L.A.B. Unleashed

Really funny article if you are a fan of The Office (thanks Krissy!)  My favorite part:

How to fast track your career? Do you have any advice for our readers?
The most important job in any office is being a great number two. Being a great yes-man. I would much rather work at Avis then at Hertz.

And why is that?
They’re number two and they try harder. Just as I do.

Link to interview: http://money.cnn.com/2006/08/10/magazines/fortune/rainnwilson_interview.fortune/index.htm

Great concert last night at the Tweeter Center!  "A little rain never hurt anyone" was Sheryl Crow’s opening line, and it was true.  Despite the horrible weather, the show turned out to be this giant ball of energy filled with light, sound,  and warmth that permeated throughout the audience.

I had never seen Sheryl Crow in concert before and she was really great.  Hilarious watching here trying to dance … actually, it was quite awkward and made me uncomfortable, now that I really think about it.  I had to look away at one point when she threw her leg out like a dog peeing on a fire hydrant.  She was definitely making fun of herself (at least I hope she was), but I think a few quick dance lessons wouldn’t hurt.  I’m not saying she should dance like Britany, but just be able to do something that doesn’t make the audience feel awkward. 

This is the … wait let me count … 7th time I have seen John Mayer in concert.  I used to be a hugely obsessed fan, but have calmed down quite a bit in my mature age.  The first time I saw J-dawg in concert was at Sweet Briar.  He was touring with Glen Phillips then, and no one had any idea who he was, or was going to be.  They set him up in our cafeteria with a few round tables around a make shift stage.  It was a random Tuesday night at an all girls school … no guys around … I’m sure he was feeling pretty good about himself.  In any case, we (aka my girlfriends and I) followed the tour up to Charlottesville (UVA) for a show the next night, and we were hooked.  He puts on a good show.  Changes the songs up a lot, does really creative, funky intros, and has a great sense of humor that projects from the stage.  We heard a few new songs from the unreleased album Continuum last night, and I will definitely download it (legally) when it comes out.

I would have loved to see the two of them perform Picture together, but the closest we got to a joint performance was JM doing backup guitar for My Favorite Mistake.  Pretty sweet … but no Kid Rock.

Speaking of a joint performance, I was talking to my friend Krissy today who got us the tickets, and she filled me in on a little side performance that was going on.  She asks if I am going to mention the "older couple lighting up next to us" in my blog entry today.  I reply with "what do you mean?".  She is astonished that I didn’t notice, but goes on to explain that the couple next to her were toking it up all night.  The smell was so strong that it permeated all her clothes, made her eyes water, and left everyone around us making comments about the stench.  I DID NOT SMELL A THING … NOT A THING.  So I guess my sense of smell is still long gone … and in true Michael Scott fashion … I had no idea any smoking was going on … "clove cigarettes or otherwise". 

Imagine a room of 25 people at a cocktail party.  They are loud, they’ve had a few drinks, and everyone is talking at the same time.  There is a famous mathematical problem that asks the question: how can you separate these 25 people’s voices so that not only can you understand what they are saying, but you are also able to keep the integrity of their voice?  Many solutions have been found to answer the first part of that question.  I’m sure you’ve seen on TV when the FBI separates out some voices in a room and then translates the conversation into a robot’s voice that plays it back.  The reason why they always use the "robot voice" is because the 2nd half of that question has not been answered – how can you keep the integrity, the inflection, the actual sound of the voice when you do the separation?  It is very exciting news that this problem was solved by  researchers at the University of Missouri.

"Theoretically, our solution says you should be able to pick up voices on a squeaky old microphone and then separate them all out so that you can hear what each person is saying in his or her own voice," said Peter Casazza, professor of mathematics in MU’s College of Arts and Science. "This is a very old problem, and we have the first mathematical solution to it."

The article goes on to say that some work needs to be done in developing a computer algorithm that can consistently do this math.  Right now, the algorithm they use seems to be somewhat of a trial and error approach.  This is a huge breakthrough though, and I will be interested to hear more on how it is developed.

In the meantime, I wonder if they will throw a ton of cocktail parties as part of their research?!  That would seem legitimate to me!

In a previous post I talked about 1 of the 7 millenium problems that has been solved – The Poincare’ Conjecture.  The reclusive Russian, Grigory Perelman, was due to receive the Fields Medal today in Madrid, but he refused to show up!

The reasons for Perelman’s refusal remain unclear, though press reports say he was hurt at not being re-elected a member of St Petersburg’s Steklov Mathematical Institute last December.

John Ball, chair of the Fields Medal Committee, told a news conference he spent two fruitless days in St Petersburg trying to convince Perelman to accept the award.

The Fields Medal, the Nobel Prize of Mathematics … and he did not attend?!  I am suspect of the article saying he was "hurt" by not being elected to a position.  Seems like that is something that would not hold you back from accepting the most prestigious mathematical award ever in person.  The Wall Street journal article painted a much different picture.  Not one of a bitter, pouty, genius trying to make a point, but as a mysterious, reclusive, genius who’s intellect is far beyond what one could imagine.  At least they both agree on the genius part.  If we choose to imagine the character from the Wall Street Journal, I could see how this genius of a person simply doesn’t like the lime light and is satisfied knowing that he solved the problem.  I wonder if he will claim the $1 million dollar prize offered by the Clay Institute of Mathematics?  I would bank on that prize going unclaimed.  He probably doesn’t feel that he needs any awards – monetary or otherwise – although both prizes are truly deserved.  If $1 million dollars doesn’t bring you out of your shell, I don’t know what would!

