Fear the Crab

We’re still learning probability in 241. I understand the concept, but when presented with a problem I have trouble figuring out the different details and what’s expected of me. I suppose this is the same as how some people can’t stand word problems; perhaps it’s a failure to understand and notate the different variables.

In 211 we’re going to convert our big programming assignment into an Applet, and run it off the web. I already started trying out the code, but the GUI isn’t what I thought it would look like. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m forgetting something, or some of my parameters are off. For example, I wanted a text field that was 80 characters long, flanked by a label and a button. Instead I got a big label, text field of 20 characters long, and a big button. Perhaps in class Thursday we’ll find out how to adjust these things. We still haven’t learned how to make the buttons and stuff do anything; right now we’re simply designing the layout.

If the Applet thing works out, I’m going to post my JavaQuest game on my web page. Unfortunately, whoever plays it won’t be able to save their game. I can’t save it on their machine, and I sure as hell don’t want them to save it on mine! Still, it’d be an experience to do that, and I can leave it on my page for no other reason than to brag.

I took a two-hour nap, so now I’m awake. This might not be so good, because I have to wake up early and go to work for an extra day tomorrow. If I stay up late I’ll be very surly in the morning.

Did some touch-up work on my homework assignment, fixing up some code and generally trying to make it look decent and organized. I still can’t figure out that bug, though.

Took Titan to the school at night, while it was cool. He ran around again and seemed to have a jolly ol’ time, though as with all fun it had to end too soon. I have to wake up early the next day, after all.

It’s odd how the day works. I went to bed last night at 2130 hours, hoping to get at least 7 hours of sleep before 0400. Yet it was at 0330 that I awoke, and since I was already up (and leery of challenging the alarm clock) I got out of bed and made a pot of coffee. I spent the next hour trying to figure out some of the Java code that’s due for homework, then got ready and left for school.

It only took me 20 minutes to get to campus and find a parking stall. That just gave me more time to work on that code. Unfortunately, the progress I had made earlier in the morning did little to further my efforts. I went to my math class, and spent that hour teetering on the edge of understanding and confusion. Probability seems very easy to grasp, but something in the back of my head is shorting out as it tries to comprehend other problems involving probability.

I ate breakfast at Paradise Palms; the usual fare of fried rice, scrambled eggs, portuguese sausage, and spam. Since I was eating, I didn’t want to work on my code, and since it’s not due until next Monday, I figured I had plenty of time. That time certainly came into play early, as I browsed onto Microsoft’s Windows Update page, and found a service pack for XP. That bloke took me nearly an hour to download, then another 15 minutes to install. I just hope it was worth it.

I managed to talk to one of my classmates, and together we looked at the code we programmed for ICS 211. Much kudos to him, because he was able to help me get past a few hurdles I couldn’t get around. Thanks to his help, I can now say that I’m finished with the assignment, and I have already turned it in. The big question is whether or not the program will run on a UNIX machine, since that’s what the TAs and professor will be testing it on. I FTPd the assignment into my UHUnix account, and did some test runs, and did not come across anything different or explosive. Instead of being satisfied, I’m worried that something else will happen that I was unable to foresee and ruin my grade. My goal over the next several days is to log on and try as many test cases as I can think of to “break” the code and discover any bugs. Perhaps a fresh night’s sleep will help clear the mind.

I must also remember to begin work on my math assignments. It’s not due for another two weeks, but it’s best to get an early start, especially with my brain’s inability to function properly in times of crises.

On a side note: A bottle of whiskey is $10. The whiskey itself is $9 more than the bottle. How much is the bottle?

Work was interesting, but only because of the conversations I was able to have. There was a little toddler boy who really really wanted a mini-recorder keychain, so badly in fact that he tried to break the glass door with his tiny fist when his mom finally dragged him out crying.

I got my first homework assignment for ICS 211. I had to make a web page, which will be the starting point for all those Java applets we are planning to make. The simplicity of this assignment is lulling me into a false sense of security; I’m trying to force myself to believe that it’s not going to be a cakewalk, just so I can take it seriously.

As far as ICS 241 goes, I finally managed to complete the first assignment. I don’t think it’s 100% correct, but at least I did what I could to the best of my understanding.

I helped Maile try and figure out why her printer isn’t displaying its status window. At first I thought it was because XP was installed over the printer drivers, but after I removed and reinstalled the drivers, that darn status window still didn’t show up. The printer still works, though.

Tonight’s UH football game:
Eastern Illinois – 36
Hawaii – 61

I have discovered that a half hour can make a whole lot of difference in regards to the morning rush hour. On Tuesday I left the house at 0615 hours and it took me about an hour to get to campus. Today I left at 0530 and showed up within 20 minutes. From now on, I plan to wake up at 0400 on school nights so I don’t have to sit in traffic. Now I really have to consider changing my hours on Mondays.

If I’ve never said it before, I’ll say it now; I hate math. Linear algebra, geometry, those I’m fine with. Stuff like what I’m getting into makes my head full. I can actually feel my brain pulse and get all fuzzy when I’m trying to comprehend stuff like mathematical induction. My head is so unhinged I can’t even describe induction here.

I officially made a fool of myself in 211. The prof is a big stickler for audience participation, going so far as to give points for it. We were reviewing basic Java concepts, and we came to the subject of while-loops and for-loops. She asked, “How many times will a for-loop initialize?” I know about for-loops, so I raised my hand, and was called to answer. Unfortunately, I misheard the question to be, “How many time will a for-loop run?” so I answered, “At least once.” I was corrected with the answer that it is just once. Not at least. Only once.

