Imagine.

Hell Week III

Haha, for some reason, the hell week I,II, III kind of reminds me of the LOTR trilogy...anyways, we are about to reach the finale.

Here's a glance at next week's sched...

COGS Lab Report - I'm hoping to get this completed by tonight or tomorrow night at the latest. DONE
COGS Debate/Presentation - Our group got together and did most of the prep work...we'll see how it goes. DONE
COGS Midterm III - It's a best 2/3 midterms so not too much pressure here DONE
(I know! 3 Cogs related stuff due in one week, they think we're machines!)
PSYC363 Midterm III - I have to do well on this one. The past 2 midterms have been disgusting brutal. 90% DONE
CLST Quiz - Honestly, I should be doing much better on these than I am! I hate this course with a vengeanceDONE
PSYC365 Quiz - Eh, I'll just skim the articles and shouldn't be too bad DONE
PSYC365 Critique Paper - Have to do well on this...hoping to get this completed by Saturday night at the very, very latest. DONE

So all that in one week! And during the last week of school too.

The CS Winter Formal is tomorrow night. Hmm. Do the words CS and Winter Formal even go together? :P

I just got my Cogs midterm back this week...and I think it's one of my best marks ever for a midterm! 89%! Yay :D

Okay, back to burning the midnight oil...sigh. It's going to be a looooong week.

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I had an "interesting" phone call today while at work that I would like to share with everyone.

V: ITServices Help Desk, Vivian speaking. (I am aware that I have a very polite telephone voice :P)
C: (sounds like a little old lady) Well hello. I'm trying to get my toolbar back on Microsoft word 2003 and all I see is (continues talking about what she sees...)
V: I see. Let me open up Word so I can get a better idea. You say you cannot see the toolbar?
C: WELL YES I TOLD YOU ALREADY! All I see is (repeats speech)
V: Alright. We'll go over some configurations to get your toolbar back. (Asks her to select customize under toolbars to make sure she has 'menu bar' checked, etc)
C: Well yes I have all that and I still don't see it. WHY CAN"T YOU HELP ME?? (sounding extremely impatient and impolite)
V: Unfortunately, configuring Microsoft Word is not a service we provide at ITServices but I will do my best to help you look for that missing toolbar. Most likely, it has been moved so that is why it isn't visible.
C: Uggh, just transfer me to someone else
V: We all have the same amount of expertise on microsoft word toolbars here at ITServices so we would all go through the same configurations with you.
C: No that is not true. Last time I called, 5 people weren't able to help me but 1 person did. Let me talk to someone else. (In an extremely barking tone)
V: Just call back at this same number and someone else can help you.
C: Bye
V: Bye

I have NEVER had such a rude customer before. I tell my coworkers about the phone conversation but before I can finish...*rinnnng*

Leanne's line was beeping.

Leanne: ITServices helpdesk, Leanne speaking.
C: IT"S YOU AGAIN! Did I talk to you before?
L: No, this is my first phone call today.
C: Well I'm having a problem with windows, I can't get the toolbar to show up.
L: Okay, we can check over the settings together. What do you see on your screen?
C: Well I can't see file, edit, view, about.
L: So this is for microsoft windows?
C: NO! I TOLD YOU, IT"S FOR MICROSOFT WORD!!!
L: Alright. (She then goes over the same process I went over with rude lady. Again, the same conclusion was drawn that she had moved her toolbar by accident)
C: WHY CAN'T YOU HELP ME!! YOU ARE SO INCOMPETENT!
L: Well Microsoft Word isnt' a program we provide support for but I'll try to help you con..
C: SLAMS THE PHONE

So lesson of the day? Old ladies aren't always nice.

Just to let you know, we hardly ever get phone calls like that. 98% of my calls are extremely pleasant and people are thankful for the help. We just have these kind of calls once in a blue moon to bring us back to reality. :P

The Dome has been Invaded

So early this morning, I hurried myself over to BC Place for the Ultimate playoffs. I felt a little dizzy, not really too sure why. Might've been the beer I had last night when Lis and I were at Westbeach looking for snowboarding 'geer. Might've been after watching the sales guy doing pelvic thrusts at us. First against the wall. Then towards us. You should've seen how content Lis was...she couldn't stop laughing :P After that, we headed to Pepitas on W.4th and Burrard for dinner(really yummy authentic Mexican food! Mmm!)

