Crunch Time

Here I am, nearing the end of my first full year at Eastern. This quarter has been rough. I have two higher-level math classes, and a trio of education classes that ended up being little more that a time-sink. Unfortunately, the time sunk into the education classes could have been better used to keep up in math. That said, I know I am doing well in my calculus class, and should be OK in my geometry class. An extra ten hours a week would have certainly helped, though.

Regardless of how much extra time I could have used, I have one week left this quarter. Two days of class, three consecutive days of finals, and then a little time off until summer quarter begins. I only have two classes this summer, but they each run three hours a day. Cramming ten weeks of content into six available weeks of class is not so fun.

I will manage, however.

Avoiding Tradition

Another Bloomsday has come and gone in Spokane, and I have successfully avoided participation yet again. I have successfully avoided running in Bloomsday every year, so far. It is difficult to keep the tradition going.

In order to avoid running, I have:
- never been in Spokane prior to 1985, missing the first eight races altogether.
- been utterly unaware of Bloomsday prior to some time around 1990, missing another 5 races because of it.
- slept late on the first Sunday in May or been scheduled to work on that day, missing approximately another 12 races.
- Moved to Montana, again being away from the race.
- Moved back, and continued the practice of merely sleeping in on race day.

So, for every race since its inception in 1977, I have done something other than participating. With dedication and perseverance, I hope to keep the streak going.

People travel to Spokane from around the world to run in Bloomsday. I like about eight blocks from the starting line, and the course winds to within a block of my house, yet I simply cannot be bothered with it. The same can be said for Hoop Fest. I have never participated in that one, either.

So here I am, exhibiting boundless community spirit by continually avoiding the biggest community events.

Resurrected...

I have been neglecting this site lately, though not without cause.

This quarter I have two intense math classes in the morning, along with some night-time education classes. When I am not in class, I am usually spending my hours as a math tutor, struggling through homework, or wondering if I will get enough sleep at night. Today, I have a huge homework load, but ample opportunity to procrastinate. Nothing is due tomorrow, and I have a moment to catch people up.

Here is what is going on.

I sit at the midway point of the quarter. The good news is I have just five weeks left before summer. The bad news is that I have another five weeks to go until summer.

Classes are going well, I think. I seem to have a new pile of fees every week regarding my education classes, but I manage.

The social life is a bit bizarre. I spend so much time on campus that little else exists. I tried to get a relationship going with a gal I met online. Unfortunately, I had neither the time nor the attachment to give the attempt anything resembling a fair shake. I had to end it, and it was not pretty.

I have been guilted into a bit of a family reunion in Florida at the end of May. My brother decided he wanted to visit my father, and they ganged up and made me feel like a cad for wanting to wait until after school was out. If they do not consult me about what time works for a cross-country flight, do not be surprised if I have some scheduling problems.

That is about all I can think of at the moment.

Thanks to everyone who sent along a birthday greeting, and to those who thought to, but never got around to it. Hell, thanks to those who now feel a bit guilty being reminded they forgot.

The Joys and Frustrations of Math

To the surprise of absolutely nobody who has spent more than fifteen seconds in my presence, I am a math geek. This leads to an academic dichotomy. Pardon the preponderance of alliteration, but I enjoy mathematical machinations, even though they can cause continual consternation.

Take my current homework assignment. I have to prove the sum of two circles is, itself, a circle coaxial to the first two circles. The problems? I do not know the sum is a circle. I do not know it is coaxial. I have summed the two equations, and gotten some big ugly monster that I do not see how to factor. It might be a circle, or it might be some bizarre curve that, if plotted, will sunder the fabric of reality. Time will tell, provided time still exists...

Bureaucratic Snafu?

I just found out that, contrary to every thought I previously had on the subject, I never graduated from SFCC. Apparently the three PE classes and Sports Nutrition class I took do not count toward the "Introductory PE" or "Health and Wellness" requirements on the degree list. As is likely understandably, I am not a happy man at the moment

Because of this screw up, I have taken classes at EWU that I should not have needed. The Technical Writing class I took at SFCC did not transfer as an English credit, but rather as a general elective. Thus, I had to take English Composition 201. Also, I have to either take a Computer Literacy course, or take a challenge test to
waive the requirement. So, time, EWU tuition, and a non-refundable graduation deposit paid to SFCC have all been wasted.

I am sitting ever so slightly on the happy side of pissed off right now.

Axioms for Life

I - If the minimum was insufficient, it would not be the minimum.

Example: The person who graduates last in his class at medical school is still called "doctor." Granted, if you knew your doctor graduated last in his class, you might not be terribly confident in his skills. He has, however, demonstrated sufficient mastery of the necessary skill to earn the title of Doctor.

I have no idea where this came from. I should be studying.

Checking in, I Suppose

Note: Apparently the standard font size I like has been changed. I am going to have to experiment with fonts and sizes.

It has been almost a month since I wrote a new post. Please allow me to enumerate what has been going on: Not much.

I have been busy with school, and all the homework one might expect for a math major. Since this is the path I have voluntarily chosen, complaining about it will garner me zero sympathy.

My homework and other required scholastic activities have left me with exceedingly little time for social activities. This is no surprise, as it has occurred every single quarter. Somehow, I have managed to keep up with the goings on in football and baseball.

I am told that there is this construct called "The Real World" floating around out there, somewhere. Perhaps some day I shall experience this.

Until then...