Finished up the Crysis demo last night, and I must say, it felt short. Thrilling, but short. It seems like it was a single, long mission. I even got a chance to hop on one of the boats that had been shooting me and run down the other boat patrolling the waters. Now I think I am going to try to make it through on the most difficult setting, which will test my Crysis-ing skills to the max. Undoubtedly, it will be slow going, but I think the challenge will be good.
Didn't run yesterday, but didn't get enough sleep either last night, so still groggy today.
Last night's woot didn't come up until around 12:15am rather than 12am, which was strange. People were speaking of a WootOff, but it didn't happen.
Going to check out a piano after work, a Kawai 502 model, from 1995. The plan is to go running afterwards. I want to do some track/speedwork, but I don't know that I should just yet. Perhaps mile-repeats? It is abruptly cool today; the bike ride to work was actually very cold, and my nose is runny because of it, though it doesn't resemble eggs just yet.
Got more ice cream yesterday, from Green's. They've been a reliable producer of high-quality ice cream every since they arrived on the scene. They have an excellent spectrum of chocolate-like flavors, as well as fudges. I ate a good amount while waiting for the woot to show up.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Compy specs --> Crysis!
So it looks like PC build pictures may or may not ever go up. I can't get myself to dump the shots onto the computer and upload. So I suppose a spec rundown will have to suffice for now, and possibly for later too:
Core2Duo E8400 @ 3.00ghz , 1333mhz fsb
2GB DDR2 at 1066mhz, OCZ Reapers HPC
Mobo: P35 chipset, Gigabyte board
Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 4850 overclocked to 650mhz and 1200 mhz for core shader and memory clocks, though I think it may be good to lower them somewhat(will explain that in a bit).
Rosewill PSU and Case. Pretty slick case if I do say so myself.
Clocked the system to 1066mhz so that it all runs in sync, so it should do pretty decent.
Video card was originally overclocked with ATI utility to even higher specs, like 700mhz and ~1400mhz clocks, but I didn't want to push it that far. It runs at 79C at idle, so I could do w/ some better cooling solutions too. The case pushes air nicely, except there's more less a dead space under the video card, and there isn't really anywhere for the hot air to go. The case gets warm in that region when under load.
So last night I transfered some game images in preparation for the LAN on Sunday, including StarCraft and WCIII. But the real show was the Crysis demo that had finished downloading. I wanted to take the game for a spin, especially given this video card's power and the system's overall specs, I was confident that I could run the game at good resolutions and settings. Indeed, I had full 1440x900 and 4x AA, as well as all settings turned to high. The game is gorgeous. Like Cornell. It was one of the most immersing gaming experiences ever. I can't wait to get back to school to get the full version, as well as try out some other games that I've been missing out on due to my ancient 6600gt.
The AI and game scenery were probably the most impressive at this point. The enemy characters knew when someone was hurt or shot if they called out, and they rally reinforcements and move into the hills, searching for me. I could turn on stealth for limited periods of time, which allowed me to sneak past many a guard. The bushes and plants actually bend and break and move as I step on them and move through space. That was impressive. Unfortunately, my video card did crash during the game, once, which was scary, and I will be turning down my clock speeds next time. That may also mean I may need to turn down some settings, and it should be noted that since I was playing on XP, it was w/ DX9.0c, not DX10.
And though it was late, I did finish up the Reese's ice cream afterwards.
Core2Duo E8400 @ 3.00ghz , 1333mhz fsb
2GB DDR2 at 1066mhz, OCZ Reapers HPC
Mobo: P35 chipset, Gigabyte board
Gigabyte ATI Radeon HD 4850 overclocked to 650mhz and 1200 mhz for core shader and memory clocks, though I think it may be good to lower them somewhat(will explain that in a bit).
Rosewill PSU and Case. Pretty slick case if I do say so myself.
Clocked the system to 1066mhz so that it all runs in sync, so it should do pretty decent.
