I went to the CWar LAN event in Indianapolis this past Saturday. It was the most fun I've had in a long time. Not so much for the game-playing as much as for the socializing. I finally got to meet the chaps I've been chatting with, for going on 3 years.
Visit my personal website to see a few pictures and a short writeup.
Monday, June 19, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
"The irresistible rise of cybersex" from the New Scientist
Now, this is going to take on-line interactions to a new level... see the following article published on the New Scientist website entitled:
The irresistible rise of cybersex
Want a glimpse into the not-too-distant future? Check out this little-known but thought-provoking movie: Thomas in Love
The irresistible rise of cybersex
Want a glimpse into the not-too-distant future? Check out this little-known but thought-provoking movie: Thomas in Love
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
NSERC Recognizes Winners of Canada's Top Prize for New Ph.D.'s in Science and Engineering
I'm the secretary of the committee that chose the engineering and computer science prizes of NSERC's Doctoral Prizes. I also set up the commmitee that chose the prizes for math and the natural sciences.
It's gratifying that I was able to contribute, in a small measure, to the selection of these prizes.
It's gratifying that I was able to contribute, in a small measure, to the selection of these prizes.
Friday, June 09, 2006
From the New Scientist - "Pentagon sets its sights on social networking websites"
Now, this is scary. Not only is Big Brother here, but he's bigger, badder, and better than ever... Check this out...
New Scientist Tech - Technology - Pentagon sets its sights on social networking websites
Which means that CSIS, CIA, etc. may be watching you as you read this blog!!!
New Scientist Tech - Technology - Pentagon sets its sights on social networking websites
Which means that CSIS, CIA, etc. may be watching you as you read this blog!!!
Sympatico / MSN : News : CTV.ca: Spring 2006 warmest since records began in 1948
Augh. More good news.
I know that our spring was the warmest it has been in a long time, but I didn't know that the Spring of 2006 in Canada is the warmest since records began in 1948...
When asked by the opposition parties why the current Canadian government what it was going to do to curb greenhouse gas emission, Prime Minister Harper replied: "I don't think the alarmism necessarily helps a serious debate."
No. Five record high yearly averages in the past 10 years is not alarmist - it's a trend. Oh, and an average increase of 3 to 5 degrees C this spring over previous years' seasonal averages is nothing to be alarmed about, is it?
This government seriously needs to talk to some climate scientists, but no, Conservative politicians know so much more than they do...
I know that our spring was the warmest it has been in a long time, but I didn't know that the Spring of 2006 in Canada is the warmest since records began in 1948...
When asked by the opposition parties why the current Canadian government what it was going to do to curb greenhouse gas emission, Prime Minister Harper replied: "I don't think the alarmism necessarily helps a serious debate."
No. Five record high yearly averages in the past 10 years is not alarmist - it's a trend. Oh, and an average increase of 3 to 5 degrees C this spring over previous years' seasonal averages is nothing to be alarmed about, is it?
This government seriously needs to talk to some climate scientists, but no, Conservative politicians know so much more than they do...
Friday, May 19, 2006
Da Vinci Code ... much ado about nothing
GAD. I just have to vent.
I CANNOT BELIEVE all the people being taken in by this Da Vinci Code hype.
First: The book sucks. Big time. I was frankly underwhelmed by Dan Brown's book. My take on it: Mediocre writing, re-laundered materials, a stereotypic love-interest, and much exotic or contraversial material (e.g., Opus Dei, albinos, the Louvre, etc.) just made my eyes glaze over. I say re-laundered, since the content dealt with in Brown's book has been known for years - Baigent and Lee were the first to put together this particular conspiracy theory together (see the BBC story for more info) The only thing that pulled in my interest was the little puzzles sprinkled through the book. I would have to score the book a 5.5 out of 10, it was that bad, IM-not-so-HO.
Second, Tom Hanks makes a movie out of it. Hello, Tom, what were you thinking?? I can't believe he was taken in by this trash. Tom, read some better books, for crying out loud! Try reading Eco's Foucault's Pendulum, if you want an original take on a conspiracy novel. (Now, that is an excellent novel that will never be made into a movie, because half the joy / challenge is in taking delight in his prose.)
Gah. How sad.
I CANNOT BELIEVE all the people being taken in by this Da Vinci Code hype.
