...and that's why you always leave a note!

Sun, 17 May 2009 04:04:30 GMT

A half asleep Gail, looking out the window at lawn decorations while I was driving home tonight:

"Look, fully functioning, miniature windmills! Made by the field mice! Now, the thing that's most impressive about those windmills isn't that they were built by mice, but that they were constructed by tiny cyborgs who were built by mice. The windmills are actually a demonstration of the precision and dexterity of which the cyborgs are capable."

Overheard in my department, from a professor who teaches another section of my course:

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 15:11:50 GMT

"How have you waited until this point in the semester to ask me how to turn the homework in?"

Without further ado, the problem set my students have to do this week...

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 20:00:21 GMT

Question 1

What is the major term of the following syllogism: "Some superheroes are Batman. All people named Batman are totally awesome. Therefore, some superheroes are totally awesome."

<input ... >		superheroes
<input ... >		Batman
<input ... >		totally awesome

Question 2

True or False: The following syllogism is in standard form: "All of Batman's parents are dead. All of Bruce Wayne's parents are dead. Therefore, all of Bruce Wayne's parents are Batman's parents."

<input ... >		True
<input ... >		False

Question 3

Which of the following arguments do not have the mood "AII" when put into standard form?

<input ... >		Some residents of Arkham Asylum are crazy; All inmates named Joker are crazy; therefore, some residents of Arkham Asylum are named Joker.
<input ... >		All sidekicks named Robin are teenagers; Some sidekicks named Robin are allowed to drive the Batmobile; therefore, some people allowed to drive the Batmobile are teenagers.
<input ... >		All of the Riddler's jokes are lame; some of the Riddler's jokes are puns; therefore, some things that are lame are puns.

Question 4

What is the figure of the following argument: "Some of Commissioner Gordon's friends are Batman. All people named Bruce Wayne are Commisioner Gordon's friends. Therefore, all people named Bruce Wayne are Batman!"

<input ... >		1
<input ... >		2
<input ... >		3
<input ... >		4

Question 5

"All people who can use the Green Lantern ring are fearless. None of Batman's enemies are fearless. Therefore, none of Batman's enemies can use the Green Lantern ring." If this argument is valid, which of the following arguments are also valid?

<input ... >		"All of Batman's friends have decoder rings. No one with a decoder ring is from the Phantom Zone. Therefore, some people from the Phantom Zone are not Batman's friends."
<input ... >		"All of Batman's enemies are plotting Batman's demise. No one named Catwoman is plotting Batman's demise. Therefore, no one named Catwoman is Batman's enemy."
<input ... >		"All of Batman's enemies hate Robin. None of Batman's enemies hate Doctor Hurt. Therefore, no one who hates Doctor Hurt hates Robin."

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:01:59 GMT

1) It's going to be hard to go back to being a student after teaching for a year. My opinion of the average college student has decreased dramatically since the beginning of September.

2) You never truly know how much you love someone until you cohabitate with them. Gail and I are really freaking happy living together.

3) I get up at 4:30 every morning so I can get on the bus, then T, then train. I then go to bed before midnight every night. College Drew would not recognize me.

4) I have a beard now. I am not as convinced as everyone else that it looks good, but anything that makes me look older is good for my job.

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:48:36 GMT

I''m beginning to realize that I hang out with my "people I met in Boston" crowd about 3-4 nights a week, and I haven't seen my Wesleyan friends who live in Boston in about a month.

This should be remedied.

I've graduated!

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:20:39 GMT

Gail and I are moving into our nice new 2-bedroom apartment in Watertown next week! Details as to how Boston area people can help out are forthcoming.

We're also going to drive to New Hampshire (no sales tax!) this weekend to drop off Gail's sick Mac, and pick up my new Mac laptop!

Things! Happening!

I have accepted an Adjunct Faculty/Visiting Lecturer position at Bridgewater State College!

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 18:11:17 GMT

Here's my course load for the next year:

FALL 08

PHIL111-005 MWF 9:05-9:55

PHIL111-010 MWF 10:10-11:00

SPRING 09

PHIL111-001 MWF 8:00-8:50

PHIL111-004 MWF 9:05-9:55

PHIL111-008 MWF 10:10-11:00

PHIL 111 is the Introductory Logic course; all 10,000 students must take the course during their Freshman year.

(Btw, this means that my thesis is done, I passed its defense, and I'm graduating with a Masters in Philosophy on May 18th!)

24 hours until my thesis defense...

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:20:07 GMT

Caption: "Technically speaking it’s probably just highly unlikely. I guess snowflakes don’t read wikipedia."

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 06:16:19 GMT

The season finale (Episode 25) of OO is perhaps the best episode of any science fiction series I have ever seen. I did not expect the director of Full Metal Alchemist to be this competent at mixing political intrigue with breathtaking combat scenes.

It's strange to see an entire conference room of people at a convention agreeing that a show that hasn't even finished airing yet is a masterpiece, but that seemed to be the general consensus at AnimeBoston.

Leave it to the Japanese to make a modern high-budget sci-fi show that beats the pants off of Battlestar Galactica.

No new episodes until October, though.

An all Alpha Delt production:

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 06:41:10 GMT

"It's supply and demand! They will supply the funds, because I demand it!"
"Well, congrats, Stick. Right there, ten thousand econ profs just died a little inside."

http://www.stickmanprophecies.com/

Top 5 comics I've been buying in single-issue format:

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:40:26 GMT

5) Green Lantern
4) Fell
3) Blue Beetle
2) Justice Society of America
1) RASL

My little Booster Gold pony!

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 19:09:35 GMT

Cover to Buffy #16... ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod!

Fri, 29 Feb 2008 05:38:54 GMT

I always knew you were canon, Melaka!

