To the Ends of the Earth...
At some point last year one night a friend of mine and I wandered down to the Goleta pier and out to the end, a good quarter mile out into the ocean or so. Out there, its amazing how quiet it is. When the ocean is still, you literally can't hear anything at all, just total silence other than your own movements. More impressive is that you're far enough out that if you look straight out off the end, you can't see a single light, piece of land, or anything other than total darkness. It's literally like you're standing at the End of the World, and looking down.
Decided to see if I could manage to run all the way down there and out to the end and back yesterday and made it, I figure it to be over two miles, maybe three. Hey, stop that snickering, I'm workin on it! :) One of these trips when an awesome sunset is happening I'm gonna take a camera, looking across towards UCSB's peninsula is pretty incredible from out on the end of the pier, its as if the land is just floating on the water, almost as if its a long strip of island. That, the ocean, the cliffs, and the sky filled with the radiant colors of an awesome sunset, should make a great panorama shot. :)
Friday, April 05, 2002
Another Random Encounter...
Guess its time to give third person storytelling another shot.
The young man pauses outside the fitness room door, suddenly becoming aware of the sounds within. Knowing that there's merely exercise equipment and a radio inside, he is at first confused. Extremely loud pounding is rattling the room, as if a wildebeest stampede was migrating through the room, crashing into all the equipment as it went. The young man then remembers a punching bag is one of the items that's been placed inside for recreational use, and assumes someone much more powerful than he is showing it who's boss. He knocks gingerly, but the sound from within continues. He eventually hammers on the door, and the walls stop shaking. The time it takes for the door to swing open can be measured in milliseconds. His eyes were focused on a height slightly above his own, and he realizes he's staring at nothing but the ceiling. His gazes drifts downward, and rests upon a girl no less than ten inches shorter than he, who appears to be slightly over a hundred pounds. "Thanks," he stammers, feeling sheepish, embarrassed for something only knew.
First week is over, could have been better, could have been worse. Glad I only have a 9am on Friday, gets me up but leaves the whole day ahead going into basically a three day weekend. Looks like a friend and I are going hiking Sunday, something I'm hoping to do a lot more of.
Guess its time to give third person storytelling another shot.
The young man pauses outside the fitness room door, suddenly becoming aware of the sounds within. Knowing that there's merely exercise equipment and a radio inside, he is at first confused. Extremely loud pounding is rattling the room, as if a wildebeest stampede was migrating through the room, crashing into all the equipment as it went. The young man then remembers a punching bag is one of the items that's been placed inside for recreational use, and assumes someone much more powerful than he is showing it who's boss. He knocks gingerly, but the sound from within continues. He eventually hammers on the door, and the walls stop shaking. The time it takes for the door to swing open can be measured in milliseconds. His eyes were focused on a height slightly above his own, and he realizes he's staring at nothing but the ceiling. His gazes drifts downward, and rests upon a girl no less than ten inches shorter than he, who appears to be slightly over a hundred pounds. "Thanks," he stammers, feeling sheepish, embarrassed for something only knew.
First week is over, could have been better, could have been worse. Glad I only have a 9am on Friday, gets me up but leaves the whole day ahead going into basically a three day weekend. Looks like a friend and I are going hiking Sunday, something I'm hoping to do a lot more of.
Thursday, April 04, 2002
Ho Hum Dum Dee Dum
Had my last three sections today, so I've officially been to all my classes at least once. Unfortunately my Econ 2 TA speaks very poor english. I'm not one to make fun of someone due to a language barrier, I personally admire the type of person who even attempts to converse with a large group of people in a language that they are not fluent in, but it just really makes learning difficult at times, and minimizes the amount of help they can provide. My Black Studies TA seems pretty neat though, that looks like it will be an interesting class.
