Traveling Dufus

Posted on March 1st, 2007 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

I often do some pretty stupid things.  Sometimes I realize that I am being stupid even as I am doing something.  Other times my stupidity dawns on me slowly.  And sometimes my stupidity sneaks up and surprises the shit out of me.  Yesterday was one of those days.

I had to be in New York for a meeting.  That meant getting up at 3:45 – which sucked all by itself.  I got to Logan with no problem.  Slept most of the flight to New York.  Grabbed a cab and started snapping photos on the way to the city.

When we pulled up at the hotel, I couldn’t find my wallet.  The driver, who’d been irritated and impatient during the drive didn’t seem so happy.  I wasn’t too happy myself.  I had just taken $120 out of the bank for the trip and now had nothing – no cash, no credit cards, no ID.  The only think I did have was a $60 fare.

I finally managed to reach a colleague who was staying at the hotel.  All the while I was waiting for her I could tell the driver was just smoldering.  Minutes went by.  My phone rang.  It was Wendy.  “Are you missing anything?” she asked.  It turns out that I’d left my wallet somewhere at Logan.  At least I knew where it was.

While I was waiting for Kristen, Scott Sikes, a colleague from Hong Kong, came walking out of the hotel.  He saw me in the cab and came over.  Ignoring pleasantries, I immediately asked him for the $60 dollars.  He had the money and gave it to me.  As I was paying the driver Kristen appeared.  For the moment, all was well.

The meetings were all well and good.  I may add something on them to my other blog but I doubt it.  The thought that kept running through my head though was getting back to Boston without an ID.  My assistant Amy was totally cool and helpful with all of this.  She let me know that I’d be able to get onto a flight but that I should be prepared for extra security.

She was right.  I got to La Guardia at about 5:30.  It took me a while to explain to explain my situation when I checked-in.  When I went through security I was naturally – and as expected – pulled aside for additional screening.  The screeners were nice.  One of them said he’d had the same thing happen to him last year in Charlotte.

Then my shoes set off the explosive detector.

“Well,” one of them said, “we’ll have to retest these.”  “Yeah,” said the other, “and if it goes off again we’re going to have some problems here.”  These were not comforting words.  Thankfully, the tertiary screening turned up nothing and I was sent on my way.

When I finally got to Boston, I went to retrieve my wallet.  “No wallets turned in today,” I was told.  “Are you sure,” I asked, “someone called my home to tell me it was here and where to pick it up.”  The blank-faced clerk just stared at me.  He stuck his head into a back office and confirmed that there were no wallets.  My patience began to wear thin.  I insisted that it must be there and asked that he physically check.

A few moments later he asked me my name.  When he had confirmed my identity, he produced the wallet – with the $120 still inside.

So while it was stupid of me to lose/leave my wallet, everything worked out alright in the end.  But that doesn’t mean I didn’t feel like an idiot anyway.

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My violin

Posted on February 4th, 2007 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc, Music.

I started asking my parents for violin lessons when I was ten or 11 years old.  Because I’d asked to start so many things - and then lost interest - they held me at bay for a couple of years.  Some time in the sixth grade, when I was 12 or so, they relented.  My teacher was Mrs. Goldstein - a German woman in her 60s or 70s.  I took lessons with her for five or six years - until I moved away from home when I was 17.

For the first couple of years I borrowed a violin from my teacher.  Once my parents were convinced that I was sticking with it they finally agreed to buy me a violin of my own.  It was nothing special, but I had it for many, many years.  It had been dropped many times and the top and back were both cracked.  There were sections where the varnish was worn away but I liked it very much.

I played it until 1998 or 99 when I decided it was time for something new.  I brought my old violin to a shop in Harvard Square and traded it - and a chunk of cash - for my violin.  Thirty years after I started begging my parents to let me play I am still playing. The fact is though that I’m not very good and never have been.  I play because I like it and have fun doing it.

My violin

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New Camera

Posted on January 18th, 2007 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

I love Flickr.  I post pictures every day and have great fun taking them.  A few months ago I started to find that there were pictures I wanted to take that just didn’t work out; so I began thinking about a new camera.

Since I’m not that clear on the concept, I decided to get something used and so on Saturday, thanks to Craig’s List, I became the proud owner of a Canon EOS Digital Rebel.  It is almost four years old so it doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles of newer models but considering my use and the price it was perfect.

