I recently learned that the Folsom Library has movies.  They have new releases and a wide variety of older DVDs.  I have been trying to remember some of the movies that I have wanted to see for a long time.  Unfortunately by the good movie law, when I go to look for a movie I want to see, I can never ever remember what I was thinking about originally.  It’s okay though, I just checked out The Truman Show and I am looking forward to it.

I just signed up for classes yesterday.  The lineup is exactly what I had written two weeks ago, except now I know which humanities class I have.  Here’s the full lineup:

Materials Science for Engineers
Engineering Graphics and CAD
Physics 1
Intro to Differential Equations
Environment and Society (the previously unknown Humanities course)

Finally a week
Where I feel great and do well
On my everything.

This wasn’t quite like the clambakes that I’d attended in the past. This was almost a formal affair, where in other clambakes that I have been to were more like barbeques. The food was very good, and there was a decent variety of choices. I after getting some food, we were able to sit around the tables and socialize with whoever was there. It was a really great opportunity to build some networking connections. Besides the president, there was a pretty impressive faculty attendance. I really enjoyed being able to relax and discuss some current issues at the school with people that were pretty high up in the administration.

I have 2 projects, a group presentation, and a couple of exams left in the semester, and most of them are due right around the end of the semester. Now that wrestling season has begun, it is going to be pretty tough trying to manage my time, but I think that with the help of a lot of coffee and energy drinks, I should be able to get through it.

Even though this part of the semester is the hardest in terms of the amount of work that is assigned, I think that it is also the most interesting part of the year. This is when we get to put everything that we have learned so far and put it into a project, or apply the theory to real life situations. In my nuclear engineering class, we are finally beginning to combine some of the theories so that we can get a real idea of how certain changes affect a reactor, such as the size, shape, fuel type, enrichment percent, and various other factors. The problems that we are encountering in Thermals and Fluids are problems that combine the earlier theories and apply them to the new material that we are learning.

On top of all this exciting classwork, this weekend is my first wrestling match of the season. RPI is hosting a quad meet with RPI, University of Connecticut, US Naval Academy Prep School, and the University of New Haven. Since becoming a student of Rensselaer just over 2 years ago, I have yet to have a home match and am very excited about it. I think that RPI will have a good showing, even though Navy and UConn are usually very tough opponents. It will be a good way to gauge our new freshmen and it will give the returners an idea of where they are at in terms of physical conditioning and mental preparedness.

Until next week

-Brian

I’m really looking forward to next week because it’s my birthday. On Wednesday, the day before my birthday, my parents are going to come up and visit me and take me to dinner, which will be really nice. I still have to figure out what I want. They’ve been asking me, but I haven’t had much time to think about birthday stuff this past week. Just seeing them will be enough for me though.

I’m getting a little anxious for course scheduling. My time slot is about a week and a half from now. I’m not exactly worried that I won’t get the classes I need, it will just be nice to know that everything is set. Also, I’d really like to get a schedule that doesn’t involve so many 8 am classes. Well I’m off to play pool with some friends. Until next week’s post!

It was nice to get away from this for a little but this weekend when I went home.  I flew home to shop for my interview suit with my dad.  I pretty much spent over eight hours shopping for suits, which is by far the longest I have ever shopped.  I just could not find a suit that would fit me, because I’m tall and skinny, but have broad shoulders.  I tried on some pretty hot suits, and found out that Prada fits me pretty good, but it was not worth buying it for $2000. The last store I went into was Banana Republic, and thank god their suit fit me, and I must say it is a baller suit.  After shopping I went out with my dad, my sister, and my brother-in-law to P.F. Changs for the first time.  It was really good, especially the Mongolian beef and the lettuce wraps.  I just have to survive till Friday and then its smooth sailing till Thanksgiving.

Life in the Quad is entertaining now and then. Due to my room being in Hunt 1, I get to hear everyone who walks through the archway. They tend to have some pretty hilarious comments at 3 AM. The view from the Hunt 1 lounge is perfect for meeting people, too, as almost everyone wants to meet in the archway. It’s a sweet setup, and I’m becoming more and more happy I moved there sophomore year. Not that I would doubt that I’d also have fun on Freshman Hill, but I tend to prefer as short a walk to class as possible.

No pictures these days, but that’s to be expected when your primary computer breaks down! I’ve been trying to get it fully repaired for a week at this point, and it’s been a painful wait. When you have installed software that is essential for getting your class assignments done, it’s not exactly comfortable to have it taken away for a week. “You know what we should do? We should take our laptops and hang them from the ceiling like a mobile.” When your laptop is busted, you start getting some…. “interesting” ideas.

I’m getting better at pool. I have been playing with my friends every week in the games room (Student Union) and I can actually hold my own now. I pulled off an awesome trick shot last night to get the eight ball in for the win, so good.

I also discovered the local bowling alley. I can play multiple games for under ten dollars. It’s awesome. I got a turkey in my first game (three strikes in a row). I’m definitely going back soon.

In other news: Dan Deacon will not be at the show…  Yes I know this information conflicts with what is written above.  I literally just found out that Dan Deacon has been injured and will not be performing tonight.  This is disappointing, but I am still going to the show and I’m still going to document it, don’t worry.

I have been listening to a lot of electronic music lately, including Dan Deacon, Justice, Fatboy Slim, Midnight Juggernauts, Boys Noize, and several others.  I would really like to learn how to make some of my own.  I think that there is a class centered on making music.  Perhaps I will try to get into it next semester.

Dan Deacon get well!
I am still excited for
The show at EMPAC

Dan Deacon's Crazy Poster

On the plus side, now I have a LOT more free time! When you’re forced to use public computers you start cutting back on what you do on the internet in favor of other things, like the Games Room inside the Student Union. Nothing beats free pool, a games section, and a few arcade games for when you’re bored. My friends around this period are always extremely busy, so I find it very important to always keep a list of solo activities handy. Tomorrow’s probably a good day for some tennis in-between ice hockey games.

Right now, I’ll just reflect on the review I have to finish, the sounds and music I have to create for my Game Dev 1 assignment, and the weather that looks like it’s taking a turn towards snow. It’ll be a busy busy weekend, that’s for sure. “I don’t want eggplant lasagna, I want MEATPLANT lasagna!” Non-vegetarians need love too!