Turns out the friends I got the Bush tickets for over break had an awesome time in LA at the concert tonight, and I've been upgraded to a "10+++" on their scale... Course it was my fault that I screwed up getting them the tickets in the first place to the point that I had to buy some at auction on the last possible day that they could still be shipped in time... I guess they ended up being the best seats possible and one of the girls, dare I quote "got to shake the lead singer's hand and almost had an orgasm." Allllllrighty then. They even got me a lotto ticket out of appreciation, what more could a guy ask for. ;)
Finally figured out my issues with capturing TV shows to my computer, and am able to do that again with excellent results. If anyone misses a show of a popular series they're watching that doesn't repeat (I.E. 24, Amazing Race, Survivor) just let me know, and I'm sure I'll be able to download it and pass it along, if not capture it myself. What better way to watch TV than commercial free, pausable, whenever you want?
Had my last three sections today, so I've officially been to all my classes at least once. Unfortunately my Econ 2 TA speaks very poor english. I'm not one to make fun of someone due to a language barrier, I personally admire the type of person who even attempts to converse with a large group of people in a language that they are not fluent in, but it just really makes learning difficult at times, and minimizes the amount of help they can provide. My Black Studies TA seems pretty neat though, that looks like it will be an interesting class.
Turns out the friends I got the Bush tickets for over break had an awesome time in LA at the concert tonight, and I've been upgraded to a "10+++" on their scale... Course it was my fault that I screwed up getting them the tickets in the first place to the point that I had to buy some at auction on the last possible day that they could still be shipped in time... I guess they ended up being the best seats possible and one of the girls, dare I quote "got to shake the lead singer's hand and almost had an orgasm." Allllllrighty then. They even got me a lotto ticket out of appreciation, what more could a guy ask for. ;)
Finally figured out my issues with capturing TV shows to my computer, and am able to do that again with excellent results. If anyone misses a show of a popular series they're watching that doesn't repeat (I.E. 24, Amazing Race, Survivor) just let me know, and I'm sure I'll be able to download it and pass it along, if not capture it myself. What better way to watch TV than commercial free, pausable, whenever you want?
Wednesday, April 03, 2002
Two Down, Forty Eight to Go.
I had the rest of my "first day" lectures today, which weren't as interesting as I thought they'd be, but hey. Why is it whenever you have a blocked together group of classes, the first or middle one will let you out way early and make you sit around waiting for the next, but the last one in the block will always keep you til the very end of class? :/ Guess I'll have more time to do the reading between classes while I sit on my duff.
My Econ classes look pretty dry, but that's kind of the point I guess. Nothing horribly exciting there, typical homework, midterm, final, etc etc. My Black Studies class however seems much more interesting. The prof used the F word at least three times during the period, waking the rest of us up whenever it happened, not something you usually hear from a traditional professor. He seems like a really cool guy though, and actually knows what he's talking about. Also doesn't believe in midterms or finals, instead assigning three papers worth 75% of the grade throughout the quarter, but they're basically on topics that we choose as long as they're related to the reading. Thus far appears to be the most interesting professor I've had thus far at UCSB, and that's pretty sad. He's now added to the "coolest people ever" list.
Disclaimer: Addition to the list is generally only temporary, and removal from the list can be swift and merciless at any time.
Got myself down to the fitness room for a pretty tough workout tonight, going to try a Tue/Thur/Sat weights and Mon/Wed/Fri Reccen racquetball/swimming routine and see where that goes. When I go over there tomorrow going to find out about intramurals too, racquetball was fun but looks like they have both indoor and outdoor soccer this quarter too, which is a much harder workout. Maybe I'll do all three, and really die. ;)
I had the rest of my "first day" lectures today, which weren't as interesting as I thought they'd be, but hey. Why is it whenever you have a blocked together group of classes, the first or middle one will let you out way early and make you sit around waiting for the next, but the last one in the block will always keep you til the very end of class? :/ Guess I'll have more time to do the reading between classes while I sit on my duff.
