urped by gumz @ 4:06 PM
Friday, February 27, 2004
Why Are My Bloggs So Long?
Whom does't I Mail? To mail or not to mail - that is the wringer!
I don't really indulge in forwarding mail - I'm concerned about the overutilization of network resources for purely plebian endeavors. It will, after all, contribute to global warming and such.... And, I for one, do not want to be in any way responsible for someone's pet drowning due to the melting of polar icecaps. ( I'm kidding btw - sheesh).
But once in a while I do come across something, that is well .... Totally FROODY. And at those rare times, inspite of myself, polar icecaps not withstanding, I say to my self "Now.... who(m) do I mail? (Damn I must teach myself to think grammatically correct). I delve into the mess, that is my mind, and pick those unfortunate souls whom I 'think' would be interested - Usually this is a very short list - So the world at large is still a safe place. Mostly, it consists of a few unfortunate students & friends.
Lately, its been dawning on me that what I find Froody, might not necessarily be well ..... ,to put it mildly, even remotely interesting to my unfortunate victims - especially these students! It's a sickening kind of enlightenment - I hope nobody has to go through that moment of slow dawning realization that your forwards are wonky ignorance is, as the saying goes, bliss - pure bliss.
Today, I find these two links to do with GUTs(Grand Unified Theories) Totally Froody Funked up stuff, and my mind goes - "Now... Whom..." - I don't get to the 'm' word; one part of my mind(the world-wise part) yanks the other part of my mind(the 'cool' part) by the scruff of its neck(figuratively speaking ofcourse) and says "They ain't going to dig that dude!"
Now, I find myself at a loss - both parts of my mind having deserted me. But then I realize I can always mail someone (even if she doesn't understand the stuff!)
Who else but the WIFE(grin grin)!!! I can always mail her! I know that she'd always go through the stuff .....eventually. No danger of being declared a nutcase either.
I hope those mails don't affect her sanity - I intend to forward a considerable amount of mail; within the constraints of network bandwidth ofcourse.....
urped by gumz @ 4:05 PM
Be Nice to Nerds - You just might end up working for one. (Bill Gates - 2004 - unverified).
urped by gumz @ 2:56 PM
Friday, February 20, 2004
Yet Another Pathetic Attempt at Motivation
Thought I'd put this down since on second reading its quite nifty, methinks. No one ELSE has to feel the same way - I feel its nifty and that's adequate.
Some background to this letter: I wrote this just before going on a 4 day vacation to Kandy around x'mas. Thought I'd share a few thoughts with my supervisees. The letter was a result of the overwhelming feeling that I'm a totally crappy supervisor - a feeling I still have. So, the letter apparently has not solved that particular problem.
In hindsight its also interesting to note that only 1 student replied to this epistle - unfortunate creature. The rest, I think, did not understand it at all or having been so disturbed by it, have resolved never to refer to it again!
Ok, on second thoughts, the letter is quite 'konky', but I've already resolved to publish it so here goes........
My Dear Supervisees,
Since I'm off for a couple of days of total relaxation, my mind could not but help drifing towards the less fortunate, or more specifically those unfortunate beings with Final Year Projects on their minds. So in my infinite compassion I thought I'd
leave you with a couple of random thoughts that you might find useful/interesting(pick one and only one option, it's one or the other - if its useful its not interesting and if its interesting it wont be useful).
There are a couple of ways in which you can reconcile yourself to your final year project.
a. It's something you've always wanted to do or something that has truly aroused your interest
b. The topic that you've chosen is not your main interest but in doing the project you are sure that you will come across many items of interest that you will enjoy studying
c. It's something you have to do well in order to increase your chances of getting a 1st class.
I hope all of you can lay claim to options a or b. I say this not only because it seems obvious that you will enjoy your projects( if that is indeed possible), if thought of in that light but also because I believe that a 1st degree project is a defining element in your professional life.
Recall that you need to draw conclusions from your project and these conclusions will be your own; not out of a textbook, not out of your supervisors or assessors head but your own. For the first time in your life you will be studying a problem for one whole year and drawing 'your own conclusions'. No one else on earth will know this conclusion or opinion that you hold with as much familiarity or authority as yourself. It is this conclusion, the embodiment of a years study, that you will hold up as your battle standard in life after graduation.
