Forums > Introductions > Vanize Intro
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Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Well, since so many people had their intro threads wiped out and are starting new ones, I figure I could use these events to start my own, ultra-untimely intro, seeing as how I've been around HoP for like 3 years.
So then:
Name: Vance
Alias: Van, Vanize, Add, Zaidou (my 'African' name) ... oh, and I almost forgot, Pixie Banger! (don't ask if you don't really want to know).
Age: 34 (35 now)
Location: Potchefstroom, South Africa (WSW of Jo'berg) presently. Grew up in Houston, Texas. Most of my Family lives in Austin, Texas. I'm moving to Berlin, Germany in January for 2 years. (ok, been in Berlin for a year now)
Favourite Toys: sailboats (been sailing 29 years), surfboards (been surfing 19 years), poi (3.5 years) (almost 5 years now)
Occupation: Reasearch scientist (Ph.D. in space physics)
Hobbies: Too many - sailing, surfing, poi, scale models, travelling, collecting stamps and paper money from places I visit, Dungeons & Dragons, SCUBA diving, tropical fish, reading, painting, drawing, getting projects ready for Burningman, ....
Your favourite website/s: www.burningman.com
Music: I'll listen to most anything except modern country music. My favorites are classical (e.g. vivaldi, beethoven), trance, classic rock (led zep, hendrix, beatles), and what used to be called alternative (foo fighters, pixies, whale, ...)
Movies: blade runner (director's cut), strictly ballroom, band of brothers (more like a mini series I guess), amelie, ... er, I know there are more, but I can't think of them just now.
Books: mostly sci-fi, fantasy, and history.
Philosophy: Technological Gaiaism, Quantum Fatalism
Favourite Colour: Burgandy ( sorry Alice!)
Favourite Quote/Saying:
From a movie: "Gentleman, we have a blind date with destiny, and she just ordered the lobster!" - the Shoveler (Mystery Men).
From literature: "The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love" - W. Somerset Maughn
From personal life: "I was just telling Sara K. that I have no particular segway between being stone cold sober and really wasted. Then she kicked her glass of water across the room..." - Zouwera (Christmas day, 2002, west africa)
So that is that. We'll see if it goes anywhere, eh?
EDITED_BY: vanize (1111489303)
Well, since so many people had their intro threads wiped out and are starting new ones, I figure I could use these events to start my own, ultra-untimely intro, seeing as how I've been around HoP for like 3 years.
So then:
Name: Vance
Alias: Van, Vanize, Add, Zaidou (my 'African' name) ... oh, and I almost forgot, Pixie Banger! (don't ask if you don't really want to know).
Age: 34 (35 now)
Location: Potchefstroom, South Africa (WSW of Jo'berg) presently. Grew up in Houston, Texas. Most of my Family lives in Austin, Texas. I'm moving to Berlin, Germany in January for 2 years. (ok, been in Berlin for a year now)
Favourite Toys: sailboats (been sailing 29 years), surfboards (been surfing 19 years), poi (3.5 years) (almost 5 years now)
Occupation: Reasearch scientist (Ph.D. in space physics)
Hobbies: Too many - sailing, surfing, poi, scale models, travelling, collecting stamps and paper money from places I visit, Dungeons & Dragons, SCUBA diving, tropical fish, reading, painting, drawing, getting projects ready for Burningman, ....
Your favourite website/s: www.burningman.com
Music: I'll listen to most anything except modern country music. My favorites are classical (e.g. vivaldi, beethoven), trance, classic rock (led zep, hendrix, beatles), and what used to be called alternative (foo fighters, pixies, whale, ...)
Movies: blade runner (director's cut), strictly ballroom, band of brothers (more like a mini series I guess), amelie, ... er, I know there are more, but I can't think of them just now.
Books: mostly sci-fi, fantasy, and history.
Philosophy: Technological Gaiaism, Quantum Fatalism
Favourite Colour: Burgandy ( sorry Alice!)
Favourite Quote/Saying:
From a movie: "Gentleman, we have a blind date with destiny, and she just ordered the lobster!" - the Shoveler (Mystery Men).
