Bob Watch

There ain't no party....like an S-PLUS party!

2012-01-12T23:28:00.000Z

Saturday night entertainment show with northern presenter Robyn Reeves.

Join Robyn for some fun and games revolving around everyone's favourite commercial Statistics software. See teams of superviors and supervisee's compete in games such as Probe the Probit, Arriba Arima! and Oh My GARCH. With reputations on the line, it's all to play for.

Of course no one's really in the audience or watching as most people will have switched to "R! Ahoy mate, I'm a pirate-tician!".

The Difficult Second Album

2011-12-25T13:56:00.001Z

Documentary centred around the popular band "Nam and the Nam-ettes" and the making of their second album.

(In my best documentary voice-over voice)
"Nam and the Nam-ettes" recently achieved success with their first album, "Point Change", an album full of TV theme tunes and parodies, fused with a new wave techno sound. This was both a critical and commercial success with the album selling into the tens, and The Guardian's infamous one worded review of "Para-don't!". This culminated in a worldwide tour, and a film adaptation of the story thus far with Kevin Spacey playing the role of Nam.

We take an exclusive look behind the scenes as the band tries to make their follow up album "The HMMs...", as they try to recreate the magic and success of the first. It is the Difficult Second Album.

Tensions arise between the bandmates due to their artistic differences, the controversy surrounding the song "The Loose Seal", and the general unimpressed looks of the band's new collaborators and producers on their new sound.

One thing's for certain; more cowbell is definitely needed.

The Misadventures of Nam & R.O.B: The Engagement

2011-11-18T23:42:00.000Z

In this misadventure....

Nam notices that R.O.B. frequently disappears at night time without giving any warning and becomes intrigued by the side life R.O.B. may be leading (Ed: like being a cheese dealer?!).

One night, Nam plucks up the courage and decides to trail R.O.B incognito. After getting into a spot of bother as R.O.B.'s trail leads Nam through a popular dogging spot, Nam spots R.O.B. intimately embracing the following being...

Naturally, R.O.B. being one step ahead of Nam (both literally and mentally), has been fully aware of Nam's action and confronts him and his dogging ways. All ends well as R.O.B. introduces Nam to his secretive girlfriend, Eve. But the news doesn't end there, as R.O.B. also announces that he has recently become engaged to Eve and consequently leaves Nam stunned.

Cliffhanger! How will Nam cope without the awkward silences (Ed: So that would be actual noise?) and returning back to his old bachelor lifestyle?

The Misadventures of R.O.B and Nam: The Silence

2011-11-08T18:56:00.000Z

In this misadventure, silence will fall....

(Ed: That's enough of the sinister tone for now. Plus this tagline was in no inspired by this.)

Set in real time, this adventure focuses on an ordinary Autumn evening as Nam attempts to make enlightening conversation with R.O.B, but ultimately fails. Witness Nam's numerous body language postures and facial expressions as he tries to convese with R.O.B., and deals with the awkwardness of the whole situation.

During this evening, they'll also give a performance of the Silent Dance as they gracefully dance around each
other in the kitchen, being concious not to get in each others ways and not uttering a single word to each other.

Finally, the silence is broken at the end of the episode as Nam utters these ridiculous words just to get some attention from R.O.B.....

Frequa-Bayes!

2011-10-18T17:42:00.000+01:00

A new musical comedy featuring the hit songs from the Bayesian Songbook.

Frequa-Bayes! is a 60s inspired American high school comedy featuring Marty and Lurlene, two budding rival Statisticians. One is a Frequentist, the other a Bayesian and rarely do they see eye to eye (or Pi-to-Pi).

But one day, in the projection room above the auditorium, a mischievous CompSci student casts a role reversal spell, causing Marty and Lurlene to switch places.

Hiliarity ensues as Marty and Lurlene try coping in each other places, trying to present Statistical concepts in which they don't believe in.

As time progresses, Marty and Lurlene grow to appreciate each other and their research, and then proceed to track down the culprit and reverse the spell.

All ends well in the world of Frequa-Bayes! as Marty and Lurlene become high-school sweethearts, become proud parents to Emp Bayes, and subsequently don't fulfil their true Statistical potential.

The Misadventures of Nam & R.O.B: The Desk

2011-10-01T18:33:00.000+01:00

In this episode of misadventure...

The work and cheese-aholic R.O.B. is in desperate need of a desk for his room at Nam's bachelor pad in order to continue his world domination plans via Gouda cheese fever.

