Computious

Two Thumbs and One Trunk Up:

Frances Allen, a retired IBM computer scientist, won one of computer science’s most well-known technical merit awards a week ago: the A.M. Turing Award. Some people have called it the “unofficial Nobel Prize for the computing industry.” The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) sponsors it and it comes with a prize of $100,000. Wow! (Intel Corporation funds the prize.) 

"Fran" is the first female to receive this award in its 40-year history. Her computer programming work has contributed to cracking spy codes as well as predicting the weather. Exciting!  During her almost-45-year career at IBM, Fran was a leader and mentor. She officially retired in 2002, but still devotes time to encourage girls and women to study computer sciences.

For details on Frances Allen's award and many accomplishments, here are a couple news stories: Associated Press; LosAngelesTimes.com.

This posting is written by Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! – and her best friend DotComplicated. Other friends include Serge deFault, her sister MeiMei, as well as animal pals Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.   What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Special Values!

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MeiMei:
I love to learn about interesting things other kids are doing. A website that helps me do that is called “Amazing Kids!”  It's run by an organization that wants to help kids develop their talents and be excellent. Wow! They have different programs, including stories on “Amazing Kids of the Month,” art and writing contests, a scholarship fund, mentors, and more!

One of the “Amazing Kids of the Month” was John-Henry Lambin, who has severe asthma and dyslexia. (He was 13 years old in January of 2006, so I think he’s 14 now.)  John-Henry would often struggle more than 8 hours a night trying to get his homework done! He has leadership skills, though, and started an organization called “Kids Extreme.”  With “Kids Extreme,” he shares his research and experiences with kids who have disabilities similar to his so  they can also be encouraged to pursue their dreams. Here’s the link to his website.

                                Other “Amazing Kids of the Month” I’d love to meet were featured last August. They’re the pre-teens who  make up the singing group called “4 Part Angel.”  They used their singing and dance talents to help Hurricane Katrina victims. Their “Be An Angel” tour  raised money for  organizations like the Salvation Army and the Boys and Girls Club to help people rebuild after the hurricane." (I love to sing! I wonder if they’d be willing to be called “5 Part Angel” and let me join!). Click here to hear them sing.

Visit the “Amazing Kids” website to see more of how they're supporting kids' talents!

This posting is written by MeiMei, sister of Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! — and friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.  What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site at www.computious.com. See the Special Values!  

                                                                 “CAT-and-MOUSE” 
                                                                         MOUSE PADS

                                         © Computious - All rights reserved
 

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Music, Shopping & Gifts, Technology by MeiMei | 1 comment

DotComplicated:
February 10^th was the Third Annual Bulldog Beauty Contest in Long Beach, California. I said I’d report on the winner. Among 334 English Bulldog participants, two-year-old Dooby of Playa Vista, California, took the crown. He’s undeniably cute – and so were so many other canine contestants! What a difficult job it was for the judges, who included real-life beauty pageant winners.

The competition was a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization called Haute Dogs and its parent organization Community Action Team, which supports children, animals, and the environment. For details on the results of this fun event, click here.

Haute Dogs’ next festive fundraising occasion is an Easter Parade Contest on April 8^th for dogs who want to dress up in their Easter best!

This posting is written by DotComplicated, friend of Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! – as well as friend of Serge deFault and  Computious’ sister MeiMei.  Other friends include Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.   What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site at www.computious.com. See the Special Values

                                   © Computious - All rights reserved

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Sweet & Sour:

Since tomorrow officially begins the “Year of the Pig” in the Chinese Lunar calendar, I have the honor of writing this entry. I promised I’d get back to you with some information on Chinese New Year’s traditions. You would have heard from me sooner, but this “not-so-little piggy” stayed home in bed with a cold the past few days. Computious was curing a ham – me!

This is a special Year of the Pig that comes only once every 60 years. It’s the Year of the Golden Pig. Babies born in this year are supposed to be extra smart and healthy.

Chinese New Year is a time of festivity, food, and most importantly, family. So here’s our “family” sharing with you some of our favorite Chinese New Year traditions:

Sweet & Sour:                    
Unlike what many people think, pigs can be just as clean as other popular pets. I love cleanliness! My favorite part of Chinese New Year is the time before new year’s when we clean up the house. We “sweep out” the bad luck and start fresh.

