Real programmers...

...code in Notepad, without Word-wrap
...use only machine code
...have a wallpaper of Linux Shell commands
...have a photo of Turing in their wallet
...do not fear binary trees
...work in C only with malloc()
...regard Prolog as something trivial
...laugh in the face of a Segfault
...fear daylight
...know the entirety of Javadoc by heart
...do not use GOTO statements
...are unfamiliar with the term FOR
...manage to write 5 pages of design & specification by hand, without losing their right-hand motor skills
...know every UNICODE code of every symbol.

That's how we roll...

The Console

Strictly speaking, there comes a time in any student's life when improvement in a certain area is required. In my case, I needed more C# an DB! Below is a brief transcript of what happened during one of the "scarcely numerous" improvement sessions.

A room full of people: 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, etc. The projection device turns on; right-click>>open>>the slide-show appears.

MainStudent (09:00 pm): Ok, so how many of you know what a console is?
EntireRoom (09:01 pm): ...
MS (09:05 pm): Oookay... (proceeds to displaying a console on the laptop)

*entire room gasps in awe*

MS (09:06 pm): So this here is a console. Alright, let's move on to more interesting stuff... How many of you know what OOP, UML, MVC, DML and PDF stand for?
ER (09:07 pm): ...
MS (09:15 pm): Mkay, so today we are going to discuss the intricacies of the C# language (tm). This requires that you know all the above and that you have worked with tables before. Anyone here familiar with the notion of Primary Key?

(2-3 hands are raised)

MS (09:20 pm): Excellent! So, what I'm about to do is, create a web app that generates an interface for connecting to the db server using a c# script which, in turn, is embedded in a derivated class. By the end of this tutorial, you will have learned the basics of the C# language (sans tm): classes, polymorphism, accessors, repositories and other cool stuff!

(proceeds to whipping up a relevant example)

MS (11:30 pm): Oookay, so here it is! With this, you can connect to a db via asp.net and have your very own web page! Hurray!

(a slow clap is heard from the room)

MS (11:40 pm): Thank you very much! Next time we will discuss more interesting stuff! But I won't get into details! See you next time!

A brief essay on stereotypes

Human society - the conglomerate of individuals, has evolved to the point at which it has forged a handful of stereotypes. They "dictate" the behaviour of the 21st century human race, through communication channels such as the new media (Internet). Of these "role-models" I shall enumerate three: the Soldier, the Thinker and the Outcast.

The most violent and imposing of all, is the Soldier. Who/ what is this stereotype about? An offshoot of the Rebel, the soldier spreads forth the powerful presence of Justice - be it fair or unfair. "It" possesses not knowledge but blind ambition. At a more sophisticated level, a Soldier has one opinion, which is the best and he attempts to promote it, in his social group, as the only valuable one. Examples can be seen throughout society, ranging from the omnipotent action-hero to the lesser bully.

The opposite end of the spectrum is represented by the Thinker. Every movie has one: the person with the Idea, the Solution and, why not, the Lab Coat. This stereotype promotes the assimilation of information and withdrawal from any form of conflict, mainly because "it" is the downgrade of the Genius. At a more particular level, the Thinker accepts the opinions of many but, after an elaborate period of thinking, spews out only one. The stereotype can be observed in any form of media that features a large group of people [friends], especially teen movies.

As a sole bearer of the hybris, the Outcast has been expelled from society. This happens due to the inability of becoming one of the aforementioned stereotypes. "It" harbors both the solitude of the Genius and the ignorance of the Rebel. As such, "it" cannot bear an opinion (no one is willing to listen or they are too dumb to listen). Movies like Domino or Waterworld illustrate perfectly the position of the Outcast with respect to the Society.

To sum up, modern day society has provided us with three choices: we can choose to impose ourselves, to seek refuge in thought or to leave it altogether. The path we choose depends solely upon us.

The the

Yet another brief excerpt from my twisted mind:

The road not taken.
The time wasted.
The sights seen.
The pictures taken.
The world not understood.
The opportunities not grasped.
The bad things done.
The good things done.
The projects accomplished.
The art created.
The mind is one. Use it wisely. Let it slip once in a while. But once slipped off the edge, don't forget to come back to reality.

Meanwhile...

Amu' o dam pa aia cu meanwhile...

Vorba vine...

E vineri, deci, implicit, si programare pe Linux + cafea. Dar azi, spre deosebire de celelalte zile cu programari pa Linux, mai este si un jurnal. N-am mai scris de mult pe aici. Timpul nu mi-a permis. S-a scumpit (timpul). Nu imi mai permit sa fac (cu el) ce faceam in liceu: adica sa ma duc sa fotografiez diverse, sa stau pe DevaArt et al.

