Words On Wednesday

I am finished with my Master of Science degree in Information Technology from Southern New Hampshire University as of December 1, 2023. Thank goodness. This has been a very roundabout journey. I first started seriously entertaining the idea of a master’s degree back in 2017. I was becoming eligible for my employer’s tuition reimbursement policy and I wanted to take advantage of it as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to start, the longer until you’re able to finish. I didn’t want to wait another year, two, or even longer before I got started. My uncle has a philosophy that it never gets easier, so you may as well do it now. Figured I had better get the ball rolling. As of October 2017, I was finishing my first term . I was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and much less weathered than I am now. Things looked positive, and I was pretty confident about my ability to finish on schedule and with little difficulty. Things got rocky with that employer and I went on an indefinite...

In pursuing my master’s degree, I have become more perceptive to numerous forms and sources for research, both academic and less scholarly. While consuming these materials, I have become significantly more critical of the sources of my information for my academic purposes, as well as my non-academic learning. While I am by no means an expert on scientific research, there are a few examples I have recently discovered that stand out as surprisingly misleading or downright wrong. Lack of a Sufficient Control Group Having recently cracked down on my diet and exercise habits, I started incorporating chia seeds into what I eat. They mix well into a number of different foods, and pack an objectively impressive dietary and nutritional punch. Lots of fiber, lots of protein, and relatively few calories. Investigating further, I learned that some (https://runnersconnect.net/chia-seeds-running/) runners use chia seeds as a means of carb loading for long distance events. The Journal of Strength...

For quite a few years, I have collected shot glasses. Some people collect snow globes, some collect baseball cards, I collect shot glasses. How did I get started collecting shot glasses? Honestly, I can’t really remember. I probably picked up one from some tourist destination because it looked cool, rinse and repeat a few times, suddenly I’ve got a good many of them and it’s just become my “thing.” I’ve been collecting them at least since middle school, as I have a few from my 8th grade trip to Washington, D.C. Collecting shot glasses has its perks. For one, it makes souvenirs super easy. If someone tells me they’re going on a trip and want to bring me something back, I always ask for a shot glass. No need to shop around and find something they think I’ll like. If they pick up a shot glass, we can both know for certain that I’ll like it. Plus, they’re typically cheaper than other souvenir items like shirts and towels. One facet of my collection that is missing, however, is some ...