I did a post a while ago about DIY vinyl decals. They work, but take a lot of ink and made my printer sad. So how excited was I to find another source of decals, both geeky and non geeky!

What is Blik has a wide range of styles, from Nintendo, to abstract, to generic geek, to… strange!

Here’s a few of my favourites from the site:

Of course we have the classic Mario et al.

And even more classic:

GIANT ROBOTS OF sorta DOOM!

I’d love to have these in my bathroom:

However, I quickly ran into a problem with putting my stuff up… the pictures looked horrible! Especially compared to some of the great ones others had up, and at the high resolution the recommended. I knew my main problem was lighting, so off to Google I went to help find a solution.

I eventually started reading about jewellery photography specifically, and everyone said the same thing - I needed a light box. This seemed like an expensive solution, until I came across instructions on how to build one.

Basically, you take a good sized cardboard box, cut out three sides (top and sides), cover the wholes with white tissue paper, and insert a piece of white Bristol board. Alas I did not take pictures of this process, but the wiki I linked above does a great job explaining it.

Here is an image of the 1d20 pendant I took with a normal flash:

It definitely could be worse, but it’s not up to snuff.

Here is the completed light box. I’m using two desk lamps for light (plus the sun!), but I really need something brighter. For those who don’t know Canada has almost completely switched over to those florescent bulbs, so these are 13w, which is about the same as a 60w. I think I need a set of emergency light things!

The string is great for showing off how things hang.

And here’s a new picture:

It isn’t the best example honestly; I’m having stability issues now which are making my pictures a little blurry. I think it uses the flash to help stabilize the image.

Here are some of my favourites so far!:

The main one I will be attending is http://www.scifiontherock.com/Sci-fi on the Rock, as it’s held in my town. While new, it’s run by a great bunch of people, and some amazing guests. It takes place in late April, so is coming up way too soon. I’m also hoping to get to http://www.tcon.ca/polaris/modules/tconguests/Polaris, but it’s in Toronto so takes a bit more planning.

Last year for on the Rock I went as Kaylee, complete with engine grease on my face. Yes, actual engine grease. On the way to the con I realized that I couldn’t Kaylee without a bit of dirt on my face, but amazingly no one around me had anything that would work, not even mascarea. Sooo… I popped the hood and rubbed my finger along the dirty areas. Certainly was realistic!

I will probably go as Kaylee one of the days again this year, because I do a pretty good rendition of her.

However, I would also like to do some Trek this year! I already have a Voyager uniform. My very awesome Mom actually sewed it sans uniform pattern (modified a different one) for me. My Mom rocks indeed. I still need a proper undershirt, and a com badge, and to add the pips (we have some rivets are the exact right size!), but really, that’s nothing.

However, because I’m not a big enough dork, I also want a TOS (The Original Series) version! It’s much easier to sew, but requires harder to come by accessories. Like my Voyager uniform, I’d want the science version like this:

While not true to the costume, I’d probably wear leggings with it. Not sure I want to run around in something that short at a con. Actually, I’m very sure I don’t want to do that.

I’ve found the communicator badge:

Aaaaand… I really really really want this. The problem is that it’s not being released until April 22nd… so it cuts things a little close. And it’s $40 USD plus shipping. But SO COOL!

So, as it turned out I don’t have the rights to SUDO and was apparently reported to my sysadmin. Who on that system is either me, or maybe my prof. I’m sure he got a kick out of it if he did somehow get a report on my SUDOing. We just had a nice email back and forth about my latest lab where apparently I was not expect to know how to prep my system to install a second OS, and should have installed it into VMware. Good thing it failed? Damn redhat. And me for being too lazy to find my drivers I guess.

On to amusing computer errors!

Displayed in Times Square! Oh it gets worse…

At least the flash crash isn’t nearly as obvious as a huge BSOD (blue screen of death - yes that is the technical term) sitting in times square!

These kinds of crashes in public areas aren’t that uncommon. I’ve seen crashed airline displays, ad displays, and the “what’s on next” thing on TV has crashed. That was funny because we actually got to watch them restart the computer.

Apparently these days even the BSOD can crash?

Ok, not a real error message, but it’s so true =(

One of my geeky facets is my love of science. I grew up in a family where asking “why” was always met with a clear and complete answer. We were always learning, and this thirst for knowledge stuck with us as we grew older.

There are people who, when I’ve told them this, have been surprised and even shocked, that my parents would “ruin the magic” of life. This is a common idea, that somehow the science of the explanation takes the joy out of life, that it makes it cold and clinical.

I’ve spoken before about the beauty of science, and it’s an idea that I’m aliment about. But beyond that, I find the world even more wonderful and amazing knowing the details. Yes rainbows are pretty, but imagine the millions of water drops that it is made up of, bending light to show you the entire spectrum of light.

Watch this video for example:

It is a 3D rendering (minus water) of the inside of the cell from a molecular base. This is very close to what actually happens, and is happening, in your body right now. Yes, all of it. If that’s not amazing I’m not sure what is.

I firmly believe that science, knowing more about how things work, only enhances the world. It makes wavelengths appear at a higher intensity, and taste buds more reactive. Ok, maybe not when I put it like that, but seriously. Without science there’s a limit to the wonders of the world. With science there’s a nearly infinite amount of wonder.

