Signs of the times, I guess, of the state of higher education in California.
Due to ongoing class reductions, the CSUS computer science department has chosen to offer only one section of CSC 132, "Computing Theory". As an Open University student, I attended today's first class session anyway, with hopes of accommodation, buoyed somewhat by the CSUS class scheduler's modification of the class status from "Waitlist" to "Open".
I found the class full to standing room only. After class, the instructor rebuffed my request for consideration. First consideration goes to waitlisted, matriculated graduate students; second consideration goes to waitlisted, undergraduate students. Anything left goes to Open University students. I asked whether the class was consistently this full each semester, to which the instructor replied the department had declined to open a second section. She volunteered if I was a matriculated graduate or undergraduate student, I could get onto the list. I thanked her (sincerely) and left.
It is a tough choice, but fair.
Tomorrow, my second choice: CSC 139, "Operating System Principles".
I need CSC 132 as well as STAT 50 to complete the prerequisites for entering the CSUS graduate school program. Seeing as all three STAT 50 sections and the one CSC 132 section were full this semester, I am feeling some concern right now for Spring 2011.
UPDATE: Which means, back to Riverside 1002, heh. I have had nearly every class in that room.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-08-29
Running Journal, Sunday, 2010-08-29
Resting heart rate: 82 bpm (60 second test, 38 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.0 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,864 calories
Weather: pleasant, sunny
Temp: 26 C (78.8 F) , 2.0 m/s NW wind
Time: 45 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: No pain today; have not run since July 14, 46 days ago, almost seven weeks. Have been so busy with work, vacation, healing, and vacation. Have been feeling the itch to exercise for some time, though. School starts tomorrow; have not yet taken the time to examine how I might fit in progressively increasing exercise into my new weekly schedule. With a class, it means getting to work earlier and leaving later. Very pleasant weather, today. There is a feeling of being on the cusp of transition into Autumn, in the leaves and the cooler breezes. Looking to the west, great billowing white clouds are seen soaring over the distant Coastal Range. The skies in the Central Valley remain pure blue. I prefer running in the cool morning air, but I will take exercise when I can get it. Heart rate is a bit high after this first run; will keep an eye on that. Wore my replacement Garmin GPS unit on my left bicep today for the first time. I am cautiously optimistic it will work out. The benefit of wearing it on my arm, versus clipped to my shorts, is my lightweight running shorts do not fall down from the weight. With the camera already in one pocket, adding a relatively heavy GPS unit to the other side would probably be a lot to ask. This Garmin GPS unit is a replacement for the one which originally came with my watch. It cost $10 on eBay, versus hundreds of dollars for a new Garmin GPS watch. So I am hoping it works out, and so far it seems to stay put on my arm even under exercise conditions. About 4.0 mph, on average, today. I ended up running out too far today, and did not have enough time to make it back to the starting point. I found Winston-Churchill Middle School, on Whitney Avenue, which has a creek on its eastern side. Overall, a very positive first run back.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 6.2 km (3.9 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3999433
Weight: 79.4 kg (175.05 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right hip felt a bit sore; fine after cool down
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, Siggi's grapefruit yogurt, three-berry smoothie, blueberries
Resting heart rate: 82 bpm (60 second test, 38 minutes after exercise)
Body Mass Index (BMI): 23.0 (kilograms/(meters^2))
Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR): 1,864 calories
Weather: pleasant, sunny
Temp: 26 C (78.8 F) , 2.0 m/s NW wind
Time: 45 minutes
Terrain: flat
Comments: No pain today; have not run since July 14, 46 days ago, almost seven weeks. Have been so busy with work, vacation, healing, and vacation. Have been feeling the itch to exercise for some time, though. School starts tomorrow; have not yet taken the time to examine how I might fit in progressively increasing exercise into my new weekly schedule. With a class, it means getting to work earlier and leaving later. Very pleasant weather, today. There is a feeling of being on the cusp of transition into Autumn, in the leaves and the cooler breezes. Looking to the west, great billowing white clouds are seen soaring over the distant Coastal Range. The skies in the Central Valley remain pure blue. I prefer running in the cool morning air, but I will take exercise when I can get it. Heart rate is a bit high after this first run; will keep an eye on that. Wore my replacement Garmin GPS unit on my left bicep today for the first time. I am cautiously optimistic it will work out. The benefit of wearing it on my arm, versus clipped to my shorts, is my lightweight running shorts do not fall down from the weight. With the camera already in one pocket, adding a relatively heavy GPS unit to the other side would probably be a lot to ask. This Garmin GPS unit is a replacement for the one which originally came with my watch. It cost $10 on eBay, versus hundreds of dollars for a new Garmin GPS watch. So I am hoping it works out, and so far it seems to stay put on my arm even under exercise conditions. About 4.0 mph, on average, today. I ended up running out too far today, and did not have enough time to make it back to the starting point. I found Winston-Churchill Middle School, on Whitney Avenue, which has a creek on its eastern side. Overall, a very positive first run back.
