The Randomly Grad Life

Valentine's Wishes From Trex

2012-02-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Site Construction

2012-01-26T22:51:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of reorganizing my site and as a result my frequency of posts have plummeted. Unfortunately this will continue until I'm ready to make an announcement. Stay tuned...

The Struggles of T-Rex

2012-01-26T22:49:00.000-08:00

It's finally time. After some creative changes, I'm launching the official blog of T-rex, the lovable dinosaur who struggles living day-to-day with tools in a world built for humans. Check him out at his tumblog: strugglesoftrex.tumblr.com and eventually at thestrugglesoftrex.com

Letterpress Design

2011-12-01T09:33:00.001-08:00

I've always wondered about the letterpress process, and I came across an article that nicely describes everything involved in letterpress printing from the casts to the inks. It's pretty handy to know and very pretty in execution.

Check it out here:

Design and Produce a Letterpress Print

I'm sorry...

2011-11-05T14:26:00.000-07:00

It's been quite awhile since I've posted on here and for that I apologize.

I've been considering just ending my time on this blog altogether, because of the infrequency of posts. But I've determined that that isn't the best course of action. I have too many things to talk about and too much information to share. I just don't have much time to do it...

But I'm going to put forth an effort to ensure that the Randomly Grad Life lives on in some way shape or form.

I've got some Great New Mexican Adventures, I've got some awesome new designs to share, and some excellent concepts to spread in the world. Stay tuned, this is going to be great!

Balloon Fiesta!

2011-10-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

The International Balloon Fiesta is upon us here in ABQ. I'll have my official report for the Great New Mexican Adventure up soon, but I thought I would share all the pics I took from my first ever trip to the fiesta. Check them out at my new photo site photos.iheartanthony.com.

Race for the Cure Part 2

2011-09-28T12:27:00.000-07:00

Get the word out. I want to make my Sisters Supporting Sisters design for the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure available to everyone participating in the NM Race Oct 9. Obviously I will alter the design to be NM centric. If you are going to be in the race, know someone who will be, are a breast cancer survivor, know a survivor, don't like breast cancer, love curing diseases, love great graphic design, and you heart Anthony then spread this to everyone you know! Help me help you!

I've contacted the Susan G. Komen affiliate here in NM but let's get as many people together for this as possible. I want to donate in a big way and the only way I can is by donating the money that you provide by pledging for the tshirts. Let's fight the disease together!

The original design can be seen below:

Race For the Cure Pictures

2011-09-19T10:37:00.000-07:00

My mom had her breast cancer race at Central Park in NYC and she brought some friends with her. One of them named Stacy is a breast cancer survivor. Click the jump for a couple pictures from their fun day (and to see my t-shirts in action)...

From left: Robin, Stacy, my mom (Barbara)

...smile for the camera!

The finish line!

My mom texted me when they were done and I got messages from Robin and Stacy saying how much they loved the shirt designs. I touched them (in their hearts, you pervs...)! I hope everyone who participated had a great day and that the foundation was able to raise a lot of money for the cause!

Freedom Tower

2011-09-18T11:01:00.001-07:00

From my dad...

The Droid Bionic

2011-09-11T11:08:00.000-07:00

...is not in this post, because I have not received it yet. Apparently when you ship 2Day with Fedex, you are prone to two different meanings of 2Day shipping. The first meaning is two days later. So if you are sent a package on Thursday (which is when my new phone was shipped) you will receive it on Saturday.

Unfortunately there is another meaning of 2Day shipping, and that apparently means 3 days later. This is what I received. And because Sunday isn't a shipping day, then I don't get my phone until tomorrow (Monday).

I first discovered this when I wanted to check the tracking information. I noticed it said expected date of arrival on Sept 12 by 7pm. I was flabbergasted. Why does 2Day actually mean 3 days? I set up a little experiment. I went to the Fedex website and looked up transit times. I "sent" a package from my mom's zip code to my zip code (because Fedex wanted zips and it was too annoying to lookup a zip code in Pennsylvania, where my phone was being sent from) and checked out the transit times:

You will notice in that picture that there are 3(?!) different Fedex 2Day options. The first is actually 2 days to delivery. The second is called 2Day am and gets the package there the morning of the third day. The third option is also called 2Day and get's the package delivered at some point during the third day.

The only way to distinguish between the two identically named 2Day options is by price which for a package that is 2lbs differs by $17!

Lesson: Folks, don't ship with Fedex.

Summer to Winter Change

2011-09-09T17:31:00.001-07:00

As I've mentioned several times here, there is usually one day during the Spring and the Fall where the weather drastically shifts from cold to hot/hot to cold. Today was that day. Last week temperatures were in the mid to high 90's and today temperatures never got out of the 60's. Looks like the Prickly Pear saw it's shadow...

