...
:: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio :: 06.17.07 ::
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Friday, December 28, 2007
The Chase of American Greed
Yesterday, my Chase debit card was denied for the first time. I handed out my e-fund card instead and while waiting for the cashier, I was wondering what went wrong.
Did I run out of balance? Was my card demagnetized? Did someone else steal my card access?
Upon reaching home, I immediately checked my online account. It was overdrawn not once, but eight times. At least, they were all my transactions.
I was not notified in any way about this overdrawn activities. If not for that denied transaction at Joy's Village for lunch, I wouldn't suspect anything wrong. All the while, I was even thinking mine is a debit card, not a credit card, so any cash advance is impossible.
For the first five overdrawn transactions amounting to about $25, I was penalized by Chase bank itself for $125. For the next three overdrawn activities totaling about $60, I was charged $96.
Through all these, the available balance in my mind was about $277 so even if I charge all those eight transactions ($85), I should still be safe. Before all these eight transactions, I actually checked my online balance and Chase showed me $270+. My balance inquiry was already several days after my last purchase with that card.
In other words, Chase deceived me.
And for being deceived, I was being penalized excessively without directly telling me.
It was like an imposed loan at horrible interest rates. For the first five overdrawn transactions, it was 500% in two days or at least 6,000% per year. The prevailing rate is only about 20% per year. For the next three penalties, it was 160% in two days or at least 1,920% per year.
Those eight overdrawn activities were posted in at least 4 days, not one single day. In at least 4 days, I wasn't even alerted about it. Chase pounced on the opportunity to penalize me and get some profit.
When I talked with a Chase staff, I was told there's no way they can accurately update my online account 100% because some merchants are late in posting debits.
I said if they can't do it, how can I trust whatever I see in my balance inquiry? I think it is the responsibility of the bank to keep tab of the activities in my account. If the bank can't do that, it is useless. Obviously, I need a safety net of my own.
I think it is not right to force that imposed loan or penalty on me. I should have been informed at the first instance of overdrawn transaction and at least asked if I want to continue “borrowing” from Chase at that interest rate. Instead, Chase just continued charging me until I discovered such scheme myself.
I told the Chase staff directly that such overdrawn penalty is no longer decent banking. It is greed. It is already a crime. I wonder how she can work in a banking system like that and share her income with a clear conscience to her family. Chase may twist my arm and many others to pay for its profit that way but I am sure, this bank will never prosper.
Granting, for the sake of argument, that the merchants posted late, it is still not right to charge 80 to 250% per day on such “imposed loan” which they call penalty. Look at it in realistic context. They give only 1 digit rate earnings on deposit, if the account qualifies at all for some interest.
I was later told that the $125 penalty for the first five overdrawn activities has been waived by the manager. I just need to pay the remaining $96 dollar penalty plus all the overdrawn amount. I was also being asked to sign up for the overdraft protection which carries with it another set of fees. They are doing these because they care for me.
It was like being stabbed twice with two different knives then offering to remove one knife off my back because they care for me. I only need to remove the other knife myself and pay for the surgery. I don't have to worry, they add, because they have some medicine for me. For sale.
Well, why should I be stabbed in the back in the first place? That offer doesn't make them kind to me as a customer. It only makes them stupid criminals, apart from being greedy.
I didn't steal or take away money from Chase. It was a trap, an imposed loan which Chase uses to get profit from the kinks in online transactions.
I was also told every other bank does the same thing. It was just normal.
That only makes things all the more disgusting. I came here to the United States as a hungry scholar with deep thirst for learning and great, great regard for its repository of knowledge. I am appalled to discover that some graduates of banking, finance and related fields in this first world country have only progressed by using their brain and resources in devising schemes of greed. They may appear well-dressed in business suits but with this ploy, they are more dirty and filthy than the polluted rivers of third world countries. (Later into the emotionally-charged conversation, the Chase staff herself who looks like Asian, probably Chinese, admitted there's nothing like this excessive profit-making venture in her own country.)
I may be powerless as an ordinary individual to effect a good change to this crooked practice of a corporate giant but I believe if this greed continues, Chase is chasing its own doom.
...
PS.
For several months since last year, Chase has also ran a deceitful balance inquiry program. It worked this way: If you withdraw 400 from an original deposit of 1,000, Chase will give you a balance of 400, not 600. The balance is always equal to whatever amount you withdraw, which leads you to believe your balance is always positive. As I see it now, this is a trap to overdraw and be charged with hefty overdraft fees.
If you make another balance inquiry from the ATM, even those that they own, you will be charged for balance inquiry fee. The only free balance inquiry is by phone (toll free customer service) and internet. It was like renting a car with faulty speedometer. The only way to know if you are staying within speed limit is to ask a highway patrol. If you don't get a penalty for overspeeding, you are driving within the legal limit. If you look at the faulty speedometer, the rental company charges you with a fee for every glance you make.
I called the attention of a local Chase branch, the customer service and IIE (Institute of International Education) which is our fund source but everyone was pointing fingers to each other. The balance inquiry fee was actually just small (less than $1 per transaction) so I thought it was not worth the trouble. This balance inquiry flaw was fixed recently when I checked through my e-funds card.
And now, I stumbled into this crooked scheme.
Did I run out of balance? Was my card demagnetized? Did someone else steal my card access?
Upon reaching home, I immediately checked my online account. It was overdrawn not once, but eight times. At least, they were all my transactions.
I was not notified in any way about this overdrawn activities. If not for that denied transaction at Joy's Village for lunch, I wouldn't suspect anything wrong. All the while, I was even thinking mine is a debit card, not a credit card, so any cash advance is impossible.
For the first five overdrawn transactions amounting to about $25, I was penalized by Chase bank itself for $125. For the next three overdrawn activities totaling about $60, I was charged $96.
Through all these, the available balance in my mind was about $277 so even if I charge all those eight transactions ($85), I should still be safe. Before all these eight transactions, I actually checked my online balance and Chase showed me $270+. My balance inquiry was already several days after my last purchase with that card.
In other words, Chase deceived me.
And for being deceived, I was being penalized excessively without directly telling me.
It was like an imposed loan at horrible interest rates. For the first five overdrawn transactions, it was 500% in two days or at least 6,000% per year. The prevailing rate is only about 20% per year. For the next three penalties, it was 160% in two days or at least 1,920% per year.