My Econ classes look pretty dry, but that's kind of the point I guess. Nothing horribly exciting there, typical homework, midterm, final, etc etc. My Black Studies class however seems much more interesting. The prof used the F word at least three times during the period, waking the rest of us up whenever it happened, not something you usually hear from a traditional professor. He seems like a really cool guy though, and actually knows what he's talking about. Also doesn't believe in midterms or finals, instead assigning three papers worth 75% of the grade throughout the quarter, but they're basically on topics that we choose as long as they're related to the reading. Thus far appears to be the most interesting professor I've had thus far at UCSB, and that's pretty sad. He's now added to the "coolest people ever" list.
Disclaimer: Addition to the list is generally only temporary, and removal from the list can be swift and merciless at any time.
Got myself down to the fitness room for a pretty tough workout tonight, going to try a Tue/Thur/Sat weights and Mon/Wed/Fri Reccen racquetball/swimming routine and see where that goes. When I go over there tomorrow going to find out about intramurals too, racquetball was fun but looks like they have both indoor and outdoor soccer this quarter too, which is a much harder workout. Maybe I'll do all three, and really die. ;)
Tuesday, April 02, 2002
One Fiftieth of the Quarter Over...
Doesn't seem like that much if you just think of it as 10 weeks of 5 days each...
Only had one lecture today, managed to schedule 3 lectures in a row from 12:30-5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays this quarter, so those will be crowded. Gives me pretty light bookends to the week though, so I guess its worth it. Had to spend over $300 on books this quarter, and I'm still not done. Managed to pick two GEs that required like 8 texts each, should be fun reading. I guess I'll have plenty of time though between classes and during those 5 hour periods.
Big night of poker on the hall tonight, first time in at least a few months, no worries for everyone so we had a typical grand ol time throwin down some nickels and times. Had one of the bigger nights in my personal history though, which is always good to put someone in a better mood than usual.
Alas I guess I'll turn in, going to try to get back into the exercise routine now that I'm back at school, been doin pretty well for a while.
Think my goal for tomorrow is going to be talk to someone new in each of my three classes. Gotta find some way to stay awake... :)
Doesn't seem like that much if you just think of it as 10 weeks of 5 days each...
Only had one lecture today, managed to schedule 3 lectures in a row from 12:30-5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays this quarter, so those will be crowded. Gives me pretty light bookends to the week though, so I guess its worth it. Had to spend over $300 on books this quarter, and I'm still not done. Managed to pick two GEs that required like 8 texts each, should be fun reading. I guess I'll have plenty of time though between classes and during those 5 hour periods.
Big night of poker on the hall tonight, first time in at least a few months, no worries for everyone so we had a typical grand ol time throwin down some nickels and times. Had one of the bigger nights in my personal history though, which is always good to put someone in a better mood than usual.
Alas I guess I'll turn in, going to try to get back into the exercise routine now that I'm back at school, been doin pretty well for a while.
Think my goal for tomorrow is going to be talk to someone new in each of my three classes. Gotta find some way to stay awake... :)
Monday, April 01, 2002
I Got A Date!
April Fools. Har. Harhar.
Back at school, enjoying the general quietness brought about by the replacement case fans that booted the old turbines I had in there... Also having fun with the new monstrous mousepad that makes my life a whole lot easier than the dirty warped crusty tiny old one...
Stopped by Magic Mountain and even though I never actually ran into my friend (he apparently got lost on the way and never even made it to the park) still had a blast. I ended up getting a season pass since the coupon I had made the price of the season pass only about ten bucks over a regular day's admission... Now I'll be able to pop over whenever I please, lasts all year. Pretty nice deal.
One word to describe X, the newest world class roller coaster at the park, would have to be unique. It is utterly unlike anything I've ever ridden before. I only got on it once due to the fact that the line was 2+ hours all day long, but I rode in the very front, and it was just unbelievable. The face first drop at the beginning is much like if you were standing on a window sill with your back to the opening, and then just leaped backwards and outward, spread eagling your body to try to have as much of your surface area faceplant the ground as possible. Luckily it flips you over and spins you out of the way before that actually happens, but falling 200 feet in that position is quite a unique feeling. It broke down repeatedly and the line is VERY slow moving due to the complicated loading and unloading procedure, but I'd say its worth it depending on the number of hours involved.
