Almost winter break. Took APUSH finals yesterday, and AP English today. Tomorrow I have Physics and AP Stats and then AP Japanese and Pre Calc the day after that.
Great time to become addicted to some anime series... /sarcasm.
But rewatching Ghost in the Shell SAC is worth it. Now I can actually understand what's going on... didn't really catch on to the whole philosophical cyber punk thing when I was 7 lol.
And Yukikaze is awesome. Just as awesome as Macross Zero.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Hanasaki High School
Yesterday, my high school and this school from Japan, Hanasaki Tokuharu High School, had a joint concert. They were amazing. Hearing them perform after we were on stage was like getting steamrolled by a Star Destroyer. They even had this thing where the players got up (the piece was a Sing Sing Sing arrangement) and started crazily dancing... while they were still playing. Insanely awesome. It was like hearing a professional performance. Last night was definitely the best school concert I have ever been to.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
AP Classes at Aragon: Which ones you want to take
I'm waiting for a video to load so in the mean time, I'll post something worth reading.
Before you continue on to the list, your number one priority is going to be finding AP classes that are cost efficient.
Cost= time and effort
Benefits= how much material you are able to absorb and how useful this material is, also AP credits for college (remember that colleges don't let you pass a class just because you took the AP in high school in many cases), and making your college app look good (this shouldn't be your #1 priority... if you learn something useful, you don't need the grade)
Also, look at what you want to do after high school. If you're like me and you're probably going to go to community college for GE, get a high grade b/c of the low competition, transfer to an okay UC (like Davis or San Diego), then complete your masters at a prestigious school (masters is what really matters btw, everyone has a BA), then killing yourself over APs doesn't really matter. I suggest you start a business actually, because the time I spend on APs would have been enough time for me to start my own business. Maybe take a business class before venturing out on this.
If you don't think you need to take an AP class, don't take it. My only regret in my high school career so far is taking AP English. I have a decent grade in that class, lots of my friends are taking it, and my teacher recommended it to me, but I realize now that I had made a grave mistake when I signed up for it. Very very cost inefficient imo when looking at my future plans.
So an optimal AP class would be a class that is easy, somewhat fun, low on workload, yet you actually learn, and what you learn is practical in your future life. Oh, and a good teacher is always nice too. Actually, having a good teacher can altogether change the variables I just mentioned.
Easy APs/the ones that are cost efficient:
AP Psych (Heard its easy as well as fun.)
AP Stats (So far a very practical math class.)
APUSH (Okay, it's history, but both APUSH teachers are good and I personally like history. I used to hate it in middle school but high school history really changed my perspective. May/may not be the same for you.)
AP Biology (Really interesting, but if you're allergic to workload and early mornings, and don't think you'll enjoy learning about biology and how we exist on earth, or if you had trouble with biology/didn't like it, don't risk taking it.)
Hard APs/the ones you want to avoid:
AP Biology (Senior year, if you want to slack off/not interested in bio.)
AP English (Some people have no trouble in English, but for people like me, who got a B in AS, will have no hope of achieving an A in AP, so keep that in mind... also, you will never use the stuff you learn in Aragon AP English. Also notice that AP English doesn't use a textbook so it's difficulty and efficiency will differ from school to school. For example, AP English at Carlmont is one of their easiest APs and the pass rate is very good.)
AP Chemistry (I don't take this class but my friends who take it don't like it. Doyle is also not that good of a teacher I hear.)
As for AP Calculus (AB/BC), AP Physics, AP Music Theory, and AP Art (any others I missed), I don't have enough information to arrive at definite conclusions. AP Art seems easy enough to me, and if you like physics/want to major in something physics related, Ratto is a good teacher (but AP Physics is a hard course) so it's really up to you. As for AP Calculus, I guess it depends on how well you do in pre calc/how much time/effort you want to spend.
Some other info:
AP Sciences ranked easiest to hardest:
APES
AP Biology (but workload is much more, so beware)
AP Chemistry (but do you really want to take it with Doyle?)
AP Physics (but remember that Ratto is a good teacher)
AP Stats as a course is as easy as Pre Calc if not easier.
CP English, CP US History, etc, are much easier than the APs. One thing I don't understand about Aragon is why they don't have many middle ground honors courses. They give you the extra GPA and you don't have to take the AP test. o.o
My video is done downloading so I'll post more later.
Also, these are only my opinions supported by what I have experienced, so I suggest you ask other upper class men about APs too.
Before you continue on to the list, your number one priority is going to be finding AP classes that are cost efficient.
