Through Charlie Gorichanaz's Eyes

Hiring at the Herald and semester end is near!

2008-12-07T08:37:39Z

This is going to be an exciting week! It’s the last week of classes, so naturally everything is happening all at once. Tuesday is the Wisconsin International Scholars Program end of semester event, Wednesday is the Building Relationships in Diverse Global Environments end of semester event and also the last publishing night at the Herald. That means champagne. And craziness. Thursday is the end of semester dinner and party for the Herald. Friday is the biochemistry Christmas party. I think this is going to be a fat week. Gotta start running.

Oh yeah, and we’re hiring at the Herald. It’s pretty exciting for me because Jason and I have been talking a lot lately about expanding our online content offerings. New media and all that. To drive this change at the Herald, we’re diving into video production and other online excitement. We’ll have two online content editors who oversee videotaping and interviewing each day, and who will also either edit or oversee editing of the footage to produce daily videos for badgerherald.com. I’m hoping to also find people who know how to use Flash so we can produce great graphical gadgets such as an electoral map during an election, etc.

To get the word out, tonight I sent this in an all campus e-mail to more than 38,000 students:

The Badger Herald is hiring

We’ll see how it goes!

Late night experimenting with... tilt-shift?

2008-11-21T10:15:11Z

Erik over at The Entertainment Shack linked to a site featuring examples of tilt-shift photography, or in many cases, tilt-shift photo(shop)ography.

I tried applying the effect to a few of my photos. Eh, it's not that cool, but sort of interesting, sometimes.

I hate being up all night because I'm perpetually behind

2008-11-10T11:20:28Z

Calculus exam Thursday morning, and I need to get an A since I did embarrassingly poorly last time. I've been "working" on this math assignment for 12 hours now, though I've been unreasonably distracted. I think I might've only concentrated on it for three hours. But some Herald stuff came up, and I did other things like eat, so it's not as bad as it sounds. But still. I have two thirds of the assignment to go, and it's due in 5.5 hours... but I wanted to go to physics and biochemistry lectures beginning at 8:50. Can I finish the rest in three hours? We'll see.

Calculus assignment, Homework 10, Part 1

Spring 2009 schedule

2008-11-09T04:02:15Z

Thank you Schedulizer!

Class	Name	Credits
BIOCHEM 508	General Biochemistry II	3.0
ECON 102	Principles-Macroeconomics	3.0
MATH 222	Calculus&Analytic Geometry	5.0
PHYSICS 208	General Physics	5.0
BIOCHEM 699	Independent Research	2.0
Total Credits:		18.0

Spontaneous mob celebrates Obama's victory

2008-11-05T08:30:40Z

Tonight was a pretty amazing night. I was dreading a drawn out months long controversy over flawed electronic voting machines and voter fraud, but instead we got a substantial victory for Obama that was apparent early in the evening after media networks projected New Hampshire and Pennsylvania for the Democrats.

I got up at 7 to vote, and arrived at the polls around 7:10 a.m. to find a line down the block and around the corner. It took 70 minutes of waiting before I could cast my ballot, but when I left, the line was only half the length. Several friends reported much quicker experiences at other times of the day. Note to self: Vote absentee or procrastinate, but don't be an early bird on election day.

The line at the No. 1 Firehouse on Dayton Street

Then after 10 p.m. the Herald started getting reports from staffers of random cheering up and down State Street. This eventually cascaded (in the biochemical sense) into a crowd of probably more than 3,000. You can read more about the night's festivities in the Badger Herald article "Thousands celebrate outcome, filling Madison streets."

Here is a mixture of OK and terrible photos I took, but hopefully you can at least get a sense of the excitement and energy of Madison tonight.

I can't wait till Sunday, Nov. 2, at 2 a.m.

2008-10-29T07:50:40Z

As you may know, Sunday marks the end of daylight time, and I'm excited to get an extra hour to catch up on biochemistry reading.

I also can't wait till Tuesday. I'm finding all the pre-election drama incredibly nerve-racking, and I'm also thinking more and more about how I will run for Senate someday. I'm thinking that will come after my ascent to surgeon general, assistant health secretary and finally to health secretary. Though I will also be 60 by then, so maybe that's not such a good plan.

Atom feed is back

2008-10-19T22:51:47Z

I keep forgetting why it breaks, so here's the reason (for my own future reference):

I use a small PHP script to produce the images in my posts, which requires I include the function definition in every file served. I used to append it to all files via an .htaccess script, but now I just put it in the blog template. Anyway, in order to get images to display in the feeds instead of my PHP code, I send xml files through the PHP parser, but then the first line (<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>) gets parsed, so I needed to replace that with <?="<?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"iso-8859-1\"?>"; ?>. Then everything works fine.

