Unfortunately, things got so hectic that I have been unable to update my blog in a long time.  The good news is that I still have a pulse (hence the title).

My senior design team was to create a supervisory program for the solar car, the Samsung Solorean.  Our project managed to get 4th place of 30 projects.  What I noticed is that the projects that provide human interaction are more likely to place up top.

Remember how I have been so afraid of failing solid state?  Well, I got a B in the class, and I graduated!

Yes, I was begging for mercy, like this:

Up to and after the commencement ceremonies, I have been putting in the 70+ hours per week on the solar car team to get the car ready for the Formula Sun Grand Prix 2009.  We took the car to Harris Hill Road (big thanks to the kind folks who run that track, by the way) and ran a couple laps.  While the car ran well at the beginning, things went downhill FAST!  While I was driving the car, the motor locked up, sending me into a skid.  That then blew a tire, sending me doing a 180.  I received some credit for getting the car back under control, but I think most of the credit goes to the car’s mechanical design.

General sentiment had it that we were sunk, but we managed to take the motor apart and found out that one of the bearings were put backwards.  Who knew?  In a matter of two days, the fine team put the motor back together and it was tested working!  WE ARE BACK IN THE RUNNING!!!  This time, we were there on time!

Rumor has it that the folks doing the dynamic testing tend to pick a woman to do the tests.  Well, here’s our woman driver, requiring over 60 pounds of ballast:

These people clearly did not know what was in store for them.  She performed the slalom test and the braking test.  Thanks to her, we did our slalom better than everyone else!

After a few odds and ends, WE GOT INTO THE RACE!!!  Here we are to represent the great state of Texas!

We got 199 laps in the course of three days and placed second to last.  But that’s OK — this is the first time we’ve qualified and completed a race in over 10 years!  What a finish to my undergraduate career!

So, you’re probably wondering, “What’s next?”  I interviewed with Lockheed Martin on Monday at Marietta, GA.  Prospects are looking up, but I have my fingers crossed.  I will try my best to maintain my involvement with the solar car team.