The Very Large Array (VLA)

2011-09-09T17:27:00.000-07:00

This post is part of a series called the Great New Mexican Adventure, where I detail the things to see and do in New Mexico and determine if they are worth the time, effort, and money.

The Very Large Array is a system of dish telescopes that act as one single telescope using the principle of interferometry. In an interesting twist, not only do they all act in unison for one telescope, but combined they are also a part of another interferometric system known as the Very Long Baseline Array, which the Arecibo telescope is also a part of.

Getting to the VLA is quite an easy trip, take I-25 south until you reach Socorro and then take US 60 West until you see giant dishes on the side of the road. It is a 2 hour drive from ABQ, which would make this the most boring day trip ever. Luckily I was on my way home from the Lightning Field and this trip required just pulling over for a pit stop.

This particular day, the VLA was stretched out in a particularly long pattern. Each telescope is movable and the array has several different configurations available to meet the needs of the scientists. Sometimes the telescopes are packed in tight, while other times the telescopes are spread out over many miles. The reason for this is because the distance between the two farthest dishes (known as the baseline) is similar to the diameter of the interferometric telescope (bigger baselines yield less resolution though).

As we approached we could see telescopes for many miles in each direction all pointing toward the NE section of the sky collecting data (it doesn't have to be dark to do radio astronomy!). And I took pictures of the telescopes way off in the distance (there is a slideshow below and I encourage you to look at the full resolution images to see how far away I was when I first spotted the array).

Once you arrive there is a little museum that talks about radio astronomy and what we've learned about the universe because of it. There is a movie that plays that talks about the telescopes (that I didn't watch) and you can go on a walking tour to get up close to one dish, view the control room, and walk around the main campus.

The museum isn't that great and could clearly use some upgrading. There is a gift shop too that has some merchandise (Stef bought a coffee mug) but I didn't find much of it appealing. The walking tour is great though. There are plaques explain the physics of parabolic dishes and as I mentioned above you can walk right up to a dish just to see how big it really is (and it is big!). When you get to the control room you are given a (relatively) bird's eye view of the array and even just the addition 30ft can give you a whole new perspective on the impressive achievements of the telescopes.

Despite how poorly I portrayed the experience, I had a good time at the VLA, but I could be corrupt because I used to be very interested in astronomy, spent a summer at the Arecibo telescope, and enjoy the occasional night of stargazing. I did spend a considerable amount of time taking pictures, just staring at the vastness of the configuration, reminiscing of my time in radio astronomy, and talking to Stef about the work she did at the site (she helped setup the Long Wavelength Array which is a system of arrays of antennas around NM, with one site at the VLA, designed to study low energy signals from space). If you are ever driving to southern NM for a trip or to the Lightning Field, then it is definitely worth a stop to the VLA, because after all science is fun!

Information:
Location: Plains of San Agustin about 50 miles west of Socorro
Website: VLA supported by NRAO
Free Admission
Rating: Awesome

The Lightning Field

2011-09-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

This post is part of a series called the Great New Mexican Adventure, where I detail the things to see and do in New Mexico and determine if they are worth the time, effort, and money. Next up is the Lightning Field.

When you make your reservations for the Lightning Field the first thing you'll notice is the price ($250 per person during July and August, $150 per peson for May, June, and September, $100 per person for students) then you'll notice that the location of the Lightning Field is shrouded in mystery. You are told to drive to the offices in Quemado and from there you will be picked up and brought to the location. The final thing you will notice is that there is a disclaimer that says "A full experience of The Lightning Field does not depend upon the occurrence of lightning..." While reasonable it sounded like the operators were trying to keep visitor hopes down.

Knowing New Mexico weather, I knew that rain wasn't likely and that thunderstorms are more prevalent in late summer (hence my planned visit for Labor Day weekend), but not something to set a clock to. I wasn't too worried about the chance of seeing lightning, but I was hopeful. I was more worried that seeing a bunch of poles in the middle of nowhere turned out to be the most boring experience of my life. I'll get to that in a moment.

The drive to Quemado is about a 2-3 hour drive depending on how fast you go and which way you go. If you start by going east on I-40 you'll be treated to spectacular scenery as you drive through Malpais National Park. If you start by going south on I-25 you'll be treated to a glimpse of the VLA (Very Large Array). I took both routes, going the I-40 route towards Quemado, and then returning via the VLA.

Upon arrival you'll notice that Quemado is a really small town with just a few buildings. You'll also notice that you CAN'T find the Dia office. That's because it is the most run down building in town and has the smallest sign possible. I took the liberty of documenting that for any potential visitors because NO ONE in the Corrales office or the Quemado office bothered to answer the phone with regards to finding the site. So the building below is what the Dia Quemado Lightning Field office looks like.

The next image is the sign telling you that this is the building you want to be at. Yea not too visible...

