First Graduate School Exam

So yesterday, we had our tests returned...or had to pick them up (regardless, we have them). I looked mine over and was pleased with the result. The points I missed were generally on things I really didn't fully grasp, but had enough of a general idea to get partial credit (had the concept, not the detail). I avoided stupid mistakes and in general was very pleased. How the grades are done in the class is a bit different. The average is taken and then one standard deviation on either side, then they somehow figure out an appropriate curve. After the curve, I had myself an A. This is very good, considering that anything less than a B is considered failing (yes, that includes B-). I think it kind of stinks, but on the flip side, down to 69% was still a B. The percent that correlates to a letter grade varies depending on class average and whatnot.

Well, one test down, and another coming up on Monday. If you just want to give me the same grade, I would take it and just now show up...but I doubt they'd go for that, so I guess I should probably study (boo!!!!). Now you know what I'm doing through Sunday. Then on Monday, I get my car fixed (and get a rental). Also, I think I might get myself a little present for doing well on the first test...especially if I feel good about the second test.

I'll let you know, how does that sound?

Hit and run

Normally with a title like "Hit and Run" you might think this was a sport centered post...or something like that. As it turns out, it really is about a hit and run...in the automobile sense. I happened to be the "Hit" part of the hit-and-run. By me, I mean my car. I happened to be in bed.

Alright, let me start from the beginning. I returned home from bowling around 12:45. Took a shower and got ready for bed. Climbed into bed, turned on the TV (too unwind). I heard movement above me (someone walking around), then my phone rings and its my roommate. "Are you awake?" Well, I answered the phone so of course I'm awake...but I said "Yes." Turns out she heard a noise out front and saw a car "parked" in front of our house. So after I get to go out and see whats going on. I walk out and see damage to my car. I knock on the window of the Jeep Liberty. The guy opens his door (after a minute).

I asked, "What happened?"
"What do you mean" (him)
"You hit my car."
"No, I didn't."

I call 911 to report him. Start giving the story, read off his license plate to the 911 operator and my roommate. He climbs out of his car...stumbles backward a few steps...sees the accident...climbs back into his car and starts it back up. I go back to the door and tell him to stay. He tries to shut the door, but I hold it open and tell him to stay. He then puts it in gear and takes off. I tell the 911 operator what happened (she was still on the phone). A few minutes later, a squad car comes around and I relay the story and report the car, the plate, and the driver.

Call my insurance company today and get the ball rolling on fixing up my car. Hoping that the cops get ahold of the guy so his insurance gets to pay for everything. The results of the night were a banged up car (initial estimate of $1700+) and about 3 1/2 hours of sleep (for those who know me, this might end up as a cold/sick).

Ok, now you know. This day has kinda sucked...but I did get free food at lunch and dinner.

First Grad. School Test

I was tempted to title this post "The Day After." Along the lines that this is the day after my first graduate school test. But I opted out of it, and went with what you see. Now that you have that little tidbit of information, lets get on with the heart of the subject.

Yesterday, I had the first test. It was advertised as an "8-hour test" or an "all-day test". It consisted of an in-class portion (closed note) with a 2 hour time limit, and an out-of-class portion (open note) and you had until 5 PM to turn it in. I completed the in-class portion in 45 minutes, and turned in the out-of-class by 1:20 PM. So, it wasn't all day, which was great, but it remains to be seen if finishing early was good. If nothing else, I got to count my change (aka XBox 360 fund) and watch Terminator 3 and Doom (yeah SciFi shooting movies).

The test as a whole didn't seem too bad. I felt pretty good about most of my answers and was not completely lost/confused on any of the questions (always good). Now, I answered the question asked, and did not give a lot of extra information (has always been a tendency of mine...its worked so far). Hopefully it will be graded as such. I figure if the prof. marks off for lacking extra information, I can just say, you didn't ask for that. It might not work, but its an option. Hopefully, I won't need to resort to such things, but you never know.

Well, I'll let you know (in general) how I did once I know. So, you will just have to wait with baited breath....or something poetic like that. Hold on to your horses (I've never had a horse, but was told that more than once as a kid...never quite understood...oh well). Just stay tuned.

