We don't get out much. After 8+ hours of programming and meetings every day, I don't often go out and something exciting. I'm happy to have dinner with my wife, take the dogs out, and watch an episode of something or other. When I put it in words, it does sound rather drab.
Yesterday was the first Saturday that I've slept in since before we moved. I decided to mess with my graphics card a bit, and in the end, the easy way out was to reinstall my operating system. The up side is that I was prepared for such drastic measures. I now have Ubuntu 9.10 running on "Extra Visual Effects" mode--which means some of my windows are transparent and I can make my windows wiggle when I grab them with the mouse. It's the little things in life.
Last weekend I enjoyed reading and skimming, and I realized that I don't have any story books that I'm currently reading (and no such books that I want to read on my shelf). Saturday was also the first day in several weeks above freezing, and I hadn't been on a good long walk since Christmas. In response, we killed (or at least seriously injured) two birds with one stone--we walked to the nearest bookstore. The round trip was about 2.8 miles with some sidewalks, some snow-walks, and some roadside-walks.
After looking through a few books (Ubuntu, The Number Phi, Mind Hacks, and Nicoli Tesla), I asked one of the guys who worked there for some recommendations on science fiction or fantasy books to pick up. He was rather surprised that I hadn't read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He recommended a book called Red Mars about colonizing Mars, so I'll read that after Hitchhikers. I also picked up my very first Linux magazine--Linux Shell. I'm already learning about all the wonderful things I can do with Bash scripting.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Weekend of Rest
My first three weeks of work have flown by. It seems like last week we were passing boxes through the window and wondering if we'd make it to pay day. Not many people have saved enough to move from one state to another and fly round trip across the country without being paid for two months. We have been blessed.
My job is right up my alley. I didn't know at first how interested I would be programming radios, but there's so much going on in a radio. After three weeks, I still don't understand it all--which is what I need. I need something to wrap my brain around for a few years. I was also concerned that programming for work would sap me of any desire to code for fun, but I think my job has stirred up in me a new excitement for coding (previously burnt out of me with schooling). I started working on a multi-threaded neural net. Just for fun.
Today I reorganized the office to better facilitate my desire to read and do relaxing hobbies. I skimmed the remainder of The Art of War (the less renown one by Machiavelli), read two chapters of Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey, and a chapter of Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. We have three bookcases to accommodate our library. The tall shelf is full of reading books, split into fiction and nonfiction. The other two shorter shelves are reference books (Becca's and mine). For a newlywed couple, we certainly have a decent library, everything from Computer Organization and Design to Wildwood Dancing to The Silmarillian to Educational Psychology.
It wouldn't be a complete blog entry on Valentines day without a brief recap of the day's festivities. Last night I read several of the tales from Arabian Nights to my wife, and this morning I made her French toast with strawberries in the shape of a heart. I have a wonderful wife--without Becca, I would not be where I am or who I am today.
My job is right up my alley. I didn't know at first how interested I would be programming radios, but there's so much going on in a radio. After three weeks, I still don't understand it all--which is what I need. I need something to wrap my brain around for a few years. I was also concerned that programming for work would sap me of any desire to code for fun, but I think my job has stirred up in me a new excitement for coding (previously burnt out of me with schooling). I started working on a multi-threaded neural net. Just for fun.
Today I reorganized the office to better facilitate my desire to read and do relaxing hobbies. I skimmed the remainder of The Art of War (the less renown one by Machiavelli), read two chapters of Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey, and a chapter of Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. We have three bookcases to accommodate our library. The tall shelf is full of reading books, split into fiction and nonfiction. The other two shorter shelves are reference books (Becca's and mine). For a newlywed couple, we certainly have a decent library, everything from Computer Organization and Design to Wildwood Dancing to The Silmarillian to Educational Psychology.
It wouldn't be a complete blog entry on Valentines day without a brief recap of the day's festivities. Last night I read several of the tales from Arabian Nights to my wife, and this morning I made her French toast with strawberries in the shape of a heart. I have a wonderful wife--without Becca, I would not be where I am or who I am today.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Cedar Rapids Iowans...
Eleven days ago I wrote down a few thoughts about moving to Iowa. Packing up a house into boxes
in the back room is one thing, but actually moving it all 1000 miles is something completely different.We got up at 4:00 A.M. on Thursday and packed the remainder of our belongings into a full uHaul and Ford Escort (with its front wheels strapped to the car dolly). We crowded the dogs into the front seat with us and drove to the gas station at 5:00 A.M. where I had my first attempt at filling up a 17 ft. truck with a car on a dolly close behind.
