Saturday, May 01, 2004

Programming Delays

Karl's Blog. Stardate Blah Blah Blah,



It has been a long time indeed my loyal viewer(s). With scrambling to graduate and the tax season, I've been distracted and had very little access to the computer. This year has sure been a weird year for me. Trying to maintain two blogs, my on again off again "Karl Chronicles" emails with my ex-coworkers, my temporary gig with the "HSA Updates", and remembering that I have a Friendster account, has been a weird juggling act.



I've tried to redirect my ex-comrades from "Brothers' Restaurant" over here, but, they enjoy my chronicles. How do I know? I'll walk into them in town every so often and they'll ask me when the next installment will be. Perhaps I could just try reposting these entries into my emails, or just email these posts, but, I like my different slants for my different audiences. There are different inside jokes. It started with just updating on what's been going on over at the restaurant in Gastown. Then it became my little crazy playground on all things regarding that environment and the community therein. Now, I update my comrades about my life and give updates regarding others within the community. It sure has been a while since my last "Chronicle" though. I think I'll try to write one this weekend. Also, I think I may try to use my new gmail account. Might as well use it for something. Plus, it has 1GB worth of space for me to play with. By the way, if you think these posts are long, my "Karl Chronicles" are like novellas in comparison.



Let's do this shall we?



I Don't Love The School, But, The School Loves Me:



UBC loves me so much that I got a letter last Monday telling me that I should stay. That and the fact that I was supposedly deficient in credits, yet again.



I believe my initial response went a little like this, "North American of African descent what?"



I then phoned the Arts Academic Advising department to inquire why. Let the myriad of excuses begin.



First: You are deficient in credits.



Rebuttal: That should not be the case. I applied for the November convocation. I was then told that I was short 3 upper level credits. Nothing else. I took 9 credits worth in courses. I should therefore be in a surplus of credits as per the "advice" of the Arts Academic Advising department.



Second: You are probably missing your "Pre-Modern History" requirement for your major.



Rebuttal: When I brought my file under review for my major declaration, the History Advisor, Arthur Rays, told me everything looked fine and even thanked me for supplying a map showing all my credits, and breaking them down in to their respective subcategories.



Third: Just talk to your department because it was they who denied your graduation application.



Rebuttal: Okay, I will do just that.



So I go to the history office. I inform them of my situation. Their admiration for Arts Advising increases exponentially because this never happens to their history majors, ever. They review my file. It was signed off. Nothing in it stating that there were any concerns. The comment box was completely blank. The History office staff assure me I will graduate, but, they have to have Arthur Rays (he was the one who signed off on my file) to review it. He was not in that day. He would be in on Tuesday.



First intermission.



I phone the History office. Prof. Rays has not reviewed it yet. He wants to take it home to review it.



Second intermission.



I phone the History office. They are surprised I was not contacted by Arthur Rays. I leave my contact info, while they try to get in touch with Prof. Rays.



TV timeout.



I receive a call from the History office. they tell me I'm graduating. Apparently, those courses I took at Langara about Charlemagne and those Carolingians aren't "Modern History" credits at all.



Being a paranoid pessimist, I wanted to make sure Arts Advising got the message. Hence, I spent all of Friday trying to contact them via telephone. They sure don't like answering their phones during their supposed office hours. After giving up, and surrendering the computer to my accountant dad, I get ready for the Grad Cruise. Yay. Once I return home form my voyage, I check my UBC account. My "Graduation Status": Approved.



So if ya wanna see me close a chapter in my life, my convocation is May 27, 2004 at 8:30am



ACF Staff After Party:



What do you get when you mix ACF volunteer staff post-ACF, no more exams, no more school, and a lot of booze?



The answer is the ACF Staff After Party. There was hard liquor, beer, food, and awards. Everyone received an award. Each award was geared towards the recipient. I won two awards. My first award was "The Dude Award". It consisted of a certificate with a graphic of a guy with adorning a fro, shades, and one of those Nat X African shirts. In addition, it came with a pair of shades. Woo hoo!!!



My next award was a total surprise to me. I some how got nominated for "The Trevor Gilkes 'Awesome SUB Booth Dude' Award". Named after its namesake and inaugural recipient, I apparently displayed Trevor Gilks-like attributes. Which is pretty cool because he's a pretty cool guy. It now resides in my house on display. Finally, something of mine to break the monotony of my father's and brother's countless golf and basketball awards. I also have another excuse to stop by next year, as I return the award for the next recipient. Perhaps, they can even display the award in the glass shelves in MASS for all to see.