If by magic, a perfectly good office desk appears in Nam's lab and is about to be thrown out. Eager to kill two birds with one stone and fulfil a desk's dream, Nam and R.O.B. decide to steal the desk from the University's nose.

The episode parodies Mission Impossible (or Mission Improbable if you will) as they (un)stealthily steal the sacred desk at night. In addition the episode pertains Chucklevision-esque moments as they foolishly try to transport the desk back to the pad...by foot...and encountering a grumpy troll at Canley Trains Station bridge.

To me to you indeed.

The Misadventures of R.O.B & Nam, Episode I: The Genesis

2011-09-17T17:20:00.000+01:00

Sick and tired of his loneliness and general mundaneness in life, Nam decides to take necessary action to find a companion to keep him company in his bachelor loft. Whilst scouring the landscape of Ebay. he comes across R.O.B, a robotic operating buddy. Nam hastily orders R.O.B. and within minutes of its arrival, frantically assembles his new purchase (montage scene here, with several failed attempts at first).

By the end of the episode, Nam thinks he's finally assembled R.O.B correctly and presses the all important power button. R.O.B.'s red eyes light up and sharply turns to Nam. The camera cuts back to Nam as he slowly smiles at his small accomplishment and what the adventures that lie ahead. He knows that the box package doesn't lie; R.O.B. will indeed help him tackle some of life's toughest (video) challenges.

The Misadventures of R.O.B and Nam

2011-09-12T15:09:00.001+01:00

From 1/\pi of the writers of the "mildly successfully comedy" "Freeman" comes a new sitcom about one man and his lonely life.

Coming soon, this windy autumn.

Fu-Ho Fo Sho

2011-09-05T23:45:00.000+01:00

Having failed his PhD (no doubt due to his appalling programming etiquette and general Statistical knowledge), Nam decides to turn to the art of documentary making.

His first subject conquest is in the world of male prostitution and Nam interviews subjects and victims in a Theroux-esque, concentrating on the ghettos of Richmond. Having researched, interviewed and collated enough information to write a Wikipedia article, Nam decides to become a gigolo himself.

Will he be a ho fo sho?

The Snorter

2011-08-11T00:08:00.000+01:00

New psychological thriller starring Nam, as he commits a most heinous crime.

Nam was a ideal PhD candidate; hard working, sociable, thoughtful to others. He was perfectly content with his PhD officemates. That was until the PhD species arrived...

Amongst the species is a PhD student who appears to have a particularly bad habit; he snorts at his desk. He snorts when he has a cold, he snorts when he eats, he snorts when he drinks. This irks Nam greatly, until one day, he can't take the snorting anymore and Nam murders the Snorter accidentally.

Join Nam as he attempts to cover up the crime and act like nothing has happened. Will he get away with it? And why can he still hear the snorting in his own head?

Bob Watch gets a Fringe!

2011-08-10T23:50:00.001+01:00

One off episode where Nam experiences and reviews his first Fringe!

Such highlights include Schlomo (the human Beatboxer), Dave Gorman, Ruby Wax and general utter madness!

Woody The Woodpecker

2011-07-19T17:47:00.000+01:00

Children's animation series involving a woodpecker living in Hong Kong.

Woody, is a metal woodpecker who lives in a traffic lamp post in Mong Kok. He controls the traffic and pedestrians in Mong Kok and is bored of its utter mundaneness. He dreams of becoming a real woodpecker and exploring the islands.

One night, a magical Chinese beggar grants him his wish (partly) and Woody becomes a real woodpecker at night and is free to explore beyond his traffic lamp post. Woody soon discovers Guido the Otter and Sab the Cat and the trio encounter many adventures across the Hong Kong islands.

The Insensitive Apprentice

2011-07-18T16:22:00.000+01:00

In this weeks episode of The Insensitive Apprentice...

Lord Spice sets a task around the lucrative funeral industry. The two teams must first choose two foreign cultures and learn about funeral arrangements. Next they must sell these funeral arrangements to the mass market, making the necessary preparations.

The team that makes the most revenue wins. And from the losing team, one of them will get sensitised.

Who da Nam?!

2011-07-04T23:15:00.000+01:00

"Feel-good" comedy film featuring Nam as he goes on journey and discovers his "brother from a different mother", Nom.

Nom is a streetwise kid from The Bronx and break dances for a living. Nam is a socially awkward Statistics nerd and blogs about imaginary scenarios in his spare time. Identical twins, separated at birth, leading quite different lives. But can Nam & Nom live each others lives and convince those around them that nothing's happened?

