Entries Tagged 'general' ↓

Well, it’s been ages since I wrote on here about what I’m up to generally with life – so I thought I’d give everyone an update.

PhD

No, I’m afraid you can’t call me Dr. Pitt yet. I’m still writing my thesis and getting a few bits of analysis out of the way. I’m aiming for the end of July, but then I’ve been aiming to be finished in a couple of months for a while now. Grr. I’m seriously sick of the subject – don’t get me wrong, it’s somewhat interesting, but I feel like I’ve departed from the science I’m most interested in. Stuff like AI, genomics, and system simulation.

I got a writing scholarship to write a scientific paper about the spread of Argentine ant in New Zealand, so that’ll help with finances. My scholarship ran out back in February, and since then I’ve been on the student allowance. It’s tough going from approx $25k/year to an allowance, but I’m managing somewhat.

After PhD

I’m not too sure what I’ll do afterwards. I’ll be spending a couple of months developing a GUI or web-based version of my simulation tool and being paid technician rates, so that’ll tide me over while I decide. Currently my plan is to move to Wellington after I’ve finished up the GUI. From there I have a few options:

• Consulting for AgResearch – I presented my work at a weed modelling conference in Hanmer in April. AgResearch had a similar project to my work which has been on hold for a few years while seeking new funding. They recently got some, and were looking for people to help with it, expressing interest in recruiting me.
• Senior Biosecurity officer – There is a position for DoC (I think) who want someone to take up this role. I probably couldn’t go directly into the position, but they indicated they are willing to groom the appropriate person towards this position.
• Some miscellaneous programming job – if all else fails, I’m a pretty damn good programmer (in comparison to most Computer Science graduates).
• Get a part time job, work on my business ideas – I could just get some menial part time job, maybe a IT/customer support role, and work on my website ideas in my remaining time.

I don’t plan to stay in Wellington for too long, maybe a year or so. Then once I have a little cash I’ll bugger off overseas and see all those people who have already made there way to Australia and the UK. Of course I might decide to be a complete freak and run away to China, Japan or Dubai where there is mad cash for researchers doing some totally whack stuff (Totally whack is my new phrase).

DJing

I’ve so far had two events in clubs (more here and here) and one outdoor event at KiwiBurn. I have another couple events lined up in June, so I’m looking forward to those. Generally my sets have been pretty well received, and I get a real buzz from the whole experience. It’s definitely something I’d like to keep up with and take as far as I can.

Oh and I was invited back to Curve in Wellington to play this Friday. Fun

Life

I’m keeping mostly healthy. Emotionally, I’m a bit a fragile after parting ways with my ex. Still, I’ve been meeting lots of new people and generally forming new friendships. Friendships which I realised I was lacking in when I became single.

Oh, and this is cool

This keyboard I’ve mentioned before. It’s awesome and is now available for pre-order! I’d so be buying it if I had the cash.

Well, it's been ages since I wrote on here about what I'm up to generally with life - so I thought I'd give everyone an update. PhD No, I'm afraid you can't call me Dr. Pitt yet. I'm still writing my thesis and getting a few bits of analysis out of the way. I'm aiming for the end of July, but then I've been aiming to be finished in a couple of months for a while now. Grr. I'm seriously sick of the subject - don't get me wrong, it's somewhat interesting, but I feel like I've departed from the science I'm most interested in. Stuff like AI, genomics, and system simulation. I got a writing scholarship to write a scientific paper about the spread of Argentine ant in New Zealand, so that'll help with finances. My scholarship ran out back in February, and since then I've been on the student allowance. It's tough going from approx $25k/year to an allowance, but I'm managing somewhat. After PhD I'm not too sure what I'll do afterwards. I'll be spending a couple of months developing a GUI or web-based version of my simulation tool and being paid technician rates, so that'll tide me over while I decide. Currently my plan is to move to Wellington after I've finished up the GUI. From there I have a few options: Consulting for AgResearch - I presented my work at a weed modelling conference in Hanmer in April. AgResearch had a similar project to my work which has been on hold for a few years while seeking new funding. They recently got some, and were looking for people to help with it, expressing interest in recruiting me. Senior Biosecurity officer - There is a position for DoC (I think) who want someone to take up this role. I probably couldn't go directly into the position, but they indicated they are willing to groom the appropriate person towards this position. Some miscellaneous programming job - if all else fails, I'm a pretty damn good programmer (in comparison to most Computer Science graduates). Get a part time job, work on my business ideas - I could just get some menial part time job, maybe a IT/customer support role, and work on my website ideas in my remaining time. I don't plan to stay in Wellington for too long, maybe a year or so. Then once I have a little cash I'll bugger off overseas and see all those people who have already made there way to Australia and the UK. Of course I might decide to be a complete freak and run away to China, Japan or Dubai where there is mad cash for researchers doing some totally whack stuff (Totally whack is my new phrase). DJing I've so far had two events in clubs (more here and here) and one outdoor event at KiwiBurn. I have another couple events lined up in June, so I'm looking forward to those. Generally my sets have been pretty well received, and I get a real buzz from the whole experience. It's definitely something I'd like to keep up with and take as far as I can. Oh and I was invited back to Curve in Wellington to play this Friday. Fun :D Life I'm keeping mostly healthy. Emotionally, I'm a bit a fragile after parting ways with my ex. Still, I've been meeting lots of new people and generally forming new friendships. Friendships which I realised I was lacking in when I became single. Oh, and this is cool This keyboard I've mentioned before. It's awesome and is now available for pre-order! I'd so be buying it if I had the cash.

