I have to adapt a scientific article/report/? to a wider audience (audience = CMU students). It's interesting because the reports could be much more easily understood with better organization and an outline/roadmap. I feel like I'm reading a diary from an unknown person, and then at the end I discover who the person is.
Scientific writing shouldn't surprise the reader. It should be straightforward. It should tell you what it's trying to accomplish. Or is that against the rules of science? Trying to get somewhere?
I guess that's why I'm an engineer. Gonna save the world... from managers and scientists.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Perfection
“I’m not perfect. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have some nights when I blow up, but I’m going to try and be the most consistent that I can.”
~Devin Harris, PG, NJ Nets.
Thank God I'm awake right now. Thank God my roommate hands in my homework for me so I can sleep a couple more hours. Thank God my roommate is even in the same class as I am.
"...like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.' "
~Peter, disciple.
This is a hard commandment to follow.
~Devin Harris, PG, NJ Nets.
Thank God I'm awake right now. Thank God my roommate hands in my homework for me so I can sleep a couple more hours. Thank God my roommate is even in the same class as I am.
"...like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.' "
~Peter, disciple.
This is a hard commandment to follow.
at this rate i'll see the sun rise
arcs tired right now...
but we keep on going, me and God and J.S. Bach radio on last.fm.
Also, I saw my first afs reboot! It rebooted while I was using MATLAB. Amazing. It's like watching babies being born. With less blood. And no crying.
Further review indicates it is nothing like babies being born.
but we keep on going, me and God and J.S. Bach radio on last.fm.
Also, I saw my first afs reboot! It rebooted while I was using MATLAB. Amazing. It's like watching babies being born. With less blood. And no crying.
Further review indicates it is nothing like babies being born.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Pittsburgh
I have an excellent view of Oakland and downtown Pittsburgh, especially at night and midday. I tend to look out the window more at night, though.
It isn't like the country. There are no wild horses running freely.
It isn't like the shore. There are no shushing waves sighing gently.
It isn't like the City. It doesn't smell as bad.
It isn't like New Jersey. It isn't as quiet.
Pittsburgh is this weird hybrid that I can't exactly describe. While NJ makes me want to just lay back and relax, Pittsburgh kind of gets me moving. However, it's not as fast as NYC.
And it has no beach, but it has rivers.
And it has Oakland, and it has Schenley Park.
I like Pittsburgh. If I don't go to school here for too many years, I think I might try to work here.
I have to admit, Pittsburgh kind of instills this weird desire in me to start a family and have kids. Right now, I can see a future in which going out with friends is less and less attractive. I imagine having a son or daughter would cause me to think more of earthly responsibilities, but I think the good is worth the evil.
I think I want children partly because my parents were so good. I remember playing chess with my dad. At first, he would play whole games with me (and I would get owned). Then he showed me some books, and he would help me go through games. Then I started playing the games in the books on my own. We would still play with each other as well, but one move at a time. We would leave a board on some table or desk, and when Dad had the time, he would make a move. I usually made my move the next morning or afternoon.
Most of my early good memories with my dad involve him teaching me how to play games. Oh! and him being good at anything involving snow. I wonder what that means. Most of my recent good memories of Dad involve one or both of us being tired. This is sort of embarrassing, but my dad loves to snuggle like none other. He has really smooth skin too, and he has a lot of muscle and chub. He's also short. Basically he's like a warm hairless bear. With scratchy whiskers. Who smiles a lot.
I don't think I'm as touch-oriented as my dad, but I definitely need human touch. I love to snuggle up against Dad because he's so sturdy, yet so giving. My parents don't judge me; if your parents don't judge you, pass it on. Be strong for someone, but don't be rigid. Yield for someone, but don't compromise.
oh Pittsburgh, you who make me think about babies at 4 am!
It isn't like the country. There are no wild horses running freely.
It isn't like the shore. There are no shushing waves sighing gently.
It isn't like the City. It doesn't smell as bad.
It isn't like New Jersey. It isn't as quiet.
Pittsburgh is this weird hybrid that I can't exactly describe. While NJ makes me want to just lay back and relax, Pittsburgh kind of gets me moving. However, it's not as fast as NYC.
And it has no beach, but it has rivers.
And it has Oakland, and it has Schenley Park.
I like Pittsburgh. If I don't go to school here for too many years, I think I might try to work here.