Rockstar....Not for me

Last year, I enjoyed watching the TV show Rockstar:INXS. For those of you unfamiliar with the Rockstar show, think of it as American Idol with good music and the winner gets to front a band (instead of doing the solo thing). Another difference is Rockstar had contestants from all around the world. Anyway, last year was really good and I've actually liked the 2 singles released by INXS since the show (Pretty Vegas and Afterglow).

Anyway, I've watched this season of Rockstar: Supernova. As a whole the quality of singers has been less, but as the number dwindled, the final few weren't too bad. Of the final four, I enjoyed 1 alot, didn't mind 2, and really disliked 1. In the finale (this past Wednesday), the band made a series of cuts, dropping the (in my opinion) second best singer (Magni), then proceeded to drop the best singer (Toby). Then they proceeded to choose the worst of the singers to front them. Throughout the entire competition, the winner (Lukas) was never in trouble of going home (based on voting), but I never, ever liked him. So basically, what I'm saying is that I will probably not get too excited about any music put forth by Supernova.

All I can say is I hope Toby gets his own band. He rocked!

Four days of Studying

As some of you know, I have my first graduate school exam on Monday. It consists of a 2 hour in-class (closed note) portion, and then a take home (open note) portion. The test is due by 5 pm the day of the test (Monday). So, in other words, I will start testing at 8 am and have the potential to be testing until 5 pm. Rumor is, that it pretty much takes the entire time to finish the test...that seems crazy. I guess I'll find out if that's true or not. I can't hardly fathom taking that long to finish a test, but I'm not just going to rush the test to get it done. I'll let you know how the test goes (both initial feel...and final grade...well, maybe not final grade...depends on what it is).

Anyway, with this impending exam, I have made the decision to study (slightly procrastinated, but better late than never...right?). I have not really started studying much, but I have a schedule written up that lets me get through all material by Saturday night, and saves Sunday for review. If all goes well, I will have the main ideas/concepts in my head come Monday. If not, it really will be a long test day.

A Hodge-Podge of things

I've been thinking about what I want to post this past weekend. I kept coming up with topics, but then another idea would appear. So, I never got around to making my post. I made the decision then to post about lots of little things without real depth, but it'll give you, my ever-important reading audience, an insight into what I've been thinking recently.

Keith Olberman's rant: The former SportsCenter anchor turned MSNBC host went on a rant about Donald Rumsfeld and the Bush administration. Now, while I will admit that he was clearly pissed about these guys, not all of his points are off base. I definitely recommend that you check this out (especially if you aren't a very big fan of Bush...just click the link).

The Crocodile Hunter: I assume everyone has heard that Steve Irwin (aka the Croc Hunter) was killed over the weekend. I first caught wind of this when I opened up USAtoday.com and it was the lead story. I was shocked. I must admit, I'm not totally surprised that an animal got him, but I am surprised that it was a stingray. A stingray?! That incident sucks and was terribly unlucky. I really enjoyed his show, and sincerely felt that he was a good, nice, and enthusiastic man and father. I must admit, I was saddened.

Medal of Honor: European Assault: This is a video game that I bought when it first came out (a while ago). While I've never fully beat the game (the final boss keeps getting me), I've gotten close enough to count it as done. Just for kicks, this weekend I started playing it again. It is a wicked sweet game. I do believe that it is the best WWII shooter that's been made for the PS2 (Call of Duty 2: Big Red One is a close second). What sets this one above the rest, is the controls that allow the use of cover to actually be effective. For whatever reason, it's the only shooter game that's figured out how.

Fun Movies: I watched the movie Serenity on Sunday afternoon. After watching it, I thought about posting with a list of my top 10 most rewatchable movies. I was, of course, only going to use the movies I own (I have 85 to choice from). But I never got around to posting, so you might have to wait for that list. Some definite contenders for the list include: Serenity, The Rock, Boondock Saints, Dawn of the Dead, Shaun of the Dead, Sahara, etc. etc. There are some notable exceptions because I don't own them. Just a few of these are: Star Wars (all of them...especially Episode III), Indiana Jones (all of them...especially Last Crusade), and The Matrix....just to name a few.

Ok, there it is. The things that I've thought about making a post on this past weekend. You can now take the next exit and leave the innerworkings of my mind. Please come again.