If your a New Zealander and have any interest in supplements/vitamins then please check this out.

The NZ government is trying introduce regulations that will require supplements to go through an expensive approval process and result in:

• Prices for New Zealand Vitamins and Supplements will increase between 30% and 100%
• Approximately 60% of your favourite New Zealand product range will be forced from the market due to the new regulatory costs
• Effective doses will be reduced, meaning many supplements will simply become ineffective. It will eventually be illegal to sell any supplement above the RDI (recommended daily intake).

Plus, this seems a little too convenient in the way it purports the whole bill to be about consumer safety, and ignores that even in comparison to highly regulated pharmaceutical drugs they are ridiculously safe.

Guess I’ll have to go somewhere else to be a transhumanist (they’ve already restricted Modafinil ).

Leave my freedoms alone damn you government!

(Thanks tatjna for bring it to my attention)

If your a New Zealander and have any interest in supplements/vitamins then please check this out. The NZ government is trying introduce regulations that will require supplements to go through an expensive approval process and result in: Prices for New Zealand Vitamins and Supplements will increase between 30% and 100% Approximately 60% of your favourite New Zealand product range will be forced from the market due to the new regulatory costs Effective doses will be reduced, meaning many supplements will simply become ineffective. It will eventually be illegal to sell any supplement above the RDI (recommended daily intake). Plus, this seems a little too convenient in the way it purports the whole bill to be about consumer safety, and ignores that even in comparison to highly regulated pharmaceutical drugs they are ridiculously safe. Guess I'll have to go somewhere else to be a transhumanist (they've already restricted Modafinil :( ). Leave my freedoms alone damn you government! (Thanks tatjna for bring it to my attention)

I just recently have been watching the 10th season of Southpark – which I’m finding pretty entertaining after not originally being drawn to the show. The last episode I watched was “Make Love, Not Warcraft” which, as you might guess, is a episode about World of Warcraft. It’s pretty damn funny, and awesome that Blizzard collaborated with them on it.

I just recently have been watching the 10th season of Southpark - which I'm finding pretty entertaining after not originally being drawn to the show. The last episode I watched was "Make Love, Not Warcraft" which, as you might guess, is a episode about World of Warcraft. It's pretty damn funny, and awesome that Blizzard collaborated with them on it.

SInce Wildebeest Asylum made the comment about the last two NIN videos being quite boring (which I mostly agree with), I thought I should post the video for Survivalism. I think it’s pretty cool, and completely fits in with where the new album is going:

Also, in the vein of Barnes’ face in Roskilde, my friends in Wellington (lead by the magnificent Tatjna) pioneered a plan to bring my face to the Bliss rave in Auckland. My doppelganger is a little hussy.

SInce Wildebeest Asylum made the comment about the last two NIN videos being quite boring (which I mostly agree with), I thought I should post the video for Survivalism. I think it's pretty cool, and completely fits in with where the new album is going: Also, in the vein of Barnes' face in Roskilde, my friends in Wellington (lead by the magnificent Tatjna) pioneered a plan to bring my face to the Bliss rave in Auckland. My doppelganger is a little hussy.

