Finally, another list of links and other things

I know that a list of linked articles isn't the same thing as an update or whatever else is customary for our webloggery, but here's one anyways:



(A few weeks late on this, but...) Roland Martin says Valentine's Day is stupid. I agree. Word to the wise, though: just because you think it's dumb and EVEN IF your wife "says" it's dumb... maybe not the wisest idea to shun it altogether. Not that I'm speaking from recent experience. Except that I am. *doh* I'm about as dumb as I look.

Here's a nifty article from the Times about low-tech fixes for your high-tech stuff. I embarrassed my wife as we were walking out of Publix by sticking her keys to my face trying to unlock her car from afar. It didn't work, but I thought the article was quite informative nonetheless. That and Sharon is going to have to live with this geekiness, so she may as well start getting used to it :D

(Also from the weeks-late department...) Stuff you didn't know about Abraham Lincoln. Like he was a white-supremacist. And he wasn't all for equal rights, either. And his motives were perhaps less honest than met his unique moniker. And yet, what he accomplished set the table for our long, slow grind towards equality and a better world. What's that? God uses wildly imperfect people for his perfect plan? That's fist-bump worthy.

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In other news, I am sitting at about 95% certain that I will officially begin to pursue a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering at UAB. I have taken one class last semester already, and I am currently doing two classes... and I will be able to apply these credits to the Master's. It will be challenging, but I think I think I can do it. Seriously, though, I distinctly remember saying, right before graduating at WashU, "Somebody slap me if I ever even THINK of doing grad school in EE." And yet, here I am (no slaps, please).

I think it will be very useful for me to better understand the science and math behind my vaguely-described (from me to anyone who asks) job; and, it could be helpful in my future career aspirations. With the difficulties of the economy today (now there's a phrase that can't jump the cliche shark fast enough), I'm really beginning to appreciate how lucky I am to have a job doing something I'm actually interested in. It's taken a while, but I am starting to understand better the ins and outs, and as my plate gets fuller of things to do and more responsibilities, I am really beginning to relish what could be the start of an actual career. A career, people! Stay tuned.

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I'm also really lucky to have a wife in my best friend in the whole world. (*barf alert, belatedly*) In all seriousness, there is a comfort in our time together, whether road-tripping or exploring new places or hashing out dreams for the near and distant future, that seems an eternity removed from the excessive silliness and furtive glances that dominated our high school years (not to mention the bad other relationships and the shared suffering that was IB)... to have gotten here still feels amazing. I suddenly remember all of this now and then, and it makes me smile for what seems like no reason.