There is nothing more boring than having your own For Sale By Owner Open House.  I’m sitting here right now, bored out of my mind.  The anticipation … will anyone actually show up … it’s killing me.  It’s not like we’ve done any real advertising, so I should realize the answer to that pending question is a big fat NO.  Of course, there is always a glimmer of hope.  Another unit in our building is open tonight, so I posted some signs in the entry way in the hopes of latching on to someone else’s expensive publicity. 

In any case, it was quite the extravagant week we had here in Boston as far as eating out is concerned.  Restaurant Week 2006 kicked off last Sunday night and since then I’ve been to 4 different places.  It is running for 2 weeks this year which only heightens the temptation to book at all kinds of crazy restaurants.  Here is my take on the places we have been this week:

Sunday 8/13 – The Wine Cellar:   A tiny, yet usually very expensive hole in the wall on Mass. Ave.  Known for it’s yummy fondue and exceptional wine list, it was able to live up to at least one of those titles.  We did not find the fondue very yummy, but the wine list was great!  Maybe we are not fondue people, but there were 4 of us there, and none of us were impressed.  To start we had a traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue, which was easily the best out of the 3 courses.   It was served with soft bread cubes and hash brown potatoes for dipping.  The next course was a beef and shrimp fondue.  The quality of beef was nothing special and they really skimped on the shrimp.  The dessert fondue course was alright, but nothing that you couldn’t throw together at home in 15 minutes – a few Hersery’s bars would do the trick.   Overall, I would not head back there, and was glad we weren’t paying top dollar to dine that night.

Tuesday 8/15 – Azure: My sister and I decided to try something new and trendy.  She picked it based on the number of ‘$’ next to it’s title on the Restaurant Week Website.  Smart – because that’s how you get the most for your money when it comes to Restaurant Week.  The ambiance was really neat – very aquatic, but not overly done.  Blue tiles and nice lighting added to the clean lines of the bar and surrounding tables.  We really enjoyed everything we ate here.  I started with mussels in an amazing tomato cream sauce.  Then the Halibut was really tasty, breaded with a tomato based reduction.  Finally, the dessert I chose was a lemon pound cake, with fruit, and fresh whipped cream.  Scrumptious … all around!  I need to bring Kevin back sometime!!

Friday 8/18 – Anthony’s Pier 4:  Kevin and I decided to revive date night – old school style!  My parents used to go their when they were dating, and the place does have quite a bit of unique history that gives it its charming ambiance.  The food was amazing and overwhelming.  The wine list was a book, and the standard 3 courses did not apply.  The pop over lady was not shy with the basket of fresh warm pop overs, and other appetizers such as marinated mushrooms were served complimentary.  This was one of our favorite Restaurant Week places ever!  We were seated right by the window, so we had a commanding view of the city.  I had oysters on the 1/2 shell, scallops, and chocolate mouse for dessert.  As we looked around, we did notice that there were not a lot of young couples there, and that sentiment was topped off when a mature woman at the table next to us randomly passed out in the middle of dinner and had to be rolled out on a stretcher.  She was fine after a little oxygen.  The poor woman!  Even with all the drama, it was a wonderful meal and we will definitely go back!  I could see a revival happening here … it was the place to go back in the day!

Monday 8/21 – Meze:  This neighborhood restaurant we have been to before, but they really stepped it up for Restaurant Week!  I started with my new favorite drink – a dirty martini with at least 6 olives.  I really liked the beefiness and saltiness of the olives!  Next I had the shrimp gazpacho which was really really great.  Such a satisfying cold summer dish.  Next, I had baby octopus with chickpeas, and finished the meal with a lamb entree cooked to perfection.  My favorite thing about Meze is all the appetizers.  It’s a great place to go and order in a tapas style fashion.  It is a Greek restaurant, so the fresh humus, pita, and olives are a lovely start.  From there you can order some pretty crazy Greek dishes, including grilled calamari, which is one of my favorites! 

Overall, Restaurant Week has been wonderful this year and there are still 4 whole days/nights left if you haven’t been yet!  I have certainly had my fill, as has my wallet!  It’s a great deal for 3 courses, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are spending the $$ in the first place, does it?!

By the way … NO ONE came!!!  I’m starting to think listing with a broker is inevitable….

I write two different numbers, one on each hand. You choose one of my hands at random, I show you the number on that hand. You now guess whether the number you’ve seen is larger than the number you haven’t seen. Find a strategy for guessing such that, no matter what two numbers I write, you have greater than a 50% chance of being correct.  (Borrowed from here, which was borrowed from there).

I posted my answer here (user name lab) and would love to hear other people’s thoughts…..

