Don't Throw This Away!

A couple weeks ago I bought a new book. Don't Throw This Away: The Civil Engineering Life by Brian Brenner, PE. The book is a collection of humorous essays by the author. Most have to do with a civil engineer working and living in today's world.

One chapter is called, Acronyms and the Explosion of Useless Data (AEUD) was exceptionally funny. Here is one story from it.

A female colleague developed a complex computer system; she called it, Parameter Estimation Model Updating System.

My Colleague: We are here to discuss the Parameter Estimation Model Updating System.

Professor A: Thank you for inviting us here for this discussion. We have evaluated our Parameter Estimation Model Updating System and it seems to be dong a good job.Many people are satisfied with your Parameter Estimation Model Updating System.

My Colleague: This is good to know. I am pleased that people are satisfied.

Professor B: Yes, it seems to be quite effective. is it a large system?

My Colleague: Yes, my Parameter Estimation Model Updating System is quite large.

Professor A: That's interesting, because some studies have indicated that size does, in fact matter, for a Parameter Estimation Model Updating System.

Professor B: Although there has been significant discussion in the field that the system's size is not necessarily as important as its method of application.

Professor A: Yes, I agree with professor B.

My Colleague: I would think that a system's size is not important as long as it gets the job done.

Professor A: An excellent point! Efficacy matters more than size. But even so, do you have plans for growth of your Parameter Estimation Model Updating System?

My Colleague: Yes, I plan to add several new features to the system.

Professor A: Can the Parameter Estimation Model Updating System do a good job at evaluating structural member stiffness?

My Colleague: Yes, estimation of moment of inertia is a key feature of the system.

Professor B: So, you have a robust Parameter Estimation Model Updating System?

Professor A: A system that is poised for growth and will function better in the future?

My Colleague: (perhaps a little perplexed by now at the discussion) Yes, one could say that.

The name of the computer system has now been changed.

Beat Tuesday

In The News...

Well, since I hate sleeping in the middle of the day, it looks like the Greeks are contesting my plan of immortality (So Far, So Good).

The UK and US are the worst (of the most industrialized nations) places for children to grow up?! I can't speak for the UK, but I see little or no problem with children in the US.

Weather

Well, my KC friend just blogged about the lack of South Dakotan blood in Kansanians. Imagine their reaction to this weather in the morning:
Also, we just received at least 5'' of snow yesterday. I suspect that it was closer to 6''. Better yet, we are supposed to hit the 40s on Sunday and Monday! Ah, South Dakota, the land of infinite change! ;)

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A Pirating I Will Go...

Another update from my Age of Pirates PC game. I have turned on all of the European powers and began to build (with the help of the pirates) a free nation in the Caribbean Sea.

I am currently prowling the sea with a Frigate (Ocean) (46 guns), a Line Ship (Insolant) (~80 guns), and a Man-O-War (Atalante) (102 guns). I really like the names of these ships (I didn't name them, I captured them. Which is much cheaper than buying a ship ;) )

I have captured the colonies of Tortuga and La Vega, the latter (in my game) is a colony on the northeastern coast of the island of Hispaniola. La Vega is booming for me, I have built a new fort, a church, silver mines, and upgraded the shipyard. Tortuga has had a harder time. it just got over an epidemic, but should begin grow as well.

To pay for the additions to La Vega, I, of course, raided European shipping, but I also attacked and razed Petit Goave, San Juan, Santa Domingo, and Saint Martin. I have become a Sea Terror to the European powers in the Caribbean, can I continue? Most likely! I am packing an amazing amount of fire power!

A couple of shots of my Frigate, The Ocean:

In the first shot, you can see that I had a ship, the Bloody Michelle, with me. I captured this ship from a pirate to prove to another pirate that I had what it takes to become the pirate "governor". (I later defeated the pirate "governor" in combat to succeed him.)