I just had a pretty cool day.
I found out that my best friend from pre-school (somehow we've, in some sense, kept up with each other over the years) is going to get married in summer 2008...like, this summer. I'm really happy for her; it also made me tear up a bit - it was just strange to think that 16 or 17 years ago we were running around in the classroom and the idea of getting married was something so far in the future as to be almost entirely unreal. I know other people that've gotten engaged and are getting married this summer, of course...this one really made me pause, though, because it gave me that really creepy "big picture/we all grow up so fast" feeling.
I had a really good conversation with my Dad earlier, and I'm looking forward to going home for Thanksgiving. This has definitely been my favorite semester at CMU (so far), but hearing about things at home made me really wish I could be there.
Then I talked to a friend of mine from high school (whom I haven't seen since then) and I'm actually going to see her next weekend since she'll be in a swim meet against Pitt. I'm really excited about that.
Also, I finished writing my history paper in what has to be some kind of record time for me...it took me about 7 hours total to get out a 7 page paper. Granted I took quite awhile to read the actual book before writing the analysis, but I was proud. I feel like I'm actually getting better at writing and thinking about the material - given that it's been a long time since I've actually gotten anything skill-related out of a history class, it was a great feeling.
Actually, my whole weekend has been pretty awesome. Life is good.
28 October 2007
24 October 2007
Dumble-bore
Everyone's got an opinion, and here's mine: J.K. Rowling's revelation of Dumbledore's sexuality doesn't merit nearly the reaction it's gotten (either positive or negative.)
I read this article in Time which essentially takes issue with the fact that Dumbledore wasn't more "blatantly" gay (if he were to be gay at all), and I think it brought up what has been probably one of the biggest points of contention regarding sexuality that I've seen.
Specifically, it seems to beg the question of how strongly sexuality defines (or should define) a person. I am uncomfortable with Cloud's implied assertion that homosexuality requires a certain degree of portrayal in order not to seem shameful or derogatory, and even more uncomfortable with the idea that sexuality in and of itself inherently needs to be emphasized. I feel like this view of sexuality and characterization causes a really limited attitude toward mankind's true nature and abilities, seeking more to linger in the realm of uncontrollable biological urges.
On a related note, I also take issue with his contention that LOTR contains "homoerotic" material - he seems to be saying that the existence of camaderie or any sort of emotional connection among people in general is necessarily grounded in sexuality, and I don't think that's automatically true. Maybe it is, but I just can't imagine...
I think that Dumbledore's sexuality makes an interesting footnote, but that's about all. Rowling had a clear intention for her books and their message, and I would like to think that in this "tolerant" modern culture one could respect that and appreciate the worldview created within the books' universe without demanding that it be recast in the framework of some entirely discrete social construction.
(Rant...finished.)
I read this article in Time which essentially takes issue with the fact that Dumbledore wasn't more "blatantly" gay (if he were to be gay at all), and I think it brought up what has been probably one of the biggest points of contention regarding sexuality that I've seen.
Specifically, it seems to beg the question of how strongly sexuality defines (or should define) a person. I am uncomfortable with Cloud's implied assertion that homosexuality requires a certain degree of portrayal in order not to seem shameful or derogatory, and even more uncomfortable with the idea that sexuality in and of itself inherently needs to be emphasized. I feel like this view of sexuality and characterization causes a really limited attitude toward mankind's true nature and abilities, seeking more to linger in the realm of uncontrollable biological urges.
On a related note, I also take issue with his contention that LOTR contains "homoerotic" material - he seems to be saying that the existence of camaderie or any sort of emotional connection among people in general is necessarily grounded in sexuality, and I don't think that's automatically true. Maybe it is, but I just can't imagine...
I think that Dumbledore's sexuality makes an interesting footnote, but that's about all. Rowling had a clear intention for her books and their message, and I would like to think that in this "tolerant" modern culture one could respect that and appreciate the worldview created within the books' universe without demanding that it be recast in the framework of some entirely discrete social construction.
(Rant...finished.)
22 October 2007
Sharps
Alicia slumped down in the right back seat, gazing out the window in resigned anticipation. This assignment didn't sound particularly pleasant, so she distracted herself by watching the suburban town drift by outside the window of the red Nissan.
