| I wish I was a mole in the ground. |
[Feb. 13th, 2004|11:49 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Sam Cooke | ] |
It's been a bit of week, for almost a month now. School has been keeping me more busy than I would like, doing homework and writing papers and such. But they haven't beaten me down yet, I keep on keeping on. My Algebra class is pretty easy, we are talking about Galois Theory, and it keeps easier every time I see it. My Analysis class is similarly familiar, but it's still a lot of work. My Geometry class is very haphazard, and I have pretty much given up on expecting to learn anything from the professor, instead relying on the textbook to see me through. My Homological Algebra class is very cool, but also very intense, and requires a fair amount of effort on my part to figure out what the heck is going on. All in all, I'm keeping busy.
Today I skipped a class to hear some Cognitive Science fellow from Berkeley named George Lakoff talk about what how people think mathematics. It was mildly interesting, although it struck me as being on of those things where a person talks for over an hour without really saying much, other than mathematical thought is influenced by experience in the real world, which isn't too much of a surprise. He also threw the word 'metaphor' around a lot, and I was a bit uncertain as to what he meant when he used it. Free lemonade though, and it was nice to see a different part of campus (the business school building is quite snazzier than the mathematical sciences building, not too surprisingly.)
So it looks like I will be in Seattle during the last week of February, for a couple of days. My roommate and I, both UW graduates, are being flown in by the math department there to talk to some Feds about why the UW math department totally rules, and should be given lots of money from the NSF. I'm excited about the free trip, but I am a little nervous about not looking like a total idiot when I meet with these people, and convincing them that it actually is a good idea to continue funding research there. But aside from all of that, I think it'll be fun, and a nice break from school for a bit. I should be in Seattle at the UW campus on the 24th and 25th of February, so if you happen in the neighborhood of Padelford, keep an eye out for me.
For ol' high school chums who may be reading, last month also marked the reuniting of myself with my estranged buddy Viktor Skorikov, who I had not talked to in about five years or so. (we had a falling out over politics, or a woman, or both, I can't remember) Viktor is living in Ventura, which is somewhere north of me, (my understanding of the geography of the region is pretty sad) and is in film school right now. It was really neat to see him, and we had a good time hanging out, just like the days of yore.
Tomorrow's plans include spending time with my girl. We are going to go to the beach and spend the day enjoying each other's company, and then eat lasagna in the evening. Sounds like a pretty excellent day to me, I am looking forward to it. Oh yeah, by the way, I have a girl. go me.
In music new, I have been listening the Anthology of American Folk Music ALL THE TIME. It rules. |
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| One leg missing and still kickin' |
[Dec. 14th, 2003|02:08 pm] |
So another quarter ended with the completion of my last final on Friday. It was quite a busy quarter, but then they have been for sometime, so I'm not surprised. Now I am back in Seattle, which I am pretty happy about. It's nice to be back among familiar sights (we had a pretty cool flyby of Seattle on the flight here), sounds (My pop is hooking some crazy electronics around the house and is cursing up a storm), and smells (evergreen trees beat the smog funk of LA quite a bit). Last night patrick's family came over for dinner, so I had a good time eating well and spending time with family and friends and what not.
Sometime this evening I am going to hang out with patrick and erin, which should be pretty cool. Until then I am going to do some reading and doodle some equations. |
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| new music |
[Nov. 27th, 2003|10:57 am] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Sam cooke | ] |
Saw brenden yesterday, which was really cool. He and I went to Ameoba, which was quite cool. Then i bought the following albums, which are very cool:
Yay!
Further continuing my listening of music that is degrading and shameful but oh so good.
B.O.B.
Mr. Soul
Today I am going to spend thanksgiving eating pizza at a friends house, for which I am very thankful. |
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| wow, am I (not) cool |
[Oct. 24th, 2003|11:02 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | steve reich - music for 18 musicians | ] |
So it's 11 'o clock on a friday night, and I'm here in the math building doing homework. Pretty lame, if you ask me. I could have gone to see that pirate movie for $2 with my roommate, but eh, whatever.
In more exciting news, I am going hiking tomorrow! Looking forward to getting out of the city and walking about some. Hopefully the air will be clearer wherever we are going (someone else is in charge of transportation, so I am unaware of where we will be).
I'm starting to realize that I will probably never explore more than about %1 of Los Angeles. Basically, all I ever see is the path from my house to the math building. I haven't even seen more than about a quarter of the UCLA campus. I need to get out more.
