Wednesday, April 30, 2003

mood: really sleepy
music: collin raye - holes in the floor of heaven

*yawnz*

okay, this'll be a short post. was wondering why i was feeling so sleepy when i realised i've only had one hour of sleep in the last fifty. that's the problem when you're used to not-sleeping: i keep forgetting when the last time i actually slept was.

anyway, managed to hand in the report today. chiu said to hand it in at his office, so me and ben went to his office. he wasn't in, but the door wasn't locked so we went in. damn his office is messy. even messier than my room, which is saying a lot.

so we couldn't figure out which of the eleventeen gazillion piles of paper we were supposed to place our reports on. so we checked with jiv and he told us we're supposed to drop it off in chiu's pigeon-hole at the department office, not in his office. thanks a lot, professor. ::|

yeah so anyway, think i'm gonna go get some shut-eye now. thankfully i've already done the math assignment due tomorrow, save for that last question on particular solutions to 2nd order DEs.

note to self: remember to check with the others tomorrow

yeah, and so i leave you with this:

Dilbert

g'night.
mood: surprised
music: bon jovi - livin' on a prayer

woah.

take a look at this:

The WTO's successor organization has determined that the United States governing regime is no longer compatible with world peace or world prosperity. In accordance with this finding, the TRO has released a deck of the U.S.'s "52 most wanted" similar to the ones that the Pentagon released two weeks ago in Iraq.
can't say i was really expecting that. though of course i haven't been keeping up with the news much. *shrugz*

anyhoo, check out the full article at the WTO website
mood: horrible
music: doesn't matter

damn.

okay, i feel horrible now.

i just made fun of slicer without knowing it was him. i was being a complete ass and made fun of his email address. well ok, so i thought it was actually one of drake's RL friends. doesn't excuse my behaviour. i was still being a jackass.

so, yeah. i honestly am sorry. i'm not gonna make any excuses about not being in a good mood at the time and crapola like that. it was inexcusable behaviour and if this were swmb i would be banned by now. but i honestly don't know what else to say besides i'm sorry and i was stupid.

and apologies also to all the others who got caught in the crossfire over the last couple of days.

sorry. :'(
mood: good, considering the time
music: verve pipe - the freshman

just saw this on laddie's blog. thought it might interest some of you. :o)
This was brought to may attention at CtrlAltDel

Apparently, American Greetings made the boys at Penny Arcade take down one of their recent comics, due to copyright infringement or something along those lines. It was an amusing parody of those Strawberry Shortcake dolls, with a hint of American McGee (insane creator of American McGee's Alice, which was a twisted, yet fun, game). Personally, I think it's ridiculous. I mean, come on. It's a parody, and a funny one at that. It wasn't ruining the image of the doll (is it even being sold anymore) as most people who visit that site, bar the hopelessly twisted, would be buying any of those dolls. It's a video game comic/site, for crying out loud. Anyways, make your own mind up. You can't see the strip at their site any more so here it is for you. :)

American McGee + Strawberry Shortcake = Comedy

My sister had one of those dolls. Oddly, enough they did smell like strawberries. Also, after 10 years, they don't.
mood: a lil' better
music: k-ci & jojo - all my life

*yawnz*

nearly done with the report, just can't figure one of the questions out. and that's after scouring three textbooks. three!!

damn this is frustrating.

just have to figure out that problem, write up the intro and aim and i'm done.

yay.
mood: surprisingly calm
music: the eagles - love will keep us alive

mmm...working on the dang'd report now. discussing with ben over icq. thank the force for the net.

managed to grab three materials text books from the college library. thank the force for the library.
so staying in college does pay off. ;)

really should invest in getting a textbook for materials. if only i had money. :-/

ah well. here we go again...

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

mood: pathetic
music: pj & duncan - eternal love

ugh.

just got back from dinner and the meeting. was late for the meeting. major props to paul for coming and waking me up. thanks bro. ^^;;

meeting didn't go all that smoothly. chaowei didn't turn up, though i suppose it's partly my fault for forgetting to call and remind him last night. but we have meetings every tuesday. i shouldn't have to keep reminding people.

