Geek on Two Wheels

Upon a much, much closer look, it has become apparent to me that my latest compilers assignment doesn’t actually involve coding some complicated piece of a compiler-compiler chain. Indeed, part 1 of the assignment does not involve coding at all, if I so choose.

Although there is programming involved in part 2, it is adding new features to the previous assignments, and does not involve too much. As for part 3, it’s MIPS assembly, which is, well, different.

This vast difference between my expectations and actual requirements have put my brain into a state of absolute confusion. I am currently experiencing a surprisingly strong urge to start writing C++ code, yet I am also very much aware that there is no need for any code at all until I reach part 2.

There is only one possible solution to this dilemma: I’m going to bed.

So, wearing my flector band to reduce the chance of being ran over by a car while crossing the Hastings/Kensington intersection didn’t exactly work.

First, a white van cut me off. Okay, I was still a good ten feet away, so it wasn’t exactly cutting me off. However, seconds after, the grey Matrix next in line proceeded to make the same turn, without stopping, driving by, literally, three feet in front of me. On the plus side, he did actually see me after he had sped up and slowed down to apologize. On the down side, well, I almost got ran over, again.

At this point, I’m confused more than anything.

The intersection is well lit. And, although I had originally theorized that my silhouette is not clear due to a dark background, that didn’t seem too plausible when I looked back at the intersection from the other side. Despite my noticing that the reflector does not work too well under lightning with a yellow hue, I was spotted perfectly fine by another car making a left some blocks later, in an area that is clearly less lit than Hastings.

Next time, I’m bringing my red blinker as well, and, if that doesn’t work, I’m going to bring a flash light and shine it directly at the driver’s face. Failing that, well, I’m crafty with electronics…

Here’s a interesting statistics for you: for every time that I’ve walked home, alone, at night from the Hastings/Kensington bus stop, I have almost been hit by a car at the above intersection.

Seriously, what the fuck?

The two times that I’ve walked home at night from that bus stop, I was almost hit by a left-turning car both times. Yes, it is true that my jacket is black, and I wear dark-coloured pants. I will also accept that I may be hard to see despite the intersection being fully lit and the fact that I was, at one point, in the path of the headlight of the vehicles that almost hit me. So, at least the first time around, I’m not going to claim that I am free of all faults.

However, in tonight’s incident, there were two other people walking directly behind me, both of whom were carrying umbrellas. Not see the guy in the black jacket? Fine. But how the bloody fuck do you miss a group of three people crossing a lit intersection, while heading in their direction?!

Had I not been cautious due to the previous incident, I would surely be, at best, interviewed for a police report, and, at worst, spending the night in a hospital. Juding from the fact that one of the other two walkers bumped into me when I stopped, I’m fairly certain that they would have at least walked into the side of the car.

From now on, I’m wearing my reflective band when walking home at night. I’d also like to carry a bazooka around so I can teach the fucker a lesson if it ever happens again, but I’m sure the law frowns upon things like that.

Lots of thanks to the bus driver that did not totally give us a ride with our bikes in the bus which was not in any way actually off-service at the time.

You rock!

This is just too awesome not to be posted.

Also, check out the Derek’s other photography as well. I’m absolutely loving it.

There has been too much geeking and not enough biking lately.

To alleviate this problem, I am going to Whistler tomorrow for the closing weekend.

Mmm… Whistler…

• When the assignment due date you wrote down seems suspect, do double check it before the week that you think it’s due.
• When switching from C++ to C, remember that C is lazy.
• References in bound-dead-tree form are good
• Having references in general is good
• Web references are sometimes not so good
• manpages downright suck if you don’t know what you’re looking for
• C != C++
• When starting assignments early, try to do it for not just one class
• Start taking care of coop early, like, half-a-year before you want to start working early
• It’s only the beginning of week 5 — better shape up, or I am beyond fucked
• My desk-setup is good for my back and wrists, but not at all for my neck