Plus ca, din 5 intra sesiunea: 3 examene practice + 1 colocviu + 4 examene scrise. Vorba lui John Lennon: "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans..."

Asa ca, acestea fiind spuse, ma intorc in conul de umbra (ma cheama inapoi). Pe curand, (whenever that might be)...

Breaking News: E cod galben.

'80

O scurta joaca cu o poza s-a transformat in incercarea de a simula acele pictoriale optzeciste din "almanahe", ce infatisau "faurirea drumului catre progres al Republicii". Ce a iesit, vedeti mai jos:

Oh, the joy...

So, I'm sitting here, waiting for the coffee to kick in... Admit it. You love coffee. The scent of roasted beans ignites your every fiber. The sheer euphoria you get from one sip cannot be matched by anything (that is, of course, if you aren't addicted to chocolate). Fifteen minutes later, the world is your oyster. Every effort is trivial. Every thought is coherent. Programming an ADT is child's play.

However, this precious liquid generates addiction. Every impulse comes under its control. You cannot fight it. Its grasp is tight... The horizon narrows. The energy is drained. Headaches kick in. You feel powerless. Random thoughts occur... Then you go for the second cup...

Fortunately, my journey into the glorious world of coffee stops with the first cup. If there truly is a national emergency, I go for the second. Fortunately, that has happened only once so far.

As far as the issue of photography goes, I'm (still) waiting for the snow to melt so that I can shoot something other than railway spikes and bridges. For those of you that do not know, yes I shoot trains (hah!) and other railway-related items. A sample is provided below (this is a photo blog, after all):

So, this pretty much sums up my winter-time-photo-related activities. As far as faculty (college) goes, I finally got the scholarship I was aiming for, thus making this semester more "relaxed-in-approach". But, as one would put it: "You may have won the battle, but the war isn't over yet." - One.

RO: Mama, ce skin oranj albastru mi-am tras. Ala vechi s-a pierdut pe vecie. Asa ca, va recomand sa va puneti ochelarii de soare inainte de a citi.

So, in essence, semester 2 of faculty makes semester 1 seem trivial. For those who are not yet accustomed to life in a 16-bit nutshell (also known as attending a Computer Science-ish faculty), here are some excerpts from the things I have gathered inside my skull for the past few weeks:

-> It is safe to assume that Computer Science implies a high amount of mathematics (Algebra, Analysis, Dynamic Systems and what not...). Also, in this manner, it is safe to assume that Computer Sceince implies a lot of programming (Pascal, Assembly, C++, and other well known letters of the English alphabet). Naturally, around 10% of the above will actually serve a purpose later on.

-> Google is your friend!!2!! Most of what is taught in faculty can be found in one form or another on the Internet.

-> Coffee is of paramount importance. I, for one, never leave home without a sip. Works well during rainy days and during afternoon seminars.

-> There always is room for worse. Just when you thought the exam session is over, the second one comes knocking at the door (I am referring here to the "mark-increasing-session"; I guess it has something to do with the Bologna system).

And, alas, there are other things to be told about the glorious life of a student in the glorious nation of RO, but on another, less formal, occasion.

The Old Town

Din motive de skin bleu, daca nu vedeti pozele full, incercati sa dati click pe ele. Senchiu.

Anul trecut (prin 26 Decembrie mai exact) am fost la o scurta plimbare prin oras. M-am gandit sa vizitez "partea veche" a orasului intrucat nu mai fusesem acolo de foarte multa vreme. Ce am reusit sa capturez se vede mai jos:

Vechi si nou: zidul cetatii si o cladire recent terminata.

La fel si aici (practic aceeasi poza luata din alt unghi).

Vedere inspre Facultatea de Drept. Mai demult, era o casa pe colt dar a fost demolata, se pare. Tot pe colt, pare a fi o urma de poarta in zid.

O vedere de mai aproape cu zidul. Pe alocuri a fost ranforsat pentru a se evita caderile de pietre.

Piata Universitatii, vazuta dinspre Librarie. Aici s-a incheiat si micul tur al partii vechi a Clujului. Motivul pentru care eu ii spun "The Old Town" este acela ca aceasta parte pastreaza cel mai bine aerul medieval al Clujului de odinioara: urme de ateliere si depozite, (foste) porti si creneluri, ulite pavate (mai nou).

That's it for now. Mai multe, cand gasesc material si o pauza intre examene.

Sesiune?

Din ciclul: E greu sa gasesti un mix bun.