Way behind, I know, but look, we're making progress

2008-10-19T04:51:18Z

I'm pretty sad it's been so long since I've really written anything, or even posted photos. I'll be retroposting soon I think, as has become the norm for this photoblog.

But there's good news! I nearly finished implementing the template I designed a year ago for this blog. If you see a daisy in the masthead, you're looking at it. I still have to do the monthly and category archive pages, but all the entries and the homepage are updated. I also need to fix a lot of the style sheet, but that's to be expected with any haphazardly redone website.

So, today. Just a quick update on life:

I went with the BRIDGE program and my partner Da to Milwaukee to tour the Harley-Davidson Museum and the Jelly Belly warehouse.

The museum was fairly interesting, though my dad would have definitely gotten more out of it. I was surprised by the extensive motorcycle culture that apparently was much more widespread earlier in the 20th century. I also had no idea Harley-Davidson produced so many (88,000?) motorcycles for the U.S. military.

Me on a Harley-Davidson

As for school, I'm about 200 or so pages behind in biochemistry and about 100 pages behind in physics. I need to go way back and review in calculus, or at least work more problems. I'm nowhere near as proficient as I need to be. Top priority right now is biochemistry, though, because I have an exam Wednesday! The same day my physics homework is due and the same day I have a quiz in calculus. Ugh!

I'm listening to Feist's album Let It Die since I just finished Monarch. It's OK.

Attempt No. 1 to get Internet

2008-08-22T06:10:57Z

Thank you for choosing Charter Chat Live! A Customer Care representative
from Sales Support will be with you shortly.
You have been connected to CVH Natalie .
CVH Natalie : Thank you for contacting Charter Communications. My name is Natalie. How may I assist you today?
charlie gorichanaz: Hi, i need to turn on my service, and remove the $50 installation charge since I am installing myself
CVH Natalie : Do you currently have any Charter services?
charlie gorichanaz: no, i am trying to order internet only
CVH Natalie : You would not be eligible for self install. You do have to be an existing customer with at least our Expanded Basic Cable services.
CVH Natalie : Also, if Internet was going to be your only service it would be $29.99 monthly because there is a $10.00 access fee for it being your only service.
charlie gorichanaz: I have Charter Cable through my building, I pay $35 per month for that
charlie gorichanaz: but I don't pay Charter directly, I pay through the landlord
charlie gorichanaz: I want to activate my service now for $19.99/mo. I have a cable modem and everything is ready to go.
CVH Natalie : It would still be a new service through us and you wouldn't be eligible for self install and it would be the $29.99 monthly.
charlie gorichanaz: Everyone else in this building gets internet for the price I quoted
charlie gorichanaz: I am paying you for cable already
CVH Natalie : It would be the $29.99 monthly.
charlie gorichanaz: So kindly allow me to pay the price considering I am paying for cable
CVH Natalie : You do not pay Charter directly, so it would be like setting up all new service.
charlie gorichanaz: Or let me talk to a manager
CVH Natalie : One moment and I can transfer you to an advocate.
charlie gorichanaz: Thank you
CVH Natalie has left the session.
Please wait while we find an agent from the CHAT - DUMA - My Account and Billing department to assist you.
You have been connected to TTD Ian .
TTD Ian : Thank you for contacting Charter Communications. My name is Ian. How may I assist you today?
charlie gorichanaz: I want to activate new 5mbps internet service for $19.99 with self install

Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
charlie gorichanaz: I want to activate new 5mbps internet service for $19.99 with self install
TTD Ian : I am sorry, but I am not from our advocate depatment. The previous representative has mistakenly transferred you to me. I am sorry for that.
TTD Ian has left the session.
Please wait while we find an agent from the CHAT - CVGS - Order Queue department to assist you.
charlie gorichanaz: Who are you>
You have been connected to CVW Jerushah .
CVW Jerushah : My name is CVW Jerushah. Thank you for contacting Charter Communications. How may I assist you?
charlie gorichanaz: What department are you in?
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
charlie gorichanaz: What department are you in?
CVW Jerushah : May I please have your complete street address including city and zip code. I'm with the sales department.
charlie gorichanaz: I want to activate new 5mbps internet service for $19.99 with self install. Are you able to do that for me?
CVW Jerushah : It does depend on how your address is listed in our billing system. If you have an account set up in your name, yes I can set it up.
charlie gorichanaz: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
charlie gorichanaz: I already pay $35/month for basic Charter cable through my building, and I want to add internet for $19.99/mo with self install
CVW Jerushah : I understand. It will be just a few more minutes.
CVW Jerushah : Thank you for your patience. I do show that your apartment building does cover your cable costs however I show that there is not an account in your name. In order for me to set this up, there needs to be an account set up for you which will need to be done through your apartment building.
CVW Jerushah : Once that is set up, we can definitely get this Internet set up for you for self installation.
charlie gorichanaz: The landlord instructs tenants to set up service through Charter directly. The previous tenant in my unit did just that, and he paid the rate of someone who already pays for cable, which I do.
Currently experiencing network delays, one moment please....
Network connection re-established.
charlie gorichanaz: Please find a way to set up my account now so I can get internet.
CVW Jerushah : I apologize, there is no way for me to set this up for you without setting up cable services. I am only able to set up pay services I cannot set up services for customers whose apartment complex pay for their cable.
charlie gorichanaz: Can you please transfer me to someone who is able to help me pay you for Internet?
CVW Jerushah : Unfortunately, this is not something that we can do for you over chat. You can certainly try our customer service at 1-888-438-2427 to see if this is something that they can set up without your apartment landlord doing so.
charlie gorichanaz: Can you transfer me to a manager?
CVW Jerushah : Unfortunately, our Advocate Queue which deals with escalations is closed for the evening. They close at 11pm cst

First month in the basement of biochem

2008-06-15T04:44:20Z

Wait, it's already been a month!? Time has flown unbelievably quickly, even by Time's standards.

I haven't really talked about my new job yet. I've been hoping to find a lab job for quite a long time, though I really only applied for a few. First it was the cold study sample processing position, but I of course was in Mexico when they needed to interview me. Then I applied for a couple of random positions I found on UW Job Center. No reply on either. Sometimes I think these people in charge of hiring aren't very organized and/or nice. When I was hiring for the Herald, not only did I contact everyone who applied and didn't get the position, but I called them and explained exactly why I decided how I did. Oh well, not everyone can be that awesome...

So anyway, in late April or early May, I asked Eric to find out if there were any jobs in the Biochemistry Addition building. I was ready to take just about any lab job, understanding I'd almost certainly be a lowly paid lab assistant doing menial tasks and nothing more. Most such jobs involve a substantial amount of dish washing, and I really didn't want to do that. Hence the preference for the Biochemistry Addition building. They have a dish washing facility, so labs don't have to wash their own dishes.

Eric brought me a list of labs losing undergraduates soon, as well as contact information for a lab hiring for someone to work with mice. That intrigued me, so I looked on UW Job Center to see if the position was listed, and to my dismay, it had been for two weeks. That told me I'd surely not get the job and it was probably filled. Just in case, I e-mailed the lab manager, Wendy, about the position, and then I heard back from a different woman the same day. We exchanged a bunch of messages and she seemed interested, but then there was almost a week gap after she told me she'd write back with a time for an interview. Then she said the position was filled. And I was back at Square 1.

It was exam week, and I wasn't worrying about the job thing for a while... but then I got a message from Wendy saying I should come in for an interview. I was confused, but didn't hesitate to accept the invitation. I went for the interview Friday morning, and after more than an hour, I left with instructions to e-mail Carol, the woman under whom I'd be working, with my honest thoughts and concerns.

Before I made it home to help Yufei move some of his stuff to my apartment for the summer, Wendy called me asking why I'd left without talking to her. I said she was occupied and I didn't want to interrupt. Wendy told me they want to hire me. Confused again, I returned to do paperwork. Yay!

Wendy instructed me about the five training courses I need to do for various certifications from mouse techniques to working with radioactive materials. I went home for the weekend and returned by Monday to begin working. It went great, and has been ever since.

I should also mention the research involves testing the effect of vitamin D and a D analog on diabetic mice in Hector DeLuca's lab.

Matt holding the mysterious tailless mouse

Matt preparing a gel for electrophoresis

We just fed them after they had no food!

Eric in the Kiessling lab's tissue culture room feeding his human embryonic stem cells

Preparing to make 16 liters of mouse diet

Old food + 2 days = mold

Mice that have diabetes pee a lot

Babies!

Something went wrong here... the mom didn't feed the babies and instead partially ate them.

More bad news: Two litters in one cage, and the new litter can't get enough milk. A couple of the pups are already dead, and their skin looks pale.

Emily and Tim at the Club?!

