Hello, hello!
Hello!
Oooh, a real person! This is so much better than talking to ghosts.
Right? I agree
Well, then! What brings you to this corner of the world? I've never talked with you before. Shouldn't you be at the game or something? I hear that that's today, but I can't be sure.
Haha I am, actually! And it doesn't start for a while So I'm kinda bored
Oh, really? Then why are people talking about going to the game right now? And I totally get the "bored" part. Waiting takes foreeeeeever. Wait . . . just wait. It's 7:30. Why hasn't the game started yet. Do games usually start so late?
I mean, if you want good seats, you have to be early Kickoff is at 8:15
Ah, I see, I see. But it's forty-five minutes in advance.
I'm here for work though, not to watch the game
Ooooh! What do you do?
Exactly! I'm an audio technician
So are you in charge of the, um, big speakers?
Set up mics for BYUtv No, I don't work with those I'm mostly here just for utility Lots of cables need to be plugged in
Is it fun, the work? Because I feel like that'd get tedious, plugging in all those cables. No idea why I formatted those sentences like that, but I did.
It's really not too bad! I like it
Like it enough to make a living off of it?
The worst part is just the waiting We finished hours ago The pay is okay
Ohhh, okay, that explains the waiting.
Better than minimum wage
Still. It's just . . . heh, I'm surrounded by people who are finding fantastic jobs. It kinda intimidates me, to be honest. Like, one of my friends that are my age already has an internship lined up at $35/hour--and that's IF he doesn't get into Google.
Whaaaaat
People who are making crazy dollars. I know, right? These people are amazing!
That's crazy
Makes me feel . . . heh, less amazing.
Do you work currently?
Sort of. I have a side tutoring gig. It's nice. It pays at about $25/hour, but I don't get a lot of hours.
That's cool!
Thanks! I think it's really fun. I just, well, don't have a lot to do with my life right now. At least in the sense of school. There's personal projects and such, but it's not the same.
That makes sense How many credits are you taking?
Um, unfortunately, I'm at 0.0 at the moment. I'm serving a mission soon, yeah? I thought I'd be called before finals happened, so I didn't sign up.
Aw, gotcha Cool cool
Turns out, um, I didn't get called until February, so I could've gone, but . . . what do you do?
At that point, I dunno... That's a long call time! Wow
No kidding. It was five months when I first received it. I didn't know you could wait so long, but you can, apparently.
I only had to wait one month
What, really? That's so short!
Yeah!
I . . . have a question, actually. I don't know how much time you have. But, um . . . I'm surrounded by people who are doing really good things with their lives. People who are studying and fighting for things and doing really well. And . . . I'm going on a mission. I won't ever regret putting the Lord first. I will do anything He asks of me regardless the cost. But that doesn't mean I don't think about what I could be doing with my life otherwise. There are internships I could've taken had I not been leaving--internships that would leave me in a good position moving forward. Getting experience in the job industry, even if it didn't mean a good pay, so that I could do better the next year. I can't begin an intensive study for anything graduate-school related because I'm going to have a large break between now and then and will most likely lose my edge. Same for practicing for interviews or studying code or anything else like that. And . . . I don't know. I'm going to come back, and these already amazing people will have gone on to do such incredible things. And I'll be working from ground zero. What do you do, though?
Hmmm That's a great question I'm not sure I have much of an answer for you I kind of felt like that after my mission Friends I had in high school were close to starting their careers Which was a little weird, but it's not really a race The time we spend in college is super short compared to our career time Do you have projects you want to get done before you leave?
Oh, a few personal things--a game like Zork, maybe learning Unreal engines or taking a mini course in something that interests me--but nothing ambitious.
Are you a mechanical engineering major, then?
Close. Computer science.
Oh, okay Onlinr courses are definitely an option Some are really good My wife does online classes
But . . . what I mean is, I feel like I'm just spinning my wheels until I leave--killing time instead of actually using it. That I can't make forward momentum. I'm stuck like it's an exercise bike.
I see what you mean
Great for a little bit of practice, but it doesn't actually get you anywhere, you know?
