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November, 2008

Overheard in...

Wed, 2008-11-26 23:37 — Konstantin

Two college-age kids, a guy and a girl, enter the 1 train.

"Hi everyone, we're sorry to bother you. My name is ___ and this is ___, and we're two struggling musical theater students. We're hoping you can help us any way you can — references, business cards, maybe even a donation."

Then they start singing, reasonably professionally, "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. One stop later the pair thanks the passengers for their time, and exits the subway car.

"Music Quickens Time" Poster

Tue, 2008-11-25 15:04 — Konstantin
"Music Quickens Time" Poster

Advertising material for an author event at Harvard Hillel.

The book jacket image and background photograph are provided by Verso Books, ©2008.

The Anti-Phillips Curve

Wed, 2008-11-19 20:05 — Konstantin

More on the Phillips Curve [Wikipedia]. The "anti-Phillips curve," apparently coined by Prof. Stephen Marglin, represents the effects of sudden changes in supply rather than in demand.

Another CS 61 gem

Thu, 2008-11-13 22:04 — Konstantin

"Unix was designed in the 1960s by individuals who probably spent some time in Berkeley, California. Need I say more?

Okay, now let's talk about pipes."

- Prof. Matt Welsh, responding to a question about naming conventions in Unix system functions

In the streets...

Wed, 2008-11-05 02:05 — Konstantin

In Harvard Yard, there is a crowd of about two hundred people gathered in front of the statue of John Harvard, cheering and playing music. John Harvard is dressed up in an Obama-Biden t-shirt.

On Massachussetts Ave. near the Yard, there is a handful of people walking along the sidewalks with streamers, and drivers honk as they drive by.

On Mt. Auburn St., near the Holyoke Center, a crowd of several hundred people is gathered along the sidewalks and in the road, cheering wildly as cars drive slowly through the aisle left in the middle, and honk.

It's exciting, no doubt, but actually a little bit scary.

No vote?

Tue, 2008-11-04 20:15 — Konstantin

So I discovered today that having marked the "Register to vote" box on an application at the Massachusetts RMV, and having filled out and signed all of the relevant questions on that form, does not actually ensure that one will be registered to vote. Not sure how they came up with that system.

Most of my ballot entries would have been symbolic, since there is fortunately no question about the prospects of Obama and Kerry (up for senate re-election) in Massachusetts. However, it would have been useful to vote no on the mindless Question 1, which seeks to eliminate the state's income tax.