2008-06-11T09:29:05Z

Anthony's passion and Matt's first club experience

2008-06-04T08:46:49Z

Eric and me

Josh and Emily getting intense

Matt and Jessica, cuties

Eric is silly

I love this photo of Kevin and Anthony

Justin V being Japanese

Several things about this photo: The man with the hand on Ryan's rear is quite a bit older than Ryan, not that that's wrong or anything... but Septimiu (Septi) Teodorescu, the shirtless guy, might be one to look out for. He's known to punch guys in the face based on hearsay. He's also engaged in conversation with a seemingly nervous underager.

Septimiu (Septi) Teodorescu

New friends, rock climbing and a little lab update

2008-05-31T08:03:20Z

These are basically just a bunch of random photos from May 2008. Enjoy!

Tim, editor at large of The New York Times

Tim, on the floor

Allie studying at College Library

I'm not sure if I've written about Ben yet. He's great though. Very different from me, but we get along very well, and I hope to see him a lot more.

My new friend Ben

My second and last semester of Russian, for now.

Russian 102

Justin has a black and white party for his birthday. I forgot, woke up late, and then rushed there in bright yellow. Nice.

Yana is amazing

Justin is amazing too

See the champagne party entry for more pictures.

Preparations for the champagne party paid off

Anthony stole my track jacket

This is from the fire fighting efforts of a nearby fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Flooding from fire fighting efforts

Sis and her baby

The tailless mouse

Food I made for Eric and me

Ice cream I prepared for Eric

Matt loading a gel with tape still on it?

Juli doing...something

Gina and Jamie working out their issues

Matt again

A side view from the terrace

Tim in all his glory

Tim, preparing to climb

Tim, preparing to give up

Back when there were three degus

Eric!

Tim and his dinner

Preclub again with Justin and friends

2008-05-28T07:51:54Z

Brat fest, Wisconsin people amazing

2008-05-26T02:17:51Z

I first heard from Carol Kiekhaefer, my new ( mentor | teacher | employer ). She described its origins in some detail. Then I heard from Anthony, and then from Tim. Several others also told me about it. I had to see this thing. So today, I went.

Tim and the Brat Fest sign in all their glory

Random side note: If you've always wanted to blast your family or any of your financial worries into outer space, check out Let Your Worries Go!

Golf carts to transport brat-eaters to their vehicles?

So how much do these brats cost? Not that much. But there's a conspiracy here. For $1.50, you can purchase one brat and one bun. For $3.00, you can purchase two brats and... one bun. Scandal!

In case you're doubting the amazingness of this whole extravaganza, this sign is here to assure you your doubt is for naught:

Someone seriously got engaged at brat fest?!

It's kind of cute how the portable bathrooms are arranged to form a little circle, but what happens when 50 people are trying to wait in line in front of each one? Poor planning, I say!

OK, I'm going to stop writing cheesy preludes and just let you see the pictures.

Pedro

Pedro and Ashley

So many brat lines! Well, theoretically there would be if more people were getting brats...

Katie, Ashley and Tim and their brats

One of two stages

I wish I came when more brats were grilling

A semi grill... wow

An artist, at heart

A bit overpriced at $5, but still good. Yay funnel cake

It's not a terrible picture, Katie. :-)

Silly Brazilian

Silly white girls

A poor Brazilian scared and lost deep in Wisconsin

This was wonderfully entertaining. I loved all the happy Wisconsin people dancing to fun party songs, none of which I can recall now. Tim was quite impressive. I should have made a video! Ugh!

Yes, he has a whistle.

And the night culminated in a thunder storm. Awesome!

Katie and Tim

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30am



	PHYSICS 208 LEC 1 8:50am-9:40am CHAMBERLIN 2103	PHYSICS 208 DIS 608 8:50am-9:40am CHAMBERLIN 2112	PHYSICS 208 LEC 1 8:50am-9:40am CHAMBERLIN 2103	PHYSICS 208 DIS 608 8:50am-9:40am CHAMBERLIN 2112	PHYSICS 208 LEC 1 8:50am-9:40am CHAMBERLIN 2103

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	BIOCHEM 508 LEC 1 9:55am-10:45am PSYCHOLOGY 105	ECON 102 LEC 1 9:55am-10:45am BASCOM 165	BIOCHEM 508 LEC 1 9:55am-10:45am PSYCHOLOGY 105	ECON 102 LEC 1 9:55am-10:45am BASCOM 165	BIOCHEM 508 LEC 1 9:55am-10:45am PSYCHOLOGY 105
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11:00am	MATH 222 DIS 345 11:00am-11:50am VAN VLECK B219	MATH 222 LEC 3 11:00am-12:15pm VAN VLECK B102	MATH 222 DIS 345 11:00am-11:50am VAN VLECK B219	MATH 222 LEC 3 11:00am-12:15pm VAN VLECK B102





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