Author Topic: The Yin and the Yang (Read 17924 times)

Grey Ninja · « **on:** September 04, 2003, 06:11:13 PM »

I believe that I may have mentioned it here before, but my luck is extremely erratic. I can't have bad luck without good. I can't have good luck without bad. It seems that lately though, I have been extremely lucky, and this is bothering me, as I am sure that I am going to have to pay for it at some point.

You guys haven't heard from me for the last few days, in case you hadn't noticed.

Reason for that is that I just moved. I am not living in Lethbridge anymore, as I just hopped on a plane and flew to Ft. McMurray. My new employer is an oil company that is being very generous to me, and is giving me all sorts of stuff. But more on that later.

I just got here yesterday. I had to pay an extra $100 for the extra baggage known as my computer, but that's fine with me. It's worth it. I had to pay $40 for the cab rides to and from the airports, but that was also ok, as I didn't have to pay for my plane ticket. (My employer covered that)

When I arrived, I waited on the doorstop of my new place for half an hour while waiting for the landlord to show up. I was dreading the encounter somewhat, as I had a vague idea that I had about $150 in my bank account at that point, and the booklet my employer had given me said that I would have to give a $200 security deposit. I was all prepared to offer a whole bunch of other payment methods, or in the worst case, beg for some more money from my parents. I lucked out however, when I was signing the lease agreement that said that payment for any damages would be taken out of my final paycheque. I was overjoyed.

It got better when I was touring my new home. In order to get here, I had put the majority of my belongings in storage, and had taken the bare essentials, and my PC. My TV was left behind, but I took my GameCube with me. When I checked out the living room, I saw a TV, VCR, PS2, a whole whack of really good DVDs, and a pretty good stereo system. Upon inspection of the PS2 games... I saw my beloved Xenosaga... The kitchen was also fully stocked, with all the modern appliances and stuff that makes life easy. I assumed that the majority of this stuff was my roommate's, and never gave it much thought.

As it so happened, I also get the master bedroom. I lucked out here as well, as I have lots of closet space, all the furniture I need, and linens to boot! My landlord gave me a sheet with a listing of all the items that are provided by my employer, and I was even more shocked. With the place comes a TV, VCR, basic cable and telephone, pretty much every appliance you could use, and cleaning supplies. Best of all is that I am living rent free for the next 8 months.

Today I went for my dreaded drug, alcohol, and fitness test, and I actually passed it. I scored poorly on my hearing test, but the nurse said my eardrums looked kind of red and abused, so I am assuming that listening to the sound of a good old turboprop for 4 hours yesterday was the cause of that. At any rate, I passed the test, and am now officially an employee of Syncrude. I bought a 6 pack of beer to celebrate.

I took my customary walk around today to get to know the place (this could be a problem if I ever move somewhere as big as Toronto), and I walked into the only video store I came across (Rogers). I was a little miffed when I saw how pathetic their GameCube selection was when compared to the PS2 and Xbox sections. But I checked out the used games section, as is customary for me. I had a little difficulty finding the GCN games amongst all the PS2 and Xbox crap in my way, so I had to look at every box. I just saw a bunch of sports games at first, but then I noticed a GCN game that was mistakenly in a green DVD case... It was my beloved Skies of Arcadia... and it was only $40... (That's like $30 USD) Broke or no, and case or no case, that was not a deal I was about to pass up. I rushed it to the counter, and bought it. I asked for a black DVD case so I could rid myself of that horrible puke green Xbox crap, but they refused (unhelpful seems to be a theme around there).

Anyways, I have say that I have been pining for two games for quite some time, and in a weird stroke of fate, I now have them both. I have both Skies of Arcadia and Xenosaga available for me to play, and I don't start work for another week. Coincidence? I think not. Some damned evil god is watching out for me. (Thanks Xel'lotath!)

I think I am going to go play some Skies of Arcadia.

Pale · « **Reply #1 on:** September 04, 2003, 06:55:22 PM »

Want to find me a job? I just graduated with a BS, majoring in Computer Science and Business Administration....I want to program, but the job market sucks ass. I've been unemployed since May and I feel I need to have some good luck at some point.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #2 on:** September 04, 2003, 07:02:14 PM »

Heh. I am a Computer Science major myself. I am here on a co-operative education thing, which basically means that I am receiving University credit for being here. My job title is "Systems Analyst", and I am told that I will be doing web programming for Syncrude. After 8 months are done, I am sent back to whence I came, a little richer, and more experienced. I have to work for another 4 months before I graduate, and I have 2 years of classes left to do. But when I am done, I get a nice little line on my degree that says that I am a co-op student, and that makes me a much better person to hire.

