Going Away for the Weekend..

I will be in Montreal and Ottawa on the long weekend. I'll post some pics when I get back.

Cheers!

Mushy tag

Awwwww....

Sinan tagged me with this wonderful questionaire.. :|

Disclaimer:
Due to the extreme mushy nature of this tag, I will answer the question in the least mushy way… you have been warned

1- What does Love mean to you?
Well, if there’s no materialistic motive behind love, then it’s probably a pure sexual feeling covered up by a civilized humane curtain.. huh?? Exactly!

2- What does Marriage mean to you?
A mutual sexual agreement

3- Do you believe in love at first sight?
I believe in attraction at first sight, which may lead to love (see #1)

4- How many children would you like?
11, you gotta have a soccer team

5-If given the opportunity, what song would you sing for me on my wedding day?
Ah we nos - Nancy Ajram or Kaberi 3aklaki - Kathem <-- this one could come in handy

6- What is your favorite holiday destination?
Probably Italy, or to make it less mushy, the playboy mansion

7-What are three qualities you would look for in a man?
I would rather not look for men

8- What are the three qualities and three bad habits that your think your wife should/shouldn't have?
Three qualities:

• Good looking.
• Rich
• likes to cook and iron…and wash dishes (I love this last one)

Three bad habits:

• too loud in the morning
• prefers to drink coffee over tea
• likes watching those cheesy “let your neighbour redecorate your house and then find out it looks crappy, but you still appreciate their effort” shows

9-Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
in an R&D job in some engineering company (this is the only serious answer so far)

THIS TAG WILL END HERE!

Eman's Tag

I could have just posted this dumb picture, it says a lot about me

What is the one word you would use to describe your appearance?
Friendly

Favorite body part?
Stomach

Least favorite body part?
My big toe ;)

Most often complimented on?
Funny & Absolutely Perfect (the latter is a lie, used to prove the former)

Most often criticized for?
oh boy there’s a list for this one, I get offended easily, I talk too much, and grumpy when I wake up

Your romantic relationship?
Will not start till I finish my big plans in life

Your relationship with your parents?
Good, we joke, take each other’s advice, can’t complain

(I can’t say bad stuff, my dad reads the blog, Marhaba, shoo 3ajbak iljawab)

Your feelings about parenting?
Very tough, and a big responsibility, will require me to a read a few books in about 10 years

Your hobbies?
Reading, playing soccer, daydreaming, blogging, putting things together, hanging off trees ;)

Your favorite personality type for a friend?
Dependable, honest, funny, somewhat smart, likes soccer

Favorite personality type for a spouse or lover?
Funny, fun loving, smart

Favorite type of movie?
Historical with crazy action

Favorite cuisine?
Italian, and Shawarma

Favorite treat?
A drive in a really fast car

Favorite gift?
Something that I can read and cultural gifts

Favorite pet?
Expensive one but a horse would be sweet, is that considered a pet? You can pet a horse can’t you?!?!

Subject of blogging post that got the most hits?
London attacks, since the article was mentioned in the guardian.

I'd like to see what Sinan has to say about these questions ;)

On Ramanujan...

The story is classic, a pure genius with an outpour of ideas, just waiting to be heard by the scientific community. His name is Ramanujan, born in a poor village in India to a poor family. The founder of the Indian Mathematics Society described him as:

“A short uncouth figure, stout, unshaven, not over clean, with one conspicuous feature-shining eyes- walked in with a frayed notebook under his arm. He was miserably poor. ... He opened his book and began to explain some of his discoveries. I saw quite at once that there was something out of the way; but my knowledge did not permit me to judge whether he talked sense or nonsense. ... I asked him what he wanted. He said he wanted a pittance to live on so that he might pursue his researches."

While in high school, he picked up a book called "Synopsis of Elementary Results In Pure Mathematics." After reading this book, pure math was all that occupied his mind. After finishing high school Ramanujan worked hard on getting scholarships, but since he concentrated only on math, he would always do well on the mathematics entrance exam, while failing all other subjects.

On his own, he taught himself mathematics, and on his own, he came up with some of the most profound mathematical discoveries. Some of those theories were already discovered, but due to lack of resources, Ramanujan was not aware of the latest mathematical findings. After Ramanujan gained recognition in India, he got a job as a clerk in the University of Madras. Through his job he had access to several books relating to pure math. One of those books was by G. H. Hardy, Ramanujan was intrigued by his book and wrote to him:

"I have had no university education but I have undergone the ordinary school course. After leaving school I have been employing the spare time at my disposal to work at mathematics. I have not trodden through the conventional regular course which is followed in a university course, but I am striking out a new path for myself. I have made a special investigation of divergent series in general and the results I get are termed by the local mathematicians as 'startling' "