*sighz*

jamil didn't turn up either. wtf. he told me he would be coming and that he would be passing me the sample for the newsletter today. it's already eight weeks overdue!! what's he want me to do?! grovel and beg him to meet a target he agreed was entirely within reasonable demand?!

*sighz*

so no reps from editorial dep. still no newsletter. at least the sponsors are being nice about it and not shouting for our blood. yet.

*sighz*

and the indian dance club was practicing their stuff in the lounge too, like every meeting. 'cept this time they decided to blast their music so calcutta could hear them. blasted loud indian cultural music (pun intended). nothing against the music itself, just that it really doesn't help when you're trying to conduct a meeting and going "shit. what was i going to say again?"

*sighz*

on top of that, the kriffing money still hasn't been transferred over yet. dagnabbit. so i'm still broke. had to borrow a tenner from paul for dinner. thanks again, bro. pleasepleaseplease let the money be in my account by tomorrow. how long does it take to transfer my own money into my own account?!

*sighz*

and to top it all off, i have to finish the tensile test report tonight. due in at chiu's office by 5pm tomorrow. looks like i won't be having much sleep tonight either. if any at all.

*sighz*

ah well, guess i'd better finish up that report.

*sighz*
mood: peaceful
music: richard marx - how do you talk to an angel

.oO{zzzZZZZZ}
mood: sleepy (yes, i know that's not technically a mood.)
music: valen hsu & enrique iglesias - you are my number one (english + mandarin)

*burp*

just finished lunch. saw pris earlier when i got back to college. haven't seen her in a few days, so yay. discussing tagging and other html/css stuff with K over aim now. information overload.

think i should probs have a nap before the meeting.

mmm...in a while.

*yawnz*
mood: average
music: kenny loggins - for the first time

okay, change of plans. no sleep after all.

the plus side is I've gotten a little more of the report done. (a wee bit)

hmmz.
mood: better
music: bob carlisle - butterfly kisses

mmm...well, managed to finish off those stupid math questions. and half done one of the reports. the rest and the other report will have to wait till i talk to jiv and joe. haven't done the agenda, but it's a lil' late to send it out to the others now. ah well, guess i'll just have to play it by ear like all the other meetings. (if you're a sam member, i didn't just say that. nope, your president always goes prepared for committee meetings. always. :-P)

well, it's 0340 and i don't feel sleepy yet. two lectures tomorrow from nine till twelve. comm meeting at five. still broke. so what's new? hmmz hopefully the money i'm transferring across from home will arrive tomorrow. should last me another week. really have to speak to dad soon. *sighz*

ah well.

think i'll head out for a quick fag and log into swmb for a while before heading to bed. oh yeah, have to go mod the trekkers board too.

hope it's still in one piece.

Monday, April 28, 2003

mood: bad
music: george michael - careless whisper

damn.

guess what happened? i went for my 1100 lecture, got back at noon, decided to take a nap since my next class was at 1400, my alarm clock died on me, and i just woke at seven.

damn.

missed two hours of drafting tute.
haven't eaten a thing all day, and now the dining hall's shut.
still flat broke, so looks like it'll be noodles tonight again.
still have to finish the two reports and the math.
plus write up the agenda for tomorrow's meeting.

damn.

*sighz* life's just getting better and better, innit? well, better get some food down my throat first, then muck about with the assignments.

you guys have fun. ::)
Mood: So-so
Music: Alanis - That I would Be Good

mmm...didn't sleep again last night. this is so definitely not good. ah well, at least the nine o'clock tute is cancelled today. should i go for maths lecture at 11? considering taking a nap, but that means i'll probably miss the lecture. *sighz* can't figure out the math problems for the assignment either. and two lab reports due this week. oh i'm so dead. ah well, guess i'll have to check with jiv later about the tensile test report. hope he has some idea how to start. oh yeah, have to check the lab results with joe for professor marshall's class too. and write up the agenda for tomorrow's committee meeting. damn and there's drafting today as well. hmmz...looks like it's gonna be a busy day.

ah well.
Okay, hopefully nothing screws up this time.
Oh fuck. The template screwed up and all the links that took me so long to put up are gone.

