I’m one of the most fortunate underachievers in the history of mankind. I’m a college drop out with a bit of military experience. So why am I so fortunate? Here’s a brief list of the toys I’ve been allowed to build, maintain, and play with.

Arctic Region Supercomputing Center. ARSC

• Icehawk -  117 fastest computer in the world and my first HPC toy.
• Iceflyer – The first customer installed IBM p690 system in the country
• Iceberg – 56th Fastest in the world when built and the biggest IBM p655 system ever built from scratch at a customer location. Also biggest Federation system ever built at the time we did it.

Naval Oceanographic Office. NAVO

• Habu – another IBM SP system. Started at 7th fastest in the world but was down to mid 300′s when I began working on it.
• Marcellus – IBM p690 system Started 11th fastest before I worked on it.
• Kraken – IBM p655 system. 9th fastest in the world. Kept this baby up as Katrina went over our heads.

University of Edinburgh Advanced Computing Facility – EPCC

• HECToR -  High End Computing Terascale Resource.  Second fastest computer in Europe when I started.  17th Fastest in the world.
• HECToR – X2 Vector system. Only publicly accessible X2 in the world.

Temp assignment – Oak Ridge National Labs – ORNL

• Jaguar – 7th fastest in the world at the time I worked on it. Updated to the fastest in the world.

FNMOC – Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center

• Classified and unclassified clusters used for weather modelling and oceanographic modelling.

So, I’ve been pretty darn lucky. I always wanted to play with computers and i’ve been allowed to play with some really neat ones.  Told ya I was lucky.

From 2011 Adventures

So, why all the long driving? Well we decided that this year we would take all of the girls to the annual Supercomputing conference. It was in Seattle this year and a friend of a friend working at Altair scored Megan an expo pass. So, since she had a ticket in, we decided to take the whole family on an adventure. In fact we even had Molly and Nora check out the show on Family night for a few hours. Megan had a good time walking the expo floor, collecting swag, and having fun checking out all the Nerdiness. Roberta and I hit a lot of the after hours parties, and Molly and Nora got to explore Seattle and play in the swimming pool. it was a good time had by all.

From 2011 Adventures

We spent almost week in Seattle and then we went up and stayed the weekend with friends and family.  We heard Lane and Jacob of the Taphandles play a gig in Woodinville, WA. Good music, beer, friends and family. It was a good night.

After Seattle we drove over Snoqualamie Pass in snow and ice to Butte Montana for some visiting with Roberta’s half of the family. We did some playing in the snow, riding quads up in the mountains, and general playing around.

Finally we ended up driving the final leg from Butte Montana to Monterey California in one long drive. We left at 8AM Mountain time and arrived in Monterey at 2:30 am Pacific time.

I’ll try to update some pictures soon.

Read about it here

The MARS project in Monterey Bay

More discussion can be found at Watts Up With That about La Niña and how it relates to other La Niña’s of the past. Link Here.

On May 25th of every year, it is now Geek Pride Day! Woot!

Why the 25th of May? Well, for multiple reasons. A few being.

• The Premier day of the original Star Wars 1977
• Towel day in respect for the death of Douglas Adams. (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) Marking the day 2 weeks after his death.
• The Glorious 25th of May. Terry Pratchet Disc world series.

Now I found out on the 25th of May this year that it was Towel Day. A few coworkers brought towels in and explained, as to a slow child, why they brought towels in to me. (-: (Next year, I’m there with my own towel.)

So, if by some chance, crazy as this might seem, I were to “come out of the closet” as it were, next May 25th might be a good day to show my Geekyness.

Wiki link to Geek Pride  Day

Wiki link to Towel Day

Wiki link to Terry Pratchett

From Family

From Family

They did really good. They had a good time and are looking forward to continuing to learn and enjoy music.

After Molly and Nora played Roberta was feeling pretty rough so she took the instruments, Nora, Meg, and Tyler home. Molly and I stayed for the high school orchestra and Molly’s friend Thuy’s turn with the band.

Well, after the concert was over, a bit after nine, we decided to walk home instead of calling Roberta to pick us up. We had some good father and daughter time. I’m not working nearly as much as I did when they were born, and yet with everything going on I don’t get to spend enough time with them.

Long story short. We’re a block from home when here comes Roberta. “Where the bleep were you guys?!? I kept trying to call you!” Oops. Seems my cell phone was still on vibrate from the concert and I didn’t know she was calling. She got worried and came looking for us. My bad. )-:

Molly and I did make plans to check out the Monterey Symphony. Maybe try to attend some of the Bach Festival this year.

And let’s not forget Megan’s very first concert waaaay back in 2002. She sang in front of her grade school class. A funny folk song about being a little bird and spitting in your eye. The whole place was laughing.

From Family

One of the great things about moving around the country and world is that you get to pick and choose your favorite foods from each place. Alaskan Halibut fresh fried, Scottish Steak and Ale Pie, (thank you Steve for saying it was worth trying), and good ole southern Gumbo!  Some of my favorites. (And Gary if you ever read this, good ole Texas BBQ).

Updates, new articles, pictures of the kids, etc to be coming shortly.