Hardy replied:
"I was exceedingly interested by your letter and by the theorems which you state. You will however understand that, before I can judge properly of the value of what you have done, it is essential that I should see proofs of some of your assertions. Your results seem to me to fall into roughly three classes: (1) there are a number of results that are already known, or easily deducible from known theorems (2) there are results which, so far as I know, are new and interesting, but interesting rather from their curiosity and apparent difficulty than their importance (3) there are results which appear to be new and important... "

After a few letters, Ramanujan was given a scholarship and went to England to work with Hardy. England’s weather took a toll on Ramanujan’s health, and he was in and out of hospitals. One of the most interesting stories about Ramanujan, which shows his stunning number sense, goes something like this:

During an illness in England, Hardy visited Ramanujan in the hospital. When Hardy remarked that he had taken taxi number 1729, a singularly unexceptional number, Ramanujan immediately responded that this number was actually quite remarkable: it is the smallest integer that can be represented in two ways by the sum of two cubes: 1729=1^3+12^3=9^3+10^3.

How many of you could see that? I wasn’t even close!

In 1919 Ramanujan was sent back to India to recuperate from his illness where he died shortly after at age 32. Ramanujan’s notes were left with many unproven theories, to which many mathematicians indulged over for years after his death.

I have taken a course which included pure math, relating directly to Ramanujan’s specialty. I have to admit that it was the hardest math I have ever had to deal with, which makes me appreciate him even more.

Ramanujan worked hard before he got any real chance. Imagine all the potential that’s out there in third world countries. Brilliant people reside all over the world; the lucky ones get a break and benefit us, but what happens to the rest? Three years ago my friend and I were talking and he said “for all you know, the next Einstein could be a starving child in Africa” I have often thought about what he said, and I thought what better way to pass on the message than with Ramanujan’s story.

Technorati Tags: Ramanujan, Math Genius, Pure Math

Book Tag

Number of books I own: Counting only valuable books, and excluding textbooks, about 50

Last book I bought:
The Code Book “The Evolution of Secrecy From Mary, Queen of Scots to Quantum Cryptography”. A very interesting book which highlights the importance of message encryption throughout history, and the encryption techniques used. Written by Simon Singh.

Last book I read:
Technology and Society – A Canadian Prespective - by John Goyder. Discusses all aspects of technology such as deskilling of jobs, leapfrogging, and positive and negative impacts of technology on society.

Five books that mean a lot to me:

1. Cosmos by Carl Sagan. This was my first introduction into the world of astronomy, I own this book in hardcover, paperback, and I have the award winning television series.

2. Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis by Frank McCourt. A mind opener into how tough life could be when living in poverty. Both books are memoirs, and that’s what makes them especially amazing. I totally recommend them.

3. Al Fizia2 al Mosalieh (Entertaining Physics) by Yakov Berilman (wrong spelling). This one is a classic, it discusses the physics behind everyday life, and just random phenomena. The author also analyzes Jules Vern’s books from a physics perspective.

4. Pale Blue Dot by Carl Sagan. This one goes in depth into the details of every planet and moon in our solar system. It also examines the possibility of human’s leaving our home planet, and why it’s essential to do so.

5. David Copperfield by Charles Dicken. I read a few of Dickens’ works and this one stands as my favourite. A very sad story, which in many respects depicts Dickens’ life. I love books that deal with poverty, even if there’s no happy ending.

The book I am reading since long but could not finish:
The Elegant Universe by Brian Green. An amazingly written book on modern theoretical physics, in particular String Theory. A very easy read and contains perhaps the clearest explanation of Einstein’s relativity theories.

The Fattening of Fast Food's Menus

I have been noticing this pattern with all these major food chain stores lately. These stores just keep on expanding their menus, even offering foods that don’t fall under their specialization. These businesses have the belief that “if our business isn’t expanding, the it’s dying,” pushing them to more and more ridiculous additions to their menus. What also bothers me about all these new foods, is that they are added under the “healthy eating” menu. Fast food chains are trying hard to change their image in people’s minds. But let’s face it, why would you go to a fast food place if good health, and losing weight is what you’re after?

The best example of such menu expansion comes from the Microsoft of fast food restaurants, McDonald’s. There are many reasons why I hate that chain, their menu expansion just adds another reason to the list.

When the average person, including me, thinks of McDonald’s hamburgers will most likely pop into our minds, but hamburgers are becoming a minute part of what they have to offer these days.

Let me list a few examples of additions to their menus:


Recently they introduced deli sandwiches. The name says it all, deli sandwiches belong to the deli, not a fast food restaurant. And if you are a vegetarian, well there's even a McVeggie burger. I wonder how long it’ll take them before adding Pizza (which I heard they had at one point), and pasta to their menus.

