Warm water all around me often does wonders for my soul. A well-lit clean shower (or even candle-lit on occasion). Hot tubs. Hot springs.
I wish there were aesthetically-pleasing shower stations around town, workplaces, and schools for people to enjoy this short time-out.
I saw a shower station on campus yesterday but it was for something completely different. It was one of those emergency showers for chemical splashes, etc. I was halfway tempted to pull the triangle shaped bar and get deluged with cold water... on a chilly, rainy day... just for the hell of it.
Then my better sense got the best of me. Well, actually my better sense seems to think it needs to act like special service agents and wrestle those kind of thoughts to the ground and taser them. But my better sense has been malfunctioning for the past couple years with all sorts of social situations. So, maybe it's a good sign that my 'not better' sense, my mischievous side, my inner pixie sphinx is peeking out again.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Ride! Slide!
So, I haven't been blogging recently. I kind of was in a creative and otherwise all-consuming slump. So here's a light-hearted entry back into things.
Have you ever walked around an office building barefoot? It's a small thing but it feels so much different - the texture of the rug, the smoothness of polished faux marble, and the temperature changes from when you walk through that bit that had sunlight on it for a while. That's one reason I loved riding on the back of a motorcycle in California - the sensations: movement, wind, temperature changes, the smells that you just don't get when you are enclosed in a car.
Oh, and if you see this on the UBC campus campus, try to get up the blue umm... ribbed thing all the way. It looks easy but there's a secret to it. Ok ok, I give up. I'll
tell you the secret, but you have to tell me how you got up it, because I just banged the Jimimy Cricket out of my shins. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia's entry on the creepy little feller here).
Have you ever walked around an office building barefoot? It's a small thing but it feels so much different - the texture of the rug, the smoothness of polished faux marble, and the temperature changes from when you walk through that bit that had sunlight on it for a while. That's one reason I loved riding on the back of a motorcycle in California - the sensations: movement, wind, temperature changes, the smells that you just don't get when you are enclosed in a car.
Oh, and if you see this on the UBC campus campus, try to get up the blue umm... ribbed thing all the way. It looks easy but there's a secret to it. Ok ok, I give up. I'll
tell you the secret, but you have to tell me how you got up it, because I just banged the Jimimy Cricket out of my shins. (Photo courtesy of Wikipedia's entry on the creepy little feller here).
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Why pursue a Master's Degree?
So I have been struggling with my graduate program because of various circumstances, many of them existential in nature, but one of them being that I lost my direction and focus. My mental issues complicate matters endlessly, but I figured I would try to ground myself with some cursory internet searching of the question, "Why pursue a Master's degree." And because I like to share these pet projects, I am dusting off my blog and posting about the resources I found online.
Notable excerpts:
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Notable excerpts:
Notable excerpts:
Notable excerpts:
Notable excerpts:
Notable excerpts:
1) "Master's or Ph.D.: Which Is Right For You?" on GradSchools.com Information Center
About the website:"a collection of helpful articles giving advice on everything from applying to school to writing your first research paper to juggling school and a full-time job. You will also find blogs from current students and journals from those who have been where you are now."Notable excerpts:
Master's degrees tend to be more career-oriented while Ph.D.'s tend to be more research oriented since they are preparing people for research-oriented careers.A master's degree has some definite benefits in that it requires less time and money than a doctoral degree, but will still set you apart from the crowd who only have a bachelor's. The master's degree can allow specialization within a field. The degree works especially well for those who have been working in a particular career for some time and hope to advance or gain new knowledge that will qualify them for a different position within their field.
A master's degree can also be an excellent method of changing careers. For those who have been in the workforce and found that their career or undergraduate education are not leading them in the direction they would like to go, a master's degree can allow them to start in a different direction by gaining new knowledge and skills.
2) "What is a Masters Degree?" on About.com: Graduate School
About the website: "Exclusive to About.com, over 600 expert "Guides" steer About.com's content - sharing their passions, expertise and how-to information with visitors every day. The result is a vast information "bank" that couples the breadth and reach of large content providers such as AOL and MSN with the depth of consumer-focused sites like CNET and WebMD."Notable excerpt:
Why seek a master’s degree?
