1.9 GB

Recently I have been thinking a lot about moving back to PA from Knoxville, and wrapping up this chapter of my life.  In doing so, I have had to compile all of my files for Dr. Miller - and when done it is 1.9 GB.  It's very strange to look at the work that I completed only it only take up 1.9 GB.  I know that it isn't fair (I removed all of the output and post-processed files), but it still seems rather small.

The 9th Circle of Hell

Please, please don't ever hard code a table number, figure reference, section reference, equation number or any other type of reference.  Use the functionality of Word, Latex, OpenOffice, or whatever typesetting program your eye sets its fancy on. Don't deviate from the themes; if you don't like it change the theme! And above all else, if you copy a table as an image . . . burning pits of sulphor are too kind for you.

Graduation Week, then time to move into the wild unknown!

Jobs and Life Decisions

I think looking for jobs and life decisions is way more stressful than graduating.  Decisions?  Choices?  Man, I could really use a drink.

I least I get to do really cool things, like fight with XSDRN.  Picture this - a deadly struggle of a lone man against an archaic (wait, free form!) punchcard input!  Somehow the field is limited to 80 character lines, when its output isn't.

Graduation Forms - Adult Pokemon

Signatures - gotta get them all! Getting down to the wire, as all everything is due tomorrow by 5 p.m. Exciting!

Turkey tourney was a lot of fun.  The ultimate was cold and windy, but the people were amazing.  I like savage tournaments for that reason, you really get to know your teammates.

Turkey Tourney!

This weekend I am attending my first Turkey Tourney - this should be right in my wheelhouse!

Regulatory Oversight / Culture

During the ANS Plenary sessions the head commissioner of the NRC, Allison Macfarlane, gave some remarks about the relationship between the regulator and the utility. One of the more interesting items mentioned was the conclusion (from the Japan Diet's report) that Fukushima was 'manmade'. To quote from the reports executive summary "The TEPCO Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant accident was the result of collusion between the government, the regulators and TEPCO, and the lack of governance by said parties. They effectively betrayed the nation’s right to be safe from nuclear accidents. Therefore, we conclude that the accident was clearly “manmade.” We believe that the root causes were the organizational and regulatory systems that supported faulty rationales for decisions and actions, rather than issues relating to the competency of any specific individual." 

The report was very interesting, but I don't know what to think about this. From what I know about the accident and power plants (and, of course, hindsight),  I can agree that accident was not mitigated properly - an argument could be made that the severity of the accident was 'manmade'. I think, however, that ignoring the randomness / magnitude of natural disasters by calling this accident 'manmade' commits the same mistake by implying that more technology could avoid these events.  Every technology has its risk, whether in global warming or rad safety.

I'm a Doctor

I'm a doctor!

The defense went very well, with only minor revisions. One more form to sign and get filled out, and then onwards!