Ok, so MSN (Microsoft's instant messaging client) has different statuses that you can set. I'm going to give a short explanation of how I use them to help people understand what I'm thinking.

Online - this one should be pretty straight forward. I'm sitting at my computer and its fine if anyone messages me. I'm there to chat.

Buys - I just rediscoved this status level recently. Its quite useful as when you are in busy status and someone comes online or messages you, MSN does not play an alert. If I'm set to busy, I'm working. You can message me, but don't expect too much.

Be Right Back - I've gone to get a snack or take out the garbage or something else quick. I'll be back in a minute. If you message me I'll get back to you very soon

Away - I'm away from the computer. Simple eh? I'm eating or in the shower or whatever. I'll be back in a bit, if you leave a message, I'll get back to you soon.

On the Phone - I actually only use this status setting when I'm actually one the phone. Don't expect an immediate reply as I'm talking to someone.

Out to Lunch - Anyone on my MSN list knows this is my status most of the time. I usually leave MSN on when I'm out of the house so that people can leave me messages. I could be around, but no promisses.

So what ever happend to ICQ? In high school that is what everyone used for instant messaging, but as soon as we got to university, all of a sudden everyone switched to MSN. The excuss was, 'all my other friends are on MSN so I need to switch'. But everyone was on ICQ! Someone had to make the switch first. I don't get it. There a a couple of things I like a lot more about ICQ. First, when you are set to privacy mode (you are online but you appear to be offline to other people) you could still message other people who were online. That was great! In MSN if your status is 'Appear Offline', you can't message anybody. I really wish they would change that. The second thing which really bugs me about MSN is how it does not remember you status. MSN has a really bad habbit of losing its connection and so it resets itself. When this happens your status is set to online even if when it lost its connection, you were set to Out to Lunch. It really would not be hard to change this. It could be remembered on your computer so there would not be any more work for the network to do. Its really simple, why oh why can't they do that.

Anyways, we are now stuck with MSN as that's where people seem to be these days. I need to look into a different client to log into MSN with as that might help deal with some of the issues I'm having.

There is only one good thing about realizing at 3pm that the assignment that you thought was due in 4 days is actuall due in 17.5 hours. The one thing is you realized it with 17.5 hours to go. Sigh.

Well, that is now behind me. Next is the next assignment, 2 essays, and thesis. Nothing much.

I'm starting to think about winter break. I want to go to Montreal to see a couple of people and to restock on some supplies (ie cheese bagels, bagles, and a couple of other things). I am also trying to figure out when I'm going to go home and leave time to study for exams. Granted I only have two exams this term, but I would like to do really well on them which means plenty of study time. As if planning for one thing at a time is not enough, a friend is asking me about reading week, some people want to book a place at Tremblant for a weekend. Sigh. I'm trying to work things out.

I need to get back to being active, it makes me so much happier. I had a three week period where I did not get to the pool and its now catching up to me. I just don't feel as good. Staying active simply keeps me in a better mood and I am more productive. Getting back to the pool regularly is very high on my 'to do' list.

Wow, an update two days in a row, its amazing, I know. I just remember what I originally wanted to post about, but completely forgot when I was writing...so here it is.

Last Saturday night COMPSA held its anual casino night. It was a great success and was enjoyed by all. There were a number of winners this year, including yours truely:) In total I spent $30, yet I came out with $52.50. Let me give you the breakdown.

The cost to get on the bus to get to the casino was $10. This was offset by the fact that once we got to the casino, we were given a coupon for either the slots or the cards games worth $10. Perfect, you've already broken ever...but where is the fun in stopping there?

I stayed around the $5 blackjack table, as there is only one table with a $5 minimum it is popular. The next lowest is $10 and that is a bit rich for me. I lucked out and got a seat at the $5 table. I threw down $20 and my coupon and received $30 in chips.

The start was a bit rocky. I'd lose 3 hands, win one or two, down another...it took me a couple of minutes to find my groove. I don't think I was down more then $20 at any time (I did not take anymore money out at any time). I finally hit my groove, made a couple of good plays and sat out a couple of hands (which in both cases when I sat out, it was a good choice). I hit a nice streak, got a blackjack, got a couple of other nice cards, and boom, I'm up just over $20.

That was when I felt I had used up most of my luck and decided to call it a night. All in all, my winnings bought me a couple of drinks, a lunch, and my ticket to the COMPSA wine and cheese this Friday night. I am now back to where I was cash wise when I walked into the casino. All in all, I'd say is was a very successful outing!