The Others in the car seemed mercifully oblivious to her presence, which was a blessing. It was sometimes difficult to enforce the distinction between observer and adviser, although lately some of those bugs seemed to have gotten worked out - apparently the code monkeys over in H925W84 had finally gotten the hang of basic social programming. Rocky, the Main Subject, was sitting anxiously beside her while his two Keepers occupied the front seats.
"Mom? Mommm? Moooooooomm?" he whined.
"Please be quiet. We're almost there," was the standard reply.
"There? Will I have to get any shots? Are they going to hurt me?"
"No. We're just going for a checkup."
"Do you promise, Mom?"
"I promise. Settle down."
As the vehicle approached the base's main gates, the three adults produced their ID chips which were scanned for viruses before verifying their owners' identities to the painfully alert young Agent working the guard station. The car proceeded down a somewhat deserted road, passing by a line of pine trees that obscured the beige buildings behind. After two turns, they found themselves in the correct parking lot.
From the outside (and actually, from most places in the inside) the "hospital" looked the same as those that administered to humans. They always fascinated Alicia with their hybrid blend of "traditional" and "live-tissue" treatment techniques for the Others, and she (like most humans) was eagerly awaiting the day when the "live-tissue" treatments actually were meant to treat the Others' legitimate health problems. That was, however, a mental rant for another day. The family was heading into the children's ward, and Alicia grabbed her electronic clipboard and strode in behind them.
The waiting room was as crowded as one might expect, which was also, of course, to be expected. Presently, the sort of studiously calm doctor who would probably break the news of someone having terminal cancer in the same tone of voice that anyone else would use to mention, say, a speck of lint sitting on a sweater appeared and ushered the family back to the exam room. Great. They certainly weren't intending to make this an easy experience for anyone involved.
Rocky, who had passed his evaluation for basic emotional needs a few weeks previously, was squeezing his Mother's hand and looking up at her anxiously. She set him down firmly on the examination table (Alicia stole a look at the doctor's name badge - Dr. Rogers) and took a seat with the Husband along the far wall of the room. Rogers proceeded with a cursory examination of the child, and then announced (in the lint-on-sweater voice), "Okay then, we just need to move everyone down the hall for those shots."
The reaction was as predictable as rain, and as pleasant as ammonium on an open wound. Rocky's terrified screams, jagged and breathless, echoed down the corridor. "YOU LIED! YOUUUUUUU LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!" Alicia cringed and tried to block out the noise as they navigated down the hall with the Mother carrying Rocky while he flailed around red faced and wailing, simultaneously trying to escape her grip and punish her for her transgression. The Other maintained her quiet stoicism as she conveyed her cargo to its location, her lack of reaction a reflection of the firmware limitations inherent in the older generations.
Dr. Rogers somehow managed to successfully administer the shots on his first attempt. Rocky's protests peaked as the first needle approached his tiny arm, and then tapered off to sobs as the pain proved itself to be both bearable and transient. Alicia thought she detected a flicker of resentment in the Other's hazel eyes as the Mother collected him from his chair, but she dismissed it as impossible.
Glad to be finished, Alicia excused herself and found a data port in the hallway to upload her results for the day. In the comments section of the electronic form, she stated: "They've definitely got trust down to an art form - but go a little easier on the nerve endings next time."
The Others in the car seemed mercifully oblivious to her presence, which was a blessing. It was sometimes difficult to enforce the distinction between observer and adviser, although lately some of those bugs seemed to have gotten worked out - apparently the code monkeys over in H925W84 had finally gotten the hang of basic social programming. Rocky, the Main Subject, was sitting anxiously beside her while his two Keepers occupied the front seats.
"Mom? Mommm? Moooooooomm?" he whined.
"Please be quiet. We're almost there," was the standard reply.
"There? Will I have to get any shots? Are they going to hurt me?"
"No. We're just going for a checkup."
"Do you promise, Mom?"
"I promise. Settle down."
As the vehicle approached the base's main gates, the three adults produced their ID chips which were scanned for viruses before verifying their owners' identities to the painfully alert young Agent working the guard station. The car proceeded down a somewhat deserted road, passing by a line of pine trees that obscured the beige buildings behind. After two turns, they found themselves in the correct parking lot.
From the outside (and actually, from most places in the inside) the "hospital" looked the same as those that administered to humans. They always fascinated Alicia with their hybrid blend of "traditional" and "live-tissue" treatment techniques for the Others, and she (like most humans) was eagerly awaiting the day when the "live-tissue" treatments actually were meant to treat the Others' legitimate health problems. That was, however, a mental rant for another day. The family was heading into the children's ward, and Alicia grabbed her electronic clipboard and strode in behind them.
