Been taking a break... sorry

Hello!

Sorry if anyone has been wondering if I either gave up or just haven't posted yet.  The truth is, I've hit a block where I don't know what to write about or just share about.  School has my focus at the moment but I will post when I find something.  If anyone wants me to write about something let me know!

Thank you!

Tech is great but does not last

Hello!  Tonight I find out that my controller for xbox 360 is broken :(.....  Not like destroyed broken but one crucial piece of the functionality is busted on it. I discovered it while playing battlefield 4.  I was getting upset as to why my guy wasn't sprinting on command.  After several failed attempts at sprinting my friends on live suggested it wasn't the game but actual controller failure. The part I am talking about that makes a character on Battlefield 4 or any game with sprint is the clicking of the left stick.  I click and no sprint.  Taking consideration of my LIVE friends suggestion i switched controllers and indeed thats what the problem was.

So with all that said and done.  All things manufactured and produced in the world doesn't last forever as much as we want it to it won't.  Unless you preserve it into an unusable state but thats beside the point.  Regular care for what we own in technology whether be a cellphone, game console, PC/Laptops, TVs, they need care just like we do.  

As a gamer I know how hard that can be when we rage over stupid things and we all do it.  I've heard reports of things where controllers are thrown across rooms, thrown at TVs.  Thrown out windows simply because of natural reaction to the rage of the game.  Me I haven't done that at all.  I have more control than that.  But this isn't about me just a concern out there for most people who know that electronics can be fragile.  As great of magic they are to humanity, they can break easily.  My controllers simply get old and fail.  Only damage I do to them is using them and occasionally dropping them on the hardwood floor in my room.  I've chipped pieces of the Sticks off from dropping it.  I try but it happens.  

Heres a picture of the "broken" controller, looks ok, works fine for games that don't need you to click the left stick for anything.  The left stick does "click"  but nothing happens.  I'm thinking that the spring or the part that bounces the button of the left stick has worn out from wear and tear from usage from excess sprinting on the map.

So yes just be mindful when your electronics get old, components will fail.  Don't fault them just remember they need care like we do to.  When they fail you can either be skilled in electronics and fix it yourself or you can just throw it away and purchase a new one.  Economically you can throw it away and buy another for a more cost effective way and plus it wont void any product warranty.  With the Xbox One coming out I don't know if the 360 controllers are still up in price but I think they will drop in price in favor of making more money with the xbox one controllers.  Those my friends are a whole new generation of gaming control.  That will be in a new post coming soon.

As always thank you for reading.  If you want to know more about the xbox one or just the controller let me know in the comments section below.  Also subscribe if you haven't already done so.

Thank you!

Battlefield 4

Hey readers, I'm back.  I've been busy with school work and work and catching up on the latest video game.  Mostly the newest one released yesterday Battlefield 4.

The game play image above is from a site showing footage from the reveal at E3.

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2013/06/10/e3-2013-battlefield-4-multiplayer/

I will say that this game is incredible.  It blows battlefield 3 out of the water, and also it will out do call of duty ghosts or any call of duty for that matter.  But as with all opinions be sure to research before you buy or when making your informed decision.  This game also has the next interation of the frostbite engine the frostbite 3.  If you wanted realism you have it.  Buildings collapse on a much larger scale, the skyscraper in the pic above can come down with well placed rpg shots at the 4 pillars on the waterfront.  The objectives on game types can be mobile on trains and change position after the building falls over.  Few new game types,  one similar to call of duty's search and destroy.

Again another picture from the same E3 coverage webpage.  This pic depicts the skyscraper collapse on the shanghai map.

One major con for this game but also it does add to the realism of the game is when you tactical reload or when you reload with bullets left in the clip, you lose those residual bullets.  So you kill a guy and quick reload and you had lets say 15 bullets out of a 31 clip you lose those 15 bullets.  So you need to be mindful when you are keeping track of how much ammo you use and lose.  You can burn through ammo quick if you aren't ready or not used to this feature.

Other than that Battlefield 4 is awesome, I do recommend for anyone over the age of 18 to pick up and play.  It is 59.95 plus tax.

So I will get back to you with new games or new info about any new tech I may come across.  With that thank you for reading.  Don't forget to subscribe if you haven't.  Post a comment if you wish.

Back to normal

Well the outcome of the toolkit didn't end the way I was expecting.  But it did end the way things always do in life, nothing happens and things return to normal.  I talked with the department head and got another toolkit and he gave me stuff that I needed to have in my kit because the toolkit i received was picked a part by other students.  But it does give me a fresh start.

