Unwritten posts

Probably more than half of you will never read this, but I just thought I'd talk about what I didn't write here. Most of it was for a lack of motivation/time. I had a lot of things I meant to talk about more in-depth about here. One of the big things I would have enjoyed discussing is politics. I don't think I'll post on this blog anymore, but I might be starting a new one, I haven't decided yet.

Bye,and good luck to those of you (like myself) who aren't yet done with finals!
-Nate

Finals

Allright, I had one pre-written post I typed up tuesday or wednesday, here it is:

It's kind of weird, but although I'm a little aprehensive about finals, I don't feel stressed out. I still have to study for all of them, and I don't even know where some of them are being held. All the same, I don't think it will be too bad to prepare for them. I suppose a large part of this is due to the fact that I don't have any two finals on the same day, and they are spread out over 1 week. I'll be happy when it's over, although that will mean I have about 4 days until christmas ( I haven't gotten anyone gifts yet, I really need to get going on that).

So, how do the rest of you feel about finals, and christmas?
-Nate

LAN Parties

I'm at a lan party right now. It's actually pretty fun, although we're not really playing games, just sharing music (It's very legal! I wouldn't talk about it if it weren't). there actually aren't that many people, but it's kind of nice. lan parties get hectec very easily. The only thing that's been really irritating is that my computer decided to stop working when somebody put a music C.D. in. But other than that, It's been working nicely. like it should. But that aside, it's fun to get some friends, watch funny youtube videos, and listen to good music!
Have a nice weekend.
-Nate

My car... again

Well, I was late for my first class because it took me so long to get my car started. I think I've taken care of part of the problem now, and I'm going to change my oil soon and put in winter weight (no idea what's in there now). I can't decide what I should do about the issues I've had starting it either. I think I might need to buy a new battery if changing my oil doesn't help enough. I don't think it will. Cars are very expensive money pits, but without them, I'd have no way to get to the U. My car sure does work better during the summer. Although the air conditioning doesn't work... and I need to fix my radiator... :)

I wrote this post monday. And never posted it. Thats funny.
-Nate

driving in the snow

Unfortunately, I had to go somewhere today. when I left it wasn't even snowing, but on my way back the streets were pretty well coated in snow. It was interesting, because with a front wheel drive car, I didn't have to worry about fishtailing while I was accelerating, but when I had to stop at a stop sign, I just about lost control. Learning experience. :\ I got home without any incident, but all the same, it would have been nice to just not have to go. On a random note, I'm really looking forward to cleaning up my room soon, I've got way too much junk piled up.
Have a nice weekend,
Alex

Cold

Well, this is going to be interesting. As most of you probably noticed, it was pretty cold out this morning. Unfortunately for me, it seems that my car doesn't like cold. I'll have to do some research, but I'm not sure what I can do besides adding a block heater (warms up the engine when it's plugged in). Because when it gets really cold, I'm going to have to find a way to get it running. Previously, It's been sluggish to start on cold mornings, but this morning, it acted like the battery was almost dead. Also, when it gets really cold out, this morning's temp (10F) could easily be the day's high. So somehow, I need to heat it up at the busing station as well. I'm going to have to figure this one out fast.

Planning ahead...

is a very good thing. I went up north for thanksgiving, and we didn't have any internet up there. No problem, right? Except that I hadn't thought about completing that weeks blog posts without internet. Not a big deal, but I feel pretty stupid. On the bright side, I have to say once again, I really enjoy vacation. Thanksgiving meal was delicious (I have some great cooks in my family), I got to spend time with my brother who I almost never see, and I didn't have to do much work (free time!!!)
-Nate

Accomplishments

So far, I've pulled all four wheels off my car, and replaced the front brakes. The back ones looked almost new, so I'm going to return them. I've put the brake light that goes on my hood back on, I've looked at (for the first time) my spark plugs, I helped my dad do some digging for a wood pile on a hill by our house, and I've enjoyed relaxing and watching t.v. I'm not sure what else I want to accomplish tonight, but my brother has a play in 1/2 an hour that I'm not sure if I want to go to... Well, I want to get some more stuff done yet tonight, so I'm done for now.
-Nate

Today

Today, I get to work on my car! Replacing brake pads, etc. Right now, it's snowing, but I'm south of the twin cities, so maybe it's not snowing there. meh. It's not going to stay long, but it's nice to watch. My dog loves this weather (german shepherd). I'm not sure what else I'm going to do today, although my room could use some cleaning. I'm also thinking of trying to rebuild an electric motor (very simple job). I really enjoy being able to sleep in on saturdays. Allright, enough procrastination, I should get working on my car... right after I check my daily webcomics :)

-Nate

Computers never work...

