Chemical engineering has a lot of fun-sounding terms that are really boring in reality. Some of them are pretty family-unfriendly, or at least would be in general use. Over this last week, I've learned a lot about necking, strippers, and generalized creep behavior. Heh heh.
P.S. Those links are family friendly, but a bit boring.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Liver-Eater
On Saturday Jonathan and I went to the opera with my brother and his wife (one of my best friends). Afterward we were in a crowded elevator heading back to our car when we realized we were sharing our space with a liver-eater.
Silence in the elevator. Then, suddenly:
"If you don't stop that right now, I will EAT YOUR LIVER!!"
OK, crazy lady. I will stop anything. Just leave my liver alone.
It turned out she wasn't talking to us, or to anyone in the elevator. She was recounting a charming anecdote about threatening a child. As we left the elevator, we could still hear her. "Mrs. Jones, what's a liver? What's a liver? Can you believe that? Mrs. Jones, what's a liver?"
We thought that was probably all there was, and if it wasn't, we were parting ways and wouldn't ever know how it ended. But we were luckier than we expected. We walked past her again. "But Mrs. Jones, how can you eat something inside my body?"
Lucky us. Poor kid.
Silence in the elevator. Then, suddenly:
"If you don't stop that right now, I will EAT YOUR LIVER!!"
OK, crazy lady. I will stop anything. Just leave my liver alone.
It turned out she wasn't talking to us, or to anyone in the elevator. She was recounting a charming anecdote about threatening a child. As we left the elevator, we could still hear her. "Mrs. Jones, what's a liver? What's a liver? Can you believe that? Mrs. Jones, what's a liver?"
We thought that was probably all there was, and if it wasn't, we were parting ways and wouldn't ever know how it ended. But we were luckier than we expected. We walked past her again. "But Mrs. Jones, how can you eat something inside my body?"
Lucky us. Poor kid.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Payoff of Procrastination
I've decided/realized that I'm probably never going to kick my procrastination habit. Why, you ask?
1. Quizzes on reading
When I do my reading well in advance, it hardly ever fails that there will be a quiz on the assigned reading the next class period. If I read it three days ago, will I remember the details of some brand-new concept for today's quiz? Experience tells me no.
2. Typos and clarification
How often do your teachers send out emails or start class by saying saying something along the lines of "Many of you have asked how to do problem 3. The book has a typo/left out a vital piece of information. It should say [what it should say]." For me, at least once a week.
3. Elimination of assignments
Rarer but nicer than #2. "I realized problem 5 is much more difficult than I intended it to be/we never covered the material. Please don't do that problem. Apologies to those who have attempted it." Without procrastination: "Come on! Really?! I spent hours on that!" With procrastination: "Sweet!"
4. Concentration
This one is more personal. I find it much easier to focus, stay off facebook, read attentively searching for details and applications of principles, and accomplish things in a timely fashion when a deadline is looming. Of course, "looming" is subjective and depends on the assignment. I try to leave myself enough time that even though the deadline is near, I won't be rushed and will have time to at least ask a classmate if I get stuck.
1. Quizzes on reading
When I do my reading well in advance, it hardly ever fails that there will be a quiz on the assigned reading the next class period. If I read it three days ago, will I remember the details of some brand-new concept for today's quiz? Experience tells me no.
2. Typos and clarification
How often do your teachers send out emails or start class by saying saying something along the lines of "Many of you have asked how to do problem 3. The book has a typo/left out a vital piece of information. It should say [what it should say]." For me, at least once a week.
3. Elimination of assignments
Rarer but nicer than #2. "I realized problem 5 is much more difficult than I intended it to be/we never covered the material. Please don't do that problem. Apologies to those who have attempted it." Without procrastination: "Come on! Really?! I spent hours on that!" With procrastination: "Sweet!"
4. Concentration
This one is more personal. I find it much easier to focus, stay off facebook, read attentively searching for details and applications of principles, and accomplish things in a timely fashion when a deadline is looming. Of course, "looming" is subjective and depends on the assignment. I try to leave myself enough time that even though the deadline is near, I won't be rushed and will have time to at least ask a classmate if I get stuck.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Return of Captain Obvious
I was reading the newspaper today when I saw something truly earth-shattering that I knew I had to share with the world. According to this article, anti-depressants are highly prescribed in Utah. Here are some of my very favorite quotes:
"People with chronic diseases are more likely to use anti-depressants." I'm shocked! Who would have guessed that a medicine the Mayo Clinic calls "a mainstay in the treatment of many chronic pain conditions" would be frequently used by people with chronic diseases? This is not even including the fact that being told you will suffer from a disease for a long time/the rest of your life/the rest of your shortened life could cause depression.