Goal Time: n/a
Distance (running): 6.2 km (3.9 mi) http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3999433
Weight: 79.4 kg (175.05 lbs), ?% body fat
Any irregular feelings, aches, pains, heart rate, and so forth?: Right hip felt a bit sore; fine after cool down
Foods eaten today: Oatmeal + raisins + banana, Siggi's grapefruit yogurt, three-berry smoothie, blueberries
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Saturday Afternoon Neighborhood Dogs
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
My Favorite Stargate SG1 Episode: Past And Present
It just so happens to also be the only ... maybe the only ... one I have seen:
http://www.gateworld.net/sg1/s3/311.shtml
The character of Ke'ra (Megan Leitch) was brilliant and full of empathy. At least until the part where it is revealed she transforms into a world-destroyer, later.
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAF19VVowC4
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Radio Songs
Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:
- Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah", performed by the Time for Three orchestra, on the Koch label (#2035). Audio. You don't need to be religious to enjoy good music, heh.
- Luigi Boccherini's "String Quintet in E, Op. 13 #5", performed by Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Sir Neville Marriner conducting, on the EMI label (#15490). Audio.
- Gabriel Faure's "Dolly Suite, Op. 56", performed by the BBC Philharmonic orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier conducting, on the Chandos label (#9416). Audio.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Radio Songs
Via KDFC, 102.1 FM, out of San Francisco, CA:
- Vivaldi's "Concerto for 2 Mandolins in G, RV 532," performed by the Piedmont Ensemble, featuring Rolf Lislevand, Stephen Murphy, mandolins, on the NAIVE label (#30429). Audio.
- Ennio Morricone's "Lady Caliph," performed by the Roma Sinfonietta Orchestra, featuring
Yo-Yo Ma, cello, Ennio Morricone conducting, on the Sony label (#93456). Audio.
- Vittorio Monti's "Csárdás," performed by the La Pieta orchestra, featuring Angele Dubeau, on the Analekta label (#23125). Audio.
- Carter Burwell's "Bella's Lullaby," from the Twilight soundtrack, on the Chop Shop/Atlantic label. Audio.
- Karl Jenkins' "Palladio," performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Karl Jenkins conducting, on the Sony label (#62276). Video. It's the song popularized by De Beers. And I have never seen a harpist (Welsh harpist Catrin Finch) walk and play at the same time. Awesome.
- Schubert's "Moment musical #4 in c-sharp minor," performed by David Fray, piano, on the Virgin label (#94489). Audio.
Pictures From My Summer Vacation: Ashland, Oregon and Crater Lake
Plus, we find the Yreka Bakery on the return trip:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schultkl/sets/72157624620761713/
Super bonus: I stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time.
Sorry for no captions. Out of time.
Notes
http://www.flickr.com/photos/schultkl/sets/72157624620761713/
Super bonus: I stepped foot on the Pacific Crest Trail for the first time.
