Sunday, October 9th, 2005
|
|
3:21 pm - A weekend in White Lake
|
|
My wife and I (as well as many of you reading this) grew up in a place called White Lake. This rather unremarkable little town provided a safe, sanitized suburban environment in which to grow up. It's been changing over the past few years (the phrase "urban sprawl" comes to mind) but back in the early 90s I can remember times when I drove home late at night and didn't see another car on M-59.
We get back to White Lake now and again to visit with our parents. On one particular visit we also wanted to interview my grandmother. We had been hearing a lot about the Story Corps on NPR and other oral history projects. So, we purchased all the necessary equipment - a microphone, mixer, connecting cables, etc - and we were planning to record directly to the hard drive of Cindy's iBook. The night before the interview I discovered a flaw in the plan: The iBook has no microphone input jack! I knew there were USB and Firewire devices out there that could provide the necessary audio input we needed, so our quest to acquire one of these devices began the next day.
Below the cut you'll find details of our quest and large pictures of us visiting some of our old White Lake haunts...
( White Lake, MI )
|
|
(14 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Saturday, May 14th, 2005
|
|
6:06 pm - The fun side of tea
|
My apologies to everybody who was eagerly awaiting the pictures from the Bubble Tea party.
As usual, things have been hectic. The final for my design patterns class happened soon after the party. I totally rocked the class - 97% overall.
We've been working on the house a lot, too. Just today, my parents came for a visit and my dad and I ripped up a bunch of shrubs with his Ford F150. We've still got gravel all over our yard that needs to be removed. Some people have some really strange landscaping ideas. We also picked up a lawnmower finally. Check it out!
Work has been busy, too. It seems that I'm involved in a ton of projects now and I've recently taken over as coordinator of the virtual reality lab. Our motion capture rig was pretty assed up but I think I can get it back in working order.
Without further ado...
( see the pictures! )
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2004
|
|
2:33 pm - four more beers
|
OK, everybody. I know a lot of you are displeased with the results of the election. I am, too, but I thought I would try to look ease the pain by pointing out some positive aspects of G.W. Bush being reelected:
- This guy can't go five minutes without sounding like an idiot. Think of all the fun we will have laughing at his speeches. Let the fun begin!
- This has got to save the government some money.
- He can never run for president again. (Let's not even think about Jeb Bush... What the hell kind of name is Jeb anyway... )
- Maybe this will inspire the democrats to find somebody good to run next time.
- At this point, things can't get much worse. The damage is done: the economy is in the toilet, we're neck deep in Iraq, every other country thinks we're jerks... The time to be really upset was four years ago. Now is the time to stick it out and start paying attention to the congress (the legislative branch) and let those assholes know that we want our interests represented, our rights protected, and no more wars based on politics and grudges (yes, G.W., Saddam tried to have your father killed, but that's no reason to kill thousands of civilians and put our soldiers at risk).
|
|
(11 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Thursday, October 7th, 2004
|
|
2:23 pm - bipartisan food smashing
|
|
|
Thursday, September 2nd, 2004
|
|
12:03 pm - Here I am... rocked you like a hurricane!
|
So I'm sitting here on lunch break at the Crestron office near Orlando, FL. Some people have already left class. Those who remain (I'm the only non-Floridian here) are planning to take off early to board up their homes or get the hell out.
I feel bad because I'm sort of amused by the whole situation. First off, I can't get that damn "Rocked you like a hurricane" song out of my head. I'm afraid I'm going to blurt it out and offend some people who may, for instance, have had a friend or relative die or lose their entire house during the last hurricane. Also, I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to get out in time (I'm flying out friday afternoon or evening), so I don't feel like I'm in too much danger. As I was planning my trip I figured I'd be OK because there was just a hurricane; there couldn't possibly be another one while I'm there. Hehe. Finally, it seems that natural disasters always occur while Cindy or I are on business. Last December she was snowed in in Boston while attending a conference.
Other than impending doom, everything is cool down here. I had some lovely Thai food last night. Tonight we're supposed to go to a Japanese steak house but that may be canceled. I might go anyway as I have the hotel van to drive me around so I can drink as much sake as I want.
Look for some pictures from my trip, including a screen shot (and a movie) of my first touchscreen program.