"Anti-depressant use also increases with age, according to the study." This couldn't possibly have anything at all to do with the fact that older people are more likely to have chronic diseases.
"People with chronic diseases are more likely to use anti-depressants." I'm shocked! Who would have guessed that a medicine the Mayo Clinic calls "a mainstay in the treatment of many chronic pain conditions" would be frequently used by people with chronic diseases? This is not even including the fact that being told you will suffer from a disease for a long time/the rest of your life/the rest of your shortened life could cause depression.
"Anti-depressant use also increases with age, according to the study." This couldn't possibly have anything at all to do with the fact that older people are more likely to have chronic diseases.
“If you look at where money is being spent on health care in Utah, it’s among people with chronic diseases." Another shocker. It isn't just the one-time visits to the emergency room or the more-or-less annual 20-minute appointment with a doctor? People who have a long-term condition requiring medical attention spend more money on prescriptions and doctor's appointments? Color me surprised.
Captain Obvious's next research goal? "To find out why people use anti-depressants and submit another report on that sometime in January or February of next year." I guess it just takes that long to google it.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Tired
Yesterday I was really tired during all of my classes. I kept nodding off for two or three minutes at a time. During my little mini-naps, I had some interesting dreams.
I was in Russia in the middle of a war. We were trying to decide which cities to take over next. We were looking at a map. "Let's take over Edmister." "Shouldn't it be Edminster?" "No, there's no n." Then I was no longer in Russia, but was instead in class (awake again). Apparently we had been discussing the Kemser (which I suppose sounds vaguely Russian) - Edmister method. Too bad I don't know what it is, unless it means taking over the city.
I was in Russia in the middle of a war. We were trying to decide which cities to take over next. We were looking at a map. "Let's take over Edmister." "Shouldn't it be Edminster?" "No, there's no n." Then I was no longer in Russia, but was instead in class (awake again). Apparently we had been discussing the Kemser (which I suppose sounds vaguely Russian) - Edmister method. Too bad I don't know what it is, unless it means taking over the city.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Cowardly
It turns out I'm as much of a coward as I thought I was. Jonathan and I are doing a study and needed to have our blood drawn. I was not excited because I hate needles. I actually did OK on the first try. She poked my left elbow, and it hurt, but not a lot. Unfortunately, that vein was too slow. So she switched to the right elbow.
That was when things started going downhill. In retrospect, I probably should have looked away the entire time. It really hurt, which prompted me to look. The right vein was apparently so ready to give up its blood that not only was the phlebotomist able to pull all the blood she needed, but I also was bleeding internally and externally around the needle. I started feeling a tad (as in extremely) unwell. The phlebotomist instructed her assistant to run get me a glass of water. She told Jonathan to talk to me and me to put my head down. Apparently the only thing my husband could think of to say was "it's OK, sweetie." Very encouraging.
So the room swirled, my hands got all tingly, she finished taking all the blood she needed, I didn't pass out (by a narrow margin), and now I have a nice nickel-sized bruise on my left elbow and a three-inch long bruise on the inside of my right elbow. I'm starting to agree with Jonathan that this study is not worth it.
That was when things started going downhill. In retrospect, I probably should have looked away the entire time. It really hurt, which prompted me to look. The right vein was apparently so ready to give up its blood that not only was the phlebotomist able to pull all the blood she needed, but I also was bleeding internally and externally around the needle. I started feeling a tad (as in extremely) unwell. The phlebotomist instructed her assistant to run get me a glass of water. She told Jonathan to talk to me and me to put my head down. Apparently the only thing my husband could think of to say was "it's OK, sweetie." Very encouraging.
So the room swirled, my hands got all tingly, she finished taking all the blood she needed, I didn't pass out (by a narrow margin), and now I have a nice nickel-sized bruise on my left elbow and a three-inch long bruise on the inside of my right elbow. I'm starting to agree with Jonathan that this study is not worth it.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Inconsistent
Recently I've heard people talking about this website. Cool, I thought. I want to see what famous writer I write like. Unfortunately, it seems that I am entirely inconsistent.
For this post, my result was Stephen King. This one gave me Leo Tolstoy. This one was like Margaret Atwood (blech). This sample was like David Foster Wallace, whom I had never heard of. I also seem to be like William Gibson, Stephen King again, and Cory Doctorow.
Anyway, most of the people I've talked to have gotten more consistent results. Maybe you will too. In the meantime, I'll be reconciling my multiple voices.
For this post, my result was Stephen King. This one gave me Leo Tolstoy. This one was like Margaret Atwood (blech). This sample was like David Foster Wallace, whom I had never heard of. I also seem to be like William Gibson, Stephen King again, and Cory Doctorow.
Anyway, most of the people I've talked to have gotten more consistent results. Maybe you will too. In the meantime, I'll be reconciling my multiple voices.
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