Things That Were Awesome

I thought I had finally come up with a way to recap the past two months in a simple format: two posts, one briefly highlighting awesome things which had happened in the second part of the quarter and one covering the not-quite awesome things which had happened.  I started thinking about what I wanted to cover, and honestly, for all the hard work, stress, and frustration that went into this quarter, there wasn’t really a “this completely sucks” moment that sticks out in my head.  Which is good; winter term is notorious for being really depressing and gray and desperate because it’s 8 weeks of class, no breaks in awful weather (ah, Indiana, land where the weather literally CANNOT MAKE UP ITS MIND whether to rain or snow).  So, anyways, awesome things.  Here they are.

To start, a few that don’t require much explanation besides a bullet-point mention:

• Having a single
• Volleyball (finally made it to playoffs)
• Grades (3 A’s and a B+)
• Getting a literature minor (a third one I wasn’t expecting to get until I found out I qualified this fall)

Now for those that require a little more explanation.

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Future Imperfect

Note: I’ve been really bad about updating here lately.  I’m putting together a recap post for the last 8 weeks, but it won’t go up until next weekend because my focus is on Senior Project being awesome.  To tide things over, I’m putting up a few things I’ve written this quarter, two music reviews (Vampire Weekend and Beach House) and the flash fiction I wrote for my science fiction class.  Here’s the story.

“Have you used our service before?” the sales representative asked me.

“No” I replied.

“Okay then.  Before I go any further I’m going to explain what the process entails,” she said in a chipper practiced tone.  I looked at her nametag.  Julie.

“What we do here at Future Perfect is take your initial data and with the use of advanced predictive technologies give you alternative timestreams as to how things could go.  Once you’ve chosen the outcome you’re looking to find in the situation, we give you a list of steps to take and ensure this future happens.  That’s why the screening process to get an appointment here takes so long—we don’t want this kind of information to fall into the wrong hands.”

I nodded. “You wouldn’t want the next potential dictator getting the steps they needed to enslave the Earth.”

“Exactly,” she replied, “Now which of our packages did you choose to go with?”

Future Perfect’s services weren’t cheap at any tier.  The basic package cost most of my life’s savings—I couldn’t imagine how much the top plan cost.  That analyzed over a hundred potential scenarios of the way things could go.  For the basic plan, I only got five.

“The basic plan.  It’s all I can afford.”

Julie seemed to understand.  “There’s nothing wrong with that.  Sometimes I think it’s the best of all the plans we offer—too much choice and you can’t decide.  Now what are you looking to do?”

I told her about my goal.  I currently worked as a technician on the shuttles running between Earth and Mars, but my goal was to be part of the exploratory missions to planets farther out in the solar system.  I had taken the job repairing faulty ships with the hope of advancing or getting some more relevant experience to apply for those sorts of positions, but had mostly been stuck in the same place.  Five years later, I needed a plan to change things.  Future Perfect’s services were my chance at that.

Julie finished typing into the console.  “Okay, I’ve got all of the data entered into the system.  It’ll take a few minutes for it to process, run the analytics and determine some options for you. Can I get you something to drink while we wait?”

I took her up on her offer.  We talked for a few minutes before the console beeped to indicate that analysis had been completed.  Julie took a look at the results.  A confused look formed on her face.

“Something’s not right.  According to these, you don’t have a future.”

I was taken aback.  “What?”

“Sorry, let me rephrase that.  I didn’t mean it to sound so hopeless.  There’s something wrong with the results—instead of showing the potential ways you could reach your goal, it’s showing that in all five of the possible timestreams, you’re going to die.  That can’t be right.”

“Is this a regular occurrence?”

“No, but it has happened before.  I’m going to grab someone from IT.  I’ll be right back.”

Waiting alone in her office seemed to take forever, but she came back with a technician.  He took a look inside the console, but nothing seemed to be amiss with the terminal.  He left to go check elsewhere in the office for the problem.

“It’s probably just a fluke in the system.  This happens every once in a while—you’d think with all the advancements that keep this place running we could at least keep it online 100% of the time.  I’ll refund your money and schedule you for another appointment.  Does 3PM tomorrow work for you?”

It didn’t.  Another appointment time was set up; I got my refund, and headed back to the main level of the Future Perfect building.  As I headed out, I was still thinking over what she said—Julie tried to cover it up, but there was something ominous in her voice when she told me I didn’t have a future.  What could she have been trying to hide?

I didn’t see the bus coming until it was too late.  So that’s what she meant.

09.10 Goals: Midpoint Assessment

It’s possibly past or at least close enough to a midpoint since I set some goals in July.  Let’s take a look at how I’m doing so far; an update, of sorts.