Many seek master’s degrees to advance in their fields and to earn raises. Others seek master’s degrees to change career fields. For example, let’s say that you’ve earned a bachelor’s degree in English, but have decided that you want to become a counselor: complete a master’s degree in counseling. A master’s degree will allow you to develop expertise in a new area and enter a new career.
3) "Considering Graduate School? Answer These Five Questions Before You Decide" on Quintessential Careers
About the website: "Our mission is to provide the content and motivation to empower people to achieve their educational goals, find their true career passion, and obtain their ideal job."Notable excerpts:
Compensation: Most studies show that people with advanced degrees earn more on average than people with bachelor's degrees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 1998 the average worker with a bachelor's degree earned $40,478, while a worker with a master's degree earned $51,183, and a worker with a doctorate earned $77,445.
Staying Marketable: While a graduate degree is not required for many "entry-level" jobs, you may need to earn an advanced degree to keep your training and skills current -- and make you more marketable for career advancement.
Career Change: A graduate degree can often make sense for a job-seeker who is looking to make a career change, In this case, you would be earning the graduate degree in the field you plan to enter. Read more about career change strategies in our article, The 10-Step Plan to Career Change.
4) "The Grad School Handbook: First Things" on GradSchools.com Information Center
About the website:"a collection of helpful articles giving advice on everything from applying to school to writing your first research paper to juggling school and a full-time job. You will also find blogs from current students and journals from those who have been where you are now."Notable excerpts:
A master's degree is required for many positions in education, social work, and public health. It will definitely help you to get a job in mathematics, computer science, engineering, architecture, or business. It will help you to get a promotion or a higher salary if you are a teacher. Most people who get master's degrees are in education, business, or engineering; they want a good position, to be upgraded in their present jobs, or to change professions. On the other hand, an M.A. in philosophy or English will make you more employable, but will not train you for work in any specific field. However, all other things being equal, an employer who wants to fill a position that requires writing skills will prefer an applicant with a master's degree to one with a bachelor's.
One benefit of a master's degree is that it can enable you to change directions completely. You can make a new start and begin a different career. If you find that you are no longer interested in the psychology you majored in during college, you can apply to a completely new field, such as architecture, and with an M.Arch. start work as an architect. Or, if your English major is not leading you to the kinds of jobs you want, you can change goals and work on a master's in public health.
5) "Master’s Degrees Abound as Universities and Students See a Windfall" on The New York Times online: Education section
About the website: "The New York Times is a daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed internationally... Nicknamed the "Gray Lady" for its staid appearance and style, it is often regarded as a national newspaper of record, meaning that it is frequently relied upon as the official and authoritative reference for modern events"Notable excerpts:
Master’s programs are the most obvious targets of opportunity,” said George L. Mehaffy, a vice president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. “The degrees are in high demand, and this is an optimal time to enter or expand the market.”
In his two-year master’s program in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota Craig Nelson had $35,000 in loans. Now, he works in regulatory affairs at the 3M Company.“Without the degree, I wouldn’t have the job,” he said. “So even though I’ll be paying the loan for 10 years, it was a good move for me.”
And many students believe that these multiple degrees are highly valuable in today’s competitive job market.Rey A. Phillips Santos has three graduate degrees gracing his résumé: two master’s and one in law. After completing the master’s of arts program in the social sciences from the University of Chicago, he decided to go on to the Chicago-Kent College of Law, in a joint-degree program in environmental management with the Stuart Graduate School of Business.
“There is a huge demand for credentials in high-level jobs now,” said Mr. Phillips, who is a lawyer for the Chicago city government. “Each of my degrees helped me to get a leg up in the job market, and earn higher salaries than I would have otherwise. They were great investments.”
6) "Do master's degrees really pay off?" on Colleges.com
About the website: Information on Certificate Programs, Scholarships, Careers, Student Travel, Student Offers, Online Colleges, Career Colleges, Undergraduate Schools, Graduate Schools, MBA, Med Schools, and Law Schools.Notable excerpts:
In fact, you may have heard those nasty rumors floating around campus that a B.A. is a dead degree in the real world because of the demand for higher education -- not to mention higher pay. Put simply, "The higher the degree the greater the earnings," says Peter Syverson, vice president of research with the Council of Graduate Schools.
