Cortana's Uptime

I just installed an application on my computer (Cortana is my computer's name =P) that gives me all these stats at a glance. Not really useful for me, since I'm not running anything heavy on resources, and I don't really know what to do with the information, but it's certainly interesting.

For instance: My uptime stands right now at 12 days. That means my computer hasn't been off in almost two weeks. I normally just put it to sleep when I'm not using it, including when carrying it around school/town. I'm using about 10% of my computer's processing power right now. I don't recall what the percentage was when I recorded the next stat, but sometime yesterday my CPU was running at 64∘c. Now, I don't really KNOW what that means. I understand temperature and all, but I don't know what's a high temperature for a processor to be at. All the same, 64∘c definitely surprises me.

Fun stuff. I also downloaded a clock that displays the time as a pong game. You can turn the clock off and just play Pong if you want. I have to throw a few matches initially though, to get the computer to slack back, because it starts at a difficulty level where it's just not fun to play. Too bad there's no way to set the computer level at a fixed starting speed.

Sleepless Nights

You can only lay in bed so long without calling it quits.

When the clock hits five in the morning, and you still haven't shut your eyes for more than thirty seconds at a time, there's a choice. If you keep trying, and you succeed in sleeping, your alarm probably won't be too effective in three hours. But if you get up, you're going to be tired as hell the next morning.

Well, I've missed enough classes for two terms (not THAT many, but still too many) already, so I'm not a fan of sleeping in today. Especially since I have to pass in an assignment first thing. So Youtube has kept me company.

Tonight, I'm in bed at 6. And I'm setting my alarm for about quarter to 2064.

Also, I haven't posted here in over two months. I'm gonna get back at it. (I'm sure you're all* thrilled)

* - if there's anybody at all, I'd be shocked.

Philosophy Football

Wow. Saw this last night.



I can't believe how incredibly hilarious it is. The world needs more high comedy.

Monochrome Night

I typically dislike nights like this.

Between the clouds and the city lights, it doesn't look much like night.

But there's snow in the air, and on the ground. I look out my window and everything is a pinkish golden white. Everything is the same color.

It's beautiful.

The Third Funeral

So tonight at about 12:30, my XBOX 360 died. This has happened twice before. Once in the first year I had it repaired or replaced, I don't recall. Then it died again in December of last year. Out of warranty, I figured I was out of luck. I couldn't afford a repair.

Over the summer, by a fluke call for my brother's XBOX Live account, dad discovered that the warranty for my console had been extended. I called Microsoft, and my XBOX was whisked off, and either replaced or repaired, I don't recall again. (I know there was 1 repair and 1 replacement, but I don't recall the order)

This summer I spent time getting to know the console again. It was a second honeymoon. This term I finally bought a new game, Halo 3. I ploughed through it, but without an XBOX Live subscription (Why would I renew it if my 360 was broken, after all?) the experience wasn't the Halo I love.

I then played Call of Duty 3, which had been sitting unfinished since the console broke in December. I beat it, and rejoiced. This past week I rented the Orange Box, and played through Portal, which I've discovered a love for. I had just picked up Half-Life 2, when tonight ... a tragedy.

Those three red lights. Flashing. Taunting.

Hardware Failure. I didn't even have to look it up at this point.

I called 1-800-4-MY-XBOX immediately and complained. When he offered to get a repair order set up, I suggested that a repair might not be enough. He forwarded me to a manager of some sort.

Let me tell you, despite being on hold for over an hour, I'm very impressed with the Microsoft Customer Support Team every time I call. The guy spoke my language, and sympathized with me. Apparently there's a division of Microsoft expressly for this, and they'll be calling me this week to figure out what can be done.

No promises yet, but I actually can't believe that this has gone this way. Three hours ago my console broke, and I'm already on the road to having it up and running again.

But why does it always happen RIGHT before Christmas?

Working Theory

It's funny. Sometimes I put together a working theory as to how a certain thing is working, like a social hierarchy or something, or some sort of relationship pentagon, and even though I know it's probably incorrect, it brings me comfort.

And despite knowing that it's incorrect, and I'm expecting the reality to be different, when the reality turns out to be different, I can't help but be surprised.

For a little while after, my head is reeling. My reality gyroscope is going haywire trying to compensate for the slightest shove in a wayward direction. It's an interesting feeling.

Also, my knee feels funny.

Why I Love My Chinese Philosophy Prof

(Note: She is a Professor of Chinese Philosophy, not a Chinese Professor of Philosophy)

[General noise from construction equipment outside the window in the middle of her lecture]
"You know, it's a really good thing that there aren't any schools or anything near here, or else that would be really disruptive."