Now, I've been blogging for at least a week now, so it's time to look back and reflect on the my progress. Oh come on, what am I a newscaster who looks back at the year and count through the incidents? No. I'm not a proper blogger, and no, this isn't happening.
So...with all that political bs out of the way, let's get down to business.
Last night, due to a large work load, there was no time to write up the Friday night post, so I'll put it up on Saturday.
Tomorrow is Halloween, also known to many as the Eve of Hallows, All Souls Day, Trick-or Treating, etc, etc.
However, it's the last 8 years ago that really changed my view of Halloween the most. 12 years ago, when I stopped dressing up, people thought I was slightly off. It took me 4 years to come up with the best retort yet. You see, 12 years ago, when I explained that I outgrew dressing up and trick or treating, it made sense because I didn't see a point in asking random strangers in my neighbourhood for candy. This is naturally blackmail. However, because society has been so hung up on this, that we end up just giving treats without the ever thinking deeply about what "Trick or Treat" entails. Seriously think about this : how many times are you really prepared to trick someone when they respond to your predicated threat with "Trick".
Another thing that puzzles me is that we are teaching our future generation to take part in a yearly ritual, where we blackmail all of our neighbours for candy. We're going about it slightly wrong. You see, if you're going to teach children of the next generation how society works, we got to take it to the right scale. It's like teaching them how to ride a bicycle. You want them to learn with an actual bicycle, not a toy bike. Right now you're teaching blackmailing to children, telling them that they should do something nasty in return for candy. That's not right in any proportion. If we are going to teach blackmailing, we have to teach them to do it with the right principals, and the right tools. Therefore, I propose that for those of us planning to teach children the wonders and joys of the yearly Halloween rituals do the following. Dress your child(ren) in a Darth Vader costume, and give them a red Force FX LightSabre. Once the door opens, they just turn on their LightSabre and hold it up to the home owner's head and say : "trick or treat". If they fail to deliver a treat, then have the child pretend to "radio in to central" and tell them the house number and street. If you're going to teach your child about blackmail, you have to teach them to do it right.
Naturally, I do not want anyone to try that out, because Social Workers tend to find many ways to label any parent or guardian who tries that as in need of help, and in the end, everyone's sent to places they don't want to be, and our society will be even more screwed up. Like I said one week ago regarding the Double Down and diet, one needs to exercise control.
Halloween, the only time of year when girls can dress as slutty as they want and still get away with it. Enjoy it.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Post 006
One of the biggest pet peeves that most people share with me is none other than our fellow commuters on the subway. You see, the TTC is the primary source of transportation for many students. However, there are a few issues that need to be addressed regarding this.
My biggest pet peeve really revolves around other passengers. I've met other passengers who are so wonderfully considerate, I just wish they could be banned forever. In this manner, the subway cars will be less crowded. The following is a list of people who really need to be asked to leave the subway.
1.) People carrying big bulky backpacks on their back.
Seriously, this one girl on the subway kept turning to her boyfriend, to the window, and back for 6 times within one minute. Her bag was filled to the brim. With me standing there innocently trying to calm down from a long day, I was hit 7 times. Seriously, put your bag on the ground between your legs.
2.) People who don't bother to move to make more room for passengers boarding the train.
The subway cars are wonderfully built in such a way that it doesn't carry enough people so everyone has to crowd around during rush hour. Wouldn't it be great if you moved in, and filled up any free space so that other passengers can board? Because they choose not to move in, there's no space for other passengers to move on, which leads to pushing, and people falling over.
Now, there may be a few more things on my mind, but due to the higher stress levels of today, I can't remember them. In fact, I had another topic I wanted to talk about, but I forgot about it. It'd be nice if I get some comments regarding creating a team for Movember. Please refer to Post 005 for the link.
Good luck on tomorrow's midterm.
My biggest pet peeve really revolves around other passengers. I've met other passengers who are so wonderfully considerate, I just wish they could be banned forever. In this manner, the subway cars will be less crowded. The following is a list of people who really need to be asked to leave the subway.
1.) People carrying big bulky backpacks on their back.
