things that make me feel free

• rode my bike yesterday, first ride of the year. there were a few problems.
  
  • flat tires; even after i pumped them up they still felt flat somehow
  • gears don't like to shift - chain needs to be reset or greased
  • front brakes chafing the tire
  • i ripped my pants on the chain

day off

Yesterday I watched DiG!

It was great. Another tragic character like Lenny, but his fatal flaw is heroin.. also substance abuse and just not having his shit together. It was very cathartic, I really wanted him to succeed in the music industry.

The other film I watched was Puccini for Beginners. It was alright; kind of a light romantic drama I guess. Not really thoughtful or intense at all. 

I'm doing laundry right now.

In a bit I'm going to IIT.

I ordered a 2009 moleskine pocket planner. My 2008 one was the best planner I've ever had.

There's a site that makes a photo you upload into an Obama Hope-style icon. I did that.

Ok so here's the dating post

Sometimes there is just an aspect that prevents me from seeing them as a dating potential, no matter what other factors are there. I thought about these things and figured out what exactly they are. I cannot find someone attractive if they have/are interested in:

• Canadian accent
  
• crack
• Hootie and the Blowfish
• Buffy
• pegging
• improv theater

There's just no way to overcome these character flaws.

Today.

Did bikram last night. It was pretty great, as usual. I think I'm gonna have the chog give me a mohawk. I don't see any reason why not, may as well. I just ordered 10 packs of drum tobacco online. After shipping it comes out to 3.50 a pack; around here it's usually 4.50 a pack. I have a counseling appointment tomorrow, band practice, and possibly more yoga. No work. Tonight I'm getting free soup at the Hideout with steph. I forgot my phone today.

Last night I watched Lenny:


I liked it. I'm not good at reviewing movies. I enjoyed it; it was interesting. Very sad, though. Several things struck me as tragic, of course his oppression by the justice system. The other was the relationship with his wife and how they were in love but she was just too messed up with junk to be with. I have to say I can relate...

The imagery, cinematography, filmmaking, very well done. It's a very beautiful black and white film. The use of sound was striking.



I found out my master's program got approved (the form I had to fill out to tell them exactly what classes I'm taking and when because I am on academic probation). But there is still a hold preventing me from registering. I will try to rectify that tomorrow. I need to get registered for classes, they start next week. Down to the wire.

Today's shuffle...

1. It Means Nothing - The Weirdos
2. Elephant - Shellac
3. Inertia Creeps - Massive Attack
4. Drugstore Rock 'n' Roll - Janis Martin
5. Satan's Jeweled Crown - Louvin Brothers
6. I'm Not Waiting - Sleater-Kinney
7. The Immortal Death - Crass
8. American Psycho - the Misfits
9. The Strangeness In Me - the Cramps
10. Mr. Soft - Cockney Rebels
11. Almost Got Hit By A Truck - Daniel Johnston
12. Let's Build A Car - Swell Maps
13. You Make Me Thick - SNFU
14. We Shall Overcome - Gustav
15. Gimme Some Good Times - Lou Reed

Shuffle this afternoon

I'm just at work today, thinking about things (and doing work). Going to yoga tonight. I have some things to look forward to:

• Free soup night tomorrow
• and also maybe seeing Let the Right One In
• Playing a show on Friday
• B-Movie fest at Portage on Saturday
• School starts next week, hopefully I'll be registered in time

My days are pretty busy but my mind isn't.
Wish I could justify spending money on another tattoo.
I'd get a PNP BJT on one shoulder, and an NPN on the other. It's not very original I guess. I probably won't get it.
I'm making a robot.
I need to unpack my apartment more.

Here's my mp3 player on shuffle...Pretty much the whole 30g is full now.

