Week of October 28 to November 3
What did you do this past week?
Lots of work this week, but I had time for fun too. Apart from studying for a test on Friday, I mulled over course registration, completed a lot of coding challenges, and got a head start on studying for a few midterms next week. The mornings and afternoons were a bit hectic as I scrambled to get everything done, so that I could keep my evenings free for fun activities with friends. Among other things, I went to the Longhorn Halloween, had a Halloween radio show special with a bunch of friends [with special guest Dean Torkelson, also in this class], saw the Rocky Horror Picture screening in the SAC [lots of fun!] and watched The Lighthouse [one of the best films of the year].
What’s in your way?
Time, in all its grandness. If we just had one more hour in the day, I’d be able to get so much more done. I guess it’s a good thing that we’ve got Daylight Savings this Sunday. I’m also sweating about recruiting for next summer; I’m the kind of person that hears success stories and congratulate the new hire for their hard work, and subsequently proceed to kick myself in the shins repeatedly about my own lethargy. I’m confident I’ll find something exciting, but a little bit of stress in this domain is always a good thing. I think I ought to make a personal website to get my name out there; it’d be a good project for me.
What will you do next week?
I’ve got two midterms on the docket, so that’s priority #1. Actually, scratch that; priority #1 is the two midterms and the Darwin project for this class, which my partner and I have made good progress on. Well, I think we’ve made good progress on it; we sat down and conceptualized the classes and have written the header file, but both of us are worried we’ve missed something. Our generation is one of perpetual anxiety, lifeless tech screens and a dying world. I’m doing good though — just want this month to be over and it hasn’t even started. Thanksgiving is taking its time.
What was your experience of the vector implementation? (this question will vary, week to week)
The lectures this week were quite compelling; I feel like I’m finally able to understand the concepts that Prof. Downing has been covering this semester. I know — you’d think that I’d have this stuff down before the midpoint of the semester, but I feel like things are finally beginning to “click.” I am waiting with baited breath for the lecture on Monday, where he will hopefully provide clarity on his implementations of the assignment and copy constructors. I have a bad feeling that I’ll be cold called and fumble the answers; if you’re in class and you haven’t been called upon that cycle, it feels like there’s a Sword of Damocles over your head that could fall at any minute.
What’s your pick-of-the-week or tip-of-the-week?
Thanksgiving is coming up; what better time to profligately spend on things we ultimately won’t use! I actually do need a new laptop though, so I’m on the lookout for one that will be good for my programming purposes. My advice is to do your research if you’re buying an electronic item this holiday season — we’re all CS kids so we should, more than anyone else, be able to spot a scam. Speaking of scams, what is the deal with course registration here at UT? I’m not too unhappy with the CS classes I got, but man, is it convoluted. Should probably end the blog post here before the UT administration disappears me.


