It's now time for some rest and relaxation. I took my final exam in statistics and probability this morning. I think I did well. I had a borderline A-B going into it, so the exam will determine my final grade. I’m not sure if I did well enough to pull out the A, but I did well. Since I’m dropping the other class, I can let out a little sigh of relief. Maybe I’ll actually be able to enjoy a little bit of the summer.
Tomorrow at 12:00 noon my vacation begins. I’ll be off all next week spending time with Homer, Fran, Ray and Rich (as well as Salve and Chloe). The break is much needed after working hard the last 7 weeks to keep up (and falling short). We’re holding a cookout at the house on July 4th and we’ve invited pretty much everyone we know. I’ll be able to actually play a few games now and enjoy some fun time. Maybe we’ll even make it out to the lake this summer. I’m not sure about taking the boat out though with gas at $4 per gallon.
Chloe is taking swimming lessons at the YMCA and loving it. She has two other playmates in the class with her and so she is always excited to go. Hopefully she’ll be able to take advantage of all the “learning” at the lake this fall.
I’ll start playing soccer now too with the team I’m on for the summer. I couldn’t play before now because I always needed Sunday afternoon to do homework. I missed the first several games, but now I can play. I’ll start playing every Tuesday and Thursday with the local pick-up group too. I think the exercise will be good for me and I enjoy it. Hopefully we won’t have any injuries on our team like last summer. All in all, the summer is turning out to be not so bad.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Anime and Father's Day
Salve and Chloe took me out for lunch Sunday (for father's day). I wanted a burger for some reason so we went to 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. Although there was a lack of tomatoes, it was all good. GameStop is two doors down, so we went in for a look. There was treasure to be found in the used DVDs. We picked up the last volume of Cowboy Bebop Remix and The Golden Child. Cowboy Bebop is one of the best all-time anime series (thanks to Arnel for getting me hooked on it some years ago). The Remix version is re-mastered with 5.1 audio. The Golden Child is one of those cheesy 80’s movies that you just can’t get enough of – like Big Trouble in Little China, etc. Used DVDs being “Buy 2, Get 3 Free” is hard to pass up. I got a couple others that we can watch and turn back in later, but ultimately the $18 cost was worth it for just those two.
Anyway, having completed our collection for Cowboy Bebop (and recently completing the Rurouni Kenshin collection as well) I started to wonder what series was next on the list to collect. I looked today at a few reviews online for anime and thought back to ones mentioned by fellow enthusiasts. I keep hearing about Bleach, so I may actually check that out, but otherwise I’m just not sure what to go for. Reading a few pages of reviews I thought about my own opinions and realized there are three basic groupings for anime: stuff you have to own, stuff you enjoyed watching, and everything else. We currently own the entire series DVD sets for Rurouni Kenshin (22 discs), Samurai 7, dotHack: Sign, Cowboy Bebop and The Hakkendon. Samurai 7 and Cowboy Bebop are by far the best – the character development, storylines, music and sound are all top notch. I can watch them multiple times happily. I’ve watched Rurouni Kenshin twice and I may revisit it in the future, but it’s so long. 94 Episodes take a long time to get through as opposed to the 26 each in Samurai 7 and Cowboy Bebop. The other two are good enough to own, but only worth a watch or two. I’ve seen both once or twice, but don’t feel the desire to watch them again right now. So, I'm on the lookout for something.
I thought of a great idea for an anime series years ago, but since I have no contacts in the industry and no drawing talent I never did anything about it. Maybe I should start an online version of the story without visuals and see where it takes me? I’ll find time between… I can work on it after… It shouldn’t be hard to… Nevermind.