Video card was originally overclocked with ATI utility to even higher specs, like 700mhz and ~1400mhz clocks, but I didn't want to push it that far. It runs at 79C at idle, so I could do w/ some better cooling solutions too. The case pushes air nicely, except there's more less a dead space under the video card, and there isn't really anywhere for the hot air to go. The case gets warm in that region when under load.
So last night I transfered some game images in preparation for the LAN on Sunday, including StarCraft and WCIII. But the real show was the Crysis demo that had finished downloading. I wanted to take the game for a spin, especially given this video card's power and the system's overall specs, I was confident that I could run the game at good resolutions and settings. Indeed, I had full 1440x900 and 4x AA, as well as all settings turned to high. The game is gorgeous. Like Cornell. It was one of the most immersing gaming experiences ever. I can't wait to get back to school to get the full version, as well as try out some other games that I've been missing out on due to my ancient 6600gt.
The AI and game scenery were probably the most impressive at this point. The enemy characters knew when someone was hurt or shot if they called out, and they rally reinforcements and move into the hills, searching for me. I could turn on stealth for limited periods of time, which allowed me to sneak past many a guard. The bushes and plants actually bend and break and move as I step on them and move through space. That was impressive. Unfortunately, my video card did crash during the game, once, which was scary, and I will be turning down my clock speeds next time. That may also mean I may need to turn down some settings, and it should be noted that since I was playing on XP, it was w/ DX9.0c, not DX10.
And though it was late, I did finish up the Reese's ice cream afterwards.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Of computers, milk, and running
So it's been a few days since my previous post. (Ok more than a few.)
The computer parts did manage to come in, resulting me almost forgetting to eat as I spent an entire evening putting it together. It is now up and running, but there is one slight issue. It turns out that I don't have the right amount of ram. I only have 2gb between 2 computers. So 2 more GBs are on their way. Pictures and specs of this beast to come.
That was a few days ago. Now last night, we (9 of us) had ourselves a little race, called the milk mile. We had to drink 12oz of milk (non-skim) before each lap, and penalty lap for throwing up. So pretty intense stuff. I just want to say that Reichert was absolutely astounding. Not only could run fast (that much was obvious), he downed his cup of milk in the time it took the rest of us to take a sip or two. Personally, I needed to breathe between gulps after each lap, and I think I spent well over a minute in total just drinking the milk. My time (milk time included) came out to a 6:50, which I think is pretty decent considering I spent over a minute drinking milk and am somewhat out of running shape. Well, at least I was. Now after this mile, I feel like I'm in worse shape. It's all fun and games until someone throws up. Then it's hilarious.
Poor Gersh spewed just after the halfway point. He ended up letting it out 5 times. Then he proceeded to wipe w/ his shirt and throw his shirt away. Except it was Tim's shirt.
All told, our first (annual?) milk mile was a success. None of us showed up on time, we hardly warmed up, only one person threw up (granted, it was enough for all of us), oh and we broke the recorded world record. Reichert ran well under the world record speed, though I don't remember the time off the top of my head. Unfortunately they don't except it unless you have video evidence. Guess we'll have to organize better next year.
After 48oz of milk, I had some rice to absorb all that fluid, followed (after a while) by, the one and only, ice cream. And I was still able to drink a glass of milk this morning. What is wrong with me?
The computer parts did manage to come in, resulting me almost forgetting to eat as I spent an entire evening putting it together. It is now up and running, but there is one slight issue. It turns out that I don't have the right amount of ram. I only have 2gb between 2 computers. So 2 more GBs are on their way. Pictures and specs of this beast to come.
