In session, Fall 08!

Finally the fall semester is here. There I was all summer taking pre-requisite classes just itching to get the real program started. Things have started fast, and I’m already behind. How does that happen? I’ll be caught up again by Sunday night. I gotta sit up and pay attention!

I’m in 5 classes.
Renewable Energy Installation – hands on installation and design work. Great stuff.
Renewable Energy Applications – look at how energy is produced and consumed in the US. Come up with ideas to do it right.
AC Electricity – lecture, computer learning in electricity lab, hands on lab work.
Renewable Energy Instrumentation – how to know what the system is doing, and how to track it
The NEC (National Electric Code) – ok this one is brutal. 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM two nights a week.

here's a sample from the NEC:
Document Scope: 90.2 Scope. (A) Covered. This Code covers the installation of electrical conductors, equipment, and raceways; signaling and communications conductors, equipment, and raceways; and optical fiber cables and raceways for the following: (1) Public and private premises, including buildings, structures, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating buildings... try reading that for 2000 pages. Zzzzz...

The driest material on the planet. The instructor is older than Moses and unfortunately challenged by it. Did I mention deaf yet?

Here is a typical Q&A session:
Old teacher: "What?"
college student: "Well, uhh, what if, like you know, what if you like needed, like, more current?"
Old teacher: "Need more what?"
college student: "Current"
Old Teacher: "Yes, 2008. You need to use the current 2008 regulations."
college student: "No, like you know, more amplitude."
Old Teacher: "No you don't study amplifiers."
college student: "Huh?"
Old teacher: "What?"

I can tell already, I won’t have time to audit a Spanish class or get into welding, diesel engine classes, or take advantage of a giant lathe in a woodworking shop. I am hoping that they will have a weekend crane operator workshop again.

And I know, 4 excellent classes out of 5 is pretty good. And I am psyched, to, you know, be like, Dude, studying again.