From literature: "The great tragedy of life is not that men perish, but that they cease to love" - W. Somerset Maughn
From personal life: "I was just telling Sara K. that I have no particular segway between being stone cold sober and really wasted. Then she kicked her glass of water across the room..." - Zouwera (Christmas day, 2002, west africa)
So that is that. We'll see if it goes anywhere, eh?
EDITED_BY: vanize (1111489303)
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
I don't want a title.
940 posts
940 posts
Posted:
Ooh. Yes, please!
Ooh. Yes, please!
E pluribus unum, baby.
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
*grins* Hey Vanize, or shall I call you Pixie Banger?
*pulls her shoulders straight and lifts her chin slightly, smirking...fists on her hips*
*grins* Hey Vanize, or shall I call you Pixie Banger?
*pulls her shoulders straight and lifts her chin slightly, smirking...fists on her hips*
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Whatever...!
(dang pixie queens!)
Whatever...!
(dang pixie queens!)
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
I *AM* The Pixie Queen! Haaa Haaa Haaaaaa!
*snicker*
Where's my MEAD Dammit!
I *AM* The Pixie Queen! Haaa Haaa Haaaaaa!
*snicker*
Where's my MEAD Dammit!
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
apparently it went strait to your head!
(and is still there more than a year later!)
apparently it went strait to your head!
(and is still there more than a year later!)
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
:P
Whatever. ;-)
Actually, I missed out this year. I was too busy preparing for two gigs in October..so I planned to go the last weekend.
Unfortunately, I had to go to a memorial service that weekend, and spend time with the family.
:P
Whatever. ;-)
Actually, I missed out this year. I was too busy preparing for two gigs in October..so I planned to go the last weekend.
Unfortunately, I had to go to a memorial service that weekend, and spend time with the family.
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Tres bummer!
But you know what, you are in good company, because I missed it too!
Tres bummer!
But you know what, you are in good company, because I missed it too!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Ok guys, it is time for some serious vanize sympathy. I just had a crappy evening. It started with finding out my mother has been in the hospital for two days because of something the doctors haven't figured out yet (their best guess seems to be cogestive heart failure), and no one bothered to tell me till I casually asked my sister (via email) to tell mom to check her email (because I don't like waiting the week if often takes for my mom to bother checking her email).
So now I am on the other side of the world, and I feel like a bad son since I'm not going home for Xmas and now mom is seriously ill.
And so I went to go hang out with my closest friend here (the only person in this country whose shoulder I would really even consider crying on) and just after I got to her place, her brother comes home and throws a drunken fit about some sort of self-pitying bullshit, screaming in everyones face and doing an excellent job of being an all-round jerk and I kind of had to intimidate him out of physically threatening my friend Stef. So once he calmed down and I managed to comfort Stef a bit, I left and came back here to my empty apartment.
Bring on the hugs please.
Ok guys, it is time for some serious vanize sympathy. I just had a crappy evening. It started with finding out my mother has been in the hospital for two days because of something the doctors haven't figured out yet (their best guess seems to be cogestive heart failure), and no one bothered to tell me till I casually asked my sister (via email) to tell mom to check her email (because I don't like waiting the week if often takes for my mom to bother checking her email).
So now I am on the other side of the world, and I feel like a bad son since I'm not going home for Xmas and now mom is seriously ill.
And so I went to go hang out with my closest friend here (the only person in this country whose shoulder I would really even consider crying on) and just after I got to her place, her brother comes home and throws a drunken fit about some sort of self-pitying bullshit, screaming in everyones face and doing an excellent job of being an all-round jerk and I kind of had to intimidate him out of physically threatening my friend Stef. So once he calmed down and I managed to comfort Stef a bit, I left and came back here to my empty apartment.
Bring on the hugs please.
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Sounds like a very shitty day. But none of it is your fault, so don't beat yourself up about it. I hope she gets better swiftly.
{{{{{{{more hugs}}}}}}}
m
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Sounds like a very shitty day. But none of it is your fault, so don't beat yourself up about it. I hope she gets better swiftly.