Sorry for no captions. Out of time.
Notes
- Wishing Crater Lake had a rim trail. Or does it? Seems like it just has a partial rim trail. We will be back next year to spend a night at the lodge.
- Noting just as something we observed near the Ashland Food Co-op: Pelton House B & B
- Umpqua seems to refer to a group of Indians that lived in the south-central Oregon area. The word seems to mean "thundering waters" or "across the waters"; another definition is "satisfied"-- as in a full stomach.
- We saw the second-best preserved Shakespeare First Folio in private hands (Paul Allen's copy was published in 1623). It was opened to The Merchant Of Venice, which is playing in the Festival's 75th anniversary year this year. We both wanted to own a reproduction. You can read the book here: http://internetshakespeare.uvic.ca/Library/facsimile/book/SLNSW_F1/2/?size=small&view_mode=normal&content_type=
The Yorozu
Noting as a place I would like to visit in the near future:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-yorozu-sacramento
Sacramento IBC Wonder Bread Bakery
On the way see the new Rifftrax "Reefer Madness" live show in theaters last Thursday, we passed the Sacramento IBC Wonder Bread/Hostess Bakery. Smelled divine.
Random Things I Learn From The Person Who Cuts My Hair
I get my hair cut regularly at the Paul Mitchell Partner School at MTI College. Relatively inexpensive (in money, not time) and a fun atmosphere. Some random notes from this trip:
- Not only was Hattori Hanzo a character in Kill Bill, apparently there is a company which makes outstanding hair shears: http://www.hattorihanzoshears.com/. And when I say outstanding, I mean amazingly expensive. She was upset because they were not getting delivered fast enough.
- Blunt or feathered lines along the back; I chose feathered
- She shared a tip for hair drying: perpendicular for the top, then parallel for the sides
- She uses a Denman brush while blow drying the hair.
- Apparently Paul Mitchell makes a styling product for use while blowdrying hair and then another one for use as a finishing spray. Sort of makes sense.
- They are having an annual sale on the big Tea Tree bottles; two for $28; usually they are $40.
- She loved razor combs. She had a Paul Mitchell Carving Comb: a regular comb on one side and a razor comb on the other; it looked like something Darth Maul might wield. She swore by it.
- Her favorite movie was The Hangover. Current favorite movie in theaters (her second job) is Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
- Not sure what to call the people who cut my hair; they refer to themselves as future professionals, which is sort of vague to people who are not in the know. Not really barbers, hair stylist sounds a bit overkill, since I just get a hair cut. Hmm.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
They Might Be Giants In Concert: Stern Grove Festival
Stern Grove Stage and Grounds
We watched a free They Might Be Giants concert today at the Stern Grove Festival in San Francisco.
Set List
- Alphabet of Nations
- We're The Replacements
- New York City (cub cover)
- Dr. Worm
- Asbury Park
- Meet the Elements
- Your Racist Friend
- Spider
- Birdhouse in Your Soul
- Withered Hope
- Meet James Ensor
- Upside Down Frown
- Ana Ng
- We Live In a Dump
- Letterbox
- Band recognition bits
- Damn Good Times
- Encore: She's An Angel
- The Guitar (The Lion Sleeps Tonight)
- Particle Man
- Encore 2: The Mesopotamians
Notes
- I'm not sure about the setlist between "Alphabet Song of Nations" and "Asbury Park." I wrote down the rest so I am pretty confident about the rest. I know Dr. Worm was before Asbury Park.... That's all I got.
- Show lasted from ~3:15-~4:33 p.m.
