating exams, etc.

That said, I strongly believe the better option is to encourage interns to become full members, rather than discourage them from remaining interns.

Certainly part of the reason why there are so many interns is because of complications, redundancy, unreasonable requirements, lack of flexibility, etc. in the process. However, part of the reason is a lack of perceived benefits in many situations for interns to jump to full member status. For many, the only difference is an increase in their annual OAA fees.

(I think I'm approaching the end of my rant... home stretch... I'm losing steam here)

A lot of it comes down to, what in my opinion, is a problem with architects in general. We're control freaks with big egos who like to uphold the prestige, elitism, and mystery of our profession.

There are definite benefits to being a self-regulated profession. There are definite drawbacks.

Job postings that make me laugh... and cry

2008-04-29T13:28:00.002-04:00

Job postings are usually pretty ridiculous and it's hard to imagine that anyone actually fully fits the requirements. Occasionally (actually, quite frequently), however, a requirement on the posting just makes me laugh and wonder if they are trying to make it impossible.

Today's laughable requirement:

"Minimum 3 years experience in preparing design and working drawings using AutoCad 2007"

Unless time travel is possible or becomes possible, I'm pretty sure no one has 3 years experience using AutoCad 2007.

My favourite will always be one Mekki came across:

Qualification: Outside the box thinker
Level: Moderate

They want you outside the box but not too far outside the box!

Mekki's new girl, Sabby

2008-04-27T13:50:00.004-04:00

I don't mind sharing. She's pretty cute... for a cat.

Click the photo to go to the full photo album. Lots of pictures to come, I'm sure.

Kosher humour... or is it treyf humour?

2008-04-21T15:49:00.003-04:00

I'm highly amused by Evil Monkey’s Guide to Kosher Imaginary Animals.

Mermaid -

A: “No, for the obvious reasons.”

EM: “What if you marry one? Is that kosher? Will a rabbi marry you?”

A: “Kosher is a term about eating, not about sex.”

EM: “I’m not talking about sex–I’m talking about marriage!”

A: “If the mermaid is Jewish, the rabbi will probably marry you. But only if you’re Jewish too. But you’ll definitely have to find the right rabbi…”

Crayon Physics Puzzle Game

2008-03-27T10:59:00.003-04:00

I just found this game. Looks like it is still under development but you can download the prototype. I'm very excited. Way cool. Must play.

Best improved bowling score, EVER!

2008-03-18T16:49:00.003-04:00

Went bowling with some friends last week.

Game 1 score - 7
Game 2 score - 101

That's right. 7. Seven. And I was trying.

News from Harvard

2008-03-17T11:22:00.003-04:00

For everyone who has been awaiting the news almost as anxiously as me...

I heard from Harvard last week. Unfortunately, it looks like it's not in the cards for next year. I was a bit disappointed but I knew it was going to be a tough competition. Four spots isn't a lot. I'm happy to have some more time to look into the other school and put out more applications next year.

Thanks for your well wishes and support. I'll hold onto them for next year.

Thank you Wiley...

2008-03-17T11:01:00.003-04:00

... you always know what to say.

(For clarification, read my last post.)

How to fulfill yourself (not as a woman, just as yourself).

2008-03-14T17:32:00.003-04:00

I'm such an anti-anti-feminist feminist.

Though I kind of object to the term feminist.

I would go for humanist if it weren't already taken.

And so laden with other implications.

Maybe selfist.

---------------------------

I was just chatting with Mekki about the fad/campaign/push during my high school years (probably a bit before and still present) to "encourage" girls into the sciences. Being a girl who was good at science (well, top-of-the-class-good, to be specific), I got a lot of this kind of "encouragement". Many a parent-teacher meetings went something along the lines of: "What can I say about Sarah? She is very talented. You should encourage her to stick with science. It is rare to see a girl succeed in science and stick with it."

I think the mistake was the assumption that I chose not to pursue science because I was afraid it was un-cool or not the place for a woman. They failed to realize the amount of pressure, not peer pressure but superior/elder/adviser pressure, being put on girls to prove girls can do it too. Luckily, I didn't care either way. They were missing the point that feminism had succeeded to the point that, at least in my family, school, neighbourhood, etc., it wasn't even part of my decision making process.

I enjoyed art.

I enjoyed math.

Decision made.

Courses chosen.

I didn't chose classes because I was girl or to prove a girl could do it too. In the same term I took Design and Technology (shop) where I was the only girl, and Art where everyone but one student were girls.

In a recent conversation, I mentioned that I stopped taking science (except physics because it is actually math) in grade 10. The response was "Ah, you're one of them. Dropped science to boost your grades." Actually, in all likelihood, science would have probably raised my grades. Anyone who knows my graduating average might not believe it, but it's probably true.

Ironically enough, I still pick a profession that also "suffers" from being "under-represented" (as if there is a right amount of representation) by women.

"You go girl!"