McDonald’s offers ice cream, which is at first understandable, since it’s a desert. But they are not offering just cones. The ice cream menu includes sundaes, McFlurries (ice cream mixed with cookies, Smarties etc.), and now they are even offering a yogurt desert. Talk about crossing the line!

Also, to jump on the bandwagon, they have also introduced salads recently. Of course, these salads have to be done the North American way, meaning they have to include meat. A salad to me is the definition of a vegetable dominant food, is there a need for meet? Ok, I’m deviating now.

To the breakfast menu, McDonald’s added a Mexican touch by offering the burrito. Fajitas were also on the menu, and I believe still are.

McDonald’s also offers a wide range of pies, muffins, coffee, tea, and many forms of “dipable” chicken.


Where the line will be drawn is hard to tell. Will they become a one stop destination for any kind of food on your mind? Will they offer Shawarma, Falafel, and maybe Chinese food? I wouldn’t doubt it.

Technorati Tags: McDonalds, fast food

Sorry for being all over the place. Also, please look at that pic with the baby carefully. Anyone finds it disturbing how they got the baby to think of the bun as his mother's breast?

Coincidence

I was drinking tea today, and when I was about to refill my cup I noticed a happy face. The tea leaves happend to arrange themselves in an usual way. Since the odds of getting a recognizable shape is pretty slim, I decided to take a picture. Is this a sign from the tea god?

More and more records

Ontario witnessed and continues to witness a record setting summer. The records go hand in hand, in one way or another.

We have had some of the hottest, most humid days, in recorded history. People are dying from heat strokes, Ontario opened public "cooling centers," and even new legislation is being considered regarding landlords' responsibilities.

The government is now thinking of placing a maximum temperature that tenants can experience. Which means that landlords will have to provide air conditioning, if the legislation is passed.

The other record being set is an electricity demand record. Ontario has hit a record demand of 26,160 MW. Electricity is now being purchased from Quebec, Manitoba and even the US. Some government offices have relaxed the dress code, so employees can cope with the raised AC temperature set point. It was said that if the demand rises just a bit more then rotating black outs will happen, and we'll be saying "in2at3at el kahraba" once again (Syrian inside joke)

The third record pertains to energy as well. Oil prices are through the roof. The other day prices hit 95 cents a liter. Most of the time the price hovers around 88-85 cents/liter. Two years ago the price was in mid 60's, and before than it was in the 50's. Montreal and Vancouver actually saw the price rise over a dollar, which is just ridiculous.

Will the records keep on being broken? I hope not!

Technorati Tags: electricity demand, gas prices, heat wave

Today's Evolution

This post was inspired by Sinan’s series Eugenic & Evolution

Before I dive into this post, I would first like to give some background. Charles Darwin came up with the theory of evolution a few hundred years ago. The theory caused, and still causes controversy especially in the religious community. The theory is quite simple and states:
All living organisms are undergoing a constant refinement process which weeds out the weak and keeps the strong, called natural selection. This process, over long periods of time, improves certain features of an organism. Such gifts can relate to a species’ senses, running ability, or even brain capacity.

Some believe that humans are not undergoing evolution today. Humans have the ability to cure diseases, live in a safe habitat, have easy access to food etc. We now have control over many factors which normally play a part of natural selection. Or so we think…

When examined on a deeper level, evolution shows no sign of stopping, even for a civilization like ours. Ironically enough, our civilization plays a huge role in our evolution today. There are many examples, here are a few

Driving: Some of us have better motor skills, leading to a smaller chance for fatal accidents to happen; similarly people with poor vision could also be affected while driving.

Social Status: With our society come many different social classes. Generally speaking, those with a lower social status have more dangerous, body consuming jobs, leading to a higher death rate.

Drugs and Smoking: Many teens suffer from drug addictions, leading to over dosage and possibly death. Similarly smoking affects all generations killing thousands yearly.

Pollution: Asthma cases have increased astronomically since the popularization of the automobile, which caused an increase in pollution. Those with weaker, more sensitive lungs suffer much more than others with healthy lungs.

I hope it's clear that evolution is an ongoing process, even with our high tech civilization. Whether this “modernized evolution” acts quicker or slower than classical evolution is up for debate.

As an aside, the novel “The Time Machine” is a very interesting depiction of what has been discussed in this post. I recommend that you give it a read, it’s very short and worthwhile.

Technorati Tags: evolution, natural selection

Violence can only lead to violence

I was on my way to work early in the morning when CBC radio reported the London bombings. At the time no one knew the magnitude of the blasts, how many were killed, or how bad the damage was. London police even reported that the explosions in the subway were due to some electrical problems. By the time I got to work everyone was talking about it, and during the whole day I was reading updates on several news websites.

