A Day in the Life

Today, Remanufacture

2005-10-01T23:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm not sure what happened, but if any of you noticed, my blog exploded. I mean it exploded. I opened up the page and there was html scattered throughout the screen. I have no idea what happened, but it did, and all over the place. I checked out the template and about 2/3 of it was missing. Just gone. Nada. And it was the bottom portion, not like that means anything.

Sooooooooooooooo, at this point, I'm going to begin rebuilding it. However, I need motivation. I need to know that there's a fan base out there for me to put my efforts towards. For that reason, I am asking all my loyal readers to do the following:
Leave me a comment on this post.
I don't care what it says, just leave a comment. I need to know that this is worth it. To be honest, I don't care much for html, especially when I got everything just the way I like it.

Drop me a line. Let me know it's time to rebuild, to remanufacture.

Today, a Mathematical Poet

2005-09-30T15:08:00.000-05:00

I have decided that from now on I will put my poems and such on my blog. Perhaps any short stories as well. I figure that since there's that little copyright jargon at the bottom it's safe from thieves, but what do I know. Anyways, you have to know a bit of freshman algebra to get this one. And please excuse the odd spacing between lines. Blogger is acting up. Also, I'd really appreciate your interpretations of this. Enjoy.

Of Xs and Ys

By HKNorla

Who am I to say who I am?

x = y

You are me.

x^2 = xy

You are part of each of us.

x^2 - y^2 = xy - y^2

And we are each less without each other.

(x – y)(x + y) = y(x – y)

But are we not each separate?

x + y = y

Look beyond, and we are the same.

2y = y

You will then see who I am.

2 = 1

Who are you to say who you are?

Today, a Handyman

2005-09-28T23:04:00.000-05:00

For the record, anyone who says I'm not resourceful; go suck a lemon. You all know I am. I'm an engineer (almost). This post is going to be a quickie as I have a CS 173 test tomorrow and I need to keep studying.

Carl came up to me with the proposition of helping him fix his window. It was raining earlier and water was dripping into his room from the top of the window. Of course, we didn't have any caulk or anything, not that it would work in the rain. Besides, how many college students have caulk? I then had a wonderful idea; we'd chew a bunch of gum and fill in the gap on the outside until maintenance came. So, we did, in the rain, and the wind, with the mud.

However!, (note the awesome exclaimation mark/comma combo) my plan did work, and well. So next time you need something fixed and don't know where to turn, drop me a line.

(In case you can't tell, I'm proud of my little achievements.)

Today, a Poet

2005-09-26T15:09:00.000-05:00

Yeah, that's right. It's the second post of the day. It's a Monday though, so anything goes. Before I begin, I'd like to note that I try to use semi-proper English in all my posts. Now there's a bug that wants to just go nuts. I think I'm going to let him out for a while. Excuse me.

OMG OMG. WTF man!!!!!!!1 U R HAXXORZZZZ!!! 1337 MAN!! UR P03MZ R teh BeSt EvErS!!!11!!11 I <3 U! LoOk I cAn TyPe LiKe tHiS!!1!!

Ok. Sorry about that. Now, onto more somber notes. This poem was inspired by "Philosophy" by Ben Folds Five. Anyone who's heard the song knows what I'm talking about.

Out Alone
by HKNorla

You've never been out in the woods alone.
Heard the song bird chirp or the West wind blown
Through the trees, knowing that rain would soon be near.
The flip flap flutter of the small one's fear.

You've never been lost in the woods alone.
Tried to find just which way the moss has shown
On the trees, or marked the spot of the sun.
Magnetic North and true navigation.

You've never been hurt in the woods alone.
Felt the strain of the pack, knew the roots grown
By the trees would soom become your downfall.
No one was there to catch you after all.

You laughed at me for going out alone.
You spoke to me, that same demeaning tone.
But to me, the trees, the grass, the river,
The shrubs, the animals, to me, are home.

Today, a Technology Victim

2005-09-26T08:01:00.000-05:00

It's happened to everyone who owns a computer; your wonderful device decides to stab you in the back over and over again. Yet, until this point my compy has been absolutely wonderful in performance. I haven't had any real problems albeit the occasional popup. I even surprisingly never seem to get any viruses or lagging in the system. But yesterday, it all took a turn for the worst.

I was setting up our new internet connection, which required us to run the entire thing through one cable outlet, into a modem, further into a wireless router, and then to each computer. So I went out and got a Linksys router: a brand which I know works from experience. I then followed all the steps in setting up the entire system.

I first ran the Insight Broadband CD, which required a couple calls to tech service, at which point they gave me an IP that no one else was actually using. I don't even know how that happens in the first place. Finally I got through with that first CD, which wasn't too bad.

Next came the modem CD. This thing was given to us by Insight, and I don't even think it has a brand name or anything, much like that digital box they put on our TV in the living room. I popped the CD in my compy, and the first thing it told me to do is plug the USB connection into my computer. Then it said that a new menu would just pop up. It never did; why would it? Why would anything work like they say? So I tried searching around for a couple hours but couldn't fix it.

Eventually, I gave up on that one and decided to move on to the Linksys CD, the last one. This was the best, best meaning the worst, and worst meaning worst thing ever. I put it in compy and followed the directions for a while until it started asking me info about my IP and stuff. I ran DOS and figured out numbers I know weren't right, but continued nonetheless. I just figured an error message would pop up and that would be it. But no... It then asked me to set up the wireless options, like the name and password and stuff. I did that, and set our channel number to 9, whatever that means.

At that point the entire universe collapsed upon itself. I have no idea how, but my screen turned blue and gave me an error message. I restarted compy but the blue only came back. I then restarted it again, but this time in "safe mode" by hitting F8. Actually, it prompted me to use safe mode, which you know is a major problem when you've hit that point. I used system restore to bring my computer back to Sunday morning settings, but it gave me the big blue finger again. I think restarted it AGAIN, opened it in safe mode, and brought it back to Saturday. And as you guessed, F*$&ED again!

At that point I just unplugged the Linksys and restarted compy, at which point everything worked just smoothly. Now you know, when the universe explodes, I'll have plugged it back in and tried again. I guess I'll be spending a lot of time with tech service this week. Oh well.

Today, a Sociologist

2005-09-20T21:08:00.000-05:00

In honor of Gender and Sexuality in my Sociology class, I'm devoting this post to something close to all of our hearts. As I walk around campus, I notice a group of people which seems to grow ever steadily. It may just be the fact that I've never payed attention to it, or it may be the way society has changed over the years. Or maybe it's just the fact that the gays draw all the attention away with their popped collars and strangely colored polos. Perhaps even it could be the capri pants they wear (yes, the guys). The group I'm talking about is the virgins. Not the regular I-just-struck-out-too-many-times virgins; I mean the soon-to-be-40-year-old virgins.

