04/16/2008: ""

Power outages in computer labs are bad.. university-wide power outages are even worse (added to the fact that it also took out the computer lab). It's kinda interesting to see people's reactions over the first few minutes (until people reach concensus that power is indeed out). Also, when you job title is "Senior Lab Monitor" and your computer lab is no longer functioning (and thus does not need to be monitored), it's kinda hard to justify why you're getting paid to be there.

Luckily, today is the day of the picnic (for the students and faculty at the school I work at), so it didn't much matter that power was out for awhile (not really all that long, maybe 45~ minutes and then off and on for a few minutes at a time for another 2 or so hours, from what I hear). I'm attaching a picture from the picnic for those who are either interested and/or stalk me (either way). Overall, it was fun.. not much to say (seeing as I've been to 2 of these picnics in the past), but fun. Went on a scavenger hunt with two other students, then otherwise just socialized.

Now I'm back at work for a bit, just trying to mess around with some settings and setup my laptop (going to have to use it for about 3 weeks to a month until I can get my PC setup in Japan). I should install Sims 2 and some other stuff like that on it before I go, and some movies so I have something to do while traveling and getting setup.

Semi-related, I would like to say that I'm impressed with how well my university handles campus-wide problems, especially since the Virginia (right..?) technical school thing last year. They're pretty hell-bent on getting you to subscribe to a (private) list with your cell phone number and e-mail address, which is basically to contact all students in the event that something goes wrong. From what I've seen, they're pretty prompt. Usually, I don't care (like getting a message about a dorm fire at 4am.. yeah, um.. thanks?), but it's nice to get updates about the power being out, what's being done to fix it, and nice things like "please stay out of the elevators" and "CHEMICAL AND POWER FACILITIES, please shut down as safety features may be hampered without power".. yeeeeeah, scary, but nice to know. Not like anyone cares, but hey, it kinda affects my day to day life.

I do have to question, though, why wifi was still functioning when power went out across the campus. I mean, sure, it was convenient because it's the ONE day I brought my laptop, and I was bored with nothing else to do, but I'm kinda curious why it was decided to put the wireless on the emergency power lines (unless there's some other reason, but I'm in a solid, bricked building not near any other broadcasting point with a strong signal, so it had to be coming from inside the building). Hey, it's great, but I kinda have to wonder if some kid's not going to get his kidney transplant because the university hospital's power generator only had enough juice to power my wifi and not the organ-fridge. Kinda doubtful, but ironic, in a silly way.

I'm bored, apparently. That's about it for now, though, so I'll leave you be with these ramblings. And pictures of me in a park, taken 3 hours ago.




School

On Tuesday, April 22nd, Dad said:

Jason...

You're awesome man...

Love,

Dad