[18:08:07] plates> so Binks, what did you have to do to get into Velocity? What is your brain blowing idea for the future of business? Was it all it was hyped up to be? [18:09:10] moogog> He paid me money [18:11:07] plates> where are you livin? [18:15:06] Bravado> moogog is his boss [18:15:11] Bravado> almost feel bad for the guy [18:15:29] plates> at resnet? [18:17:09] Bravado> moogog will be his don [18:17:12] Bravado> over at velocityland [18:19:36] Binks> plates - last I heard, they had 70 applicants for 70 spaces in the first round; then they had at least one more round after that [18:19:53] Binks> mostly I filled out paperwork and did an interview or two [18:20:12] Binks> There was a bunch of paperwork… [18:20:40] Binks> I think that’s why they had few applicants (Ed: The paperwork caused so few applications). I think they’re hoping that they’ll get a few groups in there, get something halfway neat built that they can put out on campus, and then market the crap out of it [18:20:55] Binks> the renovations to the building aren’t even done and they’ve already had two photo shoots for velocity students [18:22:46] Binks> so, I guess I’m feeling guarded optimism about the whole thing [18:25:29] Binks> I’m most concerned about the full-time dude they hired to oversee the whole thing - and the fact that they’ve really just plain stopped telling us things [18:26:03] Binks> if the guy they hired full-time is a pain, or gets bored and just runs around bugging people, it could turn into a very frustrating year [18:27:16] Binks> and, there’s always stuff like they’re conference - which they just gave us the dates for like a week ago. I’ve already committed to doing stuff for Frosh week. I committed to that months ago [18:27:34] Binks> I hope I can make it out to it, just the same [18:27:39] Binks> eh… everyone’s gone :(

They really have seemed to have stopped telling us things. They never really told us much; that’s true; but for a while there there were a few announcements and inquiries going back and forth. They seemed to be participating on the Google Groups board now and again. For the last few months it’s been radio silence. The only thing they’ve done is tell us move in dates and the date for the conference. We don’t even have a basic itinerary for this conference - a day and a half long, commencing in about two weeks, and we have no idea what this thing is even for!

EDIT: Turns out the names from the chat didn’t come through properly - they should be there now.

(A customer is looking at a laptop. I approach to help.)

Me: “That’s a really great computer.”

Customer: “I don’t need a computer. I need wireless internet.”

Me: “Alright, how much range do you need cover?”

Customer, dead serious: “From here to Santa Monica.”

(Note: This is about a distance of ten miles.)

Me: “Alright, let’s start over. This time I’ll be from the future.”

(A few years ago I was working at a video store when there were still late fees, and this exchange occurred after I scanned a couple’s rentals:)

Me: “Okay, sir, with the late fee from your last rental, your total is $9.50.”

Husband: “What do you mean a late fee? I ALWAYS return my movies on time, so you need to remove that late fee right now!”

Me: “Well sir, you returned-“

Husband: “I said I ALWAYS return my movies on time and you need to remove that late fee right now! I’m not paying this!”

Me: “Then you won’t be renting these movies tonight. All late fees must be paid before renting again.”

Husband: “I’m NOT paying this, so you better take it off now!”

Wife: “What movie is this late fee for anyway? We ALWAYS return our movies on time!”

Me: “This is for Runaway Bride with Julia Roberts. You rented it on the 6th and it was due on the 11th, but you didn’t return it until the 15th. “

Husband: “Oh yeah, that’s right, we never got around to watching it. I’ll pay for it.”

Wife: “We never rented Runaway Bride and I was out of town on the 6th.”

Me: “Well, ma’am, it’s showing that Jennifer rented the title.”

Wife: “Who is Jennifer?” pauses and her face becomes red “Oh, that b***h!”

(The wife proceeds to slap her husband, takes the keys and drives away, leaving her husband in the store.)

Husband: “Well, I guess I deserved that, huh?”

Me: “Sir, you put your mistress on your account?”

Husband: “Yeah, she likes movies”¦”

Me: “You are aware that she could have opened her own account for free, right?”

Husband: “Oh s***, really?”

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one’s time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.

H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

WHY? Why would you do THIS to the internet? What’d the internet ever do to you?

LOOK AT THIS TRASH! (I’m not trying to pick on Ms. Sim in particular - I think they’re all like that. I’m just too afraid to look)

I mentioned this before, before they launched the site (while the internet still had hope). Back then I thought I had something stupid in my ear.

Of course, back then, I thought that it’d be Facebook with dancing. The reality, however, is much more horrible. The ONLY thing is the dances! THAT’S ALL THERE IS!

People choose one of six “dances”, slap their name on it, and then it ends up on one of those gigantor lists, seperated by building. That’s fun… you’re on a list along with 1000 other people sorted only by name. Awesomesauce.

No list of hobbies, no information on when you like to wake up, hell, not even your MAJOR can be listed! So… they’ve got a retarded photo of you and that’s IT!

How does this “build community” - even CONCEPTUALLY I don’t know how it makes sense.

The most favorable way I can think if it is as a complete misunderstanding of the internet. They thought they needed a bit of Facebook (“Oh, a picture, that’s all Facebook really is”) a bit of YouTube, (“All those kids are always watching people dance! Let’s do that!”) and a bit of Hanna Montana (“We’re stupid and watch too much Disney!”).

Let’s take what they did and put it in analog terms: Take a picture of yourself. Write a number 1-6 on it. Throw it in a gigantic black bag. Then the Housing and Residence department places the black bag in a back office somewhere on campus. They constantly mention the black bag, tell people how awesome the black bag is, invite them to see the black bag. Then they claim that having a black bag that people can root through creates community.

NEWSFLASH: Just because you do something stupid and put it on the internet doesn’t make it less stupid.

Oh, and obviously incoming first years agree with me - COUNTING DUPLICATES there are 450 monstrosities uploaded. There’re probably 5000 people in residence this year. That gives you an uptake of, at max, 10%. Just look at the first page of the gallery though - I see three duplicates on a page of 9.

EDIT: I just realized there’s a song. They PAID FOR A SONG. And some people just don’t get it (note the whole body picture… placed where the head ought to be). I think that just points to bad instructions.

EDIT2: All of a sudden this want ad back in April makes more sense.

Me: “If I can just get your signature there”¦”

Elderly customer: scribbles his name, then starts drawing on the counter

Me: “Uh”¦ sir?”

Elderly customer: starts drawing up the side of the cash register

Me: “Sir? You just”¦ sign your name.”

Elderly customer: doodles in the air, up and up”¦ and then jabs me in the forehead with the pen and draws lines on my face

Me: “What the h***?”

Elderly customer: “Reactions like that would have gotten you killed in the war!”

This and more stories of retail woe at Not Always Right.

Yeah, I’m talking to you!

Case sensitivity sucks! Be less sensitive like a real man!