Lone Voice » Rants and Raves

January Blues

robnuguid — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 23:17:33 +0000

I no longer derive joy from studying. A year ago, nothing could cheer me up more than having a chemistry book on my lap. But that’s all changed now. This is probably due to the fact that graduation is closer than ever. In fact, I’m sure it is the culprit. I have this bad way of thinking that no matter what I do (study or not), I’d still graduate. This is folly, I know.
I finished watching the first season of Heroes two weeks ago. The starting episodes were great, but the slow pacing of the events made the series somewhat dull. The finale wasn’t even good. Such a waste of good concept! Anyway, I’m still planning on watching the second season.
I thought that the first episode of Game of Thrones was good.
Thesis update? Well, last Friday I went to DOST to grind my sample (crab shell). I also borrowed 15 volumetric flasks for my thesis. I could now start with my batch adsorption studies as soon as I obtain lead, cadmium, and copper salts.
I am now reading (literally) You’ve Been Warned by James Patterson. In conjunction with rant #1, I think reading novels and watching movies and TV series are the reasons why I fail to summon the will to study.
It feels good to have some time for myself. But I still feel stressed. So I’m in single-minded pursuit of peace and serenity. Whatever.

The Detractors of Life

robnuguid — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:35:08 +0000

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New News

robnuguid — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:26:16 +0000

New look, new theme, new feature, new post — all before the New Year! Here’s to a more proactive blogging experience (whatever that means). Ciao!

P.S. One week before Christmas!

By Posts and by Lines

robnuguid — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:40:04 +0000

NOTHING
READ
IS EVER
BETWEEN
WHAT IT
THE LINES
SEEMS

Got it? Leave your mark.

M.A.T.H.

robnuguid — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:06:22 +0000

Whoever did this was a total douchebag. I mean it.

Question of the Decade

robnuguid — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 05:57:50 +0000

Not yet. Maybe in 2020, if I’m lucky enough.

P.S. It’s my first time to use the blur tool. It shows, right?

That “That”

robnuguid — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:46:52 +0000

FAIL Tweet

Ironically, I do consider myself a grammar Nazi. I might as well lock myself in a concentration camp and play with Zyklon B.

Topoisomerase

robnuguid — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 11:06:16 +0000

I’m now on the fourth week of my OJT at the Standards and Testing Division of DOST. It is therapeutic to hold such precious (and expensive) instruments such as FTIR, HPLC, AAS, RID, etc. at the Foods and Feeds Laboratory. Similarly, it is also exuberant to perform tests using classical instruments such as the old colorimeter unit (circa 1947) at the Fuels and Petroleum Laboratory. Except for the dull moments wherein I’m left with nothing to do, I can say that I’ve enjoyed – and still enjoying – my internship.
I’m hooked on American idol! Though it felt bad to watch Pia Toscano go…
Movie update: I’m 40% done with my goal to watch 50 movies this vacation. Needless to say, I’ve already seen 20 out of that N. Worth mentioning are Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (4.5/5 stars), a flick with a sci-fi twist, Never Let Me Go (4.5/5 stars), a movie that tackles the issue of cloning and morality in general, and of course, The Matrix (5/5 stars), a high-octane action thriller. I also watched Rio in 3D, and I thought it was good.
On a separate note, I’m about 73% done with my summer book goal! I’ve already finished 11 books out of 15. So far, Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins (5/5 stars) is the best summer read for me.
I became a very active knight of the altar once again last Holy Week. I’d always made it a point to serve once a week, but I did extend my vocation during that period. I only felt better afterward.
I’m beginning to love posting like this. Numbering is a good way of saying what I’ve got to say without worrying about coherence – a silent requirement in essay-type posts.
BTW, I finally changed my profile picture on Facebook. It looks something like this:

Life of Pi

“Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind! Each pray’r accepted, and each wish resign’d.” – Alexander Pope

