Day 20 of CE was the burn it off workout. This was a bit tougher because my left knee was still giving me problems, so I definitely had to modify the workout. Aside from that, the workout was good. I like that this is a short workout, and it gets you in and out pretty quickly. It has a good pace with the five moves, break, and six more moves before cooling down. It does have some plyometrics in it, so if you want to do it as a higher-impact workout you can do so. Even if you do a modified version of the workout, it can still wear you out.
Saturday, March 26, 2022
DVD Review: The Trigonometry and Pre-Calculus Tutor
This is the first of a two-volume trig and precalculus tutor. How much of the class this covers depends on your school's curriculum. In my college, the precalculus class started with a review of algebra, then went into the material on angles, finding the trig functions of the angles using triangles and the unit circle (which this volume covers), then went on to the more advanced material like solving trig equations and the like which Jason covers in the Trig and Precalculus Tutor volume 2. This volume starts out with complex numbers, exponential and logarithmic functions, then gets into the material on angles, triangles, trig functions, and then ends on trig identities. So, in my pre-calc class, this would get through about the first exam. Depending on your school, the early sections may have been covered in college algebra, so you kind of have to pay attention to your class syllabus and then figure out which DVDs cover what parts of the class. Between Jason's algebra 2, advanced algebra, and two volumes of trig/pre-calc, you get about 95% of the material that you would see in combination college algebra and trig class, or a split up college algebra class and pre-calc class. Really, the only main subjects you would get in those classes that Jason does not cover in any of the DVDs are the conic functions and their graphs, and partial fractions (although he does cover partial fractions in the calculus DVDs).
I personally feel that Jason's teaching style is great. He goes through everything step-by-step, and rarely ever skips steps. When he does skip steps he will usually say so, and it is because the example he is working through uses the same process that several earlier examples have used. He does occasionally make mistakes. Sometimes they get corrected in post-production, and sometimes he will say while working out the problem that he made an error and fixes it as he goes. He also gives a lot of good problem-solving tips that really help. Specifically, on this set, one of the biggest is a "tree" that you can write in the corner of your paper to help you remember the trig functions and their inverses.
Like with his other DVDs you have to balance some considerations. First, he is just standing in front of a whiteboard doing problems. So, your learning style has to mesh with that. Second, you obviously cannot interact with him and ask questions as he is working out the problems like you could with a live tutor. But, the cost of the DVD is a lot less than a couple of sessions with a tutor unless your school provides them for free. But, I personally think the way Jason explains the material is as good or better than many of the teachers I had and a lot better than the explanations in the textbook. He provides just enough of the theory to understand the concepts and then just spends the bulk of the time working through problems. So, if that fits your learning style, this is definitely worth picking up, as long as you understand that it is a supplement to class, not a replacement for going to class. If you just rely on this and skip class because you think you will know everything from class, you will probably be in for a rude awakening after your first test. But, if you use it as intended, it will absolutely help you.
I personally feel that Jason's teaching style is great. He goes through everything step-by-step, and rarely ever skips steps. When he does skip steps he will usually say so, and it is because the example he is working through uses the same process that several earlier examples have used. He does occasionally make mistakes. Sometimes they get corrected in post-production, and sometimes he will say while working out the problem that he made an error and fixes it as he goes. He also gives a lot of good problem-solving tips that really help. Specifically, on this set, one of the biggest is a "tree" that you can write in the corner of your paper to help you remember the trig functions and their inverses.
Like with his other DVDs you have to balance some considerations. First, he is just standing in front of a whiteboard doing problems. So, your learning style has to mesh with that. Second, you obviously cannot interact with him and ask questions as he is working out the problems like you could with a live tutor. But, the cost of the DVD is a lot less than a couple of sessions with a tutor unless your school provides them for free. But, I personally think the way Jason explains the material is as good or better than many of the teachers I had and a lot better than the explanations in the textbook. He provides just enough of the theory to understand the concepts and then just spends the bulk of the time working through problems. So, if that fits your learning style, this is definitely worth picking up, as long as you understand that it is a supplement to class, not a replacement for going to class. If you just rely on this and skip class because you think you will know everything from class, you will probably be in for a rude awakening after your first test. But, if you use it as intended, it will absolutely help you.
Product Review: Safe Paw Child Plant Dog Paw & Pet Safe Ice Melter
While this is a bit pricey, it works well to melt ice, even in MN winters, and I was always able to walk my dog through the melt without it burning his paws, which was definitely not the case when using just regular salt. And, I never had an issue with it discoloring the pavement in front of the door. So, I definitely recommend it, especially if it becomes available as a subscribe and save item again.
