10.24.2004
10.01.2004
the.first.month
As you can tell from this post title and date, I was supposed to write something about my first month in grad school and how my perspective of what was required changed from just an, if you can excuse the expression, academic one. I guess the failure to write is just a symptom of the true nature of the whole grad school situation. Talk about late nights and long days of wavefunctions and electrostatics. I guess the real issue is one of time. It takes time to understand exactly what it is you need to do and what that means to really understand the material. So I have finally, one more month removed, figured out and come to terms with the studying and the homework and the cutting of my free time more than in half. Am I completely on top of it all? No. Is it all easy? No.
9.23.2004
updating.the.blog
So, my friend just yelled at me to update the blog. So, here is an update. Grad school takes way more time than I wanted to admit so here I sit late at night pretending to do homework and resolving to start earlier on the next problem set.
7.09.2004
inside.photos
Here are some photos of the apartment:
This is the Living Room featuring the "view" out of the front window.
The Dining Room. I really like the built-in and the wall color. It says to me, "Formal Dining Room."
Finally, the most important room in the house. Gotta love that color.
Well there you go.
This is the Living Room featuring the "view" out of the front window.
The Dining Room. I really like the built-in and the wall color. It says to me, "Formal Dining Room."
Finally, the most important room in the house. Gotta love that color.
Well there you go.
new.home
Excitement and relief just begin to describe the feelings I have after writing a deposit check for a 4 bedroom apartment for August 1st move-in! Amazing how it all came together.
6.16.2004
old.school.traveling
I am flying to California tomorrow to be at my sister's high school graduation. I am excited to see the family and of course be in CA for a couple days in the summer. True, flying isn't exactly old school travel unless done in a tuxedo in first class (Which I will not be doing for anyone who is wondering). You see it is not the mode of transportation but the financial situation. Referencing the post titled "life.in.the.city" you will know that I am without plastic of any kind and without means of replacing it prior to embarking on my journey. So cash it is, or nothing but the clothes on my back which is technically even more old school.
So off I go.
So off I go.
anticipation
I am at work just waiting for it to be over. What, you say? It's only Wednesday? Yes, I know this and understand that the week lasts until Friday. This week, however, it ends today. That, as you might expect is an exciting thing.
life.in.the.city
I went for a walk last night about 10pm. It was still warm and humid but at least I was free to wear sandals and shorts (unlike work) and enjoy the night. As I walked I commented to myself how lonely life in a city could be. So anonymous and isolated yet always surrounded by people seeing and hearing but never interacting. The I saw my sister's '85 Toyota Tercel parked on the street except it was silver instead of red, lacked the stylish Hawaiian print seat covers, and or course the California license plate eschewed by one from Massachusetts.
This morning I went out to my car, though it odd that the trunk was not completely latched. Started off for work. I pulled into a gas station to refuel pulled out my wallet from the center console and opened it to find: No credit card and no ATM card. Lost, Stolen, Slipped out of the wallet. I searched my memory for an answer only to conclude the worst. Stolen!
Now the real issue. No cash. No gas. No bank within 500 miles (I really need to switch). Hmmm...
Fortunately I could call a friend (reference previous post). Thank you Erin for being home and lending me the cash you had.
Cards canceled. New plastic on the way. I think it may be time to return to a cash mentality.
This morning I went out to my car, though it odd that the trunk was not completely latched. Started off for work. I pulled into a gas station to refuel pulled out my wallet from the center console and opened it to find: No credit card and no ATM card. Lost, Stolen, Slipped out of the wallet. I searched my memory for an answer only to conclude the worst. Stolen!
Now the real issue. No cash. No gas. No bank within 500 miles (I really need to switch). Hmmm...
Fortunately I could call a friend (reference previous post). Thank you Erin for being home and lending me the cash you had.
Cards canceled. New plastic on the way. I think it may be time to return to a cash mentality.
6.06.2004
feeling.blessed
I am so blessed! Why you ask? Didn't your last post say something about having so much to do that you can't get it done? Yes, that is true. I can never accomplish all that must be accomplished in a day or a week or a lifetime. So blessed? Yes, blessed.
