Archive for the 'science' Tag

Candidacy Exam

I just wanted to post a brief update, and maybe a call for well-wishing. My Exam for Advancement to PhD Candidacy (a.k.a. the Candidacy Exam) is this Friday at 3 pm. It’s kind of strange. On one hand, it’s probably the biggest, most important (and final) test I’ll ever take. On the other hand, it’s on stuff that I work with everyday and with which I’m very familiar. But I think I’m ready… but I wouldn’t mind it at all if you all kept me in your thoughts on Friday.

LASIK

I’ve been considering getting LASIK performed on my eyes for many years… Now, I think, is that time: the technology is advanced enough, my eyes are stable enough, and I’m financially sound enough. Read on for my deliberations and ramblings about the procedure, finding a reputable surgeon and more! (continued)

Watch the Alphabet Evolve

Alphabet Evolution. Always remember, the idea of an alphabet has only evolved once, whereas pictograms have independently evolved at least 3 times.

I’m in the wrong field or I’m sane or both

A while back, a co-worker of mine posted an editorial they had clipped from Nature, which was the advice of an experienced researcher to potential graduate students in the sciences titled “What makes a good graduate student?”.

Now, either I’m a textbook example of a piss-poor graduate student, or the author is an elitist crazy and I’m sane. Read on to see snippets of her “advice”, and my incredulity and disbelief. (continued)

Powers of Ten

You should go watch this amazing video that shows scale- from the universe to an atom. Nifty!

Rantback: Juicy Morsels

Welcome to the first Rantback , which consolidates lots of little thoughts into one post. In this issue: Feminine form in video games, Cancer, Pets, and Teaching. (continued)

I Passed My Oral Defense!

The title pretty much says it all– after 2.5 hours of being grilled and proposing new experiments, I was told to wait outside for the ten longest minutes of my life, and when I returned I was notified that I had a Complete Pass (no further writing or anything.. completely done). Hell Yes!

ReichLab.com

I’ve been re-vamping the lab website for my work, and I think it’s coming along quite nicely. So visit ReichLab.com to see my handiwork. It’s entirely web standards compliant and CSS based. Moreover, I’m learning a lot from doing it, and making something I’ll be able to point to and say “This is where I work!”. (continued)

I make $13 a day

On the way to work today, I did some mental math, figuring out how much money I “really” get per day of work, when you take away taxes, rent, electricity, and all the other stuff that you never really feel like you’re getting anything for (until they’re gone, of course!). The result? I make $13 a day. Let’s break it down: (continued)

“Intelligent Design” Officially Belongs in the Science Classroom

Yes, it’s a very sad day indeed. By a 6 to 4 board vote, the Kansas School Board just approved teaching Intelligent Design in science classrooms. (continued)