As for finding a job, I really have no idea what to suggest. I found my job through the University, and they set up the interview and everything. My advice would be to check out the website of everyone that you might want to work for, and spam them with your resume. Good luck to you though. Sound like you could use some at this point.

rpglover · « **Reply #3 on:** September 04, 2003, 07:34:24 PM »

thats some good luck there ninja- finally you get to play xenosaga

you will not be dissapointed with that game i can tell you that- knowing how much you loved xenogears- xenosaga is an excellent game- skies is also great as well- i wish i had some luck like that sometime

"Best of all is that I am living rent free for the next 8 months."

thats pretty awesome! you cant complain for things that are free

"I think I am going to go play some Skies of Arcadia."

you will play a little of skies- but i bet you want xenosaga just as much...

Pale · « **Reply #4 on:** September 04, 2003, 08:03:46 PM »

What I want is to find some venture capitalist with deep pockets to fund a business that I start... =P That would be nice. Well I'm going to bed now, tomorrow I hit up Rochester, NY banging on doors and throwing my resume at people.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #5 on:** September 04, 2003, 09:10:57 PM »

rpglover, you are 100% correct. It was Skies of Arcadia tonight, and it will be a mix of the two tomorrow I am sure.

I think I will start things off with Xenosaga tomorrow though. I do want to play both games just as much.

rpglover · « **Reply #6 on:** September 05, 2003, 04:44:58 AM »

"I think I will start things off with Xenosaga tomorrow though. I do want to play both games just as much."

although xenosaga has tons of cutscenes- i got hooked on that game way too fast and i had to play only that game- i never minded when a long cutscene approached- they are really nice and the story is awesome- you may become too hooked on xenosaga to play skies as much as it grey

nolimit19 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 05, 2003, 05:08:33 AM »

thats cool. i have heard of stuff like that before. especially for computer science majors. they are always in demand. i knew someone that had their company pay for their entire move and they got a 50k signing bonus. i however will not major in computer science. HAHA so no luck for me. but at the rate i am failing classes at, ill be out of school just when the market gets better. AHHAHAHHAHHA so im not too worried.

Ms.Pikmin · « **Reply #8 on:** September 05, 2003, 05:41:54 AM »

Grey Ninja, I am so glad to hear that you have a nice set up and will be comfortable until this job ends. You really needed a break and this sounds like a good one. It's definitely a bonus that those two games in particular are there. Bigger bonus is that you get to play them until you can't stand it anymore and not starve doing it.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #9 on:** September 05, 2003, 06:26:22 AM »

hehe... not starving is a huge plus. My roommate is really cool, and actually cooks a little bit too! Anyways, thanks everyone.

rpglover, I am just in The Dark Rift in Skies of Arcadia, so I am actually quite enthused about playing the game. I am about halfway through the tutorial in Xenosaga, so there's no question about which is more interesting to me right now. But I am trying to get some progress in Xenosaga today.

But first I need to shower and make myself something to eat. (and maybe head over to Save On to buy some more food and snacks.)

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #10 on:** September 05, 2003, 07:49:25 AM »

I'm confused somewhat, is the PS2 belong to the company you work for an your's to use freely, or does it actually belong to your roommate?

But with that aside, glad you are running into some really good luck for a change. Lets just hope that any bad luck you hopefully do not run into, is only minor. Enjoy Xenosaga, it's a great game to play and watch.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #11 on:** September 05, 2003, 09:28:15 AM »

YAY FOR FREE! That's pretty much all I have to say. And $40 ($30 here) for Skies is a GREAT find, it's still $50 in the states.

But since all this good luck, the bad luck will be DOUBLE! MWAHAHAHAHAHA!

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #12 on:** September 05, 2003, 10:07:08 AM »

lol... Nistu, it's my roommate's. I am still free to use it freely, but the bit about what belongs to whom was actually sort of an unfinished thought. I was trying to say that there's a WHOLE LOT of stuff that my employer gave to us. About all that's actually ours in this place is a PS2, GCN, Stereo, 2 PCs, and the food. Everything else is supplied for us.

I am actually thinking about switching to Skies of Arcadia about now. Xenosaga is nice and all, but it's a little boring just walking all over the most gigantic ship ever. The aliasing, load times, and sparse environments are actually starting to bother me as well. I am still early in the game though, so I am sure it will get better soon. Xenogears started out slow too.

Ian Sane · « **Reply #13 on:** September 05, 2003, 11:06:05 AM »

So you live in Ft. McMurray now, huh? It's funny because my friend's parents moved out there a few years back and own an Esso station (I think). Anyway my friend has spent a few summers working at their gas station and he says he absolutely hates it there because he's used to living in a big city and finds there's nothing to do. As a result Ft. McMurray is often the butt of many jokes around my friends.

So if you go to an Esso station and the guy working there is a Polish guy with a beard named Greg say hi to him for me because that's my friend's dad. If you mention Ian from Langley, if it's the right guy, he'll know for sure who you're talking about.