Alright, no more math, no more math building, time to go home and drink belgian beer (hooray!) |
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| I look for wires when I'm talking to you. |
[Oct. 14th, 2003|12:37 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | None, or other | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | the genius | ] |
I figure my posts will be more dramatic if I put Fugazi lyrics in the subject. Actually I just got their documentary thingy Instrument a couple of days ago, so I've been on a bit of a Fugazi kick lately.
School started a couple of weeks ago, and predictably, I've been working like mad ever since. My classes are ok, not that great. Analysis is demanding, as it usually tends to be, Algebra is boring because we are talking about Group Theory, and I have no idea what is going on in Algebraic Topology at all. That class is kind of weirding me out.
But I am having fun meeting the kids in my year and in the years preceding me, (apparently it's common to refer to the kids in the math department by what year of graduate school they are currently, as in "Hey you first years, get me a stromboli!") and hanging out in my office where crazy antics involving juggling erasers and such occur. This weekend I am going hiking with two second years, which I am looking forward to. Hiking around here is apparently a little more dangerous than in up in Seattle, at least in terms of 'If you don't bring enough water you might die.' So yeah, that could be interesting, hope I survive.
I've decided to take one of the qualifying exams in the winter (they offer them two times a year), which basically means I will spend my christmas break doing math all the time, which is kind of sad, but I can deal. If I pass this exam, that will be very cool, it means I will have to spend the summer only studying for one big exam, as opposed to taking both of them at once. At least I am not up at the UW, where they have to take three such exams. (just the thought makes me cringe) The part that does kind of tick me off is that I will have to cut my trip to Seattle drastically short, probably only a couple of days around christmas. I was originally planning to be there for about three weeks, which would have been very cool, but I guess I will have to wait until next year.
Still not quite used to living in Los Angeles, but I am slowly adjusting. The cashier's union went on strike a couple of days ago, which is too bad because I like eating, and our supplies around the apartment are getting kind of meager. Been to the local library a couple of times, got some Dashiel Hammett novels which I am looking forward to reading.
I've been spending gobs of money on music and math textbooks lately, I think I've dropped near eight hundred dollars or so in the last month. It's getting kind of ridiculous. On the plus side, I have lots of new albums, but I have no time to listen to them cuz I'm reading the math books (I have five albums sitting here on my desk that I haven't even listened to yet, it makes me sad. I think it means I need to stop buying so many albums.)
I heard the other day that Cee-lo's new album, which was supposed to be out last month, was pushed back untill January. L.A. Reid better not find himself in West LA, or I'm going take a foam bat to his noggin. |
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| first Los Angeles Post |
[Sep. 12th, 2003|03:53 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Frank Zappa - Civilization Phase III | ] |
So yeah, been in Los Angeles for a couple of weeks now. It's a strange town, but I'm getting used to it. My location is pretty good, close to UCLA, close to the beach, close to food. Unfortunately, I am not that close to most of the good record stores, which all seem to be in Hollywood. This town seems like it was made for cruising around, which I don't do much of since I am sans auto. However, driving here is also extremely stressful, so I probably should stick to my bike. I've been getting used to living here by listening to all my california based music. Lots of Beck, Jane's Addiction, Frank Zappa, and a little bit of the Beach Boys. Midnight Vultures sounds completely different now that I am down here.
The other kids at UCLA seem pretty cool, but I'm not exactly looking forward to getting back on the working ALL the time schedule that I had during school last year. Maybe I'll just compensate by slacking off more. Probably shouldn't though, I'm quickly forgetting all the math I ever knew, so that's probably a sign that I need to get back in the action.
In other news, Both Warren Zevon and Johnny Cash died this week. damn. |
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| last night in seattle |
[Aug. 14th, 2003|11:58 pm] |
Tomorrow I head off to Los Angeles. (For those of all not in the know, I am moving to Los Angeles to study mathematics at UCLA) My last night was pretty rocking, I had a party at which a bunch of crazy kids showed up, and I had a bit too much to drink (I had a good time, but if they did or not, you'll have to ask them).
So yeah, tomorrow, it's all crazy, I leave Seattle forever, or at least for the distant future. Kind of messed up, if you asked me. Maybe I could express myself, i had chosen a better field of study. So I'll just say, it's been fun, hope to see all you kids again.
Tomorrow = much driving. probably time to go to bed.
goodbye all. |
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| i am getting used to not being in school |
[Jun. 21st, 2003|01:31 am] |
Today was my birthday. Much praise goes out to ron for the email, and to patrick for the phone call. Thanks kids.
I spent the last five days in Los Angeles, looking for an apartment, for when I move down there in august. I was able to find a place, so that worked out well. I drove more in those past few days than I have in my entire life. And yeah, people in Los Angeles drive like maniacs hepped up on methedrine. It was kind of scary, especially to one that does not drive that much. But I didn't die, so it's all good.