Seriously, this one girl on the subway kept turning to her boyfriend, to the window, and back for 6 times within one minute. Her bag was filled to the brim. With me standing there innocently trying to calm down from a long day, I was hit 7 times. Seriously, put your bag on the ground between your legs.
2.) People who don't bother to move to make more room for passengers boarding the train.
The subway cars are wonderfully built in such a way that it doesn't carry enough people so everyone has to crowd around during rush hour. Wouldn't it be great if you moved in, and filled up any free space so that other passengers can board? Because they choose not to move in, there's no space for other passengers to move on, which leads to pushing, and people falling over.
Now, there may be a few more things on my mind, but due to the higher stress levels of today, I can't remember them. In fact, I had another topic I wanted to talk about, but I forgot about it. It'd be nice if I get some comments regarding creating a team for Movember. Please refer to Post 005 for the link.
Good luck on tomorrow's midterm.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Post 005
People often say a lot of things that baffle me to no end. I sometimes wonder how they can be so carefree about using the words "should" and "if". People have used those words so often and have taken it for granted so much that we no longer understand the scope behind it. Read the following sample dialogue between Alice and Bob, and you'll understand the "scope" of the problem.
Alice : I really don't get it, why is it that every time it's dinner time, you're always groaning?
Bob: Well, if you knew why, you would understand.
You see, if Alice knew. This can be for many many reasons. It could be because Alice is a horrible cook, or it could be because Alice made Bob's least favourite food for dinner again, or Bob could be cheating on Alice and hates seeing her altogether. We don't know, as there are so many reasons!
Or perhaps the following.
Alice : So, was it a tough midterm?
Bob : Well, the questions were alright, you should be able to go through it.
Again, Bob makes the assumption that Alice knows what Bob knows, and that she should know what's going on. In many times in life, that's not true. There is no real situation where things should go the way we want them. Even if things go the way we want, the outcome may still not be desirable due to the large amount of possible outcomes available to us.
As computer science students, we should really watch how we use these words. There are many times in which we falsify upon a situation by believing that it should turn out the way we want it to. Unfortunately, by making this assumption, we've effectively shut out a lot of possibilities that could have also happened. Therefore, next time, the guy in the class who had the highest mark say : "You should be fine", don't listen to him. That's right, I'm referring to the guy in our class who managed 102% on our Data Communications midterm.
With November fast approaching, I just want to see if anyone is interested in taking part in Movember, a yearly event that happens in November to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research. Please leave a comment below to show your interest. For more information, please visit their website : http://ca.movember.com/about/ . If we have enough people, we can form a team, and try to raise some money for a worthy cause.
Good luck on tomorrow's security midterm.
Alice : I really don't get it, why is it that every time it's dinner time, you're always groaning?
Bob: Well, if you knew why, you would understand.
You see, if Alice knew. This can be for many many reasons. It could be because Alice is a horrible cook, or it could be because Alice made Bob's least favourite food for dinner again, or Bob could be cheating on Alice and hates seeing her altogether. We don't know, as there are so many reasons!
Or perhaps the following.
Alice : So, was it a tough midterm?
Bob : Well, the questions were alright, you should be able to go through it.
Again, Bob makes the assumption that Alice knows what Bob knows, and that she should know what's going on. In many times in life, that's not true. There is no real situation where things should go the way we want them. Even if things go the way we want, the outcome may still not be desirable due to the large amount of possible outcomes available to us.
As computer science students, we should really watch how we use these words. There are many times in which we falsify upon a situation by believing that it should turn out the way we want it to. Unfortunately, by making this assumption, we've effectively shut out a lot of possibilities that could have also happened. Therefore, next time, the guy in the class who had the highest mark say : "You should be fine", don't listen to him. That's right, I'm referring to the guy in our class who managed 102% on our Data Communications midterm.
With November fast approaching, I just want to see if anyone is interested in taking part in Movember, a yearly event that happens in November to raise money for Prostate Cancer Research. Please leave a comment below to show your interest. For more information, please visit their website : http://ca.movember.com/about/ . If we have enough people, we can form a team, and try to raise some money for a worthy cause.