[The film culminates in Nam partaking in a dance-off having been trained by renowned hip hopper, Aston Martin, whilst Nom gives a keynote talk at a Statistics conference.]

A tale of self-discovery, slapstick humour and general stupidity. But who is da Nam?!

Code boy code!

2011-06-29T00:23:00.000+01:00

An American roadtrip comedy film featuring Jackton, Nam's supervisor, from the "hit" sitcom, Freeman. Also introducing Eccles, Jackton's sidekick.

This comedic film centers around Jackton and Eccles as they roadtrip across America...by computer programming!

Hilarity ensues as their programming skills initially leads them into trouble including trying to beat a Las Vegas casino and trying to recreate Kit from Knightrider.

They'll eventually make it back home but they'll need to Code Boy Code!

Significance magazine rates this film as "unsignificant".

Freeman, Episode lim(Z)=infinity!: Breaking the fourth wall...

2011-06-18T14:06:00.001+01:00

In the final ever episode of Freeman...

The department are gearing up for a kitchen extension having not realised it possesses TARDIS-esque properties. Much of the episode is a montage dedicated to the best moments in the kitchen and common room, including when Buster took over the electrical appliances causing much havoc to the caffeine dependent department, and when a misbehaving undergraduate got locked in the fridge.

As the knocking of the kitchen wall proceeds, Freeman and Nam soon discover that behind this wall lies several people. A whole studio full of people...

Freeman, Episode Y!: Hawaii Five O!

2011-06-07T22:33:00.000+01:00

In this episode of Freeman, the Statistics department go to Hawaii for the annual RSS conference!

Whilst there, Freeman and Nam encounter their doppleganger from a rival university named, Richman and Viet.

Plus, Nam has a conference romance with a budding poker player and Stormbridge gets into a fight with some dolphins.

It's all happening in an all new episode of Freeman!

Freeman, Episode Y: Jumping the shark...

2011-05-31T22:49:00.000+01:00

In an all new series of Freeman,

Freeman and Nam welcome the newest addition to the department; Buster, the departmental computing cluster. But Buster has a secret; it can talk!

Freeman and Nam soon discover Buster's secret and the trio embark on several amusing high jinks throughout the series such as the trio go ice skating, and the trio try tracing Buster's mother, Lucille!

Freeman, Episode exp(X): The Honeymoon's Over

2011-05-29T17:28:00.000+01:00

In this episode of Freeman, Freeman runs a relationship counselling session at the University for troubled PhD supervisor-supervisee relationships thinking that there is a niche market for it.

Amongst his first clients is somewhat surprisingly Nam and his supervisor, Jackton. Despite their seemingly calm and efficient working relationship, it seems that they're suffering some relationship issues.

Hiliarity ensues as Nam opens up about his unhappiness of the relationship ("It seems that I do all the hard research and you gallivant around the world with your collaborators and other PhD students ", "We never talked about what happened with you and Richard ...", ) and as Freeman tries to resolve some of these problems with amusing solutions.

Freeman, Episode X!: Only Connect 4

2011-05-15T19:05:00.000+01:00

In this episode of Freeman...

Nam, Freeman and Stormbridge (another fellow PhD student in the department) appear on the hit BBC4 quiz show, "Only Connect 4", under the team name "The Muffin Tops". With Stormbridge's extensive general knowledge, Freeman's abstract quick thinking and Nam's knowledge on all things trashy, The Muffin Tops are set for a stellar performance.

Hilarity ensues as Nam is struck down speechless in the presence of the host, Victoria Coren; Stormbridge flirts outrageously with the opposition, "The Sinners", a team of nuns. It's up to Freeman to sort his team out and solve that connecting wall!

"Only Connect 4" host, Victoria Coren, makes a cameo in the this series finale.

Freeman, Episode sqrt(X): Swing Swing Swing

2011-05-11T13:44:00.001+01:00

In this episode of Freeman, Nam takes up swing dancing as a hobby and really gets into it.

He gets so enthused by it that he decides to organise a party dedicated to swing dancing, a swingers' party if you will, and decides to invite his department and the local community.

Much hilarity ensues as Nam discovers what he's let himself in for, and what he's subjected his fellow colleagues to.

America's Next Top Modeller

2011-04-24T12:18:00.000+01:00

New over the top American based reality TV series, hosted by hip Afro American statistician, Defawn Nosurname.

