Iano169's Xanga

Nothing about my life...

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:17:12 GMT

I found this to be quite fun. I don't think its offensive, but please correct me if it is. For clarification, the two churches are supposedly facing one another on the same street.

http://bobbiblogger.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/a-little-humor-all-dogs-go-to-heaven-or-do-they/

~Iano

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:14:33 GMT

Okay....Since last time, I've successfully graduated from college, have not yet received my degree in the mail, still don't have a job offer (I have another interview later this week; hopefully it should go well.), helped out at a college fair, and helped a tiny bit with a friend's wedding plans while bumming around her place in Phoenix. I now know more about purchasing bridal gowns, flowers, tuxedos, bridesmaid's dresses, invitations, and venues than I will need to know for a long time. I should become a wedding planner ^_^

My family flew out for my graduation, and stayed for the weekend, leaving right before the triple digit temperatures that simmered us the day they left. My sister stayed for an extra day and became a bit lobster-y due to her unfamiliarity with the savagery of the Tucson sun and a heck-bent will to return to Chicago with a tan. After the redness faded, I'm sure a darker complexion is exactly what she received.

I pray for the best for all back in the Midwestern region, as that type of flooding is not an issue here. Flash floods however, when our rivers finally become rivers during the monsoon, are entirely familiar.

Anyways, I need to find my keys, and get some food.

Wedding Construction

Sat, 31 May 2008 16:02:46 GMT

No, I'm not getting married.

This site will be undergoing multiple changes over the next couple of days as it will be serving as the test bed for the wedding site of a friend of mine. So when you see an abundance of pink, flowers, roses, love themes and general wedding stuff, please do not be alarmed. All will return to normal when an internet method of wedding information delivery is chosen by the bride-to-be (once again, not me).

Thank you for your cooperation.

Online papers Oh my...

Sat, 03 May 2008 21:51:27 GMT

I'm not sure if I mentioned, but I am now a cited author. The army cited my paper on the phase retrieval algorithms for the James Webb Space Telescope. I can't see what information they drew from my paper (as I wrote it well over a year ago, rather hastily); I can only assume they pulled some of the math. Its rather embarrassing, really. Anyways, here's the link to my website (only the paper's there, sorry) and the link to the citation.

u.arizona.edu/~tlmaggia
http://www.dodsbir.net/solicitation/sttr07/army07.htm

Do a page search for 'tlmaggia' to find it.

I wonder what will happen when UA deletes my account....

In other news, the Legend of Zelda mangas for Ocarina of Time have been licensed for translation in the U.S. recently. (according to GamerTell, Anime News Network and Joystiq, so I think its legit.)

http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/viz-media-acquires-legend-of-zelda-manga/

There are a few others from the same artist group (for Majora's Mask, Oracle of Time/Ages etc.) but I didn't find any releast information on them.

I own the Japanese version, and I think they're pretty good for game mangas. Its almost worth obtaining them for the images themselves.

Fronts of both novels to be translated. (first is on the right)

Back of 1st novel (So cute!)

Back of 2nd novel (gorgeous image of Zelda here!)

The LOTR symphony was absolutely beautiful, and showed artwork (mostly from the movies?) to coincide with the various portions. Even though we arrived a bit late due to technical difficulties, we only missed the first ten minutes or so. To sixoclockbells -- I don't think the LOTR CDs were performed by the Tucson Symphony Orchestra (maybe an orchestra from Australia?) but the Tucson Boy's Chorus sang for the symphony and they're world famous!

Super Smash Bros. Brawl is a wonderful addition to the Smash world. The Final smash attacks are awesome to see and use, and the co-op play makes for more two-person fun than constant vs play. Subspace Emissary contains a small storyline (not very in-depth but eh.) that includes most of the fighting characters (complete with CG sequences). Its fun to see the interaction of all the different characters as they work together towards a common goal. The scenes containing Princess Zelda and Princess Peach together are my favorite. The mode is also great for learning most of the character's moves and you are forced to play as certain characters during certain portions of the game. The final boss is a bit of a pain, but beatable (for us on Normal mode ^_^). Unless I was really bored and looking for an insane challenge, would I try the boss on a more difficult level. Its a nice feaure that all the characters may be unlocked through the Subspace Emissary mode, which is more than can be said for Melee (where I still haven't unlocked everyone). The trophys are beautiful and varied, and you can collect stickers that add points to characters defenses and attacks. The new stages are interactive, which can lead to some interesting surprises during vs play. For example, the Wario stage requires the players to obey on-screen commands while fighting or their character sustains damage. I have not utilized the online feature and probably never will due to both Au's and I's security paranoia.

Anyways, finals are coming up so you all stop reading and go study!!!

Photos...

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:39:18 GMT

Hey all,

I've just uploaded a small photo album of some of my Gundam Seed Destiny figure collection for a trial run. Check it out, and let me know what you think! ^_^

~Iano

(Update on Brawl and the Symphony (attended March 30) in the works)

Happy Easter!

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:05:05 GMT

Easter Greetings!

As of March 23, 2008 at approximately 6:27pm we have officially unlocked all playable characters in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, have over 150 songs, 100+ different stickers and have collected all of the online Friend Icons (even though we don't play online). Which is more than I can say for my Melee game -_-; It is much more fun to unlock stuff in Brawl than it ever was in Melee, mainly because of the two different co-op modes, which allow for multiplayer action outside of the direct one-on-one combat. Why the sudden increase in Brawl activity? I miss Paula!!!!!! She left for home yesterday, prompting both Au and I to drown our sorrows in video games.

Last week was packed incredibly full of fun stuff, including improving my catch and throwing skills, visiting Amanda in Phoenix, swimming, sunning, tennis, tours, shopping, sleeping, drawing, movie watching, and more. The time did not include homework, or much cleaning, though we did get a table assembled, with extra help.