Those eight overdrawn activities were posted in at least 4 days, not one single day. In at least 4 days, I wasn't even alerted about it. Chase pounced on the opportunity to penalize me and get some profit.
When I talked with a Chase staff, I was told there's no way they can accurately update my online account 100% because some merchants are late in posting debits.
I said if they can't do it, how can I trust whatever I see in my balance inquiry? I think it is the responsibility of the bank to keep tab of the activities in my account. If the bank can't do that, it is useless. Obviously, I need a safety net of my own.
I think it is not right to force that imposed loan or penalty on me. I should have been informed at the first instance of overdrawn transaction and at least asked if I want to continue “borrowing” from Chase at that interest rate. Instead, Chase just continued charging me until I discovered such scheme myself.
I told the Chase staff directly that such overdrawn penalty is no longer decent banking. It is greed. It is already a crime. I wonder how she can work in a banking system like that and share her income with a clear conscience to her family. Chase may twist my arm and many others to pay for its profit that way but I am sure, this bank will never prosper.
Granting, for the sake of argument, that the merchants posted late, it is still not right to charge 80 to 250% per day on such “imposed loan” which they call penalty. Look at it in realistic context. They give only 1 digit rate earnings on deposit, if the account qualifies at all for some interest.
I was later told that the $125 penalty for the first five overdrawn activities has been waived by the manager. I just need to pay the remaining $96 dollar penalty plus all the overdrawn amount. I was also being asked to sign up for the overdraft protection which carries with it another set of fees. They are doing these because they care for me.
It was like being stabbed twice with two different knives then offering to remove one knife off my back because they care for me. I only need to remove the other knife myself and pay for the surgery. I don't have to worry, they add, because they have some medicine for me. For sale.
Well, why should I be stabbed in the back in the first place? That offer doesn't make them kind to me as a customer. It only makes them stupid criminals, apart from being greedy.
I didn't steal or take away money from Chase. It was a trap, an imposed loan which Chase uses to get profit from the kinks in online transactions.
I was also told every other bank does the same thing. It was just normal.
That only makes things all the more disgusting. I came here to the United States as a hungry scholar with deep thirst for learning and great, great regard for its repository of knowledge. I am appalled to discover that some graduates of banking, finance and related fields in this first world country have only progressed by using their brain and resources in devising schemes of greed. They may appear well-dressed in business suits but with this ploy, they are more dirty and filthy than the polluted rivers of third world countries. (Later into the emotionally-charged conversation, the Chase staff herself who looks like Asian, probably Chinese, admitted there's nothing like this excessive profit-making venture in her own country.)
I may be powerless as an ordinary individual to effect a good change to this crooked practice of a corporate giant but I believe if this greed continues, Chase is chasing its own doom.
...
PS.
For several months since last year, Chase has also ran a deceitful balance inquiry program. It worked this way: If you withdraw 400 from an original deposit of 1,000, Chase will give you a balance of 400, not 600. The balance is always equal to whatever amount you withdraw, which leads you to believe your balance is always positive. As I see it now, this is a trap to overdraw and be charged with hefty overdraft fees.
If you make another balance inquiry from the ATM, even those that they own, you will be charged for balance inquiry fee. The only free balance inquiry is by phone (toll free customer service) and internet. It was like renting a car with faulty speedometer. The only way to know if you are staying within speed limit is to ask a highway patrol. If you don't get a penalty for overspeeding, you are driving within the legal limit. If you look at the faulty speedometer, the rental company charges you with a fee for every glance you make.
I called the attention of a local Chase branch, the customer service and IIE (Institute of International Education) which is our fund source but everyone was pointing fingers to each other. The balance inquiry fee was actually just small (less than $1 per transaction) so I thought it was not worth the trouble. This balance inquiry flaw was fixed recently when I checked through my e-funds card.
And now, I stumbled into this crooked scheme.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Gym ::
...
:: Recreation and Physical Activity Center (RPAC), Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 05.13.07 ::
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Dye another day
My research requires me to stain coconut tissues to locate oil globules in them. This should give me a map of what I'm trying to extract from where.
I thought I can get away with just mixing Nile Red or Sudan Black with distilled water. At least I found out that the specification is correct. Both of these are insoluble. These powder stain would just float in water regardless of physical mixing.
I had no choice but to proceed to the Food Microbiology to try my hand, or eyes, at the microscope which I call electronic. I have to fit into the schedule of my supervisor, Laleh Loghavi, PhD student from Iran and a senior member of our Food Engineering laboratory.
The microscope is not an electron microscope. I am calling it electronic because it can function as brightfield, fluorescent and confocal through a remote computer control. It can capture both still and video image.
Confocal microscope
This is my first time to see an Olympus microscope. Most scopes are Nikon, which is a heavyweight in the camera industry. Olympus can be considered a leader only in the dustproof, waterproof category, but that should be another story.
I tried viewing an unstained coconut tissue, both cross and longitudinal sections. I was expecting to see just plain white, as what I've seen before through a brightfield microscope. To my surprise, it stained itself with a bluish hue. I know buko juice would stain that way but I didn't see something like that in my previous attempt. The minor difference this time is that I refrigerated my sample. Anyway, I was able to get a better picture of the cross section. Although I wasn't able to mark oil globules in the tissue, I was already satisfied with my microscopy attempt yesterday. At least, I saw the cell wall which closely resemble my reference image, and I got the appropriate viewing settings in terms of distance, magnification and ISO value.
Cross-section of unstained coconut tissue
This afternoon, I tried concocting my own solution of lipid stains from Nile Red and Sudan Black. I started with a small volume for each, this time using an acetone as solvent. I bought a nail polish remover from CVS. This should be the same as acetone although the extra scent must've been added knowing that it is intended for beauty parlor use.
I don't have any dilution reference for Sudan Black using acetone so I tried to match it with my index information for Nile Red. The latter comes in a tiny bottle, at 100 mg. It has been successfully used as a lipid marker at 0.4 g/L solution. So, I was expecting Nile Red to be stronger than Sudan Black which comes in bigger bottle and greater quantity (10 g, I guess). I was surprised I had to pour at least 6 times more acetone to even see significant dissolution of Sudan Black.
