Who Dares Wins.

think of this as the follow up to '1000 points'.

Who Dares Wins. basically its true ain't it? who dares dump the most points gets the module. and that's a shitload of points too. the same 29 buggers fighting for 19 vacancies. no new bidders... just 10 fellas trying to get on the list by raising the next minimum bid (see last post. THAT's why i consider this 1000 points part 2). i thankfully got everything. just a matter of how much i paid for frigging 2208. i paid a frigging 500 times more (at least) than the other people who took the mod last sem. damnit. but since the timetable was built around it...

when you come to think about its sick really. the fact that the whole of CORS is a big gamble. sure you learn to make decisions, come up with contingencies and all that... but the bottom line is that you kill yourself with anxiety (especially if you take modules that are in high demand). you can't help but wonder why there's always so few places available for modules, so much so that we gotta curse and swear and scheme to kill each other (figuratively speaking). i've been pretty lucky so far (the question now is for how long will this keep up). but quite a few of my friends haven't. and i really sympathise with them. REALLY. bad enough there's so much to consider when planning... then top it off with the disappointment of not getting the mods... haiz. and to think all this happens in a top-25 institution that wants to go corporate.

1000 points...

no shit. i dumped 1000 frigging points on a module. i'm seriously beginning to wonder if its really worth it. REALLY. considering my friends got it for 1 last sem (blame it on the fact i have 2300+ points to spend. so call it the 'show hand' theory). NM2208. in deep shit are we.

here's what the points progression was like:

29 Dec AM: 1 point
29 Dec afternoon: 101 point
29 Dec evening: 201 point
29 Dec 11pm: 301 point
30 Dec AM: 301 point
30 Dec noon: 501 point.

should i have bid so much for the module? no point.

p.s. funnily enough i thought the gaming modules might be expensive. turns out i was wrong. at the rate they're going, i can get them for 1 *grin*

results

and yes, like everyone i know, i'm posting about my NUS results. well sorta. kinda. see, i'm not gonna bitch or boast (ironical then isn't it that i'm posting). just that its been pretty ok i guess (and i'm thankful for that). at this rate if my cap does a regular steady increase (which isn't entirely impossible) i should be able to reach honours by... *counts on fingers* year 3 sem 2 (which by when i should've filed for graduation hence making honours option redundant. but what the heck)

updates on my hols...

well... at the start of the hols there was a list of 'to-do' items. and here's a little update:

1. digitise B's concert videos etc (doing in school) - check
2. trip to family court for counselling session (30 Nov) - check
3. YOUTH CAMP IN SENTOSA!!!! (thurs-sun) - check
4. L's birthday on the 9th - check
5. help mum clean up the house? (hmm... i should... but but but...) - check (believe it or not)
6. food hunt on the 17th? - nope.
7. Help out for Christmas? - check
8. DoTA - check
9. DoTA - check
10. DoTA (i'm kidding... too much DoTA is bad for health *grin*) - check

oh... and some other things that came up:

k & c's bbq / chalet thingy - that was good
music min bbq at my place - that was BETTER
youth camp video completed - that was BEST
mission trip videos (to be done from wed-fri) - here we go again
SG5 gathering on the 28th - looking forward to that

By Dose is killing me...

gargh. what a time to get the flu. i'm supposed to be off to youth camp tomorrow... and now, i'm SICK.....

to top it off, we got amazing race from church to camp (at sentosa). GARGH. sick how to go?!!! die lah die lah....

ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH

FREEEEEEEEEEDOM!!!!

Over. Finished. THE END.

my exams are OVER!!!!!! bwahahahahahahahahahaha

so now what's next?