Good luck on tomorrow's security midterm.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Post 004
As of late, all good events happening at Yonge Dundas Square tends to land on a Tuesday. About a month ago, there was a street hockey game. Last week, Uncle Ben's was serving free lunch, (ok, it's microwave lunch, and it's just an ad campaign, but free food is free food). Sadly, today was the day that a large ad campaign for the grand opening of a very iconic store at the Eaton Centre. Of course, I'm talking about none other than Victoria's Secret. Words in big font reading "The Angels Are Landing" stare me in the face as I walk out of the subway station, taunting me, as I continue to walk on to class. Naturally, the sudden pang and dread of the impending 3 hour lecture that will dominate my Tuesday morning suddenly hits me. That's when I get a sudden realization, that a lot of great events tend to happen on a Tuesday. After some thought, it is absolutely nonsense. You see, many people have the case of the Mondays, a condition that is still not medically recognized, so therefore, like the millions of people who head to work on Monday, I want to spend the first few hours of it, regaining my energy in whatever way possible. Therefore, if an event were to happen on Tuesday, then it means that the critical moments of every event, i.e..the final checks are all held on Monday. It would mean that everyone has to rush despite wanting to make a big punch in every wall possible. I believe that this should be banned altogether. Mondays should not be the last chance for everyone to make sure everything is right. If possible, these brilliant events, especially those involving girls scantily clad in very attractive outfits. Naturally, this being a personal opinion, this proposition will never come true. Let's just hope that these types of events will happen on days where I can actually join in on the fun.
Last week, I had described the relationship between our class and the professor of that class is rather similar to a UDP connection. I personally still feel that this relationship between us is a source of friction, however, with time running out, and much to cover, I continue to do what my classmates have done, and tried hard to soldier on. I had suggested that we be angry with the connection, and I wish to have been more faithful to that. However, with the increasing pressure of our time-constrained schedules, we cannot afford any more time spent trying to be patient with an unreliable connection. However, with a rise in tuition fees on a yearly basis, it only makes sense to get the most of our lecture hours, no matter how useless they tend to be, or are becoming, in an increasing manner.
Project tips : good luck, and stay cool.
Last week, I had described the relationship between our class and the professor of that class is rather similar to a UDP connection. I personally still feel that this relationship between us is a source of friction, however, with time running out, and much to cover, I continue to do what my classmates have done, and tried hard to soldier on. I had suggested that we be angry with the connection, and I wish to have been more faithful to that. However, with the increasing pressure of our time-constrained schedules, we cannot afford any more time spent trying to be patient with an unreliable connection. However, with a rise in tuition fees on a yearly basis, it only makes sense to get the most of our lecture hours, no matter how useless they tend to be, or are becoming, in an increasing manner.
Project tips : good luck, and stay cool.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Post 003
On days like today, I'd usually hate getting up. On days like today, I really wish that I had just a few more minutes to sleep everything off in bed. On days like today, the fog just HAS to hang so low that visibility is no more than 1 km. On days like today, cutting into the right lane to avoid a garbage truck can result in me being stuck behind the hydro repair truck.
That's right...like many people, I'm described as having the a bad case of the "Mondays". Mondays are generally very bad days. Like Garfield, I had wished for the disappearance of Mondays on multiple occasions. However, given that I've also found Mondays to be an quite an interesting way to start my week when I have to spend it downtown, I can't say I'm not having fun.
However, Mondays are a bit of a doomsday for a lot of people. Monday means the official start of a new week for many people. This start signifies many problems, including tests, midterms, projects, assignments, work, facing your most hated person in the world, putting up with your boss, the list goes on. In fact, the only thing that makes Mondays worth while, is the fact that you can share with your friends the joys of your weekend.
Perhaps we are looking at Mondays in the wrong way. Perhaps Mondays should be a day to look forward to. We can look forward to telling our best buddies about what happened over the weekend. We can also finally get the annoying amount of work waiting for us out of our hectic schedules. We can also look forward to the fact that the weekend is only around the corner. After all, with every new Monday, there's a new surprise in store for us.