Haha that's a good comparison! Tis true Are you still living at BYU?
Nah. I'm at home right now.
I mean, I assumed Ok! Gotcha Man I feel for ya
Is this what it is, then? Just being forced to watch everyone else do better than me while I go and serve the Lord? I'm . . . okay with that, oddly. Sacrifice hasn't meant a whole lot to me when it's been asked. If that really is the price, I can't say I'll be happy about it, but I won't regret anything.
That's the spirit! It will definitely be worth it
That's what I've been told. Do you regret your mission?
Nah Don't get me wrong, it was hard But I grew a lot And helped lots of people Which is always great
Heh.
It was a sacrifice I always knew I would make Did I already ask what mission you're going to? I might have forgotten...
You may have, but I don't mind. I'm going to Argentina.
That's sweet!
Thanks!
A little ways from home!
It's going to be wicked cold and wicked humid. Haha, just a little! I think it'll be okay? I already speak Spanish mostly. The accent will be difficult, but that's all right. That's what makes it fun.
That's convenient that you've got a head start!
It is! I have my mother to thank for that. She's from Colombia, and while we don't have another Spanish speaker in the house, she speaks it often enough for me to catch on. I'm certainly not fluent. And speaking is still quite difficult for me. But I think I can understand? Hopefully well enough that I won't be hopelessly lost when someone talks to me?
That's certainly more than I know! I think you'll be fiiine
I hope so.
I hear Spanish is an easier one
That's what I've heard, too. At least language-wise. I guess, heh, I guess I just worry a lot. I probably shouldn't.
Eh
Maybe it's the amount of free time I have, or maybe it's just by nature, but I find myself thinking a lot.
It's a common thing Free time can do that Do you like to read?
I do! I haven't been doing much of that lately, but I do.
When I have free time, that's what I do Haha
Do you have anything good to recommend?
Haven't done much lately either
Yeah, I get you.
Have you read Brandon Sanderson?
(The sad part is, I read more while I was enrolled in classes than I am now.)
His books?
I have! He's one of my favorites. I have a signed copy of The Way of Kings in my room.
Nice!
. . . which I should probably read, come to think of it.
That's one of my favs! The stormlight archive is so good You'll get the chance to read Skyward! His new one
When does it come out?
Next month? That was the projected release
I'm still waiting for the third book of The Kingkiller Chronicles to come out. The first is The Name of the Wind. The second is The Wise Man's Fears.
I haven't heard of those!
I think the last is going to be called The Doors of Stone, but I'm not sure. They're really good! A friend recommended them to me.
I really need to find more good books
I'll be quick to note that there is some strong language throughout, and there's a scene you'll probably have to skip, but the rest is all right. I kinda have a gigantic list that I'll never get through. Like, ever.
Good to know!
Oh, hey! I can't believe I haven't asked this yet. How many credits are you taking? Which classes? And which major are you?
No worries!
Oh, the game's gonna start soon, huh? You'll have to work. Ah, that's such a shame. I was really enjoying talking to you! And I can't believe I'd never seen you on here before.
I still have time!
Do you? Oooh! This makes me happy. When do you have to leav?
I don't do much during the game
*leave
I basically just watch it
Does this mean you get a free pass to every game?
And fix any equipment that malfunctions Pretty much!
Do things break a lot? I'd hope not.
Not really Sometimes we get frequency interference On our wireless stuff
Frequency interference? What do you mean?
But not much else There are so many radio transmitters at the stadium And if two transmitters use frequencies too close They start cutting out Or buzzing
Oof. That's hard. How do you fix it?
So one of them has to be switched
Doesn't that, you know, mess things up? Switching frequencies, I mean?
We have a tool that lets us find occupied ones And we change the radio dials on stuff Likr tuning a car radio
It sounds kind of complicated, to be honest. Really interesting! But complicated. I'd love to see you guys work one day, just to get a feel for what it's like.
It's interesting stuff A little complicated, but you get the hang of it
Did you have any experience before you took the job? I'd imagine it takes at least SOME tech knowledge before walking in.