By ten o'clock we were five hours into our trip and crossing into Oklahoma. 
The trip itself was memorable--insomuch as it was my first 17 ft. truck drive and that in and of itself was stressful--but we drove through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa so I didn't see anything really worthy of note.
The trip itself was memorable--insomuch as it was my first 17 ft. truck drive and that in and of itself was stressful--but we drove through Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa so I didn't see anything really worthy of note.In an attempt to find our hotel in Kansas City, we took an exit that sent us directly into a residential district. I had to drive uphill in the snow on a road lined with parked cars on both sides. It was the most stressful drive of my life. At one point I had to pull in my mirrors to inch past an SUV, but we made it safe and sound.
Our apartment is half underground near the parking lot, so we moved at least two thirds of the truck contents on the
first day (Friday) through the bedroom window. In the morning, we tackled the larger furniture (desk, couch, bed frame pieces, table) with the help of some upstairs neighbors who happened to see us unloading.The kitchen is completely unpacked (to our knowledge) and most other rooms, save the office, are well on their way. We still have addresses to change, forms to fill, and furniture to purchase, but we're well on our way to being real residents of Iowa.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Musing on Moving
Packing a house provides a unique prospective on life.
I practically grew up packing. Every four years we'd move from Indonesia to travel around America for a few months, and in sixth grade, I began moving countries four times a year (Christmas and summer breaks). When I graduated high school and moved to college, I moved almost all I owned to a dorm room, and each semester, I'd move it out and back again.
Each time I moved, I would think about how similar my life was to that of a nomad and how this life is only the beginning of an eternal journey. But this is the first time I've packed up a whole house. This is the first time I've moved while married.
This time is different. I now have a family to move (my wife and two dogs). I am the provider moving my tribe to more suitable lands. It's a difficult thing to describe, this feeling. I suppose I never noticed just how self-centered all my previous moves have been. I have never needed to find a place near a park or considered purchasing a vehicle based on children I won't have for years to come. I have never before been responsible for someone else in a move.
I suppose this is what it is to be a leader--to be a husband.
I practically grew up packing. Every four years we'd move from Indonesia to travel around America for a few months, and in sixth grade, I began moving countries four times a year (Christmas and summer breaks). When I graduated high school and moved to college, I moved almost all I owned to a dorm room, and each semester, I'd move it out and back again.
Each time I moved, I would think about how similar my life was to that of a nomad and how this life is only the beginning of an eternal journey. But this is the first time I've packed up a whole house. This is the first time I've moved while married.
This time is different. I now have a family to move (my wife and two dogs). I am the provider moving my tribe to more suitable lands. It's a difficult thing to describe, this feeling. I suppose I never noticed just how self-centered all my previous moves have been. I have never needed to find a place near a park or considered purchasing a vehicle based on children I won't have for years to come. I have never before been responsible for someone else in a move.
I suppose this is what it is to be a leader--to be a husband.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Windows 7, Snow Leopard, the Universe, and Everything
People are crazy. I just read through the comments on someones plug for Windows 7, and as always, bitter debate ensued. There were basically two camps: Windows users and Mac users. Each group consisted of mostly common users--people who use their computers for typing up reports, sending emails, or surfing the net (side note: since the internet is a series of connected tubes, I propose we call it the "inter-tubes"). Sprinkled throughout the mud-flinging were a few IT techs and network administrators who attempted (to no avail) to even the playing field one way or the other.
Windows 7 has been hailed as the end-all be-all of operating systems by end users who just suffered through Vista. In comparison, I'm sure it's breathtaking. It hasn't been out long enough for users to find the little annoyances and fatal system bugs that will inevitably arise. Already, Windows has released numerous fixes to patch up cracks in the media and security holes. In time, W7 users will descend from their high and they'll start complaining again--this is the nature of new toys. I'm not saying they'll be as unhappy as they were with Vista; I find that extremely hard to envision. Windows users will still be Windows users because that's what they're used to.
Snow Leopard has been the hottest news in the Apple community since it came out in August 2009, but Apple seems to be slipping from their white tower. Mac users often boast that Apple computers can't get viruses and don't crash. Ever. McAfee (anti-virus software giant) recently extended support for Macs (stupid move if they can't get viruses), and Snow Leopard, even without a virus, will delete everything you ever saved if you log in as a guest. My point should be made by now. No operating system is perfect--patches and upgrades are necessary. In the end though, Mac users will be Mac users, those bumper stickers are super-glued on.