Each week, American statisticians are put to the test by competing in a variety of modelling tasks under extreme conditions. Week 1 sees the contestants perform a simple linear regression...whilst being held at gunpoint by the Chinese triad.

Performances are then judged by a panel, fronted by notorious British Statistician, Dr Ryan Biley. The contestants are eliminated each week, where they fear the following elimination phrase,

(Insert Contestant's Ridiculous name), I'm afraid we're going to have to reject your null hypothesis.

Statistics doesn't get tougher than this!

Black Scholes

2011-04-20T12:18:00.000+01:00

Premiere of the new critically acclaimed psychological thriller film.

Nino is a budding PhD student who dreams of being a highly cited financial mathematician. His supervisor is pleased with his progress and research but believes that to truly understand the models, he must become the models themselves.

As he submerses himself inside the various model, he encounters the famous Black Scholes model. What follows is a PhD story of seduction, drug experimentation and murder.

Freeman, Var(X): Blackout

2011-04-04T23:20:00.001+01:00

In this episode of Freeman, the department suffers a power cut with Freeman, Nam and the rest of the PhD students are locked in the department what with all high tech electricity security doors. What starts off as innocent hilarity as the PhD students manage to cope with the lack of internet and Facebook, and the use departmental stationary as DIY tools, soon turns into carnage.

Lord of the Flies parody ensues as each PhD room turns tribal and must fend for themselves. And of course, there's the ongoing fear of the mythical departmental beast....

Freeman, Episode 2X: Addiction

2011-03-28T17:48:00.001+01:00

Tonight, on a very special episode of Freeman....

Freeman becomes suspicious of all the extra teaching load that Nam has suddenly committed to. After a tearful heartbreaking interrogation, Freeman finds that Nam has an addiction to the board pens. Cue a hilarious intervention by Freeman and department as they attempt to teach fellow PhD students the wrongs and rights of pen sniffing.

Freeman, Episode X: I'm coming out...

2011-03-14T20:15:00.001Z

In this episode of Freeman, Nam has a burdening secret which he has been keeping from Freeman and the Statistics department. Concious that he might bring shame onto Freeman's name and the reputation of the department, he feels that the pressure is now too much and he must finally reveal his secret.

Nam must come out as a Frequentist and consequently, stray from the Bayesian pack. Much hilarity in-sues from Freeman and the department's reaction to this news.

And if you've been affected by any of the issues raised in this episode of Freeman...

...we'll update our posterior as necessary.

What do you do...

2011-02-28T01:48:00.000Z

... with a PhD in Statistics?

Evidently think up random (both in the Statistical and non-Statistical sense) TV shows and songs based around your Statistics life.

And now displaying my pretty poor songwriting skills...

My Markov Chain
This device was brilliant;
This device was pure;
I assumed 2 states;
Of which I'm not quite sure;
I saw a transition matrix;
With its non-negative entries inside;
It was also square, with row sums equal to one, and no symmetry inside

My Markov Chain; My Markov Chain; Oh Markov Chain what will you do
I saw you move from state 1, to state 2,
Now I don't know what you'll do, cos you're always on the move...

So much potential in talking about it's use in Monte Carlo simulations and Hidden Markov Models...so little time and talent to do so. I think you get the message.

Humour...

2011-02-20T17:15:00.000Z

...the all important oil for the machine that is life.

As I continue procrastinating and thus planning more about possible TV show ideas (not just Freeman!), I've given some thought about some of the characters on Freeman, a sitcom about PhD life.

Thus far, I've only mentioned our "protagonist", Freeman; an older male PhD student (between 25-30) who is in the final years of his PhD. Being older and wiser, he provides words of wisdom on Phd-ness to those in the lower years, although occasionally has adult child tendencies. Fulfils the Wisecracker type role, similar to Jerry Seinfield.

But there is a whole cast of main and support and characters that will eventually be introduced. Let me firstly introduce you to the person closest to my heart (literally); Nam.

Nam: a younger male PhD student than Freeman and in the initial stages of his PhD. In some respects, the protégé of Freeman as he lacks confidence, knowledge and experience of the world. Could be a possible male Liz Lemon, as he likes to sing songs (which is really just singing the name of object/topic to the same tune) about Buster, the departmental cluster, or his supervisor. When he's alone of course.

Much of the humour lies in the relationship between Freeman and Nam, the most apparent being the almost race/culture/maturity reversal between the two. For example, Nam, despite being of Chinese ethnicity, shows no traces of the associated race traits, whilst Freeman, seems to have acquired these traits whilst being Jewish. Nam thus dislikes Freeman's slurping of hot beverages (but secretly finds it comforting as it reminds him of home...).