DVD Review: The Advanced Algebra Tutor
This DVD covers the material that appears near the end of a college algebra course. It starts out with a review of basic graphing of functions, then it goes on to discuss transformations of functions (shifting functions up and down or side to side), combinations of functions [those that look like f(g(x))], finding real and complex zeros of polynomials, rational functions, and then ends with the material on sequences and series and the binomial theorem. Really, the only material that it does not cover is the intro to probability and statistics that some college algebra courses give you or the introduction to Matrix algebra. However, Jason does cover that material in different DVD sets.
A couple of things to take note of when considering purchasing this. As I have said, this is only part of what you will see in a college algebra class. In order to get the majority of what the class would cover, you would need to combine this with Jason's algebra 2 tutor video, his matrix algebra tutor, and the probability and statistics tutor. Those would get you about 95% of what a college algebra class covers. Also, you need to be aware of what your learning style is. If you are an audio and/or visual learner, who likes seeing the problems worked through step-by-step, this is a great option. Jason really breaks down the problems well and not only explains the steps as he goes along, but he does a very good recap after the problems are finished. He does occasionally make mistakes. Sometime they get caught in post-production and they will superimpose what he was supposed to be putting on the board, and sometimes they get missed. Generally, when it happens they are fairly easy to spot and don't really alter the process at all. You also have to consider that it is just Jason standing in front a whiteboard working on problems. You cannot interact with him or ask questions. If you don't understand what he is saying you pretty much have to rewatch it until the concept sinks in. However, getting the DVDs is much less expensive than hiring a tutor, so there is a tradeoff. It is NOT a substitute for going to class, however. Jason picks examples that are generally like what you would see on an exam or quiz, but the only way to know what your teacher focuses on is to go to class.
I used Jason's material to prepare for all of my math and physics classes as I was working toward and electrical engineering degree. They helped me immensely, and I found that the way Jason explained the material made a lot more sense than some of my teachers, and infinitely more sense than the textbook's explanation of things ever did. So, if you are looking for a good supplement/study aid to help you in Algebra, or just wanting to teach yourself math and need help, this is an invaluable resource.
A couple of things to take note of when considering purchasing this. As I have said, this is only part of what you will see in a college algebra class. In order to get the majority of what the class would cover, you would need to combine this with Jason's algebra 2 tutor video, his matrix algebra tutor, and the probability and statistics tutor. Those would get you about 95% of what a college algebra class covers. Also, you need to be aware of what your learning style is. If you are an audio and/or visual learner, who likes seeing the problems worked through step-by-step, this is a great option. Jason really breaks down the problems well and not only explains the steps as he goes along, but he does a very good recap after the problems are finished. He does occasionally make mistakes. Sometime they get caught in post-production and they will superimpose what he was supposed to be putting on the board, and sometimes they get missed. Generally, when it happens they are fairly easy to spot and don't really alter the process at all. You also have to consider that it is just Jason standing in front a whiteboard working on problems. You cannot interact with him or ask questions. If you don't understand what he is saying you pretty much have to rewatch it until the concept sinks in. However, getting the DVDs is much less expensive than hiring a tutor, so there is a tradeoff. It is NOT a substitute for going to class, however. Jason picks examples that are generally like what you would see on an exam or quiz, but the only way to know what your teacher focuses on is to go to class.
I used Jason's material to prepare for all of my math and physics classes as I was working toward and electrical engineering degree. They helped me immensely, and I found that the way Jason explained the material made a lot more sense than some of my teachers, and infinitely more sense than the textbook's explanation of things ever did. So, if you are looking for a good supplement/study aid to help you in Algebra, or just wanting to teach yourself math and need help, this is an invaluable resource.
DVD/TV Series Review: The Incredible Hulk Season One
This is the first season of the 1977 series, The Incredible Hulk starring Bill Bixby as Bruce Banner, and bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk (mostly referred to as "The Creature"). It is adapted from but changed significantly from the comic book series. Some of the changes (like changing the lead character's name from Bruce Banner to David Banner) irked Stan Lee, but overall, I think the changes worked for what the showrunners wanted to do and probably kept the series from getting canceled after 2-3 seasons which had been the fate of series like Batman and Wonder Woman. It was, up until the 1990s series Lois and Clark, the live-action comic book series with the most episodes (80) after the 1950s George Reeves Superman series (which had 104 episodes). Lois and Clark just edged it out with 88 episodes.
As my headline says, it is the character of the Hulk set in the real world. The series started with two made for tv movies. The pilot episode established that David Banner is a scientist looking into why people get superhuman strength in life-threatening situations, and why he did not when he was in a car accident that ended up killing his wife. He ends up giving himself a massive dose of Gamma Radiation which triggers the transformation to the Hulk when he gets angry or scared. Banner and his co-worker are presumed killed by the Hulk, so Banner becomes a drifter looking for a way to cure himself. As he moves around from location to location he always finds someone who needs help from some criminal element and always ends up transforming into the Hulk to save the day.
