"A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose your job."
Not an original quote, but an apt one.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
As hopefully everyone reading this blog knows, I flew out to Ames, Iowa for our yearly Black Belt Reunion and Marital Arts Banquet this past weekend. This entry will be mostly a travelogue of my trip for people who wanted to go this year but couldn't make it (ie, Mom and Dad...hi mom and dad). All of the "people" pictures are on facebook, but I'll include one below so that you can see my dress.
Me, Irene and Irene’s new boyfriend Journey.
The new side of Coover. This is looking west, where there used to be a parking lot. The new part of Coover is…interesting. There are a lot more labs and much better equipment, but the overall effect is cold, comprised of glass and concrete. Plus they made no attempt to marry the old part with the new, so that going from one to the other is extremely startling. I entered from the old part, the east entrance, and it looked (and smelled) exactly the same.
The inside of the new part, looking East towards the old part.
The key code was not 1-2-3-4-5-*, I tried.
Shiny, but empty on a Friday afternoon.
This is a new Bioenergies building coming up on what used to be the marching band practice field between Howe and Design. This was also where we launched the weather balloons for our senior design project, so I’m a little sad to see it developed. Ah well--progress.
I just happened to be wandering around the library, reminiscing about all the hours spent studying there, when I wandered past the shelves with thesises (thesi?).
The new Morrill hall, no longer decrepit and condemned. Unfortunately this was taken on Saturday and it was locked up, so I could not go inside. It looked nice though.
This was taken in the Memorial Union, where they have made many changes. This is the only one I like. Specifically, this is in the Gold Star Hall, where the names of Iowa State servicemen and women who died in the line of duty are carved into the walls. World War I and II soldiers are carved into the stone prominently on the main walls, Vietnam and Korean soldiers are in smaller text, and this has been squeezed into the corner. One would hope this is a temporary measure before these names are permanently added to the walls. We’re running out of space though.
Me, Irene and Irene’s new boyfriend Journey.
The new side of Coover. This is looking west, where there used to be a parking lot. The new part of Coover is…interesting. There are a lot more labs and much better equipment, but the overall effect is cold, comprised of glass and concrete. Plus they made no attempt to marry the old part with the new, so that going from one to the other is extremely startling. I entered from the old part, the east entrance, and it looked (and smelled) exactly the same.
The inside of the new part, looking East towards the old part.
The key code was not 1-2-3-4-5-*, I tried.
Shiny, but empty on a Friday afternoon.
This is a new Bioenergies building coming up on what used to be the marching band practice field between Howe and Design. This was also where we launched the weather balloons for our senior design project, so I’m a little sad to see it developed. Ah well--progress.
I just happened to be wandering around the library, reminiscing about all the hours spent studying there, when I wandered past the shelves with thesises (thesi?).
The new Morrill hall, no longer decrepit and condemned. Unfortunately this was taken on Saturday and it was locked up, so I could not go inside. It looked nice though.
This was taken in the Memorial Union, where they have made many changes. This is the only one I like. Specifically, this is in the Gold Star Hall, where the names of Iowa State servicemen and women who died in the line of duty are carved into the walls. World War I and II soldiers are carved into the stone prominently on the main walls, Vietnam and Korean soldiers are in smaller text, and this has been squeezed into the corner. One would hope this is a temporary measure before these names are permanently added to the walls. We’re running out of space though.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
I am the packing master!
4 pairs of shoes
8 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of socks
1 gym outfit
1 formal outfit
1 swimsuit (2 piece)
5 business casual outfits
3 casual outfits
in one carry-on
second carry-on will contain laptop, toiletries, camera, chargers, and books for the flight
I'm feeling pretty proud of myself.
8 pairs of underwear
5 pairs of socks
1 gym outfit
1 formal outfit
1 swimsuit (2 piece)
5 business casual outfits
3 casual outfits
in one carry-on
second carry-on will contain laptop, toiletries, camera, chargers, and books for the flight
I'm feeling pretty proud of myself.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tulips!
I just got back from the farmer's market, I haven't been in a few weeks so I don't know if this is a new development but the guy who sells flowers has started carrying tulips. In Iowa tulips grow pretty easily but since they need a cold winter to hibernate you hardly ever see them in California. The ones at the farmer's market are small little things, about half the size of the ones back home, but its still good to see them. They remind me of how we would watch for the sprouts and, when they were in full bloom, we would breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate spring.
Of course, I'm avoiding thinking about the carbon footprint of these mini-tulips.
Of course, I'm avoiding thinking about the carbon footprint of these mini-tulips.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A new business idea
Last weekend I wandered around the mission district, ducking in and out of shops and (mainly) bookstores. I wandered into one shop that was clearly aimed at the high end parent consumer. There were science kits, models of animals with parts labeled, your usual stuff only more expensive. Towards the back I came across a basket of tin foil wrapped-objects slightly larger than an egg. According to the label, they were owl pellets--with real animal parts inside. This isn't the amazing part...the amazing part is that they were priced at $75. Each.
Anyone pondering what I'm pondering?
Anyone pondering what I'm pondering?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
New blog!
I've started a supplemental blog at
http://nobookstoreleftbehind.blogspot.com/
devoted entirely to short "reviews" of independent bookstores in San Francisco. (This was completely Mom's idea--from several years ago--but I finally got around to it.)
http://nobookstoreleftbehind.blogspot.com/
devoted entirely to short "reviews" of independent bookstores in San Francisco. (This was completely Mom's idea--from several years ago--but I finally got around to it.)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Networking in a recession
Being borderline employed as I currently am, I went to a networking event for green professionals last night. I met some interesting people, made some good connections and all (and yes mom, I stayed sober). Although most people were optimistic about the future for green tech, at least 40% of the people I talked to had been recently laid off and everyone knew someone laid off at their company or organization. It reminds me of this chart:
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