A bit, yeah
Because, man, I don't really know anything about hardware. Where did you learn? (I still don't know what your major is, by the way.)
I've had experience with sequencing software
(I'm guessing mechanical engineer.)
Nutritional science!
Nope! I was dead wrong. Sequencing software? What's that?
I wanted to go into commercial music, though Couldn't get into the program
No way! You're the second person I've met here that's said that! I couldn't remember if the other person got in. Is it competitive, then?
Oooooooh yeah
The, uh, commercial music program? Why?
Most competitive major an campus BYU is just really musical, I guess Good programs for it
I thought the most competitive major was animation. But, wow. That's tough. I don't know how ANYONE gets in if it's that hard.
Animation is close
Is there just limited space or what? Seriously, why is everything musical and artsy so hard to get into?
Yeah, they just don't have many spaces
If BYU is such a popular spot for musicians, though, why don't they make it bigger?
And they can pick the cream of the crop Good question! I wish they would Maybe at some point they will But who knows
Are you not going to try again, then? It seems like such a shame to stop trying if you got denied once.
The problrm for me is that I don't play an acoustic instrument well enough Which is part of the audition
Are there other acoustic instruments besides the guitar?
Basically any band or orchestra instrument
Oh, gotcha. Why is that part of the requirment? *requirement Seems a little . . . harsh to me if you don't play. Because what if that isn't even the part of music you want to go into?
Exactly! It's a weird system
Seems . . . really stressful. Like, what if you're new to music? What if you hadn't started practicing when you were four? Is there even a point of trying to get in since there's always going to be someone better than you? That, because you didn't start early enough, you're forever going to be behind?
Then you OUT The good news is You don't have to have a degree for the music industry It just helps Sorry I've been missing so many of your questions! You asked about credits I'm taking 14 this semester
Hopefully none too intensive?
No, nothing too hard Some GEs And Chemistry For my major
Okay, I'm glad. This means midterms haven't been the bane of your existence?
I've had to study a lot But I've done well on them so far
Always a good thing. I, ah, did NOT do so well on a few of my midterms last time. Getting C's? Not my favorite.
Aw man
Honestly, I'd never gotten a C on a test before in my life. It's okay. It all worked out. But, man, those were not my favorite days.
That's good! The dreaded testing center *shivers*
Ugh, don't even get me started. It's all right, though. Midterms only happen a few times per semester. And even finals, as dreadful as they are, only happen once.
Very true
There's supposed wisdom that if you study throughout the semester that you'll be fine come finals, but I've met a total of zero people who've done that. Are you gonna be the first? Have I finally met a diligent enough student that studies regularly? Beyond the weeks leading up the test?
Haha that would be awesome! I'm not that good I try studying a week before tests
Heh. You're better than me. Wanna know how much time I dedicated to my American Heritage final? The one that would literally determine my end grade?
Sure!
Four hours. Day of. That's it, I think.
Niiiiiice
Noooooo, not nice.
And?
I need to learn to study better. And . . . I did end up acing the class. Ugh, these good grades are NOT helping me.
Duuude!
They're reinforcing bad study habits. No, no, it's so bad.
That's crazy!
Crazy good luck, for sure. But that's not an exception. I can't bring myself to study more than a few days before the big test. And this includes things like the ACT. It's soooo bad. I try, I guess, but obviously not hard enough to get me to do something. But the real worst part about it is that I get decent scores.
Cramming really does work
It shouldn't work, though.
Fot some people It's not ideal That's true
I don't know. I feel bad, if I'm to be frank. I know there are people who work a lot harder than me. Like, I was talking to a girl on here earlier today who gets about two to three hours of sleep per day. She sleeps a little more on the weekend, but still.
Oh wow
She takes a lot of classes and studies hard. A double major! Wow is right.
Because she's studying?
I have no idea. Probably? I didn't ask. I was too hung up on the whole "two to three hours" bit.
I hope that works out for her
I do, too. And, like, there are these types of people all over. People who work hard; people who study intensively; people who put in a lot of time. It's not that I don't work hard. I do. I sacrifice a lot, too, to do well. But not to the same extent. And I feel like if we were to line everyone up based on effort and effort alone, I wouldn't be nearly where I am right now.
