my blog.

EOF

2010-04-03T17:45:00.004-04:00

The thing about humane mouse traps is that they're only humane if you remember to check them every couple days.

In other news, today i found out i really enjoy using a chainsaw. If computers don't work out for me, life as an ax man or the Ash man doesn't sound that bad.

More Death

2010-03-22T22:02:00.003-04:00

This mouse died scared, not even able to force a little piece of feces out its anus. Little One, blurrily visible in the background, is turning out to be quite the mouser.

In other deaths, i enjoyed reading the story of Margaret Moth's life. Her whole spirit reminds me of Matthew Scott's Colombian escape and Aron Ralsten's Utah experience. I hope i can exhibit a tenth of their character - preferably while keeping my arm and mouth intact and never going too hungry.

Now if only he'd invade somewhere

2010-03-21T23:14:00.002-04:00

Congrats on the Healthcare work.

More History

2010-02-28T04:28:00.008-05:00

Listening to a WCC student's photo project reminded me of my first 15 minutes. Many years ago some friends and i decided to drive to Cleveland one night, to visit one guy's sister and brother-in-law, Brian Michael Bendis. Brian was writing and illustrating crime noir comics, taking photos and drawing from them for the panels. At the time Brian was working on Jinx, and he took a couple photos of us for an issue. I'm the "Frisco" referenced in the wikipedia page, "Street Loser 2" - the guy with long bangs in these panels:

Wonder who'll play me in the movie version.

Travails

2010-02-22T19:23:00.004-05:00

After biking through 6" of snow to get to work this morning, today's xkcd seems particularly funny. I even had to rescue a downed database when i got in.

Work Slides

2010-02-07T12:51:00.003-05:00

Later this week i'm presenting to my co-workers on benchmarking storage. As some of you may find them interesting, here is a pdf of the slides. The presentation assumes a rudimentary understanding of storage concepts and is only a 30 minute overview.

Random bits, not related

2010-02-01T18:18:00.005-05:00

My mom's new thermostat - the 15 minute install took me 5 hours across 3 days. Doesn't help that it took some heavy thought to figure out how to remove the original or that i used the wrong paint (whose fault?) the first time.

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Friday, on my way to work, heard a beautiful sound, kind of like someone hitting the bottom of a large empty metal coffee container. I filmed it and tried to filter out the background noise - here is the sound, i think i need to work on my audio editing skills.

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Last night i found a dead mouse in my basement, in my work area. At first i was sad that something in my house killed it - i purposefully use live traps. But as i boxed it up i thought maybe it was poisoned in a neighbour's house and spent its dying strength crawling to a comfortable place, where it knew i'd take care of its passage.

Frozen ground is hard to dig.

Topography of a Sunday

2010-01-25T02:02:00.006-05:00

Started making some potstickers and realised they were chicken vegetable, not just vegetable.

Bought some baba ganoush and happily started eating it until i wondered why it tasted unright, and then learned that some folks make it with mayonnaise.

Decided resuming basement work was appropriate, went downstairs, measured out some spacing and realised i had measured wrong last week, ordered too few supplies, and one project will now require %50 more funds.

Maybe it's the heat, maybe i've become too complacent. Time for another change?

Lemonade & Bicycles

2010-01-22T19:18:00.004-05:00

A friend of mine once said that one way to get over being in a poor mood is to smile a lot, but though i've tried this tactic numerous times over the last few years, i think it only succeeds in making me happy that i'm in unhappy, and thus since yesterday i'm still in a sour state.

In other news, over the past month i've mixed 80 lbs of concrete and 50 lbs of plaster. I estimate that's a fifth of what i need to fix the quarter of the basement i'm working on. It will look quite nice - if different and unuseable - in about two months.

Props

2010-01-10T04:33:00.000-05:00

Props where props are due: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/01/07/sudan.violence.report/ (note the quote at the end of the article). Sidenote: the lead photo is typical of standard intro photo class, railroad style. Hopefully my parents will be out of South Sudan before war breaks out again.

As for me, maybe someone will interview me for new insights into Dawn of the Dead or Unforgiven, like the maize background when we first meet Sally, the soot-darkened lantern at the last view, and are all the splits in other wooden backgrounds deliberate?

Eve

2009-12-25T05:04:00.002-05:00

Standing in line with a 50 lb bag of concrete and a couple of crescent wrenches, the cashier asks me, "Not buying Christmas gifts this year?" I thought, if anywhere, Home Depot would have considered concrete worthy of being a Christmas gift. In other thoughts, i wonder how often Armstrong bikes home with 50 lb of concrete, and frozen brakes. I should really keep my bike indoors.

Gone

2009-12-20T04:39:00.002-05:00

At 9:15am on Wednesday December 16, 2009, i had my 4 wisdom teeth removed. It went rather well - i was at work 90 minutes later. Showed up with blood on my face and couldn't talk for hours, but no one at work seemed surprised by those details. 4 days later and i'm still doing quite well.

