New Personal Best!

I was speedcubing today, and I got the amazing (for me) time of 53.88 seconds! I was videoing and everything! It was great. I added titles, plus some background music from the wonderful French artist Yelle. I took a screenshot of the cubetimer, even though I didn't use the scramble that they gave me. I suppose I'll also post the video... Blogspot won't let me save the vid here, so I'll just post the Facebook link.

P.S. Yelle, I know I used your music without permission, but it is not for financial gain, so please don't sue the poor highschooler.

~ROBO~

Boids Model for Visualbots

Alright, here is my take on the Boids model as promised:

Public SwarmRange As Range, WanderRange As Range, TimeRange As Range
Public SwarmingBugs As Integer, WanderingBugs As Integer
Private Sub World1_OnSimBegin(ByVal World As World, ByVal Bugs As Bots, ByVal Cells As Cells)
 
    World.Random.Seed = 115
    World.Screen.Bounds = vbtWalled
    World.Screen.Resize 900, 400
    World.Screen.SetScale -1800, -800, 1800, 800
    World.Screen.Color = vbBlueGray
    World.Screen.FadeRate = 0.04
    World.Screen.FadeMode = True
    Cells.Hide
 
    RandomLoop = 0
    RandomNum = World.Random.Real(-20, 20)

    Bugs.Create 100
    Bugs.Shape = vbtTadpole
    Bugs.Shape.FillColor = vbRed
    Bugs.Shape.BorderVisible = False
    Bugs.Size = 50
    Bugs.Pen.Color = vbtLightBlue
    Bugs.Pen.Width = 5
    Bugs.Pen.Down
 
    Bugs.Tags.Add "align"
    Bugs.Tags.Add "converge"
    Bugs.Tags.Add "separate"
    Bugs.Tags.Add "velocity"
    Bugs.Tags("velocity") = 1
 
    Bugs.ViewField.Radius = 150
    Bugs.ViewField.Span = 360
    Bugs.Speed = 25
 
    'define Excel ranges to store results
    Set SwarmRange = ActiveSheet.Range("Q1")
    Set WanderRange = ActiveSheet.Range("R1")
    Set TimeRange = ActiveSheet.Range("S1")
 
    ActiveSheet.Columns(SwarmRange.Column).Clear
    ActiveSheet.Columns(WanderRange.Column).Clear
    ActiveSheet.Columns(TimeRange.Column).Clear
 
    SwarmRange.Value = "SwarmingBugs"
    WanderRange.Value = "WanderingBugs"
    TimeRange.Value = "Time"

End Sub

Private Sub World1_OnSimStep(ByVal World As World, ByVal Swarm As Bots, ByVal Cells As Cells)
 
    Dim Bug As Bot
    Dim ClosestBug As Bot
    Dim Neighbors As Group
    Dim TurnDirection As Double
    Dim AngleToPoint As Double
    'Dim RandomLoop As Integer
    'Dim RandomNum As Variant
    'Dim RandomChange As Variant 'for quadratic change in RandomNum
    SwarmingBugs = 0
    WanderingBugs = 0
 
    'random number generator - change RandomNum every 500 steps
    'uncomment this block and line 130 and Dims above.
 
    'If RandomLoop >= 5 Then
    '    RandomChange = RandomChange + World.Random.Real(-20, 20)
    '    RandomNum = RandomChange + RandomNum
    '    RandomLoop = 0
    'Else
    '    RandomLoop = RandomLoop + 1
    'End If

    'gather information
    For Each Bug In Swarm
 
        Set Neighbors = Bug.GroupNear
        Bug.Tags("align") = 0
        Bug.Tags("separate") = 0
        Bug.Tags("converge") = 0
     
        If Neighbors.Count > 1 Then
            Bug.Tags("align") = Neighbors.Avg("Dir") - Bug.Dir

         
            Set ClosestBug = Bug.Closest

            If Bug.DistTo(ClosestBug) <> 100 Then
                Bug.Tags("velocity") = (Bug.DistTo(Neighbors.Centroid) + Bug.DistTo(ClosestBug) * 0.5) / 20
            Else
                If Bug.AngleTo(Neighbors.Centroid) > 300 And Bug.DistTo(Neighbors.Centroid) > 100 Then
                    Bug.Tags("velocity") = (Bug.DistTo(Neighbors.Centroid) + Bug.DistTo(ClosestBug) * 0.5) / -20
                End If
            End If
         
