Year: 2017

This book about the dangers of Big Data and algorithms primarily in the US. It is a book discussing ethics in Big Data and the lack thereof.

For most of the time I was reading this book, I was a bit dejected by work so reading this book made it even more depressing and despairing. Every chapter focused on how Big Data and algorithms are used for profit and as a result, hurts individuals. The premise of the book started with teachers and there is a significant focus on the effects of Big Data algorithms in an already flawed American education system.

The conclusion chapter is the only one with hope. However it is not enough. I wish the book had given more ideas on how the audience could be aware of new issues in Big Data so that we wouldn’t have to suffer from it. I think the book is an interesting primer for those who know very little about Big Data. However, it also feels like it’s written in some ways for people who know enough of it.

The book has a lot of data and studies and there are end notes. I am going to recommending the book to my Data Scientist colleague.

Read January 31 – Feburary 10, 2017.

Cabled Dad Hat

With so much leftover from the Lion Brand Fishermaen’s Wool, I decided to make myself a hat to match my cowl.

Cabled Dad Hat, started November 16, 2016, finished November 2, 2016. Ravelry Project Page
Pattern: Cabled Dad Hat by Alexis Winslow Ravelry Pattern Page
Yarn: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool – 100% Wool – much less than one skein.
Needles: US 6 – 4.0 mm and US 7 – 4.5 mm long circulars

Cabled Dad Hat

Modifications & Notes:

  • German Twisted CO 96 instead of 120
  • 1×1 Twisted Rib for 3.5”
  • Knit the main rep almost 7.5”. I should have knit more because I didn’t realize how fast the hat decreases. Not a big fan of how the hat decreased as the pattern has them too quickly and on dec rows, right after another.
  • If the hat were the original 120, it would have been too big. I do think going up to 5.0mm would have been good to make it a smidge bigger.

Cabled Dad Hat

The modifications resulted in a slighter tighter band if the band is flipped over. The best thing is that when left unflipped, the hat fits my hair bun wonderfully. I think I could have made the rib 4″ which would have been very slouchy, but my hair would have fit nicely in there.

Cost of Project: This was one third of the skein which cost $7 a skein years ago.
Would I knit it again? Yes.

I think I got this book from some of the recommended new and critically acclaimed lists I get. I like children’s and YA literature even after all these years. The cover art looked interesting so did the premise about the relationship between a fox and his boy owner.

I am not sure if I was expecting too much from this novel, but it did not impress me as much as I wanted to. I have been reading a lot of nonfiction lately and hoped this novel would break it up. It did not quite do that. The book has a heavy anti-war theme which felt a bit overdone. Maybe it’s because it’s been awhile since I read a YA book with such an overt theme. Every chapter basically said how humans are stupid when it comes to war. The ending was anticlimactic in a way. Heartfelt but less than one would think in a story about a boy and his fox.

Having said that, it is by no means a bad read. The main characters are interesting and all develop pretty well. I really liked Vola who is a supporting character and mentor in the book. I also enjoyed the illustrations by Jon Klasen. There weren’t enough of them!

I’d recommend this to children. It’s not a classic for me, but nice enough to read for younger readers.

Read January 24-25, 2017.

As I have taken on skincare more seriously as a hobby the last few months, I decided to read this book.

I have always had an interest in skincare so wearing SPF, moisturizing, and keeping out of the sun have been habits I have employed since I was a teenager. As I am Asian, a lot of the little quirks and beauty care in East Asia does not surprise or shock me.

What is nice about this book is that if you truly unfamiliar with Asian skin care and beauty, this is a good initial primer on it. I knew most of the information in the book from other sources on the internet, but it is collected here in an easy to read and cutely illustrated book.

There is a very cute section about travelling to Seoul as well. I really liked the book, but I would not necessarily follow the product recommendations. Charlotte Cho does own a curated beauty store so there are incentives for her to sell products she and her company import from Asia. Still, I recommend this book if you have an interest in skincare.

Read January 19-20, 2017.

This was my first book of 2017 and the first since I started my new job. I have been busy and tired with work and the holidays to read. I really missed it. This was a good book to go back to reading. It was short, easy to read, and relatively light for a memoirs.

I have followed Ripert for a few years. I have seen him on Bourdain’s shows and Ripert’s own internet shows. I like his calm, collected, and effortless manner. I found this memoirs a quick read. It engaged and even shocked me at one point. Veronica Chambers who wrote the book from Ripert’s stores did a very good job. I do feel the book was almost too short in a way. It ended when Ripert left France. Does this mean there are plans for a sequel? I feel like there should be more and I’d have been interested to hear more about his friends and family.

In terms of chef memoirs, this was another good one and I wish it had been longer.

Read January 16-18, 2017

Dark Shadows (02 10 2016) – I was feeling under the weather and nothing was on. I am over Depp and Burton films, but I do like Eva Green and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was an alright movie. Meh.

Maleficient (02 10 2016) – Only watch 2/3 of this film. I like Angelina Jolie.

The Vow (20 11 2016) – Romantic drama staring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams. This was only interesting to me because I like the actors, but plot was a bit thin and slow.

The Secret World of Arrietty (24 12 2016) – REWATCH. Oh Ghibli.

Finding Dory (27? 12 2016) – Enjoyable sequel. There are many worse sequels out there.

Zootopia (01 01 2017) – Most of the movies I’ve been watching lately are meh, but this one was definitely one of the best. One of the most subversive and well done animated movies I’ve seen in a long time. I really hope there is a sequel.