Well, its been busy times for me the past few days:
I left Boston for the next ~2 months, to visit Beth and her family in Michigan before helping her move to Alaska and working from the road for roughly the whole month of July. Within hours of arriving I was attending a wedding rehersal (and more importantly a rehersal dinner). The next day, for the wedding itself I went with my Red Sox tie (along with a suit) which was a big success. Since Beth was in the bridal party and I wasn't going to necessarily get to spend much time with her, the tie was a nice conversation starter, especially since one of my two BFFWs (best friends for the wedding) grew up with Kevin Youkilis while the other was a big Cardinals fan (and guess who the Red Sox were playing that afternoon).
Now I'm trying to get myself used to doing work while I'm not chained to my desk in my office, and actually having moderate success so far. It damn well better contiue, or I'm going to be a grad student for another 20 years!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Number 17
I felt really happy for the Celtics and their longtime fans last night. It was fun for me, as part of the bandwagon, so it must've been especially sweet for everyone who's waited 20 years.
Not much else to say about it, but a special mention to Ray Allen, who's son was diagnosed with diabetes between games 5 and 6. He must've had a lot on his mind, but still managed to tie and set finals records for 3s in a game with 7 and in the series with 22. Congratulations, and good luck to you and your family in the future.
Not much else to say about it, but a special mention to Ray Allen, who's son was diagnosed with diabetes between games 5 and 6. He must've had a lot on his mind, but still managed to tie and set finals records for 3s in a game with 7 and in the series with 22. Congratulations, and good luck to you and your family in the future.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The bitch is back
Um, sorry, Beth, but I needed a catchy title.....
And anyway, since I think this blog might have been looked at a total of once by someone other than myself, I think I should be safe. Plus, you're coming to town to visit me as I write this (hence the title), so I can always explain it to your (/get slapped in my) face once you're here. Can't wait until you're here! Besim came up with some awesome suggestions for things to do while you're in town....
And anyway, since I think this blog might have been looked at a total of once by someone other than myself, I think I should be safe. Plus, you're coming to town to visit me as I write this (hence the title), so I can always explain it to your (/get slapped in my) face once you're here. Can't wait until you're here! Besim came up with some awesome suggestions for things to do while you're in town....
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Why what I do is important (if not interesting)
Rocks do a lot of exciting things (as far as I'm concerned), but what I study isn't one of them. Sigh.
Fortunately, the way rocks dissolve is kind of important, so at least I've got that going for me. Look at the formulas to the left (1a-3a): Step 1a forms a weak acid from water and carbon dioxide.
Step 2a uses that acid to dissolve a carbonate rock (limestone). This happens whenever rain mixed with CO2 falls on these rocks, and the rain eventually washes the weathering products into the ocean. Step 3a is what occurs when organisms living in the ocean use these weathering products to make their shells out of limestone. It's the exact reverse of step 2a. Now look at the carbon atoms in the equations (they're all highlighted in red): One carbon atom comes from the air, and one comes from the original limestone. In the end there is one carbon atom in the new limestone, and one has turned back into the weak acid (which is effectively the same as being returned to the air). So this process doesn't change the amount of CO2 in the air at all.
Now look at this second set of formulas. Step 1b is the same as step 1a above, except that the amounts of products and reactants are doubled, and a weak acid is created by combining carbon dioxide with rainwater. In Step 2b, the two acid molecules dissolve a single silicate rock,
producing the same weathering products as above, plus an extra water molecule and a molecule of quartz (we can ignore these last two from here on). Step 3b is again the same as step 3a above, as sea-critters make their shells out of limestone - but now look at the carbon molecules in this equation: Both carbon molecules come from the air, and although one is returned to the air at the end (okay, to the acid, but remember that they're effectively the same, as far as we're concerned), the other is now stored in rock!
So, yes, I did just use an exclamation point in a story about how rocks dissolve, but the fact that I'm a giant nerd isn't the take-home message here. The message is that the weathering of silicate minerals takes CO2 from the air and ends up storing it in rock! (another one, ha! (!)) So if you've ever wondered to yourself what controls the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere (essentially what causes climate change), this is it.
Which brings us to my job: I measure the chemistry of river water, which is essentially the sum of the weathering products from everywhere upstream conveniently mixed into a single bottle, and try my darndest to figure out which of these reactions they come from, and how much CO2 is being consumed by these processes.
Fortunately, the way rocks dissolve is kind of important, so at least I've got that going for me. Look at the formulas to the left (1a-3a): Step 1a forms a weak acid from water and carbon dioxide.
Step 2a uses that acid to dissolve a carbonate rock (limestone). This happens whenever rain mixed with CO2 falls on these rocks, and the rain eventually washes the weathering products into the ocean. Step 3a is what occurs when organisms living in the ocean use these weathering products to make their shells out of limestone. It's the exact reverse of step 2a. Now look at the carbon atoms in the equations (they're all highlighted in red): One carbon atom comes from the air, and one comes from the original limestone. In the end there is one carbon atom in the new limestone, and one has turned back into the weak acid (which is effectively the same as being returned to the air). So this process doesn't change the amount of CO2 in the air at all.Now look at this second set of formulas. Step 1b is the same as step 1a above, except that the amounts of products and reactants are doubled, and a weak acid is created by combining carbon dioxide with rainwater. In Step 2b, the two acid molecules dissolve a single silicate rock,
So, yes, I did just use an exclamation point in a story about how rocks dissolve, but the fact that I'm a giant nerd isn't the take-home message here. The message is that the weathering of silicate minerals takes CO2 from the air and ends up storing it in rock! (another one, ha! (!)) So if you've ever wondered to yourself what controls the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere (essentially what causes climate change), this is it.