First: The book sucks. Big time. I was frankly underwhelmed by Dan Brown's book. My take on it: Mediocre writing, re-laundered materials, a stereotypic love-interest, and much exotic or contraversial material (e.g., Opus Dei, albinos, the Louvre, etc.) just made my eyes glaze over. I say re-laundered, since the content dealt with in Brown's book has been known for years - Baigent and Lee were the first to put together this particular conspiracy theory together (see the BBC story for more info) The only thing that pulled in my interest was the little puzzles sprinkled through the book. I would have to score the book a 5.5 out of 10, it was that bad, IM-not-so-HO.
Second, Tom Hanks makes a movie out of it. Hello, Tom, what were you thinking?? I can't believe he was taken in by this trash. Tom, read some better books, for crying out loud! Try reading Eco's Foucault's Pendulum, if you want an original take on a conspiracy novel. (Now, that is an excellent novel that will never be made into a movie, because half the joy / challenge is in taking delight in his prose.)
Gah. How sad.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Long time since last blog...
Wow.
It's been a while (like almost a year) since I last posted. So much has happened since then...
To make a very long story short, I took on a temporary position as a program officer where I work. The job is satisfying, and I'm amazed at how I can stay "on top" of the workload...which might indicate that I'm being under-utilized, but at this point, I'm not complaining. My ego is still hurting from the bruising from last year, and I'm still trying to let go of all the expectations I had for myself in building a career... this sounds like self-absorbed bull****, but it isn't, it's just a kind of awareness and acceptance of what is becoming a new "order" for me. (Gawd, I hate it when words fail me!) So I try to live beyond my illusions (my career...hah!) and am concentrating on the here-and-now.
Speaking of here-and-now, I had a wonderful time working with (on?) the Ottawa Regional Science Fair 2006. A truly fantastic event, well-organized and some wonderfully committed people: Paula, James, Steve, etc. It is really an honor to work with these people.
Another group of people which I hold just as dearly is my group of CWar brethren. I would never have thought that I could have had a relationship with a group of guys playing a game (of all things), but that is about the only way I can describe it: a relationship. After two years of gaming and chatting with Pi, Savageone, Snowdog, Dubber, Wolfie, and the other CWar bruthas, I have a sense of knowing them, if only for their sense of humor, fair play and spontaneity. No doubt someone will (or is doing) research the idea of on-line relationships. I've done my share of analyzing, and I'm more sure now that it exists and no doubt exist elsewhere. Savageone has organized a LAN party that will take place in Indianapolis in June and I'll be going there for 3 days. I'm excited, a little scared, and plenty nervous about finally meeting the real people behind the virtual characters... You can be sure that I'll blog this when the time comes!
That's all for now...
It's been a while (like almost a year) since I last posted. So much has happened since then...
To make a very long story short, I took on a temporary position as a program officer where I work. The job is satisfying, and I'm amazed at how I can stay "on top" of the workload...which might indicate that I'm being under-utilized, but at this point, I'm not complaining. My ego is still hurting from the bruising from last year, and I'm still trying to let go of all the expectations I had for myself in building a career... this sounds like self-absorbed bull****, but it isn't, it's just a kind of awareness and acceptance of what is becoming a new "order" for me. (Gawd, I hate it when words fail me!) So I try to live beyond my illusions (my career...hah!) and am concentrating on the here-and-now.
Speaking of here-and-now, I had a wonderful time working with (on?) the Ottawa Regional Science Fair 2006. A truly fantastic event, well-organized and some wonderfully committed people: Paula, James, Steve, etc. It is really an honor to work with these people.
Another group of people which I hold just as dearly is my group of CWar brethren. I would never have thought that I could have had a relationship with a group of guys playing a game (of all things), but that is about the only way I can describe it: a relationship. After two years of gaming and chatting with Pi, Savageone, Snowdog, Dubber, Wolfie, and the other CWar bruthas, I have a sense of knowing them, if only for their sense of humor, fair play and spontaneity. No doubt someone will (or is doing) research the idea of on-line relationships. I've done my share of analyzing, and I'm more sure now that it exists and no doubt exist elsewhere. Savageone has organized a LAN party that will take place in Indianapolis in June and I'll be going there for 3 days. I'm excited, a little scared, and plenty nervous about finally meeting the real people behind the virtual characters... You can be sure that I'll blog this when the time comes!
That's all for now...
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