Cost= time and effort
Benefits= how much material you are able to absorb and how useful this material is, also AP credits for college (remember that colleges don't let you pass a class just because you took the AP in high school in many cases), and making your college app look good (this shouldn't be your #1 priority... if you learn something useful, you don't need the grade)
Also, look at what you want to do after high school. If you're like me and you're probably going to go to community college for GE, get a high grade b/c of the low competition, transfer to an okay UC (like Davis or San Diego), then complete your masters at a prestigious school (masters is what really matters btw, everyone has a BA), then killing yourself over APs doesn't really matter. I suggest you start a business actually, because the time I spend on APs would have been enough time for me to start my own business. Maybe take a business class before venturing out on this.
If you don't think you need to take an AP class, don't take it. My only regret in my high school career so far is taking AP English. I have a decent grade in that class, lots of my friends are taking it, and my teacher recommended it to me, but I realize now that I had made a grave mistake when I signed up for it. Very very cost inefficient imo when looking at my future plans.
So an optimal AP class would be a class that is easy, somewhat fun, low on workload, yet you actually learn, and what you learn is practical in your future life. Oh, and a good teacher is always nice too. Actually, having a good teacher can altogether change the variables I just mentioned.
Easy APs/the ones that are cost efficient:
AP Psych (Heard its easy as well as fun.)
AP Stats (So far a very practical math class.)
APUSH (Okay, it's history, but both APUSH teachers are good and I personally like history. I used to hate it in middle school but high school history really changed my perspective. May/may not be the same for you.)
AP Biology (Really interesting, but if you're allergic to workload and early mornings, and don't think you'll enjoy learning about biology and how we exist on earth, or if you had trouble with biology/didn't like it, don't risk taking it.)
Hard APs/the ones you want to avoid:
AP Biology (Senior year, if you want to slack off/not interested in bio.)
AP English (Some people have no trouble in English, but for people like me, who got a B in AS, will have no hope of achieving an A in AP, so keep that in mind... also, you will never use the stuff you learn in Aragon AP English. Also notice that AP English doesn't use a textbook so it's difficulty and efficiency will differ from school to school. For example, AP English at Carlmont is one of their easiest APs and the pass rate is very good.)
AP Chemistry (I don't take this class but my friends who take it don't like it. Doyle is also not that good of a teacher I hear.)
As for AP Calculus (AB/BC), AP Physics, AP Music Theory, and AP Art (any others I missed), I don't have enough information to arrive at definite conclusions. AP Art seems easy enough to me, and if you like physics/want to major in something physics related, Ratto is a good teacher (but AP Physics is a hard course) so it's really up to you. As for AP Calculus, I guess it depends on how well you do in pre calc/how much time/effort you want to spend.
Some other info:
AP Sciences ranked easiest to hardest:
APES
AP Biology (but workload is much more, so beware)
AP Chemistry (but do you really want to take it with Doyle?)
AP Physics (but remember that Ratto is a good teacher)
AP Stats as a course is as easy as Pre Calc if not easier.
CP English, CP US History, etc, are much easier than the APs. One thing I don't understand about Aragon is why they don't have many middle ground honors courses. They give you the extra GPA and you don't have to take the AP test. o.o
My video is done downloading so I'll post more later.
Also, these are only my opinions supported by what I have experienced, so I suggest you ask other upper class men about APs too.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Chicken or Egg Came First?
This can be considered a political question because it relates to the current debate of stem cell research... whether an unborn fetus is a human being. Or in this case, whether a chicken is a chicken from conception.
The first chicken as an adult and the first chicken as a fetus is the same chicken. The chicken wasn't the first bird, only a new strain of bird when evolution underwent punctuated equilibrium. The characteristics of chickens probably developed gradually, but if you had to pinpoint a point in time dividing the chicken lineage from its ancestors, that point would fall after the DNA of the offspring finished synthesizing.
However, in order for a species to be considered "a species", it has to be able to reproduce viable offspring and not be able to do the same with its ancestors/different lineage. This occurs when a group of one species becomes isolated from its other group. Changes gradually form until those two separate groups are unable to reproduce even when put back together.
A chicken egg is essentially a shell with a developing chicken inside it. Remember however that a chicken cannot develop without its egg.
That said, if you assume that the chicken ISN'T the egg, and that a chicken is only a chicken when it is successfully born, the chicken came first.
Alternatively, if you assume that the chicken IS the egg, and that a chicken is a chicken from when it is conceived, the egg came first.
My personal opinion: it is absolutely impossible to tell. Because while some chickens would have been able to reproduce fertile offspring with the alternative offshoot of its ancestors, others of the same chicken species wouldn't have been able to.
*If you assume that the egg is the thing that came before the zygote formed, that egg would be part of the mother. So to make things clear, egg=the thing after the zygote formed, not before.