I purchased a "dog tag" from the vending machine at wal-mart in the pet section and put my name a phone on it.  I'm also going to put a lock on it too.

Getting back to normal...  What does that mean anyway?  Webster's Dictionary states normal as:  conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.  Meaning that all the unusual circumstances and happenings just stop and the usual everyday mundane things return to their regular "normal patterns?  I suppose so.  I guess the normal for me is being at school and having catch-up work to complete by the end of the quarter.

I mean that is ok.  Lots of other students have fallen into this situation, work and family are still first and secondly homework is whats left and with many of us who have this that is the way of life.  As for me, yes I do have family, and yes I do have work.  But I am also a single person but my family is my xbox live gaming community I am part of.  Being disconnected from that is just like ignoring family at home or in life.  I do turn off the xbox and do work.

So yeah, I will succeed.  I like to talk positive to myself so that I myself can believe I can do things.  If your self-talk is all "i can't" or "im not good enough" just stop it right there.  If you don't believe in yourself then you wont do what you originally set out to do to accomplish your task.  Just say to yourself, "I will do it" "I am good"  "I can do this"  "I know this"  It will help you.  If not or if any of this has helped let me know in the comments section.  

As always thank you for reading!  Please subscribe if you want more.  Let me know what you think.

Case of the Missing Tool Kit

As you all may know from the last post that my tool kit box was stolen or misplaced by a classmate.  Well the person I thought took it wasnt the one.  I kinda rattled his cage a bit so I could be sure.  Turns out the other guy I am suspecting and is really good at putting an innocent front on at times might have taken it.  Because when I was raising hell and figuring out what was going on the kid I first thought didn't have his kit either and returned it.

I'm just getting really tired of nobody confessing up to the crime.  I am going to rattle the next guy's cage next.  (I am not disclosing names here because it isn't right to accuse falsely and to embarrass somebody over the internet)  I'd rather end things peacefully and let the other parties know I am not to be messed with anymore.

Also.... If anything else if nobody coughs up the kit, I'll just go to the dean and purchase another one.  Add it to my ever growing debt.  Isn't a thing I want to do.  $500 is still a lot of money to me and taking on the extra expense because of stupidity doesn't make any sense.  Please somebody tell me it does because it does not to me.  I'd rather not spend more than I have to.

At a point of safety please anyone else who has had this problem, I sympathize with you.  But we must exercise caution and make sure you know where your tools are at all times, not just tools, personal items, laptops, smartphones, school bag, etc.  Simple step of the tools anyone should exercise, is to put a key lock on it.  Put an adequate label on it if not your own name but something you can identify you stuff with.  As far as laptops goes.... don't let it out of your sight.  Anything else if it does get stolen, it can be replaced.  Things can be replaced.  Don't risk you life over a smartphone or tools.

What I can say is leave the childish playground games in the past.  This is the present and we must all just grow up.  I believe one of the goals of this school is that we all work together.  I believe in working together for a common goal and only compete where it needs it.

Want to say thank you for reading and subscribe if you already haven't already.

Thanks!

Have some respect people!

Hey, this is going to be one of the heated posts I am going to put up.  Because of the nature of what happened to me last week.  I had my tool box stolen while I was at school.  I mean this is a tool kit for my electronics classes that is charged in my tuition for $500.  I'm not happy.  I think its because of this classmate in my electronics class this quarter.  He simply has no respect for other people or their property. He likes to talk like hes so cool and big.  I get that.  We all do this in a way or another.

This kid is also one of those who is super tall and seems to get away with things.  Not today I'm not one of those guys who just lets people get away with crap like this.  Im sure many of you will agree with me that when somebody messes with you, you want to get back at them or teach them a lesson of not to mess with you.

Some of you are thinking I am going to resort to violence.  I am not I am going to simply be very firm even have a tone of voice that I am a little pissed off about it and see about getting my tools back.  It may be a I jusimple oops my bad and hand me back my tools.  I'm always prepared for a conflict either arguing or just a simple misunderstanding.  I just want to express that I don't like getting messed with and no further bullying shall occur.  I really don't stand for any form of bullying online or in person.  

If anyone should see somebody bullying others, either kids or even your workplace you should get ahold of someone who can talk to or handle the situation.  Because nobody should go through life with a bully.  I did and overcame them.  I'm real passionate about bullying and how to stop it.