I spent Friday night playing cab driver for some friends. We decided to go to the drive in. Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with this great American institution go out and rent some movie set in the 50s. For those who think that drive in's are only used for swap meets, some actually still show movies. I know, crazy.
My point is, friends. No, not the sitcom but real people who understand you, or at least want to and try. People you can call up and talk too. People who call you up to talk. People you can be real with and who aren't afraid to be real with you. People with issues and struggles and trials and ideas and hopes and dreams. Some shared and some almost incomprehensible. People to laugh with. People to cry with. People to seek out adventures with. People to sit silently and ponder with. People to ask questions. People who admit when they don't know the answers. People who still want to find the answers. People to meet for breakfast. People to drop in on. People to have drop in. People to encourage. People to challenge. People to stay up late with. People to get up early with. People who wait. People to wait for. People to go with. People to come back to. People you know for two days. People you know for two decades. People to share life with. People in California. People in Boston. People to love others with.
You know, friends.
I spent Friday night playing cab driver for some friends. We decided to go to the drive in. Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with this great American institution go out and rent some movie set in the 50s. For those who think that drive in's are only used for swap meets, some actually still show movies. I know, crazy.
My point is, friends. No, not the sitcom but real people who understand you, or at least want to and try. People you can call up and talk too. People who call you up to talk. People you can be real with and who aren't afraid to be real with you. People with issues and struggles and trials and ideas and hopes and dreams. Some shared and some almost incomprehensible. People to laugh with. People to cry with. People to seek out adventures with. People to sit silently and ponder with. People to ask questions. People who admit when they don't know the answers. People who still want to find the answers. People to meet for breakfast. People to drop in on. People to have drop in. People to encourage. People to challenge. People to stay up late with. People to get up early with. People who wait. People to wait for. People to go with. People to come back to. People you know for two days. People you know for two decades. People to share life with. People in California. People in Boston. People to love others with.
You know, friends.
6.03.2004
then.you
Much of the time there is really just too much to do. I mean you finally find a place to live and then you have to move out for a week. Then you get sick. Then you're better. Then you get a call that your car is fixed. Then you realize you can't pick it up yet. Then your boss decides to extend your job description yet again to include the go-visit-the-job-and-schmooze-with-the-customers-guy. Then it starts raining. Then you run some errands. Then you realize you didn't even make half of the calls you needed to make. Then you get a message from your roommate telling you all sorts of info you don't know what to do with right now. Then your boss comes in and chews out the guys. Then the circumstances are revealed to be different and he apologizes and is in a state of agitation.
Calm returns. At least for the moment and I continue to ponder how I will pick up my car, pay for the repairs, get a haircut, go for a run, make some calls, do some laundry, and finally get to sit down and read.
Calm returns. At least for the moment and I continue to ponder how I will pick up my car, pay for the repairs, get a haircut, go for a run, make some calls, do some laundry, and finally get to sit down and read.
5.28.2004
pen.and.paper
Sometimes I sit at my desk and write stuff on the pad in front of me. Here are some examples:
I made this list for Heather's farewell party one morning while waiting on hold:
This was a more formal list type doodle.
I was in the physics mood one afternoon while looking at my cell phone:
Feel free to ignore the work related notes.
I made this list for Heather's farewell party one morning while waiting on hold:
This was a more formal list type doodle.
I was in the physics mood one afternoon while looking at my cell phone:
Feel free to ignore the work related notes.
5.24.2004
location.location.location
No, this will not be a lecture on the fundamentals of real estate. As suggested by the incomparable Alexis I will now do my best to describe my current surroundings.
You already know the proximity of my apartment to Harvard Square and the river so I will spare you that. The apartment itself in contained in an old brick row house facing a similar structure across what can only be described as the resident's do -- the lane. Parking on one side and barely enough space on the other to drive through one way. The two-story, ivy-drenched, red-brick structure is topped with steeply sloping roofs and the doors open onto small stoops sheltered by tin gables. As one end of the lane lay larger but just as sheltered homes and at the other Mt. Auburn Street, a green belt, Memorial Drive, and the Charles River.
