So perhaps you’ve heard that string theory predicts the existence of 11 dimensions. This has to be one of the best simple explanations of that concept that I’ve ever seen. Very simple. It explains the idea at a level that pretty much anyone can understand.
http://www.tenthdimension.com/medialinks.php
Never before has a webcomic fit my life so well. Welcome to grad school.
I recently found out that the groom-to-be and the bride-to-be are supposed to buy each other wedding presents. Today I found the perfect thing for my sweetie.
I’m back in East Texas for a bit. Sunday morning I decided I was going to install a new FM modulator in my car (to hook up my mp3 player to). It’s a simple task, really. You simply pull everything out of the dash, pick up power from the 12V source coming into the radio, install the switch somewhere in the dash, plug in the unit between the antenna and the stereo and close everything back up. Well, I did just that, got everything ready for a nice little test drive and it was working beautifully…until I realized my headlights were on and decided to turn them off. At that point the FM modulator simply stops working. Apparently, the circuit I tapped into was directly tied to the headlights (how??). So, since there wasn’t any other power source at the stereo itself that went on and off with the key, I had to run wiring over to the fuse block and try to pick up power there. We (dad and I) found a source of power that did exactly what we wanted, hooked everything up and put it all back together, and it worked perfectly…until I shifted out of park. So, at that point we were back to square one. I started pokin’ around a bit more in the wiring right there at the fuse block and finally found the wiring for the “retained accessory power.” We tied into that circuit and now everything works beautifully.
I picked up Summer in Dallas Monday afternoon and we’ve been bummin’ around since. It’s been good. 
Oh, and Summer wrote that last post. I have no idea what she meant.
I joined the Cajun Mob. Now I have to cut off all contacts to the outside world–including this blog. Been nice knowin’ ya.
Alright sweetie, I guess I’ll update.
I finally sold my truck. I’m quite sad that it had to go, but it was time. With gas prices staying close to $3/gallon and likely to go much higher, it seems I sold it just in time. Still, it hurt to let go of it and I will most definitely miss that big sexy red beast. That was my first pickup, my first stickshift, my first toolbox, my first dual exhaust, my first V8, my first….well, you get the idea.
Still, the new Buick is working out great. I only have one complaint so far. I’ve been trying to find a way to add an auxiliary input for my Zen (GM, why on EARTH you don’t put those in ANYWAY, I CANNOT understand!), and it’s been a real pain. It seems that no one makes anything to add such a device to my particular stereo unit. If I had a stereo that was “XM Ready” it would work, however if the unit comes with XM from the factory (i.e. as part of the headunit, like mine) it doesn’t. If I had one with an external CD changer, it would work. However, I don’t. I finally decided I’d just add an FM modulator to my system, but when I went to Circuit City to have it installed, they only had one and it was missing parts. Not only that, but when I asked about it, they looked at me like I was stupid. I had to show them on their website what I was talking about. I know, I know, I could just replace the player itself with one that has an auxiliary input. BUT, this car has a dash that just wouldn’t look right with an aftermarket player, otherwise, I’d SOOOOO get a new headunit and be done with it.
Ah well, I guess it’s time to say goodbye to it. Sometimes it’s not even real to me that it’s gone. *sigh*
Back from the Feast and into the fire. I have to say this Feast was a bit different from what I’ve experienced in the past, and I’m not entirely sure why (though I can think of a few reasons). However, that’s not to say it wasn’t enjoyable. I can’t really think of any messages at the Feast that were bad, and I can think of several that were quite excellent. Also, it was, of course, WONDERFUL to spend that much time with my Sweetie. At any rate, hopefully I’ll post more about the Feast soon. For now, I’m busy trying to get back into the groove at school. I’ve had a major case of “I don’t want to” since I came back and it’s hard to make myself sit down and actually focus on my work. Nevertheless, I’ve once again seen God’s hand in helping me through this part of life. Both of my classes this morning spent time reviewing material that was covered while I was gone, and the homework that I have to do is progressing (moderately) well. I’ve had to remind myself several times though that God doesn’t send us out to keep His Feast only to cut our feet out from under us when we get back. Thankfully, He’s always provided a way through (though not always without a few bumps and bruises). I hope that those who have been bumped and bruised a great deal coming back from this Feast are able to get through everything.
Looks like it’s time to go teach my calculus students. Hopefully they won’t be too angry about me having been gone for over a week.
I almost died yesterday. On my way to school I have to cross the I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River. Yesterday morning traffic in front of me comes to a SUDDEN stop causing me of course to slam on my breaks. I stopped with no problem, but the guy behind me BARELY manages to stop, tires squealing, about a foot from my rear bumper. As I’m watching this guy cursing behind me, I see a yellow pickup just behind him, and one lane over, get pummeled by a HUGE dump truck. The little truck gets tossed around like a toy and the dump truck just continues on in the next lane over, dragging parts, but still going as though nothing really happened. Thankfully, all this happened just as I was approaching my exit anyway, and I made it into campus with time to spare. However, when I got to class, Adam (one of the other grad students here) tells me that he didn’t expect me to make it because apparently the traffic report said that the I-10 bridge was completely closed down to through traffic because of a serious accident on the highway.
Thankfully, all is well now.
I started to write a post and then got lazy. I’m not in a writing mood. Maybe I should just post pictures.
