Buzz, Buzz, Buzz ….

I just found out that I have received my first Internet award, the BuzzBadge. That’s pleasant surprise #1. Though I know that my nephew has started the Buzzbadge blogging site, I really did not see this coming. But I accept it with humility. The award will definitely spur me on to be a better blogger, in the process making a small positive difference to somebody out there.

Then I chanced upon this treasure trove of things related to physics, Eric Weisstein’s World of Physics. Mr. Weisstein, an Internet encyclopaedist, has spent more than a decade collating the related resource on science that now stands only a click away. Covering astronomy, scientific biography, and chemistry in addition to physics, Eric Weisstein's World of Science, as stated in the “About this site” page:

“is written and maintained by the author as a public service for scientific knowledge and education. Although it is often difficult to find explanations for technical subjects that are both clear and accessible, this web site bridges the gap by placing an interlinked framework of mathematical exposition and illustrative examples at the fingertips of every internet user.”

This is most welcome as a lot of people may be put off by the overly structured and technical format in some science-related websites. And yet science is what made our modern living possible. And it would be a shame if the progress in science and the many scientists who have devoted their lifetimes to making the progress possible remain a mystery to the general populace, taking them for granted. That’s pleasant surprise #2, the science website, I mean.

And it was reported in the newspaper today that this year’s Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk. It is a surprise because it’s Turkey’s very first Nobel laureate. “How does “pleasant” feature here?” You may ask.

Well, I have a Turkish colleague who just joined my firm around the early part of this year. I’m happy for him and his country. And he accepted my congratulations on behalf of his country.

And last but not the least, today is Friday. While this certainly does not qualify as a surprise (but that it was 13th as well escaped me until reminded by another colleague), it’s still a pleasant feeling as then I’ll get to spend more quality time with my family over the weekend.

Have a great weekend!