Fuck.

They'll be up again soon.

*sighz*
Took this off iftheshoefits. It's pretty hilarious.
Thanks dear! ^^


PROJECT GENESIS: Internal Corporate Correspondence


(or why we have 9 planets)




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Gabriel, Marketing Director



The market research conducted by our department for the Genesis project, shows that systems of the following configuration will generate the highest level of consumer enthusiasm:
Planet(s): 1
Radius: 3,000 km
Gravitational pull: 0.5g
Land/Water ratio: 1:1
Temperature: +24 C
Atmosphere: Oxygen
Oceans/Seas: Fresh Water
Rivers: Milk, Honey
Fauna: Herbivores
Peripherals: 2 luminary bodies, (for day, night).
Orbital Speed: 0.0007 RPM (1 revolution / 24h cycle)


Resolution:
Forwarding to the strategy planning department for preparation.
-- Jehovah




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Michael, Strategy Planning Manager



In order to minimize the overall project costs, I propose we power both luminary bodies using one energy source, and substitute Nitrogen for Oxygen.
Comments:
Leave at least 50% of the oxygen - otherwise we run the risk of user suffocation.
-- Raphael


25% Should suffice.
-- Jehovah





To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



In the course of our work on project Genesis, we have run into some difficulties (specifically in the "Let there be Light" phase of the project):
We do not currently have access to a source of uninterrupted light that can be channeled into two separate luminary bodies. I propose we utilize a standard "Red Dwarf" type light source for daytime illumination, and use a mirror for nighttime light.


Comments:
Upgrade to "Yellow Dwarf". The cost differential is minimal, but aesthetically, the look is far more impressive.
-- Gabriel (Marketing dept.)


But that's a multi-client light source! Why would the user need it for a single-planet system?
-- Lucifer


The marketing department will tell to the user what he needs or doesn't need.
-- Gabriel


Lucifer, please restrict your comments to questions within the field of your competence. I'm approving the "Yellow Dwarf".
-- Jehovah


By the way, with the level of light output generated by a Yellow Dwarf, we can use a regular planetoid instead of a mirror.
-- Michael


Agreed.
-- Jehovah




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



The recent deviations from the specification introduced the following problems into the system:
The mass of the uninterruped light source is significantly greater than the mass of the planet. Due to this, the light source cannot be in orbit around the planet. Instead, it is the planet that is orbiting the light source.


Furthermore, due to the energy output of the light source, we are observing surface temperature that consistently exceeds the spec. by a factor of 2. However if we move the planet further away from the light source, the overall dimensions of the system will grow significantly.


Comments:
A larger system will probably benefit us from the marketing standpoint, but the fact that the planet is rotating around a peripheral device may lead to self esteem issues on the part of the user. Could we perhaps change the Gravitational Constant to compensate?
-- Gabriel


Changing the Gravitational Constant will result in compatibility problems down the line
-- Michael


What difference is it to the user what orbits what? Let Marketing come up with some kind of theory of Relativity.
-- Jehovah





To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



After the increase in the orbital radius, all attempts to accelerate the planet to specified velocity have consistently lead to a system crash. (The planet escapes from orbit into outer space.)
By the way, the nighttime luminary exhibits the same behavior.


Comments:
The internal behavior of the system is irrelevant. We must deliver on the user experience. Why not make the planet revolve around its own axis? The user will then think that both the Sun and the Moon are orbiting it with the speeds originally specified.
-- Gabriel


Won't the user catch on?
-- Jehovah


Even if he does, it won't be til' the project is long delivered.
-- Gabriel


Agreed.
-- Jehovah




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Raphael, QA & Support Lead



Initial testing has revealed the following defects:


We are observing consistent overheating.
The axis of revolution has shown a 33 deg. declination from the vertical, resulting in cyclic temperature anomalies.
The rivers' throughput falls far short of expectations.
Herbivore fauna (as specified) is missing.
The orbit is unstable. Planet tends to fall into the Sun.


Resolution:
Forwarding to the tech. department for review.
-- Jehovah




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



We are observing consistent overheating.
What else did you expect with that Land/Water ratio? For proper cooling to occur we need a ration of 1:3 - 1:4.


