Elliott's going away party was Saturday. I think it's finally dawning on me, though...not just Elliott, but everyone. Amber's in the Houston area, Emily's in California, Omar is in Washington state, Lauren is still here for the time being. Kerstan moved up to Austin (he starts at UT this Fall) so that's one in the + column. I just hope that everyone is happy with where they are in life. I am content, but I worry/wonder about everyone else.
The party was fun. I mostly just chatted with Amber, Lauren and Beth, though...some crazy guy yelled at Lauren, and the police showed up after everyone left...kind of hilarious.
Sunday, Kerstan and I went hiking. I love the outdoors, and I'm glad he likes the hiking stuff, too. We did some of Bull Creek. Hopefully we can make this a pretty frequent thing. Erin might come along, too, sometimes.
I've ordered parts to build a fairly simple analog synthesizer. I ordered extra parts to build a couple other projects and it all totaled something like $50 + supplies to etch the circuit board. If that works out pretty well, I may toy around with more advanced circuits and patch together my own...also, the x0xb0x project looks really cool...but I imagine I'll work it together on my own, rather than paying $330 for the kit. Also, I think I want to build these neat firefly jar things I saw on instructables...I'm just feeling electrical.
I finished my history summer school course. I will wind up with a B in the class because I didn't have time/the initiative to do a 12 page research paper....screw that in the first place. It's a distance learning class and I work 40 hours a week...and the class was 5.5 weeks long. No way. Sucks that I have an A average, but get a B...feel like I worked too hard.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
I've meant to post for a while
Grades: Yeah, I know it doesn't matter now, but I made all As last semester.
Couch: Erin and I bought a new couch. It's really sweet. It's the Tysoland from Ikea...a loveseat on one side and a chaise lounge on the other...a seude-like tan fabric covering. It really makes our living room feel more...livable.
I started painting a fender strat body that Artie had given to me kind of a long time ago...I got the basecoat on, and it looks really good. I need to put the clear top-coat on it now. So far, the paint is really good, and the color is so sweet. I'm wondering now if I can actually mount a neck on it well enough to make it playable (the person who had it before Artie really wallowed out the neck...for some reason)
I'm finally going to get into making some circuit boards. I've wanted to do this for a long time, but just never got into it. The first things I'm going to try to make are electronics equipment...synth, maybe a mixer...analog stuff. I'd like to just learn more about that stuff.
Kersten moved to Austin, and I've hung out with him a couple times now. He's into the same music equipment stuff as I am, so I will probably be doing a lot of the construction at his apartment (at least silk-screening the layouts onto the boards)...
I'm working again now, and I like it. The worst part is when there isn't a lot for me to do....I just sit around and try to kill time...like now.
Oh, Magnolia Electric Co's disk Nashville Moon is really really really good.
Couch: Erin and I bought a new couch. It's really sweet. It's the Tysoland from Ikea...a loveseat on one side and a chaise lounge on the other...a seude-like tan fabric covering. It really makes our living room feel more...livable.
I started painting a fender strat body that Artie had given to me kind of a long time ago...I got the basecoat on, and it looks really good. I need to put the clear top-coat on it now. So far, the paint is really good, and the color is so sweet. I'm wondering now if I can actually mount a neck on it well enough to make it playable (the person who had it before Artie really wallowed out the neck...for some reason)
I'm finally going to get into making some circuit boards. I've wanted to do this for a long time, but just never got into it. The first things I'm going to try to make are electronics equipment...synth, maybe a mixer...analog stuff. I'd like to just learn more about that stuff.
Kersten moved to Austin, and I've hung out with him a couple times now. He's into the same music equipment stuff as I am, so I will probably be doing a lot of the construction at his apartment (at least silk-screening the layouts onto the boards)...
I'm working again now, and I like it. The worst part is when there isn't a lot for me to do....I just sit around and try to kill time...like now.
Oh, Magnolia Electric Co's disk Nashville Moon is really really really good.
Monday, May 14, 2007
283 infringements floating in a summer sky
And Erin said she was happy to be using Linux because she didn't like using illegally obtained software....whoops!