Dye materials
An extra good news today, I received approval from Dr. Wayne Armstrong to use his stained coconut tissue image. Well, I have been communicating with some people including reference persons from the Philippines (like Philippine Coconut Authority) and I didn't receive any reply. At least, with Dr. Armstrong's quick response, my hope was revived that there are some other people who's willing to share something.
Hopefully, I can squeeze into the microscopy schedule soon to see if my dye solutions work or if I need to adjust the concentration for any of them.
Whatever it takes to stain and locate the oil molecules in coconut tissue, I'm willing to dye another day.
...
written and posted 06.14.07, istoriami.
I thought I can get away with just mixing Nile Red or Sudan Black with distilled water. At least I found out that the specification is correct. Both of these are insoluble. These powder stain would just float in water regardless of physical mixing.
I had no choice but to proceed to the Food Microbiology to try my hand, or eyes, at the microscope which I call electronic. I have to fit into the schedule of my supervisor, Laleh Loghavi, PhD student from Iran and a senior member of our Food Engineering laboratory.
The microscope is not an electron microscope. I am calling it electronic because it can function as brightfield, fluorescent and confocal through a remote computer control. It can capture both still and video image.
Confocal microscopeThis is my first time to see an Olympus microscope. Most scopes are Nikon, which is a heavyweight in the camera industry. Olympus can be considered a leader only in the dustproof, waterproof category, but that should be another story.
I tried viewing an unstained coconut tissue, both cross and longitudinal sections. I was expecting to see just plain white, as what I've seen before through a brightfield microscope. To my surprise, it stained itself with a bluish hue. I know buko juice would stain that way but I didn't see something like that in my previous attempt. The minor difference this time is that I refrigerated my sample. Anyway, I was able to get a better picture of the cross section. Although I wasn't able to mark oil globules in the tissue, I was already satisfied with my microscopy attempt yesterday. At least, I saw the cell wall which closely resemble my reference image, and I got the appropriate viewing settings in terms of distance, magnification and ISO value.
Cross-section of unstained coconut tissueThis afternoon, I tried concocting my own solution of lipid stains from Nile Red and Sudan Black. I started with a small volume for each, this time using an acetone as solvent. I bought a nail polish remover from CVS. This should be the same as acetone although the extra scent must've been added knowing that it is intended for beauty parlor use.
I don't have any dilution reference for Sudan Black using acetone so I tried to match it with my index information for Nile Red. The latter comes in a tiny bottle, at 100 mg. It has been successfully used as a lipid marker at 0.4 g/L solution. So, I was expecting Nile Red to be stronger than Sudan Black which comes in bigger bottle and greater quantity (10 g, I guess). I was surprised I had to pour at least 6 times more acetone to even see significant dissolution of Sudan Black.
Dye materialsAn extra good news today, I received approval from Dr. Wayne Armstrong to use his stained coconut tissue image. Well, I have been communicating with some people including reference persons from the Philippines (like Philippine Coconut Authority) and I didn't receive any reply. At least, with Dr. Armstrong's quick response, my hope was revived that there are some other people who's willing to share something.
Hopefully, I can squeeze into the microscopy schedule soon to see if my dye solutions work or if I need to adjust the concentration for any of them.
Whatever it takes to stain and locate the oil molecules in coconut tissue, I'm willing to dye another day.
...
written and posted 06.14.07, istoriami.
Monday, December 24, 2007
Buckeye Kid ::
...
[ Buckeye Kid ]
:: The Shoe, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 08.23.07 ::
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The box and beyond
Dear Lydia Angela,
Of course, Santa Claus remembers you.
How do you like the snow so far in your first Winter? Isn't it magical? The same snow though can be dangerously slippery after a day or two, especially the well-trodden path. These days, it is causing Santa Claus some difficulty moving around, much so that he has only a bike. He prefers pedal-pushing now to slim down and get a better chiseled abs. Don't worry about prompt delivery. There's always Fedex.
I don't know until when Fedex will make a delivery this holiday season or how much bulk it needs to transport. I'm not very sure about non-working days here and I just found out that Fedex itself works with several contractors or franchises so each local branch may operate differently upon the discretion of local managers. However, I saw Santa Claus at Fedex today and he was told that his package for an apartment in White Acre Road, Columbia, MD, can reach there Wednesday or Thursday, next week. And so, you might want to look after your mailbox then around those dates apart from watching for Santa through your chimney, or checking your socks at the Christmas Tree (or laundry?).
After Thursday and you still haven't seen the brown Fedex box, you may want to ask your Papa Lando to bring you to the nearest Fedex outlet and look for his name, not yours, among the potential recipients. Well, Santa Claus assumes that your Papa was named in the lease of your apartment. I assure you though, that the box contains something for you. Your multiplication table is always good to remember at all times but in this case, here's a set of temporary digits which can multiply your joy: Fedex tracking number 468 611 710 019 567.
The box was sent today in spite of the snow because Santa Claus knows you'll be thrilled to receive something on or before (and definitely not later than) the birthday of Someone else. Celebrate with Him. He Himself is a gift for you. The wonder of the snow, the loving warmth from your Papa Lando and Mama Lydia, the comfort of your home, the fun company of friends, playmates and classmates, your intelligence, your ability to play the violin and many other things. He is behind all these.
Celebrate with Him, and know that you're getting more than any box can contain.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
ninong jerry
12.15.07
Of course, Santa Claus remembers you.
How do you like the snow so far in your first Winter? Isn't it magical? The same snow though can be dangerously slippery after a day or two, especially the well-trodden path. These days, it is causing Santa Claus some difficulty moving around, much so that he has only a bike. He prefers pedal-pushing now to slim down and get a better chiseled abs. Don't worry about prompt delivery. There's always Fedex.
I don't know until when Fedex will make a delivery this holiday season or how much bulk it needs to transport. I'm not very sure about non-working days here and I just found out that Fedex itself works with several contractors or franchises so each local branch may operate differently upon the discretion of local managers. However, I saw Santa Claus at Fedex today and he was told that his package for an apartment in White Acre Road, Columbia, MD, can reach there Wednesday or Thursday, next week. And so, you might want to look after your mailbox then around those dates apart from watching for Santa through your chimney, or checking your socks at the Christmas Tree (or laundry?).
