Unwritten

Second post today... Recently, a post on Chern Yuen's blog caused certain 'outrage' among many people. He mentioned that his roommates continuous gaming marathons were getting onto his nerves. Certain stereotyping had also caused a few comments of dissatisfaction by “Hall D gamers” as he put it. Since Chern Yuen decided that no more comments are going to be accepted as there is a flood of 19 and maybe even more comments, I decided to put in a few of my own ideas about gaming and roommates in my very own blog.

In his blog, there's someone who went by the pseudonym “Silenced” (between you and me, I think that he is Zi Kang himself, though it was mentioned that he was “on relatively good term with the person attacked in this post”) He mentioned about being asked “what you would do if you roommates played music too loud at night?” I remembered clearly during the interview, I was asked the same question. I answered that I will bear with it, which is what I am doing right now. I went on saying that if it was unbearable, I shall ask them to consider the welfare of the rest of the people in the room.

Personally, I dislike gaming. Some may even call me a “mugger”, judging by the results I usually get from my tests and exams and by the fact that I don't play computer games (though personally I think that's stereotyping too). I am not interested in dota, maple and whatnot. The internet is used only for research and personal stuff, Youtube only twice or once a week. My laptop on the other hand, has the purpose of homework and projects.

There's a reason for me hating games like these and gaming itself. Firstly, the obvious. I was bound by moral values since young and the expectations for me to maintain high marks for my studies – I know that your results might more or less be affected if you play games like these, unless you are born so clever like a child prodigy or an evil genius or whatever.

The second reason being my past experience, which is still somewhat 'a hole in my heart'. Last year, I undertook a project with a group of “gamers”. Bearing with their un-enthusiatic-ness was already hard enough, I had to do the project alone, I did the website, the full web resource, the presentations, the planning... At many points, there were even whining and quarrels involved. When I scheduled meetings with our mentor, one member will always counter and complain, stating that it was a time waster, and that he would prefer playing Dota in boarding school. Sometimes, I will even overhear them saying “aiyah... let Xue Zheng do all the work, we slack/play Dota...” Oh, and I was blamed for getting them into a sabbatical that they didn't like!

The experience that actually angered me the most was during the prize presentation of Projects' Day, where one of my members (not naming anyone) actually commented that he would wish to “pon” (ponteng) the boring ceremony so as to go back and play computer games and even invited another member of my group (who is also a gamer) to follow suit. This totally pissed me off, even though I didn't show it on that day. I helped you ALL to obtain a High Distinction, an A* in Projects Day, and you don't give a shit? The High Distinction included ACE points for all of you, and as far as I know it, and exemptions for one of you due to the increment in your ACE points. I could just walk straight to the teacher-in-charge and tell them that the contributions of the rest of my team were only limited to presenting what I told them to and lending me their computer(s) and perhaps during the nights before the competition. But I did not. I forgave and gave them their ACE that I think they barely deserved.

It's a long story. But from that you can see why I hate the sport (I call it a sport) of gaming so much, why I despise gaming. And yes, I had long forgiven them, only sometimes it just angers me a little, thinking what I'd gone through to do that project. I vowed that I would get a better team the following year. Yes, I still got an A*, but at least this time it was no solo work, but a team's work.

These are just some of my thought on gaming. Roommates, on the other hand, I don't have much opinion. I am satisfied with the present situation I'm facing.

Yes, I have a roommate who fits the description of a “gamer”. However, I'm on fine terms with him. Usually during weekends and afternoons, he would not be in our room. Even if he's in my room, he wouldn't play computer games, as he was caught a few times by my CM. The worst is only the music, and even that's bearable, as he will adjust the volume to a softer one once the rest of us starts to sleep.

Apparently not for some of my friends though. Chern Yuen for example. Shien Yang and Zhi Hao have problems with the twins too. Sometimes, people just don't get along very well. Like sometimes I quarrel with Theron too ;D. But it would be fine later on. Trust me! After all, you guys still have at least 2 more years with your same roommates (unless you apply for a room change or the boarding school suddenly decides to move you)

Conclusion 1: I think I understand what Chern Yuen's going through. It's tough, but I believe he will get over it

Conclusion 2: Gaming really isn't my thing. I doubt that I will ever get influenced or involved in this activity.

Conclusion 3: Forgive and Forget (cos that's what I'd done for them too honey [sorry I sound a little like ChanSH here =D])