tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147256502011-04-21T22:46:33.772-06:00.:. Megarhyssa .:.A place for me to post pictures for family and friends, plug the odd interesting Web page, and discuss issues that are on my mind.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-29646153472290724882008-07-23T13:23:00.002-06:002008-07-23T13:43:54.831-06:00LaTeX for MacWhew, it's been a long time since my last post -- between work emails and (more recently) Facebook, my spare time for blogging/keeping up with folks for leisurely purposes has apparently all but vanished.Why the post now? Well, continuing the theme of some previous posts, I'm writing to say that I've finally made the leap and tried LaTeX for document creation. Admittedly, I haven't been brave (SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1171298318776419452007-02-12T09:38:00.000-07:002007-02-12T09:38:38.826-07:00Octopus JokeNot sure if this is an original one (it came to me in the shower this morning), but a Google search didn't come up with anything. Anyways, here goes:Q - Why did the octopus linebacker win the Defensive Player of the Year award?A - Because he had ten-tacles in every game!OK, I won't quit my day job, but it's at least safe for a mixed crowd. :)SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1170964739557423702007-02-08T12:58:00.000-07:002007-02-08T13:00:26.626-07:00Plotting degrees in RRecently, I came across the problem of wanting to plot x values that were geographical coordinates (that is, I wanted to include degrees on the axis, or in the x axis label). After some puzzling over the issue (recall that I'm an R noob), I came across a query and answer on the R-help mailing list. Extremely useful as I found it, it lacked one element: the case in which you want to plot your own SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1170485478382259162007-02-02T23:51:00.000-07:002007-02-02T23:51:18.753-07:00Open Source FeverWell, after deciding that I was going to learn R for statistical analyses, I've been thinking quite a bit about other open source / freeware programs that I might switch to. One such application that I've started tinkering with is S5 - in the creator's own words, it's 'a slide show format based entirely on XHTML, CSS, and JavaScript.' Put bluntly, a clever cross platform alternative to SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1168896129603497472007-01-15T14:22:00.000-07:002007-01-15T14:22:09.653-07:00R (finally!)Well, I finally did it -- I've starting using R for my statistical analyses. I've been thinking about making the switch for ages, but it really took a demonstrated need to kickstart it... in this case, I thought I'd want to conduct a quantile regression on the relationship between elevation and species richness for a dataset I'm working with.In the end, I may not even go with that analysis (SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1167243537274863262006-12-27T11:18:00.000-07:002006-12-27T11:18:57.346-07:00Happy Holidays to All Against my initial better judgement, we took advantage of the pre-Christmas rush in late November and got a picture of our son with Santa. Now I'm glad we did -- not only did we support the local firefighters (or one of their designated charities, can't remember which), but we also snapped a pic we really like.I hope everybody out there is also having a fabulous holiday season, and all the best SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1167161544347861692006-12-26T12:32:00.000-07:002006-12-26T12:32:24.396-07:00Music MapI just came across a cool web-based music utility called music map. Simply type in the name of a band you like, such as Underworld and... wait for it... a little longer now... it will provide a "map" of other bands similar to the focal one. In their own words "the closer two artists are, the greater the probability people will like both artists" -- handy if, like me, you're looking to expand yourSMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1166987193302334212006-12-24T12:06:00.000-07:002006-12-24T12:06:33.336-07:00Arianne Ah, the Internet can be such fun. Yesterday, my son and I sat down and "made" a number of superheroes using an online superhero generator... we ended up making five of them, and this is the one we made for me.A nice relaxing prelude to Christmas -- happy holidays to all!Arianne originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1149278338005381672006-06-02T13:55:00.000-06:002006-06-02T13:58:58.333-06:00Air borne! Just having fun in our "new" backyard. Last year, we had a major renovation done to our backyard, including putting in the garage that you can see off to the left, a new retaining wall, and a fence around the yard to keep our kid and dog in and safe.We may have lost some square footage, but we've gained a much nicer space in return. I, for one, don't miss the