Carnegie Mellon Spring 2009

[mcciff2112]

Yes, there is free parking. On the competition date, which is a Saturday, the parking garage right next to the University Center is free.

Ah, Thanks. That just made my traveling a whole lot easier

 

[Edmund]

mcciff how far do you live from CMU

 

[mcciff2112]

mcciff how far do you live from CMU

Not exactly sure, but I would say about an hour (maybe less). I live relatively close, but I just wanted to confirm that I could get there without any problems since I'm not familiar with the area.

 

[Dave Campbell]

Can anyone recommend a motel that is nearby the venue, not too expensive, and not too dirty? I can obviously Google it, but it rarely tells you if the motel is in a bad neighbourhood or something of the like. Thanks.

 

[Ilkyoo Choi]

Can anyone recommend a motel that is nearby the venue, not too expensive, and not too dirty? I can obviously Google it, but it rarely tells you if the motel is in a bad neighbourhood or something of the like. Thanks.

holiday inn, pittsburgh, pa

(A) is apparently nice, as my suitemate says but he doesn't want to get quoted on it

 

[masterofthebass]

You can always try priceline for a good deal. For some reason, there's no real cheap hotels in pittsburgh. Also, FYI, the airport is like 20 minutes outside the city.

 

[Dave Campbell]

For some reason, there's no real cheap hotels in pittsburgh.

You aren't kidding. $175 a night for the Holiday Inn. I guess i am staying outside the city and driving in the morning of the competition. What time do you guys need me there by? I see the competition starts at 10 AM, it shouldn't take too long to set up all the timers.

And related to this, is there a map of the campus somewhere? I scoped out the link to the university site from the WCA page, but it takes me to a general site, not necessarily for the Pittsburgh one. I have just had some bad experiences of trying to find one small room on a huge US university campus the morning of competitions. I would like to not be in a panic because it is 9:45AM and i still can't find the room.

 

[masterofthebass]

http://www.cmu.edu/homeimages/campus-map/CMU_MapColor_11x17.pdf

There's the campus map from their website. You want building #28 right next to the football field.

Here's my map that you need:

it's just the google maps of 5000 Forbes Ave. It's not really quite hard to find.



EDIT:

also, http://www.cmu.edu/about/visit/accommodations.shtml shows a few other choices for hotels.

 

[Kian]

You can always try priceline for a good deal. For some reason, there's no real cheap hotels in pittsburgh. Also, FYI, the airport is like 20 minutes outside the city.

well i'm not sure what constitutes "cheap" for you or dave, but if you check out www.kayak.com (much better than priceline, i promise you), you'll get the best rates available. I used to be on the road for months for work and I used it extensively. It searches all the other search like sites (orbitz, expedia, etc.) AND you know where you're going to be, unlike priceline.

 

[masterofthebass]

You can always try priceline for a good deal. For some reason, there's no real cheap hotels in pittsburgh. Also, FYI, the airport is like 20 minutes outside the city.

well i'm not sure what constitutes "cheap" for you or dave, but if you check out www.kayak.com (much better than priceline, i promise you), you'll get the best rates available. I used to be on the road for months for work and I used it extensively. It searches all the other search like sites (orbitz, expedia, etc.) AND you know where you're going to be, unlike priceline.

Priceline is good for cheap hotels, because you can name your own price. I've stayed in some pretty nice hotels for 1/2 of what they were charging upfront. I did check kayak, and there are some decent deals. Anywhere except for the airport shouldn't be too far.

 

[Ilkyoo Choi]

What time do you guys need me there by? I see the competition starts at 10 AM, it shouldn't take too long to set up all the timers.

I would like to not be in a panic because it is 9:45AM and i still can't find the room.

It would be nice to of you to be there by 9:45 or even earlier if possible. I reserved the room from 10AM, but the doors are open from 9:30 AM.

The building is called the "University Center (UC)" and anybody on campus should know where it is. McConomy Auditorium is on the first floor, and it's also the biggest room in the building so anybody in the UC should know where it is.

You can park your car in the parking garage on Forbes, right next to the stadium. It should be free on the weekends. I'll email you my phone number just in case.

 

[Dave Campbell]

it's just the google maps of 5000 Forbes Ave. It's not really quite hard to find.

Actually, that does seem quite easy. Thanks for taking the time to provide me with that information, Dan. I appreciate it.

So i will aim to be there by 9:30 AM at the latest. The timers, however, are really heavy. So i will either park and come find someone to give me a hand, or i will just pull up front and run them in before parking.