On the subject of what's new in store, Rob Ford is now Mayor of Toronto. As students, we can only hope for a better transit system, fewer expenditures in tuition fees, and whatnot. So, let's hope that the gravy train that Rob Ford wants to get rid of is going to be eventually beneficial to students.
Big thanks to Shauniechulo for helping me promote this blog. It's good to know people actually reads my this blog. Have a nice week!
That's right...like many people, I'm described as having the a bad case of the "Mondays". Mondays are generally very bad days. Like Garfield, I had wished for the disappearance of Mondays on multiple occasions. However, given that I've also found Mondays to be an quite an interesting way to start my week when I have to spend it downtown, I can't say I'm not having fun.
However, Mondays are a bit of a doomsday for a lot of people. Monday means the official start of a new week for many people. This start signifies many problems, including tests, midterms, projects, assignments, work, facing your most hated person in the world, putting up with your boss, the list goes on. In fact, the only thing that makes Mondays worth while, is the fact that you can share with your friends the joys of your weekend.
Perhaps we are looking at Mondays in the wrong way. Perhaps Mondays should be a day to look forward to. We can look forward to telling our best buddies about what happened over the weekend. We can also finally get the annoying amount of work waiting for us out of our hectic schedules. We can also look forward to the fact that the weekend is only around the corner. After all, with every new Monday, there's a new surprise in store for us.
On the subject of what's new in store, Rob Ford is now Mayor of Toronto. As students, we can only hope for a better transit system, fewer expenditures in tuition fees, and whatnot. So, let's hope that the gravy train that Rob Ford wants to get rid of is going to be eventually beneficial to students.
Big thanks to Shauniechulo for helping me promote this blog. It's good to know people actually reads my this blog. Have a nice week!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Post 002
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| Picture taken by Shauniechulo |
At first glance, it's not that glamorous at all. Unfortunately, in our society where everyone is so hung up on looks, calories, peer pressure, pressure from Jenny Craig, Herbal Magic, animal rights groups (who apparently want to save living things, but end up eating plants, which are living too) there really is no real justification for those people. In fact, I've come to realize that people can be so hung up on first impressions these days, no one has really figured out what goes into a Double Down before saying no.
Because of how society has managed to make perverse the enjoyment of food by telling people what they should eat to stay fit and not telling them to exercise control, I naturally ignored it. The first bite is really a bit of a treat. The light crunch into the chicken breast mixed with the seasoning of the original recipe the Colonel Sanders franchise is famous for makes for a lovely first bite. The subsequent bites is where the Double Down shows its flaws. Naturally, the saltiness of the entire thing really becomes overpowering. Yes, your hands will be greasy at the end of this, yes, you will need to hit the gym afterward, and yes, it is rather pricey. However, I am not society, and I am going to say the most sensible thing that most reviewers of the Double Down will agree upon. As an experience, it is worth trying once. If people frown upon you, ignore them and move on. A second time is unnecessary, but most certainly, it is NOT a heart attack in a box. If you really think about it, you're being given two pieces of chicken breast, the leanest of chicken meat, two different pieces of cheese, which should have been included in everyone's daily diet anyway, and bacon. Honestly, in today's world, where most people opt to not eat breakfast and move on with their lives, this makes for a good brunch. Stop being those conscientious people who count every last calorie they eat in. Exercise control, and enjoy your food once in a blue moon. If you are going to eat X amounts of food, then you should also do a proportional Y amount of exercise.
Enough about the double down and let us move on to a more pressing matter. One afternoon, while the majority of our class was working on a project, there was a bit of a discussion regarding a letter of rejection from an employer for one of our classmates.
Now, the exact details of the letter are a bit fuzzy to me, but it was along the lines of:
"we didn't want to make your schedule any more busy, so we found a more suitable candidate.
Best Regards,
the employer"
It just seems so strange doesn't it? The words "Best Regards" being used in e-mails. People have now created signatures for their e-mails, and no matter what the situation is, it will always read "Best Regards". As far as I'm concerned, "Best Regards" is seemingly a very condescending phrase. Often times, people tend to attach "Best Regards" to the end of very ridiculous and complex e-mails that explain how things don't work out. For example, in that rejection letter from above, I find it hard to be in any form of good regard after I lost out on a job. It's almost as if the people who wrote the letter really need to drive the point home, that you're not in a good mood after reading such a depressing letter, and that they want you to remember it by telling you "Best Regards".
