Vivek’s Blog

…a punch, that is!  Bah, that was lame.

Anyway, I’m going to move into my summer dorm today (since it’s past 12am here).  Thus far, my online housing status does not list a roommate and although I’m praying it stays that way, I think the reality of the situation is that Housing is being incompetent (yet again), and just hasn’t bothered to change the info on my status.  Or maybe they will assign that room to someone during the second summer session starting in July.  For all I know, when I walk into my room tomorrow (today), there’ll be some dude moving in already.  Having to share that small room all summer would blow.

Once I get to my new place, I need to start up on this GRE prep.  Also, I meet my adviser on Thursday to discuss research.  Should be fun.  Right now, I need to pack my keyboard, mouse, and speakers.  Over and out.

I spent the entire day packing and watching Arrested Development and so, not much happened today.  Other than AD, the sight of two boxes I had just purchased taking flight due to the strong winds was perhaps most entertaining.  Good thing I was able to retrieve them quickly enough.  But anyway, I’m gonna go pack some more and then go to sleep earlier than 3am for a change.  I have to finish my packing tomorrow so that I can efficiently move my stuff to my summer room on Monday.  I’ve amassed an unbelievable amount of junk in my four years here.  Damn.

This is the start of a new “series” where I’ll answer questions that I get asked a lot.  Questions can be left in the comments on any entry in the series.  I’m kicking things off with one that almost everyone (except my fellow engineers here) asks me:  “How much more do you want to study?”  Or, “why do you want to study so much?  Get a life/job.”

It’s really hard to give anyone asking this question a satisfactory response in a few words.  Yes, I’m a nerd (or geek, if you swing that way) and I love science.  I’m also the curious type and willing to put in long hours to try and do well in my classes.  Plus I like doing research.  And of all these can only lead down one path:  a Ph.D.

Hence, this summer, I’ll be prepping for the GRE.  I’ll take the exam in August and start applying to Ph.D programs in Materials Science later in the year.  By April, I’ll get back responses and I’ll see where I end up going.  It’s not that I don’t want to get a job after finishing at Columbia - it’s a matter of whether I can get one before I have to accept offers from any grad schools that admitted me.  Further, by getting into a Ph.D program, I can postpone having to deal with the real world for a few more years. :-D  Speaking of the real world, it is way easier for people with doctoral degrees to find a high-paying job;  if nothing else, they can become professors and still do research on something they’re passionate about.

Some people have suggested that I should quit engineering, get a degree in finance/econ/management and start making a 6-figure salary right away.  But I’m not wired for business and I enjoy science and engineering a lot more.  I’m not saying that I can easily understand any science concept thrown at me.  What I mean to say is that I am more likely to do the hard work necessary to do well in the sciences, rather than econ/finance/whatever.  Life’s hard and I can sometimes be starved for free time, but hey, at least I’m doing something I enjoy doing.  Not every class is fun but I learn something new each time I attend a lecture, however boring and poorly organized the class might be.  That’s what keeps me going, I guess.  And also support from my parents and most friends.

Plus, I’d rather make stuff than roll around in numbers/stock prices/simulations/finance-y things all day.  Fuck that.

P.S.: Anyone who finds it hard to pronounce my name correctly can call me Viv so that you don’t feel guilty when you butcher it each time you say it.  No offense.

Four bands.  Four hours worth of heavy music.  Seven hours without sitting down.  One incredible concert.

That may sound like some kind of advertisement, but it best describes my evening.  I was fortunate enough to catch the Progressive Nation 2008 concert on May 21, as it rolled through New York City for the first of two nights.  I was keen to watch Dream Theater live, especially after I’d missed them last summer while I was home in India.  Initially, I was skeptical about the concert, considering that four bands were sharing the bill.  However, I’ve started to like Opeth and watching them play with DT was, quite frankly, fucking amazing.

Read the rest of this entry »

Oh man, what a day!  No really, WHAT A DAY!  Manchester United were crowned champions of Europe for the first time since 1999, thus winning the Double (EPL and UCL).  It was a nerve-wracking final.  Ronaldo put United ahead on 26 minutes with a pinpoint header after a superb cross from Brown.  Paul Scholes also played a role in the goal, as it was his brilliant 1-2 with Brown that provided the setup for the goal.  But as luck would have it, United missed a couple of chances and then Chelsea levelled just before half-time.

The scores stayed level after 90 minutes and the game went into extra-time.  Even 30 minutes of extra time could not separate the two teams.  However, Drogba was sent off 4 minutes before the end for slapping Vidic - a similar incident got Zidane sent off in the 2006 World Cup final, and Italy went on to win that game on penalties.  In somewhat of a repeat, United beat Chelsea 6-5 on penalties to lift the European crown.

Of course, with the game going to penalties, I had to wait 7 hours after it ended to find out the final result.  I had my 3/BTBAM/Opeth/Dream Theater concert to go to, and I was already worried that the doors would open before I got there.  That didn’t happen, but the line was already going around the block and I had to settle for a spot on the second floor balcony.  I was right above the soundboard so sound-wise, I was in a good place.  Anyway, more on the concert tomorrow.  Right now, I need to relax and enjoy the victory!