Monthly Archives: September 2009

When I was maybe 9, my parents got me a children’s picture book called Hello, Mars. It was beautifully illustrated in watercolor and came with an audio cassette, which I guess was an audiobook of the text. I saw it … Continue reading →

I was working yesterday on the scanner, and everything seemed to be running fine. Then halfway through, my heisenbug reappeared, and nothing would work. I rebooted the system (a complicated process), but that didn’t fix it either. I had the … Continue reading →

Last week, I tried to test my new pulse sequence (now with sub-millimeter precision!), but it wouldn’t run. Actually, that’s not quite right. It would run fine, and make the usual extremely loud MRI buzzing/banging sound, but no data would … Continue reading →

Caroline: Did you see our new stove? Are you excited? Me: I’m having difficulty getting excited about the cheapest stove that Sears will sell you Caroline: It’s the cheapest stove Sears will sell you in 2009, which is a big … Continue reading →

I got a bright yellow envelope last week from the Republican National Committee. “2009 Obama Agenda Survey” it said in bold all-caps. “Do Not Destroy” it said, revealing some insecurity, in still larger, bolder capitals. The included four page cover … Continue reading →

I got back from CT today, and observed some very good signs for the “New Year”. Among them: the roads were clear, so the trip took barely 2.5 hours, and I haven’t so much as sneezed all day.

For the third year running, my parents are hosting a Chinese exchange teacher, and for the last two years, Rosh Hashanah has fallen just as the new teachers are getting comfortable in their new role. Both years, the teachers have … Continue reading →

I’m headed home to CT for Rosh Hashanah, and all the usual family traditions that have been going since long before I was born. The weather forecast is clear for tomorrow, so I might also get a chance to go … Continue reading →

What causes fever, occasional dizziness, slight stomach upset, and a mild headache? Whatever it is, I seem to have it. I’m tempted to label it the world’s mildest case of flu, but it’s probably something else entirely, because according to … Continue reading →

This weekend was the RSI/CEE 25th Anniversary conference/reunion. It was a lot of fun. Imagine a weekend of hanging out with your friends and counselors from high school summer camp, except now they’re all academics, engineers, entrepreneurs, and quants. There … Continue reading →