A victim of a bully tends to not want to talk about whats going on for fear that the bully will bully him or her harder or that telling on someone is a bad thing.  When in fact if somebody of authority to stop it knows and can do something about it they will.  If they don't or wont listen to you, you need to talk to the school principal or a manager at work who can talk to the person.  Its hard to see a person endure things like this.  In the days where I was the victim I never knew who to talk to because it would seem they wouldn't listen or the bully would instantly know what I did and bully me harder.

Sometimes the bully doesn't know that he or she is doing the bullying.  But most of the time they do know and they enjoy doing it because it makes them feel good.  Sometimes people can bully out of pressure from others.  Its a vicious cycle.  The victims need to know that they have support and people to talk to and people who are willing to listen to them and to cheer them up.  Because I didn't have that support.  People always assumed I was just being a wuss.

If only those same kids now grown up could see me now.

So take it from me and just have some common sense and to use that brain a little bit harder ok?

Thank you and as always thank you for reading!  Subscribe if you already haven't!

The Realization

After starting this next quarter of classes im realizing that it is more lax in terms of tech oriented work, but in more rack my brain for the other things like working in a group and taking an argument position for my comp II class.  I am also realizing that I am very distracted in everything and that I need to stay on task so I can finish strong and succeed.

Many people today suffer from this and many college students can agree that distractions are EVERYWHERE!  Mine is the Xbox and phone calls.  Mainly because I am having a blast playing Halo or borderlands with my online friends.  Also I watch myself get caught with rushing through seasons of my favorite TV show on Netflix.  I have taken upon myself to get to my public library and make do with what is available there and get much needed work done.  As the saying goes..... "work, then play."

Even blogging can be a distraction because of how fun they can be.  So if I were you and you know what I'm talking about, is that we must make a schedule for what we do and keep it.  Because if one thing fails mostly everything else fails with it.

For now, I must keep everything in balance and to keep myself from going crazy this quarter with all the work needing done.  I believe I will have another successful quarter.  For what its worth, I hope I can get the career I am training for and be able to settle down and have the family most dream about.






















So for now thanks for reading and come back for more! Subscribe if you already haven't yet!

After week 1

This first week back to school has been a fun one.  Different teachers this time and not so technically heavy material.  I'm really going to like Comp II.  Taking a position and making an argument is something I like to do or at least try.  The electronics course this quarter is going to be a good challenge for me because its a different teacher and a different way of doing things.  Hence, no cheating, or being "passed" through.  I can see how this class is going to be with the actual guidance I received from the lab.  Again like before the group of class mates I am with just love to leave early so they don't have to do the lab.  Well it's going to cut into their grade a bit if they care.  Greg and I stayed till the end to get this lab to work and it was working smoothly.

I also had a birthday this past week.  I did hit the big 3-0.  But what have I got to show.... nothing.  But this is 2013 things are different, people are living longer and doing different things.  I for instance am just doing things I know how to do and that is doing it till I get it right.  I would rather learn and get it right than to just fail constantly.  The next coming weeks I should  get some more videos or pics of what I am doing in school or life rather.  I've been slacking but no worry I am back on track and will get to posting regularly.  That is my objective.

I know this has been rather short but hang in there, and as always thanks for reading!  Don't forget to subscribe!

Hawkeyes won!

Hey just wanted to get on and give you guys a whats up this weekend.  I am getting ready for a great football season for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  What a great way to keep spirits going by their victory versus Iowa State!  They dominated in the first half and while Iowa State tried to clutch it back in the fourth quarter they still got defeated by losing by 6 points at 27 - 21.  Also there were some sketchy calls during the last half that were like come on guys does it really matter?  I agree with the reverse call on the "butt" first before the touchdown review.

The other review was the call over the ISU player catching the ball and his knee was touching the ground before making a run for yardage.  That play wasn't over ruled.  But nonetheless It was a strong game in the second half.  I think both teams in their own conferences will have a great season.

What is enjoyed most about the victory from either team is the rushing over to the opposing side and grabbing the prize of the rivalry trophy.  In this case, the cy-hawk trophy is one of these.  Pictured below, and this is not my picture I am not taking any credit for a link the webpage I got this from is going to be posted at the end, is the famous for all Iowans is the Cy-Hawk trophy.

As always thank you for reading and remember to subscribe!