I have to admit, Pittsburgh kind of instills this weird desire in me to start a family and have kids. Right now, I can see a future in which going out with friends is less and less attractive. I imagine having a son or daughter would cause me to think more of earthly responsibilities, but I think the good is worth the evil.
I think I want children partly because my parents were so good. I remember playing chess with my dad. At first, he would play whole games with me (and I would get owned). Then he showed me some books, and he would help me go through games. Then I started playing the games in the books on my own. We would still play with each other as well, but one move at a time. We would leave a board on some table or desk, and when Dad had the time, he would make a move. I usually made my move the next morning or afternoon.
Most of my early good memories with my dad involve him teaching me how to play games. Oh! and him being good at anything involving snow. I wonder what that means. Most of my recent good memories of Dad involve one or both of us being tired. This is sort of embarrassing, but my dad loves to snuggle like none other. He has really smooth skin too, and he has a lot of muscle and chub. He's also short. Basically he's like a warm hairless bear. With scratchy whiskers. Who smiles a lot.
I don't think I'm as touch-oriented as my dad, but I definitely need human touch. I love to snuggle up against Dad because he's so sturdy, yet so giving. My parents don't judge me; if your parents don't judge you, pass it on. Be strong for someone, but don't be rigid. Yield for someone, but don't compromise.
oh Pittsburgh, you who make me think about babies at 4 am!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Dear God
You know how we haven't talked much lately? That's my fault. But please, please help me out.
Forget the homework, forget the responsibilities, forget the recklessness. I don't care about that as much as I care about you. I need you so badly. I can barely stay functional right now, and I know why. I haven't been talking to you. I haven't been listening to you.
Somehow listening to Bach directs me toward communicating with you. Give me some shelter from the storm, but not enough to insulate me. I still have to feel the consequences of my foolishness, or I won't learn. What father wouldn't chasten his sons? I know you love me.
Please be my guide, oh God, my father.
Forget the homework, forget the responsibilities, forget the recklessness. I don't care about that as much as I care about you. I need you so badly. I can barely stay functional right now, and I know why. I haven't been talking to you. I haven't been listening to you.
Somehow listening to Bach directs me toward communicating with you. Give me some shelter from the storm, but not enough to insulate me. I still have to feel the consequences of my foolishness, or I won't learn. What father wouldn't chasten his sons? I know you love me.
Please be my guide, oh God, my father.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Susan G. Komen
I look up Rh+ on Google, and the first article includes an ad encouraging consumers to "make every purchase pink."
No offense, but as an engineer I have to question this. Why are we so obsessed with discovering the cure to breast cancer? Setting aside the fact that breast cancer is one of the least fatal cancers, cancer itself is not particularly threatening to the human race. Malaria, AIDS, hunger, cold, dehydration--it seems that our efforts to buy in a particular way (I'm thinking of those clear water bottles in Entropy) miss the point.
In this world, it seems that great good only comes coupled to great evil--that in the greatest victories, people overcame the greatest difficulties. It seems that without the darkness, we cannot understand the light. What I mean to say here is that if we seek a great good such as blanketing every human person, we must make great sacrifices. It doesn't seem to be enough to buy pink. I think we should not buy at all, and give. Give money to missions organizations. Give time to local havens. Give prayer for the saints abroad.
I'm convicted by James, whom I paraphrase here: "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, (and just as the shell without the crab is dead), so also faith without works is dead." I'm like a shell of myself if I don't do what I believe. And a shell will just wash away, tossed by the waves, tossed to the wind...
No offense, but as an engineer I have to question this. Why are we so obsessed with discovering the cure to breast cancer? Setting aside the fact that breast cancer is one of the least fatal cancers, cancer itself is not particularly threatening to the human race. Malaria, AIDS, hunger, cold, dehydration--it seems that our efforts to buy in a particular way (I'm thinking of those clear water bottles in Entropy) miss the point.
In this world, it seems that great good only comes coupled to great evil--that in the greatest victories, people overcame the greatest difficulties. It seems that without the darkness, we cannot understand the light. What I mean to say here is that if we seek a great good such as blanketing every human person, we must make great sacrifices. It doesn't seem to be enough to buy pink. I think we should not buy at all, and give. Give money to missions organizations. Give time to local havens. Give prayer for the saints abroad.
I'm convicted by James, whom I paraphrase here: "For just as the body without the spirit is dead, (and just as the shell without the crab is dead), so also faith without works is dead." I'm like a shell of myself if I don't do what I believe. And a shell will just wash away, tossed by the waves, tossed to the wind...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