*gag*

And now I choose to be among the majority of female architecture students who don't go on to become architects. Actually, that's phrased poorly. I am choosing to not go on to become an architect, which puts me among the majority of female architecture students. There is some debate if that is true. If the numbers are skewed by only counting licensed architects as architects. There are a lot of women practicing architecture, in some form or another, that aren't "architects". But we'll talk Linda Nochlin another time.

The point being...

I know a lot of girls who went on to study one science or another at university. Many of them did very well. Maybe it is just personal experience or my own perception, but I don't know many of them who are passionate about their career or field of (supposed) interest.

I know some...

Who "like" it.

Who do "well" in it.

Who are "successful" with it.

I don't know many...

Who "love" it.

Who want to be the best (or at least the best they can be) in it.

Who are driven by it.

I can't help but wonder if they would have been more fulfilled, both as women and, more importantly, as their selves, had they not been pressured, consciously or otherwise, into following a path whose goal was to balance the sheet not to make people necessarily more fulfilled.

There is the theory that women are more likely to find fulfillment in their personal lives and therefore don't search it out in their professional lives. I have no problem with that. I like to see that people are happy with their lives. That's my big criteria. A lot of the time I know I wouldn't be happy or happy enough with their life. But I don't need to be. It's not my life to be happy with. I hate seeing wasted potential. Not wasted potential as in "she could have been a great scientist" but potential as in "she could have been happier as a carpenter (for example)."

I like seeing people being passionate. My preference is, or rather, I relate best to it in one's career or profession but I'm generally just happy to see it in any aspect of one's life.

And I don't see it nearly enough.

Starting an "On Notice" List

2008-02-21T14:42:00.004-05:00

Mekki was telling someone the other day that ATI is on his naughty list because of all the problems we've been having with their products lately. This someone replied that it is not a naughty list but that they are being put "on notice". Fans of the Colbert Report will understand this.

And today I will have to make my own addition to the on "on notice" list.

iCoke.ca

Aside from annoying me with their stupid flash website that bounces around everytime you move your mouse, they have failed to accept the last FIVE PINs I've attempted to enter. To be fair, the first two turned out to be legitimately expired but that still does not excuse their generic error message or worse the initial error message I received that claimed that the PINs had expired December 1st, 2008. Enlightened by the first two attempts that it is possible for PINs to expire, I made sure to check the packaging of the next three bottles to make sure the PINs were still valid. All three claim to expire September 1st, 2008. All good, right? Wrong. All three also return the generic error message and fail to add the appropriate number of points to my account.

iCoke.ca support, however, continues to reply to my complaint with some version of "your PIN is expired".

There was obviously a problem with a batch of bottles. All three bottles were bought probably at the same time as we tend to stock up when they are on sale. Either caps with expired PINs were put onto newer bottles which claim to still be valid or the PINs were not entered into the database. Mistakes happen. That's fine. But you don't keep telling a customer who contacted you to report the problem that bottles that say expire September 1, 2008 are returning error codes that the problem is the PINs are expired.

I just told you THEY DON'T EXPIRE FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS!

So, is this iCoke.ca support being evasive and hoping I'll just go away or is it a result of the all too common problem of people not reading the /entire/ email?

Do you have any idea how many calls I get for Mekki during the day which, when I give Mekki the message his reply is "but I clearly said in my email daytime and nighttime numbers". Similarly, I usually conclude emails that require I include a phone number with something along the lines of: "Please note, it is easiest to contact me by email." And then the phone rings. There is also the staggering frequency of reply emails that ask that I reply with "x" piece of information that was included in my initial email. I am always tempted to reply with "Can you please read the /entire/ email before wasting more of my time? Stupid!"

All this to say:

"iCoke.ca, you're on notice!"

Car Repair Task II

2008-02-18T12:39:00.002-05:00

It was a bit warmer out today so I ventured to take a closer peak under the hood. The alternator belt is missing huge sections of ribs and when I went to feel it to make sure it wasn't just the lighting, it crumbled under my fingers. So the belt definitely needs replacing. Still can't be sure it is the cause of the problem or a result of the problem but it needs to be changed.

After pulling out the diagrams to see what is involved and what tools I'd have to gather up, I hit a bump.
There is no bolt head at A. You have to loosen A to pivot the alternator so you can remove the belt. I'm assuming they just fed the bolt through the other side but you can't access the other side from the top. We do have access to lifts/jacks but it's complicating the process a bit. It does however mean we can probably take care of the sway-bar bushings and parking break at the same time.

Car Repair Task I - ACCOMPLISHED

2008-02-15T10:14:00.002-05:00

Task I : Charge battery and move car out of the way.

I pulled the battery out of the car yesterday and our neighbour let us borrow his charger. This morning I put the battery back in and successfully started the car! Hooray for me! Of course the car was buried under a large amount of this year's record snow fall so moving the car once started was still half the battle. So a half hour of shoveling and scraping, inching forward and backwards, and a push from a very kind Canada Post guy, a bit more shoveling, and the car is back in its proper spot where it can sit for as long as necessary (meaning until it is warm enough out to seriously take a look at what is wrong).

