Wow, lack of updates around here. Yeah, I’ve been busy, plus when I do have a bit of time here and there to devote to web-land, it’s to work on my new site which is coming soon. This development was prompted by a few things: the sometimes precarious existence of JediNet and hence the email address I’ve primarily used over the past six years, and the approaching-all-too-quickly end of my stay at Waterloo and hence the email and web space that goes along with that. I need something a little more permanent and under my own control, and having my own domain (cheaply) hosted seemed like the best way to go.
My classes this term are looking really good. Biostats with Professor Brown should give me a better idea of the kind of work done in my field, particularly the design and analysis of various studies like case-controls and clinical trials. Basically how statistical principles and methods are used in medical research. Generalized linear models is the other course I’m registered in, and I’m looking forward to doing some real math. Equations and symbols were sorely missed during the summer. The prof, Richard Cook, is really good and is apparently building a great reputation for himself in the biostats world. I’m also sitting in on a class on stochastic processes. That one has been really interesting so far, closer to ‘real’ math (as some of the purists would see it) than what I get in most other stats courses.
I have to mention I was in a really bad mood for most of the day. I’m currently halfway through The Dark Tower VII, and yeah I know they’re only fictional characters in a made up story … but damnit, I’ve been invested in the outcome of this series since I first read The Gunslinger back in grade seven as the family drove down to Florida. And right now, I’m so conflicted with the novel.
It might just be the most anticipated book in my life, but once I’m done reading it … that’s it, it’s over. No more adventures in Mid-World or strange reflections of our own. No more gunslingers, or Breakers, or any other of the characters and creatures that populate the series. The ka-tet will truly be broken.
I’m also torn at how this final installment is evolving. It’s amazing … and horrible at the same time. A good book should give you that feeling of anticipation and excitement in your stomach, and that’s certainly been the case. But today made me sick to my stomach, the losses are tough to bear. (BTW, that’s no real spoiler that things aren’t going to end happily ever after for our group of gunslingers.) Fine, fine, I should get a life … but at least indulge me while I get through the final 500 pages.
Campus rec is providing some opportunities to keep busy this term. I’m on soccer team with fellow grad students from statistics and actsci, as well as a mathie ultimate team – both non-competitive. The first soccer game was fun, although the other team didn’t show. We had enough players for two teams, though. Mine won 6-0 and I managed to score a couple of goals. I’m also taking intermediate squash lessons, which I’ll be starting tomorrow evening.
New roommates are working out great, no complaints so far. It’s fun answering Lars’ questions about little things about our culture that I take for granted. We’ve turned him into a Gilmore Girls fan; in fact the two of us were camped out in front of the TV last week watching the season premiere.
I saw Garden State again a couple of Fridays ago. I’ve listened to the soundtrack many times between viewings and it does a great job of capturing the mood of the movie. It’s definitely one of the top movies I’ve seen this year, it has a way of lingering in your mind. I went with Donna, who seemed to really enjoy it as well, and I had a great time. I love it when you can show someone something a little under-the-radar like this movie and they can appreciate it.
Speaking of movies, the holy grail of DVD is now available as I’m sure everyone knows. I picked up the set last Tuesday and on consecutive days I went over to Luke’s so we could watch the original Star Wars movies. The older I get and the more familiar they are to me, the more the silliness of the movies comes through. But c’mon, how can you ever really critique Star Wars?
A marathon will be happening on Wednesday night … almost like a special edition 1/4 Movie Day. Me, Mike, Sven and possibly a guy from his work will be heading to Sven’s parents’ place to watch the movies back-to-back-to-back. Kick ass.
Lin came into KW this weekend to visit, and I got together with her and Sakina yesterday morning for brunch at Mel’s. With Sakina’s influence they were able to counter Lin’s chronic lateness somewhat and were only about 5 minutes tardy. It worked out well since the place was so packed we still had to wait a few more until a booth was ready. They’re trying to convince me to go to the charity ball … but that sounds suspiciously like something where I’d need to get dressed up, not exactly up there on my list of favorite things to do. And there’d be dancing, of which I’m not one to partake. And I’d be expected to *pay* for this privilege. I was noncommittal in my answer. If they can convince me there will be other boring people there I can just sit and talk to, that may be okay. We’ll see.
Time’s flying by … between my extended vacation, frosh week, and two weeks of classes it’s been a couple months or more since I’ve seen a few local people. I’m setting up lunches with Greg and Sarah T for this week. I should see what Kelli and Sarah B are up to and if they’re free maybe next week.
That’s what my past couple of weeks have been like. Now the homework is starting to kick in, so I better get some more done on that. Maybe a little reading break first, though …
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