Everywhere else the lines were basically none existant, walked onto Goliath twice in a row, even for the very front row, and the same was true for Batman and the other incredible rides there. Magic Mountain is just head and shoulders above the other thrill ride based parks I've been to, they literally have like 10 world class coasters you would ride again and again, there's always something else you haven't done. Missed out on Deja Vu the other most recent new one, but mainly because I decided to come back early around 3:00 before I got too tired, knowing I'd be able to head back over there any weekend I please for free. That's another really slow moving line, although I hear the ride is quite impressive as well. Don't think anything can touch X though. So any of you locals need a ride out there? Just pick a weekend, I'm game. ;)
April Fools. Har. Harhar.
Back at school, enjoying the general quietness brought about by the replacement case fans that booted the old turbines I had in there... Also having fun with the new monstrous mousepad that makes my life a whole lot easier than the dirty warped crusty tiny old one...
Stopped by Magic Mountain and even though I never actually ran into my friend (he apparently got lost on the way and never even made it to the park) still had a blast. I ended up getting a season pass since the coupon I had made the price of the season pass only about ten bucks over a regular day's admission... Now I'll be able to pop over whenever I please, lasts all year. Pretty nice deal.
One word to describe X, the newest world class roller coaster at the park, would have to be unique. It is utterly unlike anything I've ever ridden before. I only got on it once due to the fact that the line was 2+ hours all day long, but I rode in the very front, and it was just unbelievable. The face first drop at the beginning is much like if you were standing on a window sill with your back to the opening, and then just leaped backwards and outward, spread eagling your body to try to have as much of your surface area faceplant the ground as possible. Luckily it flips you over and spins you out of the way before that actually happens, but falling 200 feet in that position is quite a unique feeling. It broke down repeatedly and the line is VERY slow moving due to the complicated loading and unloading procedure, but I'd say its worth it depending on the number of hours involved.
Everywhere else the lines were basically none existant, walked onto Goliath twice in a row, even for the very front row, and the same was true for Batman and the other incredible rides there. Magic Mountain is just head and shoulders above the other thrill ride based parks I've been to, they literally have like 10 world class coasters you would ride again and again, there's always something else you haven't done. Missed out on Deja Vu the other most recent new one, but mainly because I decided to come back early around 3:00 before I got too tired, knowing I'd be able to head back over there any weekend I please for free. That's another really slow moving line, although I hear the ride is quite impressive as well. Don't think anything can touch X though. So any of you locals need a ride out there? Just pick a weekend, I'm game. ;)
Sunday, March 31, 2002
The Matt Attack Is Goin Back Jack
That would go better if my name was Mack. Actually that would give a whole new meaning to it I suppose. Alas.
Two tips of the day for the computer savvy to make our lives a little easier... The first I yoinked off a friend's site. Yoinked, isn't that the coolest word ever? Jacked is good, but wears out its welcome eventually. Yoinked is new and different, gonna have to stick with it for a while. Anyway, the tip... If you type a word in Internet Explorer in the address bar for example blogger, and then hit ctrl and enter, it will automatically put in the http://www. and the .com for you! Just a bit of a time saver.
The second I figured out by accident, for a while now I've been using ctrl and 1 2 or 3 to do the first few smilies in AIM, but I'm not sure whether I just never noticed or its a new thing with the latest version, if you use ctrl and the numbers 1-8, or ctrl + shift and the numbers 1-8, you can actually do all 16 of the smilies without straying your hands from the keyboard. This is helpful for those of us who use the ctrl shift 5 sideways face an obscene amount, and before had to put up with incessant clicking to get to it.