P.S. Big thank you's to our neighbour and his friend for helping us push the car into the drive last week and to the Canada Post guy for helping me out of the snow today. It's all very much in the spirit of Ottawa's Choose 2B Kind week.

Cars can't be any more complicated than a building

2008-02-07T16:34:00.000-05:00

With our recent car trouble and even more trouble dealing with Canadian Tire, I've decided to I'm going to learn about cars and quite possibly fix the problem.

The short version of the story is car battery died last summer, we replaced it, it died one week later. We had the alternator replaced and a new alternator belt installed. A few weeks later during my trip to Boston, the car started squealing which we figured out most likely meant the alternator belt was loose and would eventually need tightening (preferably in the spring when we wouldn't freeze). We were told it probably wasn't urgent, just annoying. But it appears it kept the battery from charging properly and now the car is stranded, un-jumpable, under the snow in our laneway. It appears Canadian Tire installed the wrong belt.

Mekki and I have talked about this many times. The most important skill we gained at university is the ability to learn (and I would also add the ability to conceptualize and understand systems). Even if I don't come out of this experiment able to fix the car, most likely for lack of proper tools or equipment, I will have a much better understanding of how it works and able to avoid being caught in another situation like the one with Canadian Tire. Hopefully along the way I'll also figure out how to take care of oil changes and replacing brake pads which over the life of all my future cars, should come in quite handy.

It's similar to a few months ago with the clogged tub drain. I was able to isolate the problem, figure out exactly where the clog was, and attempt to resolve it but eventually having to call in professional help for lack of proper tools. If it weren't for the fact that the landlord was paying and that it's not my property to experiment with, I probably would have tried harder to do it myself.

Point being, it's always good to understand how the stuff you depend on works.

Stewart and Colbert withdrawl comes to an end

2008-01-08T12:37:00.000-05:00

Exciting night last night. (A) Daily Show and Colbert Report are back on the air. Now we just need to get the writers back and my late night will be complete.

New bookshelf design

2007-11-29T13:19:00.000-05:00

I've finally updated Mekki and my bookshelf webpage and decided to give it a facelift while I was at it. I should have the master list up shortly and hopefully some form of search.

Back from Beantown

2007-11-13T09:18:00.000-05:00

I had a great time down in Boston. The drive was pleasant enough despite taking about one to two hours longer than I had hoped. I stayed at the Prescott International Hostel in Everett which was a pretty reasonable commute to Cambridge though a bit pricey considering it wasn't the most convenient location. But everyone was very friendly and it seems that all the hostels in Boston are pretty expensive.

My visits to MIT and Harvard were extremely helpful. I don't think MIT's program is what I'm looking for but Harvard is very exciting so I think I will be focusing my energy there. And I've decided that I like the cheap books and alcohol in Boston. I picked up a very nice xo brandy for $14 and the MIT and Harvard Press bookstores were like candy shops. Unfortunately I had to carry whatever I bought for the rest of the day so I had to restrain myself but I picked up some interesting reads.

After Boston, I headed up to Lincoln, NH for the night and stayed at Parker's Motel. Off season ski towns are interesting but luckily cheap which was the point more than anything. I was just looking for somewhere to spend the night before driving up to see Martha.

I had a great time with Martha at the farm. She took me cross-country skiing, horseback riding, on a one horse open sleigh ride, ATV driving, fishing, swinging in the hay... I got a nice tour of the sugar bush. We made cheese. And we just generally had fun chatting.

I was hoping to stop at Schwartz's in Montreal for some smoked meat on the way home but got a late start and hit Montreal at 5pm and figured it wouldn't be smart to drive into downtown at rush hour.

As always, it's nice to finally be back home.

Mario and Luigi

2007-10-28T14:35:00.001-04:00

Last night was Alec and Tracie's Halloween party. Mekki and I had a great time carving our pumpkins (even if the rotary tool turned out to be less than efficient). Mekki's first time carving a pumpkin! Mario turned out great. Unfortunately Luigi's a bit too skinny and needs some more meat on his bones (ie the pumpkin was too thin and flimsy to properly support the carving)

I will post a picture of our costumes when I get a copy from someone who was taking pictures at the party.

The nights shouldn't be divine yet...

2007-10-18T18:51:00.000-04:00

...aren't they still supposed to be scary?

Chapters was playing Christmas music today! I don't think I can handle two and half months of Christmas.

So what is it all about?

2007-09-20T17:17:00.000-04:00

For everyone asking about my thesis....

I've put it up on my webserver so you can take a peak. I plan on getting it set up on Lulu at some point so people can order proper copies but if you can't wait you can download it and print it yourself. I'll also get a plain text version up at some point.

This is a reformatted version from my actual thesis because I hate double-spacing. This makes it look more like a proper book.

Enjoy.

Shanah Tova

2007-09-13T09:46:00.001-04:00

Happy New Year everyone!