I saw the Hulk at the Cinerama today. It was ok, he got angry a few times and smashed quite a few things. Then in the evening I saw Beck for the third time in less than a year. It was a good show, but the venue was very odd (some amphitheatre out in the middle of an indian reservation). He played Sunday Sun though, so by and large, I give the show an A+.
Tomorrow I have to do some silly thing about my summer job, and then I am having some belated birthday shindig with family. As for now, I should go to bed. |
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| big baby jesus i can't wait. |
[Jun. 14th, 2003|01:42 am] |
So yeah, i'm all graduated and what not. hoorah. Still hasn't really sunk in or anything. But I haven't thought that much about math today, so some part of my brain realizes that I am on break for a little bit.
Today the Math Department had a little graduation ceremony, so my parents got to meet some of my professors. It was fun, although there were way too many people in a small room. Then I went to a barbecue toward at Seward Park, it was pretty rocking. After that, I moved some of my stuff out of my apartment and into my parent's garage. (Actually, all of my junk is still in the car, I'm too sleepy to take it out tonight, I'll just do it tomorrow morning.)
On Sunday I am flying down to Los Angeles to try and find an apartment. I hope that this process won't suck too much, but I am going to hang with some kids in the math department at UCLA, so I'll have someone to show me the local scenery. (St. Johns/Belgium related news: Also, when I am down there, I plan to meet up with an old high school friend who is living there now, Victoria Ullmann. I am really excited about seeing her, it's been like four years.)
I should probably go to bed. |
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| stupid functional analysis |
[Jun. 7th, 2003|10:32 am] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | coffee | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Cee-lo | ] |
"Thus the strong operator topology is stronger than the weak operator topology but weaker than the norm topology on L(X,Y)."
jesus-eik, I don't feel like studying. I wonder what I would get in my classes if I just didn't go to my finals? Not that my grades even matter anymore. |
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| Today was my last day of school |
[Jun. 6th, 2003|10:22 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | sleepy | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | the orb - blue room | ] |
Nothing like 40 minutes of Blue Room on a warm summer's night.
ahh.... |
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| reporting live from UCLA |
[Apr. 3rd, 2003|02:05 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | excited | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | computer humming. | ] |
I am in Los Angeles now, checking out the math department here. The weather here is nice, not surprisingly. I just got here, so I don't have any impressions, other than their building is pretty huge, but it looks like a high school. Library looks ok, though. (that's where I am now)
My hotel room is weird, it has no phone. i am not sure if this is going to interfere with my plans to hook up with tim on saturday. hurm...
Alright, going to explore some more.
Update: I have a phone, it was just broken, but now it's fixed. There was a cool outdoor market going on near my hotel. I was going to buy some strawberries, but I have no fridge. Also, they were showing that Totally awesome racing movie Driven on TV at the hotel, but I somehow pulled myself away to go tromp around the campus here. |
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| mark update |
[Mar. 20th, 2003|02:29 pm] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Cody ChestnuTT | ] |
Finished my last final this morning. I am very happy this quarter is over, I really need to relax. Interestingly, I am actually done with my undergraduate career now, I don't have to take anymore classes to get my degree. however, I might as well finish the classes I am taking, so I can learn even more math!
In exciting news, remember that modeling contest I was in a couple of months ago? Well, our team, made up of one of my roommates and one of my friends, won the contest, placing in the top 2%. Who's the best model on the runway? That's right, yours truly. What makes it even cooler is that the other team from the university of washington, made up in part by some of my other roommates, also won (they were doing problem A, we did problem B). Apparently this is the first time that a school has had teams that won outstanding in both questions, at least two teams that have the same adviser. (I know somebody from Harvey Mudd is going to comment on this and correct me) So basically, we rule. This news came in the middle of when I should have been studying for my finals, and was very distracting, but also totally cool. I'm still in disbelief, since our paper was such a joke. I guess that $50 bill we stapled to the front of the paper helped.
So now I am on break, and so I have some free time to decide what graduate school I would like to attend. My choices are pretty limited, Basically it's between UCLA, Urbana-Champaign, NYU, and Michigan. Right now I am leaning towards UCLA, although I am still waiting to hear something definite from NYU and Michigan. I also applied here at UW, but that was just in case I wasn't accepted by any other school, so I already told them I am not going. I am going down to UCLA in two weeks to check out their department. It's weird that I have to make a decision in the next four weeks that is basically going to determine my entire life, since it will determine what field of math I will end up focusing on. It will require some serious thinking, and probably a coin flip or two.
