Gadgety Goodness and Life

So I saw Iron Man on Friday and it was thoroughly enjoyable.  It wasn’t amazing from a film standpoint, but it was very fun, especially to one who enjoys tech.  I mean, his house was amazing!  And his cars.  And his robots.  And his robotic butler.  And his holographic manipulation device.  And his suits including that red and gold one he like to go around town in.

Robert Downey Jr. did a good job as Tony Stark.  The guy is likeable despite the fact he has a lot of money.  I do have one bone to pick with the film…Why does every uber-genius have to come from MIT?!  I mean, why not CalTech, or RPI, or Rochester Tech?  How about Virginia Tech?  Maybe throw in Orange County Community College in order to add a little variety.  Or maybe even Georgia Tech!  There’s more to the engineering community than MIT.  It’s like saying all lawyers came from Harvard Law.

Anyway, the whole night was pretty chill and a nice way to spend my last weekend at McCallie.  Yeah, I’m leaving in a week.  It’s here.  And sometimes it sucks.  But that’s the way the year ends, although it is kinda sad whenever another “last” happens.  For example, I just did my last load of laundry at McCallie.  And I came back from the Mock Trial dinner, which is the last time I’ll be with those guys at the same time.  *tear*

But I’ll make it.  I have a week of nothing, so I’ll chill, tie up some loose ends, and enjoy what little I have left.  Now if only I had facebook…

Little Kid vs. Tuba Player

Don’t mess with the tuba player.

Science Olympiad and the Final Stretch

This weekend was the State Science Olympia.  It was pretty cool.  This being my first go at it, I was surprised when I came out of it with two medals.  I don’t know why I hadn’t done this before.  It really was a blast, between the actual competitions and just getting the chance to hang out with people that I normally don’t get a chance to be around.  I really wish I had a time machine so I could tell my former self to go.

Anyway I’m beginning to detect the gradual change to review for final exams and such.  We had our last test in new material in Physics on Friday, we reached page 1000 in Multivariable, and the grading period just ended.  I’m in the process of sending my deposits and such to Georgia Tech and all of the end of the year stuff is approaching: graduation, prom, musical, play, etc.

All that’s left for me to do is push through my increasingly acute senioritis and make it one more month.  But I think it’ll be a good one, maybe my best yet.

:)

Life just got a whole lot better…

Wrecks, Blackjack, and Life

I’m a ramblin’ wreck from Georgia Tech and a helluva engineer

A helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva, helluva engineer

The beavers didn’t want me, the terriers wouldn’t pay

But, the yellow jackets love me, so I’ll go there anyday

So, my college journey is over and it stands thus: MIT rejected me, I was accepted to BU with a half scholarship, and I was accepted to GaTech with a scholarship for about 3/4 of the cost.  Plus I have another $2k to use anywhere.  This effectively means I can go to BU for $25k a year or GT for $1000 over four years.  The decision is really a no-brainer.  Bust out the yellow!

I saw 21 tonight and I thought it was really good.  I felt it captured the spirit of MIT’s students without the over the top nerdiness that’s the stereotype.  They’re talented kids who excel at what they do.  That’s what it means to be an MIT student.  I’m not gonna lie, it probably wasn’t the best idea to go see the movie only 2 weeks after I was rejected.  I cried a little bit inside when I saw Boston on the big screen.  That city was my goal going into the college search, even though I knew it wasn’t going to happen.  Not that I’m giving up on it.  There’s still Harvard Law.   And the fact that I’m going to GT for essentially nothing is amazing.  No student loans for Mike equals one happy Mike. With luck, I’ll have a blast.

Beyond my college woes, life is pretty good.  Second semester of senior year is chugging along with a minimum of work.  I’m involved in several things again, which is relieving.  I was dying without a solid extracurricular to keep me busy.  It is sad though, to see the end of McCallie approaching.  This place has done so much for me and I only wish I could give more back.  I guess that’ll have to wait until I become successful or something.  Sometimes, mainly when I’m hanging with my friends, I don’t want to ever leave.  But then class roles around and I know it’s time to move on.  Graduation is so bittersweet.

But, until I walk across the stage I’ll focus on enjoying these last few weeks.  It is second semester after all.  It would be blasphemy to have no fun.  Until later…

So…Back to the Drawing Board

Hit the jump for a really funny comic from XKCD…

Harvard Law, Hoping Students Will Consider Public Service, Offers Tuition Break – New York Times

Harvard Law, Hoping Students Will Consider Public Service, Offers Tuition Break – New York Times

Oooo, I like this.  If I do go into law, being a District Attorney is my main goal.  I always worried that the relatively small salary would keep me from that position, especially if I’m bogged down in student loans.  So thank you Harvard for helping out those of us who wish to become servants of the people.  I, for one, will really appreciate it in four years.

…I Want My Environment to be a Product of Me

Alright, here’s my chapel talk in video form. I’ve recorded a short intro just to summarize it in 2 minutes or so.  If you have ten minutes or so to kill, check it out after the jump. I hope you enjoy it.

Fortum Canis Est

Update:  Okay so I overreacted a little.  Internet came back on just now so much of my tech related woes are abolished.  That’s what I get for jumping the gun.  If you care to read the sordid details of my whine fest hit the jump…

I Don’t Want to be a Product of My Environment…

It’s Wednesday, March 12 and my chapel talk is today. It’s a big deal for me. After all, this is my one chance to speak in front of the entire student body and share some of the wisdom I’ve gained in my 18 years of life. I’m excited and nervous at the same time; with the McCallie crowd, anything can happen. If you want to check it out, I’ve included it after the jump.