Well after a few days without posts I do have a lot to say, from my trip to Geres to my Christmas surprise. It is hard for me to find the time to structure all I have to say, perhaps it is a matter of sitting down and doing it, but this is not the post for that...
In this post I would like to share with the world my Christmas CD, on the next I will talk about the Christmas plot and consequent surprise :P.
For now enjoy the selection...
(Sorry but I can't find a better video for the next one)
Like always (I do one of these every Christmas) I tried to put something new, something old, some more fun, some more deep, hope you like the mix ;)...
Friday, December 26, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Portugal time...
Well time to go back home, and Friday time to go to the north, where my rest will happen, hopefully with batteries charged all will seem clear... Couldn't find a video in the winter, but it should be as awesome as this... Enjoy...
Hopefully I will have pictures to share that include yours truly ... ;P
Hopefully I will have pictures to share that include yours truly ... ;P
Friday, December 12, 2008
Students...
Well today I decided to let my frustrations of my PhD on the shelf and take on some grading of courseworks that have been in my desk for a while. Now i know I am technically still a student, as such I don't want to generalize too much the word student. Nevertheless I wanted to share some thoughts...
The first one is grading takes way longer than you expect, why? Well pretty much the most used word on my comments, why? Seriously I said on all the tutorial sessions, all decisions are valid just describe your reasoning behind it. Is that hard? Well I got quotes like "We decided this..." with no reasons like their decision was like a godsend. Trying to get what they mean, that is a major time killer, like I got a diagram with arrows pointing at nowhere, literally nowhere, do they even look at the shit they deliver?
I know, I was a student not that long ago, but was I that bad? honestly I know it is a cliche, but I sware that the level is going way down, or my country is different, or I don't know. Bare in mind this is MSI level coursework, seriously WTF? Another general comment I wish I could make to their face.
Before you think I am being mean, I am passing every single one of them, and out 6 probably giving 2 firsts (so the top grade), but still there is the frustration because they don't listen, or don't think, well maybe it is just me...
The first one is grading takes way longer than you expect, why? Well pretty much the most used word on my comments, why? Seriously I said on all the tutorial sessions, all decisions are valid just describe your reasoning behind it. Is that hard? Well I got quotes like "We decided this..." with no reasons like their decision was like a godsend. Trying to get what they mean, that is a major time killer, like I got a diagram with arrows pointing at nowhere, literally nowhere, do they even look at the shit they deliver?
I know, I was a student not that long ago, but was I that bad? honestly I know it is a cliche, but I sware that the level is going way down, or my country is different, or I don't know. Bare in mind this is MSI level coursework, seriously WTF? Another general comment I wish I could make to their face.
Before you think I am being mean, I am passing every single one of them, and out 6 probably giving 2 firsts (so the top grade), but still there is the frustration because they don't listen, or don't think, well maybe it is just me...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The quest...
One of the key challenges in ones life is finding the right quest to drive us to live. Sounds a bit weird the first time you read it, I guess, but think about it, doesn't it make sense? Finding what drives us, where we want to go, rather than where we are going. It is easy to find where we are headed, just takes a bit of reasoning, but finding out where we want to go, well that involves how we feel about things, how easy do we accept things that might not make sense, how we deal with our thoughts, our dreams, etc. Putting all of that into an equation, and producing an answer... Is it any wonder that we get it wrong most of the times? That is I think one of the reasons people change their minds about their direction, it is not they changed, but simply considered another variable of the equation. In engineering we used multi-variant statistics to deal with such problems. Problems that have multiple variants that cross affect each other. In engineering it is acceptable to define a statistic that most of the time is right, thus there is no need to model the complete equation, but is this enough in life? Specially when we are not aware of effects of errors? There is no reboot for our life is there? Choices can be binding, this scares us, and thus a 10% error is not really acceptable...
So I leave you with something to consider, the fact that you don't define a quest doesn't mean you wont live according to one. Listen to the song, and answer the questions that it poses, you might be surprised to find that you have more answers that you think, and at the same time less answers than you would hope...
