in case of emergency

In case of emergency (ICE) is a programme that enables first responders, such as paramedics, firefighters, and police officers, to identify victims and contact their next of kin to obtain important medical information. It encourages people to enter emergency contacts in their cell phone address book under the name "ICE".

Apparently, my mom knew about this, and without telling me, entered her number into my phone as an emergency contact.

One day, my phone rang, and the screen flashed "ICE ICE". To my surprise, it was my mother. She explained the 'in case of emergency' plan, and I left her number listed as such.

Now every time she calls, "ICE ICE" appears on the screen. Invariably, Vanilla Ice's chart-topping hit, "Ice Ice Baby" gets stuck in my head. Thanks, Mom.

more facebook graffiti

Here is my most recent graffiti artwork:


Drawn for my mom


I think this one is a pretty good likeness. For comparison:

facebook graffiti

So, I spent entirely too much time creating Facebook Graffiti this weekend*. Although a huge time sink, I think this app is a lot of fun. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to matter how much time I put into the picture -- it always ends up looking like a five-year-old drew it. Alas, I still like them. Here are my not-so-masterful 'masterpieces':

*note: not all of these graffiti images were created this weekend.

Drawn for Alejandro - I asked him what graffiti picture I should draw him, and he said an igloo.


Drawn for Brian - I was jealous that he went to LA and ate delicious cupcakes without me. Mmmm.... cupcakes.....


Drawn for Julie - Sushi buddies are really important in my life. Sadly, one of mine (Julie) left Berkeley to go pursue her art career in New York.


Drawn for Linh - So Linh and Thu and I were at the Getty Museum. We saw this sculpture (see below left), and it reminded us of the UCSD Sun God (see below right). Ah, Sun God and Sun God Festival, when UCSD students worship a brightly colored chicken by drinking all day and acting like SDSU students for one day out of the year... those were the days....





Drawn for Brian - It turns out, it's not very hard to convince Brian to go to Disneyland.


Drawn for Brian - Because he likes rainbows and Muppets songs and pots of gold.


Drawn for Bella - We should probably finish this song. So far, this is our only verse. It's catchy though, eh?


So, that's all I have to say about Facebook Graffiti. If you have an excess amount of time on your hands, I'd recommend giving it a try.

post-quals

I spent too much time and energy during the quals process feeling incredibly bad about myself and about my ability to be a good grad student and scientist, but I've lost a lot of those feelings for the moment. I'm sure they're lurking somewhere, just waiting to come out when I have to prepare for my first thesis committee meeting or present at lab meeting or give a data blitz at Granlibakken, but at least they're not swimming around my head all the time anymore. What's funny is that now I actually am acting like a bad grad student and scientist. I haven't done anything since quals ended. I suppose I'll consider this to be a much needed break. The vacation ends today though. Back to life. Back to reality. Back to work. Back to science!