1. When you need them to.
2. At a convenient time
3. When you'd rather not spend time working on them

I am having so much trouble trying to get a secure wifi setup to work. If I can get wep encryption to work, I can't turn on non-broadcasting. If I get wpa to work, then I can't turn on mac filters. It's getting infuriating. And I just want it to work. There are times I would enjoy spending hours tinkering with settings until I got it to work. This isn't one of them. So instead I just get to try to restrain myself from finding a hammer... Wish me luck.
-Nate
(and I only have to post once today. :)

Voting

Well, this is the first time in several weeks I've posted during the week. The topic of this week is: voting! I'll be old enough to vote in our next presidential election. I haven't decided at all who I'm supporting, because I don't know enough about the candidates at this point, (so if any of you know of good places that tell what each candidate's opinion is on the different issues, I'd really like to see it in the comments) but I know I'm going to vote. It's very interesting to think that only 54% (about) of eligible voters cast their ballot. How many of you are planning to vote? (you don't have to say who you're thinking of voting for)


I personally think this is going to be a very interesting election, what with all the things people want changed. There are so many opinions and causes to stand by.
-Nate

Explanations

All right, once again I'm doing two posts in one day. worse yet, they're being posted about ten minutes apart. The reason is, I once again wrote the post on the bus, but I never actually posted it. Who knows why I bother writing on the bus, except that I have time. I really need to find another time I can write stuff, so that I can post it when I get done typing.

But enough on my blogging habits. I think it's interesting how every year christmas starts earlier and earlier. Even before haloween, I had heard various commercials on the radio, and just today I saw an ad on T.V. To me, that is one of the most irritating things. Every year, the advertisements start sooner, and I have to ask why? I know it's not going to change my shopping habits for the holiday season, or go by some snowglobe because it looks nice. I don't know how many it would effect. The only reason I see for the early advertisements is to get you thinking about it early (so you'll spend more money, I guess).

Sorry about the rant :) Have a nice weekend.
-Nate

What?

Having lived (if barely) through more than half of my first semester in college, I have to say that there are a few things I'd do differently. I'm fine with the way things turned out, and that's good, because I don't have much choice, but since I can, I'm going to list off the top five things I would do differently.

Or at least I was going to, except I could only come up with two things I would do differently. Sure, there are plenty of things I'm not thrilled about, but when it comes down to it, I can live with them because the benefits outweigh the bad things. I can wish I wasn't so busy because I decided to take 18 credits my first semester, but when it comes down to it, I wouldn't drop any of the classes I'm taking. I'm not saying I wouldn't switch some of my teachers if I was given the option, but all in all, I like my current schedule. I guess my point is: I like how my year at the U is going, even with the things that make it far less than ideal.

And for those of you who are curious, the two things that I do want to change are:
1. take my classes without gaps in between classes (aka one early morning class, one afternoon class)
2. Looked a bit more closely at the class descriptions.

-Nate

Sleep, Sugar, Caffeine, and Staying Busy

I went to an Xbox party last night, and I have to say that I find it interesting how lack of sleep can effect you. I didn't feel tired until I decided I was going to head off to bed the next morning at home (8 AM). I had consumed plenty of caffeione and sugar, but the main thing that really kept me awake was the fact that I was always busy. We were always playing a game, so I didn't really have time to feel tired. At least, that's my theory. On a side note, playing the halo with map editing turned on is fun. We played some normal halo, but for the most part we were playing game varients that we made up on the spot. Now these matches were fun, but at 5:30 in the morning, when you haven't slept, everything is funnier. We were cracking up over the dumbest stuff. It was great. and when I got home, I slept the next 6 hours.

