United Colours of Britain

Pictures with the Simpsons

lsolorzano — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:55:07 +0000

View my pics here.

Threat levels raised

lsolorzano — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 22:23:15 +0000

The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent terrorist threats and have raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.” Soon, though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” Londoners have not been “A Bit Cross” since the blitz in 1940 when tea supplies all but ran out. Terrorists themselves have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was during the great fire of 1666.

Also, the French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Surrender” and “Collaborate.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France’s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability.

It’s not only the English and French that are on a heightened level of alert. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.”

The Germans also increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.”

Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual, and the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels.

The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy.

What type of faerie am I?

lsolorzano — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:52:12 +0000

What type of faerie are you?

How fe/male is your brain…

lsolorzano — Sun, 20 May 2007 20:56:46 +0000

Your Brain is 60% Female, 40% Male

Your brain is a healthy mix of male and female
You are both sensitive and savvy
Rational and reasonable, you tend to keep level headed
But you also tend to wear your heart on your sleeve

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Found a Job.

lsolorzano — Wed, 02 May 2007 10:40:27 +0000

Hi, as many of you know, I had been looking for a job for the past two months or so; I signed up to a bunch of job vacancy search agents, read hundreds of offers (no, I don’t want to be a recruiter), applied to a few vacancies, and interviewed for two positions. The first one was a weird interview with a Bank in Milton Keynes to join their risk analysis team, and although they gave me very good feedback they turned me down. The second one was with a reinsurance company to join their ReMetrics software development team. I had a series of three interviews with them, and they just got better and better as time went by.

The first interview was a bit awkward; a one on one with the man who would be my boss. It was a very brief interview and I left a bit disappointed about the interview. I was surprised to find to find out that he had wonderful feedback about me. With hindsight I can tell that the guy had already made up his mind about me and this was just a formality, that needed to get out of the way in order to go on with the more fun second interview.

The second interview went much better. I met the same person as before and two other people, including one of the people that I would be working with. This meeting felt much better, there was genuine interaction between us and among themselves. I also got to see the good rapport that had developed between the people that work here, which made me realise that this indeed was a good company. Again, I received very good feedback and they scheduled a third meeting.

The third meeting was a one on one with somebody from Human Resources, again they questioned my ability to perform in the different aspects of the job, and I think I gave excellent examples of my experience. Related my maths tutoring experience with the training and consultancy aspect of the job, my Enbridge and LJ experience with working in an office and I reassured them that I really liked working in a team, despite doing a PhD. In fact I argued that one of the reasons why I hadn’t managed to finish my PhD before my March deadline was that working alone from home had seriously decreased my productivity because I was alone, had nobody to compare notes, etc. I left there feeling very good about myself and if you noticed carefully you would have spotted a slight spring on my step.

Finally, this morning I received word from them that they had made an offer that was within my salary expectations and my recruitment consultant was instructed (I feel important saying that) to accept it.

On a sad note, I won’t be a kept man any longer… :o(

The Three Laws of Graduation.

lsolorzano — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:19:13 +0000

I had forgotten how funny PhD comics are:

First Law, Second Law, Third Law

Horrible languages…

lsolorzano — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:15:17 +0000

I don’t really like criticising people for trying to speak a foreign language. At least they are trying. That said, people should really know that using an automatic translator to help you understand a text is OK, but it is definitely not OK for translating official announcements. The following two pictures were taken in front of the Dominion Theatre, in London, where presumably a bunch of Spanish speaking pickpockets receive free English grammar lessons:

The translation basically says:
The “pickpockets” are put away.
Police of the inner cover that works in the area.
On 3 July, the pickpockets received sentences (as in grammatical sentences) of the prison on top of four years.

—– Earlier that day —–

This is a photo of one of the buildings of Westminster School, in Dean’s Yard, behind Westminster Abbey. It is a lovely place and it has fantastic views of the Abbey and the Houses of the Parliament. But, the Greek writing has a horrible mistake. Can you spot it?

Eat London

lsolorzano — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:49:06 +0000

Ever wanted to know what Galactus feels when he is devouring the world’s main cities? Now you can. The Eat London project will have people cooking an edible model of London that we Londoners can go and eat afterwards.

Legalisation of Abortion in Mexico

lsolorzano — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 09:45:10 +0000

With great satisfaction and surprise, I received today the news that abortion had finally been legalised in Mexico City. Note that this legislation only applies to Mexico City, not the whole country. With this measure the Federal District joins a few other states in allowing the voluntary interruption of pregnancy during the first twelve weeks.

This has been a very touchy subject for ages in Mexico. We all know what the postures of both the right and left wings are, so I won’t repeat them here. What is disgusting is the arguments that both sides used. Sometimes they sound like arguments one would use to try to persuade ignorant children. Arguments with lies (or inexactitudes) and sophisms that anybody with half a decent education should be able to pinpoint. At some point the conservatives had an ad with a woman being sentenced by a court to have an abortion. What the hell? I hear that even the Supreme Court is filing a complaint against this type of propaganda.

The scariest bit is that each side seemed not to notice the lack of depth of each other’s arguments. This upset me in so many levels. First of all, it seems that either we are being ruled by a bunch of idiots or they are just pretending to rule and just stage this little “pretend” show for the benefit of the people. Secondly, I take offence by their treating me like an idiot. Thirdly, I insist, lying for the sake of furthering a political campaign?!!! And the worst bit is that nobody is objecting to this!

Well, at least this new legislation is a step towards more civil liberties.

Definitivamente este cuadro es más bonito.

lsolorzano — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 15:31:38 +0000

This is what I call teamwork:

Revenge is a dish best served cold.
-Ancient Klingon Proverb