1. digitise B's concert videos etc (doing in school)
2. trip to family court for counselling session (tomorrow afternoon)
3. YOUTH CAMP IN SENTOSA!!!! (thurs-sun)
4. L's birthday on the 9th
5. help mum clean up the house? (hmm... i should... but but but...)
6. food hunt on the 17th?
7. Help out for Christmas?
8. DoTA
9. DoTA
10. DoTA (i'm kidding... too much DoTA is bad for health *grin*)

Library Critical Mass Theory

Critical Mass Theory you may ask? well... let me explain...

ever had the feeling that there're just too many people in the library and you can no longer study there (hence deciding to move to somewhere else)? well, that's the basis for Library Critical Mass Theory.

Theory:

a library, though having an extremely large capacity, can only hold only so many people studying (which we i'll refer to as the critical mass). The critical mass often is less than maximum capacity of the library (or any other study area for that matter), the value being a percentage of the library's maximum capacity

so when the studying population EXCEEDS the an area's critical mass, the people who have low distraction tolerance quotient (most likely to be affected by changes in study environment) will begin to leave and probably search for somewhere else to study, as they find it increasingly difficult to do productive work there. This movement of high distraction quotient people (which can be considered a form of diffusion) will continue till the studying population is below critical mass.

thus critical mass can be expressed in the following formula:

critical mass = studying population / total capacity * distraction tolerance quotient

criticisms:

The problems with this theory is that critical mass is not an exact value per se, but is dependent very much on the individual's distraction tolerance quotient (how else would people decide to up and leave?). Also, this quotient is adjustable, and often the tolerance increases as exams get closer (thereby possibly leading to an increase in what they would consider 'critical mass' value). based on this there is only a very remote possiblity that studying population would be equal to total capacity. but that is likely to occur in worst case scenarios.

p.s. my exams aren't THAT far away, and i'm no genius, but its good to spout convincing / impressive bullshit once in a while doncha think?

Can it get any worse?

out of the frying pan and into the fire. all 6 projects finally wrapped up (and good riddance to them too). but... that just means that the exams are upon us... *cue scary music and people screaming*

well... slacker that i am, due to the wonders of peer pressure, i have been forced (and really, i do mean forced) to mug... something i've never quite done before entering uni. its not helping that this year's freshmen are raising the kiasu quotient, which is pushing everyone else above their normal comfort level.

but anyhows, let's just get through the exams people... then after that we've got a good month's worth of hols (or thereabouts anyway).

Projects are driving me CRAZY...

gah... i'm down to the last 3 projects for the sem i so swear that they are driving me NUTS.

how do i know?

1. the minute anyone mentions 'fast, effective and soothing relief' (or any 2 of those 3 words) in a single sentence i'm reminded of my stupid tiger balm project for advertising. believe it or not, conditioned response. it ALSO reminds me that computers used for editing videos in the labs have a thing against me (particulary those at the lab at YIH). i think i'm the only person ever to encounter a million and one UNIQUE problems (apparently all the errors i 'produce' have never been encountered by any other users). how many other people possibly need SOMEONE ELSE to press the buttons for them and convert the file for fear of encountering errors if i did it myself? (i'm still in disbelief)

2. anyone who mentions interaction in relation to poking gets me thinking about BOTH my projects for NM2217. because poking as input are related to both. granted the first one's over, but the programming for the second is driving me (and possibly my lecturer) bananas. me because i can't make the program do what i want, him because i keep bugging him to help me make the program do what i want.

3. birth rates and pregnancy. never, and i mean NEVER mention anything to me vaguely hinting about birth rates and the like. because it will remind me about my NM2101 project on theories. which i was the compiler.

ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH ARGH... this is SICK. barely a week or so left till the reading week (and the end of classes officially) and i'm STILL working on those #%%&$$#%# projects. ARGH ARGH ARGH...

stupid projects... #$&*^$#^#$@

Er... now what?

right now, i'm feeling a bit lost. i've just finished a project (meaning i'm now down to 3 from the original 6 - WOOHOO!!!). the problem now is that i don't know what to do. i've spent the last few days on the project and now... nothing. i know i should be ecstatic that i've got 1 less thing to worry about, but now it's just a matter of 'what comes next'... what DOES come next?

well there's filming on thursday... but apart from that...