{{{{{{{more hugs}}}}}}}
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Posted:
Well, I don't think I can out-do pounce, but here's some more...
and some kisses too...
followed by some love
Well, I don't think I can out-do pounce, but here's some more...
and some kisses too...
followed by some love
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
oh ya, lots of love. or as my friend bear says, "lots of loaf. feel the loaf. i loaf you!"
oh ya, lots of love.
or as my friend bear says, "lots of loaf. feel the loaf. i loaf you!" I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
whoa... that whole array of hugs is rather mind (and eye) boggling!
whoa... that whole array of hugs is rather mind (and eye) boggling!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
SILVER Member
Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
2,293 posts
Location: NJ or DE, USA
Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.
2,293 posts
Location: NJ or DE, USA
Posted:
*gives vanize the biggest glomp in the history of the world*
love ya!
*gives vanize another glomp, then packages up a whole bunch of glomps in a box for whenever he wants them*
*gives vanize the biggest glomp in the history of the world*
love ya!
*gives vanize another glomp, then packages up a whole bunch of glomps in a box for whenever he wants them*
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Pies Jesu Domine *whack*
Dona eis requiem *whack*
Come join us and chat - we're bored! irc.newnet.net #homeofpoi
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
wow, I'd seen it done before, but this looking for sympathy on HoP think actually kinda works...
wow, I'd seen it done before, but this looking for sympathy on HoP think actually kinda works...
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
SILVER Member
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Keeper of the Spitfire
2,317 posts
Location: Calgary Canada
Posted:
Aw Vanize, i just come back from journeying about and popped in to see how the wave machine was going and...hey sorry sweetie.
Sending big hugs and lots of lovin your way...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Aw Vanize, i just come back from journeying about and popped in to see how the wave machine was going and...hey sorry sweetie.
Sending big hugs and lots of lovin your way...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It used to seem to me that my life ran on too fast, and i had to take it slowly just to make the good parts last. But when you're born to run its so hard to just slow down.
Lets steal a spaceship and head for the sun, and shoot the stars with a lemonade ray gun.
I don't want a title.
940 posts
940 posts
Posted:
Oh, honey, I'm sorry! Will she be all right? ::glomps and hugs and scritches and cuddles::
Oh, honey, I'm sorry! Will she be all right? ::glomps and hugs and scritches and cuddles::
E pluribus unum, baby.
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
Van, I can't hug you because I'm sick (hence, my neglecting my cabana boy duties today), but I can blow you one of these from a safe distance.
Van, I can't hug you because I'm sick (hence, my neglecting my cabana boy duties today), but
I can blow you one of these from a safe distance. -Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
Looks like my mom will be out the hospital in a couple of days. My sister has been short on supplying me with details (probably because she is trying to protect me or something since she still looks at me as her kid brother, even though I'm in my 30s!), but from what Lightning said and the story Spritie told me about her grandfather, it sounds like the congestive heart failure is a good candidate. I guess it will be manageable in her case, but will add more pills to her daily diet, which I am sure she will be thrilled about - seeing as she has to take like a bizzilion a day already anyway for her diabetes, parkinson's disease, depression, and a couple other more minor things. She used to take pain pills too, but quit those since they made her too dizzy.
Well, I'm starting a job in Germany in January, but now I am thinking I should start looking for a job in the states so I can be closer during times like these. But at least it'll be easier to get home from Germany than it is from South Africa.
thanks for the support my beautiful HoPpers!
Looks like my mom will be out the hospital in a couple of days. My sister has been short on supplying me with details (probably because she is trying to protect me or something since she still looks at me as her kid brother, even though I'm in my 30s!), but from what Lightning said and the story Spritie told me about her grandfather, it sounds like the congestive heart failure is a good candidate. I guess it will be manageable in her case, but will add more pills to her daily diet, which I am sure she will be thrilled about - seeing as she has to take like a bizzilion a day already anyway for her diabetes, parkinson's disease, depression, and a couple other more minor things. She used to take pain pills too, but quit those since they made her too dizzy.