After Thursday and you still haven't seen the brown Fedex box, you may want to ask your Papa Lando to bring you to the nearest Fedex outlet and look for his name, not yours, among the potential recipients. Well, Santa Claus assumes that your Papa was named in the lease of your apartment. I assure you though, that the box contains something for you. Your multiplication table is always good to remember at all times but in this case, here's a set of temporary digits which can multiply your joy: Fedex tracking number 468 611 710 019 567.
The box was sent today in spite of the snow because Santa Claus knows you'll be thrilled to receive something on or before (and definitely not later than) the birthday of Someone else. Celebrate with Him. He Himself is a gift for you. The wonder of the snow, the loving warmth from your Papa Lando and Mama Lydia, the comfort of your home, the fun company of friends, playmates and classmates, your intelligence, your ability to play the violin and many other things. He is behind all these.
Celebrate with Him, and know that you're getting more than any box can contain.
Merry Christmas!
Love,
ninong jerry
12.15.07
Buckeye warriors
The Buckeyes lost again to Florida in another big national championship game. The first was terribly shameful but the recent one was not as bad.
Heading into the January 8 college football national championship in Arizona, the Buckeyes were a heavy favorite after such a dominating, undefeated run in 12 games. The Ohio State football team had the best offensive cast starting from its quarterback and 2006-2007 Heisman winner Troy Smith. He was surrounded with Ted Ginn, Jr. Anthony Gonzalez and Antonio Pittman who were excellent catchers and runners.
In a quick turn of events, the Florida Gators shut down the Buckeyes with a shocking 41-14 to emerge as the national champions.
About three months later, the Buckeyes secured the first slot to the championship game and Florida shortly reappeared on the scene to defend its basketball NCAA National Title. This time, Ohio State was clearly the underdog against the formidable Gators line up. True enough, the Gators were highly skilled and resilient to successfully reclaim the hard court supremacy. Greg Oden essayed a monstrous performance with some help from his long time buddy Mike Conley, Jr. but the rest of the Buckeyes were too lethargic especially against Florida's 3-pointers raining all over every now and then.
The football loss was shamefully tragic but the basketball defeat wasn't totally disappointing.
The football team failed to exploit its collective talent that it has showcased in memorable games of the past. It wasn't able to make significant adjustments when it was being clobbered to submission. Most of all, it failed to prepare. The team was too drunk of its victorious record and Heisman trophy. The team has conquered defeat numerous times but it couldn't handle triumph.
I was extremely disappointed with the football team not because they lost. It was a shameful, tragic loss because the Buckeyes didn't put up a fight.
That is the main difference with Greg Oden and the rest of the Ohio State basketball team. The buckeyes lost but they went down swinging. The key to Florida's win was its accurate shooting (55.6% vs 17.4%) beyond the arc. However, if you look at the 3-point stat sheet, the Buckeyes actually made more 3-point attempts (23) than Florida (18). Ron Lewis and the rest of the Buckeyes simply lost their 3-point magic that has bailed them out in previous nail-biting wins. At the very least, the Buckeyes have displayed their will and some erratic skill.
Florida was aggressive all throughout the game with some brash on-camera antics. The Buckeyes confined their own valiant, well-mannered offensive spurts to the basket. As in boxing, they may not know the finesse execution of jab, hook and uppercut but they did come back swinging when shoved and pushed to the wall. They didn't just easily crumble like the lame Buckeyes football team during the final siege in Arizona.
In these two biggest, crucial games in the grandest stage, my most poignant recollection comes from that football debacle. As a promdi Pinoy, I was excited to belong to the most populated university in the US. I wore my own Buckeye gear to the Schottenstein gym to join the crazy football fans in anticipation of another historic national championship crown. As the game unfolds, the dream turns into a nightmare. Several people bolted their seats in horror long before the game was finished. I decided to stay until the end just like many other Buckeye fans. There was an eerie silence after the clock expired to etch the final score. The closing music was played and we stood shoulder to shoulder to sing the final Ohio State song. I looked around and I saw tears falling everywhere.
I came to Schottenstein hoping to see on large screen TV some heroics of Troy Smith and company towards the championship crown in Arizona. What I saw instead were the grieving fans who nevertheless chose to square off with such crushing defeat face to face. That was such a profound act of support a football fan could give especially to such underperforming football team.
In those swollen eyes, I saw the true Buckeye warriors. Blood pulsating in scarlet and gray. The football game was as real in Arizona as it was fierce in Columbus but it was in the bleachers of Schottenstein that I saw the true Buckeye warriors, not in Glendale football field. The Buckeyes fought their own internal battle with such valiant, indomitable spirit that hangs on until the last breath, until the last tick of the clock, until the last tear drop, until the last song.
I am proud I stood with them.
...
written 04.08.07, posted at istoriami.
Heading into the January 8 college football national championship in Arizona, the Buckeyes were a heavy favorite after such a dominating, undefeated run in 12 games. The Ohio State football team had the best offensive cast starting from its quarterback and 2006-2007 Heisman winner Troy Smith. He was surrounded with Ted Ginn, Jr. Anthony Gonzalez and Antonio Pittman who were excellent catchers and runners.
In a quick turn of events, the Florida Gators shut down the Buckeyes with a shocking 41-14 to emerge as the national champions.
About three months later, the Buckeyes secured the first slot to the championship game and Florida shortly reappeared on the scene to defend its basketball NCAA National Title. This time, Ohio State was clearly the underdog against the formidable Gators line up. True enough, the Gators were highly skilled and resilient to successfully reclaim the hard court supremacy. Greg Oden essayed a monstrous performance with some help from his long time buddy Mike Conley, Jr. but the rest of the Buckeyes were too lethargic especially against Florida's 3-pointers raining all over every now and then.
The football loss was shamefully tragic but the basketball defeat wasn't totally disappointing.
The football team failed to exploit its collective talent that it has showcased in memorable games of the past. It wasn't able to make significant adjustments when it was being clobbered to submission. Most of all, it failed to prepare. The team was too drunk of its victorious record and Heisman trophy. The team has conquered defeat numerous times but it couldn't handle triumph.
I was extremely disappointed with the football team not because they lost. It was a shameful, tragic loss because the Buckeyes didn't put up a fight.