        End If
                         
     'count, coloring, and stray behavior
     ' - add to SwarmingBugs and WanderingBugs variables
     ' - color Bug red if alone, green if in group
     ' - if alone, make Bug turn randomly and adjust to normal speed
        If Neighbors.Count < 2 Then
            Bug.Color = vbtRed
            Bug.TurnRand -20, 20
            Bug.Speed = 25
            WanderingBugs = WanderingBugs + 1
        Else
            Bug.Color = vbtBrightGreen
            SwarmingBugs = SwarmingBugs + 1
        End If
        
    Next Bug
            
    'action loop - change direction based on composite behavior
    For Each Bug In Swarm
        If Neighbors.Count > 1 Then
            TurnDirection = Bug.Tags("align") + Bug.Tags("separate") + Bug.Tags("converge") '+ RandomNum
            Bug.Turn TurnDirection
            If Bug.Speed < 1000 Then
                Bug.Speed = 25 + Bug.Tags("velocity")
            Else
                Bug.Speed = 1000
            End If
        End If
    Next Bug
    
    'set the values to be used in data recording
    TimeRange.Offset(World.Sim.Time).Value = World.Sim.Time
    WanderRange.Offset(World.Sim.Time).Value = WanderingBugs
    SwarmRange.Offset(World.Sim.Time).Value = SwarmingBugs
    
    'move Bugs
    Swarm.Step
    

End Sub

(In case you haven't read my previous post, this code was written for the VisualBots Excel add-in. It's completely safe, plus an easy yet powerful way to use BASIC programming.)

This is actually version 5.3. I plan to condense this a bit, get rid of the orphans, and reorganize it so I can have a v6. Enjoy!

~ROBO~

VisualBots

I want to pay my tribute to a fantastic program made by the Waite family called VisualBots. It is an agent-based addin for Microsoft Excel that runs off of the built-in Visual BASIC compiler/interpreter. The program is free for download from this link. I have modified their flocking example program (a crude adaptation of the BOIDS flocking model) to include a speed modification, and I have renamed it into bugs instead of birds. I will post the code this afternoon.

~ROBO~

---BLANK---

Sorry, deleted post :(

~ROBO~

Signing Off Until Christmas

Hey everyone! I am leaving for Gary, Indiana on Friday. Just kidding :D I'm going to South Bend, IN, to spend Christmas with my family. So, I probably will not be posting again for a while until January, but I might pop in and tell you what I got from Santa ;) Merry Chirstmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanzaa, and a very happy new year!

~ROBO~

Cinnabon Recipe

I was procrastinating on Facebook the other day, and I found the recipe for the famous Cinnabon cinnamon buns!!! I saved it on my desktop for a while, but I thought that I would share it with you, my lovely readers. Here is the recipe:

---

How to Make Cinnabon Rolls !!
Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 8:02pmMost Cinnabon places have a window or area that people can watch the workers make the Cinnabon rolls daily. Have you thought how to make them yourself ??

Ingredients : (rollz)
* 1/2 cup warm water
* 2 packages dry yeast
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 3 1/2 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding mix
* 1/2 cup margarine, melted
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 6 cups flour
* 1 cup of soft butter
* 2 cups brown sugar
* 4 tablespoons cinnamon

(Cream Cheese Frosting)
* 8 oz. cream cheese
* 1/2 cup margarine
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 3 cups confectioner's sugar
* 1 tablespoon milk
sTeps : (rollz)
1. Get a small bowl and pour the water, sugar, and yeast. Stir and combine the ingredients until the sugar has dissolved. Set the bowl aside for now.
2. Make the pudding mix in a large bowl. Read and follow the directions on the package. Mix in the salt, margarine, and eggs in the pudding. Add the yeast mixture afterwards and blend everything well together.
3. Add the flour to the mix. It's highly recommended to put in a cup, mix, and then put another cup in. It's easier to mix all of the flour in with this method rather than dumping the entire 6 cups of flour at once.
4. Knead the dough until it's smooth. Place and cover it in a greased bowl. Let the dough rise until it's doubled in size. Smash or punch the dough down and allow it to rise again.
5. Create a 34 x 21" size dough by rolling it on a floured board. Use the cup of softened butter and spread it (either with your hand or a knife) on the dough.
6. Use a separate bowl to combine and mix the brown sugar with the cinnamon. Sprinkle the mix on top of the butter. Grab one end of the dough and roll it up very tightly (like a sleeping bag). Use a knife to put indentations in the dough at every 2 inches. Go back and cut the dough in pieces, using your indentations as "markers".
7. Put each piece on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Lightly press down on each piece with your hand. Let the pieces rise one more time.
8. Bake the rolls for 15 to 20 minutes, at a temperature of 350 degrees F. Remove from the oven when they are a golden brown color.
9. Spread the cream cheese frosting on the rolls.
(Frosting)
1. Combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Mix until you get a smooth consistency.
Tips:
* Be sure not to over bake the rolls. Burnt cinnamon rolls aren't tasty and could ruin the excitement.
* The amount of brown sugar and cinnamon determines the amount of "gooey"-ness appears after it's been baked.
* This recipe makes about 20 very large rolls.

