While Waiting...

[x_maker]

For a backwards, butt-end of civilization example of a town, this place really isn't too bad. I can get a good enough cellular signal on the PDA to network out, so waiting for Dani to finish all her legal stuff here isn't the torture it seemed at first.

Next semester's schedule looks... wait. This is not the schedule I saw before I left. Mr. Summers? Why am I taking Phys. Ed? I didn't sign up for Phys. Ed. And why is there no teacher listed? Is this a joke?

And it appears I've been transferred up into Mr. Dayspring's history class. AND humanities? AND English composition? AND Music 201? Not a practical class to be seen! Well, except for the Flight class with Mr. al-Rashid. Looking forward to that one.

Dr. McCoy, PLEASE tell me that you've got something interesting for my independent science work.

Comments

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's the one I'm in. If this sucks like Phys Ed before with the stupid square dancing, I'm just saying? I don't dance.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

So long as we're not having to share showers.

Oh man. This is going to take some time in the shop to work on. I just realized that I can't run.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

You can't run? What? How's that work?

Or not work, or whatever?

No sharing showers. I'll just shower up here in a bathroom with a door I can lock, thanks.

... dude, is your leg waterproof?

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I take the electronic modules off when I shower. The motors are sealed, as are the shock absorbing pistons, and all the bushings and gears are stainless steel and aluminum. But still, it's why I use the graphite stuff.

And no, I can't run. I haven't even TRIED in the past year and a half.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

You could've stopped at "I take off the electronic parts." and it'd have made much as much sense.

You haven't had to run anywhere? Suck.

You are definitely...

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

going to want to fix that.

Take it as a challenge - model your artificial foot like a human one, but one that outperforms it in all particulars. For a guy of your supposed genius that should be doable, no?

I heard you were good with design work. Think you can have blueprints and a bill of materials in my office in, say, a week or two? Let me know ASAP.

And as far as the rest of it goes - you can be the best engineer in the world - and if what your file says is true you just might be it - but if you can't write, can't communicate, and can't relate to the Pointy-Hairs or to anyone who doesn't share your set of gifts, then you're nothing at all.

However - having said that - don't stop mocking the liberal-arts types. Keeps them humble.

Salaam,
Haroun al-Rashid, BS, MS AeroEng.

Re: You are definitely...

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

I don't do blueprints or schematics for my prosthetics. Don't see the need. Normal people don't write themselves notes every time they tie their shoes.

And are you and Dr. McCoy teaming up on the whole "must learn the liberal arts" speech? I think I avoided being cashiered into his drama class by the skin of my teeth.

*sighs*

[x-jetstream.livejournal.com]

You really should. Because while you may not see the need, any future supervisors of yours will definitely see the need. Because while you may be All That on your own, a well-funded R&D department can probably out-think, out-document, and out-produce you any day. If you give them specs and schematics, then they can take those as a starting point and evolve the design from there rather than committing butchery on your beloved designs.

You ever hear of evolutionary design theory?

I think mine is up to about four volumes at this point. About five thousand or so pages of notes, not counting the blueprints themselves.

And while I haven't talked to Dr McCoy about it directly, the fuzzball speaks Truth. You may think they are a complete waste of time, and in some (OK, many) cases I may even agree with you.

But they're mandatory for a _reason_. We're not just yanking your chain here - McCoy himself has extensive work experience out in the Real World, and I've got some as well. We're telling you _what works_ because we've seen it, we've used it, and we know firsthand.

Salaam,
Haroun

Re: *sighs*

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

There we have a fundamental difference of opinion. I don't plan to HAVE any supervisors. Nor do I really enjoy the idea of sharing my designs. Going down that road leads to adulterations and the backbone of the Korean knockoff/piracy market.

And a well-funded R&D department is, after all, only human. Not even a fair contest.

But point taken about the humanities courses. If I'm going to be making a living off of my genius in the future, I'm going to have to generalize when it comes to that stuff. As much as I like the concept of specialization, it seems that from what I've been reading, that winds up lumping you into a specific limited role. No one ever got to the top by being overspecialized. Lee Iacocca said that.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

...you need to run.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

You know, passing the PDA back and forth to have a conversation on the journal system when we're sitting right next to each other is as stupid as when Kyle IMs me from across the room. I probably should have brought the laptop, now that I think of it.

[x-mirage.livejournal.com]

it's even stupider when you're driving.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

That was part of the reason I created Logos, you know. Originally I had it linked into the GPS system in my dad's SUV - don't give me that look, it's perfectly okay to own an SUV - but he kept insisting I took it out because every time he'd sing along with the radio, it'd tell him to drive in circles and make insane left-hand turns.

I did that intentionally, mind you.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

Yeah, no, the Professor's not a sadistic evil sadist, is the thing, so we haven't even done square-dancing in dance class.

You know, I bet he tried to make people do square-dancing once, but the screams of psychic anguish got to be too much for him and he quit it. I should ask Kitty, she's been around long enough she might know.

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

We had to when I was in middle school, and it blew. Big square do-si-do chunks everywhere. Not fun, totally lame and why do people make us learn that stupid stuff for?

You take the dance class? Isn't that kinda, you know, for girls?

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

You think that's bad? The guy they got to teach square dancing in my middle school was some leftover hippie who took a principled stand against the concept of deodorant.

And yeah, I take dance class. I get class credit for watching my girlfriend move. You've seen my girlfriend, right?

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Duuuuuude. People who don't shower... Ugh. I'm all for people not smelling like whatever stupid trendy stinky stuff they're buying at the mall, but not showering is not cool at all.

See, if I tell you're girlfriend's hot, then I run the risk of being thrown into the lake. If I don't, then I ... run the risk of being thrown into the lake.

Dance class is still for girls and wusses. I mean, -christ-, man. Ramsey takes that. I've seen him.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

It's too cold to throw people in the lake. Besides, I have no reason to get jealous. :)

Seriously, though, dude, try and get over this wusses thing. Girls really like to dance, and if you can dance with them, that puts you a good three steps ahead of all the other guys who think dancing is for wusses.

Besides, Alison and Kurt teach the class, and I think they're physically incapable of teaching a class that isn't fun.

[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

Dance class is still for girls and wusses.

Dude, so not. Professional male dancers are buff and spend as much time working out as professional sports players, often more.

[x-forge.livejournal.com]

Wait, you-Jamie are dating Kitty, right? Computers and brains and all that genius stuff Kitty?

Interesting.

[x-crowdofone.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I still hardly believe it myself some days. :)

[x-kitten.livejournal.com]

?

I can't figure out if you think that's a good thing or a bad thing. Not that it matters, cause it's none of your business, but...

[x-rahne.livejournal.com]

Ceilidh dancing is great, though. Not that I've had a chance to do it except in school....

[x-wildchild.livejournal.com]

Ceil... that's not even a WORD, Rahne! That's random letters!

[x-rahne.livejournal.com]

'Tis a word. Promise.