Stepping up...

"When the game's on the line they'll step up". The "game" here referring to the cause. apparently i was proven wrong. They didn't. and that's why it didn't go through. and now the poor 19th has to work it out all again. props to you guys, really. there's a lot of effort put in, a lot of time spent, and to have to do it all over again is just terrible.

but like i've always said... if you need me just let me know.

Evolution of programmers....

programming. BAH. after 4 years, the nightmare is revisited (sure there was programming last year, but that wasn't so frustrating. so THAT DOESN'T COUNT).

and as any programmer should know, the worst part of writing programs is compiling. especially when you click compile and you're met with the accursed error screen. then you have to slowly scroll down the page and peer at the screen looking for the part where it all went wrong (envisions programmers everywhere screaming in agony as they recall their traumatic experiences).

so anyway, i have come up with what i would like to term the theory of (programmer) evolution. so anyway, here's the lowdown... people have often regarded programmers to be weird people, who live in their own world, speak their own language and are extremely boring. being a former programmer myself, i've learnt that programmers have to be very patient. it takes much self control not to smash the computer to bits with a sledgehammer when the compiling error screen pops up one time too many.

with that in mind, the process of natural (or unnatural) selection for programmers would kick in. i figure that all the impatient programmers would have given up the profession due to excessive frustration or in extreme cases died of high blood pressure (resulting from the same frustration). of course there would be the other ones who went insane (but maybe those had sanity issues to resolve in the first place).

so what would be left are those who are very good at what they do (since the error screen would turn up less often for them) or the very patient ones, as those programmers would continue slogging on regardless of how many times the compiling error screen popped up (of course in the worst case scenario, it would be those programmers who are dead to world, who have no sense of emotion whatsoever).

Thus the high level of patience of the surviving programmers would make so of them extremely boring people. one can't help but pity their girlfriends / wives since these guys (sorry to stereotype here but i think most programmers are guys) are infuriatingly patient and unlikely to lose their cool (especially when they're in an arguement).

so yes. i should think that most programmers have a decent level of patience and self control.

Untitled...

funny how sometimes you title an item as 'untitled' (considering that gives it a title itself, thereby making it NOT untitled)... ARGH ok i'm spouting nonsense (then again i ALWAYS spout nonsense, so go figure).

but anyway...

the last post in this blog just highlighted how terrible stuff is this sem (ok i realise things can be worse, especially if i happen to be in engine instead of arts *prepares to dodge rotten flying vegetables*)

but this is really driving me nuts. and i mean really. but then again that's what everyone else probably thinks too. but then... come to think of it previous sems i could always say i was lucky. i think this sem it's the retribution. but on the good side, i have nice project group people (which always helps). though we're a bit slow off the mark, but at least they're nice. and they get things done.

i realised that this sem seems more serious for me... not just because of becoming year 2. but even then... i miss all the times i could do my 'MSN nonsense'... cos now all there seems to be is a lot of project meetings late at night. GT's been busy so i've lost a crapping partner (and maybe even a mugging partner). and i'm trying to think of a replacement (no offence to GT). come to think of it, ever since everyone got so busy i've lost almost all my crapping partners.

just for once (or twice, or 3 times, or even more than i can imagine) i would like to let loose. to be able to know that i can do crazy things over msn and online. instead of just project meetings and blogging for homework. i just wish there were more opportunities to do this: *bang head against wall* or even this: *runs screaming and throws self out the window*... i know it's stupid, but it's ME. it's WHO I AM (recalls that a few days ago tried to throw himself in front of a bus to stop it leaving. before anyone thinks i've gone nuts - i think i pretty much am to begin with - it was only TRIED, not did. otherwise i'd probably be touch-typing this from a hospital bed. with a stick held in my mouth as a 'finger'. *attempts to dodge rotten flying vegetables being thrown by concerned friends*)

recently i've decided to add another 'action' to my 'repetoire' - *decides to go into hiding*. whether that really happens remains to be seen. but for the meantime sometimes i sympathise with the text on one of the t-shirts i almost bought a while back... "Sometimes i just wanna put on my bunny suit and SCRRREEEEEAM!!!!!" (promise to get a pic uploaded if i can find it).

