Category: School

Welcome to the great Illinois November Holiday!

November 16th, 2007 · · Illinois, Mount Vernon, School No comments - Tags: , , ,

No, not Thanksgiving silly. That’s nationwide. I’m talking about that ritual that began preparation last month – Deer Shotgun-season.

Last month I was listening to the guys here talk about deer tracking, rubs, and techniques. I thought the season was already underway. I was wrong. These guys were just preparing for that yearly feat.

In high school the first day of the season was always marked by extreme absences. Back then I thought it was just another reason for the guys to miss school.

Today was the opening of the first shotgun-season.  Again, I notice high absenteeism, but this is a real job, not just high school. Grown men are using their vacation and/or sick time to go sit in a tree, in the wee hours of the morning, in the cold, motionless, just to possibly see a deer and gun it down.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against hunting. It just isn’t for me. Being cold, tired, and cramped doesn’t appeal to me a whole lot. Kudos to the guys who do it, they are very dedicated.

I wish all you guys the best. Be safe and get a big buck for me.

This weekend was spectacular

November 5th, 2007 · · Jaycees, Mount Vernon, School No comments - Tags: , ,

I did nothing, and I loved every minute of it. No HoH, no meetings, no homework, nothing.

Now, I do have homework to do, but it’s not due until tomorrow, and I should get it done easily this evening. I just have to answer some questions for CSCI 1101 and review my last presentation for COMM 1101. No big issues there.

Changed the spark plugs and wires in the Hyundai Sunday afternoon. Thankfully, that took care of the misfire in cylinder 3 that was making the car run like poo. It’s amazing what simple routine maintenance can accomplish.

Afterward, I went and did some grocery shopping. Now all there is to do is concentrate on school work. Yay.

I love modern cars

October 26th, 2007 · · School 3 comments - Tags: ,

Okay, I ran out of gas going home from school the other day. Had the car towed to the repair shop, and it has been there since.

The fuel pump was replaced, and still no-go. Fuel was getting to the rails, but not pumped in through the injectors. Come to find out, there is a secondary pump/regulator that is about the size of a pack of gum hidden next to the crank and buried behind a bunch of crap.

Thankfully, Richard found it, replaced it, and the car now runs. Unfortunately, there was another issue found. Oh well, at least it will be tip-top when we get it back.

I miss having two cars. We generally only need one, but when the need for a second arises, you miss having it.

School and the House of Horror

October 25th, 2007 · · Illinois, Jaycees, Mount Vernon, School, Technology 2 comments - Tags: ,

School is still going well. Comm 1101 is fine I think. OS and CSCI 1101 are A’s I’m pretty sure. I did manage to get my first C in Networking today though. Overall, it shouldn’t affect my grade for the class, but it is a bit unnerving. Once I’ve done some hands-on with the routers I think I’ll have the commands down. Right now it’s all theory. I can learn theory, but practical application is better.

The HoH 2007 is going great. We made our budget back by our fifth night (last Saturday), and it’s clear-sailing from here on out. Hopefully the rain and temperatures will keep cooperating like they have the first two weekends. Volunteers all seem to have something going on this weekend, but we should have enough people to carry on.

Win is not the only OS out there

October 22nd, 2007 · · School, Technology 2 comments - Tags: ,

For some reason, in my classes at college, it seems like Linux (or Mac for that matter) are completely neglected. I have yet to hear anything other than a slight mention of these “alternative” OSs.

I would think that college would encourage the exploration of alternatives and the expanding of one’s mind beyond a single, proprietary, and locked-down operating system.

Linux allows freedom to change, modify, and redistribute. Windows makes you learn the Redmond Way. Wouldn’t it be great to have students writing code and creating things out of the box? Who knows what they could create.

Loads of the Internet runs on Linux servers. Linux is free to use on anything, but specifically business servers. Shouldn’t tomorrow’s SysAdmins be familiar with a more cost-effective way to manage their companies’ information?

I know I’m using Linux 100% (Kubuntu, Linux Mint), but I feel left out since I haven’t used Win systems regularly in 2 years. Also, how relevant for modern users is a knowledge of DOS? The very basics, sure. The whole command structure? Not so much.

I hope this doesn’t come off as preach-y. Just looking for a more balanced approach for every OS instead of MS-sponsored indoctrination.