FP+BMC/AC sau (ALG+ANL)mod BMC? , maine incepe oficial sesiunea!!111!1!111!1one -> 5 examene in 3 saptamani cu stive, maturi si First Order Predicate Logic!!1!11!11 C'est une situation sans espoir.

Sper ca dupa sesiune sa ies la facut de poze ca deja ma tampesc efectiv in casa asta. sa mai dau pe afara la facut de poze, caci m-am plictisit de atata 010110110110 si FFh. Capu' meu este ceva de genu:

mov ah,09h
mov dx,offset ent
int 21h
mov ah,09h
mov dx,offset msg2
int 21h
mov ah,09h
mov dx,offset ent
int 21h
[...] Si algebra.

Ca tot incepu anu asa brusc, mi-am propus niste rezolutii:

1) Sa continui seria cu Romania in HDR / Hills of Romania
2) Sa fac un calendar pe 2011 (sigur nu il termin, dar asa ca si Concept merge)
3) Sa ma ocup de grupul http://romanianature.deviantart.com/

Sper sa respect 1). 3) sigur. 2) pending - poate cand e soare.

Asadar, pana pe 7, se da liber la carte.

endif. Am zis!!!

2009

M-am gandit, in vacanta fiind, sa fac o retrospectiva photo a anului 2009, din punctul meu de vedere. Cu alte cuvinte, in acest post gasiti ce a insemnat anul 2009 pentru mine, din ianuarie pana in decembrie minus iunie.

Ianuarie

Pentru mine, 2009 a inceput cum nu se poate mai bine: cu un photo session. Mai jos aveti o poza cu E60, langa Paniceni, facuta pe data de 01/01/09. Afara, cred ca erau vreo -7 grade, suficient cat sa se descarce bateria :D

Februarie

In Februarie, vremea a fost ceva mai blanda dar nu destul de blanda incat sa se poata poza. Lipsa de vegetatie si culoare a insemnat mai multe poze "artistice" in alb-negru.

Martie

Martie a fost, iarasi, o luna de stat in casa, cu mentiunea ca a nins :), compesandu-se astfel lipsa de zapada din timpul iernii.

Aprilie

Mult peisaje nu am pozat in Aprilie, aceasta fiind "luna macro-urilor" :) Cu alte cuvinte, florile au fost subiectul acestei luni.

Mai

In Mai, odata cu apropierea BAC-ului, cantitatea de poze pe metru patrat a inceput sa scada. Tot ce am reusit sa fac in Mai a fost o excursie spre satul Gheorghieni, situat la vreo 6-7 km de Cluj; de aici vine si numele cartierului Gheorghieni.

Iunie

Nu. In Iunie nu am facut poze deloc. Dat fiind faptul ca la sfarsitul lunii era BAC-ul, fotografia a intrat pe planul doi.

Iulie

Adevarata distractie a inceput in Iulie cand vremea a permis niste panorame (atmosfera era inca clara). Mai jos este Clujul vazut de deasupra Realului (zona Industriala) precum si muntii Gilaului in departare.

August

Cu vacanta in plina desfasurare si scapat de inscrieri si examene, m-am dus pana la Sighisoara, intrucat vizitasem orasul doar in Noiembrie si eram curios sa vad cum arata acesta vara. Asadar, Sighisoara vazuta din cetate.

Septembrie

Cele doua saptamni in plus de vacanta din Septembrie au insemnat mai multe poze si, deci, mai multi km parcursi. Ce se vede mai jos este o portiune din Cojocna si calea ferata ce leaga Apahida de Campia Turzii.

Octombrie

In ciuda inceperii facultatii, tot am reusit sa "deturnez" cateva weekenduri pentru a merge la fotografiat. Ceea ce m-a surprins cel mai mult a fost ninsoarea de la sfarsitul lunii, care parea sa anunte o iarna lunga.

Noiembrie

Noiembrie a fost o luna absolut comuna, cu nici o intamplare deosebita. Dintre expeditiile facute, am decis sa o prezint pe cea facuta langa Aghires-Fabrici. Motivul? Peisajul a fost superb (o parte buna din deal este pe post de balastiera).

Decembrie

Si, iata-ne ajunsi in Decembrie, de departe cea mai aglomerata luna. Timpul a trecut foarte repede. Atat de repede, incat am resuit sa merg doar prin Faget.

