Coding a lot lately... Actually I'm reading-up on lots of frameworks on the Java platform... iBatis, JUnit, JPA and coding. All for Waltag. Despite my long coding periods, I'm still falling short on my target for the last few days. Lots of distractions, yet I have to beat the milestone for this month. I think I need to do a coding stretch, a code-athon.
The longest time I've spent on the system is 22 hours writing Imagine Cup codes. Ok, I had a few breaks in between. I read of these guys who created Grafight. On their blog, they say they spent 32 hours with no sleep, 8 cups of coffee. Ahn ahn..., why would they not come-up with service that people would kill themselves to use?
With the rate at which this project is going, a code-athon is eminent, 40 hours maybe (I go bend)... I'll get myself a coffee drink (mumsy betta not hear this, lol) and whenever I feel sleepy, I'll just run it down my throat. Then I'll see how far I can go.
Just for those who are wondering what Waltag is; Waltag is a social networking platform targeting students resident in higher institutions. It helps them to quickly share ideas, and to communicate in a special way. It is currently under development and the development process is logged at www.waltag-development.blogspot.com (though the blog is currently not open to public viewing).
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
All those time I was off...
Not like I purposely left o...
The Imagine cup, hmmnn. After a lot of gra gra, we sha go. As before now, noting happen + the debt I incurred from phone calls + the boredom that accompanied my stay in Cairo. Ok, I won't keep quiet o! I sent Microsoft a personal note on how the event did not go well. I expected a reply, for where... all I got was an automated response from the PR department, "Out of Office:....". Ok, that's their business.
My life goes on... In between, series of rejections from different sources. Alphie's always my escape. Talking of Alphie, he was 1 year old on the 9th of August and he's still kicking... well just one fault - the speaker on the right-hand-side is bad. Aside that, every other thing's fine. Besides, I can always use some external speakers or some ear phones, yada, yada, yada...
It's like these competitions drain the psyche out of you... After putting in a lot, they are just not worth it in the end. Clung to Jesus lately and he's helping me get back to my normal self. I miss Tinuade, she just keeps promising me she'll come to school every weekend and she keeps failing... Except when I'm at home, she'll call and ask if I'm in school that she's on her way! Sorry O.
I've decided not to take-up any paid employment (...like I just made that decision). Been really, really, broke lately, (...as in, really, really, really broke). After writing up this beautiful composition on Nairaland, I got the hottest bashing I've ever gotten online. The result was the chilliest mellow. Men, I mellow! Ok, personally, I went through the profile of some members then I convinced myself that I'm still just beginning! Then I decided that I won't take up any contract to create a bespoke software for anyone again... Well, except IT projects (...bring it on!!!). So how the hell am I going to eat?!!
Less than a week after I returned from Cairo, I stumbled on Scala programming language. I've been coding with it ever since. I love it! The fact that it runs on Java makes me love it even more! Twitter uses it at their back end, and LinkedIn too. Then came Lift, a web framework created to run with Scala. I always want to put something up on Scala at my programming blog but I just kept postponing it.
Now I'm busy. I'm creating a Status Blog/Social Networking Site (SB/SNS) for halls of residence in institutions. Not like I'm good at web applications, in fact I think I sulk at web apps. Almost all web based contract I get, I kinda mess them up! I'm better at back-end logic implementation, hard-core programming. But I've decided to take my chances once again. Lift is looking very interesting so I'm getting back to web apps. Plus I'm working with David. He's getting hotter at web interface design. I think it (that is, the SB/SNS) would be the bomb! It's just computerizing what a lot of people already do manually.
Since I won't work for anyone (...surely, by God's Grace!) and I won't take up contracts (...hopefully, by God's Grace!), I have to rely on my creativity/imaginations to feed myself. God helping me, people will buy my ideas. Then maybe, I'll just achieve Mark Zukerberg's feat in Naija and Seun Osewa may just have a compatriot!
Howdy !!! (...sorry, See ya!!!)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
"My Mentor"
Gush!!!
I log-in to my Yahoo! mail and I see a message from someone I don't know requesting that I be their mentor. This is beginning to get scary!
Ok all the appreciation, I appreciate but the mentor part... nna men!
Like this is not the first time. Was walkin along the street of Unilag when two guys accosted me, both taller than I am.
"Team X abi. We were @ the Imagine cup... Please we want to know how to write programs..."
All those kin things sha. Christ! I was humbled. First scared, then humbled.
Now someone is saying I shud be their mentor, small me.
I log-in to my Yahoo! mail and I see a message from someone I don't know requesting that I be their mentor. This is beginning to get scary!
Ok all the appreciation, I appreciate but the mentor part... nna men!
Like this is not the first time. Was walkin along the street of Unilag when two guys accosted me, both taller than I am.
"Team X abi. We were @ the Imagine cup... Please we want to know how to write programs..."
All those kin things sha. Christ! I was humbled. First scared, then humbled.
Now someone is saying I shud be their mentor, small me.