extra lawn mowing that we used to SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1144786103118872502006-04-11T14:08:00.000-06:002006-04-11T14:08:23.163-06:00$2.4M down the drain[We needed to spend $2.4M to realize that prayers by others are not medically effective?! I should point out an alternative explanation for the observation "that patients in the study who were told unequivocally they were being prayed for did worse than those who were told only that they might be" -- they probably involved themselves the least in their own recoveries, believing that it was all SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1142879258436422842006-03-20T11:27:00.000-07:002006-03-20T11:27:43.843-07:00ApparentlyToday's entry is brought to you by the letter "A", as in "Apparently, there will not be time to return your exams during lecture today ... "Ap·par·ent·lyadv.1. Visibly. [Obs.] Hobbes.2. Plainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently. If he should scorn me so apparently. - Shak.3. Seemingly; in appearance; as, a man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.Thanks to Answers.com for the SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1141664802867607252006-03-06T10:06:00.000-07:002006-03-06T10:08:32.313-07:00MPIIIWell, I just realized that I've yet to plug an interesting Web page, even though that's apparently one of the reasons I started this blog in the first place (see header banner). OK, nobody likes a list of links, anyway, but here's one that I like: [MPIII].It's an online music community that I've been part of since the summer of 2004. Contrary to what you might think from the title, it's not an SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1141663648081061702006-03-06T09:47:00.000-07:002006-03-06T09:47:28.113-07:00Getting thereWell, I've added one additional review/admin task, but struck a few others off the list. Now I'm looking at:- review AmNat manuscript- read Lovell essays- review Ecography manuscript- read Animal Care protocols- review NSF grant- revise gradients manuscript- revise Libellula manuscriptin about that order. In a week's time, I am supposed to have done the first four tasks (if I don't do tasks #2 SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1140542732922376402006-02-21T10:25:00.000-07:002006-02-21T10:40:00.363-07:00Happy Murray Going away for a couple of days or so isn't a problem when you've got Cynthia looking after your dog -- I swear he has a better time with her than with us!Our Wheaten Terrier is over five years old now, but he's still a bundle of energy.Happy Murray originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1139894364109078882006-02-13T22:19:00.000-07:002006-02-13T22:19:24.110-07:00Been a whileSo, it's been quite a while since I wrote in my blog. In large part, I've been too busy for this sort of thing. Even now, I'm taking this opportunity to write down everything I've got to get done in the next three weeks or so; that way, it won't be bouncing around in my head and I'll be able to refer to the list even if I'm at another computer. So, without further ado:- finish AIF NFA applicationSMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1132516104972219572005-11-20T12:48:00.000-07:002005-11-20T12:48:24.993-07:00Who can figure it?OK, this entry is probably more for my own benefit than usual, but I have to get this down so that I'll remember it in the future. It's November 20th, and it's sunny and 15 degrees Celsius in the middle of the day. We've been hanging out on our porch in little more than sweaters and pants, and yesterday I worked up a sweat raking the front lawn in a long-sleeved T.
Why is this noteworthy? Well, SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1131638215622764192005-11-10T08:56:00.000-07:002005-11-10T08:56:55.650-07:00I feel a rant coming on...So, I'm watching the family edition of the Amazing Race. This version of the show is turning out to be anything but amazing (it's supposed to be a race around the world, not a tour of the USA, people), although that's not what's really bothering me.
What's bothering me? The family from Florida. They talk a lot of smack about living the Christian way, but then proceed to call other contestants "SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1130769059672600512005-10-31T07:30:00.000-07:002005-10-31T07:30:59.766-07:00Peek-a-boo! He's a real ham, this one. I took this picture back in August, but I thought it was appropriate to upload it on Halloween, given the orange shirt and the peek-a-boo pose. Plus, I was overdue on a pic for the family (even if you can't see his face)...Peek-a-boo! originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1130477659729591912005-10-27T23:34:00.000-06:002005-10-27T23:34:19.766-06:00Lectures and more...Just listening to Aquasky's latest radio show -- they're finally back on after a six month hiatus!