A man named Robert eventually picks you up from the Quemado office and whisks you away to the cabin that you will be staying in for the night. On this particular adventure it had been raining quite a bit and the roads were very muddy. That made the ride very, very fun (or scary depending on your idea of fun). I have to say this drive was the best part of the trip. Nothing like getting the blood pumping before a relaxing evening on the prairie.

Once you get to the cabin, Robert tells you everything you need to know, how to contact him in case of an emergency, and some safety precautions. Then he drives off never to be seen again, until the next day. From here on out you are free to do as you please. It is just you, the Lightning Field, and in my case 4 other people who you hope won't get on your nerves for the next 24 hours.

The pole grid is literally just a few hundred feet from the cabin, and once you get there you are encouraged to spend as much time in the field as possible. There is a packet inside the cabin with some facts about the construction of the field. Unfortunately I could not find this information on their website (or anywhere else for that matter) but it is rather interesting. It definitely helps you appreciate the scope of the project.

Which brings me to my next point, how is the experience? If you take the Lightning Field at face value it is pretty weak. You are in the middle of nowhere, left alone, with a field of a bunch of metal poles and you aren't likely to actually see lightning strike the field. If you go to the Field with that in mind and never open your mind it will be as exciting as I've made it out to be.

If however you enjoy the outdoors, you spend a lot of time walking around the Field, in the Field, and enjoying everyone you traveled with you might enjoy the experience. I myself did enjoy the experience, but with that said I don't think my life is complete because I've seen it and I don't think I would miss anything if I never heard about it. But let me tell you about my experience (which after this very long intro is really what this is all about)...

Walking around and in the field you definitely get the feeling that there is more effort put into this than meets the eye. It took more than just one person to design the Field and being there really hammers that home. As you touch the poles you realize they are more sturdy than just a piece of metal casually placed in the ground. You look at the tops of the poles and you realize they aren't just regular poles, someone meticulously crafted the tips to be perfect (the fact sheet something about the curve of the tip matching the arc of a 6m circle). You also realize that every tip is perfectly level creating a plane, and that each pole is precisely positioned within a fraction of an inch. Walking around the field you also realize how many poles there are (400) and how long it took to put it all together. Once you consider all that and whatever thoughts about the meaning of life pop into your head, then you begin to appreciate it.

As an idea, I still don't really appreciate it. The Lightning Field in principle still seems silly, I mean it's just poles on a field. But I definitely appreciate the amount of effort that it took to construct such a silly principle. I appreciated the time I spent in nature, I appreciated the time I spent with my girlfriend, and I definitely appreciated the drive out to the Field (and living to tell the tale). So all in all the Lightning Field was a positive experience, plus I got a ton of great pictures.

If you don't like nature, don't enjoy the company of others, and don't like being without your iPhone, then you probably won't like the Lightning Field. If however you do like those things and can appreciate great works of man no matter how pointless they may seem then you will most likely enjoy the Lightning Field. If you do decide to go, definitely convince a group of friends to go as the bonding you will experience will make the entire experience way more enjoyable.

Information:
Location: Hidden NE of Quemado
Supported by Dia Art Foundation
Rating: Awesome

In the Wild West You Don't Need an Address

2011-09-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

Look at the address section of this postcard that I found at the Dia headquarters in Quemado. Now look again. This postcard is addressed to "Robert, Karren, and Casey" at Pie Town NM. Yes there are no last names, there is no house number, and there is no street. Just Pie Town, NM in the USA. How on earth did this get delivered?

Hypotheses in the comments please.

Stop the Search, I'm Back

2011-09-04T18:10:00.001-07:00

I'm back from the technological abyss known as Quemado. Tomorrow I'll post the full review of my trip to the Lightning Field. I captured some excellent pictures so stay tuned...

For the Next 24 Hours I Will be Here

2011-09-03T08:45:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map Just letting the world know, in case I end up lost in the wilderness, you will know where I am. This will also be the next stop on the Great New Mexican Adventure. On top of that I will be doing some scientific work. If you want to see what I'm up to read about it over at IheartAnthony's Research, otherwise I'll see ya soon!

Grad Student Meetup At Marble

2011-09-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Details after the jump.
I made this poster as part of my official duties as a member of the GPSA (Graduate and Professional Student Association) to make students aware that the GPSA is hosting a social "hour" at Marble Brewery on Sept 6 at 7pm. The catch is that you have to talk to people, but if you like doing that and you like eating free nachos (I wish it were free beer though) then you will love this. Maybe I will see you there?

NYC Race for the Cure

2011-08-28T19:35:00.000-07:00

My mom is running/walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure which takes place in Central Park, NYC on September 18, 2011 to support breast cancer. I made this t-shirt for her and her friends and all the money that I would normally make from it will be donated to the event. There is nothing that says you too can't support the cause if you can't make it.

