FF ramblings

[ria_oaks]

I happened to check Rpgamer.com a few minutes ago and noticed that FFIII:DS comes out today (I haven't really been keeping track...). I'm probably just being too over-emotional, but this day feels rather historic in the RPG world - the last Final Fantasy that wasn't released in the US is finally here. I checked, and it's been approximately 16.5 years since FFIII was released in Japan - well, better late than never, I guess. XD I mean sure, I played it years ago on a translated ROM and I won't be buying this version anytime soon (lack of a DS... and lack of time to play. woe.), but it's still cool to think that it's here. It's sort of a pity that the original version of the game will never make it here, most likely (how hard would it have been to include the orignal version in the new game, really...?), but the new version looks pretty spiffy. Hopefully I'll get to play it someday.

3 FF games in the past 2 weeks, 2 of which are new to the US (FFXII and FFIII:DS) and one of which only ever made it here in a mangled fashion (FFV Advance) - makes me miss the days when I could play all the time... I haven't really been into gaming as much the last few years, largely because of a. lack of time during school, b. other interests take up my free time, and c. i'm lazy., but I still get excited hearing about games and still want to play when I get the chance. I'm way behind on all the games I'm playing, but I still plan to ask for either FFXII or Disgaea 2 for Christmas (leaning towards the latter - FFXII will be easy enough to find for years to come, and it'll get cheap fairly quickly, whereas Disgaea 2 will start disappearing soon...). I am sorely tempted by FFXII, though - it's been getting fantastic reviews, and hell, it's FFXII! We've been waiting for this game for years, and it's finally here... and I really can't justify the time or money to get it. Part of me, too, is still a bit uncertain about it - but most of the reviews have said that the game is nothing like (and much better than) anything we've seen of it to this point, including the demo. I plan to give it a chance eventually, but can't do it yet.

And... I'm procrastinating. Back to my Farscape paper... it's due tomorrow at 9, so I need to get moving. Up to 5 pages, need about 12 - and I'm still blathering on about the context, haven't even gotten to analysing the series itself! Ehehehe. baaack to work.

Comments

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Huh. Annoying. :( I know some people have got them, but I imagine plenty haven't, too. Typical UBC.

[bk635.livejournal.com]

It's probably a "first-come; first-serve" basis. I didn't submit the application until the 8th or the 9th (deadline was 10th).

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Maybe, yeah.

[bk635.livejournal.com]

26th has come and no UPass or books. I'll grant that it's still early, but I can't say that I'm not getting anxious here. -_-

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Did it ever come?

[bk635.livejournal.com]

Mailman left a note this morning that I have a package to pick up at the post office, so that's probably the books. I'll go get them tomorrow.

No UPass yet, though. It should come soon since I think school starts next week (don't tell me), but I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't. I wonder if they package it with the books.

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Yay. :)

Er, no, I doubt it. :) They're completely separate, notwithstanding the fact that you can pick your pass up at the bookstore. Anyway, I took a look online, and was thinking, do you have your student card yet? Because if they don't have your picture on file from your student card, then you won't get a U-Pass in the mail, you'll have to pick it (and your student card) up and get the picture taken.

[bk635.livejournal.com]

Er, no. No I don't have my student card. In fact, I wasn't even aware of it. None of the emails mentioned it.

Though that explains it. I was wondering how they'd get my picture on the UPass. >.>

Where do I go to get that done?

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Ahh, typical UBC lack of communication. ^^ Sorry, it didn't even occur to me earlier, and it's the most logical reason now that I think on it. Here's a FAQ for new students that may be useful: http://www.students.ubc.ca/newtoubc/faqs.cfm
You have to get your student card from the bookstore; bring a piece of gov't issued ID (driver's licence seems to be fine) and your student #. It says on here that new students have to get their U-Pass from the bookstore, and that in subsequent years it will be mailed to you. Makes sense, since they need your picture. :)

[bk635.livejournal.com]

Nah it's fine. I'll go get a haircut tomorrow and make my way to the campus this weekend to get this done.

I assume the cost is covered by those student fees?

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Yeah. You could always wait til classes start, too, but it might be marginally less busy on the weekend than on the day classes start (which is typically pretty crazy on campus, but also fun and full of energy - check out all the booths in Koerner Square, and all the people wandering around with weird signs as part of 1st year orientation. *grin*). Better check bookstore hours, though - not sure what their weekend hours will be, though they are extended the first few weeks of class.

Yup, it's included automatically. You have to opt out to not pay it, and there's a strict exception basis.

[bk635.livejournal.com]

Yeah it was different with Cap. While was more of a "Get in, get out" type of place, the classes themselves felt a lot more tight-knit. It seems to be the opposite with UBC.

I guess you'll see for yourself this coming Winter. ;p

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Yeah, maybe... esp for the big lectures. Though there are also small discussions and labs and such. It's definitely the downside of large universities compared to smaller ones or colleges - otoh, you've got a great campus culture, lots of energy on campus, and tons of resources and such. It's like a small city out there, which is pretty cool.

Well, I'm just taking a once-a-week continuing ed course, but yeah, I'll get some idea of it. :) Looking forward to it...

[bk635.livejournal.com]

I'm just not looking foward to the commute. That's the main thing. Though I've been meaning to look into these new UBC routes that Translink supposedly implemented.

If it were a typical lecture-type course, I'd say that you'd feel like you're back in highschool. But I imagine you'll be in one of the studio classrooms above the library.

[bk635.livejournal.com]

I wonder if you'll be able to get a UPass, even though it's just a continuing ed course. I think Cap has them now.

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

Probably not. I imagine I'd have to be enrolled in a regular course. *checks website* In fact, they haven't implemented it yet.

http://www.capcollege.bc.ca/news-events/capilano-u/questions.html#21

Wtf is wrong with some people. -_-

[bk635.livejournal.com]

That's.. stupid. I remember them announcing this in like, fall of last year.

[ria-oaks.livejournal.com]

In fact, this site in general ought to be useful - http://www.students.ubc.ca/newtoubc/
If you have any further general questions about what to do. Once you get your student card and U-Pass you'll be pretty much set - just show up to classes. ;) Though it's also good to check withdrawal dates and such if you need to drop or change any classes.