I've compiled a list of traits and comparisons one could use to identify these people. Use at your own discrection; I don't want to hear that the powers of evil have gotten hold of this.

If you see a guy on the quad with a collared shirt - virgin.
If you see a guy on the quad without a shirt - not a virgin.

If you hear someone discussing sorting techniques regarding computers - virgin.
If you hear someone discussing sorting techniques regarding alcohol - not a virgin.

If you hear a girl bragging about kissing boys at parties - virgin.
If you hear a girl bragging about kissing girls at parties - not a virgin.

If you see someone who's excited to buy whipped cream - virgin.
If you see someone who feels awkward buying whipped cream - not a virgin.

If you hear someone giggle when the number 69 is said - virgin.
If you see someone space out when the number 69 is said - not a virgin.

If you see a guy bring pepperspray to class - virgin.
If you see a guy bring pepperspray to a restaurant - not a virgin.

If you see a girl wearing guy's athletic shorts to class - virgin.
If you see a girl wearing sweatpants to class - not a virgin.
(You all know what kind of sweats I'm talking about.)

If you see someone wearing a soccer jersey to class - virgin.
If you see someone wearing a football jersey to class - not a virgin.

If you see someone wearing a turban - virgin.
If you see someone wearing a toga - not a virgin.

If anyone has any addendums to this list, I would much appreciate if you left them in the wonderful comments section. Or just scream them really, really loudly. That works too.

Today, Competant

2005-09-19T17:49:00.000-05:00

Once again, unless I personally am in charge of everything, nothing goes right. Today, like most days, it was dinner that went wrong. I shouldn't really complain; nothing that bad happened. It was just a series of small pet peeves that got me angry.

First off, I was talking with Simon about dinner plans. I suggested hot dogs, and he suggested brats. We had some queer number, like 5, brats, so that was out. I figured that we could make a packet of 8 hotdogs, which I knew we had. When dinner time came about, I put a pot on the stove with the built-in strainer and boiled water in it. I put just enough water in it so I could use the bun steamer without soaking them. Of course, when I get back to the kitchen, I find the hot dogs boiling on the stove with the strainer in the sink. God forbid something be more convenient than otherwise. It's like these people are afraid of what they don't understand, however simple it may be.

I then proceeded to turn off the stove, as the best way to boil hot dogs is to boil the water, put them in, then turn off the heat. Eventually they were done; I took two buns and prepared to steam them since they were incredibly stale. I drained a ton of water, but the level was screwed up since the strainer was out. As I'm sure you've guessed, my hot dog buns got soaked, ruining the whole experience. I happen to take food very seriously.

To top off the experience, the milk was more curdled than cottage cheese, which is disgusting in itself. I have to do laundry tonight and a bunch of homework. I'm tired, and therefore incredibly cranky. I miss Annie, which is pathetic seeing as it's Monday. Not to mention, her friends are SO much better than mine. It's easier for girls to become friends with guys than vice versa. Chicks always think you're hitting on them unless you somehow describe your girlfriend who you've been with for a very long time and love very much. Today sucks.

Addendum: When someone says "let's have hot dogs and chips for dinner", but there are no communal chips, and he just brings his own to the table, that pisses me off.

Today, a Karma Trader

2005-09-15T16:30:00.000-05:00

It's really what I was meant to do: Karma Trading that is. The basic principal is that I exchane good deeds. Recieve fortunate events, and in return cause some. In other words, try to be a nice guy.

Yesterday, Carl found a cell phone on our balcony. Probably the last thing I would have expected. So we waited for the person to call, but it never happened. I figured that it must have belonged to one of the girls' upstairs, seeing as there really isn't another logical explaination. Finally today, after getting about 5 phone calls from various people who each sounded less intelligent than the last, the owner showed up. Well, he didn't as much show up as I had to walk a half block in the rain and bring it to him because he couldn't figure out how to find West. He actually asked me if the apartment was at the corner of Green and John (two East-West streets).

I kind of owed it to the world though. Last night I got an early copy of the new Final Fantasy movie, Advent Children. Let me give you all the brief, brief explaination of this movie. If you have never played Final Fantasy or watched anime, don't go anywhere near it. If you have played a Final Fantasy game and have some interest in anime or awesome computer graphics, you might like it. If you have played Final Fantasy VII, arguably the greatest game of all time, then go see this movie as quickly as possible. Albeit, it was a bit short, one has to understand that those graphics do not come about easily. Also, the plot is impossible to follow and holds no meaning what-so-ever if you haven't played FFVII before.

The FFVII script is actually a wonderful story. It would make a fantastic book. The main character, Cloud, struggles to learn the truth about his past while trying to secure the future of the planet. The twists are absolutely amazing. There's love, loss and a lot of kick-ass fighting. If you ever have a chance to read it, pick up the script. Actually... Hold on a sec...

(Searching online for the script...)

http://db.gamefaqs.com/console/psx/file/final_fantasy_vii_plot.txt

Well, that's about the best I could find. It deserves all the credit of all who have played it.

Today, a Heavy Sleeper

2005-09-14T18:20:00.000-05:00

Anyone who knows me also knows that nothing could wake me from much needed sleep, save the occasional apocalypse. In my defense, however, I am able to tell myself as I go to bed whether or not I want to wake up easily the next morning. Don't ask me how; it just goes with the territory.

Now, I'm sure that you've already assumed that this story was told to me by others, specifically my roommates. Last night some time around 3:00 the power went out around the apartment, including the wonderful Bromley Hall. Next door to us is this building that appeared to be a residence hall for handicap student. (Cripple Shack for all you people-lovin people) Right outside this building is a giant green box, that looks like some kind of transformer (not the robots, stupid). Anyways, according to my roomies, this thing kicked in when the power went out. They said it was like an enormous chainsaw, or something to that degree. It was their backup generator, and was located very near to their windows, mind you. They all woke up and started walking around; none could sleep.

Carl said that when he walked into the living room, he saw someone holding a flashlight and thought it was a robber or such. (It was Simon.) Ian said that he actually wanted to throw a cripple into a ditch for revenge. And according to them, they went outside to investigate the source of the problem, finding an electric crew working a half block away. They weren't too happy to hear that I didn't so much as roll over during this whole encounter.