Anyway, having completed our collection for Cowboy Bebop (and recently completing the Rurouni Kenshin collection as well) I started to wonder what series was next on the list to collect. I looked today at a few reviews online for anime and thought back to ones mentioned by fellow enthusiasts. I keep hearing about Bleach, so I may actually check that out, but otherwise I’m just not sure what to go for. Reading a few pages of reviews I thought about my own opinions and realized there are three basic groupings for anime: stuff you have to own, stuff you enjoyed watching, and everything else. We currently own the entire series DVD sets for Rurouni Kenshin (22 discs), Samurai 7, dotHack: Sign, Cowboy Bebop and The Hakkendon. Samurai 7 and Cowboy Bebop are by far the best – the character development, storylines, music and sound are all top notch. I can watch them multiple times happily. I’ve watched Rurouni Kenshin twice and I may revisit it in the future, but it’s so long. 94 Episodes take a long time to get through as opposed to the 26 each in Samurai 7 and Cowboy Bebop. The other two are good enough to own, but only worth a watch or two. I’ve seen both once or twice, but don’t feel the desire to watch them again right now. So, I'm on the lookout for something.
I thought of a great idea for an anime series years ago, but since I have no contacts in the industry and no drawing talent I never did anything about it. Maybe I should start an online version of the story without visuals and see where it takes me? I’ll find time between… I can work on it after… It shouldn’t be hard to… Nevermind.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I'm failing
No, my grades aren't bad (not yet). I'm failing to keep up with my course work in both classes. It’s not for lack of trying though. I can’t find enough hours in the week to get everything done. I am falling farther and farther behind. I’m losing sleep, spending less time with Chloe and Salve, and becoming less productive at work. I’m unable to help Salve around the house with more than an occasional meal either. I did mow the lawn last week, but only because no one else can. It also gave me a much needed break from the frustration of spending an entire weekend doing homework (only to still not catch up).
Although there are only two more weeks of statistics, I don’t think I’ll be able to recover in the C++ class. All the first-half assignments are due the Monday following my statistics final exam and there is a mid-term exam the day after that. It’s everything I can do to keep up with statistics and try to still get “some” of the C++ done. I don’t know enough C++ and I’ve forgotten too much of what I did know. I’m trying to re-learn it while taking the class and it is just not happening quickly enough. There is no possible way for me to get all the assignments done and study for the mid-term in one weekend. At this point I’m looking at dropping out of the class (without grade penalty). I hate that option, but it’s better than a bad grade.
The class is not offered through distance education in the fall term, so I don’t know what I will be doing. There are other classes I can take, so perhaps I can keep trudging forward in hopes of not becoming completely discouraged. The hard part is that I don’t have any clear indication of the upcoming distance education course offerings. Typically they are on a set schedule that I can never hope to keep up with as a part-time student. Many of my remaining courses require my current C++ course as a pre-requisite and that makes the decision even more difficult. Maybe I can spend the second half of the summer re-learning basic C++.
At times it seems it will never end.
Although there are only two more weeks of statistics, I don’t think I’ll be able to recover in the C++ class. All the first-half assignments are due the Monday following my statistics final exam and there is a mid-term exam the day after that. It’s everything I can do to keep up with statistics and try to still get “some” of the C++ done. I don’t know enough C++ and I’ve forgotten too much of what I did know. I’m trying to re-learn it while taking the class and it is just not happening quickly enough. There is no possible way for me to get all the assignments done and study for the mid-term in one weekend. At this point I’m looking at dropping out of the class (without grade penalty). I hate that option, but it’s better than a bad grade.
The class is not offered through distance education in the fall term, so I don’t know what I will be doing. There are other classes I can take, so perhaps I can keep trudging forward in hopes of not becoming completely discouraged. The hard part is that I don’t have any clear indication of the upcoming distance education course offerings. Typically they are on a set schedule that I can never hope to keep up with as a part-time student. Many of my remaining courses require my current C++ course as a pre-requisite and that makes the decision even more difficult. Maybe I can spend the second half of the summer re-learning basic C++.
At times it seems it will never end.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Weather anomolies
It is being reported that a tornado touched down in Roanoke last night. It damaged a few houses and cars, but no one was injured. Still, this is not something that happens in Roanoke. The mountains generally shield the Roanoke Valley from most severe weather (save flooding). The last Tornado to touch down in Roanoke was before I was born – in 1973. I can’t help but notice the apparent increase in weather anomalies here and around the globe. However, I wonder if it’s not part of a long natural cycle we just aren’t aware of yet. Realistically, do our written accounts/records go back far enough to rule that out? Is this just another way to sensationalize the news for more viewers (ratings)?
