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Readers will know that I've given regular updates on the progression of The Plague. We're now at 172 million cases, and 3.7 million dead. To think a year ago those numbers were "only" 6.7 million and 420 thousand respectively. I have much to say about our political and economic leaders who have failed to give this pandemic the requisite seriousness, let alone the conspiracy theorists. But such a discussion will wait for another day because now the plague has gotten personal with one of my dearest friends entering isolation following exposure at a Tier One site, and a workmate losing a very close relative (albeit overseas). So as Melbourne goes into an extended lockdown with this highly infectious Kappa variant my thoughts turn to them - and indeed every single one of you, dear readers - thinking of what ways I can possibly help or give solace in their time of need.
For someone who is extroverted, gregarious, and enjoys the physical company of other members of the species, I have found the past several days tougher than I should. I even feel a little embarrassed to admit this, given the circumstances of others, but even with a daily bike ride in the sunshine to the Darebin parklands, other exercise and healthy eating, some wonderful meetings with friends over video-conferencing, etc, I am still deeply missing the company of people with flesh and blood. The most conversation I've had with a person in immediate proximity this week has been a few words exchanged with a shopkeeper. Still, I am in good company alone and have taken advantage of the situation to delve into studies (masters thesis, civil engineering, Mandarin) and preparations for the (extensively delayed) move.
The preceding three days have also witnessed day-workshops for researchers in the form of "Introduction to Linux and Supercomputing", "Advanced Linux and Shell Scripting", and "Parallel Processing with OpenMP and MPI". The former two I have been giving every month during the past several months and the latter is one of a group that I circulate through as a more advanced or specialised subject. Class attendance was good, the questions and feedback excellent, and the final remark by one researcher (themselves a bit of a leading expert on the genomic sequencing of wallabies) after the three days was really super-positive: "Thank you, Lev! You're an excellent educator. Have really enjoyed these sessions." I personally find it incredible that anyone could say such a thing after listening to me ramble on about using supercomputers and parallel programming after three days, but apparently some people like it. Certainly, it is affirmative statements like that which keep me going in this profession.
For someone who is extroverted, gregarious, and enjoys the physical company of other members of the species, I have found the past several days tougher than I should. I even feel a little embarrassed to admit this, given the circumstances of others, but even with a daily bike ride in the sunshine to the Darebin parklands, other exercise and healthy eating, some wonderful meetings with friends over video-conferencing, etc, I am still deeply missing the company of people with flesh and blood. The most conversation I've had with a person in immediate proximity this week has been a few words exchanged with a shopkeeper. Still, I am in good company alone and have taken advantage of the situation to delve into studies (masters thesis, civil engineering, Mandarin) and preparations for the (extensively delayed) move.
The preceding three days have also witnessed day-workshops for researchers in the form of "Introduction to Linux and Supercomputing", "Advanced Linux and Shell Scripting", and "Parallel Processing with OpenMP and MPI". The former two I have been giving every month during the past several months and the latter is one of a group that I circulate through as a more advanced or specialised subject. Class attendance was good, the questions and feedback excellent, and the final remark by one researcher (themselves a bit of a leading expert on the genomic sequencing of wallabies) after the three days was really super-positive: "Thank you, Lev! You're an excellent educator. Have really enjoyed these sessions." I personally find it incredible that anyone could say such a thing after listening to me ramble on about using supercomputers and parallel programming after three days, but apparently some people like it. Certainly, it is affirmative statements like that which keep me going in this profession.
