It is deep winter here in northern Indiana... and I am deep into Robert Jordan's nineth brick-book. Things have been busy, to say the least, and I want to share some of what has past and what I hope is to come.
I have three classes this semester, Algorithms, Distributed Systems, and Networks.
Algorithms is by far the most difficult, and I strongly advise all CSE's to take an undergrad course in it if you have any plans of pursuing a graduate study as well. You'll need all the help you can get.
While classes are stretching my mind and games and books are wasting my time, social events do still pursue me... somehow.
I was able to be in Kenny's, Sharon's older brother, wedding 2 weeks ago. Sharon is doing well in Texas, and was able to come back for nearly 2 weeks around that time. It was good to see her again, and she looked amazing in the bridesmaid dress that Stacy (Sharon's now sister) picked out for her. The wedding had good food, as I'm sure you will all be glad to hear.
March 10-18 will be my spring break here at ND, and I hear rumors that LetU's is around that same time. I'm contemplating driving down to Texas for the week, both to see Sharon, and also to hang out with you folks still remaining in Longview. Sharon will likely be busy most of the week, if not out at some remote oil field, so I am interested in knowing what sort of things might be possible around Longview.
I would also like to say that cheap accelerometers are annoying... its good to have a department that can hand out new ones like candy, but going through 1 a day is not right.
In conclusion, I am trying to decide what series/category of books to pursue next, as Jordan will only last me a couple more weeks. As I suspect there are a fair number of well-read folks who may still read here (despite my slackness) I look forward to advice.
As I suspect there are a fair number of well-read folks who may still read here (despite my slackness) I look forward to advice.
I recommend Jack P. Greene and J.R. Pole, eds., Colonial British America: Essays in the New History of the Early Modern Era (Johns Hopkins, 1984). You'll find it a real page-turner, let me tell you this. I particularly recommend the essay by James T. Lemon, "Spatial Order: Households in Local Communities and Regions."
Not your cuppa? Well, try Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell instead. Both Wheeler and Martinez will back me up on this one.
Posted by: Wilson at February 25, 2007 01:24 PMGood to hear from you again, Moore.
And I'm with Wilson; Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell would be an excellent choice. (Note that there's no period after "Mr"; I guess it's a British thing *shrugs*) It's also rather long, so it should keep you busy for a few days, at least.
After that, I highly recommend C.S. Lewis's "Space Trilogy": Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength.
If you haven't read it yet, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy "Trilogy" is a must-read for sci-fi buffs and humor fans alike. The Discworld series, which I've only just started myself, is satirical fantasy/sci-fi along the lines of Hitchhiker.
And I'll stop there before I'm at it all day.
Posted by: Martinez at February 25, 2007 04:40 PMI have read a lot of DiscWorld already, it is quite a hoot. The Lewis trilogy I read many many years ago, and it didn't make much sense. I mainly remember being a combination of confused and intrigued. Perhaps they will be next. We had them at home, I suspect they are still on the shelves.
Mr Norrel sounds interesting as well, although I've never heard of it 'til now.
Fie on your orthographic exactitude.
Posted by: Wilson at February 26, 2007 06:27 PMMaybe try George R.R. Martin's series, "A Song of Ice and Fire." There's something like 5 books at this point, all pushing 1000 pages. Well-written fantasy, if that's what you're in the mood for.
Posted by: Ben at March 7, 2007 11:09 PM