I know, a picture is worth a thousand words and I will not even attempt a thousand here nut I refuse to promise pictures that I may not be able to provide so I hope to bring you pictures at some point.
You already know the proximity of my apartment to Harvard Square and the river so I will spare you that. The apartment itself in contained in an old brick row house facing a similar structure across what can only be described as the resident's do -- the lane. Parking on one side and barely enough space on the other to drive through one way. The two-story, ivy-drenched, red-brick structure is topped with steeply sloping roofs and the doors open onto small stoops sheltered by tin gables. As one end of the lane lay larger but just as sheltered homes and at the other Mt. Auburn Street, a green belt, Memorial Drive, and the Charles River.
I know, a picture is worth a thousand words and I will not even attempt a thousand here nut I refuse to promise pictures that I may not be able to provide so I hope to bring you pictures at some point.
5.23.2004
questions
There is no shortage of information that can be conveyed about my life. This is true even when including only the post cross-country move stage. In light of that fact I submit for perusal some of the questions people ask me. they are collected from those who I am meeting for the first time and those who I have failed to keep in contact with as well as I probably ought.
q: Where are you living now?
a: A lovely apartment in Cambridge, MA just minutes from the historic Harvard Square and within sight of the Charles River.
q: Where are you from?
a: California
q: California is a big state, where in California.
a: Southern California.
q: What city?
a: Laguna Hills.
q: Where is that?
a: Orange County.
q: Oh, like the OC?
a: Yeah, sorta.
Note: The where are you from line of questioning is obviously attributed to the people I meet and of course does not always follow this course exactly. I am just providing a middle of the road example. Sometimes it is far worse with the intimation that I lived in a house on the beach and drove an H2 or at they very least a BMW. Occasionally it goes better.
q: So why did you move here? (Usually asked with a tinge of skepticism and not the least attempt to hide their shock.)
a: To get out of my parents garage.
q: (strange look of confusion and something to the effect of this is kinda far to move to get away from the parents)
a: I will be attending grad school here in the fall.
Note: Depending on my mood, how much explaining I want to do, and present company I may reverse my answers to obvious differing response
a: Ahh, I see
q: Yes, after all there are quite a few great schools here.
q: What School?
a: Brandeis University to pursue a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics.
q: Here responses range from the reverent: That's impressive and just plain WOW to the more constructive what exactly does that entail and/or what do you hope to do with that?
a: 1)Basically it involves the physics of things that are not gases and is most often associated with superconductors, semiconductors, and more recently superfluids.
2)I would like to do research full time either in industry or in a basic science research capacity.
q: What are you doing in the meantime?
a: I am working at a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration company in Wakefield as the dispatcher.
q: How is that going?
a: It's a job.
OK this has gone on long enough and I have laundry to do so:
To be continued...
q: Where are you living now?
a: A lovely apartment in Cambridge, MA just minutes from the historic Harvard Square and within sight of the Charles River.
q: Where are you from?
a: California
q: California is a big state, where in California.
a: Southern California.
q: What city?
a: Laguna Hills.
q: Where is that?
a: Orange County.
q: Oh, like the OC?
a: Yeah, sorta.
Note: The where are you from line of questioning is obviously attributed to the people I meet and of course does not always follow this course exactly. I am just providing a middle of the road example. Sometimes it is far worse with the intimation that I lived in a house on the beach and drove an H2 or at they very least a BMW. Occasionally it goes better.
q: So why did you move here? (Usually asked with a tinge of skepticism and not the least attempt to hide their shock.)
a: To get out of my parents garage.
q: (strange look of confusion and something to the effect of this is kinda far to move to get away from the parents)
a: I will be attending grad school here in the fall.
Note: Depending on my mood, how much explaining I want to do, and present company I may reverse my answers to obvious differing response
a: Ahh, I see
q: Yes, after all there are quite a few great schools here.
q: What School?
a: Brandeis University to pursue a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics.
q: Here responses range from the reverent: That's impressive and just plain WOW to the more constructive what exactly does that entail and/or what do you hope to do with that?
a: 1)Basically it involves the physics of things that are not gases and is most often associated with superconductors, semiconductors, and more recently superfluids.