Although money talks, it may not be what pushes some students to get a master's degree. Weaver makes a point that for certain careers, especially in natural sciences and law, an entry level degree for college graduate is one step beyond a B.A. Career Services director at Penn State University, Jack Rayman agrees, and says that in some cases, "You just don't get a job unless you have a PhD."
Penn State junior Mark Goodwin hopes to get a job as a physical education/health teacher at a high school. Once he is working, Goodwin says his employer will pay for his master's degree. "Once I get a job, I want to do whatever I can do to better my situation." He says with a master's degree not only is the pay better, but so are his chances of teaching at the college level.
"From a teacher's perspective a master's degree would do you better. In any overall major it would help you do better financially," he says.
7) "How having a Masters degree may not guarentee (sic) success" on The Independent online
About the website: "The Independent is a British compact newspaper published by Tony O'Reilly's Independent News & Media. It is nicknamed the Indie, with the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, being the Sindie. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily newspapers, with a circulation of 240,116... The daily edition was named National Newspaper of the Year at the 2004 British Press Awards."Notable excerpts:
"A Masters degree is not a passport to a highly paid career," says Charlie Ball, the labour market analyst who wrote the report. Ball says that many employers will be more interested in a year's work experience than a postgrad qualification.
Some postgraduates who were advised to take the courses for their career can feel a little cheated. Megan Cuttriss, 28, did a full-time Masters in biological sciences at Bradford University in 2001-2. "I'd been 18 months without sciences and I felt I needed to get my foot in again to be taken seriously by employers," says Cuttriss. "By the end of it I realised it was less useful than I'd thought."Cuttriss found herself working alongside first-degree graduates at LGC, a UK chemical analysis laboratory. In career terms Cuttriss thinks her Masters was hopeless, but it did remind her how much she enjoyed academic research. After a few years at LGC she quit to take a PhD in molecular microbiology at the University of Surrey.
So how can you make sure your Masters pays its way? It is up to students to use that extra year to set themselves apart from the pack, says Carl Gilliard, chief executive of the AGR. One approach is simply to excel. Gilliard says that City banks look for brain power, so getting a first and a distinction in a subject you love may be the best approach. Or you can go for a professionally targeted Masters programme which builds employability into the course, getting students to make presentations and practice soft skills, like communicating ideas.Once you have finished studying and find yourself in the interview room the important thing is to know why you did the course that you did. There are few things more off-putting, says Gilliard, than a postgraduate who shrugs their shoulders and says "I didn't know what to do next...".
If you get it right, the rewards can be considerable. Marianne Moore graduated in January from a part-time MA at Middlesex University in youth justice, community safety and applied criminology. She had been interested in youth justice since undergraduate days and says that her Masters brought her passion and her work together.
She now works for Tribal Consulting on youth offending issues. "Doing the essays disciplined me into concentrating on difficult subjects and allowed me to work out what I thought about them in a structured way," says Moore.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Social Caterpillar School: Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Adults
The other night, I spent hours crafting a blog post entitled How do you turn acquaintances into friends?: A Guide for Social Caterpillars, and I realized today that it was a great start to introducing the idea of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) for adults. This is one of the key concepts of my master's program in Human Development, Learning, and Culture at UBC, and I even will be taking a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Practicum ("in a college or university) the part of a course consisting of practical work in a particular field" according to Dictionary.com Unabridged) this fall semester.
So just what is this notion of SEL? Well, I found a suitable introduction on the webpage "What is Social and Emotional Learning" from Project EXSEL at the Teachers College, Columbia University. My very brief additions that pertain to us adults are in square brackets.
Emotional Intelligence
Your Emotional Intelligence can matter more than your IQ, for your happiness and success.
And, contrary to what many people believe, this capacity can be nurtured and cultivated. "Emotional learning is lifelong," declares Goleman.
Just consider how much your capacity to deal productively with your feelings -- empathy, enthusiasm, anxiety -- affect these aspects of your life:
Health -- do you stay in touch with your emotions, and use them to maintain good morale...or do you let suppressed or denied feelings express themselves in medical symptoms?
Coping -- do you have a large supportive network of friends and colleagues with whom you share opportunities, problems, and information...or are you suffering from the "go-it-alone" syndrome?