Well, I'm starting a job in Germany in January, but now I am thinking I should start looking for a job in the states so I can be closer during times like these. But at least it'll be easier to get home from Germany than it is from South Africa.
thanks for the support my beautiful HoPpers!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Hey, Vanise - I just notice you did a PhD in Space Physics. I'm in the middle of a PhD in Cosmology..... Not quite the same thing, but close enough! Okay, not close at all, but you know what I mean.... Are there a large number of physicsy types here, or is it just us???
hugs,
m
Hey, Vanise - I just notice you did a PhD in Space Physics. I'm in the middle of a PhD in Cosmology..... Not quite the same thing, but close enough! Okay, not close at all, but you know what I mean.... Are there a large number of physicsy types here, or is it just us???
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
your a cosmotologist???
Hehehe... don't you hate that whole cosmologist/cosmotologist, astronomer/astrologer thing?
At least as a space physicist, no one can say that sort of thing. Saying you are a physicist is a bit of a conversation killer though.
we are about it for professional physicists. There are a number of metaphysicists and armchair physicists about though. There are a few others with their undergrad degree in physics.
There are a fair number of people here with masters and PhDs in various fields though.
for example, Spritie has a PhD in sadistics... er, I mean statistics.
Hehehe... more fun.... sorry.
Cosmology huh? There have been some really interesting advances in that field of late. How far along are you in your grad studies, and where? What is your topic of study?
I'd ask you a question about dark energy, but formulating the question and writing the answer via typing over a BBS is not the way to do it. I'm moving to the Berlin/Potsdam area soon though, and see it as fairly likely that I'll be spending some weekends in the UK visiting HoPsters. Perhaps that htpothetical then is a better time.
your a cosmotologist???
Hehehe... don't you hate that whole cosmologist/cosmotologist, astronomer/astrologer thing?
At least as a space physicist, no one can say that sort of thing. Saying you are a physicist is a bit of a conversation killer though.
we are about it for professional physicists. There are a number of metaphysicists and armchair physicists about though. There are a few others with their undergrad degree in physics.
There are a fair number of people here with masters and PhDs in various fields though.
for example, Spritie has a PhD in sadistics... er, I mean statistics.
Hehehe... more fun.... sorry.
Cosmology huh? There have been some really interesting advances in that field of late. How far along are you in your grad studies, and where? What is your topic of study?
I'd ask you a question about dark energy, but formulating the question and writing the answer via typing over a BBS is not the way to do it. I'm moving to the Berlin/Potsdam area soon though, and see it as fairly likely that I'll be spending some weekends in the UK visiting HoPsters. Perhaps that htpothetical then is a better time.
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Quote:
your a cosmotologist???
Hehehe... don't you hate that whole cosmologist/cosmotologist, astronomer/astrologer thing?
[\quote]
Cosmotologist? Not heard that one before - is it an American thing? But we get the astronomer/astrologer one all the time, and yes, it's enough to drive you mad!!!Quote:
At least as a space physicist, no one can say that sort of thing. Saying you are a physicist is a bit of a conversation killer though.
Yeah - can't imagine why!
Quote:
we are about it for professional physicists. There are a number of metaphysicists and armchair physicists about though. There are a few others with their undergrad degree in physics.
There are a fair number of people here with masters and PhDs in various fields though.
for example, Spritie has a PhD in sadistics... er, I mean statistics.[\quote]
I'll remember that!Quote:
Cosmology huh? There have been some really interesting advances in that field of late.
Advances? I guess you could call figuring out more of what we don't know an advance.....!Quote:
How far along are you in your grad studies, and where? What is your topic of study?
I've just started the second year of my PhD (which only takes 3 years in the UK), at the University of Nottingham.Quote:
I'd ask you a question about dark energy, but formulating the question and writing the answer via typing over a BBS is not the way to do it. I'm moving to the Berlin/Potsdam area soon though, and see it as fairly likely that I'll be spending some weekends in the UK visiting HoPsters. Perhaps that htpothetical then is a better time.
Sounds goodGive me a shout when you're in the area and we can discuss it over beer in a nice country pub (undenyably the best way to discuss physics!). Or alternatively if you want I can send you a pm with my e-mail address and we can take our scary physics conversations away from the masses?!?