That is the main difference with Greg Oden and the rest of the Ohio State basketball team. The buckeyes lost but they went down swinging. The key to Florida's win was its accurate shooting (55.6% vs 17.4%) beyond the arc. However, if you look at the 3-point stat sheet, the Buckeyes actually made more 3-point attempts (23) than Florida (18). Ron Lewis and the rest of the Buckeyes simply lost their 3-point magic that has bailed them out in previous nail-biting wins. At the very least, the Buckeyes have displayed their will and some erratic skill.
Florida was aggressive all throughout the game with some brash on-camera antics. The Buckeyes confined their own valiant, well-mannered offensive spurts to the basket. As in boxing, they may not know the finesse execution of jab, hook and uppercut but they did come back swinging when shoved and pushed to the wall. They didn't just easily crumble like the lame Buckeyes football team during the final siege in Arizona.
In these two biggest, crucial games in the grandest stage, my most poignant recollection comes from that football debacle. As a promdi Pinoy, I was excited to belong to the most populated university in the US. I wore my own Buckeye gear to the Schottenstein gym to join the crazy football fans in anticipation of another historic national championship crown. As the game unfolds, the dream turns into a nightmare. Several people bolted their seats in horror long before the game was finished. I decided to stay until the end just like many other Buckeye fans. There was an eerie silence after the clock expired to etch the final score. The closing music was played and we stood shoulder to shoulder to sing the final Ohio State song. I looked around and I saw tears falling everywhere.
I came to Schottenstein hoping to see on large screen TV some heroics of Troy Smith and company towards the championship crown in Arizona. What I saw instead were the grieving fans who nevertheless chose to square off with such crushing defeat face to face. That was such a profound act of support a football fan could give especially to such underperforming football team.
In those swollen eyes, I saw the true Buckeye warriors. Blood pulsating in scarlet and gray. The football game was as real in Arizona as it was fierce in Columbus but it was in the bleachers of Schottenstein that I saw the true Buckeye warriors, not in Glendale football field. The Buckeyes fought their own internal battle with such valiant, indomitable spirit that hangs on until the last breath, until the last tick of the clock, until the last tear drop, until the last song.
I am proud I stood with them.
...
written 04.08.07, posted at istoriami.
Overtime pay
I worked until midnight yesterday at our laboratory on some coconut oil extraction exploratory trials. This is the same project which I hope can bring in some savings or profit to commercial oil extraction due to improved extraction efficiency.
There were three treatments with three replicates: unheated, ohmic-heated and hot plate heated. Before my trial set up, I had to estimate the practical amount of pressure and volume of grated coconut that can be accommodated in my second hand compression chamber. All in all, I ran about 20 sets of trials.
I observed some slightly thicker whitish fat layer slightly beneath the creamy topmost emulsion on the ohmic heated samples but I guess this may end up insignificantly different when analyzed statistically.
The question is now reduced to which is cheaper: fuel or electricity. If electricity is more cost-efficient, then ohmic-heated oil extraction can be a part of an improved commercial oil milling process in tropical countries like the Philippines. I still don't know the answer to this.
On the way out of the Agricultural Engineering building, I saw several coins on the ground in spite of the relatively dark evening. On some days, I'd be fortunate enough to get a penny or two but last night was a jackpot.
I wish my ohmic-assisted oil extraction can really bring some savings to others. It did to me. Fifty one cents on one wintry night.
...
written and posted 12.22.07, istoriami
There were three treatments with three replicates: unheated, ohmic-heated and hot plate heated. Before my trial set up, I had to estimate the practical amount of pressure and volume of grated coconut that can be accommodated in my second hand compression chamber. All in all, I ran about 20 sets of trials.
I observed some slightly thicker whitish fat layer slightly beneath the creamy topmost emulsion on the ohmic heated samples but I guess this may end up insignificantly different when analyzed statistically.
The question is now reduced to which is cheaper: fuel or electricity. If electricity is more cost-efficient, then ohmic-heated oil extraction can be a part of an improved commercial oil milling process in tropical countries like the Philippines. I still don't know the answer to this.
On the way out of the Agricultural Engineering building, I saw several coins on the ground in spite of the relatively dark evening. On some days, I'd be fortunate enough to get a penny or two but last night was a jackpot.
I wish my ohmic-assisted oil extraction can really bring some savings to others. It did to me. Fifty one cents on one wintry night.
...
written and posted 12.22.07, istoriami
Olentangy River Bridge ::
...
[ Olentangy River Bridge ]
:: Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 07.11.07 ::
Winter blunder
Last Tuesday, I realized I could finish my schooling here much, much sooner than expected. And this is scary.
Why?
My research adviser can kick me out!
I am attending his class and I am the laggard. One major requirement is a research proposal. The other week, I was able to submit only a half-baked one. My oral presentation was lousy.
Last Tuesday was the panel review and I was expecting a beating. True enough, the ratings for the outputs of my classmates were flying colors while mine was flying – to the trash can!
That's not all the trouble. Here's another one: I came late for that panel review and I was also a reviewer for 3 other proposals! Fittingly, my teacher castigated me right there and then.
I deserved them. The grade, the scolding and all. I apologized to my adviser. All I could say was I resolve to prepare and perform better.
Tuesday night was another time of introspection and wrestling with so many thoughts.
The following day was the deadline of another homework in Statistics plus midterm Test 3 in Calculus. The homework requires a software and I realized that day that my Minitab trial version has expired already. In haste, I was able to download another trial version - this time from SPSS – and solve some problems. The math test passed by.
As I went to my Calculus class today, I'm still in deep thought how I can redeem myself in my research area. As soon as our Teaching Assistant entered the room, he was met with complaints from my classmates before he could even tell something about the Test 3 results. I verified it online. The average score has dropped to 56%.
In our class, the highest grade was only 84%.
It was mine.
...
written and posted 03.01.07, at istoriami
Why?
My research adviser can kick me out!
I am attending his class and I am the laggard. One major requirement is a research proposal. The other week, I was able to submit only a half-baked one. My oral presentation was lousy.
Last Tuesday was the panel review and I was expecting a beating. True enough, the ratings for the outputs of my classmates were flying colors while mine was flying – to the trash can!