1. Bomb.Repeat.Bomb - Ted Leo
2. I'm Alive - Circle Jerks
3. Lucky Eye - Flat Duo Jets
4. Cinnamon Girl - Killdozer
5. Hot Diggety - This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb
6. Sperm Bank Baby - Black Randy
7. We Don't Belong - Sylvan
8. Seven Days - Vivien Goldman, Andy Caine & Manasseh Sound
9. Say Anything - Bouncing Souls
10. Haunt - Roky Erickson
11. Freedom of Choice - Devo
12. Steep Air - Sleater-Kinney
13. Violence as a Solution - Filth
14. Don't Touch the Bang Bang Fruit - the Meteors
15. Fuuuuuuun - Be Your Own Pet
16. Off Duty Sailor - Dicks
17. I'm Looking For A Woman - Bo Diddley
18. Stupidity - Detroit Cobras
19. Midget - Devo
20. The Softest Voice - Animal Collective
21. Ain't That Love - Scratch Acid
22. These Animal Menswe@r - Art Brut
23. Defrost Your Heart - Charlie Feathers
24. Do You Understand Me - The Jujus
25. Green Honey - Melvins
26. Born to be Filed - Kill Me Tomorrow
27. Universal Corner - X
28. Roller Coaster - 13th Floor Elevators
29. Mother - Babes In Toyland
30. Searching For A Feeling - Maximum Joy
    

As usual

I have too many projects circling my head. I gotta write some of it down and prioritize or none of them will get done.

ROBOT
Me and the chog are gonna make a robot. Maybe a drumbot? Using the arduino.

LITTLE YELLER
I lost the little yeller so i need to rebreadboard and recreate and maybe improve on this circuit i designed long ago. I am pretty sure I still have the design somewhere, if not, well then it's time for little yeller 2.

ANALOG ARDUINO SYNTH
Not an oxymoron! The synth is analog, controlled by the arduino. Interface is either a hacked wiimote or an accelerometer! Tip, turn, twist, etc to control the synth. I love alternative controls. Digital pots and switches are set by the arduino and integrated in the analog synth circuitry. This is a complicated project.

HEADPHONE AMP
I need a decent one; think i can whip one up pretty quick. Just gotta get around to ordering parts.

Chicago year one

It's the first anniversary of living in Chicago.
Here's a summary.

Welcome to Cold Chicago

1. Moved to Chicago
2. Getting things set up
3. More things set up
4. Relax on Milwaukee with Nate
5. Party at Angela's
6. Recharging
7. Got U-Pass and ID
8. Classes started
9. 2nd class
10. Hired at Goddess and Grocer, went to Two Way with Nate
11. Went to Big Chicks
12. Started at G&G
    
13. Delivery all day for G&G
14. Interviewed at DePaul temporary
15. Work and class
16. Got paycheck, class
17. Janine called, DePaul temp called
18. Went to Fort Wayne
19. Came back exhausted
20. Delivery, went to Hydrate
21. Started work at DePaul for Anne
22. work & class
23. College visits with Chaz, skipped class
24. laundry & homework
25. work, bought computer
26. Dianogah at the Empty Bottle, met Stephanie
27. got sick and puked, poisoned by Tamale Guy
28. Went to Fort Wayne
29. Came back, had class
30. work & class
31. work
    

Stephanie

1. work at DePaul, Two Way with Stephanie and George
2. work at G&G
3. work at G&G
4. recharging
5. class
6. work, no class due to blizzard
7. work, hung out with Steph and George
8. work, hung out with Steph and George
9. lazy & homework
10. work at G&G
11. lazy, laundry, Kuma's
12. midterm
13. work, class
14. work, Valentine's day with Chaz and Steph
15. work, Relax on Milwaukee with Steph
16. massage at Steph's
17. work at G&G
18. Lincoln Park Zoo with Chaz in the cold
19. cleaning
20. work, class
21. work, Steph
22. Interviewed at IDD and got the job
23. chilling at home
24. work at G&G
25. cleaning
26. groceries
27. work, midterm
28. work
29. work, show at Mutiny
    

Lazy March

1. homework
2. G&G
3. laundry, Steph & George
4. groceries
5. work, class
6. work
7. work, ifihadahifi at Cal's
8. relaxing
9. G&G
10. lazy day
11. another lazy day
12. work, class
13. work
14. Rich hung out, work
15. bonfire at Angela's
16. hungover and smell like smoke, met Michele
17. lazy
18. doing take home final
19. studying, final
20. work
21. lazy
22. lazy
23. lazy
24. drove to Lansing
25. Lansing
26. did taxes
27. family
28. lazy
29. drove to Chicago
30. G&G
31. First class