I think what happened is truly sad and horrific. Any good reputation that Arabs have built over the past few years, is now gone. I think attacking civilians is very cowardly, and achieves no purpose. Attacking anyone in the name of a religion is even worse. It is my view, as well as every Arab that I have talked to since the bombing that the attacks were bad, and inhumane. What’s sad to think about is that there nothing we can do to stop attacks like these. The stubbornness of both sides, the extremists and the western “coalition”, will only escalate the feud, fueling more hatred in both sides’ hearts.

There’s no doubt that the Americans and Israeli’s are committing atrocities against civilians in the Middle East, but this can only be cured with politics. Violence can only lead to violence, let’s be the smart ones here and put an end to this.

Technorati Tags: london attacks, terrorism, extremism

Not for feminists!

I was looking online for jokes, and I came across these. To all the girls reading this, I don't support any of those views presented in the jokes ;) but I do find the jokes funny... read on

How many men does it take to open a beer? None. It should be opened by the time your woman brings it to the couch.

I haven't spoken to my wife for 18 months - I don't like to interrupt her.

Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street bald and still think they are beautiful.

If your wife and your lawyer were drowning and you had to choose, would you go to lunch or to the cinema?

Why have women got small feet? So they can get closer to the sink.

Why does the bride always wear white? Because it is always a good idea to have the dishwasher to match the stove and refrigerator.

How many divorced Women does it take to screw in a light bulb? 4. 1 to screw in the bulb, 3 to form a support group.

What is the difference between a battery and a woman?A battery has a positive side.

Wow, that was some pretty sexist material... Maybe I'll post men jokes next time :

Technorati Tags: sexist jokes, feminist jokes

Life in Canada - Driving

In most countries you can get your drivers’ license once you’re 18, and once you get it, you’re good to go. Not here, in Canada things have to always be just a bit more complicated. Just to show you how annoying a “modern” country can be…

You can get your license at 16. This license however isn’t a full license, it’s called the G1, and you can drive a car only if accompanied with a ‘G’ license holder, more about the ‘G’ later. The experienced driver MUST sit in the front seat with you, and you are not allowed to drive on any 100 series highways (100 km/h speed limit).

You have to wait one year before you can get your G2, which allows you to drive alone but with little restrictions. BUT, if you go to drivers’ school, you can get your G2 8 moths after getting the G1.

Once you have your G2, you can drive alone BUT with the following restrictions. Everyone sitting in the back, under 16, must wear a seatbelt. You cannot have alcohol in your blood. And if you’re under 18, you must have an adult with you in the car; this rule was introduced a few months ago.

Your G2 expires 5 years after you get it, so anytime within the five years but not before the first year, you have to go for the G test. The G takes all the restrictions off from the G2, but of course the alcohol level in the blood must be below 0.08%.

When you get old, you have to do a re-test every year or so, to make sure you can drive safely.

Of course NO ONE can drive a car in Canada without car insurance. Which is, by the way, the biggest hurdle for young drivers for owning their own cars. The insurance rate is based on the car you have, and more importantly your age. Females pay less than males; owners of red and two door cars pay more, and cars that tend to be in lots of accidents (ex. Honda Civic) are more expensive to insure. Once you turn 25, the insurance drops significantly.

If you ever get into an accident, your insurance increases for a 6 year period. Insurance also increase when you get any ticket, whether it’s speeding or running a red light.

When driving any car, you should have your license, insurance card, and car ownership papers with you. Otherwise you’ll be fined $150.

There are many more complications and little things to know here and there, but I just wanted to skim the surface for you. I guess the point of this post, is to show all the extra precautions, and procedures, that everyone must know. If driving takes so much, can you imagine buying a house?!?!
If I get some positive feedback from this post, I’ll continue with a few more with the same flavour.. so comment away

Technorati Tags: , driving, driver license, car insurance, canada driving

New Slogan = Waste of Money

In 2004, Tourism Toronto, the City of Toronto, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, and the Toronto City Summit Alliance, established the Toronto Branding Project. The goal was to create a single Toronto brand and to develop a fresh new way of communicating the city’s strong and dynamic identity to the rest of the world. This is part of a larger unified effort to define and promote Toronto's distinct identity and raise our profile as a major global tourist and business destination.

It took "13 months, 250 interviews, 4,500 contributions from Torontonians, 14 focus groups in 3 countries. All this to tell the world the Toronto story."

Cost: 4 million dollars of precious tax payers' money

When I heard this newsstory on the radio, I got really mad, and at the same time felt suprised at the stupidity behind the project. My first impression was.. "who cares?"

Does any tourist ever, decide not to go to a certain city, because the city slogan is too lame? On the contrary, does a tourist think, hmm I wonder what the slogan of this city is? Maybe it's only me but I think this project is total waste of money. Toronto could have payed me 1/2 a million and I could have come up with something better..
What do you think? Waste of money? Good/bad slogan? Is a slogan important?