RyanHarne.com

I’ll be brief and blunt. My Engineering Vibrations Summer Session One 2006! course final exam is tomorrow - it is open book, with acceptable margin annotations/notes, and allows a one page equation sheet. My grade in that course is higher than most 1969 Woodstock tales of glory. There is no shame for me to randomly grab my laptop and begin blogging while “studying” for my first ever summer exam.

Outputmessage is getting famous, again. I think it is wild that Bernard’s latest album is on the front-page of the iTunes Music Store, but, then again, he is an unbelievably talented electronic music composer. Regardless and anyways, I think it is supercool. Supercool. Congrats, my friend.

My brother used to drink a ton of Slurpees, those horrific creations 7-11 mad scientists pretty much have under patent protection. One time during a visit, we went to a 7-11 and got Slurpees. I seem to remember enjoying the experience (particulary the free iTunes Music Store download that came with the purchase) but I have only, on rare occasion, repeated the convenience store visit for such atrocious injection of flavor, food coloring, and sugar.

I stopped by the very nearby 7-11 this afternoon after an extended on-campus workout. I wanted something that was not water and not faux juice. In the under $2 lineup was a plethora of soda pops, a few select “fruit drinks”, and, of course, the Slurpee. Well, I got a Slurpee. A 44 ounce cup of Passion-something-or-other-Fruit. I recalled a technique Abigail once showed me of capping the drink before dispensing it into the container. That worked ok. I sat the drink down, grabbed a straw, and took a first sip.

Not kidding, not kidding - within seconds of that first sip I experienced an unbearable brain freeze. Here I was, in the corner of this 7-11, other people grabbing curious items from other points in the store, and my hands are moving sporadically around my face while my head jerks without ceasing. A total brain freeze breakdown and it truly did hurt.

Moments later, I gain composure (only now I am sweating) and I realize that my Slurpee is growing. It has overflowed from the cup and continues to expand all over the counter I placed it upon. What am I to do? Bend my neck down and quickly start slurping the drink at the lid before any more escapes at the top? But what about that brain freeze?

Ala my mint episode, I actually go for the drink and start slurping it. It was a horrific moment. I am slurping more of this drink that, again, and as expected, causes an immediate brain freeze, but am controlling the unbelievable seering mental anguish and pain with the proud thought that I am saving my local 7-11 clerks time cleaning up this Slurpee-expansion mess.

I mentioned all of this to the cashier, who actually witnessed the greater portion of it, and she actually made me pay for the drink. Strangely enough, by that point, I had lost all value for the drink itself and only wished I exit the store without any troubles. But, in America, if you do that you are video-taped in action, “picked up” by the police, tried and convicted for a misdemeanor shoplifting charge, and then given community service to fulfill.

They should count blogging as a community service. At least it serves as a vicarious educational experience.

It has been raining for several days now. The beginning of Summer Session One 2006! had an event like this as well, but not to this extent. It has been raining cats & dogs for several days now. Yesterday evening, from our view safely inside the (nearly 90% leak-proof) Bollo’s windows, Draper Road had a flowing four inches of water - even the side walks were immersed, too. The rain is good for business when it does this in segments (people need a refuge and eventually buy something as well) but constant flooding only exasperates people.

Like, me, for example. I saw the rain (again) this morning when I left, saw the forecast forecasting rain all day, saw that the current rain situation was steady but not flood-worthy, and I grabbed my smaller umbrella. I chose poorly. I am tucked away in a corner in Squires with pants soaked and a wet head filled with regret for grabbing that ineffective umbrella. If I conjure up enough chutzpah, I am going to make the next 10 minute walk back to my apartment where I will be even more tucked away, but this time it will be under a blanket on the couch with only the sound of rain lulling me into sleep.

But my exasperation is minimal because I really like the rain; I like to see the otherwise tortured lawns and plants get their banquet of natural nourishment and the motion of water as it navigates infrequent passages is absolutely fascinating.. However, I am so close, yet so very far from a position (more specifically, an orientation of reclining with head on pillow) from which I can really enjoy the rain. I only wish that I had offset my poor choice of umbrella by grabbing my camera before I left. The rain dances when you look close enough.

In February, I applied to the College of Engineering’s scholarship pool with my dutifully completed application and eloquent essay. Last week, I received word that I was awarded some of the scholarship funds due to my “outstanding academic achievement”, my “potential for leadership”, and unspecified “good work” (maybe they meant my attack on the CoE Tablet PC initiative?). They were probably referring to my CT articles going toe-to-toe with Starbucks, since the predominant to-go coffee cup in the various engineering buildings does not depict an image of a fertility goddess. Well, explanation isn’t necessary, and I am nevertheless appreciative for the awards.

Here below is the essay I wrote for the scholarship. The topic requested a response to a statement mentioning the steady decline in engineering students and desired possible explanations, remedies, or recommendations for the ailing field. From my response, specifically, it may sound like I am the mega-engineering nerd, but just keep it clear in the back of your mind that I can jump from industrial design to engineering in a single bound. (I REALLY AM COOL). I just happen to adamantly enjoy academia. Ok, enough.

