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My name is Xiaolei Li. I am an Applied Researcher at Microsoft. I graduated in May of 2008 with a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I was in the Database and Information Systems Laboratory under the guidance of Prof. Jiawei Han. My thesis was on the topic of spatiotemporal data mining. Other topics I have interest in include general data mining, OLAP, data indexing, and machine learning.


flickr >>

Isis


Isis

Isis


Isis

Isis


Isis

Isis


Isis

Isis


Isis

Isis


Isis

Holga in Sodo


Holga in Sodo

Holga in Sodo


Holga in Sodo


last.fm recent plays >>

1.

Dream Theater -- The Count of Tuscany

Played on 07-01-2009 11:08pm

2.

Pelican -- Geometry of Murder (originally written by Earth)

Played on 07-02-2009 4:49pm

3.

Pelican -- Ephemeral

Played on 07-02-2009 4:41pm

4.

Pelican -- Embedding the Moss

Played on 07-02-2009 4:36pm

5.

Isis -- Threshold of Transformation

Played on 07-02-2009 2:20pm

6.

Isis -- 20 Minutes, 40 Years

Played on 07-02-2009 2:14pm

7.

Isis -- Stone to Wake a Serpent

Played on 07-02-2009 2:05pm

8.

Isis -- Wavering Radiant

Played on 07-02-2009 2:03pm

9.

Isis -- Hand of the Host

Played on 07-02-2009 1:52pm

10.

Isis -- Ghost Key

Played on 07-02-2009 1:44pm


weekly top artists >>

06-21-2009 to 06-28-2009  

1.

Michael Jackson

Played 49 time(s)

2.

Jim Gaffigan

Played 13 time(s)

3.

Mogwai

Played 10 time(s)

4.

John C Dvorak

Played 5 time(s)

5.

ESPN

Played 4 time(s)

6.

High Places

Played 4 time(s)

7.

Mono

Played 4 time(s)

8.

Leo Laporte and the TWiTs

Played 2 time(s)

9.

Pocahaunted

Played 2 time(s)

10.

Here We Go Magic

Played 2 time(s)

11.

This Is Your Captain Speaking

Played 2 time(s)

12.

Conor Oberst

Played 2 time(s)

13.

Kayo Dot

Played 2 time(s)

14.

Nine Inch Nails

Played 1 time(s)

15.

Wolves in the Throne Room

Played 1 time(s)



recent events >>

Wendy and Lucy

Thumbs up. So good.

Zoologist

Until recently, I always pronounced this as "zoo"-"ologist". But it was brought to my attention that there are only 2 and not 3 o's after the z. Thus, the correct pronunciation is "zo"-"ologist". *Cue "The More You Know" music.

I rented the Canon 14mm f/2.8L lens over the weekend. On my full frame 5D mkII, this lens is ridiculously wide. I can definitely get used to that, especially for landscapes or even portraits. If only it didn't cost $2,000...

Listen to the No Agenda podcast. It's one of the most informational and entertaining podcasts around.

Killer Shakes

About a month ago, I started on the Bill Starr 5x5 training program. Pretty interesting workout. All compound lifts with weekly progressions and ramp-ups. I've already put on maybe 6 or 7 pounds and I've noticed my metabolism increase significantly. As a result, I've started to make shakes for breakfast instead of just drinking coffee and eating muffins. I got this blender and I'm making the following two shakes.

Chocolate

  • 2 scoops of chocolate whey protein
  • milk
  • banana
  • peanut butter
  • flaxseed oil

Strawberry

  • 2 scoops of strawberry whey protein
  • milk
  • banana
  • strawberries
  • blueberries or raspberries or both
  • flaxseed oil

I've been drinking these every morning and every post-workout. So far I'm preferring the strawberry one. Maybe I'll try it out with vanilla protein and other fruits as I get sick of them.

Best Of

Seems like everyone's making a list these days. Here's my top 10 of 2008.

10. Deerhunter - Microcastle
9. This Will Destroy You - s/t
8. Max Richter - 24 Postcards in Full Color
7. Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra & Tra-La-La Band - 13 Blues for Thirteen Moons
6. Vampire Weekend - s/t
5. Esoteric - The Maniacal Vale
4. Upcdowncleftcrightcabc+start - Embers
3. The Tallest Man on Earth - Shallow Grave
2. Grouper - Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill
1. Mooncake - Lagrange Points