As many of you know, I use a Linux-based OS (Fedora 7, these days, although I was a fan of Ubuntu for a long time). Erin's computer is also set up with a Linux based OS (Ubuntu on hers). I like it for many reasons, including stability, security and manageability, to name a few. Microsoft has, for a couple months, been on the warpath claiming that "Linux infringes on a bunch of our patents" and whatnot...The Linux community responded with a petition that basically said, "Tell us which ones. Either you're lying, or we'll fix it"...now Microsoft replies with some study group saying Linux potentially violates 283 patents, but they STILL haven't listed which patents.
In the community, we refer to this as FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt). Basically, they realize that Vista is, for the most part, a piece of steaming crap; It isn't selling the way they want it to and Linux is getting to be more accessible (Dell will sell Ubuntu-loaded desktops and laptops starting soon). The hardest hurdle to jump when making the switch is the installation of the OS (which many users have no clue on how to perform this task); by having it done for them, it should be a much easier switch. Back to the point; Microsoft is upset about all of this, so they want to steer the gullible bitches of the world away from what is, in effect, an amazing alternative by spreading the idea that, by buying into Linux, you will be no better than a software pirate. Ubuntu comes pre-loaded with Open Office (which is, in my experiences, just as functional as MS Office, minus the ridiculous price-tag), Firefox, and a slew of other software.
This update sucked, I'm sorry.
As many of you know, I use a Linux-based OS (Fedora 7, these days, although I was a fan of Ubuntu for a long time). Erin's computer is also set up with a Linux based OS (Ubuntu on hers). I like it for many reasons, including stability, security and manageability, to name a few. Microsoft has, for a couple months, been on the warpath claiming that "Linux infringes on a bunch of our patents" and whatnot...The Linux community responded with a petition that basically said, "Tell us which ones. Either you're lying, or we'll fix it"...now Microsoft replies with some study group saying Linux potentially violates 283 patents, but they STILL haven't listed which patents.
In the community, we refer to this as FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt). Basically, they realize that Vista is, for the most part, a piece of steaming crap; It isn't selling the way they want it to and Linux is getting to be more accessible (Dell will sell Ubuntu-loaded desktops and laptops starting soon). The hardest hurdle to jump when making the switch is the installation of the OS (which many users have no clue on how to perform this task); by having it done for them, it should be a much easier switch. Back to the point; Microsoft is upset about all of this, so they want to steer the gullible bitches of the world away from what is, in effect, an amazing alternative by spreading the idea that, by buying into Linux, you will be no better than a software pirate. Ubuntu comes pre-loaded with Open Office (which is, in my experiences, just as functional as MS Office, minus the ridiculous price-tag), Firefox, and a slew of other software.
This update sucked, I'm sorry.
Grades update
History: A
Gov't: A
Distributed and Concurrent Systems: A
Computer-aided Integrated Circuit Design: A [unconfirmed](I got a freakin' 98.67, how can it NOT be an A?)
Digital Signal Processing: B [unconfirmed](The professor gave out a preliminary "non-binding" grade assignment and I was .79 points away from an A =\ maybe he'll lump me in?)
I'm pretty disappointed I wasn't able to pull that .79 points off in DSP...this would have been my first all As semester...and would have felt REALLY good given the drastic amount of work I did for my classes...
ach schade.
Gov't: A
Distributed and Concurrent Systems: A
Computer-aided Integrated Circuit Design: A [unconfirmed](I got a freakin' 98.67, how can it NOT be an A?)
Digital Signal Processing: B [unconfirmed](The professor gave out a preliminary "non-binding" grade assignment and I was .79 points away from an A =\ maybe he'll lump me in?)
I'm pretty disappointed I wasn't able to pull that .79 points off in DSP...this would have been my first all As semester...and would have felt REALLY good given the drastic amount of work I did for my classes...
ach schade.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
School's out.
I'm incredibly happy this semester is over. It was just a lot of work. The last Thursday of classes, I spent, literally, 18 hours in the 5th floor lab working on a project. I didn't go home that night, I presented the project on Friday in the same clothes I wore to class Tuesday morning. I had been on campus for almost 33 hours, by the time I got to go home...
As far as grades go:
History: A
Government: A
VLSI: A (I ended up with a 98.67 in the class...supposed to be one of the tougher subjects in school)
Concurrent and Distributed Systems: unknown - I had a final in there, but it hasn't been graded, neither has the project I spent 18 hours in the lab on...