24 Feb. 2006
Where Did The Engineers Go?

In the summer of 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar lander began sending home images and video from the surface of the moon. American efforts had led us to an ultimate engineering victory over the communists and our nation had its name inscribed into the great collection of humankind’s milestones, yet again. However, once communism collapsed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, there has been a steady decline in the desire to brazenly achieve beyond our current capabilities. Sure, computers have revolutionized everything from economics to the environment, but that is often viewed as removed and sterile. An Eiffel Tower, a Great Wall, even a moon landing is tangible, to some extent, but the triumph of computers is hard to grasp or conceptualize. People have gradually become disillusioned with engineering, giving up their associations of brilliance and ingenuity for a new type of engineering labeled as an exercise for nerds. The American pastime of radically forging ahead in new fields is getting an unceremonious curtain call.

Technology is the recurring theme of our time, and it deserves a better reputation. University research programs need a positive and prominent word on the street – it is important to let people know we are putting knowledge to work while we simultaneously redefine the future. The entire nation has a deficient view of science and engineering, but the efforts Virginia Tech can put forth to market, advertise, and pull in promising students is just as potent. Students and faculty excited with their work excel far more than those without that enthusiasm. And the best part about that fact? Excitement is contagious!

I admire people who can anticipate the future and act according to their intuition for unseen events. This is why I hold select members of elite businesses in such high esteem (a controlled esteem, let’s say). When I listened to George Nolen’s lecture (CEO of Siemens) this past spring semester, his predictions for the world-wide effects of today’s actions and trends fully impressed me with his insightful and discerning understanding clearly hidden behind his well-chosen verbiage. Deciding for the future is a risky business - who wants to screw things up for their own children? - and the task is as daunting as it is hopeful.

Now somewhat having already been brought into the local Blacksburg fold, I am seeing the disaster that the town council of Blacksburg, somewhat in junction with Virginia Tech, are bringing upon this community. I have discussed the topic with several business owners around town in the past weeks and the issue continually arises in general conversation with Bollo’s customers who like to chat. The concern? Blacksburg is being commercialized with chains. There are several causes, perhaps some hidden ones I haven’t yet discovered, but the stench of corruption is already seeping through the surface cracks.

About three years ago, a large, five-story building was constructed at the corner of Washington & Main Streeets called Kent Square. It is a tall brick building, complete with large, glass windowfronts. A bank was getting the crossroads corner and other stores were lined up for bids. Other stores like Bollo’s. When inquiring to locate a satellite Bollo’s shop in Kent Square, our official bidding representative was flatly rejected with, “We want a Starbucks.” Ok, well, they got their Starbucks. And eventually also a Subway and a frou-frou jewelry store and hair-cutlery place. There were a few spaces open for businesses, too, namely four more stories of never-touched flooring. Two or three other store fronts filled up, but after only two years of goods & services, they closed their doors, not being able to pay the exorbitant rent. The majestic Kent Square currently rests a nearly empty block of un-earthened clay and drywall. The Starbucks and Subway maintain regular business.

Another one of these uppity buildings began construction last year, Clay Court, almost adjacent to Kent Square. Without dwelling on the flop that was Kent Square, this attitude of “let’s bring in the people who can pay really high rents” is killing the actual downtown area of Blacksburg. Main Street is slowly becoming deserted as the landlords of those blocks catch on to the fever that is greenbacks. Even though Kent Square is a disaster and Clay Court looks to follow those footsteps, the downtown landlords have begun massive renovations to the look of their sections and have been raising rents without remorse. Over a dozen shops that have been staples of the Blacksburg community have closed. Even Crossroads, an unbelievably famous and renown music shop (complete with utterly impossible-to-find indie/electronic albums), had to relocate from its premier Main & College Ave corner (crossroads) to a far-from-campus hole-in-a-plaza.

Will a Banana Republic place a store in a location where all local businesses seem to be losing money even if the actual aesthetics of the storefront are beautiful? Does a Panera want to open shop when it witnesses some of the most popular Blacksburg restaurants closing their doors because even they can’t make a decent profit at the current rent rates? The downtown landlords are nuts. The town council who sought to construct Clay Court after the now-defunct Kent Square are even nuttier. While these places may cater to some of the wealthier groups of Virignia Tech’s students, they have no legitimate reason to be in a town like Blacksburg - a place of residents almost completely against their presence.

It’s not a disaster waiting to happen - it’s a disaster.

This is one of those instances where you hope that your elected officials will pull themselves together and act like actual residents and not corporate tools. But this is also a type of situation that nearly cries for coup d’é tat. I simply loathe corruption and hypocrisy.

Just this morning, on my walk to class, I was clocked at 11 miles per hour by the Virginia Tech Police’s remote radar station. Totally reeks.

While some of my passion for pristine packaging presentation has waned since last Fall, I am still enamored with much of Apple’s aim and design. I was considering selling my 12″ PowerBook to help finance a new [white] MacBook, but a day before a potential buyer backed out from the deal, I was wiping the thing down with iKlear when I fell in love again. The bird’s eye view looking down on to the ever-compressed (but not) keyboard was what took my breath away the first time out of the book, and it happened again last week. There’s no way I could sell this thing.

I have moments when my engineering and design appreciation merge so wonderfully. Admiring the 12″ PowerBook succinctly compresses both fields into one tiny, compact slice of aluminum heaven. But there is another gooey Mac appreciation all over the internet. This site needs no more absurd fascinations.

Oh, but I am starting to love okra. It’s not quite absurd, but it can be gooey when prepared in specific manners. Okra on bread, with pasta, with other vegetables, maybe some more bread - whatever the companion, okra just works™. All of these fascinating topics are nice, but I am going to crash (guten nacht).