Computious:              
I love all the red clothing and decorations. (I have my favorite New Year’s outfit on!) Red is a powerful color in the Chinese culture and symbolizes good fortune. Many families buy new clothes for the new year. That’s one of my favorite traditions!

MeiMei:
In addition to all the good food, I like receiving the red envelope with “lucky” money in it. Usually children and single people receive them. I’m saving for college, but I’ve got my eye on a pink iPod, too!

PingPong:
With my sweet tooth, of course I love the sweet goodies. My favorite is the sticky rice ball with red bean paste. The stickiness symbolizes family loyalty — sticking together!

Elman:
I like the firecrackers that welcome the very beginning of the new year. Many people believe the Chinese invented firecrackers and fireworks. (Children need to be careful though and stay near their parents.) Because my hearing is so sharp (my ears are big!) I usually stay inside to listen to the firecrackers. Otherwise I get a headache!

DotComplicated:
My favorite tradition comes from Northern China, where on New Year’s Eve they serve potstickers (“jiao zi”). They represent wealth because their shape looks like golden ingots, which were used as money many years ago. Computious taught me how to eat these tasty dumplings with chopsticks, too!

C.C.:
My favorite Chinese New Year’s tradition? Is when it’s the Year of the Tiger! Three more years to go! Besides that, though, I like to polish my claws practicing my Chinese paper cutting skills to make the decorations for the doors and windows. I usually end up with paper cuts on my paws (ouch!) and you’ll see me wearing a lot of Band-Aids after New Year’s Eve.

Serge deFault:
I like being part of the dragon in the Dragon Dance, which takes place on the last day of the New Year celebrations. Many Chinese equate the length of the dancing dragon with the amount of good luck the new year will bring. Dragons have been powerful symbols in Chinese culture for centuries. Most of them are good.

Chinese New Year is a time of new beginnings, family reunion, and wishing others well. We wish you only the best!

This posting is written by Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! – and her friends DotComplicated, Serge deFault, her sister MeiMei, as well as other friends Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.  What a group of characters! 

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Special Values!

                                © Computious - All rights reserved

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Shopping & Gifts by Sweet and Sour the Pig | 2 comments

C.C. the Cat:
I’m a crusty cat in general, but a sentimental softie when it comes to holidays. Especially Valentine’s Day! If I created a Valentine's Day Trivial Pursuit, you’d need to know that:

St. Valentine's Day is celebrated widely in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.

During the Middle Ages, many girls believed that the first man they saw on Valentine’s Day would be their future husband.

The Catholic Church recognizes three saints named “Valentine,” two of whom lived in the third century.

In 1415, Charles, Duke of Orleans, wrote a poem that is believed to be the oldest known valentine in existence. He had been captured at the Battle of Agincourt and was imprisoned in the Tower of London, where he wrote this poetic valentine to his wife.

Valentine’s Day is the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. The largest is Christmas.

Esther A. Howland is known as the “Mother of the Valentine” because in the 1840’s she created the first commercial Valentine’s Day cards.

Around 496 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared February 14th St. Valentine's Day. 

The History Channel has more Valentine’s Day history.

This posting is written by C.C. the Cat, a friend of Computious^®  – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! —and friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, MeiMei, Sweet & Sour the Pig, PingPong the Panda,  and Elman the Elephant . What a group of characters!

^{The Computious® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!} 

                                  © Computious - All rights reserved 

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Shopping & Gifts by C.C. the Cat | 1 comment

Sweet & Sour the Pig:
I think music is one of the best things ever created, so my ears perked up when I heard about the “Women of Note." They’re a barbershop choir based in Hudson, Massachusetts.

For the past 15 years they’ve been offering singing Valentines. Sounds like fun! That’s right, for a fee, a quartet shows up to perform two songs, along with presenting a rose and a card. If there’s someone long-distance you want to surprise with a singing Valentine, they can do it over the phone. They sing a cappella (no musical accompaniment), which I love. (I'm a "Bach to Rock" kind of ham.)

The Women of Note got started by a group of employees at Digital Equipment Corporation. They’re also part of an organization called Harmony, Inc., which has 2,000 women’s choirs as members.

As you can see, I’m ready to visit the Women of Note, with my own Valentine rose. Here’s a story on them.

This posting is written by Sweet & Sour the Pig , a friend of Computious^®  – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! — and friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, MeiMei, C.C. the Cat,  PingPong the Panda,  and Elman the Elephant . What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!

