If I had read this in High School...

I'd have a whole different career. Excellent essay on Wired about being a scientist:

To be a scientist is to commit to a life of confusion punctuated by rare moments of clarity. When I leave the office at night, the confusion comes with me. Ruminating over these equations, seeking patterns, looking for hidden relationships, trying to make contact with measured data—it's all uncertainty and possibility engaged in an endless chaotic dance. Every so often the blur resolves, but the respite is short-lived; the next puzzle demands focus. This, really, is the joy of being a scientist. Established truths are comforting, but it is the mysteries that make the soul ache and render a life of exploration worth living.

Another nail, another flat

Got a flat this morning on the way to work. Still got here on time; I flatted in the Rose Quarter with 30 minutes to get to the office. Made it in plenty of time.

Fun last Sunday!

Ah, spring in Oregon

After a few days of nice partly sunny weather, April turned back into April here. Dev and I went to the gym last night, where they had to modify the workout due to weather. Originally the workout included two laps around the building.

The rain started in the middle of the warm up. And not your normal Oregon steady drizzle to steady rain type rain. No. Buckets of rain came down. It reminded me of Texas thunderstorms type rain. Cars floated by the gym because the water got so high so fast type rain. So we had to row 500 meters instead of the originally planned laps.

I would have preferred the run.

Tires are expensive

Crazy expensive. But then this is the first full set of four new tires I've ever had to buy for a car. So I guess, on balance, that going 36 years without having to buy a full set of tires is a definite win.

That's it.

Donut Apocalypse

This what's left after the first round finished. Sugar crash here I
come!

Why the process is important

J.J. Abrams is able to elucidate something that is central to the way I've always played video games (or read books or watched tv shows). Excellent essay in Wired here.

Great day in Austin

My niece at the Austin waterfront

I need to review my German

My niece

Truth on the Whiteboard

Happy Birthday to my Dad!

Just thought I'd say so. Though he doesn't read this. So my mom will have to tell him.

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to me!

To those who can't be with me on this most awesome of days, I miss you. I raise a toast to all my friends and family. I would not have the incredibly sweet life I now enjoy without each and every one of you. I have a beautiful wife who has enough patience to put up with me and to be pregnant at the same time. I have two brothers who helped shape my early years and make me appreciate my own space and sharing what I have. I have the whole cast of characters that makes up the motley crew that are my friends. Some of you improved me. Some of you corrupted me. Some of you were just there at the right (or wrong) time. I have my parents who launched me into this life and gave me the tools to fight back the forces that try to make it worse.

Thanks to you all. Without you guys, I would not be quite so awesome.
[grin]

Cheers!