:: gia’s blog ::

My Ada Lovelace Day post is going to take a slightly different course than perhaps originally intended. I signed the Ada Lovelace Day Pledge- started by Suw Charman- ages ago. It says:

“I will publish a blog post on Tuesday 24th March about a woman in technology whom I admire but only if 1,000 other people will do the same.”

Now, I could have written about tons of women in tech that I admire: game designer Jane McGonigal, musician Laurie Anderson, cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, physicist Cinzia Da Via (she designs and builds 3D silicon detectors for CERN for Christ’s sake!) or even Suw Charman herself.

There are loads of women out there doing interesting, excellent, remarkable things in science and technology… and, yes, they are often overlooked in favour of the achievements of men in a similar field.

The guide on the Ada Lovelace Day site says, “It’s up to you how you interpret the phrase “in technology”. We’re not just interested in hardcore ninja programmers, but any woman who creates, invents, or uses any technology in an innovative way. Feel free to interpret it as widely as you like.” Therefore, I want to write about the women who I believe are the REAL unsung heroes in technology: the women “behind” the successful men- their wives/partners. They, I believe, are the most overlooked women of all.
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Last year I did a couple posts with some Christmas geek gift ideas based on things that I had already bought or was buying for Christmas last year. I thought I’d do the same again, though perhaps slightly less geeky this year (note: OK, I’ve looked it over again. It’s still pretty geeky.).

1. The Number One FAVOURITE gift from last year was:

PicoZ Battle ‘Copters £39.95

I bought the Battle pack for Brian and my son and almost a year on and they are STILL using it. Mini remote controlled helicopters – about the size of a hummingbird. They have ‘laser’ weapons which will disable your opponent’s ‘copter if you hit it. It’s kind of like a real world computer game. Our cats are pretty entertained by them as well.

If you don’t think you can shell out that much for the battle pack or if you just want to get one for yourself, there’s always the single, non-battling Pico Z Micro Helicopter. £19.95.

2. I’ve already bought Brian the original Star Wars poster on canvas, but it may actually be time for some more Star Wars art. From £49.99.

I mean… the Death Star…

3. I ordered this the other day and expect the price will change soon so order yours NOW, the Alien Quadrilogy boxset only £12.98!!!

I know what Brian and my son will be doing over the holidays.

4. Another one I’ve ordered already.
Death From The Skies by Phil Plait £14.57

Actually, Phil gave me an early copy of it when he came to visit earlier in the year, so have read it already, I ordered a proper copy for my son who will love it. It’s all about all the ways the world could end – asteroid impact, black holes, gamma ray bursts. Brilliant!

5. OK, this is actually something that I want. Even though my house is filled with rechargeable batteries, I can never seem to find a spare set when I need them. I think these are the best idea, USB Cell Batteries. £12.95

6. I’m still debating whether or not I should get this for my son, the R2D2 remote control watch. £14.95 Pre-order, due in 18th November.

I suspect all it will do is get him into endless trouble at school… so I’m not quite sure if I’ll get it or not.

7. OK another one I covet, though I’m thinking of getting it for my son, the “Lego” brick memory stick. 2GB £24.95 4GB £34.95

He’s already lost one memory stick at school. He’s on his second. The fact that he could connect this to his mobile is what’s attracting me to it. Oh and that it’s a totally wicked idea.

8. I’ve given up using normal sized mugs, yet neither Brian nor I have enough huge mugs to avoid having to constantly wash up. I’m getting some Periodic Table mugs. Small £5.95 Large £9.95

9. What is Christmas without chocolate? Brian and I are freakin’ chocolate PIGS at Christmastime. We eat so much chocolate, it’s ridiculous. Instead of eating loads of mediocre stuff, I’m stocking up on luxury chocolates. £17.95

Yum.

10. Though, for me, it’s doesn’t really feel like Christmas unless my stocking is filled with American candy £14.95

You get:

1x Baby Ruth Bar
1x Butterfinger Bar
1x 3 Musketeers Bar
1x Hershey Cookie & Cream bar
1x Lifesavers Tropical Fruit
1x M&M Peanut Butter
1x Reeces Minature peanut butter cups
1x Tootsie Roll Big Bar
1x Hershey Milk Chocolate Bar

Anyway, I hope I’ve given you some ideas for Christmas presents. I may well do another post again when I’ve finished my shopping.

I was looking for a photo of me on Flickr and stumbled across these pics of Brian and me at SciFoo.
Brian
Me
Brian
Me

Oh. How I love Sarah Silverman.

(there’s swearing in this so don’t turn up loud at work)

The Great Schlep from The Great Schlep on Vimeo.

“The Great Schlep aims to have Jewish grandchildren visit their grandparents in Florida, educate them about Obama, and therefore swing the crucial Florida vote in his favour. Don’t have grandparents in Florida? Not Jewish? No problem! You can still become a schleper and make change happen in 2008, simply by talking to your relatives about Obama.”

More here

There have been many times over the years when I’ve been extremely proud of my lovely husband. His appearance on Newsnight the other night is right at the bloody top of the list. Delight with me in the massive smackdown he gives to Sir David King who, believe it or not, is the President of the British Association of the Advancement of Science. Seriously.

“On this day, of all days.”

There have been many times over the years when I’ve been extremely proud of my lovely husband. His appearance on Newsnight the other night is right at the bloody top of the list. Delight with me in the massive smackdown he gives to Sir David King who, believe it or not, is the President of the British Association of the Advancement of Science. Seriously.

“On this day, of all days.”

The director of Horizon, Paul Olding, has put up more behind-the-scenes clips from the new one on Time.

Why should we want to understand Time?

How the minus sign protects the past from the future.

On Life in the Universe.

Loads more here.

The director of Horizon, Paul Olding, has put up more behind-the-scenes clips from the new one on Time.

Why should we want to understand Time?

How the minus sign protects the past from the future.

On Life in the Universe.

Loads more here.