New Job, New Roommate

1. Michele moved in, 1st day at IDD, class
2. IDD
3. IDD, saw Teeth with Chaz
4. saw Juno, went to Beat Kitchen
5. lame loft party with Steph, George, Michele
6. G&G
7. Food poisoning again
8. work, watched lecture video
9. work
10. work, by myself at home
11. hanging out by myself
12. fasting
13. G&G
14. class, hanging out with Chaz
15. work, class, CTA fiasco
16. work
17. work
18. Kuma's
19. G&G, Eliza's birthday at the Note
20. G&G
21. G&G
22. work
23. work, Abbie's here!, Irazu
24. work, Mosquito Bandito at Cobra Lounge
25. Beach day with Abbie
26. Indian food with Chaz, Abbie, Angela
27. G&G all day
28. errands, dinner with parents at Berghoff
29. work, midterm
30. work, midterm, bbq
    

Friends and Parties

1. work, Nike A Go Go first practice
2. looptopia, Chaz got a job
3. Free Comic Book Day
4. G&G/slow day
5. bass strings, class, Chaz's 1st day
6. work
7. work, hung out with Rich
8. work, got bass amp from Scott, Mutiny
9. Chaz went to Lansing, Mosquito & Gallows show
10. lazy, homework
11. G&G, sick, Mother's day
12. stayed home sick
13. work, saw Sarah Marshall with Steph
14. work
15. work
16. R. Kelly party at our place
17. Hot Doug's, Quencher's
18. Fired from G&G
19. slept weird, class
20. work, bought sewing machine
21. work, team meeting for 440
22. work
23. laundry, Trader Joe's
24. lazy, drunk with Michele
25. brunch, sleep
26. Memorial day at Steph's
27. work
28. work, Stephs
29. work
30. Delilah's with Michele
31. Do Division fest, Steph's party

A Month of Solitude and Projects

1. group project
2. group presentation
3. made kundalini video at work
4. work, sick, quit smoking
5. work
6. Drag Kings @ Circuit
7. hung out with J&E
8. Relaxing, laundry, Target
9. Studying for HCI final
10. work, Chinatown lunch, final
11. work, Steph
12. work
13. drove to Lansing, Zombie party
14. hanging out
15. Chaz's mom's
16. Andy's show
17. train home, no car
18. laundry
19. work
20. work, Hotti Biscotti show
21. out with Megan at the beach
22. practice, Steph, hung out with Jen
23. work, walked 5 miles
24. work, walked 3 miles
25. work, Dave & Buster's
26. work, Columbines show
27. work
28. chores
29. hung out with Chaz
30. we broke up and Michele moved out
    

Love/Electronics

1. work, back together...
2. work, Moody's
3. work
4. fireworks on the roof with Chaz
5. recording, overdraft
6. band practice
7. work, tech work at EA??
8. work, accepted to IIT
9. work
10. work
11. work, drinking at Stephs
12. Train to Lansing, party at Christ's
13. hanging out with Abbie
14. hanging out with Abbie
15. train to Chicago
16. work, went to EA, Dexter Romweber
17. work
18. work, Windessa & KT are in town!
19. Pitchfork
20. relaxing
21. work, lunch with Dessa & KT
22. work
23. work, IIT
24. work, IIT
25. work
26. Rachel is in town
27. relaxing
28. work, went to Jen's, L Word and Weeds
29. work, Trader Joe's, hanging out with Chaz
30. work, Chaz
31. work

Music Is Important

1. work, Bottom Lounge, Steph's party
2. jam with the Columbines
3. passed out! started smoking again...
4. work late
5. CavComCorp interview
   
6. work
7. work, J&J came over
8. work, home with Chaz
9. J&J recording
10. my Birthday, Nike practice
11. work, Columbines show
12. work
13. work, Chaz left, Nike
14. work
15. work, BBQ on roof
16. lazy & hungover
17. Nike practice
18. work, the Ex show at noon
19. work, IIT orientation
20. work, Chaz returned
21. IIT classes, work
22. work, train to Lansing, saw VV
23. drove home, Class Acts practice
24. laundry, VV on phone
25. work, class, work
26. class, work
27. work, class, work
    
