Saturday, February 28, 2009
That's Unpossible
I just finished my chem lab report. Either I made a mistake in the experiment or 125% of the vitamin C tablet was made of ascorbic acid. I hope it is the latter because unlike physics labs, I can't redo experiments.
Update: I made a copying mistake and wrote some data for my second trial under my first trial. At least it is something I can fix easily.
Update: I made a copying mistake and wrote some data for my second trial under my first trial. At least it is something I can fix easily.
Socks are for Chumps
I know I'm in the minority but I love winter -- everything is so pretty. The cold weather doesn't bother me and it is the only time of the year that I can breath when I'm outside. The only thing I hate about winter is I have to wear socks. I'd have to say they are in the top ten things I hate -- some where below evil dictators and above capitalism. You read it right, I hate socks more than capitalism. I'm considering leaving a pair of flip flops at the university so I only have to wear socks during labs and coming to and from school.
Inferiority Complex
A friend just got full expenses paid acceptance from Oxford to work on his MSc. I'm worried that no grad school will accept me because of grades from 9-13 years ago. I'm cursed with a GPA that does not reflect who I am now.
Friday, February 27, 2009
We didn't start the fire....
When I first heard the fire alarm sound I thought "What idiot planned a fire drill with a -45C wind chill?" I grabbed my bag and left the Physics students' lounge and the hall was filled with smoke. I was with Blond Derek* and we met Jemaine** in the hallway on our way out the door. Jemaine was in the middle of an experiment that he just had to leave it going and start over later.
We were shooed out of the lab building towards the library. The next building over, the classroom building was evacuated as well. There were grumblings from students about the physics dept starting fires with there experiments which is complete baloney. The only experiments running at the time were first years seeing how fast ice melts in cold water and a pendulum. The only thing "dangerous" in our wing is a neutron howitzer which radiates materials and cannot cause fires.
We didn't know what happened to everyone else from the Physics dept. We wandered back and forth between the entrances from both sides of the building waiting for it to open again. We ran into was The Commie*** eventually. There were many strange conversations about possible sources of the fire****:
- the pendulum was moving so fast it punched a whole in the space-time continuum
- the pendulum bob was made of a highly reactive metal
- the biology dept is breeding dragons (which lead to Blond Derek's decision to raise an army of zombie dragons for a biology project)
- spontaneous combustion of multiple professors
We found our way back to the library where we met the head lab instructor returning from lunch. When he found out how long since we were evacuated he looked at the doors said "They'll let us in soon" then they opened! It was eerie.
Names are used to protect the innocent:
*He looks and acts almost exactly like Derek. We have a physics class and lab together. Once I get to know him better I'll ask if eats toast ironically. I missed tiny pointing Derek.
** By his own admission he looks like Jemaine Clement with a beer belly.
*** Been called so since deciding to take a class on Marxism.
**** I am well aware of our nerdiness.
We were shooed out of the lab building towards the library. The next building over, the classroom building was evacuated as well. There were grumblings from students about the physics dept starting fires with there experiments which is complete baloney. The only experiments running at the time were first years seeing how fast ice melts in cold water and a pendulum. The only thing "dangerous" in our wing is a neutron howitzer which radiates materials and cannot cause fires.
We didn't know what happened to everyone else from the Physics dept. We wandered back and forth between the entrances from both sides of the building waiting for it to open again. We ran into was The Commie*** eventually. There were many strange conversations about possible sources of the fire****:
- the pendulum was moving so fast it punched a whole in the space-time continuum
- the pendulum bob was made of a highly reactive metal
- the biology dept is breeding dragons (which lead to Blond Derek's decision to raise an army of zombie dragons for a biology project)
- spontaneous combustion of multiple professors
We found our way back to the library where we met the head lab instructor returning from lunch. When he found out how long since we were evacuated he looked at the doors said "They'll let us in soon" then they opened! It was eerie.
Names are used to protect the innocent:
*He looks and acts almost exactly like Derek. We have a physics class and lab together. Once I get to know him better I'll ask if eats toast ironically. I missed tiny pointing Derek.** By his own admission he looks like Jemaine Clement with a beer belly.
*** Been called so since deciding to take a class on Marxism.
**** I am well aware of our nerdiness.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Vanity
I'm procrastinating from going on the treadmill because my hair looks awesome. How often does a girl WAKE UP with good hair?
Monday, February 23, 2009
PSYCH 101
One of my greatest pet peeves are people who have taken a psychology class who know think they are experts at diagnosis. A couple examples:
- I overheard a girl telling her friend that he had Asperger syndrome because he doesn't like small talk. Idiot. Asperger syndrome is difficult to diagnosis even by professionals and is also characterised by physical clumsiness. Considering that this guy is a lifeguard and avid bike rider it is highly doubtful.
- My grade 9 English teacher took me aside because she was concerned I had a drug problem. A 14 year old girl with well-behaved friends, good marks and a well kept appearance having problems staying awake in class. Doesn't that scream drug fiend? As a teacher I would have loved if my students would finish their work early and the room was so quiet they fell asleep.