I’m leaving tonight
Going somewhere deep inside my mind
I close my eyes slowly
Float away slowly
But I know I’ll be alright
It’s calling stronger to me
And I know someone is out there
Lead the way
Lead the way
Show me the answers I need to know
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
All my life (love), it is
It is all my love
All my life, it is
I know it is the life to live lately
From above, I hear
I hear the sound of them singing
I feel loved, I’m alive
I know I’m getting closer
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
My life has had it’s share of troubles
And now I found a place to go
I’ve said goodbye to all my troubles
'cause now I’ve found my place to go
ohhhhhh......
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
Live For
Die For
Fight For
That
So I leave you with something to consider, the fact that you don't define a quest doesn't mean you wont live according to one. Listen to the song, and answer the questions that it poses, you might be surprised to find that you have more answers that you think, and at the same time less answers than you would hope...
I’m leaving tonight
Going somewhere deep inside my mind
I close my eyes slowly
Float away slowly
But I know I’ll be alright
It’s calling stronger to me
And I know someone is out there
Lead the way
Lead the way
Show me the answers I need to know
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
All my life (love), it is
It is all my love
All my life, it is
I know it is the life to live lately
From above, I hear
I hear the sound of them singing
I feel loved, I’m alive
I know I’m getting closer
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
My life has had it’s share of troubles
And now I found a place to go
I’ve said goodbye to all my troubles
'cause now I’ve found my place to go
ohhhhhh......
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
What I’m gonna live for
What I’m gonna die for
Who you gonna fight for
I can’t answer that
Live For
Die For
Fight For
That
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bad day...
Today it has been one of those days that wasn't bad, but it feels it. When you have a bad day, not because of what you lived but how you felt while living it. Does that makes any sense? Perhaps not, but it is still true. Well like this video point out, there is always a bring side, but sometimes you see this bring side but you can only focus on the down side of life... Anyways enjoy the song and video...
Monday, December 8, 2008
The downfall of the west...
Today I had a really interesting conversation in my office that I would like to share with you. First some background knowledge, as you might be aware I am a PhD student at the University of Nottingham. This is a big university in the UK, but also has two campuses outside of the UK, namely in Malaysia and China. This is the start for the post...
One of my former colleagues is currently a lecture in the China campus, which by itself is a footnote. But if we look at the picture more carefully, he is a German graduate with a UK PhD teaching in a Chinese University. Still don't see a problem? Well for him it is quite positive to do so, he gets experience, knowledge, etc. But is it good for Germany and the UK? I mean in Europe, as you might be aware, the government pays for your education, including on the university level, without asking for anything in return. Normally you will work and contribute with your taxes for others. There are a lot of issues about the famous "leak of brains", which consist of the higher educated people moving out of the country that has provided them with their education. But this post is not about this aspect, it is about knowledge, and how this knowledge is being managed, or not managed...
This is my question, the west still has a good stand in the world due to its technological development, so what happens if we lose this advantage? I mean does anybody in the western governments consider these issues? Is there a strategic view that I am missing?
I was discussing this with two colleagues, one from Indonesia and another from Holland. The view is that we are trying to keep good relations with the Chinese, because in the future this will provide bridges that will enhance our own growth. Is it just me or does that sound terribly optimistic? I mean we are using the Chinese because they produce things cheaply, not because of the goodness in our hearts, so why would they treat us differently if they where the power?
The transfer of technology is a growing concern among European companies, in private they are starting to state that going to China is a mistake. In a ideal world it is a good idea, but since China plays by its own rules, we are just facilitating the copy of technology by taking our processes there. But this is a known problem that should be resolved by the companies, my reservations are about the universities.
The university of Nottingham is a state funded university, that is strategically placing itself in China. From the university perspective, this is a good move, more people, more knowledge being produce, and a real bridge into a new economic power. But is this good for the general people in UK that are paying for this university?
The fact of the matter is that knowledge is being shared without any accountability, meaning this knowledge will be used to push even more the Chinese companies, which are competing against the British ones. Now some of you will say, well if they can't compete they should not exist anyway. Well this might be true in an ideal world, but again China does not play by the same rules as we do, labor is quite different there, and they do take advantage of that fact.