By the end of the series, when Freeman eventually finishes his PhD, Nam will of course have transformed into a confident person and become the mentor to a similar type of person probably. Might be offered a spin-off although who wants to watch a near identical show to Freeman... If the show however does continue with Nam in Freeman's role, mentoring a urban streetwise kid say, it is clearly a sign that the show has jumped the shark.

Jack of all Trades...

2011-02-11T00:06:00.000Z

...master of none. I think this phrase is quite apt for me. Perhaps I should have it as my epitaph, although I do like "His surname provided hours of pun-tertainment".

Anyway, on with the show...

I've had more thoughts about how I envisage my "Freeman" sitcom and have got round to what I think the theme tune should be. It should ideally be in the style of a 70s American sitcom (see the Mary Tyler Moore show example below) and warrant a Thematic Theme Tune trope.

The new theme tune needs to include shots of the following:
1) Freeman standing in front of a blackboard doing Statistics, possibly transitioning into a "Eureka/I've got it!" expression.
2) Freeman giving a presentation on some hard Statistics to some old stuffy professors in tweed jackets.
3) Freeman trying to open a door whilst holding two mugs of hot tea.
4) Freeman playing badminton or squash (he's got it all you see...)
5) Freeman having a good time and eat noodles in a noodle bar smiling and laughing.
6) And as per Mary Tyler Moore, it should definitely end with Freeman throwing up some successfully submitted papers (possibly even his completed thesis but this might hurt) into the air, whilst he looks up in amazement and the shot then freezes on.

You see Freeman, despite all his trials and tribulations, will make it after all.

FREEEMANNNN!

2011-01-19T20:41:00.001Z

To be said in a comical sitcom like fashion by a stubborn, grumpy older male character (think Superintendent Chalmers from the Simpsons when he shouts at Principal SKIIIIIINEEER) which goes straight into freeze frame and the credits then roll. The catchy theme tune also plays.

And that is how I envisage the "Freeman" sitcom to be. Well the ending at least; I just need to right an actual storyline.

Thanks G Freeman for making me laugh over the last few months. You'll be missed in the PhD Office and any dinner parties I might hold.

And they say TV isn't good for you

2011-01-06T23:09:00.000Z

It is a well known fact amongst most of my friends that I watch a lot of TV. In fact, I watch a lot of obscure (crap) TV. It is thus unsurprising that a lot of my knowledge has come from the world of TV. The latest interesting fact is Mathematics related and is from The Big Bang Theory.

Apparently the number 73 is the best and most beautiful number. It is the 21st prime number, of which the mirror of 73, 37, is the 12th prime number. 21 can be represented by the product of the two primes 7 and 3. The binary of 73 is 1001001 which is a palindrome. And herein lies some of the beauty of Mathematics and the world we live in.

I just wish they presented some of my research topics in comedy sitcoms and that I had slightly more interest in my work at the moment.

Happy No Year

2011-01-04T00:05:00.000Z

So I've decided I needed to blog regularly as a New Years' Resolution, mainly for my own sanity of course. It seems unfair to any readers out there, that the majority of posts (bar the American Adventure ones) have all featured me being depressed, useless, and complaining about life and work.

So I intend on blogging more frequently about anything, and not just when I want to use as venting wall to complain about my life and work.

So I intended on going to bed earlier so that I could get a good nights sleep and be fairly eager to get into work tomorrow. Of course it hasn't turned out that way (it never does) but on the plus, I have just sent an e-mail that will hopefully mean a better life for me in 2011.

I've been slightly more stressed about life at this time of year, to the extent that it seemed to affect my eczema quite badly. Realising that I need to sort this mess out, I've planned to cut out one of the roots of the stress.

So I have just e-mailed the person on that I was working with on a side project as to whether I could abandon working on it. If we abandon the project, then it's a win for me with hopefully less to worry about. If we continue to work on the project because the recent work I've done is beneficial, then that's also a win. So, I've someone how managed to create a win-win situation I think.

If only I wasn't worrying that I've given up on something I've worked on for the last year and a half, or what the e-mail person now perceives of me...

Winter Blues

2010-12-06T09:17:00.000Z

I thought I might start re-blogging about nothing, mainly for my own sanity and well being. It'll hopefully warm up my hands as well seeing as I've just walked into work and its bloody freezing outside.

