Checksum Arcanius

Last Friday after work and some chemical energy replenishment, I made my way to Slate, the (former) house of a certain Ryan Jones. Jones, as we took to calling him after our names conflicted (presumably because it’s easier to say than “McElroy”) is a great Frisbee player and a great man. That Friday night he and and his housemates were throwing a party to celebrate his imminent departure. He is headed to Africa with the Peace Corps — leaving later today — for what I am sure will be a grand adventure and an enriching experience for all. Good luck and Godspeed, Jones.

I am busy these days. This long weekend is full of more work, but I am consciously taking some time off to do some important things. Like Blog. And hang out with the TRC leading into the Pre-ship event tomorrow. And watch a movie with friends. Somewhere in there I will write two lab reports, study for a test, finish a CSE project and start another, do some reading and some homework, and on and on…

Nevertheless, life is good :-)

Last night, I pulled the second all-nighter of the quarter. Yay.

I am actually feeling really good right now. I turned in the second Bioengineering problem set of the week today, I’ve already finished my Wednesday CSE homework, my Operating Systems group amde good progress on our threads library, and I played in my first soccer game since 2003. I’m not in very good soccer shape, so I did what I always do after a sports game leaves me winded: I ate a really awesome meal (Teriyaki Tilapia, rice, veggies), and then I biked at high speeds around Green Lake. Except for the pot-smoking dopehead going the wrong direction in the wrong lane, it was a good ride.

On an interesting side note, my LED bike light doesn’t play nicely with my wireless cycling computer. When the light is in blinky mode, the computer reports a steady pace of 16mph plus the actual speed. When the light is on steady, the computer simply doesn’t count. Must be some of the energy efficient switching electronics wreaking havoc on the radio waves. So, I opted for safety over information (it was actually a hard choice — but the pot head should be happy), and I used my light instead of my bike computer. I used my wristwatch to time myself around the lake — 2.7 miles by previous measures — and I was able to complete it in about 9:30, about 17 mph if I’m doing my math right. I’ve one better, but I think thats pretty good for a late night ride.

Oh, and we tied the soccer game.

Well, its been a few days. Eventful days.

Tuesday night, I didn’t go to sleep. I stayed up all night working at perfecting my C coding skills, which I now consider perfected. Or at least I have become one with pointers to pointers, which I guess isn’t quite the same thing.

Wednesday I faded in and out of consciousness then went to sleep gloriously early, at 8:00pm. I slept 13 hours and was almost on time to my first class on Thursday.

Friday I worked and then helped Dan set up a wireless network at the Joint Practice field before eating at Northlake Pizza.

Saturday, was working on a CSE group project all day (more tomorrow too), then celebrating Courtney’s 23rd 22nd Birthday at Wild Ginger. I still owe her a gift.

Finally, I want to get rid of the Ford Escort, but I haven’t yet found the time. If I know you and you want it, you can have it. It doesn’t look good and it no longer runs good. But, it might not be completely worthless, especially to someone who has time and knowledge. Otherwise I will look into donating it or junk yarding it. I am also interested in other solutions anyone out there might have, but I am not interested in solutions that involve me spending time on it, such as parting it out.

Through diligence last night I was able to get my sleep schedule under control for the start of classes today. The day was a somewhat eventful, though short because of there being no BioEn 305 lab today. On my way to class, my bike betrayed me and sent me sprawling onto the pavement in a most unpleasant way. Bruised and dirtied but otherwise unharmed, I continued on to my first class of the day, my Bioengineering Physiology and Transport lecture.

I already like the teacher more than I ever did last quarter’s physiology teacher. I get the feeling that the material will be less rote memorization and more applied memorization. Sure, memorization is still involved, but at least I feel it it useful in this case. Also, the teacher this quarter seems much more organized, so I think the “need” for surprise extra lectures (that I was unable too attend due to work) will be eliminated. After class, I talked briefly with Alice, waved to Dennis and Christine, and rode off to my next class.

Next came Operating Systems. The class should be interesting and informative, as all CSE classes seem to be. After a one hour break spent in the computer labs with Jason and Felix, I headed to my Software for Embedded Systems class, another one that promises to be interesting and informative, even if I already have some experience in the area. There, I met up with Weija, a friend from several quarters ago with whom I had lost touch. It turns out she spent the last two quarters at an internship with Intel, which explains why I never saw her. To achieve her graduation date, she is signed up for 5 CSE classes this quarter, and a total of 24 credits. I hope she drops at least one, because otherwise I am sure she will suffer in a multiplicity of ways.

I noticed that one of those five classes Weija was signed up for was a class I had been looking into, Software Engineering. Since it fit my schedule, I decided to tag along and see how it was. I was excited to see a lot of my CSE friends in the class, I was also well aware of the fact that taking it would push me to 20 credits, which I feel I could not successfully attempt while still working to any significant degree. Also, I have heard from numerous sources that winter quarter of the junior year is the toughest of the Bioengineering curriculum. So, I reluctantly but wisely decided to avoid adding the additional class. Especially with the Titan Robotics Club ramping up for another FIRST robotics season (despite my lower level of involvement), I am sure that I will have enough to do this quarter.

I had a great time ushering in the new year — and I’m glad I have so many great friends. May this year bring happiness and prosperity.