Apple advertising is shameful. Mud-flinging has always been seen for what it is, and I personally sympathize with the PC guy--if only for the fact that he's made fun of time and time again. Microsoft did a great job with the counter campaign: "I'm a PC." They're not flinging mud back; they're just making Apple look like they don't like people.
The ironic thing: PC means Personal Computers. Apple computers are PCs. The least they could do is say "Microsoft" when they mean it, but that would give them away.
Now that I've sufficiently angered both sides, allow me to stereotype Windows and Mac users. If you don't fall into my stereotypes, you don't need to be offended, just sit back and chuckle a little as you think of people you know in either boat.
Windows users are the everyday computer users. Most haven't branched out to other operating systems, and if they have, they realized that the largest support base was back where they started. They don't want the job to get their hands dirty, they just want to get the job done. Windows is everywhere: schools, businesses, internet cafes, and coffee shops.
The large majority of Mac users I've met would kill for their Mac. The article I read that inspired me to write this called them "Mac fanboys," which is a good description. These are the fanatic Mac users who will comment mean things about me when I post this message. They have a great operating system. They have white Apple stickers on their car and warn people to stay away from their precious white machines. Their paranoia is justified. Don't hate or ostracize them, they're just in the minority--and know it.
If you're a Windows user, find a Mac user who's not overly protective of his machine and give it a try. You might be surprised.
If you're a Mac user, try out Windows, it's everywhere.
Both of you, find some nerd with Ubuntu and give it a whirl. You might be surprised.
Linux people are generally nerds, but it is true that Ubuntu is becoming very user friendly. The upside is that it's free and new full versions come out twice a year. Free. Linux people don't mind searching forums for the program they need to get the job done because there are enough nerds out there to make good programs and to test one another's programs. They're the outcasts, and they don't mind.
There will always be issues to resolve no matter what operating system you use, so before you get too old, try a new one. Don't just sit down, feel uncomfortable, and leave; ask someone to introduce their world to you. They might look at you like you've lost your mind, but hey, people are crazy.
Windows 7 has been hailed as the end-all be-all of operating systems by end users who just suffered through Vista. In comparison, I'm sure it's breathtaking. It hasn't been out long enough for users to find the little annoyances and fatal system bugs that will inevitably arise. Already, Windows has released numerous fixes to patch up cracks in the media and security holes. In time, W7 users will descend from their high and they'll start complaining again--this is the nature of new toys. I'm not saying they'll be as unhappy as they were with Vista; I find that extremely hard to envision. Windows users will still be Windows users because that's what they're used to.
Snow Leopard has been the hottest news in the Apple community since it came out in August 2009, but Apple seems to be slipping from their white tower. Mac users often boast that Apple computers can't get viruses and don't crash. Ever. McAfee (anti-virus software giant) recently extended support for Macs (stupid move if they can't get viruses), and Snow Leopard, even without a virus, will delete everything you ever saved if you log in as a guest. My point should be made by now. No operating system is perfect--patches and upgrades are necessary. In the end though, Mac users will be Mac users, those bumper stickers are super-glued on.
Apple advertising is shameful. Mud-flinging has always been seen for what it is, and I personally sympathize with the PC guy--if only for the fact that he's made fun of time and time again. Microsoft did a great job with the counter campaign: "I'm a PC." They're not flinging mud back; they're just making Apple look like they don't like people.
The ironic thing: PC means Personal Computers. Apple computers are PCs. The least they could do is say "Microsoft" when they mean it, but that would give them away.
Now that I've sufficiently angered both sides, allow me to stereotype Windows and Mac users. If you don't fall into my stereotypes, you don't need to be offended, just sit back and chuckle a little as you think of people you know in either boat.
Windows users are the everyday computer users. Most haven't branched out to other operating systems, and if they have, they realized that the largest support base was back where they started. They don't want the job to get their hands dirty, they just want to get the job done. Windows is everywhere: schools, businesses, internet cafes, and coffee shops.
The large majority of Mac users I've met would kill for their Mac. The article I read that inspired me to write this called them "Mac fanboys," which is a good description. These are the fanatic Mac users who will comment mean things about me when I post this message. They have a great operating system. They have white Apple stickers on their car and warn people to stay away from their precious white machines. Their paranoia is justified. Don't hate or ostracize them, they're just in the minority--and know it.
If you're a Windows user, find a Mac user who's not overly protective of his machine and give it a try. You might be surprised.
If you're a Mac user, try out Windows, it's everywhere.
Both of you, find some nerd with Ubuntu and give it a whirl. You might be surprised.