The waiting room was as crowded as one might expect, which was also, of course, to be expected. Presently, the sort of studiously calm doctor who would probably break the news of someone having terminal cancer in the same tone of voice that anyone else would use to mention, say, a speck of lint sitting on a sweater appeared and ushered the family back to the exam room. Great. They certainly weren't intending to make this an easy experience for anyone involved.
Rocky, who had passed his evaluation for basic emotional needs a few weeks previously, was squeezing his Mother's hand and looking up at her anxiously. She set him down firmly on the examination table (Alicia stole a look at the doctor's name badge - Dr. Rogers) and took a seat with the Husband along the far wall of the room. Rogers proceeded with a cursory examination of the child, and then announced (in the lint-on-sweater voice), "Okay then, we just need to move everyone down the hall for those shots."
The reaction was as predictable as rain, and as pleasant as ammonium on an open wound. Rocky's terrified screams, jagged and breathless, echoed down the corridor. "YOU LIED! YOUUUUUUU LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!!!!!!!!" Alicia cringed and tried to block out the noise as they navigated down the hall with the Mother carrying Rocky while he flailed around red faced and wailing, simultaneously trying to escape her grip and punish her for her transgression. The Other maintained her quiet stoicism as she conveyed her cargo to its location, her lack of reaction a reflection of the firmware limitations inherent in the older generations.
Dr. Rogers somehow managed to successfully administer the shots on his first attempt. Rocky's protests peaked as the first needle approached his tiny arm, and then tapered off to sobs as the pain proved itself to be both bearable and transient. Alicia thought she detected a flicker of resentment in the Other's hazel eyes as the Mother collected him from his chair, but she dismissed it as impossible.
Glad to be finished, Alicia excused herself and found a data port in the hallway to upload her results for the day. In the comments section of the electronic form, she stated: "They've definitely got trust down to an art form - but go a little easier on the nerve endings next time."
21 October 2007
Mindfulness
Today at Mass the homily was about prayer, particularly the idea of persistence in prayer. The priest was relating it back to the first reading, which was about Moses' prayers over the Israelites as they fought off one of their adversaries, and the gospel, which was about a widow earning deference from an uncaring judge after she approached him enough times.
The priest talked about the notion of having to "work" at praying, at starting to "hear the voice of God through the darkness" - which means first having to plunge into that darkness. In this case, darkness is a metaphor both for finding the stillness to perceive God, and for getting over a lot of immediate selfish desires to figure out what's really worth praying for*. He extended this to the idea of using prayer to gain awareness of our own interactions with the world, with the goal of eventually possessing enough equanimity to catch ourselves before jumping into anger, spite, etc.
He could have called the homily "Introduction to Meditation" or "Cultivating Mindfulness" and it would have been the same thing.
In other news.
Yesterday I bought an album called "From the Redwoods to the Rockies" from iTunes. I think it probably falls into the category of "elevator music" from most people's perspective, but I really like it. My parents listened to it quite a number of times growing up, and it has this super warm (albeit at times strangely enhanced electronically) comforting classical guitar sound that I absolutely adore. To me it sounds like fall, and the mountains, and that makes me happy.
* I watched "Amadeus" a couple weeks ago with Colin, and this reminded me of that film.
The priest talked about the notion of having to "work" at praying, at starting to "hear the voice of God through the darkness" - which means first having to plunge into that darkness. In this case, darkness is a metaphor both for finding the stillness to perceive God, and for getting over a lot of immediate selfish desires to figure out what's really worth praying for*. He extended this to the idea of using prayer to gain awareness of our own interactions with the world, with the goal of eventually possessing enough equanimity to catch ourselves before jumping into anger, spite, etc.
He could have called the homily "Introduction to Meditation" or "Cultivating Mindfulness" and it would have been the same thing.
In other news.
Yesterday I bought an album called "From the Redwoods to the Rockies" from iTunes. I think it probably falls into the category of "elevator music" from most people's perspective, but I really like it. My parents listened to it quite a number of times growing up, and it has this super warm (albeit at times strangely enhanced electronically) comforting classical guitar sound that I absolutely adore. To me it sounds like fall, and the mountains, and that makes me happy.
* I watched "Amadeus" a couple weeks ago with Colin, and this reminded me of that film.