28. class, cleaning with J&J
29. work, Nike practice
30. Class Acts practice
31. lazy, Sandra's bbq

Electrical College

1. J&J labor day BBQ
2. class, work, fight with Chaz
3. work, class, work
4. lab, class, Trader Joe's, rainy
5. work, Class Acts
6. Nike Practice, Mosquito Bandito
7. Homework, farmer's market
8. work, class, babysit Hannah, homework
9. class, work
10. work, class, work
11. class, lab
12. work, Steph's bday party
13. Class Acts practice
14. Nike, homework (Emma)
15. class & work, felt wierd (Chaz sick)
16. class, work
17. work, class, work, homework
18. class
19. work, recorded rodent phone
20. Class Acts
21. studying
22. home sick
23. home sick, studying
24. work, exam, homework
25. lab, class, Nike
26. work, Quenchers
27. band practice, spaceship
28. Back to 4th Grade, J&J's house
29. work, home sick, studying
30. class, test, work, Nike
    

My Heart Used to Beat...

1. work, class, Class Acts and Nike at Mutiny
2. lab, home sick, VP debates at J&J's
3. work, J&J
4. Pig Roast
5. Fight with Chaz, homework
6. Work, class, broke up
7. class, work, started staying at J&J's
8. work, class, bikram
9. lab, crying, hardest day ever
10. work, drinking with m & s
11. 2nd pig roast, J&J, Randy, bikram
12. hungover, lazy, sad
13. lab, work, class, Steph
14. test, work, J&J
15. work, saw mom at lunch, debate
16. work, apartment finders, bikram
17. Aveda, saw apartment, J&J
18. Chaz is gone, Columbines show
19. Got apt, made Great Aches
20. work, class (no prof), J&J
21. class, work, back to old apartment
22. I miss him
23. lump all day :(
24. work, J&J
25. packing, DANZIG
26. J&J
27. lease signing, class, work
28. class, work, studying
29. work, test, work, mad @ Chaz, witnessed driveby
30. class, work, Lost Boys, recorded song w/ Jonah
31. work, wedding stuff w/ chog, vodka in hotel closet

Oscillations

1. Wedding, dead celeb party
2. got apartment keys
3. work, class, work, Lansing
4. Voted Obama, back to Chicago, packing, celebrating with Steph and James
5. work, class, work
6. lazy
7. work, loft show, Closet with Randy
8. lazy all day
9. got J&J from O'Hare
10. work, class, Steph helped me move
11. work, J&J got a truck for me
12. work, class
13. yoga
14. work
15. practice with the Columbines
16. Nike practice, cultboy
17. work, class, practice with J
18. sad
19. work, Nike practice
    
20. IIT counselor, practice with J
21. work, Delilah's with M
22. Columbines practice
23. Nike and Columbines show at Red Line
24. work, counselor, class, work
25. work
26. work, drove to Lans
27. Thanksgiving, VV
28. drove to Chicago
29. packing
30. packing
    

????/Cold again, even colder...

1-31. ????

Projects

PROJECTS
Headphone amplifier

EXPERIMENTS
Arduino experiments with IR sensor
Little Yeller prototyping
SS gtr amp prototyping

SETUP
Workshop space
Website with current project info

RESEARCH
Digital IC-based reverb pedal

Change in program

I decided to do a thesis.
I don't have a topic yet, but I want to do a thesis as part of my master's program.

• It looks better (to employers, the world, etc)
• I want to do self-directed research
• I can do a topic related to audio DSP maybe
• Possibly get published

My updated program...

513 - Communication Engineering Fundamentals
441 - Microcomputers
437 - Digital Signal Processing I
525 - RF IC Design
538 - Renewable Energies
507 - Imaging Theory & Applications
743 & 744 - short courses on embedded systems and SP
569 - Digital Signal Processing II
THESIS