First day of work back in Cedar Rapids.  Despite having left just 10 months ago, I couldn't even log into a computer when I returned.  In fact, nothing worked at all.  It wasn't until 2:00 pm I was able to log onto a computer.  But I wasn't able to access anything else.  Not the most productive first day, but I expect that the first week is usually spent working out the IT kinks.

   This is the warning buzzer on the Pünkerjüker.  On Thursday, the buzzer decided it would make noise as long as the key was in the ignition.  PJ has a lot of electrical problems, so this didn't surprise me.  I had initially hoped to pull the fuse to the buzzer, but that fuse also controlled the break lights.  So I took apart the dash and found the buzzer module, and removed it.  PJ is much quieter now.

   Last exam on Wednesday, commencement Friday, move to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the summer today, and start work on Monday.  This is starting to becoming routine—I did the same thing in August of 2009—and I kinda like it.
   My morning started at about 5:45 am as I awoke too excited to sleep any longer.  Wednesday evening I drove to Madison to again borrow Xiphos's tuck, the Pünkerjüker.  Expecting rain, I only loaded the wood I would need for my work bench on Friday night.  This morning I loaded everything else.  I had budgeted two hours for this, but was done pretty early—I don't require a lot.  The rain had been forecast for sometime after 1:00 pm for Cedar Rapids, so I was hoping my earlier arrival would let me miss the rain.  While there were a lot of clouds in the sky, it really didn't rain much—mostly sprinkles, with a little rain shortly after Dubuque.  By the time I reached the apartment complex, there was no rain.  I arrived and had my paperwork done around 11:30 am, and by 3:30 pm I was setting at my fully constructed bench in a fully unpacked apartment.  Internet came shortly thereafter.  My provider, MediaCom, whom I've had twice at this apartment complex, and twice at two other addresses in Cedar Rapids has some new system in place that cost me $125 for install, and $65/month—a significant increase from the $45 I was paying last year.  Since I living in an apartment complex, I don't have a choice about my ISP, and it's amazing what they can get away with when there are no other options.
   I still had to pick up a chair, and food.  After I did that and ate, I was burned out and passed out.  But it was a productive day and everything that needed to be done was done.

   I was asked to attend commencement at U-Rock.  Unsure exactly why, I volunteered to be an usher.  Shortly before the ceremony began I was told I had a reserved seat and should go up on stage when my name was called.  I was unexpectedly presented the "Hari Ram Luddhar math award" for my work on error correcting codes, linear algebra, and asking a lot of math related questions.  I was presented the award by Dr. Mark Fuller whom was my professor for my honers discrete mathematics, and differential equations courses this year.  Dr. Fuller is a fantastic professor—he knows his field extremely well, he can convey it, and he has this uncanny ability to say just a few words to answer questions you've spent hours trying to solve.  Thanks for everything Dr. Fuller!
   Pictured is Dr. Fuller and myself, taken by Zam.

   Mike and Shara at my last Denny's night coffee gathering.  Not sure when I'll be able to do one of these again.

   That's it—my last exam and I am done at UW-Rock.  Now it's time to pack for the move on Saturday.
   Birthday shout out to Zen—have a good one!
   Pictured is Maggie, barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen.  I kicked her out shortly after I took this picture—I insist on cleaning my own dishes.

   I think Angela is making her "study face" as we try prepare for our chemistry exam tomorrow evening.