I love Williamsburg in the summer.
OK, I realize this was a horrible event and my heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones, but what the hell is up with this headline?
90 dead in tanker horror smash
“tanker horror smash” What?!?!
::sigh::
I’m an official real student again. I got my acceptance letter and have returned the “yes, I will register” paperwork. Master’s degree, here I come (albeit slowly).
Just a quick note that I have posted some pictures. Click on the Photography link to the right
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 97 times: there are no bad foods, just bad food habits. If I’m fat (and I’m not saying that I am) it’s not Ronald McDonald’s fault, or ConAgra’s fault or Ben & Jerry’s fault, or my mom’s fault or anyone’s fault but my own. I don’t support lawsuits against fast food any more than I support lawsuits against cigarette companies. Anyone who doesn’t know cigarettes are bad for you is an idiot. Anyone who doesn’t know that eating too much fast food will make you fat…ditto. In fact I think I may organize a class action lawsuit against people who stage lawsuits against corporations who they think should take responsibility for them. Criminy! Most corporations can barely take responsibility for themselves much less others.
If I’m fat it’s because I’ve shoved to many calories down my pie hole. I don’t need to chat with Oprah about it and I sure don’t need to consult that loathsome profiteer “Dr” Phil. I just need to stop eating so much and exercise more.
Ok, just one link. An article by the author of Talking Point Memos, a very good blog.
At Karen’s proding, the essays I wrote for my grad school application are below. I am aware that I lay it on pretty thick, so be make sure you have your hip waders on before you click on the link for more.
Provide whatever other information regarding your background, extracurricular activities, or general experience you may wish
As an undergraduate student, I worked to support my tuition and living expenses. I worked for the William and Mary Information Technology group, first as a member of the help desk and later as a network technician installing the networks in the residence halls. During the same period, I worked as for the Williamsburg Regional Library system as their sole techie. I developed their initial internet systems including mail servers and web servers.
After graduation, I spent 4 years working for 3GI (later acquired by RSA Security). I started as a software developer and advanced to head of our research and development group. After the 3GI office was closed, I was hired as a Network Security Consultant for Trigon Healthcare (now Anthem). My responsibilities included the implementation of PKI based systems for the communication of sensitive health care information between Trigon and health care providers.
I am now employed by the College of William and Mary as a Senior Programmer Analyst. My responsibilities include the development of software for course evaluation, the SACS accreditation process, and the College’s integrated web portal. I also participate in advisory groups that focus on information security and web software design.
In addition to my professional development, I maintain an internet domain for groups who provide content ranging from online roleplaying to ultimate frisbee. I also support approximately 15 people with email and web space. I have several personal web development projects including a popular online wishlist management system. I have authored and released two open source software projects.
Describe your career plans and the reasons you wish to pursue graduate studies.
After graduating from William and Mary in 1997 with a B.S in physics, I immediately entered the world of software development with only a minimal amount of formal training in computer science. Over the next several years, I progressed at 3GI through self teaching and mistakes made to become the head of our research and development group. My responsibilities included the design and architecture work for many of our software projects and core middleware. This was an amazing learning experience for me, but I found that I was hampered by my lack of formal training in the area for which I was responsible; I often had to rely upon instinct rather than training.
After 3GI, I realized my goal was to participate more effectively in the planning and design stages of software development. In order to accomplish this goal, I need to take the skills I have learned through experience and hone them by applying formal training. I feel graduate study in Computer Science will provide the additional knowledge and insights I need to succeed.
I have spent the last three semesters taking graduate computer science classes. The course work has begun to solidify the principals I learned through trial and error at 3GI, providing a new solid foundation from which I can move forward. I also feel that my experience in commercial software development can be an asset to the department and to other graduate and undergraduate students by offering a comparative insight to the theory and methods taught in class.
In the future, I intend to take the knowledge I have gained through graduate studies and reenter the high tech market. My goal is to be part of a small firm to develop software free of the bounds of a strict corporate structure. That environment allows for market flexibility and personal freedom. I see this as the logical continuation of my work at 3GI.
Contents of an email from a friend of mine. 6:00 PM Opening Prayer led by the Reverend Jerry Fallwell
6:30 PM Pledge of Allegiance
6:35 PM Burning of Bill of Rights (excluding 2nd amendment)
6:45 PM Salute to the Coalition of the Willing
6:46 PM Seminar #1: Iraq Stratergies-Voodoo/DooDoo WMD
7:30 PM First Presidential Beer Bong
7:35 PM Serve Freedom Fries
7:40 PM EPA Address #1: Mercury-It’s what’s for dinner!
8:00 PM Vote on which country to invade next
8:10 PM Call EMTs to revive Rush Limbaugh
8:15 PM John Ashcroft Lecture: The Homos are after your Children!!
8:30 PM Round table discussion on reproductive rights (MEN only)
8:50 PM Seminar #2 Corporations: The Government of the Future
9:00 PM Condi Rice sings “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man”
9:05 PM Second Presidential Beer Bong
9:10 PM EPA Address #2. Trees: The Real Cause of Forest Fires
9:30 PM Break for secret meetings
10:00 PM Second prayer led by Cal Thomas
10:15 PM Lecture by Karl Rove: Doublespeak made easy
10:30 PM Rumsfeld demonstration of how to squint and talk macho
10:35 PM Bush demonstration of trademark “deer in headlights” stare
10:40 PM John Ashcroft demonstrates new mandatory Kevlar chastity belt
10:45 PM Clarence Thomas reads list of black republicans
10:46 PM Third Presidential Beer Bong
10:50 PM Seminar #3. Education: A Drain on our Nation’s Economy
11:10 PM Hilary Clinton Piñata
11:20 PM Second Lecture by John Ashcroft: Evolutionists: The Dangerous New Cult
11:30 PM Call EMTs to revive Rush Limbaugh again.
11:35 PM Blame Clinton
11:40 PM Laura serves milk and cookies
11:50 PM Closing Prayer led by Jesus Himself
12: 00 PM Nomination of George W. Bush as Holy Supreme Planetary Overlord
From CNN:
Three techniques removed from list of interrogation methods approved for use by U.S. troops in Iraq, sources tell CNN. Details soon.
This whole thing just makes me ill.
As part of the final exam for my CS class, the undergrads were asked to rate each of the three grad students on our management skills. This included providing comments to some questions regarding our ability and worthiness as managers. I just got copies of my evaluations and I thought I would pass along some of the more choice comments.
Question: “Would you recommend that this manager be placed in leadership positions in the future? Why or Why not?”
[Removed at the request of the writer. See comments ::chuckle::]
Question: Please comment on how you think this manager can improve his or her management skills.”
“Be a little less anal, maybe. Take people less seriously.”
[And my all time favorite]
“shrug Lay the smack down on negative workers with more prejudice.”
These are just some of my favorites. The class really did a great job and I am happy to have worked with all of them (well almost).