Keep on truckin'
|
|
(9 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Sunday, August 29th, 2004
|
|
11:45 pm - Bam-ba-Lam
|
Somebody in the restaurant this morning kept singing that Black Betty song over and over (well, just the catchy part) and then the damn thing got stuck in my head all day. I've been trying to shake it. It's just not going away. I'll lay awake in bed until 4:00 am hearing it over and over.
The other day at work one of the student employees mentioned that as I was walking down the hall, he pictured the Steve Miller song "Jungle Love." I figured it's because I look unkempt, as if I had spent the last few weeks in the jungle. Now we spontaneously (and simultaneously) break out into that song whenever our paths cross.
Another odd thing happened at Meijer today. I saw one of the faculty members from the college of health professions walking down the frozen foods isle. I turned, saw her, had a moment of recognition and I said hello in what I thought was a friendly voice. I guess she didn't recognize me because she looked a bit scared and then continued on with her shopping. All I could think to do was yell across the isle to Cindy about the frozen hashbrowns I had just found.
What else is going on... oh, I'm heading to Florid for a Crestron class. I'll be programming touchscreens at work. Big fun.
Well, I need to fetch laundry from the drier and get to sleep. While I'm in FL I'll try to make some more updates so everybody knows what's going on. We just bought a car (pictures coming soon) and we're looking for a house. Lots of exciting changes...
|
|
(11 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Friday, August 13th, 2004
|
|
10:48 am - Too far, too long, too fast...
|
I have this wonderful update planned where I detail everything that's happened in the past year (since it has been nearly a year since I updated last) and everything that's happening now and all the plans we're making for the future.
Well, life has a way of happening and not giving you much time to write about it.
So, here's a quickie to keep up the momentum.
This weekend is all about finding a car. We're going to Clare, Saginaw, and Lansing to see what we can find (there's nothing in Mount Pleasant). It looks like the 2003 Chevy Malibu is the current leader.
The biggest news is that I am no longer self-employed (although I am keeping on a few of my best clients). I began a job at the Central Michigan University College of Health Professions. My official title is Application Programmer, and that pretty much covers it. I'll write more about my duties and work environment next time. So far, things are pretty cool.
Some quick facts:
- Reading: Stephen King, "The Wolves of the Calla", the 5th Dark Tower book. Also reading Michael Crichton's Prey with my wife.
- Listening: The Donnas - Stay the Night. Also listening to Michigan Public Radio at work via the Internet.
- Watching: Sledge Hammer! - Season 1 DVDs.
- Wearing: Pink shirt and black pants
- Cell Phone: I am once again part of the cell phone using population
- Thinking: I want this car shopping to be done with...
More will follow...
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Saturday, September 27th, 2003
|
|
5:06 pm - Hulk Smash
|
|
|
Monday, September 15th, 2003
|
|
8:41 am - Time to die
|
This is the last thing I needed this morning:
[marshall@mojojojo tmp]$ ping mail.pacdemon.org
PING mail.ivelop.com (65.174.94.2) 56(84) bytes of data.
From sl-messagexpress-4-5.sprintlink.net (160.81.60.26) icmp_seq=1 Time to live exceeded
From sl-messagexpress-4-3.sprintlink.net (160.81.58.118) icmp_seq=3 Time to live exceeded
From sl-messagexpress-4-3.sprintlink.net (160.81.58.118) icmp_seq=4 Time to live exceeded
From sl-messagexpress-4-3.sprintlink.net (160.81.58.118) icmp_seq=5 Time to live exceeded
From sl-messagexpress-4-4.sprintlink.net (160.81.76.14) icmp_seq=6 Time to live exceeded
The sys admin got married on Saturday and he is on his honeymoon right now. I'm sure there are about six nerds on this right now but I'm trying to find the number for Barry County Telco so I can let them know that Sprint is down... again.
So, if anyone is trying to email me and they're bouncing or I'm not responding, that is why.
I think I have a case of the Mondays...
|
|
(2 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Monday, September 8th, 2003
|
|
2:48 pm - Everybody...
|
|
|
Sunday, September 7th, 2003
|
|
10:51 pm - Hall of Heads
|
The third week of grad school is about to begin. The second week was OK. It is nice having classes only on Tuesday and Thursday. This gives me time to keep up with my work.