That's not all the trouble. Here's another one: I came late for that panel review and I was also a reviewer for 3 other proposals! Fittingly, my teacher castigated me right there and then.
I deserved them. The grade, the scolding and all. I apologized to my adviser. All I could say was I resolve to prepare and perform better.
Tuesday night was another time of introspection and wrestling with so many thoughts.
The following day was the deadline of another homework in Statistics plus midterm Test 3 in Calculus. The homework requires a software and I realized that day that my Minitab trial version has expired already. In haste, I was able to download another trial version - this time from SPSS – and solve some problems. The math test passed by.
As I went to my Calculus class today, I'm still in deep thought how I can redeem myself in my research area. As soon as our Teaching Assistant entered the room, he was met with complaints from my classmates before he could even tell something about the Test 3 results. I verified it online. The average score has dropped to 56%.
In our class, the highest grade was only 84%.
It was mine.
...
written and posted 03.01.07, at istoriami
Wexner Tower ::
...
[ Wexner Tower ]
:: Wexner Center for the Arts, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 06.27.07 ::
Spell fuschia
“What's your favorite color?” one asks.
“Fuschia.”
“Spell fuschia,” the follow-up comes.
“Ay, red na lang.”
This is a familiar joke. However, when one is working on graphics design, color and spelling or more precisely, specifications of printing jobs, are serious matter. Imagine working hard for hours on color combinations, getting the design approved, sending it to the printing press, then finally the printouts arrive, 2,000 copies in 20 bundles. You open one sample with all the excitement of seeing your brainchild metamorphose into reality, then bang! You were expecting fuschia but you get red. Or pink. Or violet. Now, is that funny at all?
Instead, your face turns from fuschia to red to pink to violet in horror and disappointment.
This series happened to me not a few times. Missing the spelling, getting the wrong color and face turning to violet. All of these.
By the way, Wikipedia has an entry for fuchsia, not fuschia. Fuchsia is a flowering shrub named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. The pronunciation for Fuchsia apparently led to people writing the term fuschia, referring to the color. Now, fuschia is more popular.
Going back, I took the extra effort of specifying RGB and CMYK values to the printer, saving in multiple formats, etc. but I'd still get inconsistent colors. This happens in spite of my understanding how colors may change from the raw material to the processed lines like camera, scanner, computer hardware, software, printer, printing press.
I finally turned to other resources. I searched the web including Adobe, Corel until I reached the International Color Consortium (ICC, www.color.org).
I have been using Corel frequently for years and Adobe rarely recently. I was thinking that maybe, the best move is to switch softwares. I tinkered with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator both in Macintosh and Windows-based computers. I found one good trick to color fidelity.
Color Management. Or, color profile of the workspace. This can be Adobe RGB, internal RGB, sRGB, CMYK, Apple RGB, iec RGB, and others.
This is not the absolute solution. The other routine work should still be done. Software, hardware configuration and color specifications of RGB or CMYK values should still be matched with the printer. Or, ideally, the printer should match the printing requirement of the client.
Several weeks ago, I checked with the digital publishing and multimedia center of Ohio State and talked about color fidelity with some specialists. I was surprised to find out that they don't know about it. They're not even familiar with color profiles. I also went to FEDEX Kinkos here which is a popular printing center. Same story. Their technical staff do not know color profile settings.
Bitmap or digital pictures have more stable color scheme in itself. Vector graphics are most affected by color profiles. From here, Corel comes in, being the best vector graphics software for me (at this time). For those using Corel, open Corel Draw, go to Tools and click Color Management. You should see something like this:
Configure it as you desire. Some general notes:
>RGB is more vibrant than CMYK.
>Corel, by default, uses CMYK and/or Kodak DC color profile. Fortunately, color profiles can be changed. Notice the same color palette can give different blue in different profiles.
>Many printing press companies use CMYK profile for color separation.
>As a trick, the color profile may be set to RGB then specify the CMYK equivalent values when sending the job to the printing press. These values are numbers corresponding to Red, Green, Blue or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
>IEC profile looks more vibrant which makes it superior for non-print presentation like video, animation, powerpoint, etc. In other words, if you want some neon-like glow, IEC looks more suitable.
>The computer, that is, the monitor has its own color profile setting. Therefore, color profile can be set outside Corel. However, check for consistency.
>Most office hardwares (computer, camera, scanner, desktop printer) has RGB default.
Corel, in its default CMYK profile gives subdued colors. Bland. It may be dull, but you are not. Check the set up and spell it right.
“Fuschia.”
“Spell fuschia,” the follow-up comes.
“Ay, red na lang.”
This is a familiar joke. However, when one is working on graphics design, color and spelling or more precisely, specifications of printing jobs, are serious matter. Imagine working hard for hours on color combinations, getting the design approved, sending it to the printing press, then finally the printouts arrive, 2,000 copies in 20 bundles. You open one sample with all the excitement of seeing your brainchild metamorphose into reality, then bang! You were expecting fuschia but you get red. Or pink. Or violet. Now, is that funny at all?
Instead, your face turns from fuschia to red to pink to violet in horror and disappointment.
This series happened to me not a few times. Missing the spelling, getting the wrong color and face turning to violet. All of these.
By the way, Wikipedia has an entry for fuchsia, not fuschia. Fuchsia is a flowering shrub named after the German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. The pronunciation for Fuchsia apparently led to people writing the term fuschia, referring to the color. Now, fuschia is more popular.
Going back, I took the extra effort of specifying RGB and CMYK values to the printer, saving in multiple formats, etc. but I'd still get inconsistent colors. This happens in spite of my understanding how colors may change from the raw material to the processed lines like camera, scanner, computer hardware, software, printer, printing press.
I finally turned to other resources. I searched the web including Adobe, Corel until I reached the International Color Consortium (ICC, www.color.org).
I have been using Corel frequently for years and Adobe rarely recently. I was thinking that maybe, the best move is to switch softwares. I tinkered with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator both in Macintosh and Windows-based computers. I found one good trick to color fidelity.
Color Management. Or, color profile of the workspace. This can be Adobe RGB, internal RGB, sRGB, CMYK, Apple RGB, iec RGB, and others.
