Thursday, August 31, 2006

Let's talk about chess..

Dad I'm big but we're smaller than small
In the scheme of things well we're nothing at all
...
Son for all I've told you
When you get right down to the
reason for the world
Who am I?
...
Here's a riddle for you
Find the answer
There's a reason for the world
You and I

Great stuff - though it doesn't really answer why my chess sucks. What it does tell me... it doesn't really matter. It's not so big.

Larry and I are leaving early Saturday morning for the long weekend. I'm looking forward to it. I plan on changing styles a bit. I'm not sure how that will work out for me. Maybe poorly. But I need to try it. I'll be sure to let you know next week. My main goal is to be more aggressive. If you're a bit late to the party, I'm talking about chess. Chess! Get with the program!

And once again, next week, time to start eating better again. Back and forth. That's life. The pain that comes with not being perfect. Then again, would you really want it any other way?

For some reason I decided to register my bike and get it on the road. It's almost September. I'm a bit of an idiot. Ah well, at least I wear it proudly.

Wasting away...

Until next time, Ed.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Dumb and Dumber

I signed up for the chess tournament tonight. 13 minutes to spare! Unexpectedly... I got a laugh as the "thank you for your order" page came up:

Thank you for your order. Please print out this page and bring it to the tournament in the unlikely event there is a problem with your entry. If you cannot print this page, don't worry and don't contact us; we ask you to print the page to make less work for us, not more.

It's funny, but non-chessplayers seem to have this misconception that we chosen few, the royalty of the chessboard, are smarter than your average pawn. Truth be told, we're just as dumb as the rest of the world. In fact, in many cases, dumber. Dumb and dumber. Doesn't get much better than this!

For now I think I'll go to bed. Sleep - my personal expertise.

Ed.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Turbo Man!

If you're a 30-something and a programmer, there's one thing that you know. Borland! More specifically, classic borland. Turbo Pascal and Turbo C++ to be exact. Those were the days. I thought it was the coolest thing back in the day when I was at STCC. It's amazing how far we've come. Now I cringe at the thought of trying to do any type of editing at a console level.

Back to the nastalgia though. It's mostly due to fond memories, but I was pretty excited to learn that in the current mess that is Borland trying to re-invent themselves, they are spinning off their developer tools group. As part of this change, they are going back to their roots. In doing so, they are releasing what I'm betting is mostly re-packaged versions of their products as "turbo" products. Turbo Delphi, Turbo C#, Turbo C++, and Turbo Delphi for .Net. These products will be available in both an Explorer and a Professional version. The Explorer versions will be free! The nicest part about Turbo C++ is that your programs can be compiled completely into an executable. No run-time crap required. That was always one of my favorite things about the borland products.

Nevertheless, I've moved on to other languages, other tools, and other directions. But it won't stop me from checking them out. Who knows, maybe the next release of my chess engine will be attempted with Turbo C++. If it's more standards based than Microsoft's Visual C++ - then it's got a chance. I don't think that Borland will ever return to their former glory, but it's nice to see them trying.

Here's the link: Turbo Explorer

And for now - back to trying to fix my brothers computer.

Take care, Ed.

Thursday, August 10, 2006

The Final

I took my final last night for Linear Algebra. It was a little disappointing. I was really hoping to do well. After all the time and energy I've put into this class I really wanted to get an A. On the final I got an 88. It's not terrible, but it doesn't make the grade. I'm going to have to be happy with an A- I think. When I calculate the tests I took, it averages out to a 93. Now I've got 5 days left to get through all the work for my other class before giving the final presentations on Tuesday night.

Wish me luck!

Ed.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Cheating at the World Open

There was an interesting article at Chessbase (from the NY Times) about cheating at chess:

http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=3280

Ed.

Factorize this!

Last night I wanted to finish chapter 5 in my Linear Algebra book. I had to. My other class is definitely suffering due to the amount of time I've been spending on it. Unfortunately, when I got home from work/dentist/chris, I had some trouble concentrating. I slept until 7pm. I suck.

Then I did what any other self-respecting person would do. I went to D'Angelos and got a nice, large, cheeseburg grinder. Nice! When I got home I planned to eat and finish Chapter 5. So I got home and played a poker sit-and-go on the Internet. This was not going well. Finally, by 9pm or so, I was totally in the zone. Finally looking over my Linear Algebra. It actually felt pretty good. The problem was, this section was hard. Very hard.

After about an hour I just couldn't take it anymore. I decided that I was just going to go ahead and take the chapter 5 test. If I didn't do that well, at least the lowest grade is dropped. I was a little disappointed, because I really want to get an A and at the moment I'm clearly an A-. That and I'd have to get 100 on the final, which could be tough. Anyway, I had to do it.

I reviewed the Chapter 5 practice test/notes that the instructor had put out on the site, then finally settled down for the test. It was about 10pm, so I figured it would take about 2 hours. It did. I felt really good as I was taking the test. It was hard, but spread out. What I mean is that in the homework each problem could consist of 3-5 steps. In the test, each of those steps were separated out into a separate question. So that was nice. It allowed me to focus on each question without worrying about never finishing the test.

There was only one question on the test that really bothered me. It was one of those questions where I felt the answer was one thing, but I was coming up with something "slightly" different. I went with my feeling. Then it was over - 100%! Wow! I was so wired. After that I had to get to bed and it was hard to fall asleep. My mind was racing. It really felt great after the time and struggle that I've had with this last chapter to do so well. A lot of email help from the instructor, and Paul, along the way really helped.

As for tonight, well, time for the final! Then I can move on and let the other class take over my life for the next 5 days. Next Tuesday that will be done as well.

Until next time, Ed.

14 seconds of fame

In case you're wondering about what it takes to be nominated for an Emmy, apparently that would be 14 seconds! Well, that and $200.00.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060808/ap_on_en_tv/tv_emmys_burstyn

Ed.

Sunday, August 06, 2006

Diagonalization waits not

School is almost over. August 11th for Linear Algebra and the 16th for Decision Support. I had some good news yesterday. I emailed the instructor for Linear Algebra to ask her about the homework and when the tests will be posted for chapters 5 and 6. She told me that she doesn't do chapter 6 in the summer, and only during the normal semester if time permits. That means I'm on the final chapter! A little extra time - I need that. I'm really hoping to finish up chapter 5 today and take the test tonight so that I'll only need to do the final. I need a lot of time for my other class!

Paul has been a huge help for Linear Algebra. Last night at the chess club he spent hours, off and on, answering my questions while I was doing the homework. I needed it. I'm not sure if it's the 15 years since I last took a math class, but some of the concepts take a while to sink in.

I was hoping to go to Bradley next weekend for a chess tournament. But knowing what I have left to do for my other class I don't think it can happen. I think that miles to go would be an understatement.

I suppose I should be going. Diagonalization waits not, and the future is ours to see.

Ed.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Good Advice

Isn't it ironic... don't you think?

I won't go into details - moving on. 3 more weeks of school. Very excited. I can't wait to have that week or two off before my final class starts. Oblivion. I can feel it.

I've been struggling a lot with chapter 4 in my linear algebra class. But thanks to continued perseverence, and a long discussion at the chess club with Paul B., I think I'm getting it. Felt pretty good last night. Tonight I have to take the test. So I'll know for sure if I got it.

I'll keep the rest of my misadventures to myself for now.

Until next time, Ed.