I had a quiz Thursday in algorithms. At first I was just staring blankly at the page. Then I sort of snapped out of it. I was having trouble placing the technical terms with their practical applications. I think the quiz went well. I also turned in my program (a random number generator written in Perl) that morning. My evening class--databases--was boring as usual. I'm talking zone out, fall asleep boring.
I applied to be a Graduate Assistant. It pays some money plus free classes (I already get free classes because my sweetie works for the Univ. but we only get enough credits for two semesters a year; if I get this GA position I could go in spring and summer also and finish up much faster).
These next few weeks will be eventful. There are a few birthdays and a wedding coming up.
That's it for now. This entry seems to lack my usual humor, I think. I'm a bit tired and I sort of don't feel inspired. I'm just trying to update at least once a week.
ps - Led Zeppelin rocks!
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Friday, September 5th, 2003
|
|
8:49 am - Tombstone of confirmity
|
I had this idea for a comic:
A guy is sitting at a computer. His task need not be specified. He looks really happy and proud of himself. he turns to a coworker and says: "I'm thinking outside the box!"
The coworker turns, looks at him, looks at his computer, and says, "Shut up, shithead."
ok... carry on....
|
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Thursday, September 4th, 2003
|
|
10:01 am - recurrence relation
|
For some reason I found this comment on slashdot very amusing:
In the 80s, it was actually quite common for bands to come over to your house, if you were a kid. The way it worked was, if your dad always yelled at you and wouldn't let you listen to a particular hair band, the band would come over to your house, smash through the door, trash the place while performing their single, and horrify your dad by loudly playing their guitars inches from his face.
And I think there was at least one documented case of band members coming to life from a poster on a young fan's bedroom wall.
Oh man... I remember those commercials and videos. I find it hilarious when stupid absurd things like that are written out. rjhudson is good at describing those little oddities in life which one never expects to see in writing (especially if Connie Chung is involved).
So, grad school is going well. I had my first program due and quiz today. I think both went well. I'll update more tonight after my Linux meeting.
Happy computing!
|
|
(10 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Tuesday, August 26th, 2003
|
|
9:59 pm - Me grad student now - Day 1
|
I don't write in my journal much. I suspect it's because not a lot happens to me. I write about the major events and I write when inspired but I don't update on a regular basis.
Hopefully I can keep up this momentum. I am a Computer Science (CPS) graduate student at Central Michigan University. Today was the first day of classes and here's the report.
I suppose I should start with last night. It was humid and then it started storming. The thunder was so loud that Wicket got scared and he curled up next to my pillow. He never does that. He usually sleeps down by our feet or on the cedar chest. Sometimes he doesn't feel like sleeping so he leaves the bedroom altogether.
My sleep was even crappier than usual so I was pretty tired in the morning. Cindy drove me to campus because she starts work at 8:00 and my class is also at 8:00. I discovered a coffee stand in the building but I was too tired to buy anything at the time so I just headed up to the classroom. (I've been drinking a lot of coffee lately. Perhaps I'll examine this in more detail in a later post.)
My schedule is pretty sweet. Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 - 9:15 am and 5:00 - 6:15 pm. I've never been able to escape the friday classes before. It must be my lucky semester.
My morning class is CPS 542 - Algorithms. The professor seems pretty good. She even told a joke. I was very tired so all I can remember is blurting out something about "N+1" and nodding a lot. I think this will be a good class. There will be a lot of math and the obligatory programming assignments. It should prove to be challenging and hopefully fun.
After 542 I headed over to the Bovee student center (I prefer to call it the "Bovine" center) to get my student ID. I tried really hard to smile and not look silly but I wound up looking angry. I really don't understand how that happened. I'll be scanning and posting the ID soon for all to admire.
After getting my ID I hoofed it on home and tried to get some work done. I did manage to be sort of productive.
I left again for campus at around 4:10. It turns out I can make it to my classroom in about 20 minutes. I expected more like 45. I read the course textbook while I waited for the classroom to open up. Once inside I was checking out other people's books and I realized I bought the wrong one. I went to the book store, copied down the info, and proceeded to get an awesome price on half.com. This book may be used for a future class so I'll hold onto it for a little while and see what happens.
So, there I was, in CPS 541 - Database Management Systems. The first day was very boring. I have been working with databases for like the past three years so that introductory stuff was nothing new. I think it may get cool but I'd better drink some coffee before class just in case.