The first chicken as an adult and the first chicken as a fetus is the same chicken. The chicken wasn't the first bird, only a new strain of bird when evolution underwent punctuated equilibrium. The characteristics of chickens probably developed gradually, but if you had to pinpoint a point in time dividing the chicken lineage from its ancestors, that point would fall after the DNA of the offspring finished synthesizing.
However, in order for a species to be considered "a species", it has to be able to reproduce viable offspring and not be able to do the same with its ancestors/different lineage. This occurs when a group of one species becomes isolated from its other group. Changes gradually form until those two separate groups are unable to reproduce even when put back together.
A chicken egg is essentially a shell with a developing chicken inside it. Remember however that a chicken cannot develop without its egg.
That said, if you assume that the chicken ISN'T the egg, and that a chicken is only a chicken when it is successfully born, the chicken came first.
Alternatively, if you assume that the chicken IS the egg, and that a chicken is a chicken from when it is conceived, the egg came first.
My personal opinion: it is absolutely impossible to tell. Because while some chickens would have been able to reproduce fertile offspring with the alternative offshoot of its ancestors, others of the same chicken species wouldn't have been able to.
*If you assume that the egg is the thing that came before the zygote formed, that egg would be part of the mother. So to make things clear, egg=the thing after the zygote formed, not before.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Starcraft 2 Club: Update 1
Aragon had its first SC2 club meeting last Tuesday. We had about 13 people attend and we're expecting a couple more who couldn't make it to come on the next meeting. The club is highly polarized in skill... many bronze leagues and a good amount of diamonds. Barely any gold, silver, or platinum. We should probably split the club into a lower and higher league.
It's too bad we missed the club food faire but oh well. We're definitely going to sell Mana and Health potions next time (as long as they're approved by the administration). I did some researching after the food faire... it seems that the most popular foods are not foods but drinks. Small, hand-held drinks. Stuff you would sell at a bake sell, like brownies and cookies, didn't fair so well. Just a personal note. Although it really matters on the weather too. If it's chilly, hot cocoa would be a hit. If it's hot, refreshments, popsicles, or otter pops will sell like crazy. Maybe ice cream too, as long as it doesn't get messy. Some buffet type thing would work out too.
By the way, if anyone is actually reading this, pizza is always a hit. People will buy it even if it's somewhat overpriced. Why? Because its convenient, you can eat it while walking, it doesn't spill, and if you can't choose which food you want for lunch, pizza is default choice. Plus, pizza is cheap so revenue will be high, as long as there isn't too much competition.
It's too bad we missed the club food faire but oh well. We're definitely going to sell Mana and Health potions next time (as long as they're approved by the administration). I did some researching after the food faire... it seems that the most popular foods are not foods but drinks. Small, hand-held drinks. Stuff you would sell at a bake sell, like brownies and cookies, didn't fair so well. Just a personal note. Although it really matters on the weather too. If it's chilly, hot cocoa would be a hit. If it's hot, refreshments, popsicles, or otter pops will sell like crazy. Maybe ice cream too, as long as it doesn't get messy. Some buffet type thing would work out too.
By the way, if anyone is actually reading this, pizza is always a hit. People will buy it even if it's somewhat overpriced. Why? Because its convenient, you can eat it while walking, it doesn't spill, and if you can't choose which food you want for lunch, pizza is default choice. Plus, pizza is cheap so revenue will be high, as long as there isn't too much competition.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Starcraft 2 Club
So, I'm starting a SC2 Club at my school. My friend in a nearby school is also starting one, so we can have school vs school tourneys. Pretty much the first high school league in the US, or at least my area, I think. It's going to be awesome.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
School
School started yesterday. Seems like I fall into temporary depression for the first month or two of school every year. I can't wait for summer vacation.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Wisdom Teeth
Have been removed. Goodbye two of my most inconvenient bottom teeth! I look like a very happy retard when I smile! Lovely.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Rage quitting teammates -> Turtling
This is right off my FB status, but anyways...
A useful skill to have in any game (particulary SC2) is to be able to know if your teammate(s) is/are likely to rage quit. Unfortunately I don't have that skill and ended up doing a 1 vs 4 which lasted for a good 20 minutes (turtling Terrans FTW!)
The game after that one, a 3 vs 3, I scouted a reaper rush coming well before it happened (why the Terran player didn't change build, I have no idea) and one of my teammates decided to completely ignore the warning. S/he got attacked first by a small army of 4 reapers and some SCV's were destroyed before I managed to chase off the reapers. Then what does my teammate do in response? Rage quit.
Eh, I can understand rage quitting in FPS or RPG but you NEVER rage quit in RTS, especially when your teammates are doing well and are trying to help you.
There's my rant of the day.
A useful skill to have in any game (particulary SC2) is to be able to know if your teammate(s) is/are likely to rage quit. Unfortunately I don't have that skill and ended up doing a 1 vs 4 which lasted for a good 20 minutes (turtling Terrans FTW!)