The axis of revolution has shown a 33 deg. declination from the vertical, resulting in cyclic temperature anomalies.
We're working on it.


The rivers' throughput falls far short of expectations.
This is because milk curdles, and honey crystallizes.


Herbivore fauna (as specified) is missing.
Hebivores require vegitation, which cannot grow in this heat without water. I propose to put water into the rivers. This should also help resolve problem (3).


The orbit is unstable. Planet tends to fall into the Sun.
We will intoroduce another planet on a larger orbit to serve as a gravitational counterweight.


Comments:
There's not enough room to reduce the landmass. We will have to increase the area of the oceans. This will result in a larger diameter and stronger gravitational pull. Plus the extra planet...
-- Michael


That's allright, the user will just have to live with it. We will present the extra planet as an added feature. However, we have already announced the Milk and Honey, will have to at least leave them in the most prominent rivers.
-- Gabriel


Let me remind you that the deadline for this project is fast approaching, and yet you are still beating a dead horse. Speaking of which, why have the designers not come up with a horse concept yet, and are still mucking about with the dinosaurs? Who needs these dinosaurs anyway?
-- Jehovah


Generally speaking, the user has shown great interest in dinosaurs.
-- Gabriel


Fine. But we must have horses too.
-- Jehovah




To: General Director Jehovah
From: Raphael, QA & Support Lead



In addition to the unsolved problems with the axis, the planet now has the tendency to fly away into space.
Herbivores are missing again.


Resolution:
Forwarding to the tech. department for review.
-- Jehovah



To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



In addition to the unsolved problems with the axis, the planet now has the tendency to fly away into space.
We'll add another counterweight, this time on a smaller orbit.


Herbivores are missing again.
They seem to have multiplied, ate all the vegitation and died out.


Comments:
How many counterweights do you need?!
-- Michael


All in all after the calibration we were able to stabilize the system at nine.
-- Lucifer


Did I understand correctly? Instead of one planet the user will be getting 9?!
-- Jehovah


So what? Eight of them will be uninhabitable anyway.
-- Lucifer


The user doesn't need to know. Half of these planets cannot be seen without a telescope. I suggest ammending the user manual with an 11-th Commandment: "Thow Shalt Not Invent A Telescope".
-- Gabriel


No. Then they will definitely invent it.
-- Jehovah


By the way, after the orbital radius was increased, the brightness of the night-time light source fell below the specified minimum. I propose using a mirror after all.
-- Raphael


Where were you before? We just finished balancing the system! Should we start over?
-- Lucifer


There will be no starting over! The project deadline is in six days! Lucifer, either make it all work or you will be demoted and transferred to a different post.
-- Jehovah



To: General Director Jehovah
From: Lucifer, Head of System Technology Department



> Lucifer, either make it all work or you will
> be demoted and transferred to a different post.


How is it my fault, if I didn't get a proper spec?


Anyway... The axis will have to stay angled as it is. The garden of Eden at least, will get +24C, but if the user goes wandering around elswhere, that's his problem. Doesn't look like we'll be able to finish the dinosaurs, but at least the horses will definitely be done. Milk and Honey are out, we made the rivers run with water, although it's bringing salt out into the oceans and seas. We had to introduce some Predators to keep the Herbivores from eating up all the vegetation again. However, we didn't have time to set the predators up to distinguish the users from their prey.


In short, it will all probably work out.


Comments:
Let it be so.
-- Jehovah



Epilogue


The head of System Technology Department, Lucifer, was in the end demoted and transferred, as punishment for unsanctioned assistance lent to the user in the usability testing phase of project Genesis.
Updated the links section. If anyone has a problem with their site/blog being linked/not linked here, email me.

Or icq/aim/msn me.

Or call/sms me.

Or just walk over and pound on my door.

Whichever's most convenient for you. ;)
Okay, I've set-up the Tagboard and Shoutout, and they should hopefully be working.

*crosses fingers*
Ok, I think it's finally working properly.

Yay.
Well, it's a start. So there. ::)