sniper_terminus

12:49 pm: Well then.....
Ok, I know it has been approximately six weeks since my last update. I make a promise to both of my readers...I will think seriously about updating more often. So what, you may be asking yourself, has good ol' James been up to for the last six weeks... Well, I went on vacation for one. I spent most of a week at a very nice house in Florida. That was when it was still very hot outside so I spent over half of it in the pool. We also played mini-golf at a place that let's you play all day for one fee. I realized once again that I completely suck at it but it was cool. The whole place was pirate themed with the same 15 songs looping on the speakers. We thought about going to Disney since we were only about a 10 minute drive from there. Then we realized that there would be people...lots of people...and it was hot outside so we didn't go. Also, in the last 6 weeks, I moved into a three bedroom house with 2 of 3 UAH roommates. I have really gotten to love this place. Now if someone would just keep the air conditioner at a decent temperature instead of 70 degrees...you know who you are...then we might be able to keep the electric bill down. Oh, and I'll try to post some pics sometime. Don't hold your breath, it will probably never happen or it will be weeks before it does happen. After that classes began. Well, to be honest, they suck. I am enjoying a couple of them since they seem to be useful classes, but they take time away from other more important things...like sleeping and other things of that nature. Still, I don't have Friday classes so three day weekends are awfully nice. Yes, in case you were wondering, I am rubbing it in again. That is the last six weeks of my life in a nutshell. Now you see why I don't update that much. I am a very boring person. Anyway...until next time faithful reader! Excelsior!!!

Random Quote of the Day

I leave you today with a quote that I found hilarious from the TV show South Park. Yes it has been quoted into the ground but I still find it funny.

Al Gore: I am here to educate you about the single biggest threat to our planet. You see, there is something out there which threatens our very existence and may be the end to the human race as we know it. I'm talking, of course, about 'ManBearPig.' It is a creature which roams the Earth alone. It is half man, half bear, and half pig. Some people say that ManBearPig isn't real. Well, I'm here to tell you now, ManBearPig is very real, and he most certainly exists--I'm cereal. ManBearPig doesn't care what you've done. ManBearPig just wants to get you. I'm super cereal. But have no fear, because I am here to save you. And someday, when the world is rid of ManBearPig, everyone will say, "Thank you Al Gore--you're super awesome!" The end.


EXCELSIOR!

10:05 pm: Been a while
Well then...it's been a while since my last post. Perhaps two weeks between posts was a bit overly ambitious. I guess I am just that lazy. Oh well. On to the stuff people will be wondering about. When I say people...well, you know who I am talking about...both of you. As you may know, I have been doing summer research at the University of Alabama, mostly concerning mesh wireless networks that test environmental conditions using mica2 motes and the mts420 sensor boards. I had hoped to deploy the system to the student projects building by summer's end. Sadly enough that doesn't look like it will happen. I am close to completion but don't have enough time to finish. I have been told that there is a possibility that I might be able to come back next year and, if not complete this project, then work on another that is just getting started. That would kick ass because I have really enjoyed my time down here. Other than that, I really don't know what to talk about. I have seen movies, but my insight would be rather un-insightful. Pirates 2 was good, Nacho Libre had its moments, Cars was phenomenal, I didn't see Superman but I heard it sucked. I did find the best show never shown, though. It is called Heat Vision and Jack. It stars Jack Black as an astronaut who is on the run from the evil Ron Silver and the rest of NASA. In his last space voyage, he went too close to the sun and bathed in the solar rays causing his brain to expand. Now, sunlight makes him "three times smarter than the smartest man on earth." He is accompanied in his trek by his roommate/motorcycle, Heat Vision," voiced by Owen Wilson, who was merged with his motorcycle by Ron Silver using an experimental NASA ray. I know this sounds a bit odd. That is why it is so beautiful. If you are reading this and you haven't seen the show, go here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lWgXDOAJ5s. Not much else to report. So, until next time faithful reader.


Random Quote of the Day

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." -- Albert Einstein

04:15 pm: That is the project that I am working on for my summer research. It is really interesting. Up to this point, I have been doing some literature review and getting accustomed to the software they have given me to work with. By the way, if anyone reads this and has tips on using TinyOS, let me know. I have 6 weeks left and in that time, I need to deploy the system in one of the buildings here on campus and start taking readings. Other than that, not much really going on in my life. I went home for father's day. My family had a party to celebrate, there was much cake... All in all, a decent enough weekend. I am still house hunting because I have no desire to move into the dorms again for the semester. I have a couple of promising leads, but other than that I really can't elaborate too much. Oh yeah, I also managed to accidentally wander into Bryce Mental Institute in Tuscaloosa. Kind of a funny story, if you are interested in the details let me know, otherwise leave me to my embarrassment. I will say this though, that hospital is about the creepiest place I have ever seen. I would not go in at night...legend says it is haunted by the tortured souls of mental patients who have died there over the years. So there must be a lot considering that it has been open since 1860. Anyway, look for an update in a couple of weeks, since I seem to be that slow.