2)I would like to do research full time either in industry or in a basic science research capacity.
q: What are you doing in the meantime?
a: I am working at a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration company in Wakefield as the dispatcher.
q: How is that going?
a: It's a job.
OK this has gone on long enough and I have laundry to do so:
To be continued...
5.16.2004
move.complete
Yes it is true I am now lying on my bed in what will be (for the next few weeks at least) home. It is a quaint 1bdr apartment in Cambridge just a 10 minute walk from havard square. I'm glad to be moved of course and I have discovered some new things.
First of all, small apartments in the city scream out for laptops which my computer is not even remotely. Even the keyboard seems large in here.
Laptop now added to list of grad school must haves.
I still have some boxes to unpack and it's raining so I have at least some motivation to finish.
First of all, small apartments in the city scream out for laptops which my computer is not even remotely. Even the keyboard seems large in here.
Laptop now added to list of grad school must haves.
I still have some boxes to unpack and it's raining so I have at least some motivation to finish.
5.14.2004
on.moving
Even the short distance from Arlington to Cambridge seems infinite when you don't really want to pack your junk. It is unavoidable.
OK so here I am almost everything packed up. Only the refrigerator and pantry to clear out and throw in bags and my computer is still connected and up and running. What a strange world I live in. I'm lying on the floor at my keyboard writing a blog entry with iTunes on shuffle. I think that most people would pack up the computer first so it wouldn't get damaged in the move. Oh well.
Today was much more than my day to move. It was a day of overcoming circumstances.
I awoke after insufficient sleep after subconsciously disabling my alarm. Rushing to pick up a moving truck for all the stuff. I see I have to back up. Not my stuff. I only have enough to fill a midsize car (after all that's how I moved here from California). My apartment was a sublet from a guy is now of rather poor health (sad story implied but overlooked for now). So as his lease has ended he must move everything out but since he is living with friends he has no need of it. Now this guy has touched many peoples lives to the point that several people offered parts of their basements to house his things. So a truck was rented, the crew was assembled and the destinations plotted out. Now I return to the procurement of the moving truck.
The temperature at 8:30am was already in the 80s but a nice breeze rustling through the lush trees of springtime new england put a smile on my face. Halfway to the rental place I encountered what else but a small-town parade complete with high school marching band, boy scouts, little league teams, and several fire trucks and other large impressive city vehicles. I was stuck behind one of the aforementioned fire trucks for 30 minutes until I could resume my journey.
Arrive I did only to learn that the 24 foot truck I was to procure was twenty-four feet internally and much larger outside but a diesel and a manual transmission. I became a truck driver for a while. For anyone who has used large vehicles to move people in or out of small apartments in the city you understand the challenge that followed.
Once loaded off it went with words of I'll move your car to the rental place after I help move some of the stuff in another truck (this time a pickup with a dubious history) a shorter distance. The drive started ominously enough with a couple wrong turns and a strange smell from the engine compartment. When the steam started to billow I knew it was only going to continue. We made our delivery but didn't make it back.
So here I sit having been rescued from the side of the road by a generous friend done the car swap (painless compared to so much else today) and hungry. I need to eat and finish moving.
OK so here I am almost everything packed up. Only the refrigerator and pantry to clear out and throw in bags and my computer is still connected and up and running. What a strange world I live in. I'm lying on the floor at my keyboard writing a blog entry with iTunes on shuffle. I think that most people would pack up the computer first so it wouldn't get damaged in the move. Oh well.
Today was much more than my day to move. It was a day of overcoming circumstances.
I awoke after insufficient sleep after subconsciously disabling my alarm. Rushing to pick up a moving truck for all the stuff. I see I have to back up. Not my stuff. I only have enough to fill a midsize car (after all that's how I moved here from California). My apartment was a sublet from a guy is now of rather poor health (sad story implied but overlooked for now). So as his lease has ended he must move everything out but since he is living with friends he has no need of it. Now this guy has touched many peoples lives to the point that several people offered parts of their basements to house his things. So a truck was rented, the crew was assembled and the destinations plotted out. Now I return to the procurement of the moving truck.