At least when it comes to running a country:

From Andrew Sullivan.

At least when it comes to running a country: From Andrew Sullivan.

that I think NIN’s Year Zero TBR April is going to bring back the days of The Downward Spiral. My Violent Heart is awesome.

Also, I am back from KiwiBurn. People liked to dance while I DJed. Yay!

that I think NIN's Year Zero TBR April is going to bring back the days of The Downward Spiral. My Violent Heart is awesome. Also, I am back from KiwiBurn. People liked to dance while I DJed. Yay!

If I had any spare time I’d love to attempt this:

Rube Goldberg Bullet Physics Contest 2007

If I had any spare time I'd love to attempt this: Rube Goldberg Bullet Physics Contest 2007

Today I finally fixed my DJ headphones. The plug end had a bad connection. Having headphones give out, even if it is just one channel, is No Good when you are playing live. I thought I better fix it before KiwiBurn.

Anyhow, what follows is a brief description of how to do so.

Continue reading →

Today I finally fixed my DJ headphones. The plug end had a bad connection. Having headphones give out, even if it is just one channel, is No Good when you are playing live. I thought I better fix it before KiwiBurn. Anyhow, what follows is a brief description of how to do so. My headphones are Sony's MDR-Z700 DJ model. These are apparently exactly the same as the V700 in the States and elsewhere, except they are from the Asian market. I'm pretty sure there are no major differences. You will need: Solder iron Solder Pliers that can snip A craft knife A lighter A replacement jack plug (make sure it is stereo!) For me the break in the cable was just near the plug. Which I determined by moving the cable round while listening. Take the pliers and snip the old plug off. You should be able to see three wires inside the cable. A red (Right channel), white (Left channel), and black (Common/ground) one. Use the craft knife to remove the outer casing of the cable. I found there was a very rubbery outside one, that was thin and black. Then inside that was another black plastic one. Free the 3 small wires so that you have 1-2cm available. Now you can try and scrape the coloured covers off the small wires to expose the actual copper, OR you can do what I do, which is use a lighter to burn the plastic off (just beware that it catches alight and you have to blow it out!). I read the wire is coated in special plastic to stop breaks happening, but this makes it hard to solder. The lighter burns off this plastic seal (See more here). You then need to put the appropriate spring/screw cover for the replacement jack plug over the wire. So that once you solder the wires to the main jack plug, you can just slide the cover over and screw it in place. Mine also had a plastic sleeve for the inside that needs to go on the cable. Once you've slid those on, you have to solder the wires to the plug. Best to tin both the plug connections and wires first I think. Also read about soldering somewhere if you are unsure about it. The white (Left) cable goes to the central pin as the plug tip is for the left channel. The next section of the plug is the right channel and goes to the middle pin, and the large pin is the common/ground connection. I made a crappy diagram to show you where they are: Hopefully, if you now slide on the covers and plug it in, everything should work! Disclaimer: I cannot be responsible for any damage you cause. Whether it is due to you just breaking your headphones, voiding any warranty you have, or burning down your house. This is purely an account of my experience.

In case you all didn’t all ready know:

Supreme Commander is a new game coming out 23rd Feb and designed by the maker of Total Annihilation.

I hope it is just a fraction as good as TA, and then it’ll still be pretty awesome.

In case you all didn't all ready know: Supreme Commander is a new game coming out 23rd Feb and designed by the maker of Total Annihilation. I hope it is just a fraction as good as TA, and then it'll still be pretty awesome.

Only religion could come up with such screwed up behaviour:

2000 pigs as sacrifice to deity General Chao of Wudeh temple. Even if you’re not vegetarian, the sheer scale of waste is stupid, each marketable pig requires 280 kg of feed. That’s 560 tonnes of feed for a non-existent deity. Yay humans, masters of screwing the world.

The Hor-ror

Only religion could come up with such screwed up behaviour: 2000 pigs as sacrifice to deity General Chao of Wudeh temple. Even if you're not vegetarian, the sheer scale of waste is stupid, each marketable pig requires 280 kg of feed. That's 560 tonnes of feed for a non-existent deity. Yay humans, masters of screwing the world. The Hor-ror