On a wholly different note, Simon's parents came here last weekend for a surprise we-think-our-son-is-an-alcoholic visit. They also bought us a lot of food, which was very nice of them. It was nice, except they didn't bother to open the freezer and see that it was already full. All the extra food that got stuffed in there blocked one of the vents and caused the entire thing to shut down over the course of a couple days. I called the U-Group maintenance guys and asked them to come and check it out. They brought us a whole new fridge! Granted, it's about half the size of the old one, it's BRAND NEW and slick as hell. We're waiting to see if the old one kicks back in. Even if it does, we're not letting those plumbers steal our new fridge. I'll buy it if I have to.

Addendum

2005-09-10T13:31:00.000-05:00

I would like to add this article to the previous post. When I first came to this apartment, we did not have an internet connection. It took the good people at Sky Networks almost a week to drag their fat asses over here and set it up. Even when they did, it ran sluggishly. I have gone through several days where the internet has literally "crapped out" for no apparent reason. Since I have gotten to school, I have not been able to enjoy one full game of Warcraft. That's all I'm asking for: just one FULL game. I joined two today before I lagged out. The first lasted 2 minutes 30 seconds. The second game lasted a whopping 4 minutes 45 seconds. This is what I found on the Sky Networks website when I checked it out.

"Sky Networks has worked with several local landlords to provide dedicated high speed internet access to many apartment buildings in the Champaign - Urbana area. Our network provides your building with a dedicated - always on - connection at T1 speeds... over 30 times normal modem speed. Our system is similar to what students are familiar with from the dorm networks -- just plug in your network adapter and go."

I have many, many problems with this. First off, I'm not sure what "dedicated high speed means", but our speed has never been close to high. And dedicated! WTF does that even mean!? Again, they use the term "dedicated", this time right next to "always on". That's just plain old bull! It was off most of Friday. Then, immediately after that, it says "connections at T1 speeds". For anyone reading this that doesn't know what T1 means; it's computer jargon for very good. Another blatant lie. I think you all get the point. (Anger level: 30/10)

For anyone at a UofI apartment who has even considered getting internet with Sky Networks, now you know. I have warned you. The reason we got it was because with Comcast we needed a wireless router, which I now realize is a worthy investment for real internet. I'm going out now; I don't even want to see a computer for the rest of the day.

Today, a Computer Engineer

2005-09-09T20:05:00.000-05:00

The term "Computer Engineer" is an interesting phrase, to say the least. It basically describes 2 groups of people. The first is the group who is interested in the innerworkings of the modern pc and chooses to earn his/her degree in order to study, maintain and improve these amazing devices. The second group is make up of people who are interested in the innerworkings of these machines which, ironically, never seem to work and further study them with the good end of a baseball bat. I happen to fall into the second group.

If anything computer related would go right for one day I would just cry out in joy for the heavens themselves would open to all. I wake up when Annie calls me to give her directions to this building. That was simple: mapquest, call. Then, after I actually got out of bed for the day, awesome Sky Networks broke our internet. When I called they said they were updating the systems. (Anger level: 4/10)

I then had to drag my laptop all the way across campus to my CS lecture so my friend could help me finish my homework and submit it. It would have been so easy if the stupid thing didn't have to be done in UNIX!!! I couldn't edit the files on my computer without corrupting them, I had to change a huge section of my code because the output wasn't EXACTLY perfect, and I had to write four lines of comments for every single line of code! (Anger level: 7/10)

Luckily, my friend Ian got me through the entire ordeal without too much drain bamage, and I actually got the homework in on time. Let me just warn you all; if you ever hear the word "unix", run far, far away. (Anger level: 2/10)

Between lectures I went to my old suitemates' apartment (note: I accidently spelled it "sweetmates" before realizing it) and played a bit of Halo, which was fun. (Anger level: 0/10)

When I finally got done with classes, I headed back to the apartment to finish my CS 173 homework. (2 CS classes = 2 many: the law of twos) The original plan was to write my homework on paper, scan it, then email it to my TA as an attachment. I figured that I had to do this seeing as there is no key for an upside-down 'A', or a backwards 'E', or a broken minus sign, or a real arrow... So I wrote everything out, then put it in my scanner and pressed scan. Nothing happened. (Explative deleted) I tried again but no such luck. It just printed a page displaying the color properties. Lotta help HP. (Anger level: 8/10)

At this point I knew that I had to type everything out in Word and send it in via something. I typed it, which was a blast, and opened up compass. I tried to attach the document as my teacher described, but that didn't work. I finally just had to paste the entire thing into a text box that could very well be anything. I have no idea what's going on with the stupid internet. (Anger level: 10/10)

After all this, I looked back on the past couple days. The things that first came to mind were the random points of uber slow internet, and the fact that I had to buy (my parents had to buy) a remote for CS 173 so I could voice my electronic opinion in polls. Not to mention everything in the world is overpriced. (Anger level: 15/10)

And as I sit here, my left arm tingling, shaking with rage towards the world, I have the sudden feeling that I will one day be the one to fix all computers everywhere. I will use my knowledge of processors and GUIs to make the most user-friendly PC ever. That, or, I will use my knowledge of baseball bats. Whichever seems right at the time.

Today, a Sex Mathmetician

2005-09-08T11:21:00.000-05:00

This is another one of those situations I have to put in perspective before I begin. I walked into my CS 173 lecture, and I swear to god my teacher was talking about sex. Now, she wasn't, but just keep that in the back of your mind as you read this. If your mind isn't already in the gutter, throw it out now. These are actual quotes from the lecture, not modified in any way.

"Today we'll be talking about sets."
"The same sets I'll be talking about today are the same sets you learned about in third grade."
"What are some things you think about when you here the word 'sets'?" First response from the crowd, "Union!"
"It's not true unless that union is an element in the sets."
"There are many ways to define sets."
"Sets with repetition is silly."
"We're going to talk about how to use variables in sets."
"You may not have seen infinte sets since you were younger."
"We talked a lot about empty sets, which is an element of all sets."

And finally, for no real reason whatsoever, this analogy was on the overhead at the end of lecture.
"There is a town where the barber shaves all the people and only the people who don't shave themselves. Who shaves the barber?"

Is it just me, or is the entire world going insane?

Today, a Barber

2005-09-07T22:14:00.000-05:00

For those of you (if any) who already know what I'm talking about, yes, yes I did.

It's been suggested to my balding self for quite some time, and I can't argue with the pros. It would be much easier, cheaper and possibly better looking. So, today, it was done. I shaved my hair off.