Anyways, I need to continue on the homework that is due tomorrow.

~ciao

Ballet and Interviews...

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 22:39:06 GMT

Last month, I went to see a production of Giselle by the St. Petersburg Ballet Theater. It's the first ballet that I've had the privilege of seeing live, and thought it was money well spent. Except for that fact that the show started at 8pm in the evening, which is when I want to be home and getting ready for sleep. ^_^ We'll be going to a Lord of the Rings Symphony later this month, but had the glorious option of a late afternoon timeslot.

This week was the Industrial Affiliates week at UA which brings numerous interviewing and networking opportunities. I was not planning on attending, as none of the Affiliates were in my sector (Bio-med/optics). At the last minute, (literally a few days before) it was announced that a company that I am interested in had recently become an affiliate. Which had me scrambling for the schedule of events. I was able to attend a mixer Tuesday evening (which had some pretty good food) but happened to completely miss the representative of the company of interest. I spoke to many others (mostly graduate students w/ posters of their research and professors) and was able to meet the new Assistant Dean and obtain free interviewing advice. (Yay!)

The company of interest was offering on-campus interviews so I signed up, suited up, and showed up this morning with my resume, smile and award-winning hire-me personality. ^_~ Afterwards, I made my way to an interesting presentation on Quality Assurance in Biotech, which was presented by a woman from a local company (non-Affiliate) that I was also interested in working for. She had remembered that I had applied for a post-graduation position and said that she would mention my attendance at her presentation. Besides the minimal eating and the improper supports for my shoes, its been a good day.

(BTW-this morning's interview is official my first professional interview. I think it went pretty well, as I asked questions, and he answered fully and well, something I don't think he would have bothered with if I wasn't a potential hire. At least I'm deluding myself as so.)

The esteemed Paula Janelle has offered to come visit with me over spring break, to which I am preparing, and waiting for in not-so-patient anticipation. (Paula, I've got the whole week planned non-chronologically. I hope you don't plan on getting sleep. ^_^) Hopefully, I'll have a reason to further study the effects of the brushes which my wonderful friends sent me here with.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl will be released this Sunday, March 9th. Au has a pre-order, so I will be commenting on the use of the Wii system in a SSB fighting format. For now, I've got food on my mind.

~Ciao

Elusive, glorious sleep...

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:08:14 GMT

So, since last time.

For a portion of Christmas, my parents came down to Tucson, and we took a short road trip to Silver City, New Mexico to stay happily in a small casitas overlooking a small canyon. An easy hike took us to the bottom, where a cold creek happily gurgled along. After a few days of relaxation, we spend a day in Deming (great Italian and Mexican food) before returning to Tucson. I showed them around Tucson for a day before flying back to the great white Chicago, right before the big snow.

I had great fun shoveling the driveway, and not so much tromping around town for an interviewing suit.

Soul Caliber Legends has been released and played. Its quite fun, though a more in-depth co-op mode would be appreciated.

I've attended the BIOS and main Photonics West exhibitions at SPIE's Photonics West convention (?) in San Jose beginning of January. Lots of great free stuff and employment information. I was unable to stay for the entire time, and unable to attend the conferences, due to academic and financial reasons. I went to the dirtiest Japanese food market that I've ever been to (it was a Mitsuwa), refusing to eat the sashimi. The pork cutlet curry was decently standard though. A full size Kinokuniya bookstore was in the same shopping center, so I picked up some additional Japanese language reading, including a book on the Riemann Hypothesis, a few Pretty Soldier Sailormoon renewal manga (first editions!) and the latest Hamasaki Ayumi CD, Guilty. And some other stuff.

Aside from job searching, perfection of interviewing skills, senior design project and a lighter classload to compensate, I think that's it.

~Ciao

Woah.

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:28:23 GMT

Note: Au refers to my friend and roommate, whom some of you had the pleasure of meeting. (Paula, she will not ever let go of those socks)

Okay. So its officially been over a year since I updated. So much for this 'keeping in touch' concept. I've been reading all your sites, so that counts, right?

Anyways, I'm working on my UA supplied site, just for fun, (read-making Au work the Unix commands). I'll be uploading some fun photos from my recent lab on Schlieren imaging. We wanted something cold to take a picture of, so one of a my labmates ran up to a lab that he worked in and brought back a container of liquid nitrogen. Needless to say, the last part of the lab was watching cooled objects shatter.

Au just received a digital camera for her birthday, that takes excellent video as well. I may very well need to whip up some extra batches of cookies to barter with. ^_^

I'll post the link to the other site as soon as its more interesting. Unless your interested in my paper on the phase retrieval algorithms used for the James Webb Space Telescope.

--Ag

Don't let me near your keyboard...

Tue, 26 Sep 2006 06:43:21 GMT

She doesn't really mean that whole not wanting the sunshine thing... actually, she does, but I try to pretend she's not miserable every time she walks outside (this is Spoon by the way... procrastinating, as per usual). I quite like the nice warmth, and keep trying to convince her that it's not nearly so hot as my hometown. =)

You know, it's odd. Everytime I see her update this thing, I have this strange desire to ramble on and on about my feelings on video gaming news. I had one huge rant about the new Nintendo Revolution controller (Wii is a DUMB name, by the way), but I never uploaded it because it was way too long. So maybe when she updates you'll get a nice rant from me about PS3, lack of money, and fear of Final Fantasy becoming less... well... Final Fantasy-esque. Does that make sense? Maybe I shall clarify at a later time. Anywho, off to study, now that I've wasted your time with a mindless and utterly useless post. Guess that's what the web's for though... right? =)

-please tell her to stop grammar-editing my posts... I like being redundant and long winded... just to prove my point-