Relationships -- do you deal well with the feelings between you and your companions, partners, friends, children, significant others... or are you defensive, impulsive, or uncaring?
If you'd like to learn more about this subject, just let me know.
Good luck caterpillars!
So just what is this notion of SEL? Well, I found a suitable introduction on the webpage "What is Social and Emotional Learning" from Project EXSEL at the Teachers College, Columbia University. My very brief additions that pertain to us adults are in square brackets.
A Definition of Social and Emotional LearningHave I piqued your interest? If so, here is part of the About.com article on Emotional Intelligence in the Adult/ Continuing Education section.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the educational process that leads to the development of emotional intelligence - that is, the process by which we become better at understanding and managing our emotions AND learning how they impact the choices we make, the relationships we have and our outlook in life. It refers to the acquisition of the understandings and specific skills that are at the heart of a child's [and adult's] academic, personal, social and civic development.
Social and emotional learning is critical not only for success in school [and work], but also in life. SEL enables individuals to recognize and manage emotions, understand their personal values, develop caring and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish and maintain positive relationships and handle challenging situations effectively.
Research has shown that people with social and emotional competence are most likely to succeed academically, have a sense of well-being in their personal lives and act as contributors to their communities. They know what their strengths and challenges are, and are optimistic about the future, have meaningful relationships and are happy with their work lives. They are able to set and achieve goals and solve problems effectively. They are able to empathize with and show respect for others, appreciate diversity, and, live in accordance with their values, making positive contributions to their communities.
Emotional Intelligence
From Ron Gross
Your Emotional Intelligence can matter more than your IQ, for your happiness and success.
And, contrary to what many people believe, this capacity can be nurtured and cultivated. "Emotional learning is lifelong," declares Goleman.
Just consider how much your capacity to deal productively with your feelings -- empathy, enthusiasm, anxiety -- affect these aspects of your life:
Health -- do you stay in touch with your emotions, and use them to maintain good morale...or do you let suppressed or denied feelings express themselves in medical symptoms?
Coping -- do you have a large supportive network of friends and colleagues with whom you share opportunities, problems, and information...or are you suffering from the "go-it-alone" syndrome?
Relationships -- do you deal well with the feelings between you and your companions, partners, friends, children, significant others... or are you defensive, impulsive, or uncaring?
There are five components of Emotional Intelligence:
- 1. Self-awareness -- knowing what you are feeling, and using your awareness to make good decisions.
2. Handling Your Emotions -- keeping yourself in good spirits, coping with anxiety, handling anger.
3. Self-Motivation -- persistence and zeal; getting yourself started and keeping yourself going, even in the face of set-backs and discouragement.
4. Empathy -- reading people's feelings without them telling you.
5. Social Skills -- handling your emotions in relationships.
If you'd like to learn more about this subject, just let me know.
Good luck caterpillars!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
How do you turn acquaintances into friends?: A Guide for Social Caterpillars
I haven't posted for a month because I've been focusing on others things, and frankly blogging just didn't feel right. But now that I am in California in order to attend a wedding and to visit my folks, I feel like posting to my blog. Perhaps it's because I am in my childhood home - in the same room that I spent many late nights writing or drawing in my notebooks, making mix tapes (which I called "mixed tapes"), and waiting for my parents to be sound asleep so I could sneak out to roam around town with my other nocturnal friends.
Anyhoo (as I like to say), the issue of how one goes about turning acquaintances into friends has been on my mind recently so I did some Google searching and here are some helpful tidbits:
Question and Answers on 43 Things.com entitled "How do you go from being acquaintances to being friends?"
Another important aspect of turning acquaintances into friends seems to be self-disclosure and eliciting self-disclosure. Well, according to what looks like an online supplement for a Social Psychology textbook by Psychology Press
Recently, I fear I have been disclosing too much, too soon, too rapidly about my background and experience in various areas. It's like I'm trying to pack in dozens of work-place or study-session interactions into one conversation. Perhaps it is the lack of such interactions with my current acquaintances. Or perhaps I strongly feel the need to befriend more people so I can enjoy life more and feel like I am contributing more to others' lives in ways that, well, friends do.
I realized that something else I struggle with is self-confidence. Earlier this week I played Ultimate (Frisbee) for my first time by being a sub with the Vancouver Ultimate League team Superfriends. Although I ended having tons of fun, I realized my lack of self-confidence was very obvious and was quite annoying to me and maybe for others as well.
