In the summer of 2002, I spent ten weeks in California during a internship with IBM. This site is about all the fun that I had there. I am now in graduate school in Berkeley where I run an internet business.
I had the most fun in Yosemite, with seven of my (Computer Science) friends. In the picture (from left to right), there is Paul, Haim, Lucy, Baris, Alexei, me, and Howard. Anjali is taking the picture. We went on the Half Dome Trail, a rigorous 17 mile hike. I didn't make it all the way up.
I went with these (Chemistry) guys to Monterey and Big Sur. I also have a great picture of Chris, Jeff, and Ben (the three guys on the right) in a penguin cardboard cut-out. I didn't want to embarass them too much by putting it on here. Your welcome, guys.
I spent a lot of time with Ruth and her roommate Marlene. Here, you see Ruth fishing with her son Henry off of Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. At the same time, Grace, a friend of Ruth, and I are crabbing. We caught about 70 crabs!
This is Matt Richardson at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. On the day that this was taken, we visited Alcatraz and Pier 39. Highlights of the day include the creaky watertower, awesome mini donuts, and a neat show at the planterium. Matt and I also enjoyed trips to Blossom Hill Golfland (where we played air hockey and, of course, mini golf) and to a couple vineyards in Sonoma.
This is Ron Packard, who is a gifted calendar publisher. Check out his work at www.apollopub.com. Ron and I visited Big Basin, Stanford, Great America, and Santa Cruz. I must say that Ron's family (including Ron) are probably the nicest people I met in California, which is saying a lot.
These guys should look familar, because I also went with them to Yosemite. This is our trip to Santa Cruz, where after some convincing, I got all the way into the Pacific Ocean for my first time. The day also including viewing sea lions, browsing The Boardwalk, and lots of volleyball. I should note that it was quite a windy day, thus why I'm wearing a jacket and jeans while the guys are decked out in their summer clothes. Baris, the guy on the left, threw several very cool BBQ's. I must admit that I will miss going to those.
Though I only got to play guitar once over the whole ten weeks, it was one of the most enjoyable guitar playing times of my life. I got to play several songs including my song, After One, at a block party with the hired band. These guys were wonderful performers, and I enjoyed playing with them just as much as I enjoyed watching their colorful performance. I've never had more fun with a cover band.
Working at IBM
IBM is a wonderful company for which to work, and I hope I get the opportunity to do so again. I was working with Bob Shelby and Roger Macfarlane on The Characterization of Spin Relaxation in GaAs. I learned many things and found my research very rewarding. I hope to continue research along the same lines back at Vanderbilt.
Paul, Alexei, and I went on the Xtreme Skyflyer at Paramount's Great America. On this ride, you free fall for approximately 50 feet and then start swinging. You reach a maximum speed of 60 MPH and a maximum G-Force of 2.5. I must say that it is quite a rush. I think Alexei was even more scared than I was, which is saying a lot!
