ooh ooh! That's me!

10:30am – Well, I had every intention of getting up at 9:30. Fail. And now the dining halls don’t open for another hour and a half. Okay, this late wake up is only a blip in my day. I’m going to be SO productive today. I’m going to rip through lecture slides like a champ and maybe even take notes on them. I’m going to do practice tests and review questions. It’s going down.

11:50am – Have made my way through ONE lecture powerpoint in the last hour and a half. The original lecture was only an hour. Must.Stop.Checking.Facebook.

12:10pm – Lunch time. I can’t be expected to study on an empty stomach.

2pm – Now that I’m back from lunch…and CVS…it’s time to get down to business. FOR REAL. Lights are on, pencils are sharpened, notebooks are open, all systems are a go.

Let’s get down to business (to defeat the huns!).

3pm – Woah. That was a full hour of productivity. Time for a reward. It will take me 5 minutes and 5 minutes only to check my emails and facebook. Five.Minutes.

4:00pm – Well, that was certainly longer than 5 minutes. Back to work.

4:30pm – Need food. At this point, I’m too lazy to shlep to the dining hall, never mind anyplace else in the square. It’s certainly convenient that I have a bag of peanuts sitting in my room. And I absolutely cannot write with a pen, type on a computer, or flip through a notebook while I’m shelling them. I wouldn’t want to get peanut shell mess all over my work space. Then I would have to stop working to clean it. Nom nom.

5:15pm – Dear room above me, please please please turn off your stereo. The weekend before finals is not when I want to hear the bumpin’ bass of your sub-par party playlists. This is NOT THE TIME. I want 1. silence, or 2. the singing whales and crashing waves of my seascapes relaxation playlist. Kaythanks.

6:00pm – It’s dinner time and I want food, but the blockmates want to “study” until 6:30. *Sigh* I can be productive for the next half an hour, right? Right?

6:30pm – Productivity has died completely in the presence of captioned cat photos. Blast. Well, at least it’s dinner time. And meals should never be corrupted by schoolwork or stress. Food is sacred.

8:00pm – Okay; it’s go time. Like, really. Because exams are rapidly approaching and I am grossly under-prepared. Better check my email first though – wouldn’t want to miss vital messages.

8:30pm – I can’t focus in here. My desk is messy, the lights aren’t quite right, and the mini-fridge is humming like an excited bee hive. I’ll be so much more productive in the library.

9:00pm – Empty table. I’m organized. Ready to go. Studying in 3,2,1

11pm – Break time. Off to the Dhall for a cup of tea and a short break. Maybe I’ll even bring a book. I just won’t let anyone distract me. Seriously.

1pm – So it was a long break. Don’t judge me. At this point, my brain’s not going to process anything more that I try to cram into it. I had better go to bed early so that I can wake up with the sunrise tomorrow and really get crackin’.

For real though.

The website allowed users to create new lists of top 10 for whatever category they wished — including categories like “Hottest Asian Boy”, “Best Drunk” and “Top Reasons People on this Site Are Assholes”

For the benefit of those who have not had a chance to see the website while it was live, here is a screengrab of the site before it was pulled, along with some of the most recently created categories on the left.

The question remains: Are the people who created Harvard Top 10 douchetools, or are the people using it simply douchetools?

UPDATE: The site is now back up–there is just now the change that you have the ability to delete a post or e-mail the creators if you think that a list is abusive.

At this point in time, Tumblr, the popular blogging platform, has been down for over 20 hours and teens that reblog pictures of their favorite stars, along with Harvard FML, and a number of other procrastination station inducing websites are now rendered unavailable. Actually, Tumblr, now deemed to be worth over $135 million dollars, is having a complete fit over their inability to get back online. As Gawker reports, “No one, even Tumblr itself, seems to know; the blogging service said it was “almost through” with its recovery six hours ago.”

What we suspect?

4CHAN.

It is no secret that there has been an internet war going on between Tumblr and 4chan for the past few months. Tumblr won at first, to the dismay of many, since 4chan is noted for its large hacker base (i.e. they hacked Time Magazine’s 100 Most Important People post and put m00t, the creator of 4chan, as number one). Now, it appears as though the tables have turned, and as best as we can suspect, 4chan is behind it.