Have a kickass senior project

I am doing amazing at this goal.  Our client is awesome–while he’s not always immediately available because of his heavy travel schedule, he’s always quick to respond by email and has even agreed to help us develop our public presentation materials (eliminating some of the worry of what we can/can’t say at these things).  I couldn’t have asked for a better team–we’re committed to working together successfully and we seem to be able to cover for each other’s weak points.  I feel like I could be actually “managing” a bit more — we’re not meeting as often as some of the other project groups.  On the other hand, we don’t need to meet as much–I can generally trust that what my teammates claim will be done will be done by the time it’s due.  Dr. Bohner is proving to be an excellent advisor–while he has the tendency to get off on tangents when we discuss our project with him at our meetings, he’ll be the first to poke us if something needs to get done and offers generally good advice.  I’m glad he’s a bit looser with grading than Sriram was with his teams last term–as much as I like Sriram as a prof, Dr. Bohner’s slightly more laidback attitude as our advisor is a better fit for us.

The tough part, development, starts when we get back.  I’m looking forward to it, though–we’ve broken everything down week by week and should be able to have all of the major necessary features done by the expo, with a few to add spring term before going for some of the more out there “if we have time” features and completing things

Run a puzzle hunt

This one’s completely fallen apart.  It was a good idea, but I find I don’t have the time, and I like being a participant of puzzle hunts much more than a writer.  I’ll add another goal to make up for this one being a bit of a bust.

Get a second-round interview with Microsoft/a job in general

Last year, I got a first-round interview with a Microsoft rep.  I got one this year too, although by phone rather than in person.  It was pretty cool–I got to talk with the head PM of Microsoft Project for an hour, and although I was mixed on how the interview went, I was positive for the most part.  Whether I botched the interview or whether they’re only hiring past interns because of the economy (a rumor I had heard), I didn’t get to the second-round, we-fly-you-out-for-a-few-days interview I was hoping for.  It hurt to get that e-mail; I didn’t even need to open it to know what it said (it came too quickly to be good news).  It couldn’t have come at a better time, though: I was at D’s house for fall break and had to push past the initial shock/sadness (there were tears over that e-mail, in all honesty.  Not many, and not for long, but they were there.) to resolve to enjoy that weekend, and it worked.  Que Sera Sera–whatever will be, will be.

My job search outside of Microsoft hasn’t been doing much better.  I got an interview with Epic on the spot at the career fair–that was really exciting, as that hasn’t happened before.  I enjoyed going through the interview process with them (unusual as it was), even if things didn’t work out — I’m not going to be a perfect fit with every company.  Google hasn’t responded to the application(s) I sent, although I have a contact with one of their people through a cousin, so I’m trying to see if I hear anything back that way.  I figured it couldn’t hurt.

My primary job search sources right now are the Career Services website and Craigslist.  I was wary about Craigslist, but the Software/QA/DBA section is surprisingly good for finding positions.  I have to sift a bit more to find things I qualify for, but I’m at least hearing back from more companies (usually with a “we’ll keep you on file” since they’re looking for someone on shorter notice) than I was with other search engines.  At this point, tenacity is the best thing I can have–if I keep applying, I’m bound to find something.  And if I don’t?  Just like last year, I’ve got a plan B started–it seems like it could be a rally good idea if I can find the customer base and get my feet off the ground

Cook at least once a month

This goal hasn’t been a problem either.  I’ve gone from thinking I was probably a good, not great, cook to realizing that I’m way above average compared to my (current) suitemates.  The years of practice have made me completely at home in the apartment’s kitchen, and while I wish I had some more counter space than I do, I’m really enjoying having the facilities.  One thing that hasn’t changed though, is people who use the kitchen and don’t clean their shit up.  I’m looking at you, CS.

Be More Social/Go Out More

I suck at being social.  I am all too happy to spend hours in my room reading/noodling around on the net instead of hanging out with people doing awesome things.  Unfortunately, I used D as a crutch–he was someone familiar and I could count on being able to hang out with him most of the time, whether in the room or going out to eat on the weekends or doing the radio shows.  With him having left Rose, I need to push myself to not completely alienate myself from others.  I’ve started some of the steps to change this already–even though he’s not here, I’ve still been getting together with the SNL group we started meeting with Fall term–but I need to do more.  I’m going to start by spending more non-project time with my project group–lunch/dinner on the weekends or something.  My academic life is great, but my personal life is in bad need of attention.  This is more of a long-term thing, but it’s a bit more reachable to the puzzle hunt thing.

and that’s where things stand.  More (on the start of winter term/christmas break) later.