I think that's ok though
Is it?
We're all different We all have strengths And shortcomings
Yeah. I just . . . feel bad. Which is dumb, because I also feel slighted that I didn't start working earlier. I feel upset because others are ahead of me because they started working younger back when I didn't know it was important, and I feel sad because others work harder than me - without the same results. It's such a stupid thing to do. I guess I can't stand the thought of people doing better than me but also pity people below me? That I think in terms of "above" or "below"?
Hmmm
Like, I don't even know. I guess that means I'm pretty stuck-up and arrogant, huh?
I wouldn't put it like that We all got pride, bro We all have to work on it It's super hard not to compare ourselves
But the fact is, I SHOULDN'T, and that should be enough to stop me. It's kind of pathetic. I either spend my time worrying I'm not doing enough or worrying that I'm too blessed for where I am. That I both don't deserve to have what I have and also don't have enough. I don't really resent people for doing grand things. I just feel bad about myself when I think that those are things I could've done. I feel like I could be so much further if I had just KNOWN stuff was out there, you know? I don't think I'm in a bad spot; but I could be doing better.
But you'll get there!
So people say? I . . . I don't even know what to believe.
Did you just finish your first year?
I did, yes.
I think part of college is just learning what IS out there Especially starting out
But . . . there are people who already do know and who are fighting for it. Isn't every day I spend not running towards that end another day I fall behind?
I wouldn't say so
Why not? I just worry so much . . . I guess, ever since I heard that my friend was applying to Google--and had a really good shot of making it in and probably will get an internship next summer if he nails - this next interview--I've realized that some of my classmates have already done so much with their lives. And I wouldn't say that I've done awful, but I certainly haven't done anything extraordinary. At least . . . you know, nothing that works on a resume.
I think people like that are definitely in the minority I wouldn't consider anything I've done extraordinary
What's the point of trying to aim high if I'm already so behind, though?
But...ARE you behind?
. . . aren't I? I don't have four summer internships under my belt like he does.
It sounds to me like you're off to a great start Computer science major
Great isn't enough to get me into Google at 19. Well . . .
Me neither, man Me neither
Wouldn't you want to, though? Does it sound exciting? *Doesn't
I guess so!
And doesn't it nag at you that you can't?
I've never really considered it Not really... What does that kind of job entail? I don't know much about computers
I'm . . . not exactly sure, if I'm to be honest. I know there's a lot of programming. And, um, I'm sure there's a lot you could do. I haven't actually looked into it all that much. But it's Google. Google! It doesn't even matter what it is, right?
Yeah! Unless that's your aspiration But even then There's a significant demand for programmers And hardware people Your major should prep you for all that!
I've actually gone to the STEM fair. I thought I'd do it for fun, just to see what it was like, and I found out that while the major is GOOD, it's not everything. They look for people with experience beyond classroom alone.
That makes sense
Things like personal projects, like internships, like actual job experience if you can get it, etc.
Are there opportunities on campus to gain that experience?
The only thing I can think of is the research from professors. I know that they let undergraduates study with them, but I haven't even STARTED thinking about that. Or, rather, I have, but I have no idea what to do. I'm not sure who's doing research or what kind of research it is or anything under the sun. I don't even know what I'd be expected to do. Is it something like 5 hours per week or closer to 40? I couldn't say. I know that it looks good, especially if you're trying to get into graduate school, which is at least on my horizon.
Probsbly worth looking into! Not necessarily right now
I feel like I need to learn everything I need to know before I leave. Which is a little initimidating. *intimidatin *intimidating
It's good to be prepared
I'd . . . hope so.
But hey, 4 months!
Four months! Is that . . . enough? Is it too much? I just kinda feel like my life is a wreck.
I'd say it's just enough! Your life will change a lot in four months And after that! Is it hard being at home for so long?
Hard being home? Not at all. I haven't been away from family for longer than four consecutive days in my life. Even going to college, I stayed home. It was a bit of a commute, but I really didn't mind.