As was pointed out to me, things are changing in china, and I do agree to that, but are they changing at the same pace as the growth? I have no problem with China as a supper power, all the Chinese that I meet personally are nice, friendly, and no different from any other people (obviously different but the same :P). I have no problem with the Chinese people, but I do have problems with a Chinese government as is being a super power.
The way I see it, regimes can't change by themselves, people change them, and the fact is that this Chinese government is improving peoples lives in China. As such people will be supportive of them, thus we are walking into a world with little changes in the Chinese regime, but huge changes in the role of China. This is clear and clear as the year pass, look at the influence of China in the world now, and 20 years ago.
My question is what is our strategy for this? Innovation? Come on, this will only gets us that far, considering we are teaching them how to do it...
Are we selling our sons future for a better present? I mean I love the fact I can by a pound T-shirt at Primark, but is it really worth it? Don't get me wrong I am not against globalization, and I don't think it is the common people that should be concern with what they pay for a T-Shirt. What I am saying is the governments should have some sort of strategy that is more than just the immediate future. Where are we headed in the next 20 years, and not just the next 2. This is why the smartest should be in the goverment, because they can see beyond what the common people do. But this is also quite ideal, the reality is we have the goverment we deserve.
Nevertheless I am scare at the lack of strategy for the future, or at least one that I can see as good for the west...
One of my former colleagues is currently a lecture in the China campus, which by itself is a footnote. But if we look at the picture more carefully, he is a German graduate with a UK PhD teaching in a Chinese University. Still don't see a problem? Well for him it is quite positive to do so, he gets experience, knowledge, etc. But is it good for Germany and the UK? I mean in Europe, as you might be aware, the government pays for your education, including on the university level, without asking for anything in return. Normally you will work and contribute with your taxes for others. There are a lot of issues about the famous "leak of brains", which consist of the higher educated people moving out of the country that has provided them with their education. But this post is not about this aspect, it is about knowledge, and how this knowledge is being managed, or not managed...
This is my question, the west still has a good stand in the world due to its technological development, so what happens if we lose this advantage? I mean does anybody in the western governments consider these issues? Is there a strategic view that I am missing?
I was discussing this with two colleagues, one from Indonesia and another from Holland. The view is that we are trying to keep good relations with the Chinese, because in the future this will provide bridges that will enhance our own growth. Is it just me or does that sound terribly optimistic? I mean we are using the Chinese because they produce things cheaply, not because of the goodness in our hearts, so why would they treat us differently if they where the power?
The transfer of technology is a growing concern among European companies, in private they are starting to state that going to China is a mistake. In a ideal world it is a good idea, but since China plays by its own rules, we are just facilitating the copy of technology by taking our processes there. But this is a known problem that should be resolved by the companies, my reservations are about the universities.
The university of Nottingham is a state funded university, that is strategically placing itself in China. From the university perspective, this is a good move, more people, more knowledge being produce, and a real bridge into a new economic power. But is this good for the general people in UK that are paying for this university?
The fact of the matter is that knowledge is being shared without any accountability, meaning this knowledge will be used to push even more the Chinese companies, which are competing against the British ones. Now some of you will say, well if they can't compete they should not exist anyway. Well this might be true in an ideal world, but again China does not play by the same rules as we do, labor is quite different there, and they do take advantage of that fact.
As was pointed out to me, things are changing in china, and I do agree to that, but are they changing at the same pace as the growth? I have no problem with China as a supper power, all the Chinese that I meet personally are nice, friendly, and no different from any other people (obviously different but the same :P). I have no problem with the Chinese people, but I do have problems with a Chinese government as is being a super power.
The way I see it, regimes can't change by themselves, people change them, and the fact is that this Chinese government is improving peoples lives in China. As such people will be supportive of them, thus we are walking into a world with little changes in the Chinese regime, but huge changes in the role of China. This is clear and clear as the year pass, look at the influence of China in the world now, and 20 years ago.