For this to be possible you need to love or at least enjoy what you are doing. So if you can't lay claims to options a or b, please do try to find an area in your project that you can be passionate about.
I guess by now I have successfully confused you, yet again! No matter if that is the case - simply disregard the preceding paragraph. Now on to more practical considerations. And it doesn't matter what your view of your project is a,b or c , when it comes to practical stuff.
To those of you who are on the wrong side of the midpoint interview(i.e. after midpoint, closer to submission):
Now is the time for evaluation and consolidation and planning of that terrible terrible thing called the Documentation.
1. Check whether you are solving a valid problem. Is there a need for a solution? Can you present a watertight case for the justification of constructing your system?
2. RESEARCH: Have you done enough background research? Have you covered all aspects of the problem you are trying to solve? Do you have references for this background research?
3. ANALYSIS: Have you investigated enough alternatives? Is your analysis in line with the stated problem you are solving? Does the analysis follow from the preliminary research?
4. DESIGN: Does the design of the system follow through from your analysis? Can a laymen understand how your system is organized? Do you provide enough alternate perspectives.
5. METHODOLOGY: although natures wonders and geometrical quirks ( waterfalls & spirals) are interesting, what is important is that you have handled the problem in a sensible scientific and practical manner.
6 TESTING: Decide what needs to be tested. What are the critical aspects of your system? What is in short
the rational for testing.
ABOVE ALL, ensure that you are solving a very 'specific' problem and all your work is 'focused' towards solving that specific function - FOCUS.
To those of you on this side of the midpoint:
1. You need to clearly define and scope your problem.
2. You need to justify the validity of the problem and the need for a solution - This will involve a lot of background research.
3. Identify good resources for research.
4. Identify the problematic/risky areas
5. Define 'very specifically' what software you will be constructing
4. You need to identify and start learning the tools you will use (MatLab, C++, SQL Server)
5. You need to identify a development plan - Look at 5. in previous section.
ABOVE ALL, ensure that you are solving a very 'specific' problem but ensure that you have thoroughly investigated the problem domain.
And now, if you have managed to hold onto your sanity, you will be glad to observe that you are at the end of this rather disturbing epistle. My parting words, dear supervisees, is - Reflect on what i have told, if indeed you are inclined to do so,
and then ....
Take a Break. Tis' after all, the season to be jolly .............. tralalala... laa la la la la - Give the blasted project a rest.
We shall tackle your projects in the new year!
Adios.
Gamindu
Thought I'd put this down since on second reading its quite nifty, methinks. No one ELSE has to feel the same way - I feel its nifty and that's adequate.
Some background to this letter: I wrote this just before going on a 4 day vacation to Kandy around x'mas. Thought I'd share a few thoughts with my supervisees. The letter was a result of the overwhelming feeling that I'm a totally crappy supervisor - a feeling I still have. So, the letter apparently has not solved that particular problem.
In hindsight its also interesting to note that only 1 student replied to this epistle - unfortunate creature. The rest, I think, did not understand it at all or having been so disturbed by it, have resolved never to refer to it again!
Ok, on second thoughts, the letter is quite 'konky', but I've already resolved to publish it so here goes........
My Dear Supervisees,
Since I'm off for a couple of days of total relaxation, my mind could not but help drifing towards the less fortunate, or more specifically those unfortunate beings with Final Year Projects on their minds. So in my infinite compassion I thought I'd
leave you with a couple of random thoughts that you might find useful/interesting(pick one and only one option, it's one or the other - if its useful its not interesting and if its interesting it wont be useful).
There are a couple of ways in which you can reconcile yourself to your final year project.
a. It's something you've always wanted to do or something that has truly aroused your interest
b. The topic that you've chosen is not your main interest but in doing the project you are sure that you will come across many items of interest that you will enjoy studying
c. It's something you have to do well in order to increase your chances of getting a 1st class.
I hope all of you can lay claim to options a or b. I say this not only because it seems obvious that you will enjoy your projects( if that is indeed possible), if thought of in that light but also because I believe that a 1st degree project is a defining element in your professional life.
Recall that you need to draw conclusions from your project and these conclusions will be your own; not out of a textbook, not out of your supervisors or assessors head but your own. For the first time in your life you will be studying a problem for one whole year and drawing 'your own conclusions'. No one else on earth will know this conclusion or opinion that you hold with as much familiarity or authority as yourself. It is this conclusion, the embodiment of a years study, that you will hold up as your battle standard in life after graduation.
