links for 2007-03-24
Del.icio.us links March 23rd, 2007
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This is one of the cooler mashups I have ever seen.
Dogs and stuff
General March 23rd, 2007
A few dog related notes for your Friday.
Three weeks ago I adopted an adorable under two year old Australian Shepherd dog. Since then, my life has changed pretty dramatically. I’m walking a mile or so every morning (see the google map pedometer mashup link I posted in delicious,) and that includes still getting into work by 9am. I smile every time I think about his wiggly butt, or his deep eyes. I laugh at how graceful he isn’t, and look forward to all the training he needs. They named him Merle at the rescue, and I’m sticking with that name for now. He’s learning it and starting to respond to it, so who am I to fight it. At least it’s original, and descriptive.
I hope to have grass seed planted in the backyard and the yard fenced by June. J.U.L.I.E. is out this week painting things to know what kind of grading work I’m going to have to do. Making substancial progress on the grass front is on this weekend’s agenda.
This page really made me angry. I generally like and trust Cool Tools, but these people just don’t get it and shouldn’t be promoting that kind of animal training. If you have $120 to burn, buy this collar strap it on to your neck, and do anything (maybe pick your nose.) Then shout “No!” and shock the hell out of yourself. Only stop when you start to do some behavior that you might think you might want, and then praise yourself for doing it (if you’re not too confused, or traumatized by the punishment you don’t get the trigger.) This is not how you train a dog. Your dog should want to come to you because of the reward, not because any other behavior will be punished. Positive reinforcement works for more than dogs too. Read Pryor’s book to learn how to shape your dog’s (and spouse or kids’) behavior without them feeling like they’re being punished. The point of dog training is that it’s supposed to be fun, for you and the pet. The fact they get practical, safe skills is just a neat byproduct.
When you’re done being angry at morons pushing shock collars, go warm your heart by reading about the St. Louis Senior Dog Project blog, where Merle came from. That reminds me, I need to send Ellen some more pictures and an update.
I scanned my dog searching notes for the other dogs that were under consideration before Merle came around, and was surprised to see Susie and Betsy still up for adoption (I’m glad to see Cliff went to a home.) Maybe Merle wants a sister?
links for 2007-03-22
Del.icio.us links March 21st, 2007
(Sharp) point to ponder
Dogs March 16th, 2007
If I was a dog, I wouldn’t raise my leg against rose bushes. It just doesn’t seem like a good idea.
Summer planning
General March 15th, 2007
I’m trying to decide what to do this summer. Two possibilities right now are applying for another Google Summer of Code project. The other is doing a practicum at a CU library or organization. Another is playing with the doggie or just chilling at the pool…
First step in the strategic plan
General, Work March 15th, 2007
Step 1. Set up a strategic plan website.
Step 2. ???
Step 3. Profit.
links for 2007-03-14
Del.icio.us links March 13th, 2007
I don’t speak bureaucrat
General March 13th, 2007
I’m filling out the Engineering Open House Exhibit Reimbursement Voucher form, and it doesn’t make sense to me. It looks like EOH took some official reimbursement voucher form from the university and hacked a few more fields into it for their record keeping. I fill out the part at the top, but then get confused. The instructions at the bottom read:
Receipts must be original copies taped (not stapled) to an 8×11.5in piece of paper if they are not full sheets.
Staple all receipts listed on this sheet to this sheet. If you have more than 5 items use additional forms (do not write in any more than 5 on this sheet.)
This concerns me, because I’m a native English speaker, and I don’t get it. I can’t imagine what some of our international visitors encounter…
First, what’s an “original copy”? The original receipt? A first copy of the original receipt? Either say original, or say copy, but don’t say both.
Second, I’m not sure where I’m going to find 8 x 11.5 paper, but rest assured I will.
Third, you told me not to staple it, and then you told me to staple it. Apparently I need to stop by Office Depot to get all the adhesives required to submit a dumb receipt.
This is why it costs $85 to reimburse me $15. No wonder the state’s losing money.
Okay, okay, I get it. They’re saying tape the original to an 8.5×11 sheet and staple THAT sheet to the original. But they should say that instead of posting two contradictions. Fortunately, I’m an engineer, and I’m good at following instructions. I plan on cutting a 8 x 11.5 piece of paper, taping the original receipt to it, and stapling the original receipt to the first page so it unfolds like Jacob’s ladder. I’ll add a note that says if they don’t like how I did this, they should fix their dumb instructions.
Tacit recall
General March 12th, 2007
As I prepare for 2007 March Madness, I wanted to review my files from 2006. Because I’ve moved offices since last March, I had to poke around my new office to find the files. They weren’t in the filing cabinets. I could visualize what I wanted, but I didn’t know where I put it after I moved. I walked down to the old office, which still has some things of mine in it, and looked in the usual places there. No such luck.
Oh well. I’ve been running a bracket the last few years; I know what I need to do. After I made up the bracket sheet and made some copies, I knew I should keep the original “safe” somewhere in case I need to run more copies. I instinctively set the sheet on top of the hutch in my office (because anything on the desk itself is fair game for being re-used, tossed, or buried) …. and put the page right next to the massive folder containing the previous years’ files.
I couldn’t actively remember where I put the file, but in two different sessions I instinctively synthesized (or recreated) where I thought I should keep it. I think that’s cool.
In related news, if you’re interested in filling out a bracket, let me know.
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