Rants, Musings, & "Facts"

So a Year and a Half Goes By

2011-03-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

Wow, that was some hiatus there! Anyhow, I think it's time to start musing and ranting again since a lot in my life has changed (for the better): I'm older, less certain, and am getting ready to be a grad student in Statistics at the ol' Alma Mater (UofT to be precise). As you can see, my writing style has remained more or less the same since as a stats/econ major, you're asked to write very few papers that require elegantly structured arguments (a different kind of elegance than required in mathematics anyhow).

Let me finish my thoughts on the two television series I was so boldly praising a year and a half ago (I, Claudius and Brideshead Revisited for those not paying attention): watched each of them at least twice and never found a dull moment. I have since watched many other delicious serialisations/dramas, all of which deserve high praise, but alas, it would be too taxing for me and too boring for you to go over why each was great both as part of the Good Television Canon and of its own idiosyncrasies. Suffice it to say: Cranford and The Forsyte Saga (2002-2003) are beautifully adapted and are certainly among my favourites, I would certainly recommend you watch them!

Finally, a little on the statistics: Frankly, I like the Bayesian stuff. I know it's going to get me some odd looks from the faculty at UofT, but that's the price you pay for living in a real world where ad infinitum methods are not necessarily feasible. Besides, there's a greater emphasis on the philosophy of science when using a Bayesian view to explore the world. In addition to the fact that I'm very much intrigued by computational methods and the fact that there are some rogue faculty members that have an open mind about these things (:O), I think I will have a blast while completing my Masters. Here's hoping that I will be at Einstein's a lot more at least!

Yours Truly

PS: We just passed JS Bach's 326th birthday, so Happy Birthday Kapellmeister!

My New Favorite Shows

2009-09-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

I have been indulging myself with dramatized history recently, more specifically the serialization of Robert Graves' novel "I, CLAVDIVS". The acting is superb, the mise en scene timeless, and most importantly, the story lines breathtakingly stupendous. I know I am using a lot of non-sense words but I am truly flustered since there are not many words to describe this marvel that is I, Claudius. I have not finished watching the series yet, however when I do, I will give a detailed account of my critique. For now, let us just leave it at this: I think this comes to be my favorite TV series, second to Frasier.

Also, I have just started watching the serialization of the novel "Brideshead Revisited". It is very promising so far and I must say that Jeremy Irons fails to disappoint once again. More on this later as well.

This was a Musing,
Yours Truly

Pipe Review: Lorenzetti Augustus Caesar Billiard

2009-07-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

[This falls under ' "Facts" ']

So I finally mustered up the courage (and cash) to purchase my first briar wood pipe, and ended up with this beauty. For only $75 (plus tax), the Lorenzetti Augustus Billiard is a wonderful bargain for the pocketbook and style/quality conscious. Here are a few reasons why I find this to be a great deal.

At First Glance: This sturdy yet elegant briar pipe is striking in its form and color, staying very close to the ideal Billiard one might hope to find Cary Grant clenching between his teeth. It feels very comfortable and cool before lit, as if to tell you "It's OK, I'm not going to smoke hot... ever.". This pipe does not lie and in fact has a remarkably comfortable grip (on the bowl of course).

When you take a look inside the stem, you will find a cozy adapter holding place for an [optional] filter (the pipe works perfectly well with the adapter instead of a filter). The passage for the smoke is quite small and is perfect for controlling moisture as well as a cleaner to make quick work of any unpleasantness stuck inside. There is also an unmistakable golden "L" Hot mark. with the manufacturer information and serial number available on the shank (a sign of good quality, so I'm told). The bowl also has a protective layer inside to keep the briar from charring when lighting (a nifty feature that I very much appreciate as I do tend to be clumsy with my lighting habits).

The Smoke: As mentioned before, the pipe does not smoke hot, rather only reaches a couple of degrees above body temperature if your tobacco is too moist or you take too many draws at once. The lighting (I use a lighter, but this is just preference) is very easy and if done right, almost never touches the bowl (of course the fact that the pipe can take lots of abuse helps your confidence for a proper charr on the tobacco and light).

I smoked some Old English which I had acquired from my tobacconist at Thomas Hinds. This is a healthy blend of Cavendish (aromatic) and an English (non-aromatic) tobacco which has a smooth and unmistakably "cool" flavor (not like a menthol but rather the pleasant after taste of Earl Gray). Compared to my previous experience (only on Corn-cob pipes), this pipe has a very easy pull when you draw that does not threaten to leave bits of tobacco in your mouth or the stem. After a few draws, the bowl gets comfortably warm and stays that way as long as the tobacco is lit (I only have to light it once to get 3/4 of the way down the bowl and once to finish the rest).

The flavour was different from a corn-cob because there was more moisture control (thanks to the handy adapter) and virtually zero percent soot or bits of tobacco in the stem or on my tongue. Moreover, I enjoyed the look of the pipe when lit and (thanks to my vanity), when I looked back in the mirror.

Conclusion: After saving some money like a squirrel (or whatever rodent it is that stores a lot of food), I went to Thomas Hinds expecting to purchase a pipe around $70. Going slightly over my budget for this beauty was no problem and I was glad to handover my hard-earned cash for a piece of Nirvana (found via this pipe of course). I would recommend this pipe to anyone ready for their first briar or someone who would like to have a nice casual smoke every now and again. Hopefully I will be able to claim this to be an "Estate", but that is a VERY long reach considering my smoking habits.

Thanks for reading this "brief" review. I hope you enjoy your smoke as much as I do.

- Adel

About Me : A copy of my Google Profile

2009-07-17T09:09:00.001-07:00

Hello there! I am your typical libertarian student at UofT who [enjoys thinking that he] enjoys the finer things in life [sic]. I study Economics and Statistics (hence my "objectivist" outlook) and will be in my fourth year coming January 2010(that is I will have my final two semesters left).

As you can see (plainly), I type as if the parentheses I use contain more useful content that the actual sentences in which they are contained. Also, I use run-on sentences to drive my points to redundancy. Hopefully you will not be bored by my attempt at wit and sarcasm.

I hope to be able to speak like Willam Buckley (he has the most commanding yet calm way of speaking [unless you hear Stephen Fry as Reginald Jeeves or Katherine Hepburn (but that is more genteel than I would like)]) to no greater purpose than self-indulgence.