Twitter is going crazy with people incapable of looking up cat videos and meme generators, but maybe for the next day or so max. that Tumblr is down, we students can actually get some work done.

I missed my paper deadline! Damn it, Sporcle!

With reading period quickly approaching, papers being due, finals coming up, and problems sets up the yin-yang, Facebook, Perez Hilton, Twitter, and other internet sites are not really helping any of us be productive in any way, shape, or form. But at the Voice, we have good news for you!

As we were perusing the results of a Google search for “temporarily block websites” we found a really neat Google Chrome extension, Block It, that can limit or block your use of some websites. You have the ability to restrict what hours you can use the internet, when your limits are reset, and what your internet limits are. So instead of having your roommate change your Facebook password or throwing your computer against a wall, try some of the tools the web has to offer and happy studying!

Premieres at 10 eastern on FX. Start watching season one now, maybe you’ll catch up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB2QPSmf7gg

(Video by Daniel Garber ’13. Accessed May 26th, 2010.)

For someone like me, the phrase “Annenberg card-swiper” conjures up frightening, embarrassing and (slightly) painful memories of being turned away at the door for having forgotten my Harvard University ID for the umpteenth time. For Nolan Pollock ’13, however, an Annenberg card-swiper named Francine inspires romantic verses.

Earlier this month, attendees of Annenberg’s hot breakfast were treated to an impassioned and dramatic recitation of Nolan’s 4th-winning entry in the Harvard Slam Poetry Competition, entitled “Oh, Francine!” Nolan stood atop a table, bathed in the yellow light of ‘Berg’s Harry-Potter-esque chandeliers, looked into the eyes of Francine and sang her praises in a way that would make Shakespeare proud.

Here are Voice’s favorite parts, even though pretty much every line is quotable.

“As I wait in line for my chance to dine,
All I can think about is making her mine
[...]

Oh, Francine!
For you, I must stop and thank the Dean
You’re like something out of a magazine
When you swipe my card, it’s almost obscene!
[...]

How can you resist my youthful zeal?
What do I have to do? Get down and kneel? (cute kneeling action)
YOU are an orange that I must peel!
[...]

This is not some emotional lie
Know that I am your guy!
I think about you always, in PhySci
I think about you always, in LifeSci
I think about you always, and inside.

Oh, Francine!
YOU, are my Annenberg dream.”

Awwww <3 The procrastination bit is a very nice touch. Extra brownie points for keepin’ it real.

In his response to Voice, Nolan expresses that his biggest fear was “to lose the crowd’s attention,” and he was relieved to find that everyone loved it. Nolan wrapped up his poem amid maddening applause from the ‘Berg crowd. The reaction of Francine herself was priceless. “She gave me a great big hug and a kiss afterward and was apparently talking about it to staff members all day. She even asked for a copy of the poem to show to her kids,” Nolan recalls. I can testify to this because by dinnertime that day, Oh Francine!-related chatters still abounded among HUDS staff in the servery. Also, Facebook reports that Nolan, who is a member of the Harvard Heavyweight Crew, is single, in case anyone was wondering.

Everybody loves a random, cute act of romance in Annenberg. (Remember the dude who asked his girlfriend to the Snow Ball from the balcony, complete with giant poster boards? Those kids are still nauseatingly in love, much to the chagrin of their lovelorn and cynical blockmates. JK!) And this act deserves to go into the history book of the Class of 2013. (Sex on the balcony, proposals from the balcony and slam poetry atop a ‘Berg table. It is a tough job keeping up with this class.)

Voice approves! <3 Almost makes me wish I could wake up in time for breakfast every once in a while.

ETA: The original version of this post misstated the owner of the Youtube video to be Daniel Goldhaber ’13. My apologies to both Daniels! I blame the 102 degree weather. I really do.

On to other interesting things. LIKE THE MF’N SUPERBOWL. There are a million places holding things on campus--and they’re likely all in your events feed on Facebook therefore I am not going to say where they are. I will be watching it on my futon in my room and making everyone in my dorm wish they had earplugs/wonder if I’m injured. Equally loud people will be present, some will have accents, and one will not understand football. But that’s ok. Because the Saints are going to win. WHO DAT.

