Job hunt woes #1

Today, I submitted my first of what will hopefully be a few applications for a permanent job.

Preparing my application package was a time-intensive process that has taken my attention away from day-to-day activities, like some research, some course prep, some exercise, and certainly re-organizing my office. On the other hand, I did find that it made me think seriously about my teaching philosophy and research goals. I think there is some value in keeping those ideas in mind.

I just remembered a random thing that has frequently annoyed me:

Watching home improvement shows on HGTV or TLC that show a renovation project that begins with a demolition where the renovator starts by swinging a sledge hammer willy nilly really drives me crazy. First of all, demolition in this manner creates a larger mess than necessary. It is far easier to clean up large chunks than the tiny pieces of shrapnel that the sledging creates. Secondly, anything that is constructed can be de-constructed. You can salvage material for scrap or reuse and you guarantee that base structures needed for rebuilding onto are not damaged. And finally, it takes more energy to swing the heavy hammer than is necessary. You get tired easily doing the demolition the way it is shown on TV. And lastly...I've never seen a pro do demolition with a sledge.

A. wins 316-252

A. wins 316-252
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

After a day trip to Allerton Park we stopped in at the Coffeehound in Bloomington for drinks and a game.

288-249

288-249
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. wins again big time.

A wins 342-341

A wins 342-341
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. led the whole game until the very last play. She had 68 points for "quits" and I had "slinGEr" for a bingo.

Science Friday: Making Science Radioactive

One of my favorite radio shows is Science Friday, which is on many NPR stations every Friday in the "Talk of the Nation" time slot. Last Friday, Ira talked with the current project manager and the former project manager of the Voyager space probes which are now 30 years old! (Hey...that's how old I am...) Listen to the podcast version of the show.

R. wins 255-253

R. wins 255-253
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

Tonight makes two in a row for R. This was a timed game, hence the lower score for both of us.

R. wins 354-263

R. wins 354-263
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. kicked my butt tonight! She got a bingo: griddle.

On my way home today, I walked the last three blocks on the Constitution Trail, which takes me right by a community garden at the Atwood Wayside right by home. I had my new toy with me and took a few photos of the flowers and the visitors they were attracting.

A. wins 307-272

A. wins 307-272
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I won, but only because "fart" is not in the recreational dictionary and R. let me play "jet," "jo," and "faro" with j on the TL square for 58 points.

A. wins 270-243

A. wins 270-243
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

In Charleston, SC.

...and we're off!

...and we're off!
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

On our way to TN!

Tonight I was playing around with Picasa and uploading some photos to picasweb. The following slideshow is what I like to call: "It's all about Jennette".

Nerd decorating

Awesome idea for a bathroom tile job.

clipped from www.google.com 12:52 AM (12 hours ago) Tetris shower from MAKE: Blog Showering + Tetris - Link. [Read this article] [Comment on this article]

Timed SCRABBLE

Timed SCRABBLE
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

This was the first timed game that we have ever played. I won 317-295 but no bingos.

Independence Day SCRABBLE

Independence Day SCRABBLE
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

We found a new Caribou Coffee to play at today. R. killed me: 381-276. She had a natural bingo: notions.

Saturday SCRABBLE at Starbucks

Saturday SCRABBLE at Starbucks
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

No bingos tonight. A. wins 342-257.

0629072116.jpg

0629072116.jpg
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

After getting my butt kicked twice in a row, I came back in style tonight. I had two bingos tonight: "angrily" and "attains"; both of which were natural bingos R. had a bingo, too:"goiters". She chose to hold the tiles for a few rounds until I opened a spot for her. Final score: 420-279.



Also, I finally figured out how to moblog with a photo from my new phone.

I'm finally starting to recover from the incredible Cubs win tonight against the Rockies. This is the sort of thing that Cubs fans are not used to seeing.

Tonight I also heard the first fireworks going off in the neighborhood. I really wish that the fireworks nutjobs would set them off between 10 pm and 11pm, instead of between 11:30 pm and 2:30 am. It makes it hard for those of us who keep the windows open to stay asleep. I suppose I should be glad that this is the first I've heard the fireworks. Last year it seemed like they started much earlier in Summer.

"...into center...it's going to drop down! Jones is in! Here comes Koyie Hill! CUBS WIN!!!"

I've watched that probably 20 times tonight. Still love it!

I went out to the Sugar Grove Observatory to do some impromptu observing with one of the TCAA members tonight (last night, it's now early morning) and met a nice couple who were out to see the ISS pass by at about 10:00pm. We waited and chatted, and right on schedule the ISS rose in the NW over the trees. But, what was amazing was that Atlantis had undocked and was about 10-15 degrees away from the ISS, trailing it. The transit across the sky took a minute or so, but it was enough time for me to call R. and let her know to go out and look at it. She pointed out that without the trailing shuttle she might not have been able to recognize the ISS in the midst of the O'Hare/Midway traffic, except that perhaps you could tell that the ISS and the shuttle did not have blinking lights on them. It was really neat to watch them disappear into the shadow of the Earth before they appeared to set. Really cool!

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