Plus it gives me an excuse to wear this:

Oh Rocket Scientist, you are my eternal favourite. Seriously this blog is a great read, written by someone who uses the English language like a katana, rather than the blunt force weapon most of us treat it like. Plus the header is one of my favourite moon shots, which is an additional dose of happy.

If you have a blog, why aren’t you using EntreCard yet? Honestly, it’s like free traffic. A lot of people think that the majority of the traffic from this site is meaningless anyway, but I’ve found most of my favourite blogs through it! Yes there’s a few that I only visit because they keep visiting me, but the vast majority of them I read as I go through. Dropping doesn’t take that much time, and I generally do it in batches throughout the day.

As a side note, I am so glad February is over. I hate spelling that word.

But how bad are the negatives? You hear a lot of people say they don’t have the will power or self control for self directed learning, and need the structure of class. As a poster child for distractibility, I think I am a near worst case scenario for someone trying to be self directed! But really, all it has taken is planning. I keep three copies of my schedule, each sorted slightly different. Once a week I go through my courses and ensure that my schedules are still accurate.

It can be a little difficult trying to understand some concepts, and of course some instructors are better than others. But with all the technology out now, it’s still better than being in a lecture with 400 other students! Where I’m taking my program ( College of the North Atlantic) they’ve put a lot into their DLS program, and it’s very clear what needs to be done by when. Readings are assigned for every week, and even though I don’t always do them, that’s my own problem.

As a geek, me and technology have a pretty good relationship… usually. I’m convinced my printer is possessed. At least the spooler service anyway. I’m sure that makes doing a program online a lot easier.

It’s never too late to learn something new, and I know a number of things in my program (which, granted, is website admin) have helped me with my blog and just keeping my computer working. Like exorcising my spooler.

I tried to find a picture of a possessed printer, but we’ll have to make do with one on fire. Poor thing, looks like it’s trying to run away.

Thanks all the great feedback on my Wikipedia article! I still think it’s no worse than citing a paper encyclopaedia (or CD version… I can’t remember the last time I saw a paper version) as long as you keep an eye open for misinformation. But shouldn’t you do that anyway?

I do most of my primary research on Wikipedia.

Honestly, there’s nothing wrong with it in most cases. When I was doing a number of biochem classes, I used it for almost every lab. It was better explained and had nicer diagrams than my text book, and made more sense than most of my lab instructors. When dealing with scientific articles of little consequence to the public, odds are it’s accurate.

Lets look at my favourite mathematical concept - the Hairy Ball Theorem. Despite my basic knowledge of mathematics, I can get the gist of what is happening here!

Wikipedia also gives information on how to cite the article, just click on the “cite this page” on the right there! An important thing to note is that they include the date accessed. One major criticism of Wikipedia is that anyone can alter it. However, since all changes are saved (generally) a person can go back and access the page you were viewing.

But no, I never cite Wikipedia directly, but it is still a highly useful tool. Beyond its assistance in making me understand the sources I already have, it’s a great place to find sources! Looking a more general article - Plato’s Theory of Forms - we can see they have a long list of cites sources.

Obviously if you are going to quote the Wikipedia article directly, you will have to cite them. As well, be sure you actually take the time to check the sources yourself before blindly citing. Most profs will know when you’re BSing.

So, the age old (well, old) question.

Ask your prof before you do. Some profs have started allowing students to cite Wikipedia articles as long as they also have other sources to back them up. Way back when there were questions about citing websites as well, but now it’s common place. At this point, odds are they will say no and look at you funny for asking, but it is still an invaluable source of information.

I’m constantly astounded by how many regulars I have. It makes me feel really good knowing people enjoy my writing… especially since I have a book coming out soon!

I want to thank all my readers. Yes the dollar a post and the30 odd cents I get from traffic is nice, but focusing on that makes for some poor quality posts. I’m always thinking about what might interest you, I’m sure my friend have gotten sick of me bouncing ideas off them. While my work has been a bit more sporadic lately - bronchitis and a 7 course load have certainly impacted my free time - I hope the quality hasn’t suffered too much.

Ok, enough back patting… onto the back patting!

I’m currently waiting on a shipment of three hundred books. I was lying in bed this morning trying to do the math on how much space three hundred books would take up. Ok, so it turns out only to be like 2 square feet - 3, maybe 4, boxes. If you’re interested, check it out here.

So, recapping: 7 courses, 1 bronchitis, 300 books, 0.0003 free time :)

But…

It was extremely well packaged, so armed with a key a dug into my new treasure! I had ordered an assorted kit, as well as two sets of pliers. They weren’t much more expensive, even with shipping, to buy from them than to find my own, and I figured I’d have a better chance of getting what I need direct from them!

Yay ziplocks!

And as an added bonus my pliers have their logo on it. Neat!

I decided that the easiest thing to start with would be a 4-in-1. I found a great tutorial over at from CG Maille that really helped me get the hang of what I was doing… sort of.

My intention was to have the blue rings around the edge, with silver in the middle. Not sure how I ended up not doing that…

The necklace is a pattern from from Art of Chainmail.