discussion

I handed in my last assignment tonight, for better or for worse. Now, i breathe a big sigh of relief, and i'm just gonna do stuff for me all weekend.

I wanted more conversation in my journal, so, here are some things:

My sister asked (in her journal):
Who is your all time favourite author? Do you have a number one book to recommend by that person?

If you really must, you can pick two, a fiction and a non-fiction... but you must have a secret favourite somewhere in your heart!

and I answered:
Madeleine L'Engle. In my heart of hearts the Wrinkle in Time series is my favorite, but i suspect her more adult novels and expository writing might be more meaningful to both. One reason that she is my favorite is that she has spoken to my philosophy and helped me grow when i needed it. Another reason is that my favorite character is Meg, who was a math geek, and grew up in Goshen.

I'm glad Caitlin knew what i was talking about. Its so nice to have someone who knows you so well. Especially when you like them. =)

Now, Deb's questions:
1. Robotic control vs. control of robots. Compare and contrast. Which interests you more, and why?

mmmmm. I think i know what interests me more, but i'm not sure which one it is. Here is what i think:
Robotic control should be having robots control something else. I think this is what interests me more. Control requires intelligence, so robotic control should be something like artificial intelligence.
Control of Robots is more mechanical. We're not creating intelligence, we're just using ours. Now, my two robotics classes have been this latter thing, and i've really liked them. Among other things, they're a lot like Mech-E, and i do still like mechanical engineering. There is the bonus of not needing to know electricity. However, if i'm gonna do mechanical stuff, i think i'd rather just get in there and get my hands dirty.

2. What do you like best about running? What do you like least?
Well, i hate running. I'm not good at it, and i find it really hard. If I have a good run i have at least one point where i hate it and i want to give it up.
But thats also something i love about it. Its the hardest physical thing that i do, and i like pushing myself to that next level.
Also, there is something pure about exercise, and running may be the purest of them all. Exercise is my stabilizer, and my mediation, and my investment in myself.
As an added bonus, i just feel like i have more energy, and more control when I am in good shape.

3. Describe your perfect Sunday.

On my perfect Sunday i just have no restrictions. On some Sundays all i want to do is be lazy, and lie around reading or watching movies. On other Sundays i want to see the world, or just DO lots of things. But either way, on a perfect day, i get to decide for myself what i'm doing. Dinner at Eli's isn't a bad way to wrap one of those up.

4. In the book Microserfs , by Douglas Coupland, the characters are described in terms of their top 7 Jeopardy categories. Generally silly ones. (For instance, mine might include Moving Frequently and Cat Sitting.) What are your top 7 Jeopardy categories?
That is seriously hard. One thing that makes it difficult is that the set of categories i wish were mine is a bit disjoint from what are probably really my categories.

What i wish (in no order):
Music, Math , Cars, Nature and Outdoors

What are probably closer (in no order):
I kicked ass on a ballet category once, er, sonar.

Problem is, i just don't know much.
Finally, Barbara asked:
If you could have one extra day every week, what would you do with it?
I think i would split my time between just catching up on all the stuff i want to do, but don't seem to have time for (writing to friends, keeping things cleaned and organized, miscellaneous household and personal project), and spending a whole day outside (hiking, biking, rollerblading, something...). If i could save up the time, i'd certainly travel more.

So, anyone want to add their two cents? What are your answers to these questions?

Okay, thats enough for now.