In fact, I think the way it's being used is so ridiculous, that they'll show up in many ridiculous scenarios, just like the following :
Apologies
"We're sorry to inform you that you are not the candidate we are looking for, Best Regards"
Or maybe
"We're sorry that your house is flooding, but we are unable to help you fix the problem until next year, Best Regards"
Surgery gone wrong
"We're sorry to hear that your penis attachment didn't work out too well. We will follow up with your transgender operation soon, Best Regards"
Complete hokum
"I'm sorry to inform you that I'm replying to you with a completely useless generic mail that you won't be satisfied with, Best Regards"
Extra work
"We'll have to spend more time at the office to take care of the situation this weekend. I know it's very last minute, as it is Friday @ 3:45 pm, but you're going to have to cancel any plans you have to visit your grandmother on her 90th birthday, Best Regards"
E-mails are generally a very informal means of communication. It just becomes so meaningless when people think they are better than other people when they start by using phrases like "Best Regards", and it is a bit of an insult. Like always, a bit of courtesy never really hurts.
On that note, please remember that opinions are really just that. If you disagree, then don't agree. I don't need an essay telling me where I've gone wrong in your world. Your world is not my world, and controversy is what makes for good discussions. Otherwise, have a good weekend and good luck on the studying!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Post 001
Now, tomorrow is the first midterm of our third year computer science courses. Naturally, I'm not REALLY studying at a time like this.
It's just strange, how I never really feel that sense of urgency until I'm really sitting in the exam room. However, there is method to my madness. You see, with age, my ability to comprehend anything has dulled. Naturally, while some people may have the ability to catch on with what my AI prof is talking about in AI and be able to finish those assignments, I'm sitting there scratching my head bald, and still stuck without a clue as to how to finish it. I'd like to say that the assignments are cryptic, but they're really not. They're just....a lot of work.
So, to conquer this large problem of mine, I've decided to start studying earlier. In fact, I've been studying since last week. I've had so much time to study, I don't see a point in studying anymore. I'm not 100% ready per se, but at least I think I can tackle most problems. However, despite all of this, (the course is on networking bee-tee-dub) I've managed to find application use to this.
You see, the only thing I can ever pick up from that class is that UDP is bad and TCP is good. Let's put it this way, that point is fine. However, it does not summarize the whole point of why we still use UDP. UDP, for those who don't understand, stands for User Datagram Protocol. In reality, it's "unreliable" because basically, it's a type of connection where the data being sent from point A does NOT have to make it to point B. However, in the modern world, it is absolutely a useful tool, especially when using VoIP, Skype, or even gaming. You don't REALLY need all bits of data to reach to the other side, you just want the entire program to go. You want it to be fast. In fact, UDP is so good, it actually describes some real life situations.
I'd just want to point out, that at this point, if you've followed along, and you don't understand, I'm sorry. I apologize because this blog is meant for computer science students. Particularly to those at Ryerson University. The jokes tend to work better that way. I'm also not naming names of professors or courses because it's just not right.
You know, if you ever forget how UDP works, it's very easy. The professor that's easiest to identify for all students in the computer science classes is none other than the one who teaches databases. I'm not advertising it, but you have to take that course at some point in time. However, this professor and I have a very UDP relationship. In many cases, I've tuned out of his many rants in class. He is a very insightful man, don't get me wrong, but I never understood his point of view well enough to make a judgment on whether or not his arguments are sound or not. Unfortunately, this professor seems to have a very UDP relationship with us too. Many times, it seems like most of the things we tell him, don't quite reach him whenever we ask him for help in and out of the office. UDP is very great. There is no connection needed to be established. In this case, it's very true for most of us sitting through those lectures. In between the many rants about the many programming languages "A, B, C, D, E, Java, Dava, Bava", the wall kicking, or how menus can be found at restaurants, I have to admit, there never was a connection required between the professor and most people in our class. It's just basically, the lecture, the project, and the probable office hours. Based on that argument alone, I am certain that most students have gravely misunderstood our prof. We should not be angered with his methods. We should be angered with our connection. I mean, what more did we expect from a UDP connection?