I don't even care if they have to use time travel to make it happen. A Buffy/Fray crossover would be the greatest thing Joss Whedon has ever done in comic book form.

I really wish this wasn't real...

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:58:16 GMT

Via Grinding.be:

Gun Phones-

"At first sight it looks like a regular cell phone — same size, same shape, same overall appearance.

But beneath the digital face lies a .22-caliber pistol, a phone gun capable of firing four rounds in quick succession with a touch of the otherwise standard keypad.

The US Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are aware of the device and have instructed baggage screeners to be on the lookout for suspicious mobile phones. This is especially after 9/11.

European law enforcement officials — stunned by the discovery of these deadly decoys — say phone guns are changing the rules of engagement in Europe.

Airport authorities across Europe are implementing systems to X-ray all cell phones"

"Customs officials in the U.S. say their safety procedure has normally been to require travelers to turn their phones on, however that may no longer be enough. Cell phone users will have to be made aware that reaching for their phones in some circumstances could be misinterpreted as a threat by authorities."

Easily my favorite so far...

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 00:34:09 GMT

From Garfield Minus Garfield:

Today's Picturesforsadchildren.com:

Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:50:56 GMT

Random Songs! Guess them! It's fun! Songs!

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:55:39 GMT

1) I hope I never figure out who broke your heart; and if I do, if I do, I'd spend all night, losing sleep, I'd spend the night, and I'd lose my mind, I'd spend the night, and I'd lose my mind (Tegan and Sara - Living Room - Amarysta)
2) too young to have a boyfriend, too old to be alone, you'll sneak him in your bedroom, when no one else is home; he'll make you feel rewarded, so blessed and self assured; you've never had a prom date, now you know it's secure (Athanaeum - Unnoticed - Amarysta)
3) you talk tough to me, and it makes me smile, by the old church yard, your feelings hide (Carbon Leaf - I Know the Reason - Amarysta)
4) don't be aroused by my confession, unless you don't give a good God damn about redemption; I know Christ is coming, and so am I, you would, too, if this sexy devil caught your eye
5) Albert my son believes he is an acrobat, swinging away between the glowing white batons (Kate Callahan - Trapeze Art - Amarysta)
6) we were free like water, flowing down like the warmth of the sun, now it's cold and we're scared, and we've both been shaking
7) why, why do you always hit me when I'm high? knock me down 'til we see eye to eye? (SR-71 - Right Now - Amarysta)
8) I drink the blood of newborn babies to survive, I'm one hundred thirty five, and I won't ever, every die, oh yeah
9) but that's how it's got to be, it's coming down to nothing more than apathy, I'd rather run the other way than stay and see the smoke and who's still standing when it clears
10) I walked into the place that gave me horrible gas, they said you moved to New York to teach a cooking class, but I know that's just a cover up, 'cause I still follow you home
~~11)~~ slipping notes under the desk, while I was thinking about her chest, I wish I had turned away, before she caught my eye (J Geils Band - Centerfold - eclectictastes7)
~~12)~~ can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk? I didn't mean to call you that; I can't remember what was said, or what you threw at me, please tell me, please tell me why... (Lit - My Own Worst Enemy - missmoreland)
13) sitting here in Avalon, looking at the pouring rain, summertime has come and gone, and everybody's home again; closing down for the season, I found the last of the souvenirs; I can still taste the wedding cake, and it's sweet after all these years
~~14)~~ "What a beautiful wedding! What a beautiful wedding!" says a bridesmaid to a waiter. "Oh yes, but what a shame, what a shame, the poor groom's bride is a whore." (Panic! At the Disco - I Write Sins Not Tragedies - eclectictastes7)
15) I met this little girlie, her hair was kind of curly, went to her house and bust her out, I had to leave real early
~~16)~~ but darling, look at how you're dressed (your best) suggests another kind of guest (OK Go - You're So Damn Hot - eclectictastes7)
~~17)~~ she's over-bored, and self-assured, oh no, I know a dirty word (Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit - Amarysta)
18) I needed you more, when we wanted us less, I could not kiss, just regress, it might just be clear simple and plain, that's just fine, that's just one of my names
19) How come I end up where I started, how come I end up where I went wrong, won't take my eyes off the ball again, first you reel me out and then you cut the string
~~20)~~ beyond the suns that guard this roost, beyond your flowers of flaming truth, beyond your latest ad campaigns, an old man sits, collecting stamps, in a room all filled with Chinese lamps, he saves what others throw away, he says that he'll be rich someday (Cake - Frank Sinatra - Amarysta)

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:31:25 GMT

During her first time playing, my girlfriend kicked my ass tonight at 40k; taken as a whole, I don't know whether this statement increases or diminishes my geek cred.

How the hell did I miss this?

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 01:46:42 GMT

New York Times in Iraq: "Blackwater shot our dog"

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:24:26 GMT

"DC writes the kind of comics you read when you tied a towel around your neck and ran around in the backyard. Marvel writes the stories you read in your mom's basement."
~Brad Guigar

Re: my new Facebook relationship status:

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:11:29 GMT

...Yeah.

I'm really happy right now.

Um.... what?

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 17:08:25 GMT

UK To End Submarine Goat Tests

I feel like I'm going to end up buying multiple copies of this and giving them to people...

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 11:19:36 GMT

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 04:52:57 GMT

The House needs one of these:

"But seriously, these could be a lot of fun for live events. Let people stuck overseas roam around your party/wedding/fetish-night/art exhibit. Connect and follow those closest within your social network." ~Grinding.be

Also,

In other news, that phone call went well.

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 01:02:33 GMT

1) Behold, the complexity of perception:

Don't believe me?

2) Apparently, you can get fired for talking about something other than Heath Ledger on TV.

3) My phone is fixed! Time to call that girl.