The temperature at 8:30am was already in the 80s but a nice breeze rustling through the lush trees of springtime new england put a smile on my face. Halfway to the rental place I encountered what else but a small-town parade complete with high school marching band, boy scouts, little league teams, and several fire trucks and other large impressive city vehicles. I was stuck behind one of the aforementioned fire trucks for 30 minutes until I could resume my journey.
Arrive I did only to learn that the 24 foot truck I was to procure was twenty-four feet internally and much larger outside but a diesel and a manual transmission. I became a truck driver for a while. For anyone who has used large vehicles to move people in or out of small apartments in the city you understand the challenge that followed.
Once loaded off it went with words of I'll move your car to the rental place after I help move some of the stuff in another truck (this time a pickup with a dubious history) a shorter distance. The drive started ominously enough with a couple wrong turns and a strange smell from the engine compartment. When the steam started to billow I knew it was only going to continue. We made our delivery but didn't make it back.
So here I sit having been rescued from the side of the road by a generous friend done the car swap (painless compared to so much else today) and hungry. I need to eat and finish moving.
cd.sales
Just saw an interesting story as one of my favorite websites ars technica about cd sales and the RIAA the actual article talks about actual cd purchases being up and the RIAA's claims that they are down and that online music downloads are to blame. Interesting read.
5.13.2004
home.agian
As with so much about work things are unpredictable. Just as I was getting used to having my boss call in to give me a huge list of things to do. As I was warming up to the fact that he just stopped by for the briefest of minutes only to be frustrated and give me five different and conflicting answers to the only question I had for him. Today he is in the office almost all day and he is good natured and calm. He asks questions and gives me projects that are easily completed and answered. Hmm... The ups and downs.
In much bigger news, I am moving this weekend into an apartment in Cambridge. It is a very nice place and the rent is reasonable. I will be closer to where my friends are although farther from work. I will finally have a roommate (I know strange comment but if you know me you understand) so that will be nice.
In much bigger news, I am moving this weekend into an apartment in Cambridge. It is a very nice place and the rent is reasonable. I will be closer to where my friends are although farther from work. I will finally have a roommate (I know strange comment but if you know me you understand) so that will be nice.
working.for.the.man
While sitting at work I am often reminded of a song. Today it was the CCR song referenced above. Rollin' on the river baby!
What is it about the majority of the population that ends up working at jobs that they don't enjoy? I may be pursuing a job I will enjoy but not yet. That seems to be the plight of the twenty somethings of this country. I would say the world but sadly I have little experience outside the confines of the US. I must say (having moved from one coast to the other by car) this place is big and there is water on either side.
When it comes to work interesting anecdote: I was going through a drive-through at lunch today and the girl at the window was in state of mind that could only be called disgruntled. I must say I found it amusing to say the least. Sure the car in front of me had taken sit-down resturant time to pay for a fast-food meal. Sure her manager had just yelled at her for holding up the line. I just wondered how much of her identity she was allowing to be wrapped up in the "McJob" that was her current state.
tbc...
What is it about the majority of the population that ends up working at jobs that they don't enjoy? I may be pursuing a job I will enjoy but not yet. That seems to be the plight of the twenty somethings of this country. I would say the world but sadly I have little experience outside the confines of the US. I must say (having moved from one coast to the other by car) this place is big and there is water on either side.
When it comes to work interesting anecdote: I was going through a drive-through at lunch today and the girl at the window was in state of mind that could only be called disgruntled. I must say I found it amusing to say the least. Sure the car in front of me had taken sit-down resturant time to pay for a fast-food meal. Sure her manager had just yelled at her for holding up the line. I just wondered how much of her identity she was allowing to be wrapped up in the "McJob" that was her current state.
tbc...
5.12.2004
thoughts.for.the.night
Many have said that when my family jumps on the bandwagon for a technology it has truly achieved universal penetration. But it usually starts with me so Mom & Dad, if you ever read this, when you get blogs it will no longer be a new phenomona and I will have to move on to something else.
I have no great aspirations for this blog but it seemed as good a place as any to air some thoughts.
I have no great aspirations for this blog but it seemed as good a place as any to air some thoughts.
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