I brought it with me on a trip to San Francisco on Sunday; and while I didn’t really get to take as many pictures as I would have liked, I did have the chance to fool around with it and l liked it very much.  I can’t wait to spend more time with it.

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What is eBay thinking???

Posted on December 6th, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Technology, Misc.

I make no bones about the fact that I was an idiot and was duped into buying an Xbox 360 wholesale list when I thought I was buying the actual device.  I’ve written the whole sorry tale in another post and have been happy to tell anyone (including the media) how foolish I was and how poorly I was treated by eBay/PayPal.

eBay recognized that “showbidding” had taken place and told me that the seller was no longer allowed on eBay.  Imagine my surprise today then, when a reporter emailed me the seller’s active profile.  What is eBay thinking?

I’ve sent the details to eBay’s PR team and am waiting for them to explain.  It should be interesting.

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First Snow

Posted on December 4th, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

It’s snowing this morning in Boston.  It’s the first snow of the season and, as happens every year, I’m mesmerized.  This is not an especially nice snow fall - it looks wet and except on grass and rooftops it isn’t sticking (which is good since it’s 8:00 here and rush hour is underway).

Looking up at the snow while it is coming down always makes me feel dizzy and disconnected in a good way.  By noon the skies are meant to clear and I expect that there’ll be nothing to show for this first snow by the end of the day (or at least in the next few days).

While it’s falling though it’s good to watch and I bet I’m not the only person sitting this morning and thinking of winters gone by and the one that’s just arrived.

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Doctor - 11.27

Posted on November 27th, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

Today I had my annual physical.  It was  my first since I turned 40.

  • Height - 68″
  • Weight - 167.7 lbs.
  • Colon/Prostate - A-OK
  • Testicles - two, no lumps
  • Blood Pressure - 112/82
  • Cholesterol - good, high/bad, normal
  • Flu Vaccine - received

Next month I will visit the cardiologist to check in on the hole in my heart.

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Over the River

Posted on November 23rd, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

I chose the name “Over the River” for this blog because the view from my window is out over the Charles River. I also end up going “over the river” regularly for meetings or to see friends. I’ve noticed an uptick in people coming to the site looking for the lyrics to the song, “Over the River,” and because I’m a pretty good guy, I’ve posted a few different versions below. Happy Holidays.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and through the woods
To Grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the woods,
Oh, how the wind does blow.
It stings the toes and bites the nose
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and through the woods
To have a full day of play.
Oh, hear the bells ringing ting-a-ling-ling,
For it is Christmas Day.

Over the river and through the woods,
Trot fast my dapple gray;
Spring o’er the ground just iike a hound,
For this is Christmas Day.

Over the river and through the woods
And straight through the barnyard gate.
It seems that we go so dreadfully slow;
It is so hard to wait.Over the river and through the woods,
Now Grandma’s cap I spy.
Hurrah for fun; the pudding’s done;
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie.

Over the River and Through the Woods

Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes,
And bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring,
“Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!
Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the River (or Thanksgiving Day) Written By: Lydia Maria Child; Music By: Unknown

Over the river and thru the wood,
To grandfather’s house we go;
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh,
Thru the white and drifted snow, oh!

Over the river and thru the wood,
Oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose,
As over the ground we go.

Over the river and thru the wood,
To have a first-rate play;
Oh, hear the bell ring, “Ting-a-ling-ling!”
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day-ay!

Over the river and thru the wood,
Trot fast my dapple gray!
Spring over the ground,
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day.

Over the river and through the wood,
And straight through the barnyard gate.
We seem to go extremely slow
It is so hard to wait!

Over the river and through the wood –
Now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!

I always thought of this as being a Thanksgiving song so it’s interesting that the first version has adapted it for Christmas. I’ve also always heard it as, “to Grandmother’s house we go,” but except for the first version the other two both say “Grandfather’s house.” The last of the three versions, from the Department of Health and Human Services, seems the most complete and genuine since it includes the name of the woman who wrote the lyrics at least. I’ll probably just sing the first verse, over and over, the way I remember it:

Over the river and through the woods
To grandmother’s house we’ll go
The horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh
Through bright and drifting snow-o

Over the river and through the woods
To granmother’s house we’ll go
The horse knows the way, to carry the sleigh
Through bright and drifting snow

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Andy Lam is back

Posted on November 22nd, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

My old friend Andy Lam, who stumbles into my world from time to time, has surfaced once again with a new blog.  He’s a rare bird and I’m glad to see he’s back.

