I dropped by the Hands on Atlanta office to return Microsoft Exchange. Finished my Microelectronic Circuits homework, and got a head start on my Instrumentation & Ciruits Lab homework. The apartment is pretty empty since both Stacie and Nicky work in the afternoons. It’s nice actually, and, as a result, I can get lots of productive work done.

Upgraded firmware on the Linksys BEFW11S4 v.2 router to 1.45, and backed up the router configuration to disk. Also set up Stacie’s laptop to use wireless access. Stacie cleaned the bathroom (without even needing to ask). I like her already.

Took a look at the linux kernel, beginning with introductory course material available from CS3210, Operating System Design. Finished chapters one and two of Linux Device Drivers, 2nd Edition. A surprising amount of information and resources about are the linux kernel are found in the source distribution; check Documentation/kernel-docs.txt for such things. Nicky, Stacie, and I ate lunch at the Jade Palace and afterwards watched Matrix: Reloaded at AMC. A great movie overall, with beautiful CG to boot. Sent a documentation bug patch to Linus. Wonder if it will actually be read and applied. Here’s to hoping.

I think I’ve been watching too much television lately. I used BitTorrent to download the Doom 3 preview trailer. I helped Stacie upgrade her Windows XP system and flashed the IBM ThinkPad R31 BIOS.

The number of incompetent professors here at Georgia Tech continues to amaze me. Today was the first lecture for Instruments & Circuits Lab, taught by Thomas Brewer, a lecturer who has managed to accomplish nothing in life except to teach the same course for over twenty years - how utterly depressing. I decided to complain at the academic office, where they basically told me to bugger off and talk to Joseph Hughes, an Assosociate Professor who himself isn’t exactly the epitome of quality teaching. I guess I understand now why our department is the way it is, anyway.

I did my homework early for once. It won’t last.

Stacie and I both had a calzone for lunch at Mama Niki’s Pizza after classes. In the afternoon, we left for Georgia Tech to play Dance Dance Revolution at the Student Center. I haven’t played in a long time. I practiced guitar for several hours, working on various songs, as well as attempting to improve my hand-eye coordination.

The guitar is horribly out of tune. After thoroughly getting lost, Stacie and I went to the nearest Guitar Center and purchased a nice guitar/bass tuner by Korg. Inexpensive and works quite well. After getting thoroughly lost again, we made it back to the apartment. Borrowing Stacie’s guitar should let me decide whether I really want to spend the money to purchase one for myself. After all, a guitar is a relatively expensive investment, and unlike computers, I know very little about how they work or how to maintain or repair them.

And so it began. The On-Line Guitar Archive has several guitar tabs, though many of them are somewhat inaccurate. Be Like That by 3 Doors Down, sounded like a good song to start with, though, at the end of this day, I can barely play the first three notes. But as long as I improve each day, that’s all that matters to me.

Deposited IRS tax returns into savings account. Experimented with domain level filtering via .htaccess, which means that people I don’t like won’t (easily) be able to access my web site. Semiconductor physics got a bit harder today. The University of Buffalo has a list of simulation applets for semiconductors, i.e., crystal structure. Our first homework has already been released. Installed xplanet, a solar system simulator which renders images as backgrounds. If nothing else, it makes for some pretty backgrounds.

Stacie came over. Nicky and I helped her move in for the summer. She’ll be taking over Michael’s room. How wonderful. And she brought a guitar with her. How very wonderful, indeed.

Renewed my X.509 personal e-mail certificate. Susan Rouillier of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science updated my information on the alumni page. Sent an e-mail to Peter Wan, asking to meet with him. Peter is a Web of Trust Thawte notary. It takes notarization from two experienced notaries to enter the Thawte Web of Trust. Received an e-mail from Peter later that day, with instructions. He’s willing to do it; the other notary is Neil Bright, also from Georgia Tech. I’ll need to meet with them both at some point.

The first day of class went well. I learned more about semiconductor phsyics in a day than most people learn in a lifetime. My only consolation is that Britney Spears is also taking the class with me this term. Maybe we can study together.

Back in Atlanta. The new school term starts tomorrow and I’ll be taking two classes this summer: Microelectronic Circuits and Instrumentation & Circuits Laboratory. I’m not terribly excited about this, but I desperately need to get these two pivotal classes out of the way. Summarily read Programming Perl, 2nd Edition, skimming or skipping over the difficult parts entirely. Upgraded Debian packages, and Mplayer to version 0.90.

Filled out the necessary paperwork for a sole proprietorship, primarily, form SS-4 (Application for Employer Identification Number), from our warm and fuzzy friends at the Internal Revenue Service. It should be faxed soon to (631) 447-8960. The Small Business Start-Up Kit, by Peri Pakroo, as well as Nolo, helped greatly in this endeavour.