The Turing Award

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The Turing Award, a top prestigious award in computer science, was awarded to a woman for the first time in its forty year history. On February 21, 2007, the award was given to Frances E. Allen for “pioneering contributions to the theory and practice of optimizing compiler techniques that laid the foundation for modern optimizing compilers and automatic parallel execution”. This article about Allen and the award has an interesting statistic about women in computer science:
“But computer science still is dominated by men. Fewer than one in five bachelor's degrees in computer science were given to women in 1994, according to the Computing Research Assn. Ten years later, that figure remains about the same, at 17%.”
In my ten years in the industry, I do feel like I’ve had some success and I am keenly aware that success is within a male-dominated industry. However, as I try to figure out my career aspirations, I find myself moving away from programming and more towards managerial and people oriented positions. While still technical, I wonder if I am taking myself out of that 17%. I’m capable and hesitantly say talented in the field, but people and leadership appeal more to me.

runnings
Unfortunately, I'm still sick and haven’t been able to do any sort of exercise all week. I think I’m finally on the up swing today though.

Widespread

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I don’t believe I have the flu, but I have the worst cold I’ve had in ages. I even cancelled my social engagements for the last two evenings in order to sit home sniffling, sipping tea, and feeling in general poor spirits. Knowing the flu seems to be going around I checked out the activity on the CDC website. According to the most recent report, the report for week 6, the flu activity in Minnesota is the highest rating of Widespread. I suppose I should try and be happy I just have a bad cold.

runnings
The worst part of being sick is that I haven’t been able to get out and run in the warm weather we’ve been having.

Jenga the Giraffe

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There is one less nameless giraffe in the Twin Cities. The baby giraffe born last October at Como zoo was given the name Jenga yesterday.

runnings
After wearing multiple layers for each run the last few weeks, it felt strangely light to only have one top and bottom layer as I got out for a run yesterday. One nice thing about the 30+ degree weather is my level of laundry can go back down. Wearing two pair of tights and three tops meant I was running low on running clothing awfully quickly.

Grapes of Wrath

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Last night I went to The Grapes of Wrath at The Minnesota Opera. I’m just a beginner on operas so I really can’t comment much. I did enjoy it and am happy I got to see this world premier. Somehow I didn’t walk away awed though. Perhaps I should now try and read the book.

runnings
I did get out for a run yesterday. It was a sunny 12˚F with a wind chill of 0. I discovered layering my tights works well. Looks like the cold can’t be much of an excuse right now.

MCAD ECards

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Are you considering sending an ecard tomorrow for Valentine’s Day? Be sure and check out the ones on the MCAD website. There are ecards for any relationship or even any lack of relationship. Nothing says Valentine’s Day like “All you need is love (and sex)”.

runnings
It looks like I should be on week 2 of a 12 week training program for the Earth Day Half Marathon in April. I should be able to get out for a run at noon today. After all, it is above zero out.

Twins Stadium or Volleyball Courts

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According to articles in the Star Tribune and City Pages, the site of the Twins Stadium is in question. Land owners and the county are not agreeing on the price. From the article in City Pages:
“Early on, Judge Aldrich wondered how the two sides had arrived at the impasse. "Oh dear," he remarked at one point. "Am I to understand that none of the parties agreed to the price before getting legislative approval [for a ballpark on the site]? There was no price required?" The attorneys all confirmed that the judge was correct.”
There are plenty of things to speculate about: eminent domain, new sites, responsible parties. But I’m wondering if perhaps I’ll get another summer to play volleyball on the sand courts in the middle of the proposed site!

runnings
A friend of mine were going to run the Valentines 5K on Saturday, but we agreed if it isn't above 10˚ F, we aren't running. Looks like chances of running are slim.

Sunrise

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I don’t have any photos of the part of my trip I am excited the most about: scuba diving. It was beautiful, fascinating, exciting, and a whole lot more adjectives. One of my favorite parts was when I ended up in the middle of a school of fish at the end of a dive.

Since I don’t have any photos from diving, I think it’s worth while to share at least a photo of a sunrise from the island we were on. Most people who know me know this is highly unusual for me to be up for.

runnings

Back From Belize

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Belize was amazing.

runnings
When we landed from our return flight, the air temperature was -15˚ F. This is about a hundred degree temperature swing from Belize. I won’t be headed outside to run for a few days.