Well, my answer was “sorta” correct. And at least I’ve made myself known to the professor. The question remains whether or not I got a point for “effort,” or a neutral, which doesn’t affect my participation at all.

George left a message on my cell phone, at around 1920 hours according to the time stamp. He was hanging out with some old friends, Chanelle and Kandi (from what I understood of the message). Unfortunately, I got the message perhaps 2 hours later, and considering that I had been up since 0400 I was feeling quite beat. It’s too bad; I would’ve like to have gone. Haven’t seen those two girls in ages.

Work was blah, as usual. There was nobody to talk to, so it was quite a relief to be able to take a break and talk to Maile on the cell phone. During work, I busied myself not by helping customers or tidying up the store, but rather jotting down some notes for a new zone I was planning to build on CheesyMUD. It’s a step up from the areas I previously built, because it’s going to incorporate several aspects I’ve never tried before (like mini-quests). It sounds hunky-dory in theory, but the actual implementation of my ideas may or may not pan out.

It seemed that I was not the only one who had a blah day. Maile related her excruciating experience at the beach. One might think it strange that people from Hawaii have bad experiences with beaches, but rest assured it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. It was hot, the food was late in preparation, and those foodstuffs that were ready were quickly gobbled up by inconsiderate clods that had all the manners of a grapefruit.

Maile and I are a bit apprehensive about our respective classes this fall. It’s a mixture of not knowing what to expect and whether or not we’re capable of handling the workload. In the end the only thing we can do is hope, and try our best.

Tonight’s Invader Zim episode(s):
Attack of the Saucer Morons
The Wettening

Not much happened today. I did some desc work on CheesyMUD and made a few mobiles, but that’s about it. Some would say I’m barely doing enough to warrant my immortal position, but I would disagree. Later.

At work it was a slow day. Nothing exciting occured, and the only notable thing worth mentioning was that Irene claims to not snore when she sleeps. I asked her how she can say that when she’s asleep and likely can’t hear herself snore. She says it’s because Tolkien never said anything. I think he’s being polite.

I’m trying to figure out why my desktop is so slow. By slow I do not mean machine speed, but rather the annoying fact that if it’s left on for a while, it will actually “act” slower. It’s as though something is chewing up all the processor time and it’s clogging up the pipes like a garlic chili dinner down the toilet. Among the clues that tell me this is the fact that my system clock gets slower and slower, to the point that it could be midnight in reality, but the computer will think it’s 2230 hours. The processor sounds like it’s regurgitating leftover spiced ham, and as it’s doing that the mouse is ill-responsive like a needle skipping over a broken record. I’ve removed some programs I no longer needed, one of which being ProgressQuest, a “hands-free” type of game that runs on its own. My suspicions fall greatly upon that cheeky monkey. I removed it, and after a reboot and disk cleanup/scandisk/degfrag I’m going to let it “sit” for a while and see if that fixes the problem. A deep gurgling in my stomach tells me that’s not the end of the problem, however. We shall see.

Today’s Invader Zim episode(s):
Megadoomer
Lice
Germs
Dark Harvest

No cavities. I also had no return appointment for my next six-month checkup. I wonder if I’m supposed to call, or they will call me?

I found out what was wrong with all those spec codes on CheesyMUD. Seems I forgot one itty-bitty = sign and that threw off the entire thing. I guess it’s the same as what a little atom can do when it’s split in two.

However, now it seems as though none of the code I made before is working. I’m not sure if it’s another mistake I made, or if something else is happening. I’ll have to ask Kyrol about that.

I finally experienced the air conditioner I bought for Maile for her bedroom, and it came in really handy today. The only way to beat a hot muggy day is to spend it entirely in cool comfort with a queen-sized bed and a great dane.

I seem to have broken my spec codes on CheesyMUD. Everytime I think I fix it, the same problem occurs. What happens? Well, first let me say that the code is supposed to prevent access into an area unless that person carries a ticket. If they don’t have a ticket, the code is supposed to tell them they can’t pass without one. Unfortunately, when I finished the code, anytime I tried a command I would be told I needed a ticket. In a nutshell, I had “frozen” myself and “locked” all my normal game commands (including the commands to try and fix the code). I’d hate to think what I would have done if there was no other immortal who could have helped me. I’d be stuck forever!

Work was actually busy today. There were lots of customers all wanting to buy things. After we closed the registers, I noticed a good-sized stack of traveler’s cheques and whole heap of long greens. That’s something the store hasn’t seen in a long time. Still, I’m very glad I don’t have to go to work tomorrow.

I found out today that I register for the fall semester on Aug 20, Tuesday at 1330. That’s the last day of registration. As of last week, there were only a few seats available. The pessimistic side of me is saying that now I won’t get a seat in the classes I want, and I’m going to have to spend the first week of school sitting in on classes and hoping someone will drop. The optimistic side of me is saying that the classes I want have certain prerequisites that need to be fulfilled, so my chances of getting a seat only depends on who else is pursuing the same field of computer science. I’ve already got the requirements needed to take the class, so if everyone who’s taking it with me already registered, odds are those open seats will remain open. I’ll just have to keep checking the class status every day to see any changes.

I think this will be a very stressful week for me.

Made two more spec programs for CheesyMUD. They’re simple things, and they only force people to do things they normally wouldn’t. Much thanks to Kyrol again for helping to compile the code.