Monday, January 30, 2006

Courtney's leaving

So, Courtney is heading back to Scotland tomorrow for her dissertation defense. I think it will be a whirlwind trip back, touch down on Wednesday, defend on Friday, then fly back early Sunday morning. I hope she remembers to pick up the poker stuff from Alex's closet. We need it for the casino party.

Friday, January 27, 2006

Fantastic Birthday

We had a great time yesterday for my birthday. James came over, and the four of us went out to The Melting Pot for dinner. It was super fun, with one central fondue pot and everyone sharing the cheese or chocolate in the middle. After dinner, we went back to our apartment where Courtney had baked me a superman cake. It was quite tasty. I also got to open my presents, which included a steamer/fryer from my mom, and a superman t-shirt from Courtney's parents. The coolest thing was that Courtney got me a photography lesson as a gift! And the place is just next door to our apartment, so it is super easy to get there. However, we have two classes that are out in the field! The teacher is Corey Hilz, and I can hardly wait until April for the classes.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

It's my Birthday!

Howdy everyone. Today, 26 years ago, I was born in Saline County Hospital in Benton, Arkansas. This morning, in honor of that fact, Courtney brought me a cinnamon roll with a candle in it while singing Happy Birthday. We will go out to eat tonight, but we won't have a party until 11 February, when we have the Casino Party. I also found out that Michael Trieu is the surprise gift giver. He sent me a huge poker chip set complete with metal carrying case that would also fit a shotgun (is he telling me something?) As for the rest of you, get shopping.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Creationism and Evolutionism

The NYTimes has a nice essay about the evolution debate. It is part book review, part history of the issue, and part personal discourse. The author rightly mentions that scientists often go beyond the scientific when discussing evolution. There is certainly Darwinism, which goes beyond the acceptance of evolution, and attaches moral significance to accepting evolution. Scientists should be vigilant against those types of assumptions.

Monday, January 23, 2006

Teach for America

So, I am still thinking about Teach for America next year. The deadline is in February, and I think it sounds great except that the training occurs right around the same time as our wedding. So, that makes it a bit awkward. The training is suppose to be in Philadelphia, and if I can get off at least a day or two from the training, I don't think I can do it. But, I will try. However, I have to apply first, and right now I am writing the application letter. Take a look at it and tell me what you think.

New Scientists

The Republicans have sponsored some new education legislation that will encourage college juniors and seniors to choose science and technology majors. I think it is pretty funny that the republicans are the ones meddling in education, since they are usually so adamant that education is a state's prerogative. However, that irony might just highlight the severity of our situation in training new scientists and engineers. Not enough Americans want to take the hard sciences. I think that is a shame, and I applaud the new legislation (even though from republicans it may be).

Thursday, January 19, 2006

Preview versus Acrobat Reader?

For some reason, PDFs that I view on webpages will no longer open in Preview, Apple's PDF viewer. I have to download them separately. Now they all ask for Adobe Acrobat Reader, and when it asks me to choose Reader, it won't let me choose Preview as the application to open the document. Anyone know what is going on here?

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Secret gift giver

Someone wants the casino party to be a huge success. In the last couple of days, I have received a green poker visor and a really kick-ass set of chips in a carrying case. There was no note with either, so I can only assume a fellow gambling admirer is helping me to a good party with a few targeted birthday presents. Whoever it is, I appreciate the gifts.

Monday, January 16, 2006

11 February

February 11 is the day. Get out your money and sharpen your card skills. Courtney and I are having our second annual Casino Party! We have the cards, the chips and the dealers, you guys bring the prizes and your luck. If you are in the DC area, you should have gotten an e-vite by now. If you haven't, then shoot me an e-mail. New this year is a craps table (which I need to build.) This is going to be hella fun.

Happy Martin Luther King Day

I hope everyone enjoys their holiday and remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King today. He was a powerful force on American society, and his contributions should not be forgotten.

Thursday, January 12, 2006

Ben does good

I just downloaded a song from iTunes Music Store. It is called Bitches Ain't Shit by Ben Folds. It is a cover originally released by Dr. Dre. I thought it was terrific. I recommend it to everyone who is old enough to listen to it. I am becoming a big fan of Ben Folds.

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

Big News

While I was stuck at the AAS astronomy conference, big things were happening over in San Francisco. Apple just released their first computers with Intel processors. They released the MacBook Pro, an eventual replacement for the Powerbook, and a new iMac. Both are significantly faster than the PowerPC versions that Apple was shipping before. However, they don't look much different than the PowerPC version. They are basically the same shell. Also shipping is a new version of iLife. That looks really cool. I can't wait to get my hands on it.

Friday, January 06, 2006

Narnia

Courtney and I headed out to Chronicles of Narnia last night at our local theatre. What a terrific movie. I give it 4 stars, at least. Ted Brodigan in Hearts in Atlantis says that some books have a great story, and some books are well written, and it is a very rare book indeed that has both. I think Hollywood should trust readers more often when they decide to make a movie that has been a beloved book for decades. Then Hollywood only needs to worry about the movie, instead of the story (which they unfortunately screw up much of the time).

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

My poster sucks aas

So, I have nearly finished my poster for the American Astronomical Society (AAS) meeting next week. I will try to print it out tomorrow (3 ft by 4 ft) if my advisors don't find any huge glaring mistakes. You can take a look at it as well, but it is sort of odd sized.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

Happy New Year!

Courtney and I had a kick-ass time out in Maryland over New Years. We went to a cabin owned by our friends Kelly and Brandon. I took some photos of us out there. I really like the picture of the bacon. Oh to be a vegetarian.
It is getting pretty busy around here. Zach, my friend from Arkansas is coming up on Saturday, and next week Courtney's Mom and Kallie are coming into town. Also, there is a big fruit convention in San Francisco, so we might get some different fruit to sell at the fruit stand. Finally, Courtney and I are hard at work trying to get the wedding all planned. My job is the website. I will let you guys see it when it is ready, which hopefully will be soon.
Oh, and finally, I have an astronomy conference next week. Should be food gun. Ed from St. Andrews will be there, which will be really nice.