To prepare for the evening's activities, I brought my treasure chest of booze. In it contained Kokanee, Uncle Jack, and my starting appetizer, a 40oz bottle of "Old 'E'". Mmm . . . East Van represent. One for me and one for my homies.



I regards to the potluck aspect, I brought 3 items as well. I brought chocolate almonds, those one bite brownies, and some jalapeno poppers. The food selection was actually quite good that night. Dingwall brought a whole chicken. There were 2 types of sushi (home made nonetheless). Chips and salsa. Meat and cheese. As well as other items.



It was a good night indeed. Hanging out never felt so good. Now whenever I go out, I always have to compare it to the standards of the AUS and DSBH.



DSBH 1st BBQ:



This first BBQ of the summer was a great outing. A whole house to ourselves, filled with meats, booze, and friends. Being open to all, UBC people came (Jo), ex-HSA came (Elisa), C-Nut's film buddies came, and it was a very inviting environment.



I don't remember drinking that much, but, I sure felt buzzed. It might have something to do with devouring all that yummy jello. Yet, my cooler was empty some time in the middle of the night. Interesting. Very interesting.



I got to play that DVD Trivial Pursuit game. I came in second yet again. To Dave yet again. I'd blame my partner, but, I dropped the ball on many occasion during that game.



But the meat . . . oooooooooooooh the meat. You know something was gonna go down when Jay starts the evening slowly spit roasting lamb in the BBQ. Mmm . . . lammmmmmmmb **drooling noises**. Plus Rich came by. That boy is a miracle worker with food.



Also, it was fun seeing Chew putting his mack on. At least, his attempt at putting his mack on. I mean, he let loose all his stories, jokes, impressions, with segue ways in between. Everything. Good luck to him and all, but, wow. It's a sight to see. All his material.



Heh.



No breaking stuff though. Not until New Year's Eve. I'll keep you all posted if we ever get around to blowing up a car though. We have the means and know how. It's just a matter of when.



Capture The Flag:



On Wednesday before the ACF Staff after Party there was a campus wide game of Capture The Flag. We all met at MacInnes Field to divide into. I believe the crews consisted of CiTR, AUS, the Ubyssey, and others. 2 teams were made. Red and Green. 2 games were played. The sides were Crescent Ave and University Blvd. The ends were East Mall and West Mall, with the middle DMZ being Main Mall.



I was on the Green Team.



Game 1: Winner Green Team



The Green Team had the West Mall end. Our team soon outnumbered Red as late comers would arrive and join Green. However, another comment made was that Green was much more organized this round using stuff like strategy and stuff.



eg. decoys, traps, separate cells. etc.



Also, our flag location was genius. Situated behind Angus in a loading bay, there were 3 entrances towards the flag. But, it converged and bottle necked. You could get in, get past our guards at each entrance. However, once you were in, you were stuck (ie. you were fucked).



The Red Team fared well also. They had a whole lynch mob guarding their jail. Their flag was behind the construction sign. Only 2 ways in. Meaning only 2 exits. And it was a dead sprint to freedom. Pretty good spot until we converged.



2 hours long. It was a pretty good game.



Game 2: Stalemate



After 2 hours no winner. Still pretty close though.



Green Team decided to be "Team Asshole" and we put our flag under the fountain in front of Main Library. If Red got our flag, they'll pay the price and get hella wet. Either via the spray of the fountain or the wading pool that acted like a moat. Our goal switched from winning to how many Spa . . . err . . . Reds we can get wet.



The Reds were close. Oh so close to victory, but, time ran out. Apparently they were ready for an all out assault.



Red Team placed their flag over in the myriad of alleys in the science sector. Only one entrance. And it was guarded like Guatanamo Bay. We had several cells skulking around the area. Vainly trying to stealth their way in, lure away security, kamikaze runs. Nothing worked. Maybe we should have climbed up the building and snatched the flag from above. Next time. Next time.



Overall, I felt the game was a success and I can't wait till the next encounter. I also was able to do some research for the trial run of "Operation Darwin" that Dave (of DSBH fame) is trying to organize. We just need to weed out the bugs. Being that the trial participants are primarily DSBH, the honour system won't work. As much as I love those guys, it's like a den of thieves when it comes to competition. Imagine a game full of participants like this,



Guy 1: I got ya. You’re out. You’re eliminated.