Not working out at all...

some people have been noticing that i'm looking stressed / drained / tired. i don't deny that i am. just not as bad as they make it out to be.

a lot of things are happening right now. some within my control, others not. some are simple, but for the most part all are a hell of a complicated. things aren't shaping up nicely this sem. not at all... here's a brief breakdown:

1. NM2217 group project (thank God it'll be over by week 7)
2. NM2217 individual assignment
3. NM2101 project
4. NM2216 group project (of all the unlucky shit...)
5. IT1001 project
6. NM3215 project
7. THE ISSUE
8. CG issue 1
9. CG issue 2
10. THAT question
11. laptop under repairs...

ok, for reasons of sanity and privacy i'm sorry that 7-10 sound so ambigious. but that's how it is. i can't spill the beans on them because they involve others, and only those who are *somehow* involved in any particular 1 will know what i'm talking about (or at least begin to guess). but there is no one that is involved in more than one of them (surprising, no?)

anyhow, i'm trying hard to keep it together. and also trying to help the others keep it together. i don't know if that's such a good idea, but seeing as how i'm *somehow* involved in all of them (many by choice - which on hindsight might have been a bit of a mistake)...

just let me keep my sanity at the end of this sem. that's all i'm asking.

Searching for a reason...

why am i keeping it going? is the reason even a good one? Who am i kidding? does the group even want to stay together for the right reasons? i've said before, i'm not leadersthip material. and yet people think i am. and yet i can't help but wonder if i'm thinking this way because to keep it going has become too 'hard'.

Whether the group lives or dies, who has the right to make that choice? certainly not me alone. what do i know? i'm no leader.

Erm... posting at the wrong blog?

well. i know i'm supposed to be posting for my creating interactive media blog. but i'm not. so here i am instead, at one of my many other blogs (shame on me. but i don't give half a shit).

This sem so far has been... interesting, hectic (only a little) and pretty much else in between actually. sometimes it's good just to people-watch (a common pastime of mine). to just sit there and watch things happen (perhaps it's in my inherently kaypoh nature). to make my own little observations. sometimes people show more than they usually would (especially if you watch them and they don't know about it).

after the end of my first year of uni life, suddenly realise i ain't a rookie no more. can't afford to make rookie mistakes (rather not allowed to make rookie mistakes). and SWAPS? well... feeling a little lost now (only a little). feels weird that it's now 19th comm running things (no offence to them of course, i'm sure they'll do a good job). just that the comm doesn't have any familiar faces (sort of). i guess it was easier for me cos last year i knew some of them to begin with (before they joined the comm).

i can't describe the feeling i get when sitting at the table... like it's not quite right (rather not the same) anymore. like wondering where the heck all the freshies are... hardly see any of them around. and yet wonder at the same time where i'd end up going if they DID turn up there. the SWAPS table has only so much space after all... and yet other times i wonder if had i not been sitting at the table... would the table exist (let's not begin talking philosophy here)? because the swaps table is not a location but a gathering of people (as i've so often mentioned). and if there's no one to 'set up' the table, would there be one? i still remember that day when i walked past it with JF and we met some others sitting there. and one of them said she thought the table had 'died', because there wasn't anyone there.

no more publicity sub comm (for the moment). really want to get cracking at it again. i can't be a phantom member. just doesn't feel right (to me anyway). but the condition is: PUBLICITY OR NOTHING.

