The Stupidity of Some People
Now Playing: "Cold Hearted" by Paula Abdul on "Forever Your Girl"
Topic: Work
Work this morning was very busy for two reasons.

1) Something went wrong with RAIN, a dial-up service that offers a special deal to Cal Poly students, faculty and staff. Other than that, there is NO affliation with Cal Poly yet people felt the need to call us. We gave them the number we had for RAIN (okay, for one guy Zach accidentally transposed the last digits but the guy was just annoying, he called 5 times) but when they couldn't get through, they called us again. We had to try to calmly explain that, contrary to what they think, we are NOT RAIN tech support and have no idea what happens with their system. After a few distinct calls about it, we tried to get a hold of RAIN and had problems but eventually we got through and they said "yeah, we're having problems, the users need to talk to us to switch their dial-up number." Ironically the calls pretty much stopped after that. I remember when the modem pool was first shut down and pretty much all faculty and staff on it went to RAIN because it was free the first year for them and then the cheapest after that. They called us then too to setup their computer to connect to RAIN. We even had a RAIN installation guide at some point because the RAIN tech support sucked so much. Doesn't mean that it was our a responsibility though. Problems with Cal Poly servers or on a Cal Poly owned machine? Call Cal Poly. Problems with RAIN on a home machine? Call RAIN!

2) The main reason it was busy this morning was because of an e-mail virus outbreak. We're not sure why our gateway wasn't stripping the messages of their attachments but some went through. But really, people. If you get 5 messages, each claiming to be from a different sender with different yet similiar subjects all saying that you're account was suspended and to see the attachment for more info, do you HONESTLY think that they are legitimate e-mails? Come on! a) We'd never send you 5 messages in 5 minutes from 5 different addresses saying your account was already suspended; b) If we were to send such a message, it would have been from OpenMail Administrator; c) and it would have contained all pertinant information in the message, not in an attachment; d) we give notification that your account is to be frozen a good 2 weeks before it done so. e) If your account was suspended/locked/deleted, how do you login to read that message?
Fortunately of all the people calling asking about those messages, only about 3 of them were stupid enough to open the attachment. And that's not including my roommate who asked me when I got home. Lucky for everyone else working today, as I was leaving Terri gave us the update that the gateway should be stripping the messages of the virus now. *shakes head* Some people....ARGGGGH!

London :-D
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "The Man Without Fear" by Drowning Pool W/ Rob Zombie on "Daredevil The Album"
Topic: School
Okay, it's officially official now. I'll be going to London. I got my letter of acceptance tonight.

I'm also glad that I decided to stick out Econ. It turns out that the two Cal Poly professors that were orginally going to be teaching in London are no longer able to do it. They found out today that one of them got hired by another university. So only one out of the four classes the two of them were going to teach is still being offered and it isn't the one I was trying to substitute for Econ. Anyway, I decided to take the music class instead. Fortunately, the two classes I do need to graduate are still being offered.

Award
Now Playing: "Me Vs The World -" by Halo Friendlies on "Freaky Friday - 2003"
Topic: Math Club
So apparently I won the KME Founder's award Friday night. And $100 but I'm not sure how that happened since I'm not on file with Financial Aid. Actually, according to the top of the page, to apply for any of these, you go through Financial Aid. *scratches head* Whatever.
Here's a description of the award:

outgrowth of a request made by Professor Chester Scott's wife after he died in March of that year. The award is presented annually at the KME Banquet to a member of KME who best exhibits the spirit, enthusiasm and dedication of the founders of the Chapter. For more information on KME, please see the entry under Mathematics Department Clubs and Events, or contact Jonathan Shapiro, KME Advisor.

"spirit, enthusiasm and dedication?" BWAHAHAHA!!! To the resigned Math Club/KME President. HAHAHA! KME hasn't done anything for the past couple of years except go to dinner which we're forgoing this year I think. I bet they've just given this award to the President every year. So I wasn't wrong, it *was* a "thanks for being President for 7 of the 9 months" award. *snickers*

The Seemingly Never Ending Math Club Saga, Part II
Now Playing: "Welcome to My Life" by Simple Plan on "NoAlbum"
Topic: Math Club
Why is it that no one except Nick seems to understand why I'm not going to Banquet?

I was in the lounge with Eddie and Rachel today and just before I left they asked if I was going to Banquet. When I told them I wasn't they went "Why not?!?" I tried to explain that it would be an uncomfortable situation for me and they tried to convince me that I shouldn't let one person ruin something for me. Then I tried to explain that it wasn't just one person. Fortunately, the mood turned lighter when Eddie asked if I would be his date to the Banquet. I say this turned it lighter because before that we were talking about how lying can be good sometimes and then we progressed into Eddie's weird rejections and then later going out on a date with the same girl. It was actually quite a funny conversation, but you had to be there for it.

Anyway, my point is that I just don't want to go. Even if I hadn't been President this year, I can't guarntee that I would have gone. As I've said before, it wasn't great fun last year. Actually both of my banquet expereinces from last year have proven to me that it's not worth it unless you go with good friends. And seeing as how only two of my good friends are Math majors and neither of which are going, why bother? Hopefully all of this "why aren't you going?" nonsense will end tomorrow.