- Lots of great lines between songs: (1) "Hearing lots of song requests we're not going to play"; (2) "We're from NYC and we brought this weather with us."; (3) Lots of riffing on how the good vibes in California threatens to tear apart their band--apparently being from NYC they find it very challenging; (4) "This song goes out to Nick, who has something very important to say to Kat, and the rest is between them" (wedding proposal?); (5) "We were planning to bring along the giant confetti cannon, but the airlines see 'cannon' on the manifest and they get twitchy."; (6) "I am already disoriented from all the secondary smoke blowing in from the crowd."; (7) "I've heard about bad lines of sight before, but imagine having hundred-year old conifers between you and the stage is new on me."; (8) "We're really big on Second Life and Friendster; we spend about 20 hours a day on Second Life."; (9) "If you have any questions, please go to our web site...depechemode.com...and we'll get back to you right away."; (10) "We'd like to thank Frank Riley for booking us here; all your favorite bands are booked by him; he's one influential dude."; (11) "This is the Bill Cosby theme from 1972" while introducing the band recognition bits; (12) "Let's have a love-in, people...."; (13) "Corporate sponsorship is a drag" while exhorting people to donate; (14) "EWOKS, EWOKS, EWOKS!" when coming out for their second encore--in reference to all of us in the trees on the hillside facing the stage; (15) "If you know someone who can help, they should help us."
- I have not been a TMBG fan, still not sure I am onboard fully, but they put on a very entertaining show. Well done.
- Stern Grove Recreational Park is an amazing place: the smell of eucalyptus; the cool air; the lush greens and towering trees; the beautiful wooden structures and rough-hewn stones. Five minutes after leaving heavily trafficked 19th Avenue behind, you'd never know you were in the middle of a major metropolitan city. Fantastic.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
Weird Al In Concert: California State Fair
Dawn and I were at the California State Fair on Sunday to see Weird Al. We sat in Section C, Row U, Seats 10 and 11 around 7:00 p.m. with plenty of kettle corn. The place filled up completely by showtime.
Great show. Two confetti explosions; no Al Bucks (no It's All About the Pentiums Baby); no Radio, Radio.
Songs by album:
Internet Leaks: 4
Straight Outta Lynwood: 4
Poodle Hat: 3
Even Worse: 3
UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff: 2
Dare To Be Stupid: 2
Bad Hair Day: 2
Running With Scissors: 1
Alapalooza: 1
"Weird Al" Yankovic: 1
In 3-D: 1
Off The Deep End: 1
Unreleased songs: 2
Total songs: 27
- Intro--Fun Zone (song)
- Live action video sequence on tri-screen
- Latest polka montage, featuring: Poker Face by Lady Gaga; Womanizer by Britney Spears; Right Round by Flo Rida; Day N' Night by Kid Cudi; Need You Now by Lady Antebellum; Baby by Justin Bieber; So What by Pink; I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry; Fireflies by Owl City; Blame It by Jamie Foxx; Replay by Iyaz; Down by Jay Sean; Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz; Tick Tock by Ke$ha (link)
- You Make Me, from Even Worse
- Weird Al announces they have reached the half-way point of the show and it is now the time for the drum solo (drummer strikes single note)
- Good Old Days, from Even Worse
- Eminem interview from Weird Al TV; Simpsons Weird Al reference
- Smells Like Nirvana from Off The Deep End (Kurt Kobain wig, black short-sleeved tee with yellow stripes over white long-sleeved tee; song video playing on tri-screen; two cheerleaders in black outfits with red poms upstage; gargles water and throws rest of water in cup on front rows)
- Robert Plant interview from Weird Al TV, followed by various Weird Al appearances on television, followed by Mariah Carey interview on Weird Al TV, followed by Naked Gun Weird Al reference.
- Skipper Dan, from Internet Leaks
- Jessica Simpson interview on Weird Al TV
- You're Pitiful exclusive online single (Al starts with black coat and pants and rips off sequence of clothing: removing black coat reveals gold sequin shirt; removing gold sequin shirt reveals white tee with "I *Heart* Bacon"; removing accordion tee reveals yellow Atlantic Records Still Sucks tee; removing Atlantic Records Still Sucks tee reveals white Spongebob Squarepants tee; removing black pants reveals pink tutu over white boxers with red hearts)
- UHF "Wheel Of Fish" segment; Madonna interview from Weird Al TV; various other television Weird Al references (for example, Transformers cartoon)
- Dare To Be Stupid, from Dare To Be Stupid
- Flintstones video on the tri-screen, followed by Johnny Carson, followed by CNR intro
- CNR, from Internet Leaks.