NUS module bidding... whicked sick...

ok i know i shouldn't be bitching about the system, seeing as i got my mods. but that's not the point. as the title mentions, this year's module bidding was WHICKED SICK... was looking at the next minimum bids for exposures, and some of them were damn shit high...

who the hell pays 182 for soci 1101?! WTF... i paid 1 point for the module lor... i'm not showing off (though it looks like it), but the fact of the matter is that this year's bunch of freshies is INSANE (barring those of my friends who took sound advice)... throw points like free.... oh well, they'll live and learn i guess. they'll learn that they need the points when they're gonna be fighting for mods against the likes of me (don't even think about showing hand hor)...

that's why i've told people before... bidding system, you curse the other bidders... balloting, you curse the system... since you're in NUS where they practice both, you basically curse and swear at everyone.

got 1 last module to bid for... and it starts monday... people want to fight with me? can... prepare to go for broke...

FOC video

yes. i have been assigned the task to create the FOC video. on one hand, i'm relishing the opportunity. on the other, there's so much expectation of it. ideas have been rolling around in my head, and a big thanks to everyone else who has given me suggestions to work with.

but (and it's a BIG but) i have 2 very major concerns:

1. have to exercise a LOT of self-control (and i really mean a lot). many of my friends know that many a time i can be extremely lame and/or corny, and that i currently listen to 3 major musical genres - R & B (rap inclusive), rock and christian music. so my song selection ability is also questionable. so a note to my co-producer lin yen: don't paiseh to tell me that i'm overdoing anything. i mean it. it's one thing to be aware of the possibility. it's another to prevent it happening.


2. that this video has to be GOOD. and i really mean GOOD. because it might just be the last one there is (if you don't understand why, read this - the July 18th entry ). that's what makes it all the more special. because it really has to be something that we can hold onto, to remember the camp by. even now i regret not going as a freshman 1 year ago. meaning that Refresh '05 would have been my one and only SWAPS camp.

well, there you have it. i'm working on the video people. and i really hope it turns out good. really. there's so much i want to put in, so much i want to add in. but that would make things messy and defeat the whole purpose.

Re-fresh 2005...

disclaimer: please excuse all banana-related phrases. it's not always intentional to pun.

Bananas. Yes, BANANAS. Orientation group with the best mascot award. my OG (3 cheers and 3 cheers and 3 cheers for BANANAS.... ). unfortunately, being a temp / floating facilitator (counsellor) at the camp just meant i had less time to hang out with the bunch of them. but they're a good group. and a committed one at that. i swear they did a superb performance for finale night.... "Ways to kill Sadako" *shakes head* you guys are classic i tell you...

so here's a shout out to all you guys:

Javen, Amelia, Yvette, Charmaine, Lin Yen, Siang Meng (you and your banana song... *shakes head*), Clement, Kitty, Jacinth, Nicole, Khid (you rock bro!), Jeanette, Chia Ling, Yi Tsun... hope i haven't left anyone out. *grin*

oh oh... and my SP 'Eve'... hope you liked the gift i gave you. the whole SP thing was fun, even if they spilled the beans on who i was (thanks to 'bimbo balls'). funny how things worked out... considering everyone thought you were my sister *shakes head cos still can't believe it*.... sorry i was a bit weird during finale night (with all the funny questions and all), but yeah... was nice getting to know you.

i'm glad i came for SWAPS FOC '05. i knew that i had missed something back in '04, and this was it. the camp that makes SWAPS what it is.

like Eugene said... we ain't the biggest (or the richest), but we're family. and that's what SWAPS has always been about. so thanks guys for making Re-fresh SWAPS FOC '05 something special.

hope to see everyone around school... whether or not we're from the same og or anything. and like i told the rest of the bananas... i'm always at the SWAPS table (if it's there)....

peace out...

return...

well for those of you who are wondering why chris has been so inactive lately, it's because i've been away. just got back a day or 2 ago. was a good trip... nice relaxing one...

chris will be flying under the radar again this week cos of SWAPS FOC... so there should be stuff to write about then... but only after about this time next week. till then you'll just have t0 watch this space...