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New Flickr group - Inside Common Objects

Posted on November 20th, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Misc.

Lately I’ve been interested in what is inside the things we see around us every day - walls, handrails, vending machines, etc.  I’ve started taking pictures of the inside of common objects and have started a new Flickr group dedicated to the topic.  It’s off to a glacial start but I still like it.  Here are a few of the shots that are on there.  Check it our and be sure to post any photos you have that fit.

Handrail

Inside a handrail in Kenmore Square

Longfellow Bridge Railing

Inside a handrail on the Longfellow Bridge

Inside my exhaust

Inside my car’s exhaust pipe

Inside can redemption machine

Inside a can redemption machine

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MIT Communications Forum: The Craft of Writing Science Fiction with Joe Haldeman

Posted on November 17th, 2006 by GregPC.
Categories: Technology, Misc.

Last night’s Communication Forum was different than the ones I’ve attended in the past. Where those had had a number of panelists talking about a specific topic, this one featured only one person talking about a very broad theme.

Joe Haldeman is a professor of writing at MIT and is a four-time Nebula winner. His novels include The Forever War, Old Twentieth and Camouflage. The evening was moderated by Henry Jenkins, head of the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program.

Haldeman started by reading several selections from his upcoming novel, “The Accidental Time Machine,” a story set in and around MIT over the course of shifting time. Based on what he read last night it should be great.

Jenkins asked about the story’s representation of MIT and Haldeman said that he enjoyed the opportunity to think about and research the history of the school. Even at the start, he found it was very forward-looking – yet cautions it the way it watched out for the conservative sensibilities of the time. Toward the end of “The Accidental Time Machine”, the protagonist finds himself on the early campus of MIT - a man with no history but a man who knows (but won’t reveal) the future. Haldeman enjoyed the opportunity to explore the issues presented by this scenario.

The conversation turned next to an interesting feature of speculative fiction: not only are the stories about science, they are also about scientists. Haldeman, who has been around scientists since he was an undergrad, says they are misrepresented in fiction – and he has tried to make his scientists realistic and bases them on people that he has known. “A great thing about being a novelist,” he said, “is that anybody who’s ever done anything bad to you, you can get back at them sooner or later.”

The work of doing science, he continued, required tremendous intellectual discipline – without the ability to explain or share what you do with anyone not involved with your specific field. If you want to write a realistic science fiction story, you need to recognize that science is extremely compartmentalized.

In the early days on science fiction, Jenkins noted, the scientist was often portrayed as a lone tinker or inventor. Now the scientist is represented in a corporate environment or research institution. He wondered how this changed the types of stories the science fiction tells. Haldeman suggested that one needs to rethink the satisfaction of science. One of the reasons he left science was the realization that he wouldn’t ever be that lone hero of astrophysics and that his attraction to science was “aesthetic rather than intellectual.”

One of the ideas behind hard science fiction – beginning with Hugo Gernsback – is that it be used to popularize science and be a means to educate people. Gernsback’s idea was that there should be a literary form to make scientific ideas accessible to ordinary people. He went so far as to consider printing all of the scientific facts in a story in italics but he realized that there was a value in the speculative aspect of science fiction.

Gernsback was an interesting figure, according to Haldeman, because he believed that the only value of science fiction was in turning young people into scientists or engineers. Unfortunately, Gernsback couldn’t tell good writing from bad - demonstrating the paradox that something can be good science fiction but terrible writing. “The thing about science fiction,” said Haldeman, “is that it’s a form of writing; but it’s also a way of looking at things, it’s a mode of thought.”

Jenkins asked Haldeman to share some of his memories of some of the pioneer of science fiction. He talked about Jack Williamson (who died only a few days before the Forum) and Edmund Hamilton; and about Williamson and Hamilton traveling down the Mississippi together in the 1920s and the conversations they must have had, and about Hamilton’s huge imagination and about Williamson being just one of a kind. Haldeman told of visiting Williamson at his home in New Mexico and of a conversation they had about gravitational lensing in globular clusters and its implications for planetary formation. “Jack knew exactly what I was talking about,” he said, “We’d read the same articles – he was a science fiction writer. There are a lot of people writing science fiction now, that wouldn’t know a carbonaceous chondrite asteroid from their ass.”

This led into a discussion of the science fiction writer as a consumer of scientific research.