Cam atat pentru anul asta. Promit ca la anu' voi veni cu mai multe poze, mai mult text (not!) si un blog mai activ. Ca si cu orice "resolution" de Anu' Nou, sper sa respect macar jumatate din ea :)

3x Feleacu

Din ciclul: "E greu mult soare sa indure, ciupearca cruda de padure...":

Am fost pe Feleac weekendu trecut sa fac niste poze la ce se mai intampla prin natura asta minunata. Din motive enumerate mai sus (adica imi e aboslut lene la ora asta sa bag mai multe poze), m-am zgarcit la numai 3 poze. Nu dati vina pe mine. Dati vina pe faculta si recuperari de cursuri, seminarii, etc. Oricum, iarna asta, dupa/inainte de Craciun o sa fac o excursie mai mare si poate ca voi posta mai multe poze.

Apropo, trebuie sa ma apuc de lucrul la un rezumat photo pe anul asta...

Anyway, revenind la subiect. 3 ore. 3 poze care merita postate (randament absolut superb). Locul de unde am facut pozele este fosta livada de meri (si mai nou macesi) de pe Feleac (de la capatul lui 32 in sus). Mai jos este punctul in care se termina livada si incepe padurea de brazi, cea care se vede fix inainte sa intri in comuna Feleac.

Aici avem o parte din Cluj (Gheorghieni si Marasti) vazuta de deasupra livezii.

Iar aici o poza cu... livada!!! Ma rog, partea care se continua spre colonia Borhanci (si satul Gheorghieni).

Asta a fost. Nu e cine stie ce, dar parca s-a mai improspatat putin blogul... miroase a fresh...

A short one...

A Higgs-Boson walks into a church, the priest says "We don't allow Higgs-Bosons in here.". The Higgs-Boson says "But without me how can you have mass?"

I think this pretty much sums it up. The interpretations are endless.

HDR-uri pe ziua de azi

Doua la numar:

-> 1. HDR langa Boju

 















-> 2. HDR intre Boju si Cojocna

La Agârbiciu

In cautarea de noi teritorii pentru fotografiat, am poposit si pe la Agarbiciu, un sat aflat langa Capusu-Mare (cum vii dinspre Oradea pe partea dreapta, opus drumului spre Aghires). Probabil cel mai interesant aspect al calatoriei a fost faptul ca peisajul era partial acoperit de zapada, din cauza "vremii" de octombrie.

Zona este de tip submontan, de aici incepand Muntii Gilaului (drumul pe care am fost, ducea mai departe spre Rasca). Cel mai bine se vede in panorama finala cum sta treaba.

Luni

Lunea la faculta: 2xCurs + 2xSeminarii. Am stat de vorba cu Emisfera Dreapta (partea aia care se ocupa de integrale) si am cazut de acord ca Analiza si Algebra in aceeasi zi e prea mult. Asadar, in timp ce scriu aceste randuri, ma delectez cu ce a mai ramas din cafeaua ce-am baut-o azi de dimineata (cam 1/2 ceasca).

Doruri

Deci. Stau si ma uit pe geam si se aude Aria Urbana in surdina. Si ce ma gandesc? Daca tot e URBANA, de ce sa nu creez ceva urban? Bun. Caut prin Lightroom tralalalala si dupa 5 minute gasesc: Grigorescu si Manastur vazute din Hoia. Un pic de alb-negru, un pic de font cu less opacity si BUM!

La Leghia

Se spune ca: "Life is a journey not a destination." In cazul meu, "Leghia was a journey, not a destination". Avand mult (a se citi FOARTE MULT) timp liber, m-am gandit sa merg in zona Leghia-Aghires-Paniceni sa fac niste poze acum, la inceput de septembrie. Timingul a fost destul de rau intrucat am prins una din zilele alea cu frig de la inceputul toamnei (restul zilelor fiind undeva intre 25 grade si 15 grade).



Cam asa arata locul dintr-o panorama de 4 poze. In dreapta se vede satul Leghia. Vremea era destul de urata, motiv pentru care panorama nu este una prea grozava.

Motion

As previously stated, I like to experiment. Happening to be in Turkey (due to absolutely random reasons) I was persuaded by my friends to take some photos of them playing in the sand (the kind of playing a 20-year-old would do). The location of the shooting is an island off the coast of Turkey, near Kusadasi.

Having arrived home, I stitched the babies up a bit in Lightroom and transformed them into a double-70's-like photo montage. Not exactly the most retro thing around but hey, it can still bring back some memories of a long, forgotten summer.

Regarding the continuity of such experiments I am a bit skeptical. Due to the fact that autumn is knocking at our door, I think I'll spend the last month before university doing some landscape shots (until the cold comes in November).

Singularity

I like to experiment. Thus, I've come across an old camera lens system. Thankfully, attaching it to my Finepix s5800 worked almost like a charm. Here are some shots taken with a Fujifilm Finepix s5800 + super macro lens:

1. Geranium stamen



2. Tomato slice