Which brings us to my job: I measure the chemistry of river water, which is essentially the sum of the weathering products from everywhere upstream conveniently mixed into a single bottle, and try my darndest to figure out which of these reactions they come from, and how much CO2 is being consumed by these processes.
Monday, June 9, 2008
The Spring-ening
Every year it happens like something out of a horror movie, only made more terrifying by the twin facts that it's real and at first it seems like a blessing.
Following month after month of post-winter Boston weather suddenly a switch is flipped. The skies turn blue, birds sing, the temperature hits 70. After slogging through muck and murk since the previous October, grubbishly pale Boston residents stagger outside squinting in the sunlight. The winter gales slacken and the temperature creeps above 75, pushing 80 degrees. The birds sing, leaves appear on the trees and the streets fill with coeds in brightly colored sundresses. Truly this seems like a new Eden.
The next day, the mercury strikes 95. Sundresses are replaced with sunburns. The air turns green with pollen. Roommates fight over fans as indoor temperatures match those outside. Humidity reaches Amazonian levels. Anything foolish enough to step into direct sunlight is instantly incinerated. The Sissyphean changing of the seasons is past its peak.
Spring was nice this year. It lasted almost 2 days...
Following month after month of post-winter Boston weather suddenly a switch is flipped. The skies turn blue, birds sing, the temperature hits 70. After slogging through muck and murk since the previous October, grubbishly pale Boston residents stagger outside squinting in the sunlight. The winter gales slacken and the temperature creeps above 75, pushing 80 degrees. The birds sing, leaves appear on the trees and the streets fill with coeds in brightly colored sundresses. Truly this seems like a new Eden.
The next day, the mercury strikes 95. Sundresses are replaced with sunburns. The air turns green with pollen. Roommates fight over fans as indoor temperatures match those outside. Humidity reaches Amazonian levels. Anything foolish enough to step into direct sunlight is instantly incinerated. The Sissyphean changing of the seasons is past its peak.
Spring was nice this year. It lasted almost 2 days...
Friday, June 6, 2008
Can't save, no nest egg....
...in fact that nest is rented, in fact that rent is late! Sorry, John, I'll get that check to you tonight.
For the first time since I lived at 4333 Yuma St (and I'm not sure I realized it then) I live in a place that really feels like home, and is a really nice place to live. Not perfect, but I like the big living room and kitchen, my bedroom is just fine, and everybody knows I love the backyard. In fact, even though the weather is crap today I still think I might head out there and do some gardening tonight when I get home. I wish I didn't have to leave at the end of August.
Someday It'll be nice to have a place of my own....
For the first time since I lived at 4333 Yuma St (and I'm not sure I realized it then) I live in a place that really feels like home, and is a really nice place to live. Not perfect, but I like the big living room and kitchen, my bedroom is just fine, and everybody knows I love the backyard. In fact, even though the weather is crap today I still think I might head out there and do some gardening tonight when I get home. I wish I didn't have to leave at the end of August.
Someday It'll be nice to have a place of my own....
Celtics v Lakers
I know I'm on record as saying that I think the Lakers will win the series, and I know that makes me a terrible Cs fan, but last night's game gave me a little hope that Boston can win it all. No, it wasn't a dominant win, but it was an example of the things they have to do to win the series: harass the hell out of Kobe (24 points on 26(!) shots), outrebound the Lakers and avoid sloppy play. Its enough to make me glad I didn't go to bed at 10:30.
Two thoughts on the series:
(But the first one's a double) Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league, and the Lakers are the only team I'll watch play even though I'm not rooting for them. He's just so smooth all the time that its never suprising when he totally takes over a game. But with that said, I'm not sure there's anything more fun to watch than when Kevin Garnett goes into berserker mode to the point where even his teammates are getting scared of him. I would definitely watch a clip show of the "50 most insane KG moments," although I imagine it would be tough to whittle it down to just 50.
Paul Pierce better not be hurt too badly. I think a 50% P.P. could still be effective on the offensive end, but we absolutely have to have him able to help defend Kobe, or there's not way he keeps barely making 33% of his shots. Get well, soon!
Two thoughts on the series:
(But the first one's a double) Kobe Bryant is the best player in the league, and the Lakers are the only team I'll watch play even though I'm not rooting for them. He's just so smooth all the time that its never suprising when he totally takes over a game. But with that said, I'm not sure there's anything more fun to watch than when Kevin Garnett goes into berserker mode to the point where even his teammates are getting scared of him. I would definitely watch a clip show of the "50 most insane KG moments," although I imagine it would be tough to whittle it down to just 50.
Paul Pierce better not be hurt too badly. I think a 50% P.P. could still be effective on the offensive end, but we absolutely have to have him able to help defend Kobe, or there's not way he keeps barely making 33% of his shots. Get well, soon!
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