My question is what is our strategy for this? Innovation? Come on, this will only gets us that far, considering we are teaching them how to do it...
Are we selling our sons future for a better present? I mean I love the fact I can by a pound T-shirt at Primark, but is it really worth it? Don't get me wrong I am not against globalization, and I don't think it is the common people that should be concern with what they pay for a T-Shirt. What I am saying is the governments should have some sort of strategy that is more than just the immediate future. Where are we headed in the next 20 years, and not just the next 2. This is why the smartest should be in the goverment, because they can see beyond what the common people do. But this is also quite ideal, the reality is we have the goverment we deserve.
Nevertheless I am scare at the lack of strategy for the future, or at least one that I can see as good for the west...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Learn To Fly...
After a couple of days of absence due to a series of reasons (mostly health and time), I am back. Back and in a good mood. Why? Well my life doesn't have many reasons for complaining, not being able to write a bloody paper seems below me now ;P. And no I haven't finished it, but I am pretty sure I will quite soon, simply because I am now witting it.
Today I started the day with music, I haven't heard music in a while, like really heard it... And today I did, and I noticed how my brain adjusted the lyric to me, this was what it did...
I ran and told all of the angels, this took all night, I thought I needed a devil to help me get things right. Hooked on a new revolution, cause this one was a lie, I sat around laughing and watched the last one die.
And looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life, looking for something to help me burn out bright. I was looking for a complication, looking cause I was tired of lying, well make my way back home when I learn to fly high...
I think I'm done nursing the patience, it couldn’t wait one night, I'd give it all away if you give me one last try, we'll live happily ever trapped if you just save my life, so run and tell the angels that everything's alright...
while looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life, looking for something to help me burn out bright. while looking for a complication, looking cause I was tired of lying, well make my way back home when I learn to fly high, make my way back home when I learn to... Fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone, try to make this life my own...Fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone, try to make this life my own... I was looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life (sign of life), looking for something to help me burn out bright. I was looking for a complication, looking cause I'm tired of trying (tired of trying), make my way back home when I learn to...I was looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life (sign of life), looking for something to help me burn out bright. I stooped looking for a complication cause I'm tired of trying...
Make my way back home now that I learn to fly high... Make my way back home now that I learn to fly.... Make my way back home now that I learn to… (Learn to, learn to, learn to, learn to…)
Hope it makes sense, it did for me. This is a awesome song and it has a awesome video clip so enjoy...
I can't resist to also post the acoustic version, very cool...
Today I started the day with music, I haven't heard music in a while, like really heard it... And today I did, and I noticed how my brain adjusted the lyric to me, this was what it did...
I ran and told all of the angels, this took all night, I thought I needed a devil to help me get things right. Hooked on a new revolution, cause this one was a lie, I sat around laughing and watched the last one die.
And looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life, looking for something to help me burn out bright. I was looking for a complication, looking cause I was tired of lying, well make my way back home when I learn to fly high...
I think I'm done nursing the patience, it couldn’t wait one night, I'd give it all away if you give me one last try, we'll live happily ever trapped if you just save my life, so run and tell the angels that everything's alright...
while looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life, looking for something to help me burn out bright. while looking for a complication, looking cause I was tired of lying, well make my way back home when I learn to fly high, make my way back home when I learn to... Fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone, try to make this life my own...Fly along with me, I can't quite make it alone, try to make this life my own... I was looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life (sign of life), looking for something to help me burn out bright. I was looking for a complication, looking cause I'm tired of trying (tired of trying), make my way back home when I learn to...I was looking to the sky to save me, looking for a sign of life (sign of life), looking for something to help me burn out bright. I stooped looking for a complication cause I'm tired of trying...
Make my way back home now that I learn to fly high... Make my way back home now that I learn to fly.... Make my way back home now that I learn to… (Learn to, learn to, learn to, learn to…)
Hope it makes sense, it did for me. This is a awesome song and it has a awesome video clip so enjoy...
I can't resist to also post the acoustic version, very cool...
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