This is not the absolute solution. The other routine work should still be done. Software, hardware configuration and color specifications of RGB or CMYK values should still be matched with the printer. Or, ideally, the printer should match the printing requirement of the client.
Several weeks ago, I checked with the digital publishing and multimedia center of Ohio State and talked about color fidelity with some specialists. I was surprised to find out that they don't know about it. They're not even familiar with color profiles. I also went to FEDEX Kinkos here which is a popular printing center. Same story. Their technical staff do not know color profile settings.
Bitmap or digital pictures have more stable color scheme in itself. Vector graphics are most affected by color profiles. From here, Corel comes in, being the best vector graphics software for me (at this time). For those using Corel, open Corel Draw, go to Tools and click Color Management. You should see something like this:
Configure it as you desire. Some general notes:
>RGB is more vibrant than CMYK.
>Corel, by default, uses CMYK and/or Kodak DC color profile. Fortunately, color profiles can be changed. Notice the same color palette can give different blue in different profiles.
>Many printing press companies use CMYK profile for color separation.
>As a trick, the color profile may be set to RGB then specify the CMYK equivalent values when sending the job to the printing press. These values are numbers corresponding to Red, Green, Blue or Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
>IEC profile looks more vibrant which makes it superior for non-print presentation like video, animation, powerpoint, etc. In other words, if you want some neon-like glow, IEC looks more suitable.
>The computer, that is, the monitor has its own color profile setting. Therefore, color profile can be set outside Corel. However, check for consistency.
>Most office hardwares (computer, camera, scanner, desktop printer) has RGB default.
Corel, in its default CMYK profile gives subdued colors. Bland. It may be dull, but you are not. Check the set up and spell it right.
Winter wonders
This is my first winter experience and three things stand out cool. So cool, in fact.
The snow is awesome! I love catching the snow fall. Previously, I have seen a flash animation of snow falling and now, I realize it was an accurate rendering of reality. It's like a gentle sprinkle of blessings. Snow particles glide like a feather in its slow motion descent. Walking in the snow is also somewhat similar to strolling in the white beaches of the Philippines. The texture of the snow, being similar to sand, allows easy formation of snow balls and building of castles and other sculptures.
It is interesting to note that the snow doesn't melt quickly even on sunny days. Likewise, the coldest day is actually before, not during or after the snow fall.
This is the first wonder of winter for me: the snow fall itself.
One day after class, I passed by Mirror Lake and I was reminded by Matthew's account (Matthew 14:22-34) of Jesus walking on the water.
Mirror Lake is a confined body of water here at the main campus of Ohio State University where football fans jump into the icy cold pool every Mid-November. The annual tradition is part of the Michigan Week when the Buckeyes (the term for OSU team and community members) prepare to face Michigan, its fiercest, long-time rival. I didn't join the jump recently because the temperature was too much for me but at the back of my mind, I resolved to conquer my fear and the Lake in some ways.
And so, on one Winter day, as if I was with the disciples on the boat (and Jesus was walking on the lake), I look at Peter who says in fear: “Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
I was quick to interrupt this time. “Lord, Peter had his chance already in the Bible. Can I walk towards you on the water this time? Or, at least, can I walk with Peter this time?”
He replied: “Come.”
Well, there must be a reply and it must be affirmative because Matthew says so in his script.
I dug into the deepest reserves of my inner strength and walked on the water! My first step on Mirror Lake was tentative but I had to go on and shut out doubt and fear or else I might sink like Peter. Although I am confident in my swimming skills, it is a different story when it is chilling cold.
Midway into the pond, I looked back and savored for a moment my conquest of the Lake. Then, I crossed triumphantly to the other end.
“Good enough,” St. Peter must have said, “but in my time, I walked on liquid water. You've just walked on ice. Mirror Lake is frozen!”
Well, I walked over Mirror Lake just the same. Walking over it may be easier but sinking on ice is infinitely more fatal than plunging into a flowing water. St. Peter had Jesus in sight to pull him up. In my case, there was no life guard on duty to at least call 911.
The third one is about academics. Well, there must be something about academics because this piece is also a Fulbright report. I still remember Ma'am EC's words during my predeparture: "Make us proud, James!" For some reasons, this keeps ringing in my ears quite often. I wonder if she practices a mantra (or hypnotism?) and if she tells that to everyone.
I started this Winter quarter on the wrong foot. I enrolled the wrong subjects and it took me three weeks to figure out the right classes. (And classrooms, too. At one point, I spent one hour looking for EA building and when I found it, it was not our classroom!)
When I finally settled down in my Calculus class, I was so shocked to know how rigorous mathematics is being taught here. In my previous mathematics and engineering courses, the focus was on applications of principles on worded problems. Here, wide-ranging theoretical foundations are extensively covered at a dizzying pace. Before, it was like learning how to use a computer and its programs. Now, it is like learning the circuits of the computer.
Classes are held daily and there are quizzes and exams weekly. Assignments, both webwork and paper homeworks, are to be accomplished on a weekly basis also. Add to this the frightening factor that my classmates, who are supposed to be first-timers in Calculus (unlike me who took a similar, though not exactly the same course 14 years ago), are just taking things in stride. In fact, many get perfect scores in assignments and exams. Here, if you score 90% you are most likely on the average and may even be the lowest. In college, our typical quiz was 4 problems in 1 hour. Here, quizzes can be as many as 20 problems and must be solved in 20 minutes! At times, the answer in the previous question is required for the next questions. There is so little room for error. A very high degree of mastery is required because to be able to thrive in these conditions, one must be able to solve a problem at a glance!
We had our midterm exam the other day and I scored only 91. When the result was released, our teaching assistant (who checks the papers, among others) told me “You're the topnotcher in this class for (that) midterm.” The average score was 64.83% among 217 students.
This is the third joyful mystery this winter. And hopefully, not the last.
The snow is awesome! I love catching the snow fall. Previously, I have seen a flash animation of snow falling and now, I realize it was an accurate rendering of reality. It's like a gentle sprinkle of blessings. Snow particles glide like a feather in its slow motion descent. Walking in the snow is also somewhat similar to strolling in the white beaches of the Philippines. The texture of the snow, being similar to sand, allows easy formation of snow balls and building of castles and other sculptures.
It is interesting to note that the snow doesn't melt quickly even on sunny days. Likewise, the coldest day is actually before, not during or after the snow fall.