For this to be possible you need to love or at least enjoy what you are doing. So if you can't lay claims to options a or b, please do try to find an area in your project that you can be passionate about.
I guess by now I have successfully confused you, yet again! No matter if that is the case - simply disregard the preceding paragraph. Now on to more practical considerations. And it doesn't matter what your view of your project is a,b or c , when it comes to practical stuff.
To those of you who are on the wrong side of the midpoint interview(i.e. after midpoint, closer to submission):
Now is the time for evaluation and consolidation and planning of that terrible terrible thing called the Documentation.
1. Check whether you are solving a valid problem. Is there a need for a solution? Can you present a watertight case for the justification of constructing your system?
2. RESEARCH: Have you done enough background research? Have you covered all aspects of the problem you are trying to solve? Do you have references for this background research?
3. ANALYSIS: Have you investigated enough alternatives? Is your analysis in line with the stated problem you are solving? Does the analysis follow from the preliminary research?
4. DESIGN: Does the design of the system follow through from your analysis? Can a laymen understand how your system is organized? Do you provide enough alternate perspectives.
5. METHODOLOGY: although natures wonders and geometrical quirks ( waterfalls & spirals) are interesting, what is important is that you have handled the problem in a sensible scientific and practical manner.
6 TESTING: Decide what needs to be tested. What are the critical aspects of your system? What is in short
the rational for testing.
ABOVE ALL, ensure that you are solving a very 'specific' problem and all your work is 'focused' towards solving that specific function - FOCUS.
To those of you on this side of the midpoint:
1. You need to clearly define and scope your problem.
2. You need to justify the validity of the problem and the need for a solution - This will involve a lot of background research.
3. Identify good resources for research.
4. Identify the problematic/risky areas
5. Define 'very specifically' what software you will be constructing
4. You need to identify and start learning the tools you will use (MatLab, C++, SQL Server)
5. You need to identify a development plan - Look at 5. in previous section.
ABOVE ALL, ensure that you are solving a very 'specific' problem but ensure that you have thoroughly investigated the problem domain.
And now, if you have managed to hold onto your sanity, you will be glad to observe that you are at the end of this rather disturbing epistle. My parting words, dear supervisees, is - Reflect on what i have told, if indeed you are inclined to do so,
and then ....
Take a Break. Tis' after all, the season to be jolly .............. tralalala... laa la la la la - Give the blasted project a rest.
We shall tackle your projects in the new year!
Adios.
Gamindu
urped by gumz @ 1:54 PM
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Globe of Blogs
Idle Coversation, A Stage and a Brick Wall
Idle coversation; I stand corrected, idle conversation that I don't and have no real hope of comprehending - its amazing how such things can inspire thought, albeit sad thoughts. The other evening, my friend, probably the next 'Chitrasena', or even greater, was quoting the veteran dancer Vajira on what dancing meant to her. Vajira talks of dancing as if though its a state of mind, something that you so fully immerse yourself in that, the rest of the world is dead to you and you are master and sole occupant of this world - the dance 'stage'. She speaks of finishing a dance item and coming out of a trance to the sound of applause of the audience and that moment... that moment fills her with joy.
Is it the appreciation of others for your achievemnts, the applause, that makes us happy? If so, my plight, as is the the plight of many more like me who have it in them to percieve the world in new and beautiful ways is so sad. For most of us 'dance' alone, engrossed in or own world of thought to an audience that is deaf, dumb, and blind, if indeed there is anyone to fill the hall. What applause is there for us to wake upto?
The argument seems, well naive, even to me - a cry for pity. Shouldn't I be happy with what I do? Why would appreciation matter? I don't know the answer to this, all I can vouch for is the way I feel. Somehow, the dream is not enough, it would be so nice to be able to share the dream with someone.... anyone.
The thing is, that a large part of life 'seems' to be about sharing - food,home,time and thought. I look at 3 people close to me - they spend at least an equal amount of time talking about dancing - jesting, analysing, criticizing, praising and eulogising, as they spend for dancing itself. The 3 of them have quite differnt viewpoints but they speak the same language - the level of empathy amoungst those 3 is mind boggling. So much empathy that I am reduced to a mere bystander trying to understand somthing i know is fascinating but so completely beyond my comprehension. I 'know' that they share something that I cannot be a part of just as I know that What is in my mind I cannot share with them.