I was out for my morning walk with Kobe and was reminded, by an eerie silence, of the missing dodo birds around the neighborhood.  It was just a few weeks ago that 2 immature seagulls, aka dodo birds, had fallen out of their nests and were stuck on the ground because they were still too young to fly.  The rest of the seagull regimen would position itself on top of a few key buildings, and post lookouts at each corner – protecting their babies from predators like a big, goofy, yellow lab named Kobe. 

 

After one lookout spots the big yellow monster, it sounds the war call – not the usual screeches of a seagull.  More of a calculated, moderate sounding, cooing.  Like "hey guys … don’t look now … but a predator is coming…".  After a few coos from the lookout, a silent formation of gulls closes in on the target – US.  Once they are close enough to swoop – they start a coordinated dive bomb attack, where one dives while the other rises, and so on, so that to us …. there is constant dive bombing.  Also, they are not afraid to use their "missiles" if you know what I mean.  Luckily, they do not have great aim.  But, the giant, slimy, poops hitting the ground all around you do add to the chaos, they are doing a great job of creating.  All of that chaos … for this little guy:

He is pretty cute – all fuzzy and dodo bird like.  Kobe is fascinated with him (or her I suppose).  He is a bird dog to begin with, but is bored with pigeons, ducks, and geese that he sees everyday.  But that little guy … he’s like nothing Kobe had ever seen before.  He’s the perfect size too … bigger than a boring old pigeon … but smaller than a goose that could fight back … the perfect bird dog target!

Of couse, it does not help when Kevin eggs Kobe on … "go get ‘em … go get ‘em" …

The poor little dodo bird waddles for his life!  And, he does make it away … partly because of the coordinated dive bomb attack of his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, and family friends, but mostly because we would NEVER let Kobe attack a bird.  There was that one time that he pinned an entire pigeon to the ground with his mouth, but it’s not like he clenched down with his teeth or anything like that.

In any case, my walk this morning was very quiet.  No dodo birds, no warrior calls, no dodging of goo falling from the sky.  I guess the little guys (or girls) have grown up and flown away.  They are probably up in a nest on top of their building looking down on us thinking … "damn dog … if I had known better when I was on the ground, I should of pecked it’s face off".  Maybe we should watch our back … one of these days, maybe Mr. Dodo will come back to haunt us during a leisurely stroll.

Big happenings these past couple of weeks!  I got through some major milestones at work and we decided to sell our house and move – those are the two big things that have been engulfing much of my time.  The house thing might come as a shock to some – we are always ranting and raving about how much we love our place and the neighborhood.  Recently, though, we’ve felt like we could use a little more space.  We are looking to stay in the neighborhood, but get an extra bedroom … that sort of thing … nothing crazy.  We are selling our place first, and in true techie fashion have created a temporary website.  We are doing a FSBO just until Labor Day, then we will list with a great broker we met in town.  Tell your friends.

The weekends have been filled with boat excursions and cleaning out the condo.  I mentioned our big trip up to Salem Harbor with our "slip mates" D & C and our ctown buddies B & M.  Highlights of that trip definitely included dinner at the floating restaurant in Salem Harbor where they server 20oz Coronas in the bottle – a thing of  true beauty. 

We anchored about 100 yards away from the resturant, and they have a launch that goes around to pick people up.  They dropped us back at our boat after dinner … true float to boat service!

Later that evening we made smores on the grill, and new recipe that Beth came up with.  Actually, she remembered it from camp many  years ago.  It’s pretty much a smore, stuffed inside a banana … without the graham cracker.  Although, using the banana innards as a spread on a graham cracker was quite good.  I have to warn you … the picture makes it look REALLY DISGUSTING.  Good thing it was pitch dark out, otherwise, I don’t think any of us would have eatten the "Banana Boat a la Smore":

<< I was going to embed the image here, but after I did, it looked too gross, and I had to remove it.  Click here if you really want to see it >>

SERIOUSLY … NASTY … I KNOW!!!!  But tastes so good when it hits your lips … believe me!  That catches us up a bit for now.  More to come later….

Work is nuts, and the last thing I want to do these days is spend extra time on the computer blogging.  I have a lot to write about though, so let me jot down a few title teasers that I will hopefully blog about in the coming days.

 "Nerve cells are like a leaf … "
Follow up appointment at Mass Eye and Ear was interesting.  No tubes up the nose this time, and no scratch and sniff test … just an in depth lecture about how the nerve endings from my nose to my brain are dead.  Dead like a leaf off a tree.

 "Anchoring Old School Style"
Big weekend voyage to Salem Harbor!  Navigating there in the boat was a breeze (although I was not the one driving), and sleeping down below was cozy!  Two boats, 6 people … we dropped anchor "old school style" between Salem and Marblehead.  Gorgeous weather, a floating restaurant, late night smores, drinks, ghost stories, and a giant 45 degree salt bath to wake you up in the morning  …  I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend!

 "Attack of the killer beach chicken"
The seagulls in the Navy Yard are guarding their chicks, and a couple of these little dodo birds have fallen from their nests.  They can not fly yet, so they waddle around on the ground.  Kobe loves to dart at them, while the adult seagulls swarm in a coordinated attack.  I’ve got great picture documentation.