Guy 2: No guy. You missed. Muwahaha . . .



Guy 1: Nah man. You're out.



Guy 2: Nope.



Guy 1: **deleted expletative**!



Guy 2: **deleted expletative**!!



Rinse. Repeat.



So yeah. We're still looking for fail safe measures.



Revenge of Blarney:



A sequel to the madness of Blarney Stone 1. Here was the itinerary,



1. Watch "Man on Fire" with Kent

- good film

- Dave (of DSBH fame), you should watch this and see how "Punisher" should have been made.



2. Pre-drink @ Jen's

- fun fun fun

- so many people in her room

- lot's of booze

- I brought my cooler



3. Trek to Blarney



4. Blarney at last

- got a ground floor table

- ^ a first for me

- not as much craziness as the original, but, still, fun



5. Trek back to UBC

- apparently where all the fun begins

- apparently I missed it all b/c it was lights out for Karl

- Jon escorted off bus by the Sp . . . err . . . Man

* bus goes by police taking away guy for drinking in public or something

* Aaron and Sasha just get on

* Jon yells out something like, "CHUG IT MAN! CHUG IT!!"

* cops get in cruiser, pull in front of bus, stopping our bus

* cops get in bus and take away Jon

* cops grill Jon and try to trick him into saying he attacked some cops that night

* Jon doesn't fall for their piggy mind tricks

* Jon is stranded by the cops and hopefully awaits another bus

- I'm woken up

- I'm told about above

-Jon enters McD's as we eat

- see Dave and Allison after a night swim in Empire Pool

* no skinny dip, still had underclothes on

* others were apparently

* campus cowboys allowed 2 girls to stay 5 minutes more b/c they took off their tops

- everyone crashes at Vanier

- I greet Jen's floor mates in the commons room that morning



Seasick Grad Cruise:



Seriously, who came up with this name? As my old physics teacher used to say, "Boo. Terrible title." It was okay. No AUS or DSBH function, that's for sure. Drinks were too expensive and cash only. Music was your normal club fare, but, that's why I don't go clubbing.



With the minimalization of drinks, sparse enjoyable music, sparse enjoyable conversation, and my tendency to get bored quite easily, I sought the seclusion of the deck and the darkness. Kinda sad when I enjoy my thoughts over being around people. If I had my cards, I probably would have played solitaire or something.



That reminds me, has anyone seen my deck of cards? They were last seen by Alex (from ESS)and Jason (from HSA) in Game 1 of "Capture The Flag". They were playing cards at the Green Team jail. I kinda had them for years. The whole set including the jokers. In good condition. Anyone?

--------------------------------------------



That's it for now. I should really help my bro move and get ready for the bonfire bonanza tonight.



Until next time, I hope everyone enjoys their respective summers.



Some special shout outs:



*Dave (of AUS fame) - have a good father-son bonding experience



*Sarah - WATCH "So I Married An Axe Murderer"; you'll feel better for doing so



*Jen - hope you have fun back in Ontario; you've always got a home and community to escape to here on the west coast



*Dave (of DSBH fame) - look what ya started on your blog; rawk on if/when you go to the Key West Film Fest to show your script



*Jo - hope you feel better; who knew fake meat would taste so good?



*Gerald - don't worry, rumour has it she's in Germany now; now please don't cut me



*Anne - I'm jealous ya went to Coachella; have fun and enjoy the musical overload



*Vanessa - I'm determined to get you to meet my friend Carlos in Brooklyn; I swear you 2 are so similar character-wise, it freaks me out a little



*Kat - congrats to Colorado



*Jill - good luck with your job prospects; remember you still have a viable future as a pirate



*Spencer - good luck with your burgeoning political career; is Ujal taking over Herb's office? b/c that's just down the street from me



*Quinn - down with the Spa . . . err . . . man!!!



*Paige - smile; it makes others smile as well



*Jackie - keep writing



*Erica - have fun with your bro; the rest of your family will be here soon enough



*everyone else? - RAWK ON! RAWK EVERYONE'S FACES OFF!! EACH AND EVERY LAST ONE!!!

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So yeah, summer's here. Do something.



Later Days.



End Transmission.

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