| Tidbits |
[Dec. 10th, 2007|08:40 pm] |
Another Semester Bites the Dust
Last week was the end of the semester for me. I took three classes and I got three As (I think). I'm certain of the grades of two of the classes since the final grade was shown to me by the teacher. I got As in all of the homework and tests of the third class but I wasn't presented with a grade during the last class. I guess I'll find out when they post it on the website.
The three classes in question: IT Essentials I, Linux Essentials and C++ Programming II. The IT Essentials class was a BS class I had to take in order to take the Cisco Router classes. Lots of stuff to memorize for that class since it dealt with all aspects of computer servicing and repair. The networking part, naturally, was the toughest. I didn't learn terribly much from this class. I already knew nearly all of it. Nevertheless I still had to study because who remembers the effective distance of Bluetooth or the port number used by Telnet?*
The C++ class was the most challenging. I already knew about classes and inheritance but I never had much chance in the past to practice my skills. Classes were discussed throughout the semester but it was mostly about dot notation and how to use classes. Towards the end of the semester we wrote our own classes. The last programming project required that we design a class that inherits another class. So I got my practice. I need more, however, before I feel really confident. That'll happen in the C++ Programming III class which won't be offered until next fall. It helps that I had a strict teacher for this class. I know many students who complain about strict teachers but I don't have an issue. I learn the most from strict teachers as they point out in detail the things I need to improve upon. Lenient teachers will give me a good grade but I don't necessarily get the best education from them.
The Linux class was the most fun. I learned a new dialect of Linux this semester (SUSE) and that's always fun. Most of the class was simple stuff that I already knew. We only covered 10 of the 13 chapters of the book, unfortunately. Those last three chapters covered topics I'm at my weakest: mail routers and other networking stuff. The teacher promised to cover those lost chapters next semester but I'm going to take the time over the break to cover them myself first. Better safe than sorry.
To celebrate the end of the semester I went to a movie Friday night (No Country for Old Men) and then went to Chili's for a nice pasta dinner. Way too much food and so I spent the remainder of the evening convalescing.
Next semester I'll be taking only two classes: Open GL Programming and Advanced Linux Administration. Both classes are scheduled to minimize impact on my work. I'm looking forward to the Open GL class as it will be the first time I'll be programming 3D models.
Prodigal Son
If you ever met me in person you would notice that I carry a Leatherman-like tool on my right hip. Strictly speaking it's a Gerber and it's a tool I've had, in one form or another, on my hip for the past 15 years or so.
Earlier this year I lost my Gerber. It hangs off my belt which means the only way it can come off is when my belt is off. That only happens when I change pants, take my pants off for the day or when I'm in the bathroom. After I discovered the Gerber was missing, I looked in the usual places: my bedroom and the bathroom. No luck. That meant that I probably lost it in one of the bathrooms at school. Darn.
After a few months of living in self-denial, I broke down and bought a new Gerber. It cost about $90. Ouch. I was glad I got it, however, as I no longer felt naked without a Gerber on my right hip.
On Sunday I found this between the bladder ad the wooden supports of my water bed:
My old Gerber. It was there all along although I swore I checked that area for the tool long ago. I'm taking this discovery as a good omen since I lost it shortly before I updated and posted my resume (back in early May) and I found it again less than a week before I start my new job.
The new Gerber still suffers from some stiffness and when I took the old Gerber out of its pouch, it was a pleasure to feel the smooth motion of the pliers. I love that old Gerber and I'm glad it's back.
The question now is which Gerber to wear daily? Old or New? The new pouch is really nice and I may just put my old Gerber in it. The next question is what to do with the new Gerber? Put it someplace safe in case I lose my old Gerber again? It's too expensive just to give away and I'm not interested in selling it. Maybe I could bring the new one to work and use the old one at home.
*(33 Feet and Port 23).
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| Comments: |
Probably evidence of me living in a different world from everyone else I know these days, but for some reason that wasn't the kind of Gerber I was expecting!
Heh. Actually that was on my mind when I inserted the text for the LJ-cut. Fooled ya! :)
Old!
I know scout friends who'd work them for days until they snapped out like that. I was a Leatherman kinda guy so I never had to deal with that 'problem'.
Heh, that reminds me of all the arguments my Scout troop used to have about Gerber vs. Leatherman. It almost got as bad as discussing politics, let me tell you.
Heh. My very first Leatherman was, in fact, a Leatherman. I had it for a couple years before I saw my first Gerber. When a friend showed me his Gerber and how quickly he could whip out the pliers with one flick of the wrist, I was sold. I got my own within days.
I still have that Leatherman (I keep it in my winter coat) but I haven't really used it in years. | |
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