Chatonka

So, anyways, I wanted to take this desktop on the plane.

There are a few problems with that statement. Number 1: Desktops are fragile. This meant that I needed to have it as carry-on luggage, as big and bulky and non-wheeled as it was. Number 2: Desktops are heavy. This meant that I used the Antec straps that came with a case that I had purchased earlier. Number 3: The black glossy Antec Sonata case is scratched quite easily. This means that I decided to cover the case with a white cloth covering.

Lets recap for a moment. I’m now walking into the airport with three bags. I have my backpack, with my laptop and other electronics (a LOT of other electronics). I have my large red duffel bag that is packed with winter clothing and a rather large, but rather light sleeping bag. And lastly, I have a large heavy metal box that is covered in a white cloth. That last object sounds like the definition of sketchy. Anyways, I managed to put the duffel bag underneath the plane, so I was left with more or less a bag full of electronics and a box full of more electronics. Going through security was very funny. I could see the reactions on the employees - I’m guessing they rarely (if ever) saw desktop computers come through as carry-on. After a thorough check of my luggage, security finally let me go.

I managed the rest of the flight without much trouble, although some of the other passengers certainly looked at me with a quizzical eye. And I definitely got a workout carrying that computer along with the rest of my bags up four flights of stairs.

I’m extremely pleased to have my desktop here with me at school. As cool as laptops are, a desktop is a constant. It doesn’t run out of battery, it has a nice dedicated large screen, a good mouse and keyboard (ugh, the pointing stick was beginning to get very old) and some wonderful speakers.

I finally got a new cellphone to replace my ageing Nokia 6682. Beforehand I had decided that I wanted to have a phone that worked on the super-duper 3g networks that now permiate Minneapolis and Philadelphia. With the N78 I also lucked out and got a 3.2MP camera, GPS, a headphone jack, 2gb of memory (MicroSD slot) and a really cool looking phone. I am a big fan, and I’ll be sure to post more about it later.

Honestly I think that Symbian S60 has vastly improved since the days of my 6682, and everything just seems more fluid now. Oh, and GPS + google maps + 3g is _the_ best thing since sliced bread.

I’m always a lot stronger (muscle-wise at least) at the end of the summer compared to any other time of year. This August has been no different, and I’m really pleased that I can actually windsurf in higher winds without letting myself get blown off course. Thursday and Friday had excellent wind and I was able to get out on the lake both days. The wind was from the southwest, which is great because it means that it gets funneled down a channel before being released into the wide part of the lake where I surf. I’m able to start in the shadow of the wind to the side of the channel (pulling your sail up and starting to move is in my opinion the most difficult part) and then sail past the opening where all of the amazing wind is.
The starboard tack is favored with a wind like this, meaning i take a long time going back west and then get the really sweet tacks when I’m on a reach or even a broad reach back east. I found out during the past two days that my semi-starter windsurf board can actually plane, and it can do it well. I had one phenomenal tack where I was going at least as fast as I waterski, which would mean 30 miles per hour!

Alright, I’m cutting this short for now because I have to go and do some work and errands, but I do want to continue with the windsurfing theme.

Friday is finally on my horizon. After hours of work tonight for other subjects I still have a lot of work left on a poetry project. I know that if I can just last through the next 18 hours I’ll be all done and glad that I didn’t slack off at the very end. I have an amazing spring break planned (hopefully more on that later) that includes a WFR course and the FIRST Robotics Competition. Yay!

Last week it was -20 for a day or two. No wind, but still that’s exteremly cold. The extent of my outdoor experiences that day consisted of walking from school to the car, and one very short walk across the lake. I love how everything is so sharp and clear in the cold. I was pretty well bundled up, but my nose and cheeks still got very cold, cold enough to make me take a hot shower after returning inside.

Today it’s only -7, but the windchil is -30. I can’t believe it, just going out to the car was a challenge. Amazingly, yesterday was 44, which means that in just one day we had a 51 degree shift in temperature…. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced that (other than when traveling) before. Tomorrow again is supposted to be quite warm, at least in the teens.