Stinky

2009-12-18T00:05:00.002-05:00

It's about as cheesy as a vegan can get - i'm quoted in this article on my work's website.

Reviews

2009-12-16T02:17:00.007-05:00

For those of you wondering how the 2 weeks volunteering in crocodile research went, here's the letter i'm sending to Earthwatch, maybe with some edits once i'm more awake.

An Open Letter to the Decision Makers at Earthwatch

I volunteered in the November 2009 expedition of Crocodiles of the Zambezi, run in the field by Audrey Detoeuf-Boulade and Kevin Wallace. The first time I met Audrey and Kevin was at the beginning of the expedition, and am writing to express my admiration for the two; they form a phenomenal, invaluable team.

Audrey and Kevin are both capable of handling a wide range of technical problems. Whether it is engine issues, food/lodging logistics, health concerns, or simply getting water, they are unfazed by the adversities of life in the bush, responsive to all problems that arise, and relentless in their pursuit of getting the work done. And both cook great meals, even with minimal utilities when necessary.

Along with fantastic field skills, both have the social and managerial skills to handle all manner of personal and personnel issues. They are enjoyable people to simply hold a conversation with but can take charge when needed. In handling employees, interacting with locals, or managing volunteers, Audrey and Kevin perfect that elusive combination of true professionals, great leaders, and wonderful friends.

And still there is more to Audrey and Kevin – they excel as scientists and teachers. Both show profound dedication to their fields, knowledge of their areas, a thirst to discover more, and a desire to better their environment. They are willing to explain all the details of their work yet are receptive to new ideas and suggestions. And while both demonstrate a deep understanding of the science, they are also capable of providing simplified explanations for the lay person. These are the kind of scientists that truly make the world a better place.

Thus, if Audrey and Kevin should ever ask Earthwatch for funding, please accept them without hesitation. And should they not come to you in the near future, it is in Earthwatch’s best interest to actively pursue them. This is a couple that will greatly benefit any organization they are associated with.

Sincerely,

Francisco Luis Roque

Yes, Kev and Auds are that cool.

Copenhagen

2009-12-09T18:13:00.000-05:00

Based on usage figures from the World's entry in the CIA World Factbook, some random calculation on the efficiency of solar panels and their cost, and some other figures on the conversion of oil and natural gas to electricity, i am looking to raise $201 trillion in order to solve our Climate Change (with the snow outside, that's a much better phrase than "Global Warming") problem - $200 trillion for the solar panels and $1 trillion towards utterly conquering Western Sahara, which will then be completely covered in the requisite panels.

Yes, that's right, today we can assure all our energy needs are met by renewable (for the next 5 billion years, give or take) solar energy by covering 262000 square kilometers with solar panels. Conveniently, Western Sahara is 266000 square km, is rather sunny, and doesn't have much of a government, so we can invade, set up a stable government and some solar panels, and save the world.

Still not sure how to distribute that power around the world, but after dropping $200 trillion on panels, i expect the vendor to solve that one for free. Then there's that incovenient conversion of existing petrol and oil devices to run on electricity, but i can't solve everything tonight - watch for a future post.

Acid Spitting Beetle

2009-11-24T11:23:00.003-05:00

By the next day, this blister was thrice as big and other blisters were forming on my leg and torso. I'm fine now, unfortunately other family members aren't. Goodbye, uncle.

From AA to ZZ

2009-11-10T12:17:00.006-05:00

Greetings from Lusaka, Zambia. Yes, after a couple weeks of sleeping under 4 hours a night, losing 5 pounds, and general non-stop work either at WCC, house 1 2 or 3 (too bad only one of them is mine), i finally got to relax with 36 hours of travel and a doubling, possibly tripling, of my yearly cholesterol intake. Internet is pretty good here though about $2/hour, a little pricier than similar places. Maybe it's just the downward spiral of the dollar.

Some younger guy in AMS asked me if i had any tips for travelling long distances in a plane. He was on his first overseas voyage, a 12 hour flight to Hong Kong. Am i supposed to have some special knowledge by this point?

Lusaka is ok, but so far Kampala has been my favourite African city. Of course i've not been here long enough to make a real determination.

I fear i will ramble too much more should i continue this post.

History

2009-10-29T14:46:00.004-04:00

I did not take this photo, nor do i know who did.

While cleaning out the platform above my basement's foundation wall, i found a pack of negatives dated to 1938 and developed just around the street corner. Look closely at the number on that house - among the negatives are a few shots of my house in its youth.

Feels strange lonely naked to see my house without its friends, the walnut trees. Maybe they're hiding around the side, not as brave and tall and damaging and providing as they are now.

Discourse on Language

2009-09-07T02:38:00.001-04:00

Woke up one lazy morning to a meeping cat and a chitting squirrel.

They spoke to one another for about 5 minutes, Little One meh-meh-meeping her story and the squirrel running from one side of the tree to the other, then stopping for a bit and chit-chit-chitting to Little One. I slowly gained consciousness, listening to their stories, wondering at the intricacies of burying nuts and the difficulties of chasing spiders, admiring what comfortable friends they've become and how well they communicate. Then i reminded the squirrel i had some acorns for him (no oak trees close by, so i collect some on my way home from work) and went outside to give them to him.