I also noticed that my self-consciousness ("embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you" according to Wordnet on Dictionary.com) and self-depreciation ("a feeling of being of little worth" according to Wordnet on Dictionary.com) were the highest in the beginning and faded as I got into the rhythm and spirit of the game. But I still feel that I need to build that ol' self-confidence if I want to build friends from acquaintances.
So what's a girl to do? Well, she can start reading wikiHow articles on how to build self-confidence, one of which I actually found quite insightful. Also, this wikiHow article entitled "How to Be Fun to Be With" is simple, yet a good reminder for those of us who aren't social butterflies. In fact, I'm more like a social caterpillar - getting along well at some times but not others; sort of odd-looking and often pre-occupied; and sometimes considered a pest.
I Googled "social caterpillar" after I thought of it, and someone on Everything2.com had a similar idea but was much more disparaging than me:
If worse comes to worse, I can always look into an "emotional social intelligence prosthetic" device hopefully still being developed at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Celeste Biever reported in March 2006 on NewScientist.com:
*"so; thus: usually written parenthetically to denote that a word, phrase, passage, etc., that may appear strange or incorrect has been written intentionally or has been quoted verbatim"
sic. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved July 07, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sic
"Thus; so. Used to indicate that a quoted passage, especially one containing an error or unconventional spelling, has been retained in its original form or written intentionally."
sic. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved July 07, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sic
Anyhoo (as I like to say), the issue of how one goes about turning acquaintances into friends has been on my mind recently so I did some Google searching and here are some helpful tidbits:
Question and Answers on 43 Things.com entitled "How do you go from being acquaintances to being friends?"
Well, you could invite these people out for a pizza, or a drink somewhere. Not necessary that you have to drink alcohol, unless you do, but if you just tell them how about going here for a drink. Or you could ask on of them, “where did you get those shoes? or pants? or purse?” Then when they mention the particular store, you tell them you like it and would love to go shopping with them sometime. All you need is a lead in and then invite them or invite yourself to go. Somtimes (sic)*, just from having lunch with someone can lead to this fairly easy.As for graduate students like me, instead of asking about the shoes or purse, perhaps one could inquire about the acquaintance's favourite casual restaurants and then tell them that you would love to go with them sometime. I bet this works exceptionally well if you are a foodie ("amateurs who simply love food for consumption, study, preparation, and news" according to Wikipedia's entry) like me.
I find once you find out a similar common thing that everyone likes to do and if you enjoy doing the same thing, then you will get invited or they will accept your invitation.
Another thing you could have with the girls, is a movie night, or a play (this always comes up) or something like a trip to a book store. Share some common interests with people and you will be fine.
Another important aspect of turning acquaintances into friends seems to be self-disclosure and eliciting self-disclosure. Well, according to what looks like an online supplement for a Social Psychology textbook by Psychology Press
Self-disclosure is the act of sharing facts, inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions about one's life and situation. Depth (level of intimacy) and breadth (range of topics) increase as relationships develop.Regarding self-disclosure, I often feel like I over-share, which Urban Dictionary defines as "An over share is when a person over informs you on the subject of conversation. [T]his is usually in relation to personal or intimate topics." Sometimes I have really fruitful conversations, but many times I end up kicking myself for trying to draw acquaintances into really deep or wide-ranging conversations.
Effects of self-disclosureSelf-disclosure leads to more liking and deeper relationships because it signals trust, and because knowing each other's abilities, preferences, and needs leads to easier coordination of mutual activities and more understanding.
Self-disclosures are often exchanged in relationships; the norm of reciprocity is at work. However, when people disclose more than is appropriate, it makes others feel uncomfortable.
There is a strong gender difference in self-disclosure; women disclose more than men, especially in a same-sex relationship. In addition, men's disclosures often reflect an effort to deepen the relationship, while women's disclosures reflect their feelings about the relationship.
Recently, I fear I have been disclosing too much, too soon, too rapidly about my background and experience in various areas. It's like I'm trying to pack in dozens of work-place or study-session interactions into one conversation. Perhaps it is the lack of such interactions with my current acquaintances. Or perhaps I strongly feel the need to befriend more people so I can enjoy life more and feel like I am contributing more to others' lives in ways that, well, friends do.