16 October 2007
Bombeck
Let's see.
The past several days have been pretty good. The weekend was a lot of fun; I got to meet Colin's dad, which was cool. I also got to use my call sign for buggy on Saturday morning...one of those "exciting in an utterly nerdly way" experiences.
I spent a lot of time Sunday studying for a computer security midterm, which went poorly. I really need to make sure I get more sleep before midterms - I had some people over to study so I didn't go to bed until around 12:30, which shouldn't have mattered, but then I woke up at 6 and couldn't fall back asleep, and had class all day until the test, so by the time I took it I was just exhausted and couldn't think straight. It was frustrating because I completely blanked on a definition that we really needed, and it was one that I hadn't had any trouble with while I was studying. Even worse was the fact that while I was studying I felt really comfortable with the material, and for some reason I just got to the test and couldn't think. It wasn't even that I was too nervous to think, I just ... couldn't. Blah.
I will say this, though. Overall, I've been thinking a lot more clearly this semester than I have almost at any point in my time at CMU. I think there are a lot of reasons for that, and I'm kind of sad that it took me 3 years to really get to the place I would have wanted to be starting freshman year, but I guess it's better late than never.
Oh, yeah. The homily at Mass on Saturday was pretty good, too. I don't know why I've felt the need to write about them all of a sudden, but in any case... The Gospel was the story where there are a bunch of lepers and Christ cures them. Out of the group of 10, only 1 goes back to him to express gratitude. He doesn't condemn the ones that don't come back, but to the one that does, he says "...your faith has saved you." So, the homily was about gratitude, and not taking things for granted. In this case, being "saved by faith" seems to indicate that the "good" things (in a material sense) that happen aren't supposed to be "rewards" earned from God, and that what comes from faith is really just a deep appreciation for all the good things in life. With that appreciation comes joy, and what could be a better salvation?
The past several days have been pretty good. The weekend was a lot of fun; I got to meet Colin's dad, which was cool. I also got to use my call sign for buggy on Saturday morning...one of those "exciting in an utterly nerdly way" experiences.
I spent a lot of time Sunday studying for a computer security midterm, which went poorly. I really need to make sure I get more sleep before midterms - I had some people over to study so I didn't go to bed until around 12:30, which shouldn't have mattered, but then I woke up at 6 and couldn't fall back asleep, and had class all day until the test, so by the time I took it I was just exhausted and couldn't think straight. It was frustrating because I completely blanked on a definition that we really needed, and it was one that I hadn't had any trouble with while I was studying. Even worse was the fact that while I was studying I felt really comfortable with the material, and for some reason I just got to the test and couldn't think. It wasn't even that I was too nervous to think, I just ... couldn't. Blah.
I will say this, though. Overall, I've been thinking a lot more clearly this semester than I have almost at any point in my time at CMU. I think there are a lot of reasons for that, and I'm kind of sad that it took me 3 years to really get to the place I would have wanted to be starting freshman year, but I guess it's better late than never.
Oh, yeah. The homily at Mass on Saturday was pretty good, too. I don't know why I've felt the need to write about them all of a sudden, but in any case... The Gospel was the story where there are a bunch of lepers and Christ cures them. Out of the group of 10, only 1 goes back to him to express gratitude. He doesn't condemn the ones that don't come back, but to the one that does, he says "...your faith has saved you." So, the homily was about gratitude, and not taking things for granted. In this case, being "saved by faith" seems to indicate that the "good" things (in a material sense) that happen aren't supposed to be "rewards" earned from God, and that what comes from faith is really just a deep appreciation for all the good things in life. With that appreciation comes joy, and what could be a better salvation?
09 October 2007
Angus Dei
I didn't get to Mass last weekend as a result of being out of town.
For some reason, I really "feel" it when I skip Mass. It's like I become more guarded, more closed, more tight-in-the-chest. I don't think it's that I feel guilty for missing (or if it is, then it's certainly different than every other form of guilt I've experienced.)
Regardless, I headed over to the Oratory tonight for Mass, and I'm glad I did. The Gospel was one of my favorites (this), and the short homily following it really made a good point.
He basically said that in a world where there might be little that we can actually control, one thing we can choose is to live in joy. The point of the Gospel was that it's easy to start resenting other people for not suffering as we might, and that the purpose of work isn't to make us expend effort for effort's sake, but to engage fully in whatever moment we find ourselves.
