Carthik Sharma

I have to write my Ph.D. qualifying exam on the 2nd of April. Mot much time left, so not surprisingly, this occupies most of my time and mind. I have to study a few subjects, and a quick look at the previous years’ question papers show that the same questions, or the same type of questions repeat periodically.
This in itself should be reason for one to be happy, but I am worried. What if this time is the time they decide to not repeat old questions or topics again? That would mean a very difficult set of questions and this gives me nightmares.
Preparation so far has involved me reading the textbooks and understanding concepts, and brushing up problem solving techniques. I wish I could dedicate myself 100% to studying for the qualifiers, but I can’t, since I also have to complete a project, a paper, and I have to do the regular coursework associated with the two courses I am taking this semester, one of which is a killer, and I have to teach the undergrads. All this means one thing - no fun this spring break.
Surprisingly, I see that as I grow older, I have little interest in preparing well for the exams I write. I have never been good at scoring at exams, though, outside the exam hall, I won’t have a problem solving the numericals or explaining concepts to others. Added to that, now I have a very short attention span when it comes to actually studying methodically for an exam. I am doing the best I can, and I hope for the best.
I like to play with my website when I can, and it has really become a hobby, something that gives pleasure, and something which I can do for hours on end without tiring. I love it when something finally works, and everything is beautiful and structured.
Now I have to get back to studying. Its a bright and sunny day outside, and the mind can’t help reminiscing about how similar days in the past were spent in the company of friends and nature. For now, I sacrifice the pleasure of “now”, for the anticipated pleasure of success in the examination.

Filed by Carthik at 4:57 pm under Yours Truly 8 Comments

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Now this blog runs on the already-hacked Wordpress provided by Mark.
WuhWuh is the name of the package, which is basically Wordpress with a lot of the hacks built in. Much more convenient, since I dont have to waste time adding the hacks myself. I had a few minor issues, and in solving them, I learnt a little php programming. I suggest you give it a try if you need new blogging software. Much better than movabletype and better than WordPress.
I have noticed that I suck at writing new programs, but when it comes to finding the source of problems, and modifying or correcting existing code, I am quite good. Give me a program and I can tweak it. Ask me to write one from scratch and I will probably suck at it.
I am also involved in writing two programs right now, one for the paper that is in progress, and another for a project in a class course. One in C (or C++), I haven’t decided yet, and the other in Java.

Filed by Carthik at 4:46 pm under Blogging 1 Comment

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Links for today, including a hilarious chemistry exam. Oh Man!!
Chemistry Exam - Aiyyo! Way too much, I say.
Meet the Singhsons - Simpson’s transplanted.
The most difficult game I have ever played online! - Seperate the coloured balls.
NYC’s push-to-cross dummy buttons I hope Orlando is not fooling me in a similar manner.
Nasa’s award for finding Earth thretening asteroids - $3000!! Gosh! what an awesome reward for saving the Earth!
Free Human Stem Cells! A Harvard professor will post any researcher stem cells to experiment with!!
Ten books to feed the kids! Books for kids, and me
Mining the deep web - search databases. Did you know the term “Deep Web” existed? I know now.
Last but not least, great websites to do with my all time heroes. Friends, Foes, don’t miss these, for your lives….
Douglas Adams repository WOW!! - Douglas Adams files.
Searchable Calvin and Hobbes comics database Now you can search for “that strip in which Calvin destroys the binoculars”. I love it.

Filed by Carthik at 1:02 am under General 2 Comments

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I have decided that everyday I will post the most interesting pages that I came across. Just once a day if possible, less frequently if not.

1. NASA’s Nose - an astronaut’s predilection
2. Accelerating History, a look at why some dates in history don’t make sense.
3. Mordechai Vanunu - A study in how the West betrayed its “principles” Or how the rewards of honesty and courage are relative.
4. All hail the monkeyThe monkey retires, the monkey who taught me how to be a web code monkey.
5. Hit the trailNew seekers on the Appalachian Trail. I will, someday, take a loooooong walk…
6. Playlist for the Mars Mission because nothing soothes like music. I love reading these articles that provide insight into the lives of scientists, who potter away at seemingly thankless jobs, for the benefit of the world at large.

My reading is mostly directed by some of the blogs I read, so I am sorry if there is some repetition and you have read these before. Lets say its my way of summarizing and indexing, for my own benefit.

Filed by Carthik at 4:55 pm under Daily Links 1 Comment

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I have a soft corner for Volvos. I rather think I will buy one (an S40 or a C70 ), if an when I have to buy a new car. This desire was born over a relatively long period of time, with no particular influencing reasons. I just looked at cars on the street, once sat in a Volvo S80 and saw a drive in movie, and decided that I love it.
Now, yesterday I attended a meeting of the Graduate Students Association at UCF, since I am running for Secretary this year, and there was a workshop on Career Choices for Graduate Students. We were asked to take a small test, the Holland test is it’s name, and the purpose was to identify our “type” with regard to occupational inclinations. I turned out to be an A I R type (Artistic, Investigate, Realistic) , and the presenter was trying to get the audience involved by asking them questions like, “so what car would such and such type drive?” , in her presentation slides. Turns out that Artistic, or Investigative types drive Volvos!!
Yet another time, I read “volvo-driving” as part of a long list of attributes ascribed to a typical Democrat…
I wonder what other stereotypes are associated with a Volvo.
And I also wonder how, I, basically a foreigner, with a certain inclination of the mind, chose a Volvo, and that was exactly what was expected of my “type”. I dont watch TV, and neither do I come across any Volvo ads. Then, how could this have happened?
Makes me think about how there are always so many more people that are like me than I imagine, and how they all like the same material things.

Filed by Carthik at 11:40 am under General 2 Comments

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