                                 © Computious - All rights reserved 

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Music, Shopping & Gifts by Sweet and Sour the Pig | 1 comment

    
DotComplicated:
Since just the other day I wrote about Tyson the skateboarding bulldog, you might guess it's my favorite type of dog.You’d be right! So of course I was excited about today’s third annual “Bulldog Beauty Contest” taking place in Long Beach, California.

The contest is being sponsored by a nonprofit organization called “Haute Dogs” (love the name! They pronounce it “hot,” not the French way). Last year’s winner was a seven-year-old rescue dog named “Bunny.” Here’s a picture of Bunny with her crown:

The winner gets a year’s supply of dog food and a Tiffany (wow!) crystal water dish. My vote, even though he’s not competing, would be for Jack the Bulldog, Georgetown University’s mascot. Jack was born in Freehold, New Jersey, the same town as Bruce Springsteen's birthplace.  When I’m old enough, I’d like to study at Georgetown and be a Hoya!

I’ll check back in a few days and let you know who ended up being the Bulldog Beauty Queen or King!

This posting is written by DotComplicated, friend of Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! – as well as friend of Serge deFault, Computious’ sister MeiMei.  Other friends include Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.   What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!

                                   © Computious - All rights reserved 

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Shopping & Gifts by DotComplicated | 1 comment

Computious:
We love seeing how technology positively impacts so many different walks of life. Recently I heard about how nuns have been using email and blogs to help recruit and guide young women thinking of becoming nuns!

Sister Joseph Andrew Bogdanowicz is the vocation director at the Dominican Sisters of Mary convent in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She’s also an internet-savvy senior nun. Wow!  She gets about 100 emails a day. Many of them are from young women seeking guidance about becoming Dominican nuns, who frequently follow St. Dominic’s example by working outside a convent.

Domino’s Pizza founder Tom Monaghan played a big role in establishing the convent where Sister Joseph Andrew lives and works. It’s been growing, and it was even on the "Today Show" three days ago!  Below are some of the “nuns-in-training”  there:

Here’s an interesting story about them.

This posting is written by Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! –friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, and  her sister to  MeiMei.  Other friends include Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.   What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!

                                    © Computious - All rights reserved

Filed under Females/Girls, Shopping & Gifts, Technology by Computious | 1 comment

MeiMei:
Yesterday the Alliance of Technology and Women (ATW) announced they were starting to accept applications for their “Great Minds Scholarship Program.” It’s for females studying for their Associate and Bachelor degrees related to math, science, and technology. I like math and tech (it helps me make digital music!), and will apply when I’m old enough.

The deadline for the first part of the application process, which is online, is February 27. Those who pass the first round will then be involved in the second part of the process, where final selections will be based on factors such as interest in technology, volunteer activities, leadership, and letters of recommendations. For more information, click here. To apply, here’s the link to the online application. Good luck!

This posting is written by MeiMei, sister of Computious^® – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! — and friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, Sweet & Sour the Pig, C.C the Cat, PingPong the Panda, and Elman the Elephant.  What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has fun, unique gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!

                             © Computious - All rights reserved 

Filed under Females/Girls, Helpful Information, Music, Shopping & Gifts, Technology by MeiMei | 1 comment

Sweet & Sour:
Besides a love of humor and music? Yes, Lucille (“I Love Lucy”) Ball, Mozart, and I were born in the Year of the Pig (or “Boar”), the next Chinese New Year, which begins February 18^th. We’re supposed to be honest, idealistic, hardworking, and have good manners. We’re also supposed to be compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

Like someone else born in the Year of the Pig, Arnold Schwarzenegger, we’ll “be back!”  We’ll be back with more interesting information on Chinese New Year traditions!

This posting is written by Sweet & Sour the Pig , a friend of Computious^®  – The Everyday Sage of the Digital Age! — and friend of DotComplicated, Serge deFault, MeiMei, PingPong the Panda, C.C. the Cat and Elman the Elephant . What a group of characters!

The Computious^® product line has unique, fun gift items at the easy-to-use site www.computious.com. See the Valentine Special Values!         

                                 
                                © Computious - All rights reserved
 

Filed under Entertainment, Helpful Information, Shopping & Gifts by Sweet and Sour the Pig | 1 comment