The priest also talked about how easy it is to become tempted away from joy, and I was reminded again of Buddhist philosophy that says that being too immersed in the world leads to suffering. It always surprises me that so many people who subscribe to the latter belief will write off Christianity for holding the former, mostly as a result of misunderstanding the Christian concept of "sin". "Sin" isn't supposed to be the exclusively subjective designation of a judgmental deity; rather, it's roughly defined as "that which separates us from God." Again, in this case, I don't think it's too useful to think of "God" in a specifically personified sense...the point is just that "sin" can be a useful framework for considering actions and results when it's not being co-opted for judging people.
I should also point out that the priest wasn't talking about "temptation" just for the sake of moralizing; he was trying to relate it back to his point about choosing fulfillment and making sure that we maintain agency over our own attitudes.
Yeah. The more I think about it, the fewer philosophical differences I can identify between the two. Catholicism is more comfortable for me, though. Even after meditating for awhile, even if it's a really good meditation, I just don't come out of it feeling the way I do coming out of Mass. Meh. I guess I don't have to be entirely rational all the time.
For some reason, I really "feel" it when I skip Mass. It's like I become more guarded, more closed, more tight-in-the-chest. I don't think it's that I feel guilty for missing (or if it is, then it's certainly different than every other form of guilt I've experienced.)
Regardless, I headed over to the Oratory tonight for Mass, and I'm glad I did. The Gospel was one of my favorites (this), and the short homily following it really made a good point.
He basically said that in a world where there might be little that we can actually control, one thing we can choose is to live in joy. The point of the Gospel was that it's easy to start resenting other people for not suffering as we might, and that the purpose of work isn't to make us expend effort for effort's sake, but to engage fully in whatever moment we find ourselves.
The priest also talked about how easy it is to become tempted away from joy, and I was reminded again of Buddhist philosophy that says that being too immersed in the world leads to suffering. It always surprises me that so many people who subscribe to the latter belief will write off Christianity for holding the former, mostly as a result of misunderstanding the Christian concept of "sin". "Sin" isn't supposed to be the exclusively subjective designation of a judgmental deity; rather, it's roughly defined as "that which separates us from God." Again, in this case, I don't think it's too useful to think of "God" in a specifically personified sense...the point is just that "sin" can be a useful framework for considering actions and results when it's not being co-opted for judging people.
I should also point out that the priest wasn't talking about "temptation" just for the sake of moralizing; he was trying to relate it back to his point about choosing fulfillment and making sure that we maintain agency over our own attitudes.
Yeah. The more I think about it, the fewer philosophical differences I can identify between the two. Catholicism is more comfortable for me, though. Even after meditating for awhile, even if it's a really good meditation, I just don't come out of it feeling the way I do coming out of Mass. Meh. I guess I don't have to be entirely rational all the time.
08 October 2007
Historical Refernce
I am slowly accumulating evidence that my history professor has a grudge against engineers. He said that my first paper was "well written, but mechanistic" (I went through the book too methodically) and my second paper was "well analyzed, but awkwardly phrased." I think the "awkward phrase" comment came at least partially from a statement I made about feedback mechanisms, given the underline and "meaning what...?" that accompanied the sentence, since he didn't make too many other comments on the paper.
Alright, I'm exaggerating, of course, but it's amusing.
In other news.
My weekend was pretty good. Being in Colorado was a lot of fun; on Saturday I got to spend a bunch of time with my Dad. The football game was kind of strange. It was the first time in my life that I'd been at one and not thought, "Maybe I'll be one of them (cadets) some day."
I guess in some ways it also made me step back a bit and look at what I'm doing with my life. Part of my reason for wanting to go to USAFA was the sense of pride and accomplishment I thought I'd gain from surviving something so tough. There's no way to know how I would have really felt after going through it - I remember after spending a week there one summer in high school feeling like the institution was 70% propaganda and 30% sincerity, and it actually took a little while for me to shake that feeling and get excited about applying.
I don't feel the way right now that I hoped I'd feel as a senior in college, but I'm not sure how I do feel. In some ways I just AM - enjoying life and waiting to see what happens, and I've certainly got a lot more freedom than I would have had if things had worked out differently. Freedom is never a bad thing, even as it puts a lot of the responsibility back on me to make sure I'm pushing myself in the right directions.
Alright, I'm exaggerating, of course, but it's amusing.
In other news.