Anyway, life's been pretty hectic for me of late; I've been busy with teaching two courses at once. One of them has over 250 students, and I've been scrambling to keep on top of writing lectures so that I will have something to say three times a week. Plus, I've been tweaking the lectures that I SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1126554772718700662005-09-12T13:52:00.000-06:002005-09-12T18:09:31.070-06:00Burns Bog, September 11 2005 As promised, the view of Burns Bog from Boundary Bay...At this point, the fire had been raging for about six or so hours and the fire fighters had backed down for the night. This morning, the prospects of a speedy end to the blaze are looking slim, with huge plumes of smoke continuing to rise from the Bog.While I was looking up information on the Bog, I was outraged when I discovered that only SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1126500756718274142005-09-11T22:52:00.000-06:002005-09-11T22:52:36.743-06:00Burns Bog is BurningYou heard it here first -- beautiful, unique Burns Bog is on fire tonight.
It's a truly sad sight, and I worry about the long term effects of such a massive blaze. I've taken a night shot of the blaze from Boundary Bay on the east side of Tsawwassen, which I will post soon (just waiting for my camera battery to charge before starting the whole upload process).
Haven't seen anything on the news SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1125370975071116532005-08-29T21:02:00.000-06:002005-08-29T21:02:55.076-06:00Family Affair, Part 1 More diving beetle sampling in Jasper...Family Affair, Part 1 originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1125370906094036382005-08-29T21:01:00.000-06:002005-08-29T21:01:46.100-06:00Family Affair, Part 2 Checking water quality parameters at the same lake...Family Affair, Part 2 originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1124655052408521832005-08-21T14:10:00.000-06:002005-08-29T21:04:40.743-06:00Sampling Cavell Pond Believe it or not, there were aquatic insects in this pond...This was a really beautiful pond in a really beautiful corner of the world (Jasper National Park), and more than compensated for the hike up the mountain with all of our sampling gear and mosquitoes in tow ;)Sampling Cavell Pond originally uploaded by megarhyssa.SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122577860745901502005-07-28T13:11:00.000-06:002005-07-28T13:13:06.486-06:00Solar raycers: so hot, they're cool As a family, we walked to the University of Calgary campus yesterday to catch the finish of the 2005 North American Solar Challenge. It was great to see so many people supporting such a great cause, and I was very happy that I could finally root for a car race and not worry about the environmental damage being inflicted with each lap!You can find out more about the University of Calgary's entry SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122317134088802392005-07-25T12:45:00.000-06:002005-07-25T12:45:34.090-06:00Loving the slideslide Originally uploaded by megarhyssa.Our son enjoying the slide at a local playground...SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122313483900232902005-07-25T11:41:00.000-06:002005-07-26T12:50:48.336-06:00All aboard!SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122268539056940442005-07-24T22:36:00.000-06:002005-07-24T23:15:39.060-06:00IcelandI've been thinking for some time now that I'd like to visit Iceland. And, no, not just because Björk hails from there.I suppose I'm intrigued by hot springs and lava formations in a sub-Arctic island. Or, the fact that I can visit the birthplace of Leif the Lucky, who is credited with "discovering" America in the year 1000. Of course, it doesn't hurt that as many as 80% of Icelanders believe in SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122061299345885552005-07-22T13:23:00.000-06:002005-07-22T13:41:39.350-06:00Vancouver picturesWe recently visited Vancouver and area. While there, we had the pleasure of hanging out with my son's Uncle Paul:and his Aunt Kate:They live in Perth, so it's a real treat when we get to see them.We also visited Stanley Park and rode on the little train, where I nabbed this artsy shot of the family:SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14725650.post-1122052375453605082005-07-22T11:12:00.000-06:002005-07-22T11:28:41.353-06:00Friday morningGreetings! I hope to use this space to post pictures of family and friends, mainly for family and friends. I'll also occasionally post pictures from my travels and field work, and the odd picture of house renovations and related stuff. At best, I'm an amateur photographer, so visitors shouldn't be too surprised if I didn't use the "right" f/stop setting, the focal object is in the centre rather SMVhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08520732192116631539noreply@blogger.com0