I realized that something else I struggle with is self-confidence. Earlier this week I played Ultimate (Frisbee) for my first time by being a sub with the Vancouver Ultimate League team Superfriends. Although I ended having tons of fun, I realized my lack of self-confidence was very obvious and was quite annoying to me and maybe for others as well.
I also noticed that my self-consciousness ("embarrassment deriving from the feeling that others are critically aware of you" according to Wordnet on Dictionary.com) and self-depreciation ("a feeling of being of little worth" according to Wordnet on Dictionary.com) were the highest in the beginning and faded as I got into the rhythm and spirit of the game. But I still feel that I need to build that ol' self-confidence if I want to build friends from acquaintances.
So what's a girl to do? Well, she can start reading wikiHow articles on how to build self-confidence, one of which I actually found quite insightful. Also, this wikiHow article entitled "How to Be Fun to Be With" is simple, yet a good reminder for those of us who aren't social butterflies. In fact, I'm more like a social caterpillar - getting along well at some times but not others; sort of odd-looking and often pre-occupied; and sometimes considered a pest.
I Googled "social caterpillar" after I thought of it, and someone on Everything2.com had a similar idea but was much more disparaging than me:
The social-caterpillar either prefers to be left completely alone chewing [his or her] thoughts or else others prefer to leave [him or her] completely alone chewing [his or her] thoughts. Though there does tend to be some interaction with other social-caterpillars. Sometimes friendships even arise out of this but one knows that these friendships will never actually come to anything, because well, they lack the wings to leave the ground.Contrarily, I don't think social caterpillars always prefer solitary ruminations ("The act of pondering; meditation" and literally "The act or process of chewing cud" according to American Heritage Dictionary on Dictionary.com). And I certainly don't think social caterpillars are doomed to a life without friends.
If worse comes to worse, I can always look into an "emotional social intelligence prosthetic" device hopefully still being developed at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Celeste Biever reported in March 2006 on NewScientist.com:
[A device] that can pick up on people's emotions is being developed to help people with autism relate to those around them. It will alert its autistic user if the person they are talking to starts showing signs of getting bored or annoyed.Until then, this social caterpillar will need to work on her organic social emotional intelligence in order to turn acquaintances into friends.
One of the problems facing people with autism is an inability to pick up on social cues. Failure to notice that they are boring or confusing their listeners can be particularly damaging, says Rana El Kaliouby of the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "It's sad because people then avoid having conversations with them."
The "emotional social intelligence prosthetic" device, which El Kaliouby is constructing along with MIT colleagues Rosalind Picard and Alea Teeters, consists of a camera small enough to be pinned to the side of a pair of glasses, connected to a hand-held computer running image recognition software plus software that can read the emotions these images show. If the wearer seems to be failing to engage his or her listener, the software makes the hand-held computer vibrate.
*"so; thus: usually written parenthetically to denote that a word, phrase, passage, etc., that may appear strange or incorrect has been written intentionally or has been quoted verbatim"
sic. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved July 07, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sic
"Thus; so. Used to indicate that a quoted passage, especially one containing an error or unconventional spelling, has been retained in its original form or written intentionally."
sic. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved July 07, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sic
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Pirates of the... eh? What did he say??
So... we are going to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End tonight, but unfortunately the movie has been bumped by Ocean's Thirteen out of the Rear Window Captioning theatre at the Scotiabank Theatre Vancouver(formerly the Paramount Vancouver). For a hideous diagram of Rear Window Captioning, see the Wikipedia article on RWC and for a real photo of the system in action, see the MoPix (Motion Picture Access) website.
I have moderate hearing loss in the range of some human voices so I strongly prefer captioning for movies. Otherwise, I just poke Brett when I didn't catch something, and he has to whisper it to me. This is obviously not a fantastic solution as it's distracting for both of us and other people around us. When we do go to the theatre, we try to position ourselves apart from other audience members. Once a guy sat right behind us before the movie started, so I warned him of our situation. He was grateful that I mentioned it, and he simply moved over a few seats.