Picture link:  http://northiowatoday.com/2012/09/07/predict-winner-of-iowa-iowa-state-football-game-win-a-prize/ 

Enjoying the short break

Next week Fall quarter starts at ITT Tech.  I have made it with a high enough GPA to get out of probation.  (Thats a long story).  All I know is that now all I have to do is achieve better scores and learn what I need to learn.  I heard advice from a graduate student from Iowa State University, "Take all you can!"  I am looking at that advice as a way to see why the little things we learn are there for us and not just have us jump into the "cool" stuff like we imagined.  I think thats what gets many down in the first place is with all the introductory classes we all have to take in the beginning.  I'm starting to understand why we had to learn those things.  Some of them are because that was the old way of doing things and not done anymore but we learn the current and new way of doing things and learning the old method sometimes gets us to understand why the new method is in place.  All I have to say to fellow students is to have lots and lots of patience, and to take it a class at a time.

Now is the time for great networking and making connections now as to finding that job when we all graduate and will definitely be on the job/career hunt.  I'm looking at possibly getting my foot in the door somewhere and then continuing on with the bachelors degree program.  I figure it would be worth a shot.

I have been able to catch up on my games and start to pay off my pre-orders for the xbox one.  But one little problem...  I still need to buy the xbox one.  I think I won't have a problem.  Then I heard that the new game from Bungie has been pushed to next year.  Typical Bungie ha ha.  

Anyhow I leave you all now till next time, I need to get to sleep here... 6:45 AM comes quickly.

Always, thanks for reading!

Finals are over!

So as Saturday finals are finished the summer quarter at ITT has ended giving us a nice 2 week break from everything we've done.  Its a good thing too.  I haven't had a nice break between quarters in ages.  Its been a short week then right back at the grind again.  It also gives us a mental break so that we don't get completely burned out from all the constant learning.  But to also keep us mentally prepared for the next task.

I think I'm going to take the time during these next two weeks to relax and to increase my rainy day fund again.  I'm also going to get out and enjoy the sunshine and go out.  Get some good exercise in.  Catch up on the games I've been playing lately too not just finishing the campaigns but to catch up with my friends on xbox live.  I'm sure they have missed me and my antics on multiplayers.  That reminds me.  I've got pre-orders to pay up on.  I've also got to get funds for the Xbox One that comes out in november.

Hopefully the only direction I am on from here is up and out.  For me to really find out what I am made of and what I can really do.  Things are going well for me and I want to take a minute and be thankful and celebrate what I have actually accomplished on my own.

I'll share more later but always thanks for reading!

Looks like an all nighter tonight

After tonight's test I am going to be preparing for Saturday morning's test.  I'm probably going to be up all night tonight studying and finishing class work so I can pass and proceed forward.  Like they all say it'll be worth it.  I'm staying up because I don't have to work Saturday afternoons and therefore I can come home and crash till whenever.

Another short post but not much going on till tests are over.  Thanks for reading!

First final down two more to go

I have done what has been asked of me for Digital class and passed my final.  I'm proud to report that I passed with a A.  Now I must finish the work for the next two classes if I am to be passing with good grades and get out of my academic hole.  Again this just goes to show you what real motivation can do in a situation where you are wanting to better yourself and not just go through the motions.

Again, cheating will get you nowhere.  Yes, it may be a quick road to a short success but eventually the truth will come out and somewhere and sometime later the real you and what you really have to offer the situation you created will come to pass and then you either be arrested, fired, or killed for that matter.  Hopefully it is one where you stay alive.  But the best thing to do is to stay positive and optimistic.  

Optimism is dangerous to people who are very pessimistic.  But I would rather think theres a possibility to succeed at anything than to think I'm going to fail.  For me failure is not an option anymore.  I have come too far to fail out now.   Like others have told me, "keep going up."

I know this post is a little short but I feel I wanted to give you an update for this finals week.  

Its Finals Week at ITT Tech yet again!

It is the start of week 11 and everybody at school is either frantically finishing late work or studying or just stressing out over their final grades.  As they should be.  Many have worked hard to get they are in this school.  But there are many who have cheated their way too.  This I do not condone.  Cheating may seem be the easy way out in the beginning.  But just wait till the harder classes start and the stuff you should have learned is what you need to know for a component of the new class and you are sitting there struggling only to resort to what you know best.  That is to cheat.

Its bad enough that former students and other people post their work online for other people to see and use without their knowledge just to get their homework done.  I'm not saying that every one who has posted work online has their work stolen theres others who are in the business to help kids cheat.  Most of all the instructors already know that these sites exist.  Kids the teachers aren't as stupid or oblivious as you think!  Odds are they already know that most kids are cheating or looking for the easy way out.  So for most of us doing the honest route for higher learning help us out and help put these kids back on track, isn't that part of what we stand for helping others succeed?  I'd like to help others succeed, but I'm not doing it for you.  You also must do the work too.  Anyone from Clive campus knows what I mean.

