I would like to say it is just the weekend, but when it comes to getting motivated to write I am just not feeling it since I started back into classes. I guess that is one indication that I like the high energy I got when I was working full time. I guess I like working for myself even more, but that isn't always the easiest option. Thus far I have found it to be pretty busy, and I have done 0% of what I would if I were giving it full time attention.

As far as the weekend went I spent most of it sleeping. I wouldn't go so far as to say I was sick, but I wasn't at the top of my game to be certain. I did get a fair bit of reading done, but not of the academic variety. I'm sure that other Ludlum fans will agree that The Janson Directive is a fine novel, and an addictive one for me I will add.

I attended the DASSS/DSS Masquerade Ball on Friday and must admit, although it was less than well advertised, Arts and Science students seem to do a much better job at getting quite licked and then making an ass of themselves on the dance floor. There are a few notable examples in Computer Science, but in general our Balls aren't quite as exciting. Maybe if we offered free drink tickets with admission we would get a bit more festive. Maybe my dancing is what did me in for the weekend.

Better late than never and better because I actually went a week without posting anything. I spent this past weekend at home in Durham. It was nice, and different because my mom is currently in Turkey and so she wasn't around for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. However, my dad did a fine job - stepping up to the plate and swinging away until there was a fine meal prepared.

I also spent the weekend driving around the county putting flyers into people's mailboxes. The purpose behind this is because my dad is running for school board in the West Pictou region and this was part of the campaign. So if you know someone who lives in Pictou or the surrounding area, including Saltsprings and Lorne, encourage them to go out next Saturday at vote for Jim Bate for school board. (And YES to Sunday shopping.)

The third time is the charm they say. Apparently Nauzer didn't get that memo because I have to resubmit my third and final work term report. I have until the end of the month to apply the changes and submit it again, but it is a pain in the ass. One that I suppose I am kind of getting used to. You will be hearing from me about this I'm sure - as the deadline approaches and I don't have it done. :P

Ahhh. Saint John, New Brunswick. I've been there many times before - my Dad was raised there and my grandparents still reside there. However, this past weekend when I was there, it was unlike any of my past trips. I was there to participate in the APICS Programming Competition. You may recall that last year my team went on to the Regional Level and did decently. So obviously this year we were another year better, and although we replaced one of the teammates we were still a formidable force. Expectations were high and there was little doubt that we would be progressing on to Rochester again.

But we won't be. Apparently we are fallible after-all and we only managed to answer one question successfully. That being said, it was a fun weekend away and I kind of feel relieved that the pressure is off. Half of the crew left on Saturday but the rest of us stayed and enjoyed some talks at the conference itself and then attended the banquet that evening.

Apple today updated some of their product lines a bit, no huge changes, but some might be attractive to anyone in the market for a Mac. The iBook line of laptops took a price drop and now all are shipped with Airport Extreme card included. The academic price for the 12 inch iBook is now $1249 - about $100 less than before, not to mention it now includes the $100 Airport Extreme card so that it is wireless capable out of the box.

They also added a new single processor 1.8 GHz G5 Power Mac to compliment their dual processor models. This entry level machine is good for anyone looking to get the expandability and sexiness of the G5, but don't need crazy processing power. Since the iMacs are also G5 now, there are a couple of options for entry level desktop users.

After toying around with my site to make it more festive I have come to the conclusion that I need to rewrite the whole thing. There isn't much CSS in my current version since it was written before I was really into structural CSS. It isn't even templated properly - each directory has its own template so making broad changes is a chore.

Another problem is the code for much of this site - written back before I found my style and there is much that can be improved.

Today and yesterday marked the first Dalhousie-wide open house in 14 years. I find that kind of funny considering all the talk I hear about enrollment issues and low sense of community. I guess this is part of their Inspiring Minds initiative that they unleashed this summer. However, Computer Science as a faculty has had a few Open Houses over the past few years and they have generally been well received. This time, with the university at the helm, we as an individual faculty didn't fare as well I believe. I did have fun running about trying to do my part and help out.

Just a friendly reminder to everyone in the Halifax area, that Computer Science is hosting their Annual Halloween Party in the atrium of the Computer Science building on Friday October 29th from 7pm to 1am.

Contact me if you have any questions.

I haven't really been watching the games, but the Boston Red Sox have won the World Series for the first time in 86 years. During the American League pennant race against the Yankees, they were down 3-0, but came back with 4 straight wins and swept this series against the Cardinals 4-0. This is quite the moment for Boston I can be sure as it is quite a moment for baseball in general.

Finally word on the Platinum Edition of the Return of the King is out and it looks like we will see it on December 14, 2004 - with 50 extra minutes of footage - bringing the total to 250 minutes, or 4 hours and 10 minutes. With 4 extra commentary tracks, and hours and hours of extra features, there is much entertainment to be had from this disk. It is kind of nice that they are waiting until after most of my classes and exams are over this year before they completely captivate me with movie goodness. :)

Here is a picture of Sarah and I in our costumes this halloween. I will see if I can find some of the photos that other people took of us on Friday night at the CS Halloween party. Until then, this is as dressed up as we are going to get this halloween. Have a good one.

And for my readers in backwards parts of the province that decided to have Halloween last night - well... I hope it went well. Cheers.