Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Ultimate Frisbee - 11th Edition Rules




I'm going to be joining an Ultimate team.
11th Edition Rules - HERE -

Recycling letter to: Web Admin, Web Group Information Services at Salt Lake County


"Hello on the website: http://www.recycle.slco.org/InSLCounty/SLC.html, the page says, "To find out your collection day or other information call 535-6999, or see the Route Map (accessible on website).".

I have searched and couldn't find the Route Maps on the whole site of recycle.slco.org. I even did a search and it pulled up a list of unrelated pages.

You really should create a link or something to the Route Maps as the demographic of people who go to websites in the first place want information without having to call someone.

Thanks"

Monday, August 16, 2010

University of Utah - Internet Explorer sellouts

I've noticed that the University of Utah likes to use IE specific functions in their web page (namely, forms). It's frustrating because there are LOTS of people that like to use browsers other than IE. I guess it's not even that that bugs me, it's the ideology of forcing a product on the constituents of an educational institution.

Pre-semester email concerning a math book or My professor is a joker




"Dear all,

Welcome to Math 1060 - your worst nightmare (just joking... maybe).  I'm your professor and I thought that I would give you a "heads up" concerning the textbook (since there is some confusion about it).

The text is Larson/Hostetler 7th edition "Precalculus".  It's ISBN number is:

ISBN-13: 978-0618643448

PLEASE be careful to buy the 7th edition.  There is an 8th edition, but we're NOT using that (for reasons that you'll see below).  The book is available at the bookstore (if you like to throw your money down the drain). 

ALL of the 1060 sections use the same book (this semester there are only a couple of sections: one taught by Knaeble and one taught by me - that's why the bookstore lists it all under "Knaeble").

The good news is that this book is also used in the Math 1050 course, which is also a prereq for calculus.  Hence at least you can use it twice.  The BAD news is that the price of the book is (new) about $200... and used isn't much better ($150).

Fortunately, there are many used copies available on the internet starting at around $40 and up... but hurry to buy because you will be in serious trouble if you wait.

Now, since I dislike the overpriced bookstore, and I absolutely HATE Brooks Cole publishing (they are the scum of the earth), I can mention that I cannot stop you from downloading the book from somewhere off the internet illegally ... however I obviously cannot give hints on how to do that.  Either way DO NOT WAIT to obtain the book.

We are sticking to the 7th edition because there are many used copies floating around, and because it is also used in 1050.

See you in a couple of weeks,"

Thursday, August 05, 2010

Water molecules, a survival story


While hiking in and around the mountains of Utah, sometimes, I encounter streams.
Meeting these little rivers always makes me think of the survival of the water molecule. As water always seeks the lowest point and flows the path of least resistance, our chance of crossing paths has a story behind it. I, traveled from my house by means of a vehicle to hike the mountains and enjoy the beauty of nature. The water molecules, on the other hand, got into the mountains by rain or some other type of precipitation. What luck that we were able to enjoy a chance meeting together!
I imagine what obstacles the water molecule had to go through to get to the moment of us meeting. I wonder what story it could tell me about its life. I imagine what it'd be like to watch the documentary of this water molecule's life.
I suppose we are sort of like that water molecule, fitting into the creation story of the universe.