-Nate

They messed up...

Ok, I recently ordered some parts from an online retailer, and they sent me a part with different specs than what they had said it was. so supposedly, they're going to give me a refund and let me keep the parts. I think it's a good deal (free stuff!) but honestly, I'd rather have the parts I ordered. The thing that really bothers me is that I don't know if they are actually out of the part, or if they don't have it. (I hope they're just temporarily out). I have to say though, It's nice when the store messes up though, because the customer usually gets a pretty good deal.

But enough for now, I have to go, my bus is almost here.
-Nate

One day.

I know it's only been a day since I last posted, but it feels like it's been a week. I've done a lot of different things, mostly watching t.v., tearing apart a circuit board from a friend, and helping at my aunt's house. So it's not like I've been busy, or anything like that, it just seems unreal that yesterday was friday. It's kind of funny how whenever I'm relaxing, the normal idea of time goes out the window. It's like relativity, except more my perception of time than anything. But maybe It's just me :)

On the other side, I really have gotten a fair amount of little things done. I built myself a fairly large capacitor array, which I'll have to be careful with. It's capable of storing enough electricity to kill me! seriously. Why? because with it I could make a railgun, albeit a small one. Also, if it works like I think it will, I'll be able to explode potatoes with it. (and other foods).

Have a nice weekend!
-Nate

Fast week

This past week has gone by so fast for me. I was going to post on monday, and I even had something typed up, but I forgot about it, and now I can't even find the file. Well, this week has been interesting for me, in that if I were a sane person, this past week would have been awful, but I just feel fine. I mean, so many things have just gone wrong, but I don't really mind that, because... I don't know why. It just doesn't bother me. If I'm not making much sense to any of you, that's fine, because when I write, I have a tendency to rant. But I'm starting to get really hungry, so I'm going to go eat lunch.

-Nate

A throw-away society

It's kind of interesting how much society just says "throw it away." When our car gets too old, we buy a new one. When our DVD players stop working, we get a new one. Depending on what your policy is on recycling, there's a good chance it'll just end up in the trash. Example: my grandma's VCR broke, and I tried to fix it. The inside was all gummed up, and short of taking it all the way apart, there was really no way to fix it. It just wasn't designed to be fixed. So, rather than get that one working again, it's just going to be replaced. Maybe I'm the only one who's bothered by this mentality, but I shouldn't be. After all, we all will have to live with the piles of trash.

-Nate

First post of the week.

Well, although I havn't actually posted yet this week, I had typed something up earlier in the week while I was on the bus, but I never posted it. So here it is:

Blogging on the bus 2

Well, I once again find myself blogging while I'm on the bus. Lately I've been reading on E.V.s (electric vehicles, for those that don't know) there's a lot of information online about them, with lots of good information. While I would like to get one (never have to pay for gas, electricity, and new batteries every couple of years), They cost waaaay to much, with the cheaper new ones about 25 -30 thousand. Then There are more expensive models, like the Tesla Roadster, that sell for 100 thousand dollars.. The price doesn't come without some very nice features, though. Because it's electric, the Tesla only needs a 2 speed transmission, and can go from 0-60 in LESS than four seconds. It can drive more than 200 miles on one charge, and (considering most people drive less than 50 miles a day) that's more than enough, although the price tag is way too much for the average person. For those who want to read more on it, here's the link:

www.teslamotors.com

-Nate

Saturdays

I just remembered about five minutes ago I was supposed to add another post to my blog tonight. I've had a very laid back saturday, but It's also been extremely productive. I've pulled apart about 8 hard drives for one project I'm working on, been able to watch t.v, and just relax in general. I didn't even half of what I would have liked to get done today finished, or in most cases, started, but I still feel productive. I can't wait to finish some more of my projects. I'll post the other one I was talking about when I've finished it (I have a good start).

-Nate

While on a bus

I take the bus to the U, and I have to say, there's not much room most of the time. I mean, I ride the bus fairly often, and It's usually not too bad, but this one is the kind where it's two seats right next to each other, and they all face forward. All the seats are full, and there are 2 people (strike that, 4) standing. It actually wouldn't be too bad spacewise, but I'm trying to type, so my arm's hitting the armrest that would be better if it were just gone. or tipped upright. except that these ones don't tip upright, they are in a fixed position. All in all, I actually really like mass transit though, because I can do things like type instead of driving. Often, I'll even consider working on homework :). Actually, I'll often use that time to read the books for english.