Digital Signal Processing: unknown, but probably a B. The prof gave tentative grade outlines and the cutoff for an A was set at 81...I have an 80.21 =\
The semester was so hectic because VLSI had REALLY long labs, Concurrent and Distributed Systems had very involved and incredibly poorly explained projects and Digital Signal Processing was a sequel to the class at UT that I've hated the most, subject-wise. History and Government were just busy-work classes.
I go back to work on the 21st and I'm working straight through to December. I hope I perform well there (and they offer me a job for after school). I only have one more semester (sorry Emily, for not seeing the comment) and I'll be doing that next Spring. I will be taking 2 classes via correspondence over the summer (but through ACC) to get the gov't and history requirements out of the way; my last semester will actually only be 2 classes. YESSS!
Wednesday, Erin and I are going to go buy a couch. I'm excited to get rid of the one I have (it's falling apart)
end transmission
As far as grades go:
History: A
Government: A
VLSI: A (I ended up with a 98.67 in the class...supposed to be one of the tougher subjects in school)
Concurrent and Distributed Systems: unknown - I had a final in there, but it hasn't been graded, neither has the project I spent 18 hours in the lab on...
Digital Signal Processing: unknown, but probably a B. The prof gave tentative grade outlines and the cutoff for an A was set at 81...I have an 80.21 =\
The semester was so hectic because VLSI had REALLY long labs, Concurrent and Distributed Systems had very involved and incredibly poorly explained projects and Digital Signal Processing was a sequel to the class at UT that I've hated the most, subject-wise. History and Government were just busy-work classes.
I go back to work on the 21st and I'm working straight through to December. I hope I perform well there (and they offer me a job for after school). I only have one more semester (sorry Emily, for not seeing the comment) and I'll be doing that next Spring. I will be taking 2 classes via correspondence over the summer (but through ACC) to get the gov't and history requirements out of the way; my last semester will actually only be 2 classes. YESSS!
Wednesday, Erin and I are going to go buy a couch. I'm excited to get rid of the one I have (it's falling apart)
end transmission
Friday, April 13, 2007
Hooray!
So, I won't be going to school next semester. I'll be working...unless I REALLY screw something up this summer.
I've spent a little time lately fixing up my xbox even further...I have finally gotten around to configuring an snes emulator, a Gameboy/Gameboy Advance emulator, a playstation emulator and an n64 emulator (the last two struggle a little with performance...they need some more tweaking, I think). I have some sweet media center capabilities and loads of games on the harddrive...Considering that I didn't like the xbox as a console for such a long time, I'm surprised at how much I really enjoy it now. (Although, I guess, in terms of functionality, I really only use it as an xbox...almost never)
I've also been playing guitar a lot more lately. I've been improving enough that it is obviously noticeable, but I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be. More practice! I also still need to buy a replacement pot for it...one of them is totally shot.
I've spent a little time lately fixing up my xbox even further...I have finally gotten around to configuring an snes emulator, a Gameboy/Gameboy Advance emulator, a playstation emulator and an n64 emulator (the last two struggle a little with performance...they need some more tweaking, I think). I have some sweet media center capabilities and loads of games on the harddrive...Considering that I didn't like the xbox as a console for such a long time, I'm surprised at how much I really enjoy it now. (Although, I guess, in terms of functionality, I really only use it as an xbox...almost never)
I've also been playing guitar a lot more lately. I've been improving enough that it is obviously noticeable, but I'm nowhere near where I'd like to be. More practice! I also still need to buy a replacement pot for it...one of them is totally shot.
Friday, April 6, 2007
School
I'm pretty stressed right now. My classes (which I've meant to post about, by the way) have been rough lately.
VLSI - This is my favorite class. It relates very closely to the things I worked with at AMD. The labs for this class are pretty long (my report for the second one was like, 80 pages) but there are only 3 for the whole semester...plus, I have a pretty fun time working on them.
Concurrent and Distributed Programming - This class's homework assignments (programming labs) are a pain in the ass. The assignments are just so poorly laid out that one of the 4 assignments wasn't finished being defined until AFTER the initial deadline (there was an extension).
Digital Signal Processing - This class isn't very fun because it's a continuation of the only EE class I've had that I can say I hated. The professor for this one is a lot better than my other prof, but the material is just not interesting to me. The labs were pretty easy, but they got hard, just recently.
History - Erin and I are in this class together. It's not too bad. Professor is pretty decent (read: not boring). We do have kind of large reading assignments (sometimes about shit that I don't think relates) but I think that's to be expected.