This is the first wonder of winter for me: the snow fall itself.
One day after class, I passed by Mirror Lake and I was reminded by Matthew's account (Matthew 14:22-34) of Jesus walking on the water.
Mirror Lake is a confined body of water here at the main campus of Ohio State University where football fans jump into the icy cold pool every Mid-November. The annual tradition is part of the Michigan Week when the Buckeyes (the term for OSU team and community members) prepare to face Michigan, its fiercest, long-time rival. I didn't join the jump recently because the temperature was too much for me but at the back of my mind, I resolved to conquer my fear and the Lake in some ways.
And so, on one Winter day, as if I was with the disciples on the boat (and Jesus was walking on the lake), I look at Peter who says in fear: “Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
I was quick to interrupt this time. “Lord, Peter had his chance already in the Bible. Can I walk towards you on the water this time? Or, at least, can I walk with Peter this time?”
He replied: “Come.”
Well, there must be a reply and it must be affirmative because Matthew says so in his script.
I dug into the deepest reserves of my inner strength and walked on the water! My first step on Mirror Lake was tentative but I had to go on and shut out doubt and fear or else I might sink like Peter. Although I am confident in my swimming skills, it is a different story when it is chilling cold.
Midway into the pond, I looked back and savored for a moment my conquest of the Lake. Then, I crossed triumphantly to the other end.
“Good enough,” St. Peter must have said, “but in my time, I walked on liquid water. You've just walked on ice. Mirror Lake is frozen!”
Well, I walked over Mirror Lake just the same. Walking over it may be easier but sinking on ice is infinitely more fatal than plunging into a flowing water. St. Peter had Jesus in sight to pull him up. In my case, there was no life guard on duty to at least call 911.
The third one is about academics. Well, there must be something about academics because this piece is also a Fulbright report. I still remember Ma'am EC's words during my predeparture: "Make us proud, James!" For some reasons, this keeps ringing in my ears quite often. I wonder if she practices a mantra (or hypnotism?) and if she tells that to everyone.
I started this Winter quarter on the wrong foot. I enrolled the wrong subjects and it took me three weeks to figure out the right classes. (And classrooms, too. At one point, I spent one hour looking for EA building and when I found it, it was not our classroom!)
When I finally settled down in my Calculus class, I was so shocked to know how rigorous mathematics is being taught here. In my previous mathematics and engineering courses, the focus was on applications of principles on worded problems. Here, wide-ranging theoretical foundations are extensively covered at a dizzying pace. Before, it was like learning how to use a computer and its programs. Now, it is like learning the circuits of the computer.
Classes are held daily and there are quizzes and exams weekly. Assignments, both webwork and paper homeworks, are to be accomplished on a weekly basis also. Add to this the frightening factor that my classmates, who are supposed to be first-timers in Calculus (unlike me who took a similar, though not exactly the same course 14 years ago), are just taking things in stride. In fact, many get perfect scores in assignments and exams. Here, if you score 90% you are most likely on the average and may even be the lowest. In college, our typical quiz was 4 problems in 1 hour. Here, quizzes can be as many as 20 problems and must be solved in 20 minutes! At times, the answer in the previous question is required for the next questions. There is so little room for error. A very high degree of mastery is required because to be able to thrive in these conditions, one must be able to solve a problem at a glance!
We had our midterm exam the other day and I scored only 91. When the result was released, our teaching assistant (who checks the papers, among others) told me “You're the topnotcher in this class for (that) midterm.” The average score was 64.83% among 217 students.
This is the third joyful mystery this winter. And hopefully, not the last.
Hair bloom ::
...
[ Hair bloom ]
:: Smithsonian Information Center at the Castle, Washington DC, USA :: 09.13.07 ::
Ang aalis at darating
He just finished packing his things at about 2:30 pm. His flight was set at 8:30 pm. His wife was hurriedly packing her own luggage, too. She would later take the night trip, Cubao to Naga, after sending him off to the airport.
A sentimental Tagalog song was playing over the MP3 player. He danced to the music.
“You really move like that Robitussin man,” she laughed, while continually arranging things in her bag.
“No, no!” he objected as he would in the past. “Not a semblance. Look at my biceps, pectorals, abdominals.”
“You may not look like him but you move like him.”
They laughed.
Suddenly, he pulled her up by the hand. She obliged. He raised her hand over her head and turned her around twice to the rhythm of the music.
He gently pushed her away without letting go of her hand then pulled her swiftly close to him, her back to his chest.
He wrapped his left arm around her abs towards her right waist. He slid his right foot away. She bent backwards by the knee facing the ceiling, his right hand supporting her back.
He looked down at her face, her body still partially suspended diagonally.
“See you in Ohio,” he said. Then, he kissed her.
He pulled her back upright. They embraced each other as they swayed to the music. Tears fell.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
...
September 7, 2006; 9.04 am
PR112 PAL Manila to LA
A sentimental Tagalog song was playing over the MP3 player. He danced to the music.
“You really move like that Robitussin man,” she laughed, while continually arranging things in her bag.
“No, no!” he objected as he would in the past. “Not a semblance. Look at my biceps, pectorals, abdominals.”
“You may not look like him but you move like him.”
They laughed.
Suddenly, he pulled her up by the hand. She obliged. He raised her hand over her head and turned her around twice to the rhythm of the music.
He gently pushed her away without letting go of her hand then pulled her swiftly close to him, her back to his chest.
He wrapped his left arm around her abs towards her right waist. He slid his right foot away. She bent backwards by the knee facing the ceiling, his right hand supporting her back.
He looked down at her face, her body still partially suspended diagonally.
“See you in Ohio,” he said. Then, he kissed her.
He pulled her back upright. They embraced each other as they swayed to the music. Tears fell.
“I love you.”
“I love you.”
...
September 7, 2006; 9.04 am
PR112 PAL Manila to LA
Jesse Owens Memorial ::
"It behooves a man with God-given talent to always stand 10 feet tall. You never know how many youth are watching."
...
[ Jesse Owens Memorial ]
:: infront of The Shoe, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 07.13.07 ::
...
[ Jesse Owens Memorial ]
:: infront of The Shoe, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA :: 07.13.07 ::
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