I laugh at their desperateness! Hahahaha!
Mood:  mischievious
Now Playing: "The Phantom of the Opera" by Original London Cast on "The Phantom of the Opera"
Topic: Math Club
Banquet tickets still seem to be coming up short. Today when I walked into the lounge, it was totally decked out in balloons, stremmers and stars and there was a poster promoting the banquet. There was also an e-mail from Dr. Morrison reminding people about the banquet that was probably sent at Rebecca's request since she is conviced that people delete her e-mails on sight. Then when I got home, there was a message on my machine from Dale (department secretary) reminding me about the banquet and my supposed award. She asked that I come by the office and let them know if I'm coming and if I'm bringing anyone. Yeah, they don't give a damn if I go cause my ticket is free, they just care if I'll be bringing a paying guest. *shakes head with a smile and laughs at their desperateness* Ahhh, it feels nice to laugh at it and not be going crazy worrying about it.

In other news...
Now Playing: "Close My Eyes" by Mariah Carey on "Butterfly"
Topic: Math Club
In Analysis, Dr. Shapiro handed out envelopes to some people and I was one of them. It was an invitation to the Math Department Banquet next week because I was being "recognized" and I would get a free ticket. Seeing as how I didn't apply for any awards and can't be nominated for one since I'm not on file with FASA, I'm guessing I'm being "recognized" for being a rule following, anti-alcohol bitch who caused half of the Math Club members to drop out, err, I mean the president. Yeah, that's an awkward situation I'd rather avoid. I'd rather just spend the evening relaxing in PJs at home than pretending to have a good time in formal wear at a banquet (ah the beauty of resigning).

Number Theory
Now Playing: "Right Now" by Nappy Roots Feat. Marcos Curiel on "Daredevil The Album"
Topic: School
Two cool things about Number Theory happened today. The first one was that a bird flew into our classroom. The windows in our room don't have screens and when you have the little flaps out, it makes quite a wide opening. So the bird came in through the open window in the back of the room and flew a round for a little bit before Dr. Mendes, my professor, made a comment and we were all staring. The poor bird, it was trying to figure out how to get back out. It came to the front of the class room and went to closed window up there. It sat on the still and looked back at the professor basically saying "Open, please!" it was quite cute. So then my professor went over to the window and opened it, while the bird flew up to the overhead screen. Once the window was open, my professor moved back to the otherside of the room while the bird took a minute before getting back to the know open window. It stood on the flap before my professor gave a little run towards the window with a little yell and scared the bird away. The window in the front was then promptly closed. It's not often birds fly into classrooms.

The second cool-to-me thing happened after class. Since we got out early, I stopped by the Math Lounge before I went to get my weiner for being a senior (AWOL is also cool for giving free food) at 11. Nick was in there and he was going to get a hot dog too so we decided to go together but first he had to drop his timesheet off at the department office. While we were there, Dr. Mendes came in and said hi to me and then said that I was "a terrific student" but he thinks he's losing half the class and he was trying to think of something to make it more interesting. I didn't have any suggestions cause teaching is not my thing. But it felt really good to know that I can still understand some math and do well in a class (only have missed 7 points on the homework out of 166 and got 19/20 on the first midterm). Hopefully I'll keep up this nice record. But I am a little surprised that other fourth years like Ryan and Rebecca are struggling. Okay, I don't know about Rebecca too much but she asked for the homework to be pushed back from Monday to Tuesday because it's really hard but I did 9 of the 12 problems in 2-2.5 hours tonight. The two were tedious sure (page and half proof for the two of them (they were two parts to one question)) but not that difficult. Then again, tonight was the first time I looked at it and he gave a hint in class today. *shrug* I'm happy with my understanding and performance and that's all that matters. The fact that the professor likes it too is just icing on the cake.

Wow!
Mood:  surprised
Topic: Personal
Talk about not talking to someone in a very long time! One of my friends from middle school and 9th grade that I fell out of touch with when I switched schools found me on Facebook (after her being registered for one day!). I think the last time I talked to her was 4 or 5 years ago almost when she called me out of the blue for my birthday. Wow. This is just...wow. It's nice to see that she has a job as a dive instructor. She always loved the water and swimming. Way back then she said she wanted to be a marine biologist. So I'm a little surprised to see that she majored in psychology and theater. But wow...I'm still in such shock that she's remembered me after all these years.

Simple Question?
Mood:  quizzical
Now Playing: "Down Once More-Track Down This Murderer" by Original London Cast on "The Phantom of the Opera"
Topic: Personal
For my reservation for my plane ticket to London they ask for the address to send the ticket 3 weeks prior to departure. Sounds like a simple question doesn't it? Not for me it isn't. Three weeks prior to departure I should be in the process of moving back in with my parents so I can't have them send it here. I can't have them send to it me at my parents' because they're not sure where they're going to be living at that time. Okay, so this leaves my siblings' addresses. I can't use my brothers since he is looking for a new place to live since his little duplex was bought. So I'm putting down my sister's address. Things like this used to be easy ;-).

Review
Now Playing: "Carry On" by Jennifer Cihi on "Sailor Moon"
Topic: Work
Hey look! A positive work post! *gasp!*

Terri and Jim gave me my review today. I won't go into all the details publicly though. Basically nothing but goods things they had to say about me, they're very pleased with my work and did reward me for it and offered to write raving references. And knowing that I'm doing a good job pleases me :-D. So everyone is pleased. When I told my mom about the review, she suggested that I definitely ask if I can work there for the 6 months after I graduate since if I'm going to grad school, it wouldn't start until the following Fall anyway. I think I'll take her up on that suggestion and ask Terri tomorrow morning.

Things have just been looking for me haven't they? Speaking of things looking up, I decided that since the Yosemite trip was cancelled and I'm no longer committed to doing anything that Saturday that I would have a dinner party with my friends in celebration that I now have more free time to spend with them. (We'll ignore the fact that I couldn't do this weekend because I'm too busy with 2 car washes and a softball game). It will be good. Now I just need to figure out what I'm going to be making aside from chicken....