Oh anyway, back to today...

With much anticipation, we walked into the dome. (cue heroic/suspensful music)

So after a tyenol and warm-up, I was feeling much better. Did I mention BC Place looks awesome?

SEMIFINALS: Newbies vs. Stack on Me
Our first game was against "Stack on Me" at 9:00AM. We lost to these guys during regular season but we were newbs back then. Now's a diff story ;) We were pretty confident that we would advance. So maybe a little overconfident, they got a bit of a lead in the beginning. But we quickly got our acts together and we won the game at 13-8. Yay newbs!

FINALS: Newbies VS. Angry Mongeese

Our Competitors

Ahahaha...we thought this day would never come. We were going to play against the Mongeese, good ol' Ashley's team. (Ironically, he taught us how to play when we first started....) With one man down and no subs, they still got into the finals. Pretty impressive. It was a real tight game...and having them start the game with a 2pt lead didn't make things easy at all. But the team played really hard, I could tell that everyone was playing really hard. I definitely had my best game ever...I scored 2pts and had 2 assists. And let me tell you, it felt friggin awesome!! And you know what? WE WON!!! 13-11!!! WE'RE THE CAMPUS WIDE ULTIMATE CHAMPS!!!

I have to say, this has got to be one of the best, perhaps the best, day of my University life. It's such a rush, such an awesome feeling to work so hard and win first place. It's no BS that we are the Ultimate Newbies since most of us didn't even know how to throw a disc until September. But we practiced every week. And our games went from losing 1-13, 5-13 to becoming champs. (We even beat the team we lost 1-13 ;))

The UBC Rec people came by later to interview us (so we might be on TV!!).

Playing sports always leave me with such a great feeling - I love it. I love being competitive, I love playing hard, I love the game.

UBC CAMPUS WIDE DIVISION B ULTIMATE CHAMPS

Looks so proper and noble, no? Eh, who're we kidding. We actually look more like this.

Here's a short clip of our "cheer" (as you can tell...we didn't really have a cheer :P Just a bunch of loud screaming)

(Images courtesy of Cec!)

Invade the Dome

So Hell Week II is finally a gone.

Recap...
PYSC363: I really knew this material inside and out but for a 50min midterm with 6 short answers and an essay...that's just insane. I think the worst thing is when you KNOW the answer...but if you only had the time to write it down. Prof marked the essays and 16 people got As/Bs...while 50 people failed. Go figure.

PSYC365: THREE HOURS of writing and I think it went farily, not extremely, but well enough. I think I might've A'ed or hopefully at least B'ed the short answers section (all 6 pages of it...) but I'm not too sure about the in-class critique we had to write on a flawed Research paper.

CPSC430 Pres: This one rocked. I think I'm slowly getting better at presenting. Though my knees jiggled throughout the pres, I think I kept my voice strong and confident (maybe?)

CLST301 quiz: Ah, probably one of the best quizes I wrote...and not bad for the time I spent studying!

But all that is over now...and Hell Week III won't come in another 2 weeks (and that is the hellist of all my hell weeks).

But what I really want to post about was...WE'RE IN THE PLAYOFFS FOR ULTIMATE!!! Our game is tomorrow at 9AM and we'll be playing at BC Place. I hope we get into the finals *fingers crossed*. I think Finals we take place at noon tomorrow. Better catch some Zzz's so I'll be well refreshed tomorrow. Can't wait :)

Gooo Newbies!

Burn, baby, burn!

Uh oh. Hell WeekII is on it's way and its coming at full speed.

Monday: PYSC363 Midterm (I have to do well in this, I must do well in this, I'm going to do well in this...)
Tues: PSYC365 EXAM (Yes, exam! There's no final for this course so this is IT folks...and I hear it's going to be brutal)
Wed: CLST quiz + CPSC430 Presentation
Wed is also the WestBeach Buy-Nite
Thurs: COGS Party - The first Cogs get-together. I hope all goes well :D

I haven't been doing as hot as I like in school. I haven't been exactly slacking per se but definitely not giving it my best. But I will....starting now. So if you see me online, please kick my arse off.

Btw, check out the new CogSys site at UBC!! http://www.whycogs.com

There's even a pic of our COGS group and you can sorta get of glimse of Screecher (our robot).

One step towards fame...ah.

