Decision time!

Wow, it's kind of hard to believe that I'm 1/4 finished my second term. I don't feel like I've learned very much, yet I feel that I have so much to do!
Group projects are a new thing this term. One of my projects is to design an anode for electrolytic reduction in order to stabilize a condenser retrieved from the USS Monitor. Kind of epic, eh? We're basically de-crapifying it using the gas bubbles generated plus removing ions that could react and make the metal disintegrate.

The condenser. With all of its glorious crap.

A pretty cool project, if I may say so myself. It could actually affect something in the real world! It's not just theory!
But, I now stand at the brink of making a decision that will affect the rest of my schooling. What to specialize in?
It's confession time. I'm a lab rat. A consummate lab rat. You know how analysis happens instantly on TV, like on CSI? Well, it takes hours of analysis and much down time. And I actually like that. I know. I'm a freak.
So, I'm leaning towards Engineering Chemistry. Instead of figuring out how to make old goo faster, I make new and exciting goo! Everyone says it is extremely hard, but I think I'm up to the challenge.
Well, fingers crossed that I make the right decision. Now, I'm making another good one. I'll stop blogging and do some research and actual work. Go me.
On a side note, happy year of the Ox!

Eh, procrastination...

So, it's my first week of REAL class. The classes I was most worried about are snoozefests (linear algebra, I'm looking at YOU) and given my average last term, I am in a decidedly relaxed mood. Can't be too relaxed though and just give up breathing (watch Serenity, an awesome fan-propelled movie to get that). So, I thus procrastinate by blogging (who reads this, anyway?) and using the stumbleupon toolbar.
Stumbleupon. Whoever invented it is a mad genius. I have spent way too much time clicking on the innocent little button when I should have been doing real work. But, (vaguely) constructive things have come from it, such as this duct tape rose!



Neat, huh? Yes, a wonderful procrastination tool. Maybe I'll eventually make enough for a bouquet. Downside is that they smell like, well, duct tape. Shocking.
I also re-established my outright nerdity this past week. I'm already a real nerd for reading so many webcomics, but I correctly identified several things that a casual nerd would not catch.
Number one: I correctly identified the fact that "'I love you.' 'I know.'" is said twice in the Star Wars movies by Han and Leia, once in ESB and, with roles reversed, in ROJ.
Number two: Though I didn't identify the quote, I recognized the training exercise discussed in a ST:Wrath of Khan quote: the Kobayashi Maru, unwinnable unless you mess with the coding.
Earned bonus nerd points for both.
Sweet.


"He's dead, Jim."- Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. Also a favorite quote of my friend Daniel.

Save the bunny!

Created By Toys

Ok, so not sure if this is serious, but just in case, save this bunny! Though, if he isn't saved, he will become a delicious stew. Hmm. Never tasted rabbit...
Anyways, my vote is to save this pet. If you want to vote either way, head over to
http://savehoppy.com/

Daisy Owl, an acquired taste

But so rewarding if you like it.
Daisy Owl chronicles the adventures of the eponymous Daisy, her father Mr. Owl, her little brother Cooper, and their friend Steve the Bear. A little non sequitur and a lot of fun, Daisy Owl is not for everyone. It's sometimes absurdist, sometimes satiric. Just give it a try and see if you like it.
For more, head on over to http://www.daisyowl.com/

First post o' the new year!

Now throw some of that New Year cheer Dr. McNinja's way! He's a doctor. And a ninja. And stars in a really cool webcomic.
Dr. McNinja is pretty much your average ninja that happens to be a doctor. And a pretty normal guy, if normal includes a gorilla receptionist, velociraptor riding paleontologists, and your mom trying to kill you every time you come home for a visit (just to keep you on your toes).
He runs a medical clinic and his door is always open if you need his services as a doctor or a ninja.
I'd totally check in with the good doctor now at:
http://www.drmcninja.com/
In other news, classes are kind of back in full swing, except that the first week of winter term for engineers is our "Professional engineering skills" course aka ethics. The gist is: Don't be jerks. To anyone and anything. Somehow this message is stretched into a week of mostly boring lectures and mostly interesting discussion groups. Don't get me wrong; some lectures are quite interesting. But, most people just sleep through it all.
Well, that's currently the news of the new year.
"Here's to the new year...may she be a damn sight better than the old one..." - Col. Sherman T. Potter, M*A*S*H