Now, before I go on, there are 3 main problems with that last sentence.
1- Carl was the one who did the actual shaving. The other 2 stood by and watched.
2- I didn't actually shave my head, just buzzed very short.
3- I ended the sentence in a preposition, and that's just plain old wrong.

Yeah, it's short, and my neck itches a lot. But overall I like it. I especially like the feel of short, spikey hair rather than that long shit. It's especially strange too as I'm already balding.

I really should post the pictures on this blog, but none of us has a camera. Hmm.... They'll be on the next one tomorrow.

Before I go, why were there 5000 old guys walking around campus handing out little green new testements? That was just odd, running into them every 6 feet on Wright St.

Ciao, world.

Today, a Psychic

2005-09-06T15:05:00.000-05:00

For all you out there who don't believe in psychic power, and for those of you who have barely had enough math to find the number four, I've got a cool trick for you. I found this on eBaum's and figured out the trick. I pray that you aren't tricked more than once. If so, hit yourself in the head with a blunt object.

Choose any number between 1 and 50.

Now add 12 to it.

Add 19 to that.

Subtract 3 from that answer.

Add 23 to that.

Now subtract 8 from that.

Lastly subtract your original number.

Let me guess...

You're left with 43.

Yay for simple arithmetic! If anyone actually can't figure this one out, feel free to message me. I'll call an ambulance.

Today, an Alcoholic?

2005-09-03T02:03:00.000-05:00

To start off, no, I never really have gotten drunk before. Very tipsy, yes, but never drunk. I really don't see the appeal in stumbling foolishly around the room, making an ass of myself, throwing up for several hours, and/or not being able to remember the previous night.

I have come to realize something though. I do enjoy being tipsy, in that, I enjoy the sudden and often unexpected giggles brought about by a drink or two. (or more if we're talking mudslides and pina coladas...yummy!) I have also realized that I most likely have the alcoholism gene somewhere in my body. I've never quite figured out where those things hide.

So, I'm left with a most troubling question; what to do? Do I ignore the fact that I might have this illness and just drink away? I think not. I have to accept the fact that I have limitations. Should I quit drinking all-together? Perhaps. It is the safest route, albiet it is the least exciting. Perhaps I should just limit myself to only a couple drinks every time I go out (which is still only a couple times a year). Yeah, I know, loser.

It's rough, you know, growing up and all. Sometimes maturity means being able to accept one's own fate, and sometimes it means being able to deal with it. I've already accepted the fact that I'm more than susceptible to alcoholism. I've seen what that stuff can do to a person. It ruins lives. On the other hand, in small doses it can actually make one a very enjoyable person. It's sad to think that having a few drinks actually makes me a happier person. Hell, I can count the times I've been happy on one hand.

I'll leave it at this; I've got my own battle to fight. Whatever happens, I'm not going to become some stupid drunk. As for you out there who have surrendered to the temptation, just try to make sure you don't let that stuff ruin your life or anyone else's. Please, don't drink and drive. Don't drink and operate heavy machinery either...or firearms. That just scares the shit out of me. I don't really care if people go to frat parties and drink and pass out and throw up. It honestly makes me sick to think that those same people are going to be the ones who will abuse their spouses and children verbally and physically. For the love of whatever god in which you believe, get some help as soon as possible. I already know some of my friends (using that term loosely) who will lose the war.

If at this point you even considered the fact that I might be talking about you, then you need help.

Pass it on.

Today, a Mayor

2005-08-31T15:51:00.000-05:00

Yeah, that's right. I'm the mayor now. My roommate got Sim City 4 and it looked so cool I picked up my own copy. So don't excpect many posts for the next few weeks. Interesting things don't really happen when one sits inside and plays computer games.

Actually... I did run into Alison, a girl from Fenwick, today. She walked in front of me in Foellinger (750 person lecture), which was quite random.

At this point I'd like to aknowledge the fact that this entry really isn't going anywhere.

Jeez, I really need to get a life.

Today, a Culinary Engineer

2005-08-27T15:55:00.000-05:00

For all those asking themselves the obvious question:
Yes, I am trying to bring it back. The blog, that is. It's actually nice being able to vent my frustrations somewhere other than towards my family, or Annie.

I did make the best salad for lunch today, however. Expect that from now on I use the term "salad" loosely. I started with a can of tuna, then added oil and red wine vinegar to make it ala Italy. Had I any onions, those would have gone in as well, but alas. I did have spinach, which seemed like the next best thing.

You have to realize at this point what was going through my head. I was basically looking for the best combination of textures. The spinach, being frozen in our superfridge, added a nice crunch to it and cooled the entire dish a few degrees. I also saw apples in the fridge, which has a great complementing texture to tuna, but I really didn't have the balls to use them. : \

Calarabi would actually be very good, if any of you actually know what that is. So here's the final draft for what I think would actually be a very good dish.

One can of tuna, drained.
Oil and red wine vinegar to one's desire.
A handful of fresh spinach leaves, chopped.
Either onions OR calarabi, diced.
(both would make the crunchiness overwhelming to the rest of the dish)

If anyone has any opinions or suggestions I'd love to hear them. Bon Voyage!

Today, Screwed

2005-08-26T21:17:00.000-05:00

Although I realize that this is my first post in almost a year, and that I officially quit, I feel this story to be one of the utmost hilarity. Actually, it's not as much hilarious as it is sad.

It started about 2 years ago when I got a pamphlet from the university outlining my required courses for the next four years. It basically stated that I would need to take an average of 16 credits per semester to graduate in 4 years and that I would be currently (3rd semester) enrolled in ECE 210 (that's engineering).

As it turns out, I got an email from a professor over summer saying I couldn't take that class because I didn't have one of the prerequisites, which was Math 385 (Differential Equations). Ok, fine, I figured, I'll just switch my engineering class with that one.

But wait! I cannot! Going back in time again... (Please try to follow along.)

At the end of last semester I realized that I needed to hand this sheet to my advisor outlining my classes for the next one. I went to his office maybe 10 times before I got an email stating that he had retired. Alright, alright, there are 2 weeks left, I'll be fine. The jackass went on vacation for a week...

When he finally got back I tried to set up a meeting with him, but with finals and all that hecticity it was too late, the semester was over. Then, they had the audacity to put a hold on all my classes which could not be removed until I had him sign the paper. Even then, it would not be removed until August 31st.

So I was sitting here the other day trying to figure out what to do. I thought that I'd take 385 instead. I finally got a meeting with this guy. Of course it's on the opposite end of campus. Of course he's 30 minutes late. OF COURSE he sits on the phone for 15 minutes before talking to me. AND OF COURSE HE TELLS ME THE SCHEDULE I FIGURED OUT WAS FINE!!!