enjoy it !!
(((BASEM EL KADY)))

---

Not sure who this Basem El Kady is, but God bless her soul.

~ROBO~

Bureacrazy! - A Library Misadventure

A Facebook friend of mine, Sean Mills, wrote a note a while back describing a trip to the library:

I wanted to read Bill Eiland's book about Lamar Dodd, "The Truth in
Things."

I went to the library and found it, tried to check it out.

They told me I had to to go get a library card at the Main Athens Library
Branch.

I went there and they said they couldn't use my Student ID, I needed some
mail to prove my residence.

I went home and got some mail, and then proceeded to show my student ID to
another librarian and got a card.

I went to the UGA library, but now the book was missing.

I asked them where it could be, they said they had 3 copies all not checked
out...so I filled out a book search request form.

I get an email a few days later, saying, "I found your book, print out this
form and come get it before the expiration date."

So, I go in and they say the don't know where it is, I will have to wait
for a manager.

I wait for a manager and he says I can't check out my book, I have to go
back to the Main Athens Library and pay $10 in the basement to get interlibrary
privileges...

So, I just sat there and read the whole thing.

Lovely story, don't you think? He appropriately titled the note "Bureacrazy!" When I asked him if I could put this on Greek Fire, he responded:

Sure.. unlike the federal government I like to share information.
Incidentally, the last part of the story would be a smart move, except I AM
planning on paying that fee eventually so I can check out other books in the
future.

Library adventures are the sweetest kind.

Make sure to check out his website, http://www.seanmillshospital.com/.



~ROBO~

New Poem

TIEMBLO

tiemblo cuando oigo su nombre
pero no me siento nada en el frío
la imagen de Vd. me llena
con un emoción estrena
un emoción que no me he sentido antes
¿solo es amistad?
¿es lujuria?
¿o es amor?

solo el tiempo lo dirá

---------------------------

And for those who are hispanically challenged, the translation:

TREMBLE

i tremble when i hear your name
yet i feel nothing in the cold
the image of you fills me
with a bizzare emotion
an emotion that i've never felt before
is it only friendship?
is it lust?
or is it love?

only time will tell

------------------------

There you have it, the newest amatuer poem from the mind of ROBO. Thanks to Rebecca for grammar help.

~ROBO~

High School and College

I was having a conversation with a friend (let's call her Lucy), and we came up with a few poetic nuggets of insight into the adventurous minds of teenagers:

"Highschool is just a holding pond where we all fester in our hormones until we have wasted more time than we can handle, and then we are allowed to go to college." - me

"I want it now. I want to recreate myself. I want to be around people who don't know who the heck I am and don't care about my past. I want it to be all new and unknown and unfamiliar...in an exciting, thrilling, breathtaking way." - Lucy

To any adults who read this, take heed. This is the train of thought for many, many highschool students. Not many people get to see this side of a person. (Unless you're Edward :D )

~ROBO~

New Cube + Petrus Solution

I bought a new cube a few days ago from an absolutely wonderful website, http://www.thinkgeek.com/. Great stuff. The official Rubik's Cube came today. The springs were a bit tight, so I had to lube the thing. It works fine now.

I figured that this would be a great time to try the Petrus solution again. I tried to use it with my old cube, and I found out that Lars Petrus's site is absolutely horrible. So I googled it, and up popped http://howtosolvearubikscube.weebly.com/petrus-method-solution.html. Not very in-depth, but his reasoning is a lot like mine so it worked out well. Sure enough, I solved the F2L in about an hour (stopping and starting due to laundry and supper). The old algorithms for the last layer work fine, so I just used those, and voila! Solved! I think it really does take a lot less moves than a layer-by-layer solution, so I'll start using the petrus from now on.

~ROBO~