So my dream monitor is for some reason at only 2 grand in an auction. Still a horribly high amount unfortunately, but quite a bit less than the 3.5 grand it goes for retail. So for all those of you people out in the world with millions of dollars to throw away, its still on my wish list... :)
Turns out I actually am making the trek out to Magic Mountain tomorrow, found a friend from school to go with, and since its sort of "on the way" back to UCSB and I'm not in any particular hurry to get back there and do nothing (classes don't start until Monday) might as well live it up another day. Will have to buy books on Monday I guess, but only have two classes that day anyway other than the one I'm trying to crash. Taking the last two GE classes of my life next quarter, another Classics this time Greek Mythology, and a Black Studies course that cleans out the last of my requirements. Between those and two Econ classes that are just the next in the series I took this quarter, grades should be good. Here's hopin. :)
Weather looks good for tomorrow, which is in a way a shame, the most fun I ever had at an amusement park was when I went to Magic Mountain and it just poured all day long. It was deserted, we went on all the rides like ten times, and had an absolute BLAST. Nothing like hurtling two hundred feet down a steep hill while being pummelled by thirty mile an hour winds driving horizontal rain into your face like thousands of tiny needles. :) Guess ya kinda gotta be in the mood. Park closes at 8, but we'll probably employ the "get in line for the ride with the longest wait right as it closes so they close off the line behind you and you get to stay that amount of time later than park closing to ride that last ride" strategy. I remember for Batman when it first opened we did that and even though it closed at 10pm we didn't actually leave the park until after midnight... Being able to drive home without falling asleep is always helpful though, we'll see how it goes. :)
That would go better if my name was Mack. Actually that would give a whole new meaning to it I suppose. Alas.
Two tips of the day for the computer savvy to make our lives a little easier... The first I yoinked off a friend's site. Yoinked, isn't that the coolest word ever? Jacked is good, but wears out its welcome eventually. Yoinked is new and different, gonna have to stick with it for a while. Anyway, the tip... If you type a word in Internet Explorer in the address bar for example blogger, and then hit ctrl and enter, it will automatically put in the http://www. and the .com for you! Just a bit of a time saver.
The second I figured out by accident, for a while now I've been using ctrl and 1 2 or 3 to do the first few smilies in AIM, but I'm not sure whether I just never noticed or its a new thing with the latest version, if you use ctrl and the numbers 1-8, or ctrl + shift and the numbers 1-8, you can actually do all 16 of the smilies without straying your hands from the keyboard. This is helpful for those of us who use the ctrl shift 5 sideways face an obscene amount, and before had to put up with incessant clicking to get to it.
So my dream monitor is for some reason at only 2 grand in an auction. Still a horribly high amount unfortunately, but quite a bit less than the 3.5 grand it goes for retail. So for all those of you people out in the world with millions of dollars to throw away, its still on my wish list... :)
Turns out I actually am making the trek out to Magic Mountain tomorrow, found a friend from school to go with, and since its sort of "on the way" back to UCSB and I'm not in any particular hurry to get back there and do nothing (classes don't start until Monday) might as well live it up another day. Will have to buy books on Monday I guess, but only have two classes that day anyway other than the one I'm trying to crash. Taking the last two GE classes of my life next quarter, another Classics this time Greek Mythology, and a Black Studies course that cleans out the last of my requirements. Between those and two Econ classes that are just the next in the series I took this quarter, grades should be good. Here's hopin. :)
Weather looks good for tomorrow, which is in a way a shame, the most fun I ever had at an amusement park was when I went to Magic Mountain and it just poured all day long. It was deserted, we went on all the rides like ten times, and had an absolute BLAST. Nothing like hurtling two hundred feet down a steep hill while being pummelled by thirty mile an hour winds driving horizontal rain into your face like thousands of tiny needles. :) Guess ya kinda gotta be in the mood. Park closes at 8, but we'll probably employ the "get in line for the ride with the longest wait right as it closes so they close off the line behind you and you get to stay that amount of time later than park closing to ride that last ride" strategy. I remember for Batman when it first opened we did that and even though it closed at 10pm we didn't actually leave the park until after midnight... Being able to drive home without falling asleep is always helpful though, we'll see how it goes. :)