- Don't get me started on people diagnosing ADD, ADHD and OCD.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Creating Your Own Confusion
A friend from high school and his fiancée had their official wedding photos taken ahead of time. It is still awhile until the actual wedding so it makes no sense why he would post the pictures on Facebook. Now every comment is congratulating him on getting married. He explains over and over again that he is not yet married but who reads old comments before posting? Despite the confusion, isn't it tacky to post your wedding photos before the wedding?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Excuse my ignorance
Is there a valid medical reason to have armpit fat removed? I haven't really noticed if she has cumbersome armpits*. She is someone who has never had a lot of money so I can't imagine that it is a cosmetic procedure. If you were a person who has scrimped and saved for liposuction, why would the armpits be the priority? Why do I feel like I'm missing something here? Armpit liposuction: I don't think anything will surprise me anymore.**
*That could be a condition, right?
** Totally should be a T-shirt
*That could be a condition, right?
** Totally should be a T-shirt
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Offical Late Night Word
The last episodes of Late Night with Conan O'Brien air this week and next week. He'll start hosting the Tonight Show on June 1. Official word is the final two weeks will be off the chain. Here's crossing my fingers for a Chuck Norris appearance.
I've been so busy I can't believe that I forgot about this.
I've been so busy I can't believe that I forgot about this.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
True in More Ways Than Just Hockey
"I don't think you can handle the Sharks for 60 minutes." - Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks Center
Sharks were too much for Bruins in third period, Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer, Tuesday, 02.10.2009 / 11:49 PM / NHL Insider
Sharks were too much for Bruins in third period, Dan Rosen - NHL.com Staff Writer, Tuesday, 02.10.2009 / 11:49 PM / NHL Insider
Less of a Social Life: Updated for Fall 2009
My university posted the tentative fall schedules: I may have to inquire about taking up permanent residence in the lab building.
For sure classes include
Complex Analysis I (Learning how to do calculus proofs with imaginary numbers)
Electricity and Magnetism plus lab
Heat and Thermodynamics plus lab
Then I have to choose between
Classical Mechanics II (Sequels are rarely as good as the originals)
Mathematical Physics I
I'll ask around my faculty adviser and some other students which will be "easier". I could take both but
1 300-level math + 2 200-level physics + 2 200-level physics labs + 2 300-level physics = brain explosion
For sure classes include
Complex Analysis I (Learning how to do calculus proofs with imaginary numbers)
Electricity and Magnetism plus lab
Heat and Thermodynamics plus lab
Then I have to choose between
Classical Mechanics II (Sequels are rarely as good as the originals)
Mathematical Physics I
I'll ask around my faculty adviser and some other students which will be "easier". I could take both but
1 300-level math + 2 200-level physics + 2 200-level physics labs + 2 300-level physics = brain explosion
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Consider Reducing Your Font Size
A friend sent me a forward today and this was the size of the text:
Further down it gets smaller but not small enough to have an entire line displayed on the screen.
Further down it gets smaller but not small enough to have an entire line displayed on the screen.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
I'm Pretty Sure it Raised My Cholesterol Just Looking at It...
Behold, the Internet sensation Bacon Explosion:
Bacon surrounded by two pounds of Italian sausage wrapped with two pounds of bacon. Looks like a good idea at the time but something you'd regret much later like KFC or deep fried cheese.
Bacon surrounded by two pounds of Italian sausage wrapped with two pounds of bacon. Looks like a good idea at the time but something you'd regret much later like KFC or deep fried cheese.
Monday, February 2, 2009
My Highest Scrabble Score Ever
A good game for me is anything over 420 (a bad game is anything under 350). There is something about that 420 barrier that is difficult to get past. Previous record was 475. When I realized that I might break 500 I was so excited I could barely stand it.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Awkward Conversations
I have a classmate who has asked me to met with her tomorrow morning to help her with an assignment. Currently she has a pharmacy degree but wants become a doctor. She has a couple classes she needs to pick up before she can apply for med school. She needs a physics class but didn't want to take one with a lab. The only such class being offered this semester has 3 Calculus classes and 1 Physics class as prerequisites -- she only has one of the Calculus classes and none of the others. She convinced the professor to let her into the class. Do you see the problem here?
I do not have the time to teach her everything she needs for this class -- I barely have enough time to finish my own assignments. Is it for me to say that maybe she shouldn't be in this class? Do I let her figure that out for herself? I definitely have to tell her that I only have a limited amount of time to help and if she needs more to get a tutor. This class is hard for those of us that have all the required classes.
Gross.
I do not have the time to teach her everything she needs for this class -- I barely have enough time to finish my own assignments. Is it for me to say that maybe she shouldn't be in this class? Do I let her figure that out for herself? I definitely have to tell her that I only have a limited amount of time to help and if she needs more to get a tutor. This class is hard for those of us that have all the required classes.
Gross.