Government - I had a different professor, but he wanted us to subscribe to the New York Times, which I didn't feel (I don't have that kind of money, asshole!) so I changed my class...the professor I ended up having was about 99,000x better than the previous one...he's actually interesting. The tests are multiple choice and I always lose exactly 10 points (about 4-5 questions) because I just forget some detail.
I might not be going to school next semester (I return to AMD for the summer and might be able to work all through next semester as well).
Home life -
My parents have custody of my 2 half-nephews (my dad's daughter from a previous marriage has two kids...well, Georgia took them away from her...and in the end, my parents wound up with them). I don't mind too much, because I don't have to go to Katy that often...but they're pretty loud when I do go back =\
I've been playing the guitar a lot more lately. The Bb and B chords are still kind of tough to play for me. My fingers are just kind of big and cramming three fingers into such a small proximity is a little tough.
I had been using Ubuntu (Linux for Human Beings) for about a year, but I got really tired of the community and upset with the fact that the project seems to have lost their initial goals; I moved to Fedora. I like it better, actually. The OS is, for the most part, a lot easier to configure (although it takes some more knowledge to start with) and it runs faster.
Erin and I are doing pretty well. We've had to carpool pretty much the entire semester because Erin's mom sent the Civic (Erin's mom's car) to Erin's brother at Tech...and Erin and her mom have been sharing the station wagon (Erin gets it usually one day a week)....but now Erin's mom just bought a new car, so the last 2 weeks or so of school will be a bit nicer, I guess.
It's weird that my friends are graduating this semester...I honestly don't even really want to leave school just yet (I'd really like to go to grad school) but I need to make some money before I can do that.
This blog may or may not die just like the old one.....oh well.
VLSI - This is my favorite class. It relates very closely to the things I worked with at AMD. The labs for this class are pretty long (my report for the second one was like, 80 pages) but there are only 3 for the whole semester...plus, I have a pretty fun time working on them.
Concurrent and Distributed Programming - This class's homework assignments (programming labs) are a pain in the ass. The assignments are just so poorly laid out that one of the 4 assignments wasn't finished being defined until AFTER the initial deadline (there was an extension).
Digital Signal Processing - This class isn't very fun because it's a continuation of the only EE class I've had that I can say I hated. The professor for this one is a lot better than my other prof, but the material is just not interesting to me. The labs were pretty easy, but they got hard, just recently.
History - Erin and I are in this class together. It's not too bad. Professor is pretty decent (read: not boring). We do have kind of large reading assignments (sometimes about shit that I don't think relates) but I think that's to be expected.
Government - I had a different professor, but he wanted us to subscribe to the New York Times, which I didn't feel (I don't have that kind of money, asshole!) so I changed my class...the professor I ended up having was about 99,000x better than the previous one...he's actually interesting. The tests are multiple choice and I always lose exactly 10 points (about 4-5 questions) because I just forget some detail.
I might not be going to school next semester (I return to AMD for the summer and might be able to work all through next semester as well).
Home life -
My parents have custody of my 2 half-nephews (my dad's daughter from a previous marriage has two kids...well, Georgia took them away from her...and in the end, my parents wound up with them). I don't mind too much, because I don't have to go to Katy that often...but they're pretty loud when I do go back =\
I've been playing the guitar a lot more lately. The Bb and B chords are still kind of tough to play for me. My fingers are just kind of big and cramming three fingers into such a small proximity is a little tough.
I had been using Ubuntu (Linux for Human Beings) for about a year, but I got really tired of the community and upset with the fact that the project seems to have lost their initial goals; I moved to Fedora. I like it better, actually. The OS is, for the most part, a lot easier to configure (although it takes some more knowledge to start with) and it runs faster.
Erin and I are doing pretty well. We've had to carpool pretty much the entire semester because Erin's mom sent the Civic (Erin's mom's car) to Erin's brother at Tech...and Erin and her mom have been sharing the station wagon (Erin gets it usually one day a week)....but now Erin's mom just bought a new car, so the last 2 weeks or so of school will be a bit nicer, I guess.
It's weird that my friends are graduating this semester...I honestly don't even really want to leave school just yet (I'd really like to go to grad school) but I need to make some money before I can do that.
This blog may or may not die just like the old one.....oh well.
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