Race for the Cure, Sept 18 2011 by iheartanthony
See other Breast T-Shirts

I want these sunglasses

2011-08-19T13:24:00.000-07:00

From R. Kelly's "I'mma Flirt" Video Those look like diamond covered glasses. I don't even care if you can actually see out of them, they are awesome!

My Science

2011-08-14T22:35:00.001-07:00

I'm launching a new blog that will cover all my research as openly as possible. I will be using it mostly as a notebook but my goal is to keep it so good and make it readable for anyone. Right now it is an empty blog but it will be changing rapidly over the next couple of weeks so stay with me. Make sure you frequently check out my research over at:

IheartAnthony's Research

This officially marks the split of my science and everything else, which has been something I considered for a while. One day there will be no more Randomly Grad Life and this is just the first step in the process, but I promise that day isn't very soon. I will be returning to blogging very soon and when I do I promise it will be spectacular.

Interview With iZombie

2011-07-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

I've been really slow on the blog front lately, but I've got a lot on my plate and so the blog hiatus will continue until I can hit a groove with everything in my life. Until then I'll be posting in random fashion and I'll start/continue with this interview I did for a good friend of mine.

I've been following his work on iZombie for about a year as he is another artist like myself. He started doing these interviews with actors, composers, directors, artists, and more on another one of his blogs and I asked him if I could do one too. He happily said yes and he posted our interview last week. Check it out here:

Two Thumbs Eight Fingers

Comments About the Los Alamos Fire

2011-06-29T09:03:00.000-07:00

Los Alamos is on the map once again because of two main factors. The first is because of the Las Conchas wildfire that has been inching closer to the labs everyday. The second factor is because everyone knows what the labs there do and this is even bigger because of the Japanese nuclear reactor failure after the earthquake and tsunami. Now the news is trying to fear monger and make the nation aware that this could be the great US nuclear failure.
Well if you came here searching Los Alamos fire, Las Conchas Fire, New Mexican forest fires, LANL labs fire, or anything that has the search term fire and something NM related you are in for a rude awakening. The labs aren't going to burn down and there is not going to be a US nuclear disaster right now.

(Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of the contents and practices of Los Alamos National Lab, but I am speaking on behalf of logic and my experience of safety procedures as a scientist). Regardless of what we know goes on up there, or what we think we know, whatever nuclear material is stored up there is underground in hardened facilities to protect the said material from disasters of both a natural and man-made origin. There is no way that if the fire burned the facility there would be a leak of reactor proportions.

Not only that but, in light of the Japan situation, there is no way the US government would allow a disaster of that proportion to happen on American soil this near in time to the Japanese situation. Within 24 hours of the initial reports, the governor of NM called in the NM National Guard to immediately provide support. If the fire were in real danger of consuming the lab, federal support would begin IMMEDIATELY. There would be no wait.

Don't pay attention to the headlines of reports. They all say the same thing, which is something along the lines of "Fire races toward national nuclear lab." If you read the articles themselves they will mention that the labs are near the fire, that the fire has burned a lot, and that the town of Los Alamos has been evacuated. They may or may not mention that the line of contact is at the labs, meaning those fighting the fires are focusing their efforts on protecting the labs and the town.

As I last heard it, the fire was 15% contained and that was last night. Today more support is expected and conditions can only improve. So stay calm, relax, and use your heads. Don't just read the headlines of print or CNN. They are designed to peak your interest in the story, not to be the base of the story itself.

With that said there are a lot of people displaced because of the fire and they need support. Here's how you can help:

visit http://www.rrfb.org/ and donate money, food, or personal care items

Santa Fe Fire

2011-06-22T22:55:00.000-07:00

As seen from Los Alamos. If you click the picture you will get a much larger view.

I spotted this on Saturday an looked it up and found that the fire had started maybe an hour before that. Within 24 hours the fire burned like 200 acres of forest. This picture was taken around that time. I was going to write about it on Wikipedia and contribute the picture, but there was no article and I don't know if it is worth writing an article. I'll give it a few days.

Birthday present #1

2011-06-08T14:29:00.001-07:00

Phat shoes by creative recreation.

Update: Stef pointed out to me that this is technically bday present number 2. Bday present 1 was a waffle iron with which I will make yummy vietnamese waffles. Yummy!

Birthday

2011-06-08T14:28:00.000-07:00

On this day 27 years ago, I was born. And that means in 3 years I will be 30...

boooo.

In other news my birthday phone backfired yet again. Last year I didn't answer my phone hoping that my mom would tell the story of my birth on Google Voice for you all to hear. Instead she sang a birthday song. This year I didn't expect the story, and instead she started the tradition, but I answered the phone so you don't get to hear it. Next year I won't answer the phone no matter what.

But because it's my birthday and I get to do whatever I want on this blog I will post the ultra class Christmas wishes from my mom in protest of the birth story.