Random Quote of the Day

"I've never been a fan of Amphibians. They are Nature's fence-sitters. Come on Amphibians, which is it: water or land? Pick one, we're at war."

Stephen Colbert

08:01 am: Invalid video URL.
Get your copy of the player here

03:48 pm: Roll Tide!!!
I really have to update more often. That being said, I have a good internet connection now. I am in Tuscaloosa, the City of Lights, or something like that. I am staying in Rose Towers at the University of Alabama. I finally got a decent job that will look good on a resume. I am doing summer research in the REU (Research Experience for Undergrads) program at UA. We have met as a group one time so far, Monday. I then found out that I had today as a free day so I decided to tie up some loose ends. I got my phone connected, got a user name to get online, and got my first paycheck. All things considered, it has been a good day. Our group meets again tomorrow to listen to more presentations to help us decide which program we wish to pursue for our summer research. On to other topics. Well, the world hasn't ended yet and the day is a little more than half over. For those of you wondering what I am talking about, and since maybe two of you read this, today is the sixth day of the sixth month of the sixth year, 06/06/06. Or if you don't get that, the day matches the number of the Beast, 666, from the book of Revalation. And if you don't get that, then I don't know that I care if you know or not. So perhaps we will make it through the rest of the day. Hmm... well, I guess I really don't know what else to talk about, so I will leave you today with a quote from a very funny man, Jim Gaffigan. If you ever have a chance to see his "Beyond the Pale" performance, please watch it. I was rolling on the floor with laughter. Later.

Random Quote of the Day

"You ever walk behind someone walking so slow slow you have to hold yourself back from stabbing them? '...You better move it along, huh. My walker has wheels for a reason." You ever walk next to that stranger who wants to walk the same speed as you? '...Get the f*ck away from me... what are we--on a date here? I don't even know you.' Sometimes I find myself being a weirdo... you ever been walking next to some stranger and for no reason at all you decide that if you beat them to the corner, you'll be a millionaire? They're like, 'whatever'. HAHA! I get to press the walk button for you! ... You think those walk buttons do anything? I think some guy at the government was like, 'What can we give the morons to press? How bout a button!?' You always press 'em, you're like, '...maybe I didn't press it hard enough...' Then someone will come up and be like, 'Did you press it?' --'Yeah, I pressed it.' They're like, 'Why don't you press it again?'--'You're like, 'Yeah I'll press it again.' Then at that point it changes and you're like, 'I did that. I changed the traffic in the city... I have a lot of power.' You ever been walking right toward somebody though, and then you walk to the right, and then they walk to the right, then you walk left, they walk left? You know how there's like that awkward moment? ...Just lean forward and kiss 'em. '....looked like you wanted it from my angle.' Then when they're walking away just hit 'em on the ass. (Pshhh) 'You'll be back! You'll be back for some of that loving.'"

Jim Gaffigan

Truly a comedic genius...

09:59 pm: wow it has been a while...
Over a month since my last update. That can be attributed to two things: laziness and a lack of a decent internet connection. This is not limited to the pitiful dial-up that I am condemned to for now. This also includes the crappy connection at NCRH that I left a week ago. It was actually better than the 26kbps dial-up i am getting now. Damn I hate dial-up. Finals ended on a particularly sour note. I passed most of my classes but graduation will have to wait until spring of '08. *sigh* Other than that, I moved back home, set up my computer and then I got put to work preparing for my sister's high school graduation. This also means that I haven't been able to look for a job. This sucks even worse. My dad is encouraging me to be a truck driver and get my CDL license. Sounds fun and pays pretty well so I might do it. Other than that, I kinda miss Huntsvegas. No good eateries around here. Hmmm...I guess that is about it. I hate dial-up worse than I hate CNS at this point, I guess. Maybe just because I don't have to put up with CNS right now. Anyway, I need a job, I hate dial-up, blah blah blah, whatever. I am too tired to rant much. Later, faithful readers. ( both of you )

Random Quote of the Day

For my RQOTD, I decided to look up my own name and see what came up. This one struck me as being quite insightful.


"It is a general maxim that all governments find a use for as much money as they can raise. Indeed, they have commonly demands for more...I take this as a settled truth, that they will all spend as much as their revenue; that is, will live up to their income."

