baron's game

jo and i went to our first hockey game on saturday. the cleveland baron's. it was fun! the best part was the end when there was a huge fight!

too bad they are leaving after this season...

the fight! all the gloves came flying off!

really! i'm not crazy! but i think there is something in certain japanese snacks that puts me to sleep. eric brought a snack food back from japan and about half an hour after eating it, i was in a narcoleptic state! this is not the first time this has happened to me. there are several other japanese candies that have the same effect. i first noticed this when i had the kissmint gum. i bought it to chew while driving home to mansfield. while i was driving, i about fell asleep behind the wheel! if anybody else out there know what i'm talking about please tell me i'm not crazy!!

no kevin... not yet...

cheers eric! all the best to you and mari!

i'm glad eric knew what to do...

the infamous black&tans

oh the memories!!!

mmmm....

Eric's Bachelor Party

josephine and i are planning a trip to miami. that should be sometime in april after my first student seminar. i'm so excited. check out the clubs and relax on the beach. just thinking about it makes this cleveland weather seem a little more bearable!!

olympics

the olympics have been great to watch. however, i can't wait until they are over so that i can finally get back to focusing on work and studying. if the tv is on i just get pulled into whatever sport if on! no matter if i even know what the sport is about! nbc does a great job of making anything seems exciting. especially the clips right before the event with the dramatic music. i think they could make a game of tic-tac-toe seem like a battle for world domination!

happy valentine's day!

happy valentine's day to all! today, josephine and i went to classics at the intercontinental for dinner. it was a very nice dinner. probably the best french cousine i've had in cleveland. the squab that josephine ordered was really good, but my sea bass left a bit to be desired. the seared tuna was excellent and so was the duck liver. and of course the dessert was really good! josephine ordered the mona lisa which was a tangerine puree rapped in chocolate mouse and covered in chocolate and topped with almond spoom. my dessert was better! i had a mocha parfait infused with 14 yr old scotch. so good!! i would definitely recommend it! of course i had to trick josephine into going. i told her that i was cooking and that i wanted her to dress up. she actually fell for it! she deserves to be treated like a princess! she's the best wife in the world!!

amazing but a little freightening!!

DARPA Grand Challenge

Created in response to a Congressional and DoD mandate, DARPA Grand Challenge is a field test intended to accelerate research and development in autonomous ground vehicles that will help save American lives on the battlefield. The Grand Challenge brings together individuals and organizations from industry, the R&D community, government, the armed services, academia, students, backyard inventors, and automotive enthusiasts in the pursuit of a technological challenge.

The Grand Challenge 2005 was held on October 8, 2005 in the desert Southwest. The Stanford Racing Team won the $2 million prize with the winning time of 6 hours, 53 minutes. A total of five teams completed the Grand Challenge course which was 132 miles over desert terrain.

Four of the DARPA Challenge finishers.

Stanley, the fastest robot!

Drove 132 miles without a driver! Can we say Terminator??

josephine and i have been sick like crazy for the past week. unable to really do anything productive. not really a good time to be sick since we both have tons to do. i have a journal club to give on thusday. i will be ready but it would be a lot better if i wasn't sick.

it's been over a month since i've blooged and i apologize for the long absence. it's been too long i know! but i'm back in 2006 with a renewed spirit! i hope that everybody had a wonderful holiday break. mine was spent with family at home. josephine and i had both sides of the family over for ham on christmas. it was very meaningful to have our first christmas at our place as a married couple with both families together. i'm so happy we pulled it off.
for new year's jo and i went to mansfield and watched the ball drop there. is it just me or does it seem like it's becoming less and less important as each year passes? by the way, it was great to see dick clark back on new year's rock'n eve but at the same time, it was sad to see what the stroke had done to him. but not to get anybody on a down note! HAPPY 2006 to everybody!
i wish you all a wonderful and productive new year. best of luck and good health. may each day be filled with friendship, family, and love. for all you still looking to establish yourself in the world, may this year bring you great success. and for all you looking for love, know that love is looking for you too, so open your eyes and heart and let this year be your lucky year!