Silly Twat

One of my finer parenting moments occurred yesterday. I was happily volunteering at the school canteen when I called a student a silly twat. He had forgotten to place his lunch order. Well I gather that word is not what you call a student, or even another person for that matter. My two friends looked at me in horror then burst into laughter. Clearly I had crossed the line. So I've sinced googled twat to confirm via Wikepedia

Twat
Although sometimes used as a reference to the female genitalia, the word twat is more often used in various other ways:

• As a derogatory insult, a pejorative meaning a fool, a stronger alternative to the word twit - 'He can be a complete twat' (often used in the UK)^[5]
• To hit something (or someone) hard or violently - 'Let's get out there and twat it!

Yes I grew up in a very open household that did not hold back in the use of colourful language. My Dad's nickname for me was b1tch. Always said affectionately in a friendly tone. I had never focused on what twat really meant. I checked with an English buddy who as a kid thought it meant fish eggs until her mother explained it was very rude and meant a vagina, Ohhh why can't we treat vagina's with respect rather than turn them into swear words. Really it's just a wonderful part of the body. Next time I call a person a twat I'll have to explain it's the silly fool (meant nicely) rather than a derogative insult. Maybe I just need to find a new word for a fool.

Program download

My brain has been downloading. I'm trying to learn the statistic R program. I'm feeling rather like Trinity looked in the matrix when she downloaded how to fly a helicopter. I'm referring to the mental appearance- not the physical. Need to work on that side. How I wish it was as easy as the matrix. I'm up to computer program number 6 to learn in the interest of obtaining this PhD. 

I'm using http://www.twotorials.com/  to quickly learn R using quick tutorials. It's working. The strange computer language thrown my way by a fabulous friend last week is starting to make sense. R is an amazing program. The two minute tutorial author Anthony Joseph Damico makes me laugh whilst learning computer programming and statistics. He goes so quick there is no time to be bored. The great thing about a screen cast is I can rewind when I get lost. Trust me - I get lost when applying the stuff time and time again.

Reviewing

I’ve been asked to review a paper in what I regard as a decent international journal. I’m rather delighted with this request. I’m not delighted about doing more work when I really should be finishing this PhD.  I’m delighted because someone thinks I can contribute to science. The peer review system is a strange way academics keep the world honest. Only those papers that are worthy of publication are meant to get through. I guess the best way to understand the process is to get involved. This will be my second review. Luckily there will be another reviewer so it’s not just my opinion that counts. I am new to the game of academic review.

On a more social side our family went away on holidays for an extended weekend. I took this photo and enhanced the image using high dynamic range (HDR).  It seems like a dream destination with a slightly abstract reality to it. It’s bit like entering the science world. Reviewing papers has this strange reward of finding out about the latest research before the rest of the world does. Almost reality - but not - as the other reviewer or myself just might see the dark side and reject the whole paper. A beautiful work of art that someone has spent hours designing and researching left to the control of a few individuals and the journal editor to decide if it becomes a reality.