Math 242 (Calculus 3)
Math 385 (Differential Equations)
CS 225 (Data Structures)
SOC 100 (Intro to Sociology)

Well, I went to each class on the first day, and the guys told me that 242 was a prerequisite of 385. I went back to my room and sure enough, that asshole lied to me. It turns out that the basic order of classes I needed to take goes as such.

Math 220
Math 230
Math 242
Math 385
ECE 210

The course guideline they gave me said I should be taking ECE 210 third semester...
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!!! I count FIVE!

So now, I sit here, as frustrated as ever. I found out that I can take 385 and 210 concurrently, so I'll do that next semester. As for my classes now, I've only got 11 credit hours... I need to take another class. I could either take Physics or another Math. In fact, I think Math 213 is a prerequisite of CS 225...

The advising department has given me the screwing of a lifetime. If they are trying to prove that they own my ass as long as I attend this school, then they win. I give up. I don't need advice though. I just need to see ONE GOD-D@%#ED FLOWCHART THAT IS ACTUALLY TRUE!!!

I hate everyone.

Today, an Athlete

2004-11-01T23:24:00.000-06:00

I realize that picturing me as an athlete is a difficult task, but try your best. Tonight was my first game in the UofI intramural volleyball recreational sporting event spectacular. Really it was just the first of a series of four to six games pitting my dorm against other groups across campus. I think the others are dorms, too, but it's really hard to tell. One team consisted of mostly Asians, so I think it was the campus ninjas, or such.

Today we played eight extremely short people, which is good because tall people intimidate me. We ended up annihilating them in a best of three series with games to 25. The best part, however, was that since there were only three guys on the team, Paul, Chris Ra and myself, I got to play the entire time. This was good because I just happen to be a pretty good server, and not just the nerdy CS kind. However, it was bad because I haven't yet mastered the art of setting, or even grasped the concept. It's quite funny watching me fail, if I say so myself. The pinnacle of the night (the game started at 10:15) was when a little nerdy guy came by and told me that I couldn't wear my chain on the court. Obviously the Lord is not welcome in the house of volleyball. I feel bad for JC; all he ever wanted to do was school them on the court.

On the plus side, I think next week's game is against the campus hobos...hoboes...so many homeless people trying to get by, playing their volleyball. That shouldn't be any tougher than this week's game. Maybe they'll let JC back in so he can kick ass and take names. You know he would if he was still alive.

Today, an Addict

2004-10-27T17:26:00.000-05:00

Realizing this is my first post in a while, I've decided to spend the next few paragraphs explaining myself. Now, I'm sure right now you're thinking that I've become addicted to something, well, that people become addicted to, like drugs or such. Or maybe you're thinking that it's something crazy like shooting derbisol into my eye while waterskiing off the coast of Washington State. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's none of these. In fact, it's a series of odd things; let me begin.

Addiction No. 1: 8-Bit Theater
8-Bit Theater is an online comic strip made by Brian Clevinger. It is set in the world of Final Fantasy...the original one. It stars a crew of misfit heroes who claim to be the prophesized "light warriors" who will save the world from chaos. The characters are so ridiculous in their actions and portrayed as if one was actually reading a novel. They find themselves trying to overcome humorous situations with incompetent evil-doers while quarreling among themselves. I'm not sure why, but every time I open the page for the site I can't stop reading. It's a must-see for anyone who enjoys witty humor and has any background in RPGs.
Nuklear Power Homepage

Addiction No. 2: Katamari Damacy
No group of people have ever done more Japanese acid than the people who made this game. Made for PS2, this puzzle/platformer? revolves around a pint size alien who has to put all the stars back in the sky. It seems that his burnt-out father, the king of the cosmos, knocked them all out when he was drunk. Now, he is sending his son to Earth to fix his problem. How, you ask? The main character is given a super-sticky ball called a katamari which he rolls around to pick things up with. You start off small (5 cm) and have to work your way up to a certain height by picking up object like tacks and crayons until eventually you can get scissors, books and even cats! As the game progresses you are given more time to complete your objectives and a larger starting height. By the end you can get cars, buildings, boats and islands. It even has a great sondtrack: Japanese pop music! Hideo-usly addicting gameplay!
Katamari Damacy Page by Namco
(By the way, the Hideo comment was reference to a very famous Japanese video game creator. He is responsible for such games as Metal Gear: Solid and many others.)

Addiction No. 3: David Sunflower Seeds
I haven't eaten these things in 5 years, and never planned on eating them again, until Ian brought some back from home. The reason I never wanted to eat them again is because they are so ridiculously addicting; they blow the other two out of the water. I find myself going for just a handful but taking half the bag at once! But the real problem is that unlike Ian, I swallow the entire seed, which tends to be painful sometimes. Some people prefer to spit the seeds out, but I'd rather swallow the entire thing... Anyways, they tend to be very sharp on the way down, and I'm pretty sure that they're chewing up my insides, yet I cannot stop eating them. If anyone knows the number for sunflower rehab, please call me immediately! Or, if you're like me, try them out yourself. I'm sure you'll like them just as much.
David Sunflower Seeds

Addiction No. 4: ECE
I'm not sure why, but lately I've become addicted to Electrical and Computer Engineering. Everything I look at has to be analyzed from an electrical perspective, and I mean everything. The other day when I was at ISU, Annie pointed out to me that her new Christmas lights were up and commented on the fact that it was good that all the lights didn't go out because one had. I then realized that they used small resistors (or crappy wires) in parallel with each light to keep them from going out. Also, my ECE 110 lab partner and I just finished our car that is de in four weeks. Our goal was to wire a small car to autonomously follow a strip of white tape along a closed path. By setting eight infrared sensors in a semicircle in front of the car we programmed it to not follow the tape, but avoid it. It works greatly, but there are a few improvements we could make to allow it to run perfectly at any speed. At any rate, no pun intended, I'm becoming more of a nerd with each passing day.

Today, a Messenger

2004-10-20T23:17:00.000-05:00

Once again, nothing funny happened in the life, unless you want to hear about how much fun it is writing a paper on the Iliad. Yeah, I thought not. I did, however, gather a few quotes on the finest professional field of all time: engineering. All of these quotes are from the good people at quotationspage.com.