That was a few days ago. Now last night, we (9 of us) had ourselves a little race, called the milk mile. We had to drink 12oz of milk (non-skim) before each lap, and penalty lap for throwing up. So pretty intense stuff. I just want to say that Reichert was absolutely astounding. Not only could run fast (that much was obvious), he downed his cup of milk in the time it took the rest of us to take a sip or two. Personally, I needed to breathe between gulps after each lap, and I think I spent well over a minute in total just drinking the milk. My time (milk time included) came out to a 6:50, which I think is pretty decent considering I spent over a minute drinking milk and am somewhat out of running shape. Well, at least I was. Now after this mile, I feel like I'm in worse shape. It's all fun and games until someone throws up. Then it's hilarious.
Poor Gersh spewed just after the halfway point. He ended up letting it out 5 times. Then he proceeded to wipe w/ his shirt and throw his shirt away. Except it was Tim's shirt.
All told, our first (annual?) milk mile was a success. None of us showed up on time, we hardly warmed up, only one person threw up (granted, it was enough for all of us), oh and we broke the recorded world record. Reichert ran well under the world record speed, though I don't remember the time off the top of my head. Unfortunately they don't except it unless you have video evidence. Guess we'll have to organize better next year.
After 48oz of milk, I had some rice to absorb all that fluid, followed (after a while) by, the one and only, ice cream. And I was still able to drink a glass of milk this morning. What is wrong with me?
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
First post
First post. Here we go.
I just got back from a family vacation in China a week ago; boy was that eventful. Got sick twice, got some awesome fake and real merchandise, ate great food, and saw bunches of relatives. More on that trip to come in the form of a future post.
Right now I'm actually at the Medical Center on lunch break. I took over an empty conference room so I'd have internet during lunch. Work is finally getting more interesting again, and I have new direction from my boss. However, my lunch breaks will still be outside the lab.
Also, the parts for my new computer build are starting to arrive, so I'll probably end up posting pics and such of that before China trip pics go up. It's a pretty nice system, so get excited.
Since I've just recently gotten better, I haven't had a chance to go running yet. I went swimming at Milton Hershey on Sunday, and that was a painful experience, both because I over did it, and because I scraped my toe. Yesterday I ran into Jay at the med center, who told me that frisbee would be happening at 6pm on the med center fields that very day. So I figured, why not? It was 85 degrees, so only 4 people showed up. We ran drills. Yuck. It was still really hot, and I was pretty broken by the end of it. Rather sore hamstrings, calf, and back today.
Incidentally, more frisbee is going down this afternoon, at Shank park, with the younger crowd. Hopefully I will be able to play with less effort and not fall apart. Here's to hoping for less heat.
So that's the update on recent events. I'm done with my lunch, and I'll do a post or two or three on the vacation when I get a chance, but I'd rather be eating ice cream.
I just got back from a family vacation in China a week ago; boy was that eventful. Got sick twice, got some awesome fake and real merchandise, ate great food, and saw bunches of relatives. More on that trip to come in the form of a future post.
Right now I'm actually at the Medical Center on lunch break. I took over an empty conference room so I'd have internet during lunch. Work is finally getting more interesting again, and I have new direction from my boss. However, my lunch breaks will still be outside the lab.
Also, the parts for my new computer build are starting to arrive, so I'll probably end up posting pics and such of that before China trip pics go up. It's a pretty nice system, so get excited.
Since I've just recently gotten better, I haven't had a chance to go running yet. I went swimming at Milton Hershey on Sunday, and that was a painful experience, both because I over did it, and because I scraped my toe. Yesterday I ran into Jay at the med center, who told me that frisbee would be happening at 6pm on the med center fields that very day. So I figured, why not? It was 85 degrees, so only 4 people showed up. We ran drills. Yuck. It was still really hot, and I was pretty broken by the end of it. Rather sore hamstrings, calf, and back today.
Incidentally, more frisbee is going down this afternoon, at Shank park, with the younger crowd. Hopefully I will be able to play with less effort and not fall apart. Here's to hoping for less heat.
So that's the update on recent events. I'm done with my lunch, and I'll do a post or two or three on the vacation when I get a chance, but I'd rather be eating ice cream.
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