James Smith

11:00 am: once again
Well, another weekend gone, although this week promises to be good and short. I love not having class on Tuesday. If I could pick a day out of the week where classes have been canceled, Tuesday it would be. If you read my last blog update, you might have seen my mention of classes being canceled on Friday and that no storm appeared. Well, I did speak too soon. We saw one hell of a storm. Tornado sirens went off everywhere (when I say everywhere, I mean in Huntsvegas), people were sitting in the halls right outside our room, and two of my roommates whom I shall refer to as "Idiot" and "Moron" decided it would be a good idea to go to Wal-Mart. Since they will be the only ones reading this, you know who you are and I leave it up to you to decide upon which name is yours. What object was worth going out into the tempest to obtain? One got shaving cream and the other got orange juice. It was a good thing they got it too because who knows if that storm knocked out our supply lines here in the sticks. Well, they lived through it anyway, and came away with an interesting story too. Yeah, that is about the most interesting thing that happened this weekend. You see, they do crazy and idiotic things and come away with stories. I don't. My stories end up being extensions of their stories. About the only first hand account I could give would be that I went to Wal-Mart and someone jumped ahead of me in the lane. Then when I switched lanes they jumped ahead of me again. A**holes. Hey, I didn't say it was an interesting story, just my story. Yeah, I have come to accept the fact that I am, in fact, about the most boring person on this planet. All I need is a voice like Ben Stein's and I would qualify. Oh well, if I wasn't so lazy I might do something about it. Well, that's about it. Until next time faithful reader.

Random Quote of the Day

"I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.
So I said, "Got any shoes you're not using?"

Steven Wright

05:14 pm: What's happening
Hmmm....well, another week came and went. Not really all that much going on around here as people prepare for the last push before finals. Classes were canceled at 1 PM today due to inclement weather. Then nothing appeared, although I may be speaking too soon since we are under a tornado watch until 8. Hmmm...just looked at the radar on weather.com and it kinda looks like we are about to be hammered by a line of storms. Well that may be due to the fact that I am in for some bad luck. I went and ate at a chinese place around here with a couple of roommates and my fortune cookie was empty. I have heard that this is a harbinger of bad luck, so I guess I'll get to find out..... Other than that, CNS sucks, I still grow weary of the dorms, I need a job, and I need to find a house to stay in for the summer (maybe) and the fall. Oh well, until next time faithful reader!

Random Quote of the Day

"When war does come, my advice is to draw the sword and throw away the scabbard."

General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

10:44 am: Well, another week has passed and another begins. The end of the semester rapidly approaches and I need to find a job. We now have 30 days until the end of finals so things are about to get really hectic. On tap for me this week is a couple of homework assignments, a couple of lab reports, and maybe a test. The situation is the dorms is such that CNS has taken away our ability to do anything online. As a result, my roommates and I are still looking to move out. This was the last straw. There is only so much that a person can put up with and they have pushed us to our limits, and we didn't even time travel. Housing keeps posting signs about how much we will save on cable, cable internet, and cable accessories by staying in the dorms. I really don't mind so much if we lose the cable TV, I just want a decent internet connection because this is bordering on dial-up. I am just tired of dorm life too. This means that a house needs to be found soon, which means I am going to have to make some calls. On a lighter note, we found that James's laptop (the other James for those of you who don't know him) is a lag machine. No offense if you are reading this James, but your computer really doesn't play games well. Do something about your network card. In closing, I need a job. Thanks for your time in reading this blog. Now I bet you feel like you wasted 5 minutes. Yep, you just got older and there is no getting that time back. Until next time faithful reader.

Random Quote of the Day:

"You know, if I made orange juice, I would not be so hardcore on people. I would be more polite, like I would not print 'shake well' on the carton, cause you don't know how good people can shake, you know? I would write, 'Shake to the best of your ability.' Then I'd have a diagram that shows the uninitiated how to shake. 'Alright, put it over here, then put it over here, then put it over here quicker."

Mitch Hedberg

11:43 am: been a while
So it seems to have been a long while since I last updated and I figured that I should remedy that. I am sure that both of my readers have been anxiously awaiting my next post. Since my last post a number of things have happened. First and foremost on my list is that my Grandmother passed away. I attended the funeral as a pallbearer and it was the single saddest day of my life. I loved my Grandmother very much and I take solace in the fact that she is in a much better place now and I know that I will see her again someday. After that I was forced to reschedule tests for that week. That sucked. Since then, I have been enjoying my spring break. I have not done any of the studying that I had planned to do but what can you do, right? Today I go bowling with some of my cousins, and I intend to enjoy that. I suck at it but I enjoy playing. The week after spring break will suck as well. I have another test to make up, a test previously scheduled for that week, a lab, a make-up lab, and homework due in at least one class. Yeah, I know, cry me a river. But the end is in sight, after spring break there are only 5-6 weeks left. In that time I hope to find a job, a house, possibly some self-respect....maybe some gold....THAT would be awesome, then we would have funding for the JDFFC...hmmmm....the possibilities are intriguing. Ok, that's it, I am off to go treasure hunting. Until next time, faithful reader.

Random Quote of the Day:

"Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy."

Steven Wright