Unfortunately things are not so simple in a crowded theatre, so I do my best to figure out what someone has said from context so I can keep the poking and whispering to a minimum. My long-standing hearing troubles have lead me to fill-in the gaps with many movies and severly underrate (Pulp Fiction) or overrate (Revenge of the Nerds) their quality. However, there are a bunch of other factors that affect the change in a person's enjoyment of a film over a decade or two. That's something for another post though.
I have moderate hearing loss in the range of some human voices so I strongly prefer captioning for movies. Otherwise, I just poke Brett when I didn't catch something, and he has to whisper it to me. This is obviously not a fantastic solution as it's distracting for both of us and other people around us. When we do go to the theatre, we try to position ourselves apart from other audience members. Once a guy sat right behind us before the movie started, so I warned him of our situation. He was grateful that I mentioned it, and he simply moved over a few seats.
Unfortunately things are not so simple in a crowded theatre, so I do my best to figure out what someone has said from context so I can keep the poking and whispering to a minimum. My long-standing hearing troubles have lead me to fill-in the gaps with many movies and severly underrate (Pulp Fiction) or overrate (Revenge of the Nerds) their quality. However, there are a bunch of other factors that affect the change in a person's enjoyment of a film over a decade or two. That's something for another post though.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Proposed development near SUB of UBC
Students want say in 'heart' of university
By Cheryl Rossi-Staff writer
published on May 23, 2007
"Tristan Markle (centre) is one of thousands of UBC students and staff concerned with a proposed development that would eliminate the area outside the student union building where students congregate."
"The students are concerned with the University Boulevard Neighbourhood Plan, a proposal that incorporates the redevelopment of the old bus loop near the aquatic centre and student union building, or SUB, at the entrance to the university at University Boulevard and East Mall. It would cover the grassy knoll where students congregate outside the SUB."
Photo-Dan Toulgoet
So UBC readers, what would you like to see done with the area near the SUB and/or the old bus loop, which is now a parking lot?
Or better yet, does anyone know of any surveys that explore this question?
Oh, and before this article has anyone ever heard of that grassy knoll being called the "heart" of U.B.C. ??
Tips for U.S. Travelers to Canada
And because I have some friends visiting from the States, I will also share these boring but perhaps useful web resources:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Publication 11283
October 2006
Bureau of Consular Affairs
TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO CANADA
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Publication 11283
October 2006
New Travel Requirements for U.S. Citizens
U.S. Department of StateBureau of Consular Affairs
Flavourology: What Ice-Cream Flavour Are You?
To celebrate the sunny warm-ish weather we are having in Vancouver, I'll share this silly but slightly insightful online quiz with you.
What Ice-Cream Flavour Are You?
"You may not know it, but a litre of your favourite ice-cream can speak gallons about your character. Loosely based on the science of "flavourology", our fun quiz can tell you all about your ice-cream personality - and which flavour you're most compatible with."
There is one pop-up survey but it isn't that intrusive. And does anyone know why the ' and " turn into ?s on these pages?
Now what this quiz is missing it one of my favourite ice-cream ingredients: bananas!!!
I propose that Banana lovers are playful, humourous, and moody. (I think of some more traits another time.)
What Ice-Cream Flavour Are You?
"You may not know it, but a litre of your favourite ice-cream can speak gallons about your character. Loosely based on the science of "flavourology", our fun quiz can tell you all about your ice-cream personality - and which flavour you're most compatible with."
There is one pop-up survey but it isn't that intrusive. And does anyone know why the ' and " turn into ?s on these pages?