Engineering is an activity other than purely manual and physical work which brings about the utilization of the materials and laws of nature for the good of humanity.
R. E. Hellmund, 1929

Engineering is a great profession. There is the fascination of watching a figment of the imagination emerge through the aid of science to a plan on paper. Then it moves to realisation in stone or metal or energy. Then it brings homes to men or women. Then it elevates the standard of living and adds to the comforts of life. This is the engineer's high privilege.
Herbert Hoover (1874 - 1964)

Engineering is the art of organizing and directing men and controlling the forces and materials of nature for the benefit of the human race.
Henry G. Stott, 1907

Engineering is the professional and systematic application of science to the efficient utilization of natural resources to produce wealth.
T. J. Hoover and J. C. L. Fish, 1941

Engineering is the practice of safe and economic application of the scientific laws governing the forces and materials of nature by means of organization, design and construction, for the general benefit of mankind.
S. E. Lindsay, 1920

Engineering is the professional art of applying science to the optimum conversion of natural resources to the benefit of man.
Ralph J. Smith

The engineer is the key figure in the material progress of the world. It is his engineering that makes a reality of the potential value of science by translating scientific knowledge into tools, resources, energy and labor to bring them into the service of man ... To make contributions of this kind the engineer requires the imagination to visualize the needs of society and to appreciate what is possible as well as the technological and broad social age understanding to bring his vision to reality.
Sir Eric Ashby

Engineering is not merely knowing and being knowledgeable, like a walking encyclopedia; engineering is not merely analysis; engineering is not merely the possession of the capacity to get elegant solutions to non-existent engineering problems; engineering is practicing the art of the organized forcing of technological change... Engineers operate at the interface between science and society...
Dean Gordon Brown

Engineering is the Life.

Today, an Artist

2004-10-19T12:56:00.000-05:00

Lately things have just been mediocre, so I don't have any funny stories to tell today, unless anyone really wants to hear about how great studying is. I did do one cool thing however; I made a collage of pictures from my favorite movie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I have it set as my desktop background right now, which actually turned out pretty cool.

If you want to use it as yours, or save it in general, you have to right-click the picture and open it in a new window to see it in full size...I think. Try playing around with it. It's much cooler when you can actually read the little blue print.

Actually, one humorous thing did happen to me. I was in my ECE lab on Monday and was testing out the autonomous car we have to make when I ran into a few problems. I was testing it on the track made of white tape it has to follow using infrared sensors, and the car didn't want to make 90 degree turns. This isn't really that bad seeing as we still have five weeks to get it to work completely. I saw my TA in front of me, and when I caught his eye, I asked him about problems with two of the sensors. Just then, I heard a voice from behind me; it was my TA's! I turned around to see him standing behind me smiling. I couldn't quite figure out at first what was happening, until I turned back around to face the first person I saw, who was now also grinning at me. I then realized that I had actually been talking to his twin brother, which he explained to me. It was at about that time when my brain shut down completely for the rest of the day.

Twins confuse and frighten me. It's hard enough dealing with one of someone. Especially whe you don't know if that someone is actually the one you want to deal with.

Today, a Botanical Engineer

2004-10-15T10:34:00.000-05:00

It might not be a field that many of you are familiar with, but botanical engineers are truly the adhesive of our frail society. Or, as I should say, they are the tape and wire which hold together the flower which is our world. Allow me to explain...

This story begins last week, Tuesday if I remember clearly. I was walking through the quad with Ian and we passed the Southern patio of the union. People usually have strange tables set up there, offering you free poptarts or tying to convince you to become a vegetarian. This time, however, one of the tables was set up by a sorority that was selling roses. I thought, "Man, that would make a great gift for Annie for sweetest day." Sweetest day, a fake holiday, just happens to also fall on our year-and-a-half, so I definitely had to get one. When I saw that the price was $1.50 per flower, I was apprehensive, but quickly changed my mind when one of the girls pointed out to me that they were donating proceeds for breast cancer research. So I bought one and filled out a card that said they would deliver it anywhere on campus for free the following Thurday...yesterday. I figured that whether Annie came here or I went there, she'd still get the rose and I would look awesome.

So yesterday night rolled around and as I was walking back to the room after dinner I noticed that the flowers had arrived for many people. I went to my mailbox, got the reciept for my package, gave it to the girl at the mail desk, and got my flower. As I brought it back up to the room I figured that the best place to keep it would be in a cup of water in the fridge. When I tried to place the rose in the fridge I noticed it was too big, so I snapped the bottom part off right at the lowest leaves. However, the section above that decided to follow its colleague and also broke off. Now, I was looking at a flower that went from way too long, to just right, to way too short. I knew what I had to do instantly.

Using my awesome skills as a botanical engineer, I quickly pulled a few tacks apart and used the metal parts as a sort of spine for the stem. After a few tries I finally got it to work, but I knew it wasn't going to hold for long. I took an entire roll of scotch tape and began to wrap the wound vigorously, creating the ugliest flower imaginable. Realizing that I had to spiff it up, I looked around for the first thing that caught my eye: a roll of red electrical wire. I wrapped all I had left around the wire and tied it off. And as a last decoration, I made the ends of the wire into a heart. Awwwwww.

Today, a Linguist

2004-10-14T13:23:00.000-05:00

I’m writing this one so early in the morning because I just happened to forget that my math discussion was cancelled today, not like it matters. The way my professor is teaching the class, I could get up in front and do a better job then he does. Anyways, I just wanted to say that although this post starts out very strangely and really doesn’t explain the title, stick with it.

I looked up at the sky this morning, and just like several other days this week God forgot something. God left the canvas blank; there wasn’t a single color in the sky other then the exact same bleak shade of grey all the way across. It’s odd actually, thinking about what life would be like under a blank sky everyday, with no astronomy, no weather forecasts, no seafaring. What if she never painted us a picture above our heads, a picture of something to look forward to, or to be cautious of?

It’s time to back this post up a bit. That’s right, I called God by the feminine personal pronoun, “she”. So commonplace, this three-letter word carries with it a lot of power when used in the right place. Many people have tried to argue either side of this issue, whether God is be referred to by “him” or “her”. In this post and in all that follow I am going to use the word “she” for various reasons. The first is that it just makes sense that the being who gave life to the entire universe should have feminine connotation as our creator. Secondly, it brings us back to the idea of the sacred female that was lost so long ago, pushed out of society by ultraconservative religion. Speaking of which, the third is that it’s another way for my beliefs to contradict those of the Catholic Church, or as I like to call it, the Great Lie.