I used to think that Winter was my favourite season; snow can make most things pretty. But I'm fairly confident the recent weather has had a negative affect on me however. I seem to feel quite useless, slow at work and not really wanting to leave my warm bed in the morning. It doesn't help that I actually have a lot of work to get through and most of my motivation appears to have disappeared.

I'm sure other people are feeling similar things so I can't really complain and suppose I just need to crack on with things (tackle things one step at a time). I just wish the office was slightly warmer than it is now so that I feel slightly more inclined to work.

United States of ...

2010-10-28T01:21:00.000+01:00

...Obesity.

I'll miss the Americans and their often ridiculously large sized portions of food.

I went to The Cheesecake Factory of The Big Bang Theory fame recently and was greeted by an enormous dish of meatloaf. I came out having only left a little bit of mash on the side, but regretted eating to the point where I was about to throw up.

Their signature Cheesecakes are just as bad with the following not giving a truthful depiction of its epicness.

The Christopher Nam Hamburger Project (aka make him gain weight) was good fun though.

Boston Logan International Airport...

2010-10-28T01:02:00.000+01:00

... is a pretty dull place with a fairly weak duty free shop.

I've also had to buy rip-off goody and salty treats for all. Ah well...

One good thing is that they've at least got free (and fairly decent wi-fi) meaning I can gradually transition back to my old procrastinating self in the next few hours.

So expect some random posts as I reminiscence about the American Adventure.

A Social Network

2010-10-26T23:46:00.000+01:00

So I mentioned a while back that I watched A Social Network, the film "based" (loosely I would imagine, with several fictional parts created for narrative purposes). I thought it was actually quite entertaining, despite not really being a Facebook user (although I don't see how this would affect my enjoyment of it). Nevertheless, I recommend watching it.

I also went to visit Harvard today which is pretty much equivalent of Oxbridge, (ridiculous) traditions and all. The student tour guide was a rounded student who had managed to find the optimal way to juggle studying, extra-curricular activities and more importantly, partying to the extent that no lifetime regrets were created.

Harvard does come with the prestige of being academically intellectual, but do lack in some basic intellect and common sense. I don't know any other university where

a) They've got a statue of the "founder" John Harvard, when he just donated a large proportion of books (or was it money...I can't remember).
b) They've got the date wrong of when he supposedly "founded" Harvard.
c) This statue isn't even of John Harvard.

Only the Americans could get away with this really.

If you go down for a stroll in Boston park...

2010-10-25T00:07:00.000+01:00

...you'll find some people playing Quidditch. Complete with broomsticks...the non-flying kind unfortunately.

2 weeks...

2010-10-23T15:11:00.000+01:00

is the optimal duration for a holiday and to spend away from home I reckon.

I know this as my small weak feet are now starting to suffer and I generally don't seem to have the same amount of energy for my days out now. Or maybe it's just the fact that DC was much cooler than in NYC. It's a personal preference really but I really haven't enjoyed NYC as much as I thought I would have done.

Nevertheless, I quite glad to be leaving the Big Apple and hope Boston has something different to offer.

Evil twin?!

2010-10-20T02:09:00.001+01:00

Apparently I have a doppelganger. He was staying at the HI hostel in DC who looks and sounds exactly like me apparently.

I never got to meet my twin but was informed about him after someone staying at the hostel was confused as to why I was asking such standard "first meeting" questions again and why I didn't remember him the following day. Apparently my twin was also quite nice

So that poses the question; am I the evil twin? Be very afraid...very afraid I suppose.

Note to self

2010-10-19T02:59:00.000+01:00

Learn Catonese properly. It should avoid over ordering food in restaurants.

But at least I am well feed on fairly decent stuff tonight and have had plenty of vegetables. It should counter act all those burgers, hot dogs and pretzels I've been eating lately.

He (or rather they), were being a right pain in the...

2010-10-18T22:42:00.000+01:00

Damn you tourists...damn you.

Surfing on the Couch (wave)

2010-10-18T03:28:00.000+01:00

Laundry is being dried and I've managed to get the internet working just by switching into the next room. This is one weird hostel.

So my first two nights in New York were spent couch surfing as mentioned before. Whilst practically free accommodation and insider knowledge sounds like a good, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as everyone makes it out to be. But maybe this is just me being my usual self of having such high expectations in life.

Don't get me wrong, my host was very considerate and did a good job of entertaining me. He had an excellent apartment (it was more "spare room surfing" than "couch surfing"), in a good location. He also suggested plenty of things to do together and we even decided to watch "The Social Network".