You scored 33.3% Toffee
Organised, put-together, earthy Toffee types are valued for their fairness, efficiency and naturalness. You won't see a Toffee lover putting on airs. In fact, it can be hard for no-nonsense Toffees to express themselves at all - even though they're privately quite sympathetic and observant. As a Toffee lover, you like to plan ahead and take charge, which means you're often over-committed. Like Vanillas, Toffees are most compatible with their own kind - other Toffee lovers who appreciate hard work and good sense.You scored 33.3% Vanilla
Contrary to what you may expect, Vanilla types aren't bland or boring. Vanilla is far and away the most popular ice-cream flavour, and the Vanilla type is gregarious, impulsive, fun loving and expressive. In fact, you probably have a hard time making up your mind - Vanillas are known for never saying no, even when they probably should. The Vanilla lover takes a romantic, hopeful view of life: live for the moment, and everything will work out fine. And Vanilla types are happiest with their own kind - only someone equally spontaneous and energetic will do.You scored 22.2% Chocolate
If you're a Chocolate ice-cream type, you are flirtatious, charming and even a little dramatic - and you're also in good company: Chocolate is the second most popular ice cream flavour! You're an intuitive and sensitive person who puts a high value on family, relationships and romance. But your instincts can sometimes steer you wrong: You can be easily influenced in directions that you know aren't the best for you, and you have a tendency toward self-indulgence. Still, your generosity, your liveliness and your trusting nature have earned you many admirers and friends. Chocolate types are compatible with reliable Toffees and high-focus, high-energy Chocolate Chips.You scored 11.1% Strawberry
Strawberries are naturally loyal, honest and trustworthy. Strawberry lovers, in common with fans of Raspberry Ripple, probably have a devoted circle of friends who rely on you for the right answer to any moral dilemma. Like Chocolate Chips, you set high standards for yourself, but you are somewhat shy and reserved. And you don't like to admit it, but you're also a tad pessimistic. Maybe you're just disappointed that no one can live up to your own responsibility and forthrightness. Strawberry types do well with optimistic, outgoing Chocolate Chips.You scored 0% Chocolate Chip
If you're a Chocolate Chip lover, you're a creative force to be reckoned with (this also applies to lovers of Cookies and Cream, Mint Choc Chip and other "chunky" ice creams). You've got a competitive streak a mile wide, but it brings out the best in you by forcing you to live up to your own demanding standards. You can be rather unforgiving at times with those who don't share your vision and drive, but friends value your magnetism, charm and originality. Chocolate Chips are best off with high-achieving Toffees and empathetic, insightful Chocolates.Now what this quiz is missing it one of my favourite ice-cream ingredients: bananas!!!
I propose that Banana lovers are playful, humourous, and moody. (I think of some more traits another time.)
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Literal Minded: Piss Like a Race-Horse
Ever wondered about the saying "I need to piss like a race-horse"? Well, here is enlightenment from a blog called Literal Minded: Linguistic commentary from a guy who takes things too literally
One thing I need clarified: I’ve never understood why race horses, in particular, need to piss so bad.Clarification:
I can clarify the racehorse thing. The phrase “need to piss like a racehorse” should be parsed [need to] [piss like a racehorse], *not* [need to piss] [like a racehorse]. In other words, racehorses have no special need to piss that other organisms do not. Rather, racehorses piss in a particular way, and the speaker needs to piss in that way. And what is that way, you ask? In a long gushing torrent, as you’ll know if you ever observe a racehorse pissing.More in depth clarification:
A good analysis. The only thing I’d change is his bracketing for the intended reading to [need to [ piss like a racehorse] ].Stellar comment:This is an example of an attachment ambiguity, in that we could theoretically attach the modifier like a racehorse to the “lower” verb phrase pee or to the “higher” verb phrase need to pee. As Glen explained, the intended attachment is to the lower verb, but why the tendency for at least one person, and probably many others, to attach it up high? I think it’s just because the entire phrase need to pee like a racehorse has the meaning of “need very intensely to urinate,” or as the commenter put it, “need to piss [really] bad.” (I mean, I can’t really think of any reason for needing to pee in a long, gushing torrent, other than that you urgently need to go. Can you?) So if that’s what the entire phrase means, and the “need to pee” part of the meaning is clearly taken up by the need to pee part of the phrase, then it stands to reason that the “bad/intensely” part of the meaning must correspond to what’s left: like a racehorse. And hence the bias toward attaching it to the higher phrase need to pee.
Of course, if need to pee like a racehorse is ambiguous in this way, so is need to pee really bad. I have fun attaching the really bad down low instead of up high, producing dialogues like this:
Doug or Adam: I need to pee really bad!
Neal: OK, go pee really bad!
The “Doug or Adam” dialogue reminds me of a card I once received inside a box of other things I got at a garage sale.It was the size of a business card, with a picture of a moose head on it. Think Bullwinkle or, if you’re an old Machead, the Talking Moose.
Anyway, on one side of the card it said “I need someone really bad.” When you flip it over, it read “Are you really bad?”
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