But actually, I’d rather not have to choose between two very rigid pronouns in describing my creator, or any other sexually ambiguous beings. I don’t understand why we don’t have a pronoun that is gender neutral, yet holds with it the idea of speaking about God or humans. Why can’t we have a word that could mean “he or she” and “him or her”? It could be used in place of “he” when referring to God, or the phrase “he or she” on documents that have been barraged with political correctness. However, this word would be much more than just “it”, its gender neutral cousin. (Yes, I realize that I just referred to the word as it, when I am trying to speak out against using that word. However, my new word refers to people, and that same word would still be referred to as “it”.) It would carry with it the idea of being human, yet perhaps also have the aura of unfamiliarity. (I.e. “I heard that the city is going to elect a new alderman for our district. I hope they elect a good one, because ‘he or she’ will have to do a lot of work.”) Don’t ask me to explain why I chose that example; it just seemed right.

What if we borrow a word from a different language, like German (aka English v1.0). We could use their word Sie (pronounced like the letter Z). In German this word means “you” [proper], but also means “they” when lowercase. We could just replace the phrase “he or she” with “sie” in everyday speech. Sure, it’s a stretch, and society would take a long time (possibly generations) to adapt to the change, but it seems so much better than our current system. We could even borrow other word like “sind” (zind) for “him or her”. How about “ihr” (eer) for “his or her”? It would make being politically correct so much easier. Actually, the easiest thing would be to forget this whole PC thing and just call whomever whatever we feel like.

Personally, I think this concept should go into effect as soon as possible. I should also get a Pulitzer Prize for my contribution to the English language. Well, maybe that’s pushing it a bit. Either way, think about it for a while; next time you hear your self say “he or she”, imagine already having a word to describe that condition. And then thank me and send me lots of money.

Today, a Meteorologist

2004-10-12T18:03:00.000-05:00

An annual weather phenomenon occurred today that is probably more inexplicable than El Nino itself. Today, the world smelled; that’s right, the entire planet smelled funky.

The first time I really paid attention to this event was last year when Tim Martin, a guy at Fenwick, pointed out that everything smelled like dead fish. I had noticed this too, but felt that perhaps he was over exaggerating the fact. Then, everyone else at our table agreed and stated that they too thought there was something very odd about the weather that day. I was amazed by this for the mere fact that The Weather Channel has ever pointed this out before. This is probably because that group of liars can barely predict, and hardly explain, normal weather patterns. So I’ve come to a couple conclusions regarding why I think the world smells for one day a year.

Theory Number One:
This time every year, the salmon swim back to their home at the sources of many major rivers in order to continue the reproductive process. Many of these fish find their mating places deep within Canadian borders, where the Junior Americans are already waiting for them with all sorts of traps. So our neighbors catch hundreds of thousands of stinky fish and have them out in the open air during several parts of the delivery process. Combine this with the fact that as we get towards winter the winds prominently flow from the north, creating a massive stink-fest for hopefully only one day where the conditions are ideal for smell.

Theory Number Two:
As most university Chemistry courses follow the same basic outline, most classes will reach the section on light spectra and their relation to different compounds at roughly the same time. Now, I’m not sure how anyone ever figured this out, but because pickles contain large amounts of sodium, and because sodium emits light at the yellow area of the visible light spectrum (roughly 575 nm), when one runs current through a pickle it emits a strong yellow light. Although this sounds extremely strange (and it is) I did witness this bizarre event today, but that’s not all that happened. It seems that when one electrocutes a pickle it also gives off a hideous smell and sounds like it’s boiling on the inside. I first noticed the smell when I entered Noyes and the entire building reeked. Therefore theory number two is that there is a day in which most chemistry classes reach the section on light and many, many teachers feel the need to fry pickles and other smelly objects for the sake of education.

Theory Number Three:
Not as funny, this one involves preparation for the Eve of All Saints. I figure that there is a day in which kids all over the country begin to rot their eggs so they can be especially stinky come the big day. However, it’s not so much that they begin to let them rot on this day as that they’ve been letting them go for a week already, not realizing that eggs don’t need any more than a few days to reach their full stink potential. Stupid kids.

Other than that, I’d like to wish everyone a Happy Stink Day. I hope you all have a wonderfully smelly day. I also hope that everyone participates in at least one of the above three events today. Who knows, maybe the problem is actually a combination of all of the above theories. Either way, I still don’t know much about weather, but I do know that I smelled awful today.

Today, Moonlight

2004-10-08T15:50:00.000-05:00

I'm going to start this post by explaining its reasoning and purpose. A Moonlight post is basically my way of venting about my day, which was probably really crappy. However, unlike most people who have blogs, I'm not going to complain about everything that went wrong and blame people to whom I lost friendships. I'm going to explain to you what's been going on inn my mind throughout the day. Basically the idea of these posts can be summed up in three words: Today, a Philosopher.

When I woke up today the song "Do you realize??" by The Flaming Lips implanted itself in my mind and hasn't left since. Actually, only a few lines from the song have been looping.

Do you realize that everyone you know some day will die?
And instead of saying all of your goodbyes, let them know you
Realize that life goes fast.
It's hard to make the good things last.
You realize the sun don't go down.
It's just an illusion caused by the world spinning 'round.
TheFlamingLipsWebsite
Go to Audio, then click the first red box.

I've listened to this song countless times before, but for the first time ever the actual meaning hit me, hard. Everyone you know, including yourself is going to die. But don't look at it that way; try to enjoy what you have while you have it. And if you think that you're going to leave everyone forever one day, when you die, and never see them again, then you're wrong. (comparison to the sun; If you think that the sun actually disappears everyday, it deosn't. Its just an illusion caused by your grounded position.) We never die. We only think we do because we can only imagine the afterlife from our alive position. We can watch people die just like we watch the sun set, but we don't know where they go after that, unless you think about it this way; humans too go full cycle in their existence.

We don't disappear after we die. We merely leave this place for a while, return to our creator. And when we're ready, we head back and do it all over again. It really makes sense, too. If you've loved someone before you were born, then why can't you experience life once again with them. The person I love was born six days before me. Six days! It's so obvious that we were meant to be together form the start. Actually, my theory is that we had indeed met in a previous life(s) and just wanted to experience it all oever again. And although things get really crappy every once in a while, like now when we're fighting, overall I couldn't be happier. Deep down I want her to be happy, because that's all there is to life, happiness and the pursuit thereof. (Ian keyed me in on that one; everyone in one form or another is searching for their own personal happiness.) But I also want her to be safe, because we really do only have so much time on this Earth. Do you honestly think that God would let the evil in society experience the wonders of life with the most amazing person in the world? Of course not.