- Interlude where Weird Al relates story of how he asked his tour agent before the tour to give him one show at a state fair over a moat; "Some dreams do come true." He then gives an extended, overwrought introduction to the next song about one man's need to be a hog.
- "Let Me Be Your Hog", from "UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff".
- Canadian Idiot from Straight Outta Lynwood (maple leaf screensaver video and nuclear explosion on tri-screen at end of song; exploding streamers into crowd timed with bomb)
- Avril Lavigne interview from Weird Al TV; Alanis Morissette "Ironic" video with Weird Al; "Germs And You" informational video.
- Wanna B Ur Lovr from Poodle Hat (red suit with black and white tie; Al went into the crowd and up and down the aisles)
- Beverly Hillbillies preview video
- Begins song medley:
- Money For Nothing/Beverly Hillbillies*, from "UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff".
- Whatever You Like, from Internet Leaks.
- I'm In Love Wit Da Skipper exclusive Straight Outta Lynwood live medley song (puts on white hat with red shirt; Gilligan video on tri-screen)
- Confessions Part III from Straight Outta Lynwood (instead of singing normal lyrics "Oh, and sometimes in private, really like to dress up like Shirley Temple and spank myself with a hockey stick (hockey stick)" he substitutes Sarah Palin's name)
- eBay from Poodle Hat
- Bedrock Anthem from Alapalooza (Flintstones video on tri-screen)
- Another One Rides The Bus, from "Weird Al" Yankovic
- Ode To A Superhero from Poodle Hat (plays accordion and harmonica)
- Trapped In The Drive-Thru from Straight Outta Lynwood (song video animation on tri-screen)
- Gump from Bad Hair Day (Forrest Gump on tri-screen)
- Eat It from In 3-D (puts on red jacket)
- Devil Walks Among Us bit on the video screen; Michael Stipe interview from Weird Al TV; various other television appearances
- Craigslist from Internet Leaks.
- Snoop Dogg interview from Weird Al TV (sets up "We All Have Cell Phones" bit later on)
- Amish Paradise from Bad Hair Day (song video costumes; video on tri-screen)
- Celine Dion interview from Weird Al TV
- White & Nerdy from Straight Outta Lynwood (enters on Segway, black hoodie with "White & Nerdy" in red letters, silver sparkly chain)
- "Be Nice To Your Teeth" informational video. Madonna interview from Weird Al TV
- Fat from Even Worse (black fat suit with red belts, grommets, silver chains; says Ho! Ho! Ho! and stage manager comes out wearing a Santa Claus outfit, with a hoe; Weird Al punches him in the face and the stage manager exits)
- Encore: We All Have Cell Phones, So C'Mon Let's Get Real exclusive live single from Weird Al TV interview with Michael Stipe
- The Saga Begins from Running With Scissors (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea intro; storm troopers and Darth Vadar on stage; robes outfit from video)
- Yoda from Dare To Be Stupid (Darth Vadar theme followed by the Adams Family intro; bubble screensaver video on tri-screen; Yoda Chant half-way through, then finishes with white confetti explosion)
Great show. Two confetti explosions; no Al Bucks (no It's All About the Pentiums Baby); no Radio, Radio.
Songs by album:
Internet Leaks: 4
Straight Outta Lynwood: 4
Poodle Hat: 3
Even Worse: 3
UHF – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack and Other Stuff: 2
Dare To Be Stupid: 2
Bad Hair Day: 2
Running With Scissors: 1
Alapalooza: 1
"Weird Al" Yankovic: 1
In 3-D: 1
Off The Deep End: 1
Unreleased songs: 2
Total songs: 27
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