Good luck on the midterm tomorrow, and take care!
Once again, no offense!
It's just strange, how I never really feel that sense of urgency until I'm really sitting in the exam room. However, there is method to my madness. You see, with age, my ability to comprehend anything has dulled. Naturally, while some people may have the ability to catch on with what my AI prof is talking about in AI and be able to finish those assignments, I'm sitting there scratching my head bald, and still stuck without a clue as to how to finish it. I'd like to say that the assignments are cryptic, but they're really not. They're just....a lot of work.
So, to conquer this large problem of mine, I've decided to start studying earlier. In fact, I've been studying since last week. I've had so much time to study, I don't see a point in studying anymore. I'm not 100% ready per se, but at least I think I can tackle most problems. However, despite all of this, (the course is on networking bee-tee-dub) I've managed to find application use to this.
You see, the only thing I can ever pick up from that class is that UDP is bad and TCP is good. Let's put it this way, that point is fine. However, it does not summarize the whole point of why we still use UDP. UDP, for those who don't understand, stands for User Datagram Protocol. In reality, it's "unreliable" because basically, it's a type of connection where the data being sent from point A does NOT have to make it to point B. However, in the modern world, it is absolutely a useful tool, especially when using VoIP, Skype, or even gaming. You don't REALLY need all bits of data to reach to the other side, you just want the entire program to go. You want it to be fast. In fact, UDP is so good, it actually describes some real life situations.
I'd just want to point out, that at this point, if you've followed along, and you don't understand, I'm sorry. I apologize because this blog is meant for computer science students. Particularly to those at Ryerson University. The jokes tend to work better that way. I'm also not naming names of professors or courses because it's just not right.
You know, if you ever forget how UDP works, it's very easy. The professor that's easiest to identify for all students in the computer science classes is none other than the one who teaches databases. I'm not advertising it, but you have to take that course at some point in time. However, this professor and I have a very UDP relationship. In many cases, I've tuned out of his many rants in class. He is a very insightful man, don't get me wrong, but I never understood his point of view well enough to make a judgment on whether or not his arguments are sound or not. Unfortunately, this professor seems to have a very UDP relationship with us too. Many times, it seems like most of the things we tell him, don't quite reach him whenever we ask him for help in and out of the office. UDP is very great. There is no connection needed to be established. In this case, it's very true for most of us sitting through those lectures. In between the many rants about the many programming languages "A, B, C, D, E, Java, Dava, Bava", the wall kicking, or how menus can be found at restaurants, I have to admit, there never was a connection required between the professor and most people in our class. It's just basically, the lecture, the project, and the probable office hours. Based on that argument alone, I am certain that most students have gravely misunderstood our prof. We should not be angered with his methods. We should be angered with our connection. I mean, what more did we expect from a UDP connection?
Good luck on the midterm tomorrow, and take care!
Once again, no offense!
Welcome to the blog!
We may belong to one of the most underrated universities in the country. Not to mention, Computer Science may be a class that's full of guys. Our usual hang out may be the computer labs and the metro that is right next to our class. Our debates may be a big mix of my iPhone vs. someone else's iPhone or why writing in Python really is that much better than Java.
However, the Computer Science Class of 2012 is more than just that. We are genuinely as human as the person who sits next to us on the long commute home.
Do not take offense to anything written on this blog. Nothing is meant to be taken seriously, and no offense is meant in anything written here, unless explicitly said so. Oh, as I do not represent the class of 2012, I do not necessarily speak for my class. Just a heads up.
However, the Computer Science Class of 2012 is more than just that. We are genuinely as human as the person who sits next to us on the long commute home.
Do not take offense to anything written on this blog. Nothing is meant to be taken seriously, and no offense is meant in anything written here, unless explicitly said so. Oh, as I do not represent the class of 2012, I do not necessarily speak for my class. Just a heads up.
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