Linux people are generally nerds, but it is true that Ubuntu is becoming very user friendly. The upside is that it's free and new full versions come out twice a year. Free. Linux people don't mind searching forums for the program they need to get the job done because there are enough nerds out there to make good programs and to test one another's programs. They're the outcasts, and they don't mind.
There will always be issues to resolve no matter what operating system you use, so before you get too old, try a new one. Don't just sit down, feel uncomfortable, and leave; ask someone to introduce their world to you. They might look at you like you've lost your mind, but hey, people are crazy.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
A Poem
I wrote this poem to my wife while we were still dating. I think I wrote it down during some class that I found especially droll, and I gave it to her shortly thereafter. Today my wife returned home from a trip to her parent's house, and she brought this poem with her.
A Poem
by Robert Whiting (3/25/08)
Well I thought I'd write a poem
in a sentimental way
for your lasting entertainment
at the ending of the... hour.
If it rhymed, it'd be romantic
and it may just make you red,
so I'll modify these lyrics--
it won't sound nice when it's... spoken.
In a poem what's required
but an image or a rhyme?
If you liked it then most likely
I would sing it all the... day.
And I thought I'd write your kindness
into something sweet and true,
but my brain is far too scattered
to write imagery of... Becca.
I think this poem's finished
as your class comes to an end
soon I'll give you all this writing
and this poem you can... repair.
A Poem
by Robert Whiting (3/25/08)
Well I thought I'd write a poem
in a sentimental way
for your lasting entertainment
at the ending of the... hour.
If it rhymed, it'd be romantic
and it may just make you red,
so I'll modify these lyrics--
it won't sound nice when it's... spoken.
In a poem what's required
but an image or a rhyme?
If you liked it then most likely
I would sing it all the... day.
And I thought I'd write your kindness
into something sweet and true,
but my brain is far too scattered
to write imagery of... Becca.
I think this poem's finished
as your class comes to an end
soon I'll give you all this writing
and this poem you can... repair.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Return to the Code
I always figured that my last semester in college would be packed so full of classes and last minute giant assignments that I wouldn't have time to write a blog entry, let alone have extra-curricular activities.
So far, this semester is looking rather promising. Numerical analysis has complex topics, but they're manageable and interesting. Romans is intriguing yet predictable. World literature is a good introduction into what I might read after I graduate and have time to enjoy some classics, but for the time being, it is bearable.
Software engineering will actually get me somewhere in my career. We've already covered the basics of software design and testing--something I should have learned years ago. The midterm is in a week, and then the whole class will be working together on a grand project as a single company. In networks I'm learning how to watch networks and understand the underlying protocols. Soon, I'll be helping a nonprofit organization restructure their local network with the help of some other computer science majors (an opportunity never before granted).
After four years of ACM members prodding me to join, I finally joined. They showed me how to use Pov-Ray, and today they're doing a demonstration on swarm robotics. Ever since I tried competitive programming, my professors have been asking me each semester to join, and yesterday, I joined. My newly formed team finished two of the programs and successfully submitted one before the time was out. Why did I wait so long to actually get involved?
Work. Homework. Studies. How is it that college could get in the way of my learning so quickly that I missed out on the real learning? Class work provides the tools, but clubs and student organizations provide the hands on experience that make college worth it. Ironic that I pay the college so much and the clubs so little.
I have warned myself before, and I say it again, "do not allow school to get in the way of learning."
So far, this semester is looking rather promising. Numerical analysis has complex topics, but they're manageable and interesting. Romans is intriguing yet predictable. World literature is a good introduction into what I might read after I graduate and have time to enjoy some classics, but for the time being, it is bearable.
Software engineering will actually get me somewhere in my career. We've already covered the basics of software design and testing--something I should have learned years ago. The midterm is in a week, and then the whole class will be working together on a grand project as a single company. In networks I'm learning how to watch networks and understand the underlying protocols. Soon, I'll be helping a nonprofit organization restructure their local network with the help of some other computer science majors (an opportunity never before granted).
After four years of ACM members prodding me to join, I finally joined. They showed me how to use Pov-Ray, and today they're doing a demonstration on swarm robotics. Ever since I tried competitive programming, my professors have been asking me each semester to join, and yesterday, I joined. My newly formed team finished two of the programs and successfully submitted one before the time was out. Why did I wait so long to actually get involved?
Work. Homework. Studies. How is it that college could get in the way of my learning so quickly that I missed out on the real learning? Class work provides the tools, but clubs and student organizations provide the hands on experience that make college worth it. Ironic that I pay the college so much and the clubs so little.
I have warned myself before, and I say it again, "do not allow school to get in the way of learning."
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