The game after that one, a 3 vs 3, I scouted a reaper rush coming well before it happened (why the Terran player didn't change build, I have no idea) and one of my teammates decided to completely ignore the warning. S/he got attacked first by a small army of 4 reapers and some SCV's were destroyed before I managed to chase off the reapers. Then what does my teammate do in response? Rage quit.
Eh, I can understand rage quitting in FPS or RPG but you NEVER rage quit in RTS, especially when your teammates are doing well and are trying to help you.
There's my rant of the day.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Hello world.
And happy fourth of July. I've decided to start blogging today because I have some spare time on my hands.
A typical person would start off with "As a reader, you might want to know a bit more me..." but no. I'll jump right into a topic. You'll find out what kind of person I am as you read my posts. ^^
Let's talk about robot ethics.
Many people have this fear that robots will eventually develop the capacity to destroy, or even "enslave" the human race as they are developed, enhanced, and even humanized. Media often puts a negative spin on robots by portraying them as Sentinels or Terminators. In many ways, this view of robots may be detrimental to technological progress.
First of all, we already have robots that are designed to kill humans. Even more, they are being used in a daily basis. For example, the newly developed Predator and even more recent Reaper "aerobots" (aka drones) are being used to kill insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq by the United States military. The operator, or "pilot", controls the bot which targets and destroys potential enemies while sitting in some facility a safe distance from the combat zone. These called "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles", they are still considered robots.
Maybe you were thinking of an autonomous machine, something independent of a human operator, controlled entirely by a program. Such robots are already in development. Although they may not look like the more sophisticated, android-like, stereotypical, "robots that kill people", they are equally destructive.
But lets take a look at the other side of robots. There are robots that can rescue people from dangerous situations, robots that help people in their daily lives, robots that aid in surgery, robots that beat chess masters, pet robots, and even just friendly robots that just dance. We interact them in our daily lives. In fact, you are using a robot brain to view this blog right now. Instead of executing "physical" commands, your computer is using several processing units to convert and display information on a screen. The point is, robots are shaped by us humans.
Drones with the same level of sophistication are being used to rescue people on one side of the globe while they are used to kill people on the other side. Ultimately, what a robot does depends on what it was created to do which depends on what the creator wanted. As technology continues to advance, robots that can think like humans will undoubtedly develop. Instead of fearing this technology, I believe we should embrace it and integrate robots further into our lives. Cautionary measures can be taken but labeling robots as "evil" or "harmful" will not bring us anywhere.
There's my first blog post. More to come later. I'll probably end up covering a whole bunch of different topics that are stuck in my brain.
A typical person would start off with "As a reader, you might want to know a bit more me..." but no. I'll jump right into a topic. You'll find out what kind of person I am as you read my posts. ^^
Let's talk about robot ethics.
Many people have this fear that robots will eventually develop the capacity to destroy, or even "enslave" the human race as they are developed, enhanced, and even humanized. Media often puts a negative spin on robots by portraying them as Sentinels or Terminators. In many ways, this view of robots may be detrimental to technological progress.
First of all, we already have robots that are designed to kill humans. Even more, they are being used in a daily basis. For example, the newly developed Predator and even more recent Reaper "aerobots" (aka drones) are being used to kill insurgents in Afghanistan and Iraq by the United States military. The operator, or "pilot", controls the bot which targets and destroys potential enemies while sitting in some facility a safe distance from the combat zone. These called "Unmanned Aerial Vehicles", they are still considered robots.
Maybe you were thinking of an autonomous machine, something independent of a human operator, controlled entirely by a program. Such robots are already in development. Although they may not look like the more sophisticated, android-like, stereotypical, "robots that kill people", they are equally destructive.
But lets take a look at the other side of robots. There are robots that can rescue people from dangerous situations, robots that help people in their daily lives, robots that aid in surgery, robots that beat chess masters, pet robots, and even just friendly robots that just dance. We interact them in our daily lives. In fact, you are using a robot brain to view this blog right now. Instead of executing "physical" commands, your computer is using several processing units to convert and display information on a screen. The point is, robots are shaped by us humans.
Drones with the same level of sophistication are being used to rescue people on one side of the globe while they are used to kill people on the other side. Ultimately, what a robot does depends on what it was created to do which depends on what the creator wanted. As technology continues to advance, robots that can think like humans will undoubtedly develop. Instead of fearing this technology, I believe we should embrace it and integrate robots further into our lives. Cautionary measures can be taken but labeling robots as "evil" or "harmful" will not bring us anywhere.
There's my first blog post. More to come later. I'll probably end up covering a whole bunch of different topics that are stuck in my brain.
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