An Overdue Account

Well, that was an unexpectedly longer break than planned.  10th/finals weeks and break have been busy, to say the least.

Here’s what’s in store after the jump:

• Cold Drinks with Cool Profs
• Senior Project Presentations
• In-Person Client Meeting
• I avert disaster
• Finals Week
• Driving Home/Break

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…Comes Back Around

I’ve been getting a little too free in what I say about CS with others, and it came back to bite me in the ass this morning.  Hard.

CS has the tendency to leave a door open when he leaves, whether it’s his roommate’s door when his roommate is in the process of going to bed or the front door of the apartment when he leaves in the morning (I’m all for an open door policy, but I’d rather not be the only one in the apartment with the door right open if I’m still asleep).  When I woke up this morning, D and his girlfriend (or so I thought) were already well awake and playing on the Wii.  The door was ajar, so I said “Did CS do this?  Did he?”

The response?  “CS is right here.”  Oh. Shit.  I quietly went back to my room and shut the door and just sat there for 10 minutes.  Then took a shower.  Then went back to the room, sat down, and just sort of avoided talking to Colin until classtime.  It still hasn’t come up.  If it does, I’ll be honest, but I seem to be lucky so far.  I need to be careful, double-check, and think before I speak poorly about someone.  Also, not being half-asleep would help.  Good to know that CS isn’t the only one who can be taken down a notch.

What Goes Around

I’m all moved in, but my suitemates and I are still going through the stage of our co-habitation where we’re figuring out how each other works.  My roommate (hereafter known as D) and I get along great–over the summer we discussed what was and wasn’t okay and resolved to talk things out and be open with one another if something arose.  So far, that’s been going good.  It’s a little harder with the suitemates (CS and SC), but I think we’re getting there.  It’s tough, though–here’s what happened this weekend and why I feel amazing going into the first full week of classes.

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Goals for 09.10

Have a kickass senior project

The core part of the senior curriculum for SEs at Rose is the senior project.  It’s a chance to flex all the skills one’s used and create an actual product for an actual company.  Although I initially had reservations about one of the members, time and time again I’ve been reassured that our team is going to work well together.  Our client seems energetic about what we’re doing and willing to lend a hand where we need it, and the project itself (an iPhone application for one of Turner Media’s properties) is cool and also involves a very hot skillset.  I get to be PM, which excites me and makes me nervous at the same time, but I have faith in my team that we’ll deliver a quality product to the client at the end of all this.  At this point, that would make the project a success for me–although getting one of those end of the year awards wouldn’t hurt either.

Run a puzzle hunt

This one’s already in progress.  I’ve loved the last two puzzle hunts I’ve been a part of, and although they tend to bring out the ugly , overcompetitive side of me, I really want to write/run a hunt of my own.  I’ve got a couple writing partners, so hopefully this will work out and spring 2010 will see an awesome hunt.

Get a second-round interview with Microsoft/a job in general

Last year, I got a first-round interview with a Microsoft rep.  That was one of the most exciting moments when I got that email–I ran out of the building to call home as soon as I had confirmed by email that yes, I was interested in an on-campus interview.  While I feel I did really well on the interview, I didn’t end up moving on to the next stage of the interview process.  Looking back, there’s a few things I’d change–indicating products I’d be interested in working on, for one–but overall it was a good experience to actually go through an interview.  This year, I want to get to the next level.  Getting an offer from them awesome, but at the least I’d at least like to get flown out to Redmond.  Microsoft has been my dream job since I came to Rose (although I’ve shifted from wanting to be an SDE to figuring out that coding isn’t my strongest suit to going through 371/372 to wanting to be a Microsoft PM).  I’m not entirely set on them (there’s at least a few other companies I”d want to work for, and there’s always the option of freelancing).  I’m thinking that wherever I end up, I’d like to be away from the Midwest for awhile–a change of scenery always seems to do me well.

Cook at least once a month

I love to cook.  I’ve been cooking since before I hit double digits in age, and I’ve been cooking a lot more since my mom went back to work.  I’m good at it, but my skills tend to atrophy a bit while I’m at school.  It’s not that I don’t have the facilities–all of my dorms so far have had a communal kitchen–it’s just that when the people who use the kitchen frequently don’t fucking clean it up after they’re done, it really diminishes the desire to use them.  All that should change this year–I’m in the apartments.  Hopefully this means I can start experimenting more and cracking open the copy of “The Joy of Cooking” I bought off of eBay.  If nothing else, I’m looking forward to sharing that food with friends.