Anyway that was my little rant against cheating.  I think I will do well this quarter.  I should be able to get all my work done before the final day.  As I type this I am getting work finished up for my Digital Fundamentals class.  Doing honest work for this class has been fun and learned a lot from what there is to work with.  My one wish is to have a class where 90% of the class doesn't skip out before the lab and actually takes it seriously.  It isn't fair for me and my friend Greg who stay to end time to learn and get the lab completed with no help from anyone.  I think I'm going to be giving a no so high grade for John this quarter.  I and Greg believe that he has given up on us.  Hopefully we have somebody else that actually gives a damn to teach the integrated circuits class.

Working days has helped me to realize that wasting my life away isn't healthy and that being away for the daytime has been beneficial to my mood and personality.  The stress of the moronic atmosphere from the drunks from main street, and the jerks who consistently "forget" their ID.  This ID policy has not only caused more pain on regular customers but also stress on my end of the equation because I have to tell them they need ID to purchase Cigarettes and Booze or no sale, they are clearly old enough to purchase said items.  Thats a whole other story in itself.  The short run is that management has put a 100% ID policy that makes us, the cashier ask for ID from anyone regardless if you are old enough or not.

Anywho wish me luck on my tests this week and thank you for reading!

Asynchronous Circuit with JK Flip Flop Chips

The previous video I posted is incorrect.  This video is the same circuit with a correct output.  The previous video showed synchronous output.  The correct output is Asynchronous as the longer clip shows.  The preset and clear pins of the JK Flip Flop 7474 chip override the synchronous inputs making them asynchronous with the clock pulse.  I hope you weren't like thats a fail or thats not right because I feel bad for posting an incorrect post about something i was confident about.  But O well,  I'm in school I'm learning things every day.  Enjoy!

Well I am free! From working nights that is....

Yes its true, I have worked my last night tonight for a long time at the gas station.  The day time worker got accepted at an ISU (Iowa State University) graduate study program and will need to switch shifts or quit.  For now hes working a couple nights a week and my other co worker is covering the entire weekend at night.

I'm not going to rant but I am sure glad to be done with the evenings.  The section of Ames I work in is now become ghetto.  Lots of innercity folk and druggies and drunks from a block away come to my store just to be stupid and hang out it seems.  I don't mind this but theres a time and place to smoke your marijuana and being loud and obnoxious.  Lots of people don't understand that our company set up a ID policy that requires the cashier to ask for ID no matter what age you are and is able to not sell you the alcohol or tobacco when a customer does not have his/her ID.  I think it's a good policy but I get a lot of flak from the older generation who have too much pride than to show their drivers license.

To me I would consider being asked at my age I'm 29 almost 30, a compliment.   I guess we all who work there will just deal with it.  It's just going to be an ongoing thing 'till policy changes.

Working the day shift will help me in the long run and my boss doesn't need to reset my work schedule because of my class schedule which is also at night.  Not working on saturday will help me a bunch because having class in the morning and then working till 11 pm just puts a strain on me to stay awake.  This way I can just go to class then drive home and go back to bed if need to.

Its getting late and 630 AM comes sooner than you think! ;)  So good night everybody!

Its week 8 everybody!

Here it is the middle of the week of week 8 at ITT Tech, I've already posted what happened in tuesday's Digital Fundamentals Class.  Later this evening I will be going to my physics class hopefully there is something I can be able to share.  This is my best quarter yet.  I've learned a lot.  Been a great experience because I've actually put real effort into learning this time.  I'm getting proud of what I am capable of accomplishing.  Now if I can just get my troublesome car under control.  Thats another issue for another time.

Also, I should be able to get a snippet of what I'm learning in my C Programming class on saturday.  Im thinking a slide show video uploaded to my youtube should work.  Topics are getting very deep now that its getting close to the end and also its fun to learn this stuff.  Electronics has been fun to learn and experience so far.  As far as anything school related I will keep you updated.

Classwork: Lab: Digital circuit as a clock timer

This may look like a bunch of mixed up wires but It is very well organized as to what is connected to what.  Also this circuit here just demonstrates how I and my lab partner greg has gotten to understand what the IC chips do in applications like a digital clock.  This video clip demonstrates the 1 second timing for a clock.  The LEDs flash showing 1 second duration for the output.