Classes have begun, and as such, I have less time to put up stupid posts that nobody reads. Anyway, I am taking a topology course, which so far has been nothing new, but this professor doesn't seem to get that this is a grad course and he shouldn't be giving us two assignments/week, especially when it mostly amounts to busy work, since it's stuff we've seen before, but I think maybe he just underestimated how many people have heard of closure operators, or really topology in general (it uses an undergrad book). I am also taking a prob/stat class, which is also pretty boring and elementary thus far, and it is notable basically only because I don't want to buy the book because it has nothing new for me (or really most people), but I need the problems out of it, so I need to MacGyver a solution somehow. I am also taking an ODE class. For those of you who don't know what ODE stands for, it means Awkward Russian guy talking for three straight hours and there not being a projector, which he did not anticipate, leading him to have to hold up papers with figures on them. So-so.

I know I am complaining about things, but this is probably the last time I will do it, and that's what blogs are for, anyway. The worst part is that there is one guy who is in all my classes and constantly complains to me about how the classes are too easy and that "graduate students shouldn't be allowed to take these classes because they are too easy." Maybe a direct quote. I realize I am complaining about the same thing, sort of, but I don't really mind them being too easy. I am more annoyed by having to do homework, but it's not like it takes a huge amount of time. I'm more more annoyed by students (and professors!) who think classes are beneath them. Students, if it is too easy for you, don't take it! You'll be here for years, and there will be more challenging stuff later. I'm taking classes just to get the credits, at least mostly. Professors, don't fall all over yourself trying to prove that you know more about the subject than we do. If we didn't accept that as a first principle, we wouldn't sign up for your class! Also, don't dismiss legitimate questions about what your arbitrary notation means (not my question, even), especially when you don't define it, and when you choose to use non-standard symbols!

Anyway, that is the report from the front lines. All quiet on the western front.

Break *Updated*

I've added a couple new things I've watched.

As if working about 10 hours a week over the summer wasn't leisurely enough, I'm now officially on break for a couple of weeks, so I have plenty of time to use my roommate's netflix account to watch tons of movies, as well as waste time on the internet. So, I've been catching up on some movies that aren't exactly new releases but that I felt like I should see, sort of.

Aliens - I am just finishing this and it is awesome. It's incredible how much more real it looks (because of the use of actual sets and props and actors) than Avatar, and how much better James Cameron used to be.

The Insider - This is kind of awesome, as well. It's sort of a different role for Al Pacino, but he still gets to yell a lot, which he is very well suited to.

The Rock - Good and dumb fun. Reminds me a lot of ConAir, but somehow not as good for not having ridiculous villain characters.

Spy Game - Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. Current and future heartthrobs team up to make a cool movie about spies. Good stuff.

The IT Crowd - not a movie, but a British TV show I had heard something about. It's kind of funny, not amazing or anything, but very British.

Wall Street - I liked this movie, though it seemed rather hamfisted in its morality. I'm guessing it just hasn't aged well, but seeing Martin Sheen play Charlie Sheen's dad is actually pretty cool. There's not really much to it, just a sort of simple morality play, but not a bad one by any means.

Raising Arizona - The first real Coen Brothers' movie. It is good, I think. I was exhausted for some reason when we were watching it, so I fell asleep for the second half, but I'll go back and finish it. I am a big fan of these guys' movies, though, so if you don't like them (The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Though, No Country for Old Men,...) you probably won't like this one, either.

Moon - This is an excellently composed science fiction movie, not huge in scope or even particularly innovative. Anyone with experience at all with SF or just mystery-type plots in general should be able to see what's coming about a parsec away (haha), but that doesn't mean it's not a good watch.

The Office (UK) - I'm a big fan of the US version of The Office, and consider it far and away better than the original version, but I hadn't seen the last few episodes or the Christmas special that acts as an epilogue to the series, although it is actually about the length of a whole season (or series, if you prefer the Brit term). They are both good shows, and they really do complement each other. There's an excellent essay comparing the two versions that is linked to in the Wikipedia article, which I won't bother looking up. I agree with the author that the British version is much darker and that Michael Scott is much more likable than David Brent, but that both versions bring something to the show. I completely disagree that Dwight is unbearable, however, and feel he is much MUCH funnier than his British equivalent, Garreth. Anyway, see the series, read the article, enjoy.

Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (or something like that) - I can't resist DC animated stuff. This is basically a movie follow up to Batman: The New Adventures, which itself was a follow up series to The Adventures of Batman and Robin, or Batman: The Animated series, whichever title you prefer. It's quality, as everything from the Timmverse is, but I have a preference for the earlier style, as opposed to the simpler more "cartoonish" style of TNBA, but that's just me. The story is ok, but definitely not as good as some other ones. It was annoying to me that they sort of brought up Batgirl and then just forgot about her. Also, Robin didn't do anything but fly the Batwing, which seems particularly out of character, but I suppose it is to give more screen time to the titular character. Ah, well.

Let the Right One In - This is a Norwegian (I think) vampire movie about a junior high (again, I think) boy and his new friend who turns out to be a vampire. It's generally thought of as a horror movie, but it works much better as just a drama with a vampire. It's surprisingly sweet and understated despite people getting bitten to death by a 12 year old. Very good, but obviously not for everyone. Probably unnecessary word of warning: lots of extremely pale people.

McDonald's Breakfast - Not a movie, but always satisfies. Their coffee is so good since they started pretending to be a low rent Starbucks in the morning. This is supposedly an intentional move on their part to capitalize on the recession and people not being able to afford $5 coffee any more. I stopped getting sugar in my coffee a long while back now, and I told the girl behind the counter I was "on a diet," to which she mentioned that I was, indeed, also ordering a McGriddle. Haha, but I can't help it; the McGriddle is probably one of the most brilliant fast food items ever created, even if it has been overshadowed by that sodium bomb known as the Double Down.

Also, this site has a wonderful series of articles mocking and destroying the stupid arguments made by the tea parties, and I feel people should read it just because it puts into words so succinctly what is wrong with these people.

Since I've already established this blog as left-wing extremist by the measuring stick of a seemingly increasingly conservative (not coincidentally, also increasingly stupid and inching steadily towards collapse) society, here is another link for you about income disparity. Enjoy.

Zorgus Borgus

I just got bit by the love bat...

and it's driving me mad!!!

Short Review

Since nobody else appears to be updating, I guess I will have to take the wheel. I saw Inception recently, and I have to say it pretty much lives up to the (ridiculous) hype. It's pretty exciting and the multiple layers keep you interested. The rules are all explained without delving into the mechanics of shared dreaming, which would have been a nightmare (ha ha) to sit through. Instead, we get walked through the rules nicely as the story progresses, just enough to let us understand and not enough to bore us. Good acting and all that. Despite what you may have heard, the story isn't confusing at all; it's very straightforward and easy to follow as long as you can keep track of dreams within dreams (there are only three levels, so it's not like you'll forget what is going on). The ambiguous ending is well done even if it is obvious; if you know the premise of the movie, in fact, you can probably guess the ending without seeing it. Anyway, check it out if you somehow haven't by now.

Also, if you aren't watching the new episodes of Futurama, then you are missing out. They're even better now than before they went off the air.

Tragedy!

Cathy is ending! What will the world do without her?

The teeth of great lions are broken; the lion perishes for lack of prey, and the cubs of the lioness are scattered!

Please take Funky Winkerbean instead!

Camden Yards

It's been a bit since my last update, so how about a short one. Over the weekend, I went down with two of my roommates to Baltimore, where we met up with Eric to take in an Orioles vs. White Sox game. Camden Yards, or rather, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, is a nice ball park, pretty large and very clean. It also has nice views of the city, if you are facing away from the field, with no walls to obscure your view, at least at the upper levels. I should have some pictures, but I have not received them as of now. Anyway, the White Sox, who are in a division race, beat the O's, who are only in a race in the purely mathematical sense of it is theoretically possible that they win something like 90% of their remaining games and all other teams in their division do horribly from here on out. So, Eric was happy with that. Baltimore fans seem pleasant, knowing that their team is pretty bad, and didn't mind sitting with a St. Louis fan, a White Sox fan, a Phillies fan, and a Yankees (boo!) fan. Afterwards, we enjoyed some Chicago style pizza near the park. I know that's weird. Next stop, NY, NY!

Cheesesteak

I finally had a Cheesesteak from the legendary Pat's. I don't have a picture of the "wiz wit" that I ate because I took it on my phone and I don't know how to transfer the pictures. Anyway, it was awesome, but if you go, be sure to follow their ordering instructions. They have them posted on a sign. You need to have your money ready when you order or they will start yelling at you. I can read, but apparently some people can't, so I got to witness that first hand. The reason for their strictness is the absurdly long lines they have, and thus the need to rush everyone through. Anyway, it was awesome, and I suggest it to anybody who loves great (but terrible for you) food. Maybe Geno's next time...