I can't get over how it seems to contradict the mas and energy conservation rules that the universe seems to be controlled by. Nothing comes out of thin air, yet one minute there wasn't a person, and then there is, a whole complete person, right there, and how could it be created out of nothing?

Nilly, I lvoe the way you expressed this. I think about it all the time - I look at Ellie and just wonder where she came from. (Obviously, I'm not going to forget, but it still amazes me.)

Hey, Gud! How are things going with you and yours?

Thanks for the link, tommy! I can't believe how many of these graphs I recognize, even on their tiny-scale pictures. But I'm anyway going to forward the link to several people who work in the field - it will definitely help in preparing presentations and the like.

Also, if you look at the graph of physicists, the names in pink-brown-orange (what color is that, anyway?) to the right are mostly from our group of research.

Stephanie, thanks! And now I want a cute-Ellie story, too. With pictures, of course, if possible. I'm all greedy today.

The little people are doing well. There is still some rough-going though.

If people would like to hear a little good news --

Yesterday, T got a promotion at work. Retroactive to mid-November.

Awesome news Fred!

I had a good job review yesterday, so that is something that is going well.

Yay for T and Gud!

My head still hurts. It has exactly one hour to CUT IT OUT!

I can't believe how many of these graphs I recognize, even on their tiny-scale pictures. But I'm anyway going to forward the link to several people who work in the field - it will definitely help in preparing presentations and the like.

Yes, this is great. I do a crude version of these things in modeling peer groups of children, and it's fun to see models from many levels of analysis that have the same structure as kids, their friends, their enemies, kids they don't care about etc. Not just social networks, but networks in general.

Gud, I hope things work out for the best for you and yours.

Perkins, feel better!

it's fun to see models from many levels of analysis that have the same structure

I can't get over the way networks in such different orders of magnitude present such similar characteristics. From protein networks, through various social ones, up to computer and airlines networks. Artifical or natural ones, too. Fascinating stuff.

Nilly!!!!

ita - congrats on brown beltedness.

Timelies, everybody.

I can't get over the way networks in such different orders of magnitude present such similar characteristics. From protein networks, through various social ones, up to computer and airlines networks. Artifical or natural ones, too. Fascinating stuff.

Very cool.

Hmm. I've been lounging around all morning. I'm meeting a friend for lunch in about two hours. If I get dressed now and go into my office to study, then leave to get to where I'm meeting my friend, that'll leave me with about an hour and a half to study. Is it worth it, or do I just continue lounging around, and figure I'll study in the afternoon?