I’ve noticed over the past 15 or so years how much the phrase “first time in history” is used in reporting. More recently you’ll notice that every time the gas price goes up, it’s a “record high.” Every time I read or watch the news, there’s some great story about the first time in history, but really, is it? Do we really know that this is the worst tornado season ever in the history of North America? Sometimes reporters throw in the “in recorded history” or “since records have been kept.” That’s a very vague reference to a non-specific number – not to mention the multitude of differing factors involved (such as inflation for gas prices). Tell me; exactly how long is recorded history? How long have records been kept for weather? What about in North America specifically? See how it can quickly go from interesting, specific facts to vague, sensationalized information? This is why I can’t trust what the media says in general. I have to filter everything through my logic processor in order to glean what the heart of the matter truly is in any story reported. I think I’ll go play Xbox instead.
I’ve noticed over the past 15 or so years how much the phrase “first time in history” is used in reporting. More recently you’ll notice that every time the gas price goes up, it’s a “record high.” Every time I read or watch the news, there’s some great story about the first time in history, but really, is it? Do we really know that this is the worst tornado season ever in the history of North America? Sometimes reporters throw in the “in recorded history” or “since records have been kept.” That’s a very vague reference to a non-specific number – not to mention the multitude of differing factors involved (such as inflation for gas prices). Tell me; exactly how long is recorded history? How long have records been kept for weather? What about in North America specifically? See how it can quickly go from interesting, specific facts to vague, sensationalized information? This is why I can’t trust what the media says in general. I have to filter everything through my logic processor in order to glean what the heart of the matter truly is in any story reported. I think I’ll go play Xbox instead.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Disappointment and relief
I received a letter on Saturday informing me that I was not chosen for the Chancellor’s Fellowship for this year. In some ways I’m disappointed and in some ways I’m relieved. I was really hoping to be able to knock out a large portion of my remaining credits and get that degree sooner rather than later. However, after the first few weeks of class I began to question whether I’d be able to do it if I was awarded the scholarship. My anxiety grew as I struggled with my coursework and waited to hear my fate for the next year. The anxiety is now mostly gone and I’m somewhat relieved that much of the pressure is off.
Although the statistics class is demanding of my time week in and week out, I’m finding the class not too terribly difficult. After the Calculus 1 and 2, and Linear Algebra classes, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As expected, I’ve been struggling with the C++ course. It boils down to the fact that I’ve forgotten so much of the basics and syntax of C++. Rich provided a little guidance and I’ve been using a basic C++ book for reference. With the help I was able to complete the first programming assignment and turn it in. I scored just below the class average, which was disappointing, but almost expected from such a rusty coder. I’m hoping to do better on the next assignment. I’ve already been looking at the code from this last one and improving it – trying to learn where I could make improvements and what was missing.
As for the scholarship program, there’s always next year. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll be better prepared academically. Maybe next year fewer people will apply and I’ll have a greater chance. Maybe next year I’ll be viewed as a better overall candidate by the selection committee. Maybe.
Although the statistics class is demanding of my time week in and week out, I’m finding the class not too terribly difficult. After the Calculus 1 and 2, and Linear Algebra classes, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. As expected, I’ve been struggling with the C++ course. It boils down to the fact that I’ve forgotten so much of the basics and syntax of C++. Rich provided a little guidance and I’ve been using a basic C++ book for reference. With the help I was able to complete the first programming assignment and turn it in. I scored just below the class average, which was disappointing, but almost expected from such a rusty coder. I’m hoping to do better on the next assignment. I’ve already been looking at the code from this last one and improving it – trying to learn where I could make improvements and what was missing.
As for the scholarship program, there’s always next year. Who knows, maybe next year I’ll be better prepared academically. Maybe next year fewer people will apply and I’ll have a greater chance. Maybe next year I’ll be viewed as a better overall candidate by the selection committee. Maybe.
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