Thursday, August 30, 2007

Trip to the Zoo...

Alright so I'm not going to write much about this since anyone can go to Kevin's or Mike's websites to get details and pictures from the trip. However I have to share one thing with everyone that didn't get to see this. While checking out the giraffes they showed us exactly what is required when water just isn't around...oh yeah we got to see a giraffe drink the other's pee. The person talking immediately tried to get everyone to focus on the ostriches instead of the giraffes but most everyone got a nice view of it and Kevin was able to capture the moment. So thanks Kevin and enjoy everyone.

Rare photo opportunity

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Case of Mistaken Identity

Of late I've been preparing for a big meeting in DC next week. The meeting has about 30 people invited from various groups like MIT, Stanford, Penn St., some company, the government (various organization), and Michigan. I'll spare the readers the details of why we are having this meeting, but what I found interesting is that on the list was a military guy with a last name Jessep. I spent some time trying to think of who this guy was because I was sure that I knew him, which wasn't surprising since I have at least heard of the majority of people invited. Then I got thinking about it and realized I was thinking of Col. Nathan R. Jessep, which is not an actual person but the guy Jack Nicholson played in a Few Good Men.

You can't handle the truth!!!

Monday, August 27, 2007

My First Cover

In spite of my inability to take a good picture (at least one meant to look good...I take great picture that document my research), I have recently had a photo of mine used for the cover of the Mechanical Engineering 2005-2006 Annual Report. However, I did not find any credit given to myself for the photo, but that is alright I'll let it slide.

My first (and most likely last) cover photo.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

All to Myself!!!

What a joy...I went to the office to work on a publication. My plan is to work all night to get my first draft done (these things take a lot of time and missing the opportunity to get something done can't be passed up). Anyway, I walk into the office and no one is here...sure it is 9:30pm and someone may arrive any minute, but the simple fact that there is some period of time without anyone here is really awesome. This may seem odd but with about a dozen graduate students it is very odd that someone isn't here at all times (day, night, holidays...seriously always). So at least for awhile tonight I get to work without headphones on and do my weird things that I do when I'm trying to figure something out...

Son of a...

I knew it was too good to be true...someone just arrived. Well it was fun while it lasted.

Monday, August 20, 2007

Celebration

First of all happy birthday to my mom...I went back to last year to check what I did for her and to my surprise I didn't put anything. While that is a poor showing on my part and did have the excuse last year that I had very limited internet access and was working 14+ hours a day. Anyway, to make up for that I shall in front of the entire world sing happy birthday to my mom...here it goes...

(clears throat)
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear mom!!!!
Happy Birthday day to you....

Okay, well that was embarrassing.

Now not only is it my mom's birthday today but as of today I have been dating Demoree for 7 months...yeah to us :)

Friday, August 17, 2007

Congrats Sherry!!!

Everyone should congratulate Sherry for jumping through the most difficult hoop on her way to being a doctor, the oral defense. She is now just four signatures away from completing her doctorate.
CONGRATS SHERRY!!!

Progress

Of late I have felt so cut off from my online social life…I haven’t read others blogs or updated mine in so long. There are three primary reasons for this: (1) its summer, (2) no internet at home, and (3) I’m focused on my research. The “its summer” part probably isn’t totally accurate because it was summer a month ago but I was still on top of things. More accurately is that it is August, which could encompass both its summer and I’m focused on my research. It is during this month of summer that it dawns on me that the summer is nearly over and I have made very little progress on my research (or as much as I had hoped). Last year I was in Memphis starting in the middle of June, didn’t collect a single useful data point until August 14th, and completed three full experiments by the middle of September. This year August hit and I realized that nearly nothing was completed with respect to my dissertation and then got focused and have been working during every free moment I have (except this moment). Then on top of this the not having internet at home means that I can’t check or update while taking a break from work at home and I spend my time in the office trying to deal with the emails I received the night before. Thus I have plenty of excuses for why I have been a poor blogger of late.

On a slightly different note, while being so focused on my research I have had to go back and reprocess data from 2005. This was the first experiment that I ran at Michigan. Going back over the data sometimes gets me frustrated trying to figure out why I sampled a certain way, didn’t record something, test condition selection, etc. Then the moment after I ask those questions I’m really encouraged because I get to see how much I’ve learned and improved as an experimental fluids researcher in only 2 years. It is also good so that perhaps I won’t be so hard on some of the younger grad students if I take some time to reflect on where I was not that long ago.

Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Quick Laugh

I’m not a forwarder, but when I get something that gives me a laugh I don’t mind sharing on my blog. My mom sent this to me recently (though I’ve seen it before from someone else) and I think it’s pretty funny. Supposedly these are court room transcripts from actual cases.

Attorney: What was the first thing your husband said to you that morning?
Witness: He said, "Where am I, Cathy?"
Attorney: And why did that upset you?
Witness: My name is Susan!

Attorney: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo?
Witness: We both do.
Attorney: Voodoo?
Witness: We do.
Attorney: You do?
Witness: Yes, voodoo.

Attorney: Now doctor , isn't it true that when a person dies in his sleep, he doesn't know about it until the next morning?
Witness: Did you actually pass the bar exam?

Attorney: Were you present when your picture was taken?
Witness: Are you shitt'in me?

Attorney: So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?
Witness: Yes.Attorney: And what were you doing at that time?
Witness: Uh.... I was gett'in laid!

Attorney: She had three children, right?
Witness: Yes.
Attorney: How many were boys?
Witness: None..
Attorney: Were there any girls?
Witness: Are you shitt'in me? Your Honor, I think I need a different attorney. Can I get a new attorney?

Attorney: How was your first marriage terminated?
Witness: By death.
Attorney: And by whose death was it terminated?
Witness: Now whose death do you suppose terminated it?

Attorney: Doctor, how many of your autopsies have you performed on dead people?
Witness: All my autopsies are performed on dead people. Would you like to rephrase that?

Attorney: ALL your responses MUST be oral, OK? What school did you go to?
Witness: Oral.

Attorney: Do you recall the time that you examined the body?
Witness: The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.
Attorney: And Mr. Denton was dead at the time?
Witness: No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy on him!

Attorney: Are you qualified to give a urine sample?
Witness: Huh....are you qualified to ask that question?

Attorney: Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check for blood pressure?
Witness: No.
Attorney: Did you check for breathing?
Witness: No.
Attorney: So, then it is possible that the patient was alive when you began the autopsy?
Witness: No.
Attorney: How can you be so sure, Doctor?
Witness: Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar.
Attorney: I see, but could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless?
Witness: Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law.