This set consists of the 10 "regular" episodes and the two made for tv movies that began the series. Those run about an hour and a half and then the regular episodes run about 50 minutes, give or take. The show definitely has a 1970s look and feel to it. It mostly holds up well 45+ years down the line, but parts of it are definitely dated. The DVD set includes a commentary track by the executive producer (and writer and director of the pilot and some of the regular episodes throughout the series run) Kenneth Johnson. It is a good commentary in which he goes through the process of filming the pilot and why he made the changes he did.
The series is well written (even if some of the dialog is a bit hokey now) and fairly well-acted. I think it worked to not have the Hulk going against supervillains, or Banner getting his powers because the military was trying to develop super-soldiers, as were the origins of the character in the comic books. Also, since the series was made before the advent of CGI (and did not have the budget for what little there was available), almost everything was done with practical effects. Of course, Ferrigno was painted green and put in wigs and sometimes silly-looking prosthetics. It is interesting that a different actor who was taller but not as muscular as Ferrigno (who was 6'5" and about 270+ pounds) was originally cast for the role, so they often filmed Ferrigno from below and with a different camera lens to make him look like he was seven feet tall (of course in the comics the Hulk was nine-feet tall), but every so often the shots would establish that he was not much taller than some of the extras. You definitely have to suspend a lot of disbelief not only of the premise of someone transforming into a big green creature as a result of Gamma Radiation overdose versus just getting cancer and/or dying instantly, or that David could have just said he was not killed in the accident and the Hulk did not harm anyone, but then the series would not have come to be.
Overall, the season is good, even if it is dated. The cast changes a lot, and if you are old enough you will recognize some of the character actors. In the first season, the two most recognizable guest stars are Gerald McRaney who would go on to have a pretty prolific TV career, and Martin Kove who is best known for playing Kreese in the Karate Kid movies and the series Cobra Kai. It is definitely worth watching even though it has a much different feel than today's superhero shows.
As my headline says, it is the character of the Hulk set in the real world. The series started with two made for tv movies. The pilot episode established that David Banner is a scientist looking into why people get superhuman strength in life-threatening situations, and why he did not when he was in a car accident that ended up killing his wife. He ends up giving himself a massive dose of Gamma Radiation which triggers the transformation to the Hulk when he gets angry or scared. Banner and his co-worker are presumed killed by the Hulk, so Banner becomes a drifter looking for a way to cure himself. As he moves around from location to location he always finds someone who needs help from some criminal element and always ends up transforming into the Hulk to save the day.
This set consists of the 10 "regular" episodes and the two made for tv movies that began the series. Those run about an hour and a half and then the regular episodes run about 50 minutes, give or take. The show definitely has a 1970s look and feel to it. It mostly holds up well 45+ years down the line, but parts of it are definitely dated. The DVD set includes a commentary track by the executive producer (and writer and director of the pilot and some of the regular episodes throughout the series run) Kenneth Johnson. It is a good commentary in which he goes through the process of filming the pilot and why he made the changes he did.
The series is well written (even if some of the dialog is a bit hokey now) and fairly well-acted. I think it worked to not have the Hulk going against supervillains, or Banner getting his powers because the military was trying to develop super-soldiers, as were the origins of the character in the comic books. Also, since the series was made before the advent of CGI (and did not have the budget for what little there was available), almost everything was done with practical effects. Of course, Ferrigno was painted green and put in wigs and sometimes silly-looking prosthetics. It is interesting that a different actor who was taller but not as muscular as Ferrigno (who was 6'5" and about 270+ pounds) was originally cast for the role, so they often filmed Ferrigno from below and with a different camera lens to make him look like he was seven feet tall (of course in the comics the Hulk was nine-feet tall), but every so often the shots would establish that he was not much taller than some of the extras. You definitely have to suspend a lot of disbelief not only of the premise of someone transforming into a big green creature as a result of Gamma Radiation overdose versus just getting cancer and/or dying instantly, or that David could have just said he was not killed in the accident and the Hulk did not harm anyone, but then the series would not have come to be.
Overall, the season is good, even if it is dated. The cast changes a lot, and if you are old enough you will recognize some of the character actors. In the first season, the two most recognizable guest stars are Gerald McRaney who would go on to have a pretty prolific TV career, and Martin Kove who is best known for playing Kreese in the Karate Kid movies and the series Cobra Kai. It is definitely worth watching even though it has a much different feel than today's superhero shows.
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