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
SILVER Member
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Pooh-Bah
2,014 posts
Location: Galveston, TX, USA
Posted:
Hey now! I like my degree thank you very much.
Oh, and Vanize will agree that he had more statistics in his thesis than I had in mine...
Hey now! I like my degree thank you very much.
Oh, and Vanize will agree that he had more statistics in his thesis than I had in mine...
GOLD Member
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Mand's Girl....and The Not So Shy One
2,723 posts
Location: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Posted:
Yay! More Science gee....I mean freaks!
I've a MSc in Geology, and am strongly considering heading back for that PhD.
Yay! More Science gee....I mean freaks!
I've a MSc in Geology, and am strongly considering heading back for that PhD.
Solitude sometimes speaks to you, and you should listen.
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
yeah, maybe it is an american term... cosmotologists are basicaly people who work in beauty salons.
well, I think the whole universe is not only expanding but accelerating is an interesting advancement in knowledge. but for the most part, I guess it is a matter of finding out things that make the universe even more confounding, which I like actually.
I'm definitely interested in picking your brains sometime. There are some... logical discrepencies... in my mind concerning GR and its application to cosmology that I would like straitened out.
Did you do a master's first? also on cosmology?
yeah, maybe it is an american term... cosmotologists are basicaly people who work in beauty salons.
well, I think the whole universe is not only expanding but accelerating is an interesting advancement in knowledge. but for the most part, I guess it is a matter of finding out things that make the universe even more confounding, which I like actually.
I'm definitely interested in picking your brains sometime. There are some... logical discrepencies... in my mind concerning GR and its application to cosmology that I would like straitened out.
Did you do a master's first? also on cosmology?
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
BRONZE Member
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
member
67 posts
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posted:
Oh dear! Well, I'm *definitely* not one of those..... But at least with that there's obviously just confusion about the word. Sometimes I think people really don't understand that there's a difference between Astronomers and Astrologers! Well, it's all to do with stars, isn't it? AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHhhhh!!!!
Yes, it's an advancement in knowledge - problem is that as usual it's "one step forwards, several billion steps back", as we went from having a pretty good idea of what most of the universe consists of to having to admit that we have no idea what over 95% of it is! Oops..... But I'm glad we don't know the whole picture yet - as you say, it's mroe interesting this way, and if we knew it all already there wouldn't be much left for me to do my PhD in!
Well, I'm happy to try - my GR isn't that good, as mostly I do newtonian stuff. Don't think I remembered to say before, but I'm working on magnetic fields - pesky things!
I did an MPhys (a 4-year undergrad degree which includes a masters, which is the new trend over here, gradually replacing the 3-year undergrad BSc followed by a 1-year MSc, which is what we used to do) in Physics with Astrophysics, but my final year project (which is basically the bit that is equivalent to the old Masters) was in Particle Cosmology. Namely Quintessence. I won prizes for it any everything.... **m looks smug**.
Glad to hear we've got a fair few maths/science type people around. I'm ususally the only one, save for a few IT people, who I don't really count!
hugs,
m
Quote:
yeah, maybe it is an american term... cosmotologists are basicaly people who work in beauty salons.
Oh dear! Well, I'm *definitely* not one of those..... But at least with that there's obviously just confusion about the word. Sometimes I think people really don't understand that there's a difference between Astronomers and Astrologers! Well, it's all to do with stars, isn't it? AAAARRRRGGGHHHHHhhhh!!!!
Quote:
well, I think the whole universe is not only expanding but accelerating is an interesting advancement in knowledge. but for the most part, I guess it is a matter of finding out things that make the universe even more confounding, which I like actually.
Yes, it's an advancement in knowledge - problem is that as usual it's "one step forwards, several billion steps back", as we went from having a pretty good idea of what most of the universe consists of to having to admit that we have no idea what over 95% of it is! Oops..... But I'm glad we don't know the whole picture yet - as you say, it's mroe interesting this way, and if we knew it all already there wouldn't be much left for me to do my PhD in!
Quote:
I'm definitely interested in picking your brains sometime. There are some... logical discrepencies... in my mind concerning GR and its application to cosmology that I would like straitened out.