The Law of Conservation of Energy states that no energy can ever be created or destroyed. The Law of Conservation of mass states the same for mass. Obviously the human condition is comprised of both, often called the body and mind. (In this mind=soul) During one's life, the two are in perfect harmony, balancing each other within the physical plane of existence so one's being does not go out of control. When a person dies, the two seperate; the body retains its mass, but has no potential energy. They soul, while retaining its energy, suddenly aquires infinite potential energy. This is where God comes in; God is the only force that is powerful enough to keep one self intact. If you love God, then you are with God, and some call that heaven. If not, you are simply without God, and some call that hell.

And that's the nature of life outside of the physical, and how one's life ties in with the possibility (probability in my views) of other lives. The Flaming Lips are geniuses, and you should pick up any of their CDs as soon as possible. I recommend Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots.

Tonight, tonight,
Moonlight

Today, a Messenger

2004-10-07T18:57:00.000-05:00

Today, the story is not about me, but about my roommate. Actually, it's not so much about him either as it's about a humorous event he witnessed. I call this post...

Asian Bear Fight

Ian began his history lecture in the most usual way; the Professor began talking about the Revolutionary War and what the students were to expect on upcoming quizzes and tests. Suddenly, from a few rows behind him, Ian heard someone shout "Fuck you!". He didn't bother to turn around as the teacher often plays tricks on his students by setting up those kinds of pranks. After the person shouted it out again, he realized that this was not, in fact, planned by the teacher. Then, without warning, an Asian student jumps into the aisle and screams "Fuck you, Bear!" Everyone turned towards the raving lunatic.

He was standing in the middle of the aisle now holding a plush, white teddy Bear near his face and shouting to the people around him, "This guy's a fucking asshole!" He then proceeded to beat the Bear senseless with his fist, punching it in the face and throwing it to the ground. The entire time he was swearing up a storm, calling his toy a "dick", "asshole" and "son-of-a-bitch". The Asian took the Bear and performed several wrestling moves on it, even suplexing it as he made his way towards the stage. The Professor, a six-foot-six man who was now chuckling a bit, told him to go take his seat, and that they had work to do.

It was then that the Asian did what no one expected; he climbed the stage and even went as far as to perform an elbow drop on the Bear within feet of the Professor. He took the toy, put it between his legs, jumped into the air, and landed on its head. He then picked it up and threw it onto a table with transparencies and lecture notes covering it, scattering the papers everywhere. One of the larger TAs decided he had enough of this and told the Asian to leave, but he did not respond. He took the Bear and jumped off the stage, still beating it and swearing at it incessantly.

The Professor, even still laughing, told him that was enough and that it was time to go. The Asian turned toward him and said, "Sorry, Professor, but this Bear's a fucking asshole." He picked up his bag and the Bear and stated, "Alright, get in the fucking bag." The Asian then took his Bear in his bag and left the auditorium, never to be seen again...

Ok, forget the last part, he was seen again. Nevertheless, I think that's a hilarious story and really wish I could have been there. For everyone who's never seen an Asian Bear Fight, myself included, it's one thing you should definitely experience in your lifetime.

Today, a Pool Shark

2004-10-06T21:05:00.000-05:00

So tonight was the annual Bromley Hall Pool Tournament. Actually, it wasn't so much an anual tourney as it was a group of people who paid to shoot billiards in a systematic fashion. They literally were creating the brackets during the first round! And it probably won't be annual either becuase Ian and I asked the guy in charge if we could do this more frequently, and he suggested monthly.

For two dollars I managed to play two very good games against two pretty good Asians. The first was a little guy who really made me work for the win. I had just gotten my last ball in when I missed on the eight ball. Luckily when he shot at it he scratched; he also made the shot, which was somewhat frightening. I never enjoyed winning because my opponent lost. The second was a big guy who was even better than the first. I held the lead for most of the game, but screwed up on the eight ball. Then he followed suit, and I found myself with another chance for the win. It was a long shot, but didn't go in the hole. Actually, it felt the need to park itself within a centimeter of the hole after bouncing off the adjoining bumpers several times. So that was it; Asia wins again. At least there's one thing that Italians have that Asians don't...

There was some good news, however. The one chick in the tournament was pretty hot, pretty freakin hot indeed. It's not only rare to see women in a billiards tournament, but to see good looking ones! I've really got to find her and ask her if she wants to play a few games some time. Because, in the tradition of the very wise Henry Carney, it's always better to hang out with good looking chicks. Always.

Speaking of good looking chicks, it turns out that Annie hangs out with nothing but the kind. Talk about a good weekend at ISU; I was surrounded by hot the entire time. Yes, hot is now a noun. Speaking of random tangents, I just finished my first short story set in the world of the Del'Nai. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it's really not meant to be. It's kind of just a brief background behind one of the protagonist's father. (FYI I've also begun to write my first book entitled Birth of the Del'Nai. I'm not going to describe it here because it would just be too...lazy... And so help me God, you will see that book followed by several others on the shelves of Borders under my pen name.)

Today, an Idiot

2004-10-05T13:41:00.000-05:00

Today has been well beyond frustrating. I woke up to realize I had to rush to a class I did not want to be at, followed by another immediately afterward. As if having information blasted at me isn't bad enough, all the free time I had between classes was spent in the Chem Annex working on IVLs. These things are terrible; they're similar to reading a chapter in the book and doing problems, except they're online. They take forever, yet I don't even read them or really look at what questions I'm answering. Waste of time.
Mythology after that wasn't that bad, until I got out and had to walk through the Courtyard of Depression, the most depressing place in the world. Did I mention that it's depressing? So I was almost back to my dorm when I realized that my bike wasn't on the rack outside my dorm. I remembered where it was, luckily; it was still tied to the sign outside Everitt Lab. I rode it to class yesterday afternoon so I wouldn't be late and forgot about it. Worse yet, I tied it to a sign that read, "Bikes must be left in bike racks." I wonder if it's still there...

On the plus side, Electronic Arts is coming today to give a talk about their new game Sims 2, so that should be cool. This is pretty much what I'm gonna do for a blog, which of I am only doing because Annie asked me very nicely to do. That, and because I really like to be cynical and make fun of people. So if you're the kind of person who likes to write about getting drunk and making out with random guys, or listing sad movies that make you cry and lose your manhood, then watch out. I might just have a few good ones to sling your way.

Also, if anyone wants to see the game Carney and I made in C++, just IM me at HKNorla and I'll send it to you. I'd like to post it somewhere, but it seems that's just not possible.