There's one thing that I really would like to add to busses though. Outlets. I don't care whether they are 12V or 120V, but having access to power would be nice.

It's interesting to think about (for me), but I really haven't written about technology yet. Oh well, I have a pretty cool project coming up (just because I can) that I might do a short write-up on. It'll be good. As long as I don't injure myself.

(and no, I didn't have access to the internet while I was on the bus, I just typed it in openoffice, and posted it later)

Ok, this is just plain stupid. because I copied it in, it brought a bunch of hidden tags about the margin size, font, etc. So when I tried to post it, it came up with errors because they weren't recognized as valid html tags. Grrrrrrr. I like linux, but sometimes, it's too smart. (and that's my geek rant for the day)

-Nate

Paintball!

Well I went paintballing today, and I an exhausted now. Although paintballing is extremely fun, its also very tiring. We play on a large chunk of land, privately owned instead of paying to play on a course, and there were about 40 people out there. We played CTF, with both flags right at the base of a long hill with several ravines between them. Running along the hill, climbing ravines, and dodging paintballs (I wish) is hard work, and the field we play on is huge. considering the only boundry we use is that nobody can get too close to the house at the top of the hill. This is actually only the second time I've gone all year, the first being a smaller 3 on 3, playing in a wooded area by a friend's house. Funny thing I noticed though. I didn't know many of the people there, but one of the main topics of conversation was halo 3. I kinda wonder if there's a connection? except that I don't play halo. Still, seems a bit of a coincidence. but now I'm just ranting. Bye.

Truly Wireless

This is my first year at the U, and the thing that I've enjoyed most overall so far is the wifi. being able to, in any class, turn on my laptop and check my email, or look up some obscure fact that caught my attention. That's definitely a very cool thing. But I like even more how you can then go and sit under a tree, and still be IMing friends.

That's not to say that that's the only thing I like about being at the U. I especially enjoy my Chem class, although that might just be my preference. The other classes are ok, but why is it that the one class I have to take I like the least? I'll leave off here, but if anyone wants to talk about what their favorite thing about being at the U is, go ahead and post or leave a comment.

Additions to the theory of relativity

I'm heading up to the lake this weekend, which is why I'm posting now. When I'm on vacation, It's like time just evaporates, and passes you by way too fast, and at the same time like it was never there. I love it! Plus , I sleep a minimum of 10 hrs a night. Unfortunately, I'll be back to reality on Monday.

Procrastination

Everyone does it. I'm doing it right now. Who else habitually procrastinates? anything in particular that you do to procrastinate? me, I just do whatever I can.

Busy!

I'm beginning to think I'll never get a decent night of sleep again until next summer. There are too many things going on, between getting acclimated to college life, and other things I want to get done. One good example: my car. I just finished painting it, and now I'm replacing the top this weekend (it's a convertible), along with going to a lan party, taking care of my homework, and trying to catch up on sleep from this past week. I suppose part of it has to do with my complete lack of organizational skills. :)

Weekend...

I can't wait for the weekend so that I can just sleep in. It's 11:15 and I still have homework I need to do for tomorrow (for those of you that are curious, It's a one page article). I really hate procrastination. Later. When it's an issue. I wonder how late I'll be up.

Right now...

right now I'm working on desoldering some electrical components from protoboard. I really want to make a hot air gun (a tool that emits air hot enough to melt solder). This would go soooo much easier. I even have an old toaster to pull some nichrome wire out of. Possibilities... Anyways, I think I'll go do something else. maybe try exploding a li-ion cell. That would be cool to watch.

First Post!!!

This is the first post for my blog, so I suppose I'll explain what I plan to talk about here. For the most part, I'm going to talk about technology because that's one of my main interests. I'm also prone to ranting about classes, and tweaking a linux install on my latest half finished project. Maybe I'll do an update with links to some of my favorite diy sites. but not right now
-Nate