My weekend was pretty good. Being in Colorado was a lot of fun; on Saturday I got to spend a bunch of time with my Dad. The football game was kind of strange. It was the first time in my life that I'd been at one and not thought, "Maybe I'll be one of them (cadets) some day."
I guess in some ways it also made me step back a bit and look at what I'm doing with my life. Part of my reason for wanting to go to USAFA was the sense of pride and accomplishment I thought I'd gain from surviving something so tough. There's no way to know how I would have really felt after going through it - I remember after spending a week there one summer in high school feeling like the institution was 70% propaganda and 30% sincerity, and it actually took a little while for me to shake that feeling and get excited about applying.
I don't feel the way right now that I hoped I'd feel as a senior in college, but I'm not sure how I do feel. In some ways I just AM - enjoying life and waiting to see what happens, and I've certainly got a lot more freedom than I would have had if things had worked out differently. Freedom is never a bad thing, even as it puts a lot of the responsibility back on me to make sure I'm pushing myself in the right directions.
04 October 2007
Engineering Insight
My boyfriend handed me a fortune cookie today, and when I opened it up I found the following message: "Digital circuits are made from analog parts." Not only that, but one of the lucky numbers listed was 34*.
It made my day.
*I think most of you know the significance, but if not: 34 is my favorite number, because it was Walter Payton's number. (He was an amazing running back that played for the Chicago Bears back in the 70's and 80's, and had a heart of gold. His nickname was "Sweetness"...)
It made my day.
*I think most of you know the significance, but if not: 34 is my favorite number, because it was Walter Payton's number. (He was an amazing running back that played for the Chicago Bears back in the 70's and 80's, and had a heart of gold. His nickname was "Sweetness"...)
02 October 2007
The Friendly Confines
This is a delayed reaction, I know, but HOLY CRAP THE CUBS WON THE NL CENTRAL HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!!
I know it's a long (nearly infinite) shot that they'll actually make it to, much less win, the World Series, but a girl can dream. Seriously, though, they could do it. They've had enough decades of "next season" that I think it's finally time. That and Cleveland won their division in the AL, and the Cubs and the Indians apparently are the two teams that have gone the longest without (being in? winning?) the Series, so it would be nice and poetic to see those two go up against each other.
Classes are going pretty well. I have a midterm tomorrow that I'm kind of - not worried about, just dreading. It's going to be a ton of writing, and I've had to memorize a bunch for it, but I think it'll go well. Computer security has yet to feel like anything much more than a seminar (okay, a seminar with weekly quizzes that have a tendency to be kind of tricky at times), and research is still going along.
I'm going to Denver this weekend to visit the family and go to a football game. I'm actually a bit nervous about it since I have a midterm Monday, but it's better than running off for the weekend with a bunch of engineering homework to do. It'll be good to see the parents + extended family again, and I'm looking forward to the mini-vacation. Apparently I'm missing the first weekend of buggy rolls, though, which makes me kind of sad. Oh, well. There's always...the rest of the semester.
I was poking through some old files on my desktop last night, and came across the "compatibility test" I wrote last fall. I'm such a dork. I don't even remember the "right" answer to a couple of the questions.
I know it's a long (nearly infinite) shot that they'll actually make it to, much less win, the World Series, but a girl can dream. Seriously, though, they could do it. They've had enough decades of "next season" that I think it's finally time. That and Cleveland won their division in the AL, and the Cubs and the Indians apparently are the two teams that have gone the longest without (being in? winning?) the Series, so it would be nice and poetic to see those two go up against each other.
Classes are going pretty well. I have a midterm tomorrow that I'm kind of - not worried about, just dreading. It's going to be a ton of writing, and I've had to memorize a bunch for it, but I think it'll go well. Computer security has yet to feel like anything much more than a seminar (okay, a seminar with weekly quizzes that have a tendency to be kind of tricky at times), and research is still going along.
I'm going to Denver this weekend to visit the family and go to a football game. I'm actually a bit nervous about it since I have a midterm Monday, but it's better than running off for the weekend with a bunch of engineering homework to do. It'll be good to see the parents + extended family again, and I'm looking forward to the mini-vacation. Apparently I'm missing the first weekend of buggy rolls, though, which makes me kind of sad. Oh, well. There's always...the rest of the semester.
I was poking through some old files on my desktop last night, and came across the "compatibility test" I wrote last fall. I'm such a dork. I don't even remember the "right" answer to a couple of the questions.
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