2016 – Page 13 – Chapman Kids Blog

A reminiscence about a University of Chicago math PhD

On Thursday, January 7, 2016

Here is a very engaging story William Dembski wrote about one of his dissertation advisors from University of Chicago who recently passed away. The discussion of the some of the process when he got his (second) PhD with respect to selection of a dissertation topic, dissertation advisors and sometimes unavoidable problems with finishing a dissertation was not only interesting but pertinent with respect to Christian’s current work/school life. It truly can be a hard slog to finish up. That is especially true if the dissertation advisor is not engaged and/or has personality conflicts with the students. There are tons of horror stories on this topic. It makes me happy that both Kelly and Christian appear to have found good advisors for their doctoral work.

Betty Blonde #462 – 04/19/2010

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Colonoscopy – a surprisingly benign event

By Dad

On Wednesday, January 6, 2016

In Health

Kiwi taking a nap with me after my colonoscopy I am at that awkward age when medical professionals begin to be persistent in their admonishments for a fairly wide variety of uncomfortable poking and prodding. Day before yesterday I took some pills and drank a very large amount of liquids and powders to clean things out so I would be ready for a colonoscopy yesterday. It was scheduled for the morning and I thought I was going to be able to go back to work in the afternoon. A colleague at work disabused me of the notion of returning to work, so I to the whole day off. I was glad I did.

The event itself was surprisingly benign. It turned out the most uncomfortable part of the whole thing took place the night before when I was drinking all those liquids and dealing with the results of my intake. When I got to the hospital, they asked me to lay down on a table, gave me something to put me to sleep and I woke up twenty minutes later like nothing had happened. The after effects of the sedative induced a nice long afternoon nap and that was that. I was glad to have Kiwi to join me in my nap.

Upshot: There is no reason to put off that colonoscopy you are dreading.

Betty Blonde #461 – 04/16/2010

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Interesting political happenings

By Dad

On Tuesday, January 5, 2016

In Politics

This is a US presidential election year that should be very interesting right at the time when I am actively working to curb my political appetite to concentrate more on the personal and spiritual. So when something of biblical proportions started happening (see this article) between Saudi Arabia and Iran (Isaiah 21?) I knew immediately it was going to be difficult not to spend at least a little bit of my time following these geopolitical realities that very well could have an impact on our lives, even in America. We DO live in interesting times.

Betty Blonde #460 – 04/15/2010

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Back in the saddle and looking forward to an amazing 2016

By Dad

On Monday, January 4, 2016

In Family, Health

I go back to work this morning after my first real week of vacation in several years. I thought I would have more time to reflect, but was amazingly busy even though we were cooped up with four people in our small apartment. Kelly heads home to Washington later this afternoon and Christian heads to Arizona early tomorrow morning. My brother and I have a weight loss plan. We are going to work together and hammer on each other to stay on track. I am going to do a spreadsheet like I have done in the past. Stay tuned…

Betty Blonde #459 – 04/14/2010

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Writing code

By Dad

On Saturday, January 2, 2016

In Software, Work

I have been writing code for most of the day. I have been learning to use some new libraries that are very well written. The program I am constructing is not one that requires rocket surgery, but it is extremely gratifying when stuff starts to work. I am using C++ to do something that is normally done in Java, Python or PHP. There are some fairly odd reasons for doing it that way, one of which is the skill set of the people doing the programming. The more I go along in the world of engineering, the more firmly the idea gets embedded that if someone knows they can get something done in a certain way using some method or process, the best thing to do is to have them just do it the way they know how if all things are equal. This is one of those time when time is off the essence and the learning of the fewest amount of new things possible will help the project go faster. Still, I am learning some new stuff and having fun. It does not get much better than that in the world of engineering.

Betty Blonde #458 – 04/13/2010

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New Year’s Day at the Burger Hut

By Dad

On Friday, January 1, 2016

In General

Lorena and Ken We finished the old year well watching Pink Martini at the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall in Portland, then ran over to a party of old friends in Yamhill. We will do it again sometime. It might be a bit of a cliché, but I think the New Year is a great time to make resolutions. Even with diets, I have made great progress after starting on New Year’s Day. I have three more days until I go back to work and my plan is to reflect on what I want to do next year. Right now though, we are going to continue to start the New Year right by going to the Burger Hut in Hubbard for breakfast. Happy New Year!