I am staying about 20 miles north of the university, as the price was only $50. And since i don't have to be at the venue for 8 AM or anything, i will just commute in. No big deal.

I look forward to meeting everyone this weekend.

 

[Ilkyoo Choi]

Actually, that does seem quite easy. Thanks for taking the time to provide me with that information, Dan. I appreciate it.

So i will aim to be there by 9:30 AM at the latest. The timers, however, are really heavy. So i will either park and come find someone to give me a hand, or i will just pull up front and run them in before parking.

I am staying about 20 miles north of the university, as the price was only $50. And since i don't have to be at the venue for 8 AM or anything, i will just commute in. No big deal.

I look forward to meeting everyone this weekend.

Give me a call when you get here. I will help moving the timers. Thank you.

 

[kickinwing2112]

looking forward to my first comp

 

[Edmund]

last minutes of practicing

 

[DavidWoner]

Did you know
- that "Did you know" is not just for Europeans anymore?
- that the woman who took my ticket on the train to Pittsburgh had a good sense of humor?
- the man who took it on the way back did not?
- that Dan's dorm does not allow overnight guests during finals week?
- that security at Dan's dorm does a poor job of keeping out people who aren't supposed to be there?
- that my ethernet card apparently does not work, so I went another weekend at Duquesne without internet?
- that I am really good at getting 5 OLL parities in a row on 4x4 multi relays?
- that Dan actually knew the right bus to take to CMU this time?
- that nobody is available to help with the venue lighting on a saturday?
- that never having cubed in bad light before was really a problem for me?
- that had I not switched to light green and bright blue stickers I wouldn't have been able to see ANYTHING?
- that Dave Campbell appears to take better care of his timers than Bob?
- that when I introduced myself to Dave he said "Oh yeah, the clock and square-1 guy"?
- that I was rather surprised and flattered about the second part of that title?
- that when I do 2x2 I apparently forget how a stackmat works?
- 3 ****ing times?!?
- that I would've won with a low 4.xx avg but failed instead?
- that I am never going to time 2x2 with a keyboard ever again?
- that Jason has problems distinguishing red and green in poor lighting?
- that this caused him to DNF his fastest 4x4 solve?
- that I my BLD DNF streak continues?
- that the last scramble had many pieces solved and I had super fast memo?
- that I messed up Y perm solving the first piece and DNFed it anyway?
- that I blame the judge for being distracting?
- that Adam kept hitting on the aforementioned judge?
- that she was having none of it?
- that I failed miserably at clock?
- even in practice?
- the 7.08 was surprisingly the second fastest solve I had the entire day?
- that Dan had a pretty bad pop on 6x6?
- that when he dropped in on the table half of it exploded?
- that when he hit the table the other half exploded as well?
- that if Miles didn't have such a great 3rd solve (and I such a poor one) that I would've won 6x6?
- that I don't even own a 6x6?
- that I was the only person who didn't pop a single piece during 6x6?
- that's because I turn way too slow?
- that even though we had time and Dan and I begged and pleaded, Ilkyoo would not add square-1?
- that 3x3 finals became a contest to see who could have the least embarassing solves?
- that contest had no real winner?
- that this was the first competition where I truly solved opposite color-nuetral for 3x3?
- that it didn't do me much good because all of the yellow crosses were as bad as the white ones?
- that Dan dropped his toolbox back at his dorm and all his cubes fell out?
- that 2 centercaps from his Edison completely disappeared?
- that we actually found one the next day?
- that Pitchmen is an AMAZING TV show?
- that I am now the proud owner of a pink V-Cubes shirt?
- that 8 hour train rides are really boring when you don't really have anything to do other than write "Did you knows?"

 

[mcciff2112]

- that Dan had a pretty bad pop on 6x6?
- that when he dropped in on the table half of it exploded?
- that when he hit the table the other half exploded as well?

Hahaha I remember that very clearly. Then he calmly asked if anyone had seen a 6x6 piece.

Very fun (first) competition. Looking forward to another one very soon.

 

[Bob]

results posted.

 

[Ilkyoo Choi]

- that Adam kept hitting on the aforementioned judge?
- that she was having none of it?

I was so curious I checked the time sheets to figure out who this is

- the 7.08 was surprisingly the second fastest solve I had the entire day?

Congrats again, David.

- that even though we had time and Dan and I begged and pleaded, Ilkyoo would not add square-1?

We did OH instead because OH was announced beforehand and square-1 wasn't

 

[Edmund]

sellapples lefthappily grabbed wawsexcited sellegg

what? (too short)