Mother Nature delivers a HUGE one-two punch to Japan: 8.9-magnitude earthquake followed by massive tsunami…50 countries on high alert.

I just bought the last one…the iPad 2 is here!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Supreme Court Justice! Antonin Scalia turns 75!

Ladies, want to avoid a stroke? Drink your coffee.

And, are Gallagher’s watermelon smashing days over?

The War In Afghanistan, remember that?

The New York Times has an article on how the US strategy has shifted.

There has been a concerted attempt to move away from the conventional style of warfare, occupying/securing major cities, key valleys, and roads, to fanning out across the  sparse county.

“Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the United States military has settled into a campaign for scattered villages and bits of terrain that few people beyond their immediate environs have heard of.”

The fighting is slow, with soldiers moving from village to village in an attempt to root out Taliban insurgents.

“Officially, Mr. Obama’s Afghan buildup shows signs of success, demonstrating both American military capabilities and the revival of a campaign that had been neglected for years. But in the rank and file, there has been little triumphalism as the administration’s plan has crested.

With the spring thaw approaching, officers and enlisted troops alike say they anticipate another bloody year. And as so-called surge units complete their tours, to be replaced by fresh battalions, many soldiers, now seasoned with Afghan experience, express doubts about the prospects of the larger campaign.”

There is little certainty whether or not the strategy is working, but what does seem to be sure is that as time drags on the forces on the ground are losing patience and faith in the War.

Today’s Dissertation House will be held in Room 331 of the Commons on UMBC’s campus.  Those who are not participating in person may join us online: http://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/blog-online-challenge/winter-2011-challenge/ .

UMBC is highly ranked in the U.S. for its degree and certificate granting in the computing sciences. The University is fourth among U.S. research universities in the production of IT degrees and certificates, according to the most recent data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, which is available from National Science Foundation’s WebCASPAR site. The table below displays the top ten universities in terms of total production in the Carnegie classification categories RU/VH and RU/H.

The most recent data from the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics also shows that UMBC ranks second among U.S. research universities in undergraduate IT degrees awarded, and it is the largest producer among those universities of IT graduates in Maryland, DC and Virginia. According to the same data, UMBC is second in Maryland and 31st nationally in the number of PhDs granted in IT. The numbers are averaged from the two most recent years available — 2007 and 2008.

FEATURING FOR THE NIGHT OF APRIL 8TH:

Gospel Choir

Alpha Nu Omega Sorority, Inc

Amber Spry

Perfected Praise

Mama’s Boys

Stilletos

Band Brothers

Stright Up Tribal

Major Definition

Maitre’D

Open Mic night

Andy Gotsch—DJ Sparks

Professor Yun Peng received a research award of $150,000 from the National Institute of Standards and Technology support work on "Integration Testing in Supply Chain Logistics" in the coming year. The research is focused on improving the systems that companies use to exchange and process information on services, products, orders and transportation. The objective is to reduce or eliminate problems that lead to late deliveries, inaccurate tracking, insufficient visibility, poor security, unreliable planning, and unnecessary disruptions in supply chains. The funds will be used to support research by UMBC students, postdocs and faculty in collaboration with NIST technical staff.

During the semester I am always too busy studying to cook a proper meal for myself. This five minute lunch is the perfect idea!

PB Noodles

I added 1/2 a cup of water to get the sauce started. Otherwise the PB will burn. I know this from experience.

I added 3 tbs of hot and soy sauce and some garlic salt and I had my sauce!

I mixed until the sauce started to bubble.

plain noodles

This was an AMAZING and spicy meal! I was able to cook and eat lunch all in 15 minutes!

And I was back to studying in no time!

Finished PB Noodles!

Going green! The St. Patrick’s update to Angry Birds Seasons is available today!

No surprises…fighting in Libya continues as Gaddafi’s forces intensify.

Another one bites the dust: NPR’s top exec resigns amidst most recent controversy.

Is the GOP attacking Islam? The House starts its hearings on “Muslim radicalization.”

And, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark loses its director…but not in a freak accident.