Speaking of football this kid (David Sills), who is THIRTEEN years old, is already signed to USC to play football (QB) in 2015. HE’S THAT GOOD. IS THAT EVEN ALLOWED? I DON’T UNDERSTAND. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME UNDERSTAND?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUb8F8Ltru0

And this just confused me…Middle Tennessee State University (that’s a mouthful), put together a Little Jon crunkfest for International Holocaust Day. Ummm. I mean I’m all for slam poetry, or whatever they were going for, but in remembrance of genocide? I feel like “Shake that Monkey” and “Never Forget” don’t really gel together that well. Maybez just meh.

Meanwhile, DC is freaking out because it’s the SNOWPOCALYPSE. This guy clearly got a little too worked up. Or he’s on something. Both. I vote both. I’m guessing we’re next. Will classes get canceled? No. We will trudge through those three feet of snow. We will complain. I will die of hypothermia after I go sledding or build an igloo because I’m Texan and I set the bar low.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpxiCxO5k0g

So, enjoy your Superbowl Sunday. If you hear someone yelling WHO DAT it’s probs me. Sorry. In advance. Ish. Keep in mind that everything in this world may or may not be a hologram. I KNOW WTF? I leave you with this eternal classic.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMNry4PE93Y

by Henry Woodward-Fisher ’12
December 2009 Issue

So, it’s Fall Exam Period 2009, freezing outside, you forgot to wear your sneakers and you’re now nursing Primal Scream induced frostbite and grazed knees. How will you get through the next week or so when Reading Period was such a disaster? You’re feeling especially out of shape after running around Harvard Yard in your birthday suit and you’ve still got a lot of BoardPlus and Crimson Cash to use up before the start of the holidays. What the hell is the blood-brain barrier anyhow? How on earth are you ever going to get through this new calendar?

ON PROCRASTINATION:

White Noise Generator – Just click on www.simplynoise.com to get the Internet’s purest and highest quality white noise (y’know the sound that TV makes when it’s not on a channel), it apparently aids sleep and helps block out other distractions.

LeechBlock – Go here for a Firefox extension that blocks websites (like Facebook, I Saw You Harvard, Twitter, etc.) that you might be tempted to visit repeatedly as you study.

MeeTimer – This Firefox add-on logs how much time you have spent on each site that you visit. It can give you pop-up reminders if you are spending too much time on procrastination web sites.

Things to avoid: Never, repeat, never go to meatspin.org or hippohippo.ytmnd.com – such things will only lead to unhappiness and awkward looks from others.

ON STUDYING:

Watch lectures faster! – Enounce allows you to play any video (read: lecture videos) at the speed that you like without any loss of audio quality (aka “no chipmunk sound”). You can watch your lectures up to 50% faster and still absorb the material.

Join/make a study group – Share the work and ease the pressure. You could even use Google Wave to collaborate on study guides!

Evernote – This handy note-taking program allows you to organize notes, lecture videos, pictures, and PowerPoint presentations. Clip parts of web sites; sync between computer, phone, online account; and search text in pictures.

Avoid library depression – We know it’s bad, but break up your studying into more manageable chunks and follow the aforementioned tips to help save yourself from slipping into the abyss. Of Lamont.

ON DAILY ROUTINE:

Wake up earlier. The most productive times of the day to learn new material and get stuff done are early in the morning and just before you go to bed. Why not get up two or three hours earlier and take the evening off?

Eat apples. It keeps the doctor away and reportedly is better for waking you up in the morning than coffee. Other brain foods include fruit, nuts and Ranger Cookies (of course).

Do exercise. It may be getting dark at a ridiculously early hour, but 30 minutes running along the Charles will really set you up for a productive day of work. Get those endorphins going and reinforce those reward pathways!

Do have free time. Set time aside for things that you actually derive pleasure from – brew fresh free-leaf tea, get a haircut, play that guitar, practice for the spring semester 2010’s Female Orgasm seminar, etc.

We present to you: Inspirational Speeches in 2 Minutes. To help you get your papers and studying done without trying to pull your hair out.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wRkzCW5qI

More Reading Period goodies are coming your way in The Voice’s special Reading Period December Issue, due out on December 11th!