I wonder if they speak to each other every morning - i've only heard them do so once before. At night time Little One also tries to talk to the local skunk, but the skunk still prefers to speak in scents, something i'd rather not get too used to.

Cuts

2009-08-19T21:59:00.002-04:00

Bought a new knife the other day, a nice, full tang wooden handle knife made in the UP. It's a pretty nice knife - sometimes quality really shows itself. I decided to test by whittling a branch i found in my backyard.

It's a four-penny car, and the wheels actually roll. Hopefully my next attempt will look a little better.

By the way, that photo is taken underneath the raised floor in WCC's primary server room.

Sounds

2009-08-14T02:05:00.002-04:00

Srik-srik-srik, srik-srik-srik. I think that's onomatopoetic for the sound of a squirrel working on a nut. This one is in my back yard; yes, my friend returned.

Later today, on my way to work, i saw this painted turtle trying to make it through the chain link fence. He made sounds like a goose, a mouth-open hiss sound. Maybe he's the Tarzan of turtles - left behind by his parents, he was raised by a flock of wild geese and so only speaks goose. Crazy confused feral turtle.

At home, a few hours ago, i stood but five feet away from the neighbourhood skunk. Tch-tch-tch, i said, but the skunk just looked up, sniffed around, and silently wandered off. Skunk body posture reminds me of Ankylosaurus.

Memories

2009-08-09T21:54:00.005-04:00

It's been over a month since my family left.

But there are still little signs of them all around; while hanging out with my mom's cats today, my foot acquired a sequin - i'm guessing from something of my niece's. Maybe i should vacuum my mom's place sometime soon.

Road Hazards

2009-08-09T01:23:00.002-04:00

Narrowly missed biking over this frog, over by the UM Art & Architecture Building. I set the little thing into the convenient, small wetland area surrounding the parking lot. Hopefully it will quickly learn that the sidewalk is a dangerous place to be.

Speaking of wetlands, their animals and danger, i signed up to volunteer helping with crocodiles in November. If it pans out, i'll spend two weeks measuring, tagging and gathering other data about Nile Crocodiles in Zambia, along the border with Zimbabwe. After that i hope to make it up north to see my cousin who will be volunteering in Solwezi. And, hopefully, somewhere in there i'll find the time to take a peak at Victoria Falls and raft the Zambezi.

Fixings & Changes

2009-07-24T20:15:00.004-04:00

Work had a summer retreat at my boss's house - the pisco i brought seemed a big hit. While leaving the bathroom (not related to the pisco), i noticed that the doorknob was a little loose, so i used my Leatherman to tighten it up. Five years ago i wouldn't have even noticed it. Fifteen years ago i would have loosened it more.

Riverside

2009-07-23T02:08:00.010-04:00

Saw a black squirrel in Gallup Park this morning. I know they occur in large numbers elsewhere in the state, but this was the first i've seen in Ann Arbor. I thought it might be a sign; through the remainder of my ride to work, the rest of the animals spoke differently to me, but as i speak neither squirrel nor bird nor chipmunk nor turtle, i was uncertain what they were warning me of.

Later, as i was walking home around midnight, a car parked about 10 feet in front of me and a pretty young woman in a nice black dress jumped out. At first i didn't look at her, she was going 'uhh, uhh' (though not loudly) and waving her hands. As i passed i glanced over and realised she was trying to get my attention. So i stopped and she came over and in a very low voice and barely understandable words and a smattering of what i believe was sign language she asked me for money. She seemed deaf, hence the sign language and her awkward voice.

It's been about 12 years since i gave a stranger money; i'm used to the regular scams - "i need bus money to get to Ypsi/Detroit/NYC", "ran out of gas on the highway, look i even have a small gas container", "i need drugs, man" - and ignore them. But her story was different and i couldn't figure out with certainty that she was scamming me. I gave her $6 and then tried testing her, asking if that was enough and implying i would give more, figuring that a scammer would leap at the opportunity. But she just said that she was so worried, thanked me and hugged me (i was cautious and checked afterwards, nothing missing) at which point i also realised she smelled good (nice perfume) and her clothes were clean - unlike AA most scammers/panhandlers.

Since she was worried about running out of gas i pointed out the nearest gas station, about a block away, and then she thanked me some more, got back in the car and drove off. I sat down across the street from the gas station but did not see her car pull up (she would have had to circle around the block to do so). Possibly she went to a different station on her route home, but i am left wondering whether or not it was a scam - i'm at 80% certainty it was, what do you think?

If i'm right that it was a scam, i'm also thinking that the black squirrel may have been a warning. But in retrospect the squirrel may have had a different message - the squirrel that lives in the first tree behind my house has been missing for a few days (i gather nuts and leave them in one spot for him, normally he eats them up but the ones i've left the past few days are still there) and i think maybe the Black Squirrel of Death showed itself to me to let me know my friend is gone.