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November 25, 2008
words
I like Pablo Neruda. I will file this under things they don't teach in school.
So, drawn on by my destiny,
I ceaselessly must listen to and keep
the sea's lamenting in my awareness,
I must feel the crash of the hard water
and gather it up in a perpetual cup
so that, wherever those in prison may be,
wherever they suffer the autumn's castigation,
I may be there with an errant wave,
I may move, passing through windows,
and hearing me, eyes will glance upward
saying "How can I reach the sea?"
And I shall broadcast, saying nothing,
the starry echoes of the wave,
a breaking up of foam and of quicksand,
a rustling of salt withdrawing,
the grey cry of sea-birds on the coast.
So, through me, freedom and the sea
will make their answer to the shuttered heart.
- Poet's Obligation
Posted by azileretsis at 08:26 PM | Comments (0)
cable
I'm currently mired in the TV world, one that I hate with a relish. I just got off the phone with Comcast. I baulked at paying two installation fees (Internet & cable to a total of $49.99) for a technician to flip a switch. The good thing about cable Internet is that if you know what you are doing, you can work around the techs and customer service that are generally more clueless with every year. I'm just not sure I want to start a relationship with my local cable company. Is it possible that Cox was better?
Posted by azileretsis at 06:10 PM | Comments (0)
November 24, 2008
down
At least, some companies are doing well to my dismay. Comcast's 3Q profits jumped up 38%. I wonder about the target price of $25. Don't they know that I'm looking for a deal!
I'm confident that the American consumer will keep us out a depression.
I like the first scenario about the economy. I love the diagram!
Posted by azileretsis at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2008
launch
I love NASA TV. It is one awesome idea. Just heard (summarized):
Tech 1: We think the inner white door might flap around since it's not tied down.
Shuttle Control 1: How serious do you think the problem is?
Shuttle Control 2: Enough for a delay?
T 1: We don't know.
SC 1: We will need to discuss this.
SC 2: Ugh.. Let's take this to a less public channel.
Anything you wanted to know about space travel.
Update: Another webcam died to a good cause, an assumption.
Posted by azileretsis at 07:36 PM | Comments (0)
November 13, 2008
correlation
Google Flu Trends is one way to look at the data. Again, correlation does not mean causation. I would say most of the Google search peaking occurred after CDC peak. However, CDC is always revising its data. I would very interested in the correlation coefficient and p value.
Another use of Google is analysis of virus strands. However, this area isn't Google's primary expertise and though Google has the right idea, I'm not sure if their current tool kit fits. Google does do very well in virus surveillance. I believe that if a significant virus analysis tool is to be built; it has to be built from the inside and won't be done by a couple of tech guys.
Google article also mentions the Arenavirus. I had to double check the date to make sure I understood that the virus had been sequenced in less than four months. Also, earlier this week, a paper documenting a genome sequence of a cancer patient. BTW, the two companies represented, 454 Life Sciences and Illumina.
Posted by azileretsis at 05:11 PM | Comments (0)
November 11, 2008
cynic
In an interesting turn of events, Big Three automakers are seeking the help of Democrats. However, are we treading water in a sinking boat? Auto industry job losses 2005 (pdf) BTW, what's the deal with Wikipedia's Toyota entry?
What kind of strings will Democrats tie to another bailout? And, let's see, has Congress ever heard this before? Yes, a report to Congress in 2005 (pdf). And, let's see what those pesky Californians truly believe in by their buying choices, Automotive Industries in Southern California 2006 (pdf). Again, why do we want to support product manufacturing that nobody wants to buy? More importantly, is it the best use of our current resources?
Klier linked the loss of automotive industry employment in these three states primarily to the loss of market share by the Big Three. Report to Congress 2005
Posted by azileretsis at 06:43 PM | Comments (0)
November 10, 2008
ouch
Circuit City files for bankruptcy.
Gulp. If they are using their own cash reserves, nobody (US) can't use it. Still 10% is awfully nice.
Posted by azileretsis at 01:59 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2008
tv makes u stupid, stupid
I was perusing TV last night and stopped at Boston Legal. It was the most biased episode I had seen and I thought the previous ones were pretty bad. If anyone thought West Wing was a biased show, Boston Legal is MoveOn.org in full force. Is it alright for Hollywood to use all its money and resources to pull behind one candidate without allowing people to engage in the discussion of politics? And, do they really believe that Americans are that susceptible? ABC does not get my vote.
Posted by azileretsis at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
November 02, 2008
election
I would urge people to vote for a candidate rather than picking against another candidate. In the end, this election brings up a lot of strange issues that I see in my social circles that I wouldn't expect in the 21st century. No matter who wins on Tuesday, neither candidate, again, has a mandate on which direction to take the country. I would also like to remind people that currently Congress has actually a lower approval rating than the president. More interest should be paid on this part of national politics.
The morning after: Half of us will be disappointed
Posted by azileretsis at 03:12 PM | Comments (0)
November 01, 2008
the graduate
For those who lack understanding of what a graduate student is, this animal is always hungry and when resting, is only reserving energy for the next battle. I don't appreciate sometimes the myth that graduate students do nothing. From what I've seen from way too many years, there are two types. One type is the one that is sacrificing everything (family, free time, and rest) for the opportunity to do more in life. The other type is the one who still doesn't know where they are or who they have become. Neither should be penalized for their sacrifice or the other, their ignorance.
Recent articles about graduate school life:
Family Friendly Starts at Home
Health benefits for U.S. grad student at risk
The economy is affecting the graduate student as well. I have to agree with one of the statistics quoted in the article. The 90s and early 2000s were better. However, as one among many who was working in the early 2000s, we've also suffered a recession before. We understand better what is at stake.
One more thing about the graduate student. They aren't doing it for the money or the great benefits. If you are bummed about the economy, talk to a graduate student, especially about the lack of life, money, and benefits. It'll make you feel better.
Posted by azileretsis at 02:12 PM | Comments (0)