Oh gotcha
Just another thing to add to the mission, eh?
Definitely! What part of Utah are you from?
Up north in Lehi. It's about, oh, thirty minutes from Provo or so.
Ok!
Oh, hey! Wow! I'm so happy. It took forever and a day, buuuuuut. Go and check the leaderboard.
How do I do that? While chatting?
I don't think you can do it from this page without exitting the chat. But a new tab will open it up. Anyway, I don't know if you noticed, but there's a person called Ambitious Firebrick Akbash up at the top. (So odd that "ambitious" was the adjective used.)
Is that you?
It is, it is! I was 0.7 million points behind earlier today. Which is, um, heh, quite a lot.
High five, man!
Thanks! I guess that's a good thing, eh?
That's quite an accomplishment!
I'm going to lose my place by Monday since I don't chat on Sundays, but I'm hoping it'll be okay. Hehe, I guess? It's just points for chatting. And since I can talkative if I like, it's not too crazy. I think the other guy refuses to talk to me.
haha
Every time I start a chat with a certain person, they will immediately quit. I know, right? It's a little sad; I think he's a great chatter.
Ohhhhh
But I guess I can see him not wanting to give me more points. What with me being his competitor and all.
I  get it
I'm, um, kinda surprised. I didn't think I'd be able to beat him today. I've been behind for about four days now. At one point, it was a 1.5 million spread. I was not happy.
Wow
Yeah. I don't know how he ranked up so quickly.
I believe it
But, hey! Here we are. Thank you so much! I don't get a lot of people to talk to. For some reason, it's quite dead during certain hours, and those are often the few hours I'm available to chat. So, I don't know, it's nice to have someone here. Really. It means a lot to me. Even though it probably doesn't mean much to you. You just helped this little girl win an iPad, hopefully. But . . . more than that, I just, heh, I kinda wanted to know that I could do this, you know? I said right at the beginning, "I want to win this." "I'm going to be the one to do it." And when I saw that 1.5 million difference, I was suddenly aware that other people were going to be fighting just as hard as I was. My goal was to get so far ahead that people would see the amount they'd have to climb and feel intimidated. And then I wouldn't even have to worry about competition. I remember thinking, "If I can get a million ahead, no one will even try to beat me because of how hard it would be to catch up." So, of course, it's a little ironic that that ended up happening to me. I remember feeling that, too. "Maybe I should stop trying." "That's, like, eight hours of chatting right there." "I'm not sure it's possible to win any more. He's going to keep chatting, too, and that means he's going to get even further away." I, um, very nearly stopped. I don't know why I kept going, but I did. (I mean, this is just a little contest. It's not a huge deal or anything.) That day, I think I won back 0.5 million. Or maybe it was 0.7 million? I don't quite remember. And it was frustrating because as I climbed, he climbed, too.
That's dedication!
Maybe? I dunno.
Ipads are pretty nice
It's kinda dumb because this isn't even very important. But, yes, iPads ARE quite nice.
Haha
I've been wanting a Switch for a long time, so I was hoping to win, sell it, make a quick couple hundred and then the Switch with Breath of the Wild. *then buy the I know my brother would love that. And, yes, I definitely think the prize will be great, but . . . I'm finding that rivaling that desire or even breaking past it is this want to just . . . be the top. Even if it's in a thing that isn't that competitive. Even if it doesn't matter all that much. I said I wanted to win it. I did. I felt convicted in this desire to win.
And you're so close!
And . . . I'm kinda ready to fight tooth and nail for it now, even though iPad isn't driving me. I know, right?\ I don't know how that happened! I could've sworn that . . . No. If I didn't think I could surpass him, I would've given up.
Only a few more days!
I know! Eeee! I'm so excited! It's, um, six days.
haha I gave up
Hehehe, that's all right. There's next round, too! And one more round after that. Don't lose hope yet!
just the raffle for me True!