The real crux of the matter is that I seem to have no one to share with - no one - not my friends, not my collegues, not even the few geeky kids who are unfortunate to be in my lectures, absolutely no one seems to be able to partake of what i have to offer. Ofcourse they say that my ideas are fantastic, insteresting, something to work on, but beyond that they do not really see what i have in my mind. I cannot make them see and they do not, me thinks, 'really' want to see anyway.
Am i destined to be an island in my thoughts? Is that really a bad thing if the island itself is funky? Do I have to teach myself to be content? To be alone - to be myself, not to compromise what I am for the sake of acceptence by others. Is that what I should be?
And thats the other thing! Why have i spent so much of my life compromising, sacrificing what I believe in for the sake of acceptence, for the sake of not offending others for the sake of fitting in? Why? Is acceptence by the society at large or a small select society so crucial for my happiness? Why do i feel the need to spend time with some people when most people just plain make me angry?
This brings us back to the point - Sharing and appreciation is that the basis for content. If so who will I share with & who will show appreciation for my thoughts?
If 'doing my thing' is not enough, where in the multiverse do i go from here?
Idle Coversation, A Stage and a Brick Wall
Idle coversation; I stand corrected, idle conversation that I don't and have no real hope of comprehending - its amazing how such things can inspire thought, albeit sad thoughts. The other evening, my friend, probably the next 'Chitrasena', or even greater, was quoting the veteran dancer Vajira on what dancing meant to her. Vajira talks of dancing as if though its a state of mind, something that you so fully immerse yourself in that, the rest of the world is dead to you and you are master and sole occupant of this world - the dance 'stage'. She speaks of finishing a dance item and coming out of a trance to the sound of applause of the audience and that moment... that moment fills her with joy.
Is it the appreciation of others for your achievemnts, the applause, that makes us happy? If so, my plight, as is the the plight of many more like me who have it in them to percieve the world in new and beautiful ways is so sad. For most of us 'dance' alone, engrossed in or own world of thought to an audience that is deaf, dumb, and blind, if indeed there is anyone to fill the hall. What applause is there for us to wake upto?
The argument seems, well naive, even to me - a cry for pity. Shouldn't I be happy with what I do? Why would appreciation matter? I don't know the answer to this, all I can vouch for is the way I feel. Somehow, the dream is not enough, it would be so nice to be able to share the dream with someone.... anyone.
The thing is, that a large part of life 'seems' to be about sharing - food,home,time and thought. I look at 3 people close to me - they spend at least an equal amount of time talking about dancing - jesting, analysing, criticizing, praising and eulogising, as they spend for dancing itself. The 3 of them have quite differnt viewpoints but they speak the same language - the level of empathy amoungst those 3 is mind boggling. So much empathy that I am reduced to a mere bystander trying to understand somthing i know is fascinating but so completely beyond my comprehension. I 'know' that they share something that I cannot be a part of just as I know that What is in my mind I cannot share with them.
The real crux of the matter is that I seem to have no one to share with - no one - not my friends, not my collegues, not even the few geeky kids who are unfortunate to be in my lectures, absolutely no one seems to be able to partake of what i have to offer. Ofcourse they say that my ideas are fantastic, insteresting, something to work on, but beyond that they do not really see what i have in my mind. I cannot make them see and they do not, me thinks, 'really' want to see anyway.
Am i destined to be an island in my thoughts? Is that really a bad thing if the island itself is funky? Do I have to teach myself to be content? To be alone - to be myself, not to compromise what I am for the sake of acceptence by others. Is that what I should be?
And thats the other thing! Why have i spent so much of my life compromising, sacrificing what I believe in for the sake of acceptence, for the sake of not offending others for the sake of fitting in? Why? Is acceptence by the society at large or a small select society so crucial for my happiness? Why do i feel the need to spend time with some people when most people just plain make me angry?
This brings us back to the point - Sharing and appreciation is that the basis for content. If so who will I share with & who will show appreciation for my thoughts?
If 'doing my thing' is not enough, where in the multiverse do i go from here?
urped by gumz @ 1:43 PM
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