Finger meat

Another reason to go vegan (and no, it's not an urban legend, it's one of those "should be an urban legend but unfortunately is not"): http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/a/156338.htm

Not to avoid eating someone else's finger, but because working in the meat industry is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. I feel kind of sorry for the lady who found the finger (though it seems she should stop to consider what else is in that chili and whether it's any more appetizing than a human finger). Mostly, though, I feel sorry for the person whose finger was wrenched off by meat-packing equipment.

Freezing in a swimsuit

So this Saturday is the Beaver Freezer triathlon, which I committed to a few months back and for which I never had time to seriously train. It's scary ... I don't know if my swim time is accurate or not, so I may be getting in people's way in the lanes, I've got tons of shopping to do to prepare (shoelaces, swimsuit, windbreaker, sports drinks, CO2 inflator, goo, etc.), I tend to hurt myself when I run (knees, leg flexibility), I have to hydrate and get used to getting up early, and do it all this week (when I've got ten million other things to do), .... and I just plain haven't entered a competitive sport for years. It's scary. Exciting, but scary.

Why I decided to work for Google

I had 4 very good job offers, from which I've finally this week chosen: Google.

Why Google? Not just the benefits, the technological problems, the research-friendly 20% rule, or the don't be evil philosophy. Ultimately what really tipped the scales for me is the application: Google's primary focus is spreading information, knowledge, and wisdom. Their mission is to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." In the academic world, Google scholar is another tool increasing the efficiency of scientific research. In the sociopolitical sphere, Google news helps people see an international perspective, bringing together and making accessible news sources from around the world. In the everyday world, people use Google all the time to learn about everything. And these services are, more or less, free to many people around the world. Perhaps it's glamorizing, but I feel working at Google is indirectly working for global education.

Ichiban

Well, it appears this blog is now the top Google hit for "eric altendorf". I suppose that means I should write something people might be interested in reading.

I'll have to get back to you on that one.

In the meantime, music for the day: Bruce Springsteen, Placebo, Smashing Pumpkins. And maybe later, a little bit of Pony Down -- an up and coming Corvallis rock band. Hmm.

Incidentally, this Eric Altendorf is not me.

Head hurts

Just finished helping with a paper for ICML. This week I got to finish my paper for UAI (hey, maybe I'll make it back to Edinburgh this summer!). Work on a thesis. Put in some hours at CleverSet. Make some more progress on figuring out which of my 4 job offers to take after graduation.

At some point I have to go try installing those sweet roll-center adaptors my brother made for my RA21 (adapts MA6x struts with bolt-in application on the RA21, providing huge brakes, stronger strut, very stiff springs, roll-center correction for about 2" of drop, proper camber, and about 2" extra track, all with a couple blocks of aluminum and a pair of junkyard MA6x struts that run about $25/ea).

in the meantime, how am i going to be ready for a triathlon in the beginning of april? haven't swum or played guitar in ages. my room is a mess. my to-read list is so long it would take me easily a week of reading 12 hours a day to catch up.

i have a headache. i'm going to get some sleep.

Things that make you feel good

Music for today: more KMFDM, Sheryl Crow (but not for very long), old school Skinny Puppy...

New books from the library: Aspect Oriented Software Development, The Mind as a Scientific Object, and Algebra of Probable Inference (the classic by Cox).

And the coolest news: an unsolicited job offer showed up in the email box this morning. Always nice to know your references are good (and active rather than passive!). :-)