Canto XXVIII

Hi Everybody! Not much of a post, but if you don't care about the doings a-transpiring in my life, then why are you here?

So it's been another fun week here in the 'Bridge as I like to call it. Well, actually I haven't even spent most of my time here. Last week the CTP had a retreat to New Hampshire for a series of talks & hot tub sessions. What happens in New Hampshire, stays in New Hampshire. Has there ever been a better motto than adultery doesn't count in Las Vegas? The talks were pretty good, and I got one of my quantum field theory textbooks signed by Michael Peskin. Those in the field (theoretical high energy physics) know how exciting this is. I joked with him before he signed it that the reason I went into physics was to "live like a rock star". He didn't get it, and I told him that it must be fun having adoring students come up to him asking to sign their copy of his book. He just laughed and told me he hated writing this book. Why else do we do what we do? It's all about the ladies & the benjamins. Also, the Inn we were staying at (The Common Man Inn, for those looking for a nice getaway to The Granite State) had an awesome hot tub. During the afternoon free time, everyone went off to eat their lunch, but I decided a nice swim would put me in a good mood to eat, so I put on my trunks and headed downstairs. Well, I turned on the jets and hopped in. It took a second, but they started to roll - and then - the waterfall started up. Yes, the hot tub had twin waterfalls cascading about 4 feet into the middle of the tub. I just hunched under them for about... Well, I don't know how long because you kinda lose track of time under there, but it was amazing. And then I got a massage. Sadly, the CTP didn't pay for that, but it was worth it. I got a lot of tension, you know. Well, I think I learned some physics, too. But it was a good time.

The Advisor gave me the speech that I've been expecting for a while. He told me how hard it is to get a position in theoretical high energy physics and such. And he's right. I don't think my prospects are high for a faculty position somewhere. But that's a bridge I'll cross in a few more years. But this is what I've always wanted to do, and maybe this physics gig only lasts a few more years, but that doesn't mean not do it at all, it just means to enjoy what time there is here. That's why I go to sleep at night reading a Thermal Field Theory book rather than Harry Potter. It's not about the future prospects, it's about loving physics and doing it right now.

Canto XXVII

Okay, so I said the Colts were in the process of choking when Peyton threw that INT for TD. But of course football games are 60 minutes long, not 25. That was a great game. If only more football games were that good. Of course, nothing can compare to the Fiesta Bowl this year (maybe the 2002 Fiesta Bowl). Sigh... Just one more game left until next fall. I'm going to miss football. What else am I going to do for my free time? Oh yeah. I've already logged in 20 hours in FFXII. Damn you Squeenix!

Canto XXVI

Well, suffice to say it's been a while. I can't say that it's been terribly exciting around here. Well, stuff's been happening, some of it exciting. I guess it's been 2 weeks, so there's always something to say.

First up, like I mentioned last post, there was my string test. Wow did that suck. I didn't even finish it. It turned out way longer and harder than I thought. And on top of that I had to ask my Advisor for help. There's nothing like going up and asking for help from someone you're trying to impress. I feel so stupid because I really have no clue how easy or hard some of these things are. I mean, they're all hard to me right now, but how much of this, in a year or two, will be completely trivial? And because I'm asking Advisor about it, and he already thinks it's trivial, I just feel like he's thinking I'm "a retarded kitten". Arg. A very stressful week.

Then there was a nice 3 day weekend. Actually, a very productive weekend. I did some reading for my actual research. Played some FFXII. Lots of stuff done around the house and cleaned everything up. Sadly, due to being out helping Steph run a bunch of errands, I didn't get to watch much playoff action. I'm trying to make up for it this weekend. Watched the Bears destroy the Saints. Well, destroy might be a little strong. But they sure took over in the 4th quarter. And now I'm watching the Colts choke against the Patriots. I'm not sure I can stand another Patriots Superbowl. I must say, there are some things that I just hate about living in Boston. And listening to Boston sports fans is one of them.

Then there was the shortened week. Tuesday morning I got some work done, but then KH was in town. We spent the next few days wandering around Boston & Cambridge. It was very cold. The three of us went out to a couple nice restaurants here, including a nice Italian place in the North End. Lots of gossip I won't bother passing on. I had a good time, although I didn't exactly get much (any) work done. I'll let KH tell you what wonderful hosts Steph & I are. And then friday rolls around and I'm just not ready to do much of anything. I did do some reading, but I've got to say, I think I need some sort of motivation. Like doughnuts. And the possibility of more doughnts to come.

Canto XXV

Hi everybody! So it's been another week. And of course the last post was post-dated so even longer than that when you think about it. But my break is over. I got to see a lot of people while we were back, but still missed quite a few as well. If you were among the group that I didn't get to see, well that just means you need to come see lovely Boston.

I'm not sure there were a bunch of events to write about over the break. I think I spent most of the time trying to catch up with people and sleeping in late. There were the usual Christmas parties and the like to go to. Went to the Pancake House with Ben & his SO. Steph was still in Eugene, so I was third wheeling it, but I think when the two of us get together, anyone else is really the third wheel. Not too much else to report. Played lots of Wii, which I must say is awesome. But I just got Final Fantasy XII, so that will be taking up my video game time for most of the forseeable future. We couldn't find Zelda for the Gamecube, which makes me hate Nintendo slightly. I know you want us to buy the Wii and Zelda to go with it, but at this point you can't get one without paying way too much for it, and there are lots of us out there with just the Cube who want to get the hookshot and boomerang! Our flight back was uneventful, and no luggage was lost. I felt I should point that out after all the stories from certain other travellers this holiday season.

So we're back to work now. Steph is just trying to make it to the weekend to sleep in another 12 hours. I've never really had bad jetlag while travelling in the US (going to Europe on the other hand was a totally different story), but I usually force myself onto the local schedule. For some reason, I didn't do this when we got back to Massachusetts. Slept in over 12 hours until 1pm the first night back. This has really screwed both Steph and my own sleep schedule. Going to work has forced us into a routine we so happily tried to forget the last 2 weeks. I think I fell asleep a half a dozen times yesterday at my desk. I managed to finish all of 1 problem for my take-home final in String Theory all day. My brain was NOT ready for this. I think today will be better, but I will have to actually start working before finding that out. I'll be meeting with The Advisor later today to talk about all the things that I didn't read or work on over vacation. That should be fun. Maybe I'll be so fantastically productive over this weekend, that by monday I'll be ready to talk to him about anything and everything. Oh wait... NFL playoffs are this weekend, and the BCS championship is monday. Not good.

Speaking of football. (How's that for a segway?) The J-E-T-S JETS-JETS-JETS made the playoffs! Of course they're going to get waxed in Foxboro this sunday, but 10-6 is a lot better than 4-12 from last year. They may have made it on an easy schedule, but that means they're better than a lot of those teams on that easy schedule. I don't know if they were really a top-6 team in the AFC, but it's actually plausible that they were (seeding puts them 5th), and that's a huge step forward. The Offensive line really solidified and will hopefully continue to play well next season. If Chad Pennington can stay healthy all off season and build up some more arm strength, the offense will go places (although I still think they need a good running back - Washington, Houston & Barlow aren't exactly a feared 1-2-3, although they did go 395 carries for 1394 yards and 15 touchdowns). Next up is building up a mediocre run defense.

And if you didn't watch the Boise State-Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl, well, you missed out. Big time. One of the best games I've ever seen. I'm still in shock about it. Look for the replay on ESPN Classic or something, it's totally worth it. Go Broncos!