Cindy picked me up after class and we headed to 7-11 for a Slurpee. Cindy had to leave soon after to go to her class so I tried to be productive again for a while.
Day one is nearly over. I feel very excited to be back in school. Right now it feels a bit strange but that feeling usually goes away pretty quickly. I think it might also help me to have some regular activities outside of my work. I seem to be more productive when I'm under a load.
In other recent news, the demoncam is back online! It was very popular today with the Bakhara crowd.
Oh, and the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers DVD is on its way from Netflix. Oh I cannot wait! I only got to see this in the theater once. We had planned on seeing it again but we got our little fella and he was too little to leave alone for so long.
I'll write again after my second day of classes and fill everybody in on all the boring details. l8er
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
|
Friday, August 15th, 2003
|
|
8:51 am - Who is your daddy and what does he do?
|
I think the greatest thing in the world would be an Arnold Schwarzenegger box set. I'm talking every single movie from Pumping Iron up to whatever piece of crap he's going to be in next.
I don't need each movie in its own case, etc... that would be too expensive. Gimme like a CD-wallet with each DVD. That's all I need. I just want to enjoy the one-liners, the intense action, and the steady decline in quality and entertainment value. I'm hoping for an MSRP of $50 or less.
That'll never happen but that's OK.
|
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Thursday, April 10th, 2003
|
|
10:31 am - Some blasts from the past...
|
|
|
Thursday, January 9th, 2003
|
|
6:18 pm - First (and probably ONLY) entry this year!
|
Hey scoobies, what's the dealio?
Yeah, it's been a while again. Not much has changed since my last entry. I'm still doing my own IT Business, which is going well lately. I'm still engaged to the C (the wedding is in ten suspense-filled days). We're still living in Holland but we're hoping to move soon.
I'm kind of looking for a real job because consulting takes like all your time. When you're not actually working you're looking for work, soliciting work, or worrying about where your next work will be coming from. I have potential employment at the Kalamazoo Public Schools (I did a couple projects for them and they seem to like me) and at Michigan State University (although, I don't know if that will ever come to be). I'm applying for jobs whenever I get the chance so maybe something will come along.
Oh, I bought a microphone stand today. I've been playing guitar and recording for nearly ten years and I've never had a real microphone stand. Can you believe it? Well, I have one now. I'm trying to find a decent multitrack recording program for Linux. So far I've found a few potential candidates. My laptop's sound card is either too crappy or the laptop just doesn't like the microphone.
So, an incredibly nerdy event is coming up in May. Click on LT Commander Tux below for more info.
Live long and prosper
ps - Buffy is awesome
|
|
(6 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Monday, May 13th, 2002
|
|
10:34 pm - An unrelated thing...
|
Well, I guess it's about time I wrote in here. Actually, a lot has happened since my last entry. Here's the breakdown in chronological order:
That about covers it. Keep up the good fight.
|
|
(1 comment | comment on this)
|
|
Tuesday, July 10th, 2001
|
|
1:25 pm - Youth Culture Killed My Dog
|
Greetings! I guess it's finally time I started writing stuff in here. I don't have a lot to say. I'm still unemployed and I have one more class to go before I get my degree in Computer Engineering.
I visited my parents for a couple weeks and found myself painting the deck and the barn. Before they could find more jobs for me I took off. Now I'm back in sultry Kalamazoo where bums give you spare change and police stop you for walking next to suspected criminals.
I'm happy to report that our very own MerryFNPoppins may soon be hosting a webcam on demoncam.org.
Not much else is going on. I'm sort of having a summer vacation. I'm pretty well caught up on the reading. I read Cryptonomicon, The Dark Tower series ( I - IV ) by Stephen King, various other books I had lying around, and I started the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov. I suspect that by the end of the summer my bookshelves will be pretty well cleared out.
Oh, I've discovered the most wonderful thing: PlayStation 2! Specifically: SSX. I had the opportunity to go snowboarding for real once but I never really got around to it. I think SSX is much safer.
Well, I need to get back to SSX, $0.25 burritos, Asimov, and using as much DSL bandwidth as possible!
Take care, creatures of rock.
|
|
(8 comments | comment on this)
|
|
Friday, February 2nd, 2001
|
|
8:33 pm - Somebody has DSL...
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.2){kind=small}
pacdemon's journal