Beer & Gear

So after I wrote the last entry, Lil said, "hehe i can't bleieve u didn't talk about skis"

Ah right! So yesterday, Lil and I joined the bus full of UBC Sports & Ski kids to North Shore for a massive ski/board sale!! Looking back, their sales weren't all that massive. They're being chinese and hiking the price up and then labelling things 50% off.

Anyway! It was madness in there! Lots of people trying and buying. Lots of pizza and beer while we tried on gear. The selection wasn't all that great BUT...I found something! (or make that everything!)

It was a little over my budget but I'm going to justify by saying 1) I'm only going to buy one set of equipment in my life so I want to make sure it's good. 2) I'm going to go boarding lots and lots...even if I have to go alone :P 3) Aw c'mon, it was 50% off! (I spent roughly $500 and saved $400!)

This has been the biggest splurge I've ever made...but I love everything. Here's what I got:

Burton Moto WMS Boots 2005
Synthetic Leather and Textile Shell with Finger Wrap Lacing
2-Part Outsole with EVA Cushioning
3D® Molded Tongue
Matrix™ 2 Liner with PU Tongue and Stretch Lycra® Toe Panels
Molded EVA Footbed
Sale Price: $150

Review:
I love the finger wrap lacing. The laces are made of this material such that it doesn't give you finger burn (Which is good 'cause frozen fingers + finger burn = no fingers left). The support and EVA cushioning is great. I remember last year when I went boarding, the boot was cutting into my leg and made things a little uncomfortable. The lining is also removable which makes it much easier to dry.

Here's a pic>

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Burton Freestyle Bindings 2005

Essential features, crucial comfort. Building upon the Freestyle’s renowned status among riders who want to take their ability to the next level, we tweaked this workhorse to deliver even more versatility so you can ride anywhere, in any condition, with confidence. The slightly taller hi-back provides more response while maintaining the same great flex. The lightweight polycarbonate baseplate provides a stable, forgiving ride and bomber durability, so your skills will blow up before this binding does.Sale Price: $110

Review:
First off, I thought this is quite pricey for bindings. I wasn't sure whether I wanted a step-in or strap-in binding. I settled for a strap-in 'cause it's more comfortable but it's harder to get in/out. This is why this binding is so amazing. One pull, and I'm out. Unfortunately, I have to adjust the screws 'cause one five pushes and I'm still not back in :P There are so many places you can adjust for this binding though so I'm sure I can fix it. If not, I can always return it (maybe?) We'll see.

Pic here:

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And last but not least...

Burton Cruzer Snowboard 2003

Cruise the mountains.
We innovated a progressive, forgiving flex and 3-degree edge bevel to inspire confidence and performance. With a tough, easy-to-maintain Lightspeed base, the Cruzer is sure to make you a better rider.Sale Price: $200 (orig. $400!)

Reviews:
I've read many reviews on this board and 90% of reviewers say it's the best board they own! I can't really tell you much about the board yet 'cept that it has got good flex and the design's nice :P (If curious, it's white/red/navy). Sorry no pic for now.

So that's a wrap! For those who actually read through the whole thing - wow.

Two updates in a night...what a trip ;)

Ultimate love

I'm still here! (I seem to start off a lot of my entry that way nowadays...)

Things have been super busy but it has been super super fun! :) The last few weeks were pretty brutal with midterms, debates, lovely-stupid CLST quizes and it looks like all this fun isn't going to end anytime soon.

But really, things have been really grood. I mean great...great and good. Especially with ultimate. The team was a bit shaky at first but the chemistry is definitely there now. Prior to last Sunday, we won 3 straight games in a row! (This is awesome b/c we lost our first 4 games!). We played against "You Got Disc'd" (which coincidentally was the first team we played in the season and we brutally lost 13-1). Playing them again, we wanted to see how much we had improved over the course of a month. And guess what? WE WON!! 13-11! One thing I love about Ultimate is that everyone is just really friendly and isn't die-hard competitive. After we did our round of cheers for "You Got Disc'D", instead of saying our team name, they shouted, "WE GOT DISC'D!" HIP HIP HOORAY! :P

Here are some pics that C took at the game.

Megan, John & Doug

Sunny, Kevin, John & Chris

Cec, Viv, Megan, Flo, Angela, & Anita

Three cheers for the Texican Mother Huckers!