I just turned 32, and my wonderful friends wished me Happy Birthday (much thanks to Facebook and Verizon Wireless).  I did not, however get that age old question (no pun intended): “Do you feel different?”  Don’t get me wrong.  I don’t mind not hearing the question. For some 32 years, I haven’t felt any different on March 12 than I did on any other day.

This birthday, though, I felt different.  (It’s not because kens_age = 2^5.)  We had a safety meeting at work, and I saw a chart that had our environmental statistics since 1990.  The story was good - we’re going down year after year - but there were so many bars!  I notice things like how many bars are on a chart: too many makes the chart look crowded, and this one did.  All those bars, and I remember the year 1990, well, vaguely.

Could it be that I’ve now made the transition from young adult to middle age?

Tags: Birthday

I’ve been truly blessed throughout my life.  The latest demonstration has been my 15 days of fame, 1440 times longer than the 15 minutes most might expect.

Thanks to everyone for their outpouring of support throughout my 15 days.   I’ve had a chance to reignite friendships with folks who I hadn’t heard from in years.  I have folks at work selling my autograph (going price is $10).  Best of all, I’ve got parents and kids thinking about math and science.

Yeah, I know the ads were actually on for 16 days, but the 15 minute analogy just works better with 15 days.

Tags: Commercial, ExxonMobil, Math and Science

Well, one review, but it’s a positive one. Peter Welander, Process Industries Editor (and a blogger) for Control Engineering, wrote a review of the ExxonMobil ad from the opening ceremonies. My favorite part:

I only saw the commercial once, but I think Kenneth Lee appeared and spoke on screen. He’s a late-20s, African-American guy who looks very friendly and just nerdy enough that people will believe he’s an engineer (but not nerdy enough to scare people or be an editor). A good choice for a spokesperson.

See, not too nerdy.

Tags: Commercial, Education, ExxonMobil, Math and Science

Did you see me?  I was in the ExxonMobil ad during the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony.  My commercial aired just after an amazing moving box display.  If you want to see the ad, go to ExxonMobil’s Media Site and click on the link for Math and Science.  Also, if you dig deep enough into the site, you can also find my old commercial.  I’m interested in hearing what you think of the ad and the campaign: please leave a comment.

Tags: Commercial, Education, ExxonMobil, Math and Science

Ken’s married, and more!

Ken has just updated his bio. Now you can learn all about his exploits in Houston and his wedding and marriage to his beautiful wife Kendall.

Pictures, Pictures, Old and New

Ken finally put his vast store of pictures online. See if you can find yourself.

He’s a Doctor

Ken graduated from the University of Texas at Austin on May 17, 2003 with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. Well, not so “new” anymore. The interested reader can read his dissertation.

Tags: ExxonMobil, Marriage, Research, Work