The Station

The Red Magnetics

Being in a band is one of the things I miss most about Brian Hawkins circa 2002. I should start a new band, even though there's no one else around. Maybe I can convince my plant to play something. We will call ourselves The Red Magnetics. Yes, that is obviously the name of a fantastic band. Better get started on that...
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More For The Masses

More true stories from classes.

Professor: Can someone tell me the link length in this example?

Student: The link length...hmm...that would be the link length.

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Student: Are you going to post a practice test on the class website?

Professor: There's a class website?

No, there is no website for my statistics course. How did these people get into college?
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Trick Question

Yesterday, I recieved an email from Rolls-Royce asking to complete an online survey so that I might be considered for an interview. It was one of those, "What would people say about you regarding..." or "What would you do in this situation..." kind of tests. Usually, I can identify the correct answer, but I tried to be honest. However, the question below bothered me.

Now, certainly in my life there has been a time in which I failed at something. Everyone has failed at something, right? Well, not Jesus. Anyway, I really had to think about this one. The way I see it, there should only be two possible responses: True, False.

If the question were instead, "Do you usually fail at things you attempt?" then the listed responses would be appropriate. However, their use of the word "never" makes this a true/false question.

So I debated for a few seconds (the test was timed). What are they looking for? The question as it was written doesn't really tell the employer anything, so perhaps they meant the other question, which I stated above. Then again, maybe this is a test of answer consistency and I'm supposed to logically deduce that there are only two valid responses. What to do?

In the end, I answered the question as it is stated with the only possible honest response.
B

Bury The Chevy

My car needs to be replaced. It has a cracked head gasket which is allowing coolant to enter the cylinder. Obviously, water in a place where there is supposed to be fire is not a good thing. For the car's age, mileage, and condition, I can't justify the expense of repair.

Fortunately, since I don't really need a car until winter, I have a month or so to look for a good buy. Maybe I'll be able to get a little truck again. Nothing special, just something to keep me moving until I get a job.

I can't wait until I'm working. With the job fair and interviews, I'm very excited. I'll be able to get an old house to fix, a big truck to drive, and maybe a motorcycle, too. Yes, grad school is almost completely off the table at this point.
B

Another ME 445 Tale

Here's another story from the robotics class.

My professor gets very upset when people come late. This happened two weeks ago. A student (I'll call him Bob) walks in five minutes late.

Professor: Do you have a watch?

Bob: No, I don't. They're uncomfortable to wear

Professor: You need a watch. Don't ever be late to my class again!

(Bob sits down in the front row. Soon, another student enters. This fellow, however, has permission to come late. )

Professor: Why are you late? Wait...you're the guy that has a good excuse. Sit here (points to where Bob is sitting). Bob needs a watch, so he can find a seat in the back.

(As Bob walks to the back of the room...)

Professor: And someone back there tell Bob where he can buy a watch!

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This week Bob shows up to class not five minutes late, but twenty minutes late. We all expect the professor to throw him out of the class.

Professor: Didn't I tell you to buy a watch?

Bob: Yes, and see, I'm wearing one.

Professor: Then why are you even later this week?

Bob: Well, I knew I was five minutes late again, but I didn't want to come in late without a watch. So, I spent the next fifteen minutes downstairs asking if someone would loan me their watch.

(Students laugh hysterically)

Professor: (Big smile on his face) That's so messed up, I'm not even going to punish you!

I like school.
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Fun Times In ME 445

On the first day of class of a new school year at the state university, students take their seats in a large lecture hall. The professor arrives, and before he begins his lecture, he places a tennis ball on a pedestal near his podium. He never touches the ball or even explains its purpose. This continues well into the second week of classes, when a student falls asleep mid-lecture. Seeing the offending student, the professor picks up the tennis ball and hurls it, striking the student on the forehead. The next lecture the tennis ball is replaced by a baseball. No one else falls asleep all semester.

One of several amusing stories courtesy of my robotics professor. That guy is awesome.
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