Of Summer, OJT, and Nostalgia

robnuguid — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 07:20:08 +0000

Just like last year, I yearned for summer vacation during the onset of classes. And just like last year, I marveled at my foolishness to seek for something that threatens to end my very existence due to ennui and related stuff. Perhaps I just miss the thrill of having last-minute reviews and cramming and trying to find the sweet spot between school and extra-curricular activities. But since I’m not a big fan of hypocrisy, I’d answer no. Hell, no. I just miss having something meaningful and worthwhile to do.
With regard to the aforementioned concern, my OJT is scheduled this summer! However, I still have to make the choice whether to spend my apprenticeship at the Material Science Division or to enhance my analytical skills at the Standard and Testing Division. Either way, I’m still going to DOST – and I won’t have it any other way.
I’ve been to the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help (otherwise known as Baclaran Church) to attend the novena since I was in the fifth grade every Wednesday. Though I missed novena sessions, I could verify that they receive letters for intention and thanksgiving every week, and they read one in public. I could also say that they receive about 2,500 letters of intention and 500 letters of thanksgivings every week. It does not take advanced lessons in statistics to discern what this implies.
With sheer determination, I intend to read 15 books and watch 50 movies this summer. Of these 50 movies, at least two should be in 3D.
The The Matrix trilogy is just so cool! No wonder why I’ve always loved black.
I couldn’t bear the thought of being a senior college student next school year. I wish I could go back to the good old days of General Chemistry, College Trigonometry, and Fundamentals of Science. The good thing is that this is still two months away.

N0th1ngn3ss

robnuguid — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 07:43:23 +0000

We all use math every day; to predict weather, to tell time, to handle money. Math is more than formulas or equations; it’s logic, it’s rationality, it’s using your mind to solve the biggest mysteries we know.

First of all, this post is not something that can qualify as a review. It is not well-researched and contains trace amounts of biased opinions. In fact, I haven’t watched the whole season so I’m not in the right position to express a dismissive judgment about anything. OK? Here we go.

The idea of coming up with a crime series incorporating mathematical deductions as primary means of solving irregularities is utterly brilliant. In a tangled web of crime fiction, mathematics undoubtedly provides a revolutionary way to stand out and get attention.

And that’s the underlying premise behind Numb3rs. So basically, it’s about two brothers. One is an FBI agent while the other one is a helluva mathematician. When presented with a problem, the mathematician goes through rigorous calculations to synthesize a plan which will then be executed by the agent. What’s more, the equations presented in the series are not just figments of imaginations. According to the producers, real world mathematicians account for the correctness and validity of every expression that they air.

Of course, this mathematical thingy is enough to excite my electrons. After all, there’s a silent “minor in mathematics” in my BS Chemistry course. I have real high hopes that I’d enjoy the first few episodes.

But I did not.

There are problems. To begin with, Numb3rs is about math, all right. The main character appears to derive complex formulas on his colossal blackboard. However, it ends just that. They don’t intend to show whatever is written on the board – just quick flashes of shots achieved through different angles. This may sound as an exaggeration but when I watched the first episode, I was with my calculator and a piece of scratch paper. I thought I would be able to do the math myself. I thought I could verify the mathematical statements that I was presented with. Of course, those might smell too complex especially to “normal” viewers. But I think that hiding the actual equations from the viewers is sort of unfair.

Next, they got the title wrong. It’s called Numb3rs but only a negligible portion of the show is dedicated to the problem solving part. Roughly 90% of the time, they are out with the criminals. I understand that it’s a crime show, and it’s supposed to be like that. But this show is not your regular crime series, and I guess it’s justifiable to give the problem solving part equal exposure as the action time.

Despite these “first impressions,” I’m still willing to finish the first season of Numb3rs. If it continues to be full of n0th1ngn3ss, then I can choose to cancel my plans of seeing the latest season.

OK, I just realized that the title of my post appears to be jejetyped. NVM.