Well, I'm happy to try - my GR isn't that good, as mostly I do newtonian stuff. Don't think I remembered to say before, but I'm working on magnetic fields - pesky things!
Quote:
Did you do a master's first? also on cosmology?
I did an MPhys (a 4-year undergrad degree which includes a masters, which is the new trend over here, gradually replacing the 3-year undergrad BSc followed by a 1-year MSc, which is what we used to do) in Physics with Astrophysics, but my final year project (which is basically the bit that is equivalent to the old Masters) was in Particle Cosmology. Namely Quintessence. I won prizes for it any everything.... **m looks smug**.
Glad to hear we've got a fair few maths/science type people around. I'm ususally the only one, save for a few IT people, who I don't really count!
hugs,
m
"Come to the edge", he said. They said "We are afraid."
"Come to the edge", he said. They came.
He pushed them..... and they flew.
- Apollinaire
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
we americans have to spend 4 years (minimum) to get our bachelors. then at least another two for a masters (if you are quick about it) and then at least another two for a phd (if you are really lucky).
but typically one goes from their bacelors strait into a phd program, at least in the hard sciences. The average for getting a physic PhD in the states is 6.5 years after leaving undergrad, which is pretty much exactly how long I took. No one EVER does it in less than 5 anymore. The poor schmucks that go to MIT have and average of like 8 years! But at least grad students in the states are paid a decent wage. Heck, I got paid almost as much for being a grad student in Texas (net) as I could get for being a postdoc in England. A postdoc in the states pays about 70% more (after taxes) than one in Europe.
yeah, magnetic fields are my specialty to as a magnetospheric physicist. they are rather pesky, I agree.
Quote:
I did an MPhys (a 4-year undergrad degree which includes a masters, which is the new trend over here, gradually replacing the 3-year undergrad BSc followed by a 1-year MSc, which is what we used to do) in Physics with Astrophysics
we americans have to spend 4 years (minimum) to get our bachelors. then at least another two for a masters (if you are quick about it) and then at least another two for a phd (if you are really lucky).
but typically one goes from their bacelors strait into a phd program, at least in the hard sciences. The average for getting a physic PhD in the states is 6.5 years after leaving undergrad, which is pretty much exactly how long I took. No one EVER does it in less than 5 anymore. The poor schmucks that go to MIT have and average of like 8 years! But at least grad students in the states are paid a decent wage. Heck, I got paid almost as much for being a grad student in Texas (net) as I could get for being a postdoc in England. A postdoc in the states pays about 70% more (after taxes) than one in Europe.
yeah, magnetic fields are my specialty to as a magnetospheric physicist. they are rather pesky, I agree.
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
SILVER Member
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
All the neurotic makings of America's lesser known sweetheart
9,831 posts
Location: body in Las Vegas, heart all around the world, USA
Posted:
jello and brownie mix wrestling today!!!!!
(can you tell i'm excited?
)
jello and brownie mix wrestling today!!!!!
(can you tell i'm excited?
) I was always scared with my mother's obsession with the good scissors. It made me wonder if there were evil scissors lurking in the house somewhere.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons for you are crunchy and good with ketchup.
**giggles**
SILVER Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,899 posts
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posted:
nope, couldn't tell at all!
I'll have to stay up late to watch, er... read the fun!
nope, couldn't tell at all!
I'll have to stay up late to watch, er... read the fun!
-v-
Wiederstand ist Zwecklos!
GOLD Member
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
HOP Mad Doctor
13,925 posts
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Posted:
Van, when I was 15 or so, I thought I wanted to be a cosmologist (I had a Sagan thing...go ahead and laugh at me). And I got the "cosmetologist" question all the time.
Right now, I get "so you're a pre-med?" It's like, "what part of 'medical school' did you not understand?"
Van, when I was 15 or so, I thought I wanted to be a cosmologist (I had a Sagan thing...go ahead and laugh at me). And I got the "cosmetologist" question all the time.
Right now, I get "so you're a pre-med?" It's like, "what part of 'medical school' did you not understand?"
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
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