Understandably, my host wouldn't leave his surfers alone in his apartment, but this meant I had to phone him to find out when I could get back. This turns into a big inconvenience of finding a Starbucks to use their internet to phone him via Google Talk, and occasionally asking someone nicely to use their mobile if the reception is bad internet wise.

The other thing I disliked about my experience was my host throwing me into the deep end of NY life by expecting me to find his apartment alone by taking a cab. Again, it might just be me being picky and needy, but if he had known prior that I was going to making my own way their, he could have given more precise directions and instructions, and even suggested taking the Subway. The cab driver also wasn't particularly friendly or helpful which really didn't help with the experience.

So all in all, I'm not entirely sure if I'll be couch surfing again. Unless a good rapport and level of trust is developed between the host and the surfer prior to the stay, it seems quite inconvenient. I initially asked to stay for much longer than a week but I'm glad it was only for 2 nights given my experiences from just two nights.

So I genuinely look forward to my stay at HI NYC, and meeting new people. It's a bit further out from the city than I would like it to be meaning I can't stay out too late (it doesn't seem as "safe" as DC) and I might be more inclined to catch bed bugs, but at least I can control most of these things.

P.S. I missed the 30 Rock live recording. I'm currently listening to it whilst I blog. It's quite surreal to see it with a live audience, and the camera shots are quite unlike 30 Rock's style (understandably SNL like). Some of it appears to be done quite well (and funny) and it's good to see the return of familiar characters. But it ultimately feels alien to me. I will probably review this in the end. For those of you unfamiliar with 30 Rock

Laundry's probably done by now so best be going.

When the Historian met the Statistician....

2010-10-17T23:39:00.000+01:00

or "The near pint of milk incident".

Apparently I haven't been blogging enough with any sort of shenanigans so I will try and make up for it tonight in the next couple of hours whilst I need to stay in the hostel.

So I did make it to the Big Apple and did get to experience couch surfing for two days but that's for another post...

Whilst in the HI hostel in DC, I did meet a few interesting people, one of whom was a Historian who oddly seemed to know quite a bit about Statistics (the boring kind though with rank correlation etc.). I always thought that these two fields never crossed about alas, I was proven wrong and he informed me that Historians do use quite a bit of "Statistics". (I'm going to put that in inverted columns since I can't guarantee that they'll be using it correctly at all. For all I know, that might be just applying any old method and claiming that they're doing "Statistics"). Nevertheless, I got on rather well with this guy and enjoyed his company.

This American guy was the same age as my parents, had a rather good sense of humour and wit (the gentle mocking kind) and seemed to be happily married with children the same age as me. We discussed a variety of things and I even had to explain to him the rules of cricket from my shady and limited past.

So I nearly had a sort of "pint of milk" incident with him, as had I stayed in DC over the weekend, we were going to "paint the town red". I really wished I'd stayed in DC for the weekend just for this incident.

I'll miss his presence (I doubt anyone's going to be the same in NYC or Boston or even the UK) and although we did exchange e-mail addresses, it's not going to be the same as discussing a whole variety of topics over the wet trays and bad coffee at breakfast.

Why hello there...

2010-10-14T02:43:00.000+01:00

Apologies for the lack of posts. Somehow, travelling and walking copious amounts does tire you enough to make blogging the last thing on your mind at the end of the day.

Nevertheless, I thought I'd post a photo to convince you that I indeed alive and well and seeming to enjoy my current visit in DC.

I've yet to figure how to rotate pictures in blog world so for now, you'll just have to tilt your heads or maybe even just your screens.

I am meeting new people (admittedly older; but that's just because I'm an old man trapped in a youngish body), eating a lot of junk food (I guess this is the Christopher Nam Hamburger project that someone proposed to me a few years back) and learning lots about the American culture and history (through observation and museums).

But no one has yet to bump into me whilst buying some milk in the streets and drag me to dinner followed by a club/bar; I guess that is more of a New York thing.

I know I have a big ego...

2010-10-09T12:35:00.000+01:00

...but I really don't need two double beds.

So the conference has officially started and I'm currently staying in a rather nice hotel. The only downside thus far is that I can't find the complimentary slippers. It's going to be drastic change when I switch to a 10 bed dormitory.

The conference thus far has been okay (understood somethings, haven't fallen asleep yet) although I can't help feeling out of place. It's a mix of statisticians and econometricians, where a lot of people seem to know each other from before. Nevertheless, I have made a bit of an effort to talk to people and it hasn't been too bad...