So that's whats on my mind of late. Plans for this break include lots of thinking, lots of sleeping, and lots of hanging out with friends I don't see often enough.
Enough about me, how have you been? |
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| I'm not modeling for the two of you anymore! |
[Feb. 10th, 2003|08:58 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | exhausted | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | Marvin Gaye - Right On | ] |
Just finished The Mathmatical Modeling Competion. Four days of little sleep (3 hours last night) and much yelling at computers. Jezus-eik it was pretty crazy. Anyways, working for 16+ hours a day in the basement of some building for multiple days really screws up your sense of time. The whole weekend is pretty much a blur. Now that it is over, I am having a bit of difficulty remembering all the other parts of my life and school-related things I need to be doing and keeping track of.
I just looked up something on Allmusic, and I realized that I hadn't been to that website since Thursday, when the competition. I think that was the longest amount of time I have gone without visiting that site since I discovered it. (I normally look up something there about once every two minutes.) Speaking of tunes, I ordered some music (Wu Tang mostly, but also a Stevie Wonder album and a Fugazi album) that should be coming my way soon. So that's something to look forward to.
Right now I am too groggy to do any work, but a little too mentally wired from the busy day to relax. Think I will pretend to do some reading. I finished this book that Todd and Betsy lent me, it was weird but very entertaining. Next up I plan to read Confederacy of Dunces, which I am looking forward to very much.
Think I'll just go back to listening to Marvin Gaye. |
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| once again... |
[Feb. 6th, 2003|05:55 pm] |
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I'm a mathematical model, not a mathematical prostitute |
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| Good Music |
[Jan. 31st, 2003|12:00 am] |
That's all. Have a good night everyone. |
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| Shameless bragging |
[Dec. 29th, 2002|02:23 pm] |
| [ | Current Mood |
| | satisfied | ] |
| [ | Current Music |
| | The Helio Sequence | ] |
I did really good in school this quarter. I guess that working ALL the time paid off.
(now I wish that I could trade in all those official transcripts I got for my grad school applications and get ones that had autumn quarter as well.)
In other news, I am having a very relaxing break, full of doing none of the things I said I would do during the break, but instead chilling with the patrick, reading books and watching movies with the folks. It's been fun. |
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| why oh why, don't I have any bourbon? |
[Dec. 18th, 2002|06:06 pm] |
I finished my last exam this morning. (Warning! boring stuff about exams here) They all went pretty well, My Real Analysis final was a take home, and as such was very difficult and time consuming. My Algebra exam was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it would be, Jake's post is a good description of it. I though that test was going to be completely insane, but it was very reasonable. The only big thing I goofed on was that I didn't realize that for modules, irreducible and simple mean the same thing. Makes me want to growl, but then again, it's nice to be done with it. My Topology test, which I had this morning, was also pretty easy, which was good because I didn't study for it very much.
This quarter has been pretty hectic, every year it seems I have to work harder than the previous year. It has to peak sometime, it would seem, but it hasn't happened yet. I hope that next quarter won't be so bad, since I will not have to spend every weekend working on graduate school applications, but I fear that my classes will just get harder and I will be as busy as before. Whatevers, something to worry about in two weeks.
Now I am on break. This will be interesting, I haven't really had any free time for the last three months or so. I'm not sure what I am going to do. That is, besides finishing my grad school applications, and reading up on topics for my senior thesis. So I guess it isn't that much free time, but I will get a lot of sleep, which is good.
Today I went to Bedazzled and listened to the owner talk about how Beck is a washed up jerk whose recent concert sucked. I humbly disagree, but, as I have said again and again, Beck can do no wrong by me. On the upside, I bought a Sleater-Kinney album and was rewarded with an autographed poster by said band. I think it might be the only autographed thing I've ever owned, with the possible exception of that Mr. Wizard picture that I got back when I was eight or so.
Went to the Bookstore today, and was browsing through the Science Fiction section. They are republishing PKD books like mad, I picked up The Simulacra, which I have not read. I have a sneaky suspicion that I already read all the good PKD novels, but hopefully I'm wrong. Also, once you have more than twenty, it's hard to stop.
I checked out the first Wu Tang album from the library the other day. I really liked it, although it is by far the most vulgar thing I have listened to (not bad, just a little shocking). I would like to listen to some more of their stuff, but their whole oeuvre is so frickin' huge I have no idea where to start. I guess the answer is GZA, RZA, and ODB.
Well, that was a bit longer than I thought it would be. For those of you who got this far, I'll let you in on a little secret: George Washington, directed by David Green, is a great movie and well worth your time. |
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