It’s been a while since I actually wrote anything on this blog, I’ve posted plenty of pictures and random links, but we’ve been decidely short on “get to know Ryan” time. For your reading pleasure, I will be writing this entry during the down time of my compile/test cycles for the Moses project. By doing so, you will be assured of the most sporatic, rambling coverage of topics possible, and avoid any sort of linear coheseveness to my story. Just for good measure, I’ll make extra effort to use words I have no idea how to spell (and avoid spell check), just to please my many spelling critics out there — I’m looking out for your interests, guys. Since it’s been a while, we’ll work backwards through time. Why? Because I said so.
Our story ends with this last week in which I’ve been back in Champaign, IL. My travels of the previous week have left me rather behind on the several projects on which I’m working. First and foremost, my thesis. I’m scheduled to be done with the programming portion of the project by the end of the month, and then spend the rest of my time before the July 21st format review deadline writing the actual paper. I haven’t gotten as far as I would have liked on the project, but I think that’s mostly because I’m learning a new technology and and trying to build a rather large system all at the same time. Throughout the entire duration of the project I’ve been working on at least one other thing. Early on, it was my work with Kim Labs, and during the last month or two it has been the VBA book project, which brings me to the second thing I’m running behind on.
The VBA book is supposed to also be done by the end of June. This one actually isn’t doing to bad, if I was actually able to devote the next week fully to the project. Unfortunately, the aforementioned thesis is vying for the time. The book should be pretty good. The difference between this book and other books CS 105 has used in the past is that this book is (obviously) targetted specifically to the way we teach the course, and doesn’t cover any extra material that we don’t have time to deal with in class.
Yesterday I saw my first funnel cloud ever. I was just walking out the Kim Labs building and someone pulled me aside and said, “hey, look at that funnel cloud” (OK, they might not have said exactly that, I just made it up; something to that affect). It was about 5 miles away and it didn’t touch down, but it was still really cool. I hear this has been an unusual year for tornadoes in Champaign. We’ve had a couple close calls, and Springfield was hit hard by one.
My parents are currently in Japan visiting my sister. I find it funny that they were able to travel half way around the world to visit her, yet have still not managed to visit me in Illinois. Ok, that’s not exactly true. They visited last year, but haven’t this year since Katy and I moved into our townhouse. Can’t really blame them, Japan’s a bit more interesting destination.
The weekend before last (Circa June 17th) Katy and I attended Dusty and Laura’s wedding in Tennessee. A good time was had by all, and it was a beautiful ceremony. The abbreviated pictures are available here and if you’re looking for all 500+ pictures here is the place to be. There was a lot more tomfoolery at this wedding than the others I’ve been to. The wedding party spent extra time decking out Laura’s car with balloons, Oreos, some sort of whip off spray paint, and condoms. Thankfully, Katy and I didn’t use our own car to drive to our reception, so there wasn’t any great opportunity to decorate it. Next up is the Jamieson-Parish wedding in early August, back in Minnesota.
Prior to the weekend wedding, Katy and I spent a week at home in Minnesota. Every time I return I’m amazed at how much nicer it is there than in Illinois (heck, visiting Tennessee/Kentucky, I was amazed how much nicer that was too). Hills, trees, gorgeous jogging paths, this are not things native to Champaign. The majority of the visit was spent taking care of things such as getting Katy a new car, taxes, and doctors appointments. Katy was able to get her new car, however, and we took care of pretty much everything we needed to while we were at home. It’s kind of funny being back these days, because everyone except Trip (Brogan) and Me have jobs, and thus are constrained to not staying out too late, and not doing things during the day. Got to say though, Brogs is living the dream.
get back to work man – and ignore the timestamp on this comment . . .
I see we’ve moved past that awkward stage at work, to the “I feel comfortable posting comments” phase. I’m sure the “I don’t need to wear pants” phase will be short in coming as well.
No no, you’ve got it all backwards. I had previously reached the “I don’t need to wear pants” phase and am just now hitting the “I feel comfortable posting comments” phase. The pants thing was like week 2.
wait a minute. how could you forget that i do little to/no work also. that is all i hear about from these guys and your forget to mention me. what a rip. where’s my tribute?
oh ya, forgot to mention i drove through champaign on the 23rd on our way to s.c. not a town that i would like to get off the highway to wander around to see things. pretty much everything can be seen from the highway. including the abundant trailer parks!
You drove through Champaign and didn’t stop to see me. Your photo tribute has just been delayed another year!
we thought about it but we were on a time schedule to drive so far that night. plus it was 4 in the afternoon on friday and i thought you were either cleaning katy off a bar floor by then or cleaning katy off a ddr pad.
plus, i didnt know which trailer was yours!