Ok, I know the basic problem of the average Nigerian youth is getting a real role model and I'm in position to be one. God help me to do the right things. This is such an herculean task.
Reminds me of Damilola, everytime she comes to me with one programming task or the other and I complain, she would just shut me up with the famous line made popular by spiderman's uncle - "With great powers come great responsibilities".
I guess I'll just live up to the responsibility. I pray for God's help.
PS: Somehow, my iTunes library got corrupted and I had to delete it. Now all my cherished play count is gone... sobs.. sobs.
Reminds me of Damilola, everytime she comes to me with one programming task or the other and I complain, she would just shut me up with the famous line made popular by spiderman's uncle - "With great powers come great responsibilities".
I guess I'll just live up to the responsibility. I pray for God's help.
PS: Somehow, my iTunes library got corrupted and I had to delete it. Now all my cherished play count is gone... sobs.. sobs.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Block.
Between us is a block,
A block that’s all but good,
For years I’ve nurtured this block,
I’ve built it into a brick wall,
Despite its status I enjoyed building it,
But I’ve decided to pull down the wall,
Yes, I’m pulling it down, down to vestiges.
It was the same block, yes this same block
That took the great Napoleon to Waterloo,
This same block saw King Phillip’s Armada,
Fall to Queen Elizabeth’s Navy.
This block saw the most loved angel,
Become the most hated creature.
The very hurtful process of destroying,
Destroying this block that I raised into a wall.
Heart piercing rumbles would be heard,
But of great importance is this,
That the wall is brought down and the block is history
But tomorrow would be grateful,
That this block, this very creepy block
Never extended quarter the size of the great wall
‘Cos some things, no matter their appeal,
Need to be crushed,
Crushed to ashes.
Can you figure out the subject of this poem?
----------------
Now playing: The Fray - Never Say Never
via FoxyTunes
He may not come when you want Him, but He's always on time
The Fray - You found Me
I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?"
He said, "Ask anything".
Where were you
When everything was falling apart?
All my days
Were spent by the telephone
It never rang
And all I needed was a call
It never came
To the corner of First and Amistad
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
In the end
Everyone ends up alone
Losing her
The only one who's ever known
Who I am
Who I'm not, who I wanna be
No way to know
How long she will be next to me
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Early morning
The city breaks
I've been callin'
For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
Ya never send me no letters
You got some kinda nerve
Taking all my world
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Where were you? Where were you?
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me
[Thanks to songlyrics.com]
***************************
What does this song lyrics mean to you? I've been playin it since the morning of yesterday!
I found God
On the corner of First and Amistad
Where the west
Was all but won
All alone
Smoking his last cigarette
I said, "Where you been?"
He said, "Ask anything".
Where were you
When everything was falling apart?
All my days
Were spent by the telephone
It never rang
And all I needed was a call
It never came
To the corner of First and Amistad
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
In the end
Everyone ends up alone
Losing her
The only one who's ever known
Who I am
Who I'm not, who I wanna be
No way to know
How long she will be next to me
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Early morning
The city breaks
I've been callin'
For years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
Ya never send me no letters
You got some kinda nerve
Taking all my world
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Where were you? Where were you?
Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me
Why'd you have to wait?
To find me, to find me
[Thanks to songlyrics.com]
***************************
What does this song lyrics mean to you? I've been playin it since the morning of yesterday!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Anada poem again?
Character
Of what use are the shades of the cloud if it cannot regulate its downpour?
Of what marvel is the rainbow if it fills the sky and blurs true colours?
Of what pleasure is the sea if it overflows its bank and erodes its beaches?
Of what need is drinking water if it finds its way down the trachea instead of the oesophagus?
Of what use is solar energy if leaves get charred before their chlorophylls are activated?
Of what sense is music if it plays at decibels that perforate the eardrums?
…
Of what use is intellect if it’s not adorned with great characters?
©Celestine Ezeokoye, 2009.
Inspired by the ordeals of a bright final year student of the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Lagos. He took the law into his hands and landed himself in police custody only few weeks to his graduation. He is at risk of being rusticated from the school.
_______________________________________________________________
Of what use are the shades of the cloud if it cannot regulate its downpour?
Of what marvel is the rainbow if it fills the sky and blurs true colours?
Of what pleasure is the sea if it overflows its bank and erodes its beaches?
Of what need is drinking water if it finds its way down the trachea instead of the oesophagus?
Of what use is solar energy if leaves get charred before their chlorophylls are activated?
Of what sense is music if it plays at decibels that perforate the eardrums?
…
Of what use is intellect if it’s not adorned with great characters?
©Celestine Ezeokoye, 2009.
Inspired by the ordeals of a bright final year student of the Department of Computer Sciences, University of Lagos. He took the law into his hands and landed himself in police custody only few weeks to his graduation. He is at risk of being rusticated from the school.