ThePerm · « **Reply #14 on:** September 05, 2003, 11:43:13 AM »

grey ninja seems happy. That makes me happy

S-U-P-E-R · « **Reply #15 on:** September 05, 2003, 12:03:14 PM »

Y'know, I was just going to post "livejournal.com" as my only reply text, except this seems to happen to me a lot, too. I lose my wallet, but win a DDR tournament with a big prize the same day. I get horrible sleep deprivation for a few days, but I am then rewarded with the coolest job ever. Etc.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #16 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:21:31 PM »

Heh. I completely forgot to mention that I also won plane tickets for two to anywhere in Canada that WestJet flies.

I have no idea what I am going to do with them though.

Ian, Ft. McMurray is small, but it's decent for a town of its size. We have 2 strip clubs, and a casino. I mean, how bad can it be?

Besides, I grew up in the middle of the wilderness. No modern conveniences, and nothing for 20 miles in any direction. I hated it there. But I moved to a little rat hole town in Southern Alberta, and the weather drove me nuts. It's a semi-arid desert, and there's never any rain, snow, fog, trees, or humidity. This morning it was actually raining here. I was enjoying the hell out of it, as it's been the first time that I have seen the fog I grew accustomed to in my youth accompanying the rain. I went out for a walk, and thoroughly enjoyed being out of the desert.

Let me make this clear though. I have no intention to stay here, as I don't think this is a good place to be for a long period of time. I am leaving in 8 months, and I am never coming back. I perfectly realize that all this stuff my employer has given me is a result of their desire to entice me to come back after I graduate. It just ain't going to work on me though.

Regarding Xenosaga though: I just finished the first part, where all hell breaks loose and you escape, then are given a place to save. (end of first disc?) I must say that I am enjoying the game a whole lot now, but I hope that this pace keeps up for the rest of the game.

Ian, I will look for that ESSO station.

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #17 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:42:26 PM »

Heh, that is all very cool. Except for their lack of GC games. Go burn that place or something. Anyway, may further good luck come your way.

mouse_clicker · « **Reply #18 on:** September 05, 2003, 01:48:33 PM »

Maybe it wasn't luck that all this happened, Ninja, maybe you're being rewarded for all your hard work.

Ms.Pikmin · « **Reply #19 on:** September 05, 2003, 02:15:49 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Hostile Creation
Heh, that is all very cool. Except for their lack of GC games. Go burn that place or something. Anyway, may further good luck come your way.

Well, he does have a chance to brainwash a PS2 fan into becoming a GC fan. You've got 8 months to do it Grey Ninja, get started!

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #20 on:** September 05, 2003, 05:38:53 PM »

True dat. Grey Ninja, your mission has begun.

Grey Ninja · « **Reply #21 on:** September 05, 2003, 05:56:46 PM »

Heh. I am too busy playing the PS2 right now to convince anyone that it's bad.

I just played it for 8 hours straight. I am just running to the store right now to buy some more beer, as I drank my entire stock today. As for having 8 months... that's more like 4. We both have 8 month coop terms, but my roommate is already half done his, which means that in 4 months I will be getting a new roommate.

But don't worry... hehe... he's not much of a gamer, but I will have him convinced in less than 2 months. I mean, the dude only has 5 games. (SSX Tricky, Twisted Metal Black, Gran Turismo 3, Xenosaga, and THPS 3). I figure that after seeing F-Zero GX, Mario Kart, and 1080, I will have a convert on my hands. He said he bought the console for SSX Tricky, so I figure that I have won half the battle already.

rpglover · « **Reply #22 on:** September 05, 2003, 07:12:22 PM »

"Regarding Xenosaga though: [spoilers]I just finished the first part, where all hell breaks loose and you escape, then are given a place to save. (end of first disc?)[/spoilers] I must say that I am enjoying the game a whole lot now, but I hope that this pace keeps up for the rest of the game."

yeah i loved that cinema scene- with all the gnosis and AWGS units going at it- that is about the part i got hooked on the game- it gets very good and very interesting after this now- hopefully you will play through skies of arcadia- that game is fun too- both games are highly worth it

aoi tsuki · « **Reply #23 on:** September 05, 2003, 08:10:56 PM »

Wow, congrats GreY Ninja. i remember you said you'd have a good job in September, but i didn't know it'd be this good. Sounds like The Globex Corporation from the Simpsons, in which case i'll gladly align your to leader's views on anything.

Edit: That's what i get for responding to a post in the morning, but actually submitting my respone eighteen hours later. Grey Ninja, what's beer taste like? It's been so long, i've forgotten. i'm still in a drought myself...

Hostile Creation · « **Reply #24 on:** September 06, 2003, 04:16:27 AM »

Geez, four months? Well, that's not very long, but his gaming situation seems very lax, so I have faith that you can manage. Godspeed, man!

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Author Topic: The Yin and the Yang (Read 17924 times)