I hope I have enough points for the raffle . . . It's just a benchmark, yeah? Because if I don't have enough points, no one does. XD
I might have a chance
I'd love for you to win that computer. What're you wanting it for?
it was just 500k for the raffle
Just to give you an edge in college, or is there a specific thing? Oh, really? Wasn't it 300k last time?
Yeah It would just be nice
I'll be rooting for you, then. I don't need the computer. I'm not here for it. So I'd gladly let you have it.
My current computer is old Thanks!
Hehe, old computers are fun, for sure, but they're not quite the same as brand new, gleaming mac. Seriously, I'm hoping you win. You seem like a nice enough person. Certainly patient enough to sit through . . . whatever emotional mess I just threw at you. Ugh, I'm such a teenage girl, it's not even funny.
I like to think so
I like to think so, too.
You're good!
I'm good, eh? Even after bouncing from playful to optimistic to dreadful to hopeless to excited? Emotions are weird, let me tell you.
i, uh, actually thought you were a guy for a while there. ..
Most people do. I'm not surprised. I mean, this IS a computer science dominated chat, and most of those people are guys.
Yeah
You make me wonder how many other people are guys, too. I'm assuming YOU are a guy, yes?
But kudos to you!
Oh, um, thanks! What am I being kudos-ed for this time?
Yeah, I am!
Or is it the same thing?
uhhhh yes! For computer science?
Computer science certainly IS kudos-able. It's a lot different than, um . . . nutritional science? (I had to scroll up for a second.) Wait, that reminds me. What exactly do you DO in nutritional science? Just tell people how to correctly lose weight or, uh, keep a proper diet?
I'll probably work in Research & Development For new products Maybe some consulting
I have genuinely no idea what kind of products those would be. And consulting for what? Is this similar to a personal trainer of sorts?
It CAN be I'm not much of a people person, though
(The more people I talk to, the more often I hear that response.) (But go on!)
I guess we are all just chatting... Haha That's why I'm leaning towards research
What sort of research is that, though? I know absolutely nothing about nutritional science.
It's all about food, as you can probably guess by the name
What? Nooooooo. Say it isn't so! Hehe, but seriously, keep going.
Nutritional science is the study of how food reacts in the body
(I'm going to stop interrupting you and just let you type for a bit.)
Metabolism, etc I'm really just getting started in it It's super interesting stuff
It sounds like chemistry to me. Bio-chemistry or something. Are they similar?
LOTS of chemistry There's certainly a lot of overlap
And you enjoy it a lot?
I enjoy it enough! I think I would like a career in it
Well, you must be smarter than me because, wow, it sounds complicated. I can't even IMAGINE the formulas and memorizations and notes and studying it would take. It's Greek to me.
I'm learning little by little! Yes, it' finally half time!
What? It took THAT long? That's HALF time? My goodness, how long do these things go? I would've thought it'd be wrapping up about now.
yup so long
Is it a football game or something? That's what BYU is known for, right? Or . . . basketball? I never know. Obviously, I'm not well acquainted in this world. (I'm imagining that the reason you're on and off is because you're at work and don't have all the time in the world to chat with online strangers.) For some reason, you've got me thinking about sleep. Do you know how nice it would be to reduce the amount of time I spent sleeping to something like, I dunno, four hours per day? Wouldn't that be lovely? Or if I could eliminate it altogether? Imagine for a moment that there wouldn't be any negative healthy effects. Imagine that we would never tire. Imagine, in essence, that any of the drawbacks that come from not sleeping enough just never happened. (Am now looking up why we need sleep.)
That would be convenient! That would be convenient! It's not working
What's not working?
Nooo
I don't understand . . .
Is this The maximum Length of A chat? Sorry!
Oh, are we reaching maximums now? I've never had THAT happen before. That'd be so odd! I'm not having any problem typing anything. I know I've hit character limits before, but never an actual length. If you're having trouble loading the entire thing, though, we can exit and return. Assuming no one else is in queue right now (Spoiler alert, there's probably not), we can just hop back in and continue. If you're somehow unable to respond, just quit the chat, and I'll know what happened.
Jgyfh
That's either an obscure acronym I don't recognize, or you're trying to talk.
I have to go! Talk to you later maybe!