Mood:

*gasp* David's back!!!! Yes, I know....its been a while since I've written in here and quite frankly, I don't think I'll keep this xanga past this semester at the latest. My recent posts have been political so this post is not going to be political...lol.

*disclaimer, this entry is very long so if you don't like to read then don't bother...lol*

As most people know, I am a first year computer science graduate student at North Carolina A&T State University (whew). Its been 2 months so far and academic wise, its been going pretty well. So far I have an A in my Wireless Sensor Network class, a B in my Advanced Operating Systems class, and I think I have an A in my Network Security class...lol. He hasn't posted my grades yet because I had to re-submit my homework. While I'm only taking 3 classes (an undergraduate dream)...it aint like I have nothing to do, this is graduate school afterall. For example, I have two programming assignments in Advanced OS, a semester long final project in Wireless Sensor Networks in which I have to read 3 papers (thankfully they're not more than 10 pages), write a 6-7 page paper and make a 30 minute presentation at the end of the semester. In addition to that I have to do research with my advisor. Actually, my research is pretty interesting. Im learning how to conduct various network attacks like wardriving, eavesdropping, cracking the WEP key on a router, MAC spoofing, ARP Cache Poisoning, and Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. I've actually already done all of them except for DoS attacks so I guess I'm officially a hacker.... The point is to create different labs for each of the attacks in order to teach them in the classroom. To know how to defend against an attack, you have to know how to do it. In fact, part of my research will focus on defensive techniques against wireless attacks. Our department head, Dr. Dozier, is really trying to strengthen the CS department and get the Ph.D program started so he's making all the new grad students publish at least 3 papers by the time they graduate. Publishing papers makes you more credible in your field and also can bring in more money to your school in grants as well as helps in writing a thesis/dissertation. Now, I'm not getting my Ph.D () but I'm glad Dozier is trying to push us to compete more in a global economy.



Ok, I lied...I will talk about politics....just a little..LOL

Speaking of economy, that $700 billion bailout package passed in Congress and Bush signed it into law. To be perfectly honest, I don't know how to feel about all this. I understand that not doing ANYTHING could possibly put us in a depression but dang, why does we, the tax payer, have to bail out greedy banks and corporations who don't use good business practices? It seems to me that there had to have been some alternative way to do this. And what made me mad was the fact that some law makers put "sweeteners" aka PORK BARREL SPENDING for stupid stuff like "children's wooden arrows", stock car race tracks, or cutting taxes for Puerto Rican rum or some mess like that.... This is why people don't trust the government anymore...instead of using OUR money to actually do something meaningful, they wanna use for their useless pet projects. I don't agree with John McCain on most issues but I do agree with him wholeheartedly on eliminating wasteful port spending. But whatever now, its passed so we'll just have to pray that this will somehow fix SOMETHING.

Now about that massac....I mean.....debate yesterday between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. I'm so proud of Joe Biden because he really hammered the point WITH FACTS (although some were kinda stretched) about why Barack Obama is perfect for leading our nation. I will concede that Sarah Palin did well but she only did well at reciting memorized talking points that McCain campaign TOLD her to say. She looked like a freaking robot out there. The one part of the debate that was the most memorable to me was when he talked about being a single dad after his wife and daughters died in a car accident. That REALLY hit home for me because my dad is a single dad raising FIVE boys (well...4 because I'm grown..lol) by himself and doing a DARN good job at it!!! I kinda hate when men never get credit for raising kids. Yes I understand that women are usually the ones left with raising the kids but what about the dads out there? What about the REAL men out there who actually take care of their children the right way? The fact that Joe Biden actually got choked up on national television is a credit to his strength. Biden seems like one of those "take no crap from anybody" kinda guy and if Obama (God forbid) died in office, I will feel a lot safer knowing that Joe Biden is in control. Sarah Palin....well, all I gotta say is she needs to go read the Constitution again about the office of Vice-President because she clearly did not know at that debate.

I've learned alot so far while I've been in Greensboro. I've realized what an emotional guy I can be, I've learned how to really rely on God to really adhere to His will. Its funny because 4 months ago, I did not think things would be the way they are now...but alas, thats just how God is. We make plans but God changes them. God has really been giving me patience because A&T is straight up getting on my nerves...at least the financial aid department. I've been in school since August 18th and still do not have my refund nor my assistantship check. Actually, the money finally cleared this week but TODAY, I looked in my account and it said CANCELLED on my tuition remission. Talk about pissed on top of pissed (sorry Jocyline, I had to use it...LOL)...I called up there and found out financial aid was given the wrong codes for the money so they cancelled it. The only "good" thing is that I'm supposed to be getting even more money than I was before. I'm not the only one going through this but it makes no sense for me to go 2 months without my money and it is HIGHLY FRUSTRATING!!! I actually have a mini afro now!!! I despise having a lot of hair but no money means no haircut! It has truly been the grace of GOD that has gotten me through these 2 months and thank Him so much for the people he has brought in my life to help me through...especially my granddad for paying my rent..lol. I know God has placed me in Greensboro for a reason so I know He will not allow me to crash and burn and that gives me confidence and faith in knowing that God, the Supreme Master of the Universe who can do what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants to...is in control. As much as I complained about A&T, its actually a really nice school. It's a very modern looking campus and they have a lot more school pride than TSU...lol. I see Aggie shirts every freaking day. They seem to have a lot of support in the community. I went to go see Tyler Perry's A Family that Preys with a friend and while we were sitting there, some random girl yelled "AGGIE PRIDE!!" and like the whole theater yelled "AGGIE PRIDE!!" back. I really wish Tennessee State University had school pride like that. I went to the first two football games and it felt weird not to actually be apart of the game..lol. It also makes me wish TSU played at Hale Stadium (the stadium on campus) instead of LP Field (the Tennessee Titans stadium). While its cool to play in a NFL stadium, its just something about playing in YOUR own stadium that feels so much more personal. Next week is homecoming so I already know its gonna be hectic. A&T's homecoming is legendary...lol.

Anyways, this entry is already super long (if you made it this far...congrats!) so I will leave you for now.

Peace up, A-town down

P.S. AGGIE PRIDE!!!.....I guess...
P.S.S. YES WE CAN!!!
P.S.S.S GO REGISTER TO VOTE AND ACTUALLY VOTE!!! LOL

I was watching CNN this morning and Roland Martin made a great point about how Democrats are ALWAYS the cause of their own downfall. He said that the Republicans know how to win...period. As much as people were talking about McCain not appealing to the conservative base, they still know how to unify their party and VOTE! Democrats are still addressing the rift between Obama and Hillary supporters and the fact that Hillary's name will be on roll call could potentially doom Obama's election. They lose too many elections where they're supposed to win. I'm not saying Obama is necessarily gonna lose but Democrats need to get it together and unify around a common theme. Obama's campaign has always been about bring people together for change but if the Democrats (mainly PUMAs) stay divided, that will undermine Obama's whole unity message. Since Dems are "liberal", that leads to a whole bunch of ideologies and platforms. At least the Repubs unite around "conservatism" (although they distort true conservatism and are often hypocritical such as McCain using the rift between Obama and Clinton for his own political gain in his recent ads). I'm really hoping this convention goes above and beyond expectation and at least gives Democrats SOMETHING to unite behind instead of being petty and selfish. I honestly think those hardcore Hillary supporters should stop being selfish, spoiled brats just because their candidate lost and think about the greater good of America instead of getting mad because they didn't get their way. If its one thing I cannot stand, its selfishness.