=Isarl

Well, another work term's come and gone. I enjoyed it, learnt a lot, and accomplished more than I was expecting to. I've signed papers, so I can't talk about it, but it was a valuable experience and I look forward to my next co-op term, during which I'll be working for the same professor on a different (even more exciting) project. In the meanwhile, school looks exciting with interesting courses and happenings.

Classes this fall include the successor to the introductory statistics course I took in the winter and my first ever elective: Great Works of Western Philosophy, Part 1. I was originally hoping for Canadian Government & Politics, but it conflicted with some pre-scheduled classes. It'll wait for a future term, I'm sure.

...I haven't been incredibly active lately, but I've been trying to do some more drawing/painting. Having Colors! on my DS makes it easier to just paint. On the airplane yesterday, I started drawing and figured out that light and shadow can do an excellent job of lending depth to a piece. This tutorial (recently featured as a DD) also had some good tips I'm sure will help, even though I use neither Wacom tablet not PS/Painter to actually paint.

I haven't done any work on the 100 challenge recently, but I intend to. My friend gave me the visual for #25 (Trouble Lurking) a while back and I've had a couple thoughts as to what to write.

I've also been meaning to get out and take more photos. I found something cool called the Canon Hacker's Development Kit, which is essentially software that runs on top of your supported camera's firmware, extending its capabilities. One of the most notable improvements is the ability to capture and save images in RAW format for cameras that, with only Canon's firmware, cannot. I'd like to get my tripod onto a high place, shield it from the elements, and take a time-lapse series of the sky and horizon. I also made a camera mount on my bicycle, so I'll make some videos or take some photos while I'm out riding around the campus and Waterloo.

Lastly, I conducted for the Engineering Jazzband this term. It was very interesting; previously I hadn't had any experience leading a large ensemble. It was a lot of fun. This fall I'll be playing again, as the band will be under new leadership. Whether or not this is a good thing remains to be seen, but I and others are hopeful. I'll be maintaining some leadership involvement as well. Perhaps next winter I'll conduct again. We'll see.