My poster session could have been better; I don't know whether its the different academic research area or the different nationality but they seemed a little less interested/impressed, and constantly referring back to current literature (a valid point though). Or maybe it's the fact that no wine was present at this reception...

Nevertheless, one more day of this conference before the holiday part officially kicks in...

Surreal moment 2: Your supervisor playing in a kid sized indoor playground. Wish I had a camera for that...

Poster holders arouse suspicion in airports

2010-10-07T12:28:00.000+01:00

So I've arrived safely and settled in a bit (possibly slightly jetlagged still).

It's been slightly surreal in some places; the Americans do of course do everything big (but necessarily better I hasten to add) and can sometimes be far too friendly.

However, the two most surreal moments have to be experiencing life with a two year old (especially when you live alone like me) and hearing your supervisor reciting nursery rhymes, complete with childish voices. If only he could do it for the papers I don't seem to understand.

So a university card doesn't work as an Oyster card...

2010-10-05T16:47:00.000+01:00

And so my adventure begins, by tomorrow afternoon I should be up in the air and safely on my way to North Carolina.

I thought I might invite close friends to read my blog whilst I am on my travels, so greetings to the lucky few. Be prepared to be bored out of your wits.

I'm now back at Kingston home for an overnight stop where the house is in a tip....admittedly my parents are getting the kitchen refitted, so I suppose I'll have to excuse them.

Anyway, this was going to be a post to at least get the ball rolling; who knows if I'll be posting tomorrow detailing my safe arrival or discussing the pros and cons of travelling with your supervisor and family.

One more thing, I've signed up to Couch Surfing in aid of meeting new people and possibly staying over at someone's place in NYC. I posted the photo below as my profile picture; such false advertising! I have never looked (or been) so laid back in my life or appeared so cool. The people that meet me are in for big surprise I suppose.

It's been a long time

2010-09-20T00:32:00.000+01:00

or perhaps not.

Whilst no one appears to be following this blog (or leaving comments at least), it dawned on me that I haven't posted for over a month and that the tone of my lost blog may have aroused suspicion about my well being.
Nevertheless, I thought I'd post in case someone was wondering...

Life is slightly better although the big hurdle is soon approaching, before I go on my little adventure, although I'm a bit terrified of that as well. I'm just a big old scaredy cat really....

Keep Calm and Carry On

2010-08-12T17:08:00.000+01:00

or so I try.

I have plastered this poster and a "Don't Panic" button from Hitchhikers' Guider to the Galaxy on one of my walls in my cubicle where I attempt to work. I thought they would provide me with a smile in times of need and actually do what they say but they don't actually seem to be for the last few months.

As I attempt to rewrite a report that needs a substantial reworking according to my supervisor, and clarifying all the small little details I have glossed over, I just can't seem to work at all. I don't understand anything, I've lost interest in all the work I've been working on for the last year and just feel utterly useless. Just persevere as he keeps on saying, but what if I'm persevere into nothing?

I would take a break (or take it easy as I have been informed frequently), but the deadline is looming closer and closer...

I just hope it does all fall into place soon and that my button and poster would actually work.

The First, the Last, My Everything

2010-08-10T19:21:00.000+01:00

I've been meaning to start up a new blog for quite a why but never really got round to it. There were several reasons why I wanted to start a blog which I'm sure I will expand upon at a later data.

This also isn't my first blog, I had one during the start of my university years, but like all the fads I start, they eventually wither out. To add to this, I used my blog a bit too much as a ranting sound board, to the extent that I indirectly offended people who got there own back by posting the private posts on Facebook so their friends could further ridicule me on my pedantic nature. I suppose I've learnt my lesson from that then...

That isn't to say that I won't rant on this blog at all. I'll just take a bit more care about what I say, and who will get to read it I suppose.

I haven't told anyone about this blog and not sure if I will given my previous experience. I've decided I'll wing it and see if internet folk stumble upon me. I predict fairly low numbers...

Before this post turns too long (word of warning: I do tend to write a bit too much frequently), I'd like to comment on the name of this blog. It took me quite a while before in deciding the name; not particularly useful when you're trying to think of witty names and an associable yet unique web address. For those of you expecting an observation post of people sporting bob haircuts, you'll be greatly disappointed I'm afraid. Bob is/was a nickname and I'll just use this as an update post for those who are interested enough in me. Yes, the Bob saga is quite interesting but I shall leave that for another time...