Haldeman felt that it isn’t so much reading the research as it is observation. He reads New Scientist and Scientific American and related a story. A few days ago, returning home on the T from teaching, he was reading the latest New Scientist. There was an article about Wendy Mao and her team of researchers who’d compressed water under thousands of atmospheres of pressure for six hours and then bombarded it with x rays. The result was an alloy of metallic hydrogen and oxygen. “Oh,” he remembered thinking, “we never came up with that.”

“Can you believe this shit?,” he said. “Because this is the way I did chemistry in junior high school. I can imagine them now: ‘well, we’ve got this thing, why don’t we put water in it and crush it down with diamond pressure, and then, while we’ve got it that way, lets just put x rays on it for six hours and see what the fuck happens’.”

Jenkins wanted to know what type of responses this article triggered for Haldeman as a writer. His immediate response, he said, to the article was social – just imagining her and her gang thinking about and conducting this experiment. He described his efforts at imagining a new kind of alien and how he was inspired by plastination exhibit at the Boston Museum of Science to consider a life form that exists on a radically different timescale than our own. [Haldeman requested that the details not be shared as it may be included in an upcoming novel.]

Haldeman recently wrote a piece for the Comparative Media Studies newsletter about the mission of science fiction at a time when science itself is under attack and Jenkins asked that he share that vision. “Religion is out of hand on a lot of different levels and science fiction is a tool against religion. Science fiction is a tool for rationalism,” he said. “Things like faith-based initiatives work really well – 9/11 was a faith-based initiative and that changed all of American life.”

The discussion had been focused on the scientific part of science fiction, but now things turned to the literary issues. Jenkins brought up the complaint that science fiction often lacks strong characterization and other literary niceties. Herdeman pointed out that most of his fiction is character based because he writes things that he would like to read. He believes that the best science fiction needs to do a good job on both the science and the fiction.

Jenkins asked Herdeman to talk about what he has learned from other writers - and particularly Hemingway, of whom is is a big fan. Hemingway, Herdeman explained, hated science fiction. He’s read all of the legitimate Hemingway and listen to and presented papers on him as well. He believes that all writer should be fascinated with another writer to help them develop a filter.

“It’s like in optics,” Herdeman explained, “you can have limited band pass filters, it can tell you a lot about something that you’re looking at. You get a hydrogen three filter and look at a cloud of gas out in the middle of the constellation Cygnus and you see a thing that nobody could see without the filter. And then you take the filter away and see what everybody else is seeing.” When he reads something like Faulkner, Herdeman is able to apply his Hemingway limited band pass filter to imagine how Hemingway would have written the passage. “The thing that makes reading and writing infinitely fascinating is this idea that everybody brings his own set of filters to every situation.”

Herdeman went on to relate an experience he’d had that helped him to understand filters and point of view. When he was in the fifth grade, someone published a 3D comic book. The entire story took place in a saloon and featured an outlaw causing trouble who was eventually killed by the sheriff. The story was first told from the sheriff’s point of view, and then from the outlaw’s and then from people simply in the bar. When he finished the comic he suddenly understood that there were billions of ways to tell a story.

Given his role as teacher of writing at MIT, Jenkins wondered about the challenges of getting scientists to write science fiction. The first issue he raised was their timidity – the fact that fledgling scientists tend to be cautious. Another issue is that at MIT, the people taking the course don’t want to be writers and so sometimes they are not terribly concerned with things like style or the quality of their writing.

The conversation next moved to the theme of war, how it is portrayed in fiction and how Herdeman as both a writer and a veteran has approached the topic. “If you’ve been a soldier, writing about war is the first natural thing to do.” Like most vets, his first novel was a war novel. He’s written some since, considered others and may well write more in the future. “I was a soldier for one year – exactly 365 days – 40 years ago – and much of it is still right there all the time.”

Herdeman’s war writing has led to comparisons to Robert Heinlein and some have pointed to “The Forever War” as an answer to “Starship Troopers.” The two were of different generations, different wars (Heinlein fought in WWII) and different points of view – but they had a begrudging respect for one another.

Asked about “Enders Game,” Herdeman agreed that it was the logical for it to be grouped with the other two. “I’d love to see a 3D mapping of the various ideas in the three books. If anyone wants an easy Masters thesis there you go.” Herdeman sees Orson Scott Card as as far from a soldier as you could get but here he’s written a novel with war on a massive scale. “He’s a fine guy but he’s got his limited band pass and I’ve got my limited band pass and never the two shall meet.”

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