3621

No classes today--first Friday in a long time that that has happened. Did a mini-workout on my own. Also had a big lunch, a latte, and other nibbles. Weather has cooled quite a bit. It was chilly last night. One of the tenants here in the apartment complex moved out today. Awoke to the rumble of a large truck that he called to haul away his detritus.

Had a couple of vivid dreams. One involved a handheld electronic device that had been created by a company. They were interviewing people for programming jobs. creating applications for the device. The interview process consisted of them handing out copies of the device. There was one demonstration application on the device. As an interviewee, we were to create other applications for the unit, using the unit as needed. At first, I was totally confused. There were no help or instruction files, just the one application which seemed to count from 0 to 34 when activated. I was really frustrated as were some of the other applicants. Finally, I managed to open and view the sample application code module. With that, I was able to see how the sample application was put together and what some of its instructions could do. I made a version of the application that counted from 0 to 33 and one that counted from 0 to 35. From there, I was able to create other, more complex, example applications. I felt confident that I would be given a spot on the development team.

A second dream had me as a member of a team of people who were being trained in survival techniques. We were put through all kinds of physical and cognitive exercises. We were being pushed to the limit--there seemed to be some need for us in an upcoming operation. As we continued with our training, we became close like the members of a family. At one point, an advanced instructor took over the team training. We were pushed even harder. There was one scene where we were looking for a place to train. I pointed out that a person we knew had a large house nearby. The new instructor looked at the place but decided it wouldn't work. In a final scene we were all lumped together watching a training film and my chair collapsed and I rolled into the open space in front of the view screen. We all laughed as I untangled myself.

Watched a movie tonight--Four Days in September. It is a story of a group of Brazilian terrorists who kidnapped an American ambassador and held him captive in exchange for the governments (U.S. and Brazil) meeting a list of their demands. The film is based on some real events that took place in Brazil in the late 60s. The film is tense and action-packed, but leans a little toward making the terrorists seem human and the governments not so.