_______________________________________________________________
The Last Air Bender. A movie based on the animation "The Avatar" will be in the Theaters by July next year. I'm guessing they are working on releasing a movie based on Naruto, Bleach, etc... Francis won't like this, lol. I think I won't either. I think it's better it remains in its original animation form. Look at Dragon Ballz... The movie is fkd up.
Vuze gave me a trailer.
To download the full version visit vuze.com
Vuze gave me a trailer.
To download the full version visit vuze.com
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
New technology blog
I've created a new wordpress blog for all those programming stuffs that pop into my little (or big) head.
For all the programming ppl out there (or if u jst want to check'ir out) visit:
http://technicalculus.wordpress.com/
For all the programming ppl out there (or if u jst want to check'ir out) visit:
http://technicalculus.wordpress.com/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Some random stuvs
You are in trouble!!!
Can't remember aw many times Ade mentioned that line at the interactive session we had today, ok yesterday. Calls after calls and Ade, an architect with Microsoft (ok, software architect), finally fixed a meeting with team X. The session was one of the most elevating I've ever had. First it wasn't just about the session. We were treated like some kind of star at the office... "This is the team that won this year's Imagine cup... that would be representing Nigeria in Cairo" N'Dee introduces us to the Country Manager, Emmanuel. We took some photographs with him and then we had a meeting with Ade and Shina at their conference room. Interacting with industry professionals opened up our eyes to a lot of things. The real world challenges, tasks and all. We are really in trouble for taking part and wining this year's national challenge, 'cos we have to win in Cairo and push this solution into the industry. After the session, I told John and Francis "Hope u guyz had a nice sleep last night, cos dat wud be the last full night sleep u'll enjoy until we return from Cairo." John felt the fever. Thanks to him we have a mosquito infested room (at his home) to code at!!! Can't count aw many times av had to beat myself these few hours, awsh!!!
Amaka's B'day
It's my girl's bday 2day... Happy birthday dear.
More Coldplay tracks
Got Lost!, Life in technicolor and 47. I'm feeling Lost! like mad!!! Men Chris Martin's so inspirational... listen to this "Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost... You might be a big fish in a little pond, doesn't mean you've won". Challenges you to bring out the best in yourself!!! Feel me?
Solange, Beyonce's lil sis did Viva la vida really well. See her performance:
The "Wining the imagine cup national challenge" series is still coming up.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Lost!
via FoxyTunes
Can't remember aw many times Ade mentioned that line at the interactive session we had today, ok yesterday. Calls after calls and Ade, an architect with Microsoft (ok, software architect), finally fixed a meeting with team X. The session was one of the most elevating I've ever had. First it wasn't just about the session. We were treated like some kind of star at the office... "This is the team that won this year's Imagine cup... that would be representing Nigeria in Cairo" N'Dee introduces us to the Country Manager, Emmanuel. We took some photographs with him and then we had a meeting with Ade and Shina at their conference room. Interacting with industry professionals opened up our eyes to a lot of things. The real world challenges, tasks and all. We are really in trouble for taking part and wining this year's national challenge, 'cos we have to win in Cairo and push this solution into the industry. After the session, I told John and Francis "Hope u guyz had a nice sleep last night, cos dat wud be the last full night sleep u'll enjoy until we return from Cairo." John felt the fever. Thanks to him we have a mosquito infested room (at his home) to code at!!! Can't count aw many times av had to beat myself these few hours, awsh!!!
Amaka's B'day
It's my girl's bday 2day... Happy birthday dear.
More Coldplay tracks
Got Lost!, Life in technicolor and 47. I'm feeling Lost! like mad!!! Men Chris Martin's so inspirational... listen to this "Just because I'm losing doesn't mean I'm lost... You might be a big fish in a little pond, doesn't mean you've won". Challenges you to bring out the best in yourself!!! Feel me?
Solange, Beyonce's lil sis did Viva la vida really well. See her performance:
The "Wining the imagine cup national challenge" series is still coming up.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Lost!
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Imagine Cup 2009 - Winning the National Finals: The SMS Module.
Welcome to the Imagine Cup 2009 series... This is the first of the "backstage gist" of how we won the National finals of the Imagine Cup... The team captain's experiences.
If u were at the national presentation, u'll notice that the "WOW" of Autonomous Health System X (AHSysX, that's our software solution) was the SMS. As simple as it was sending SMS 4rm a phone to a computer system, the stunt that made it possible was not easy to pull up.
Ok System X was ready for quite some time. I had implemented the SMS message parser (the nonsense that would tell what a received message means), Francis had implemented the task scheduler... John's SMS module was working.... outside system X. The issue now was installing the SMS module on System X.
System X was written in C#, theoretically, it was supposed to be able to run any DLL written in any CLR compatible language (including Visual Basic.NET) as long as the basic implementation rules are followed (of course those rules are top secret... team X stuffs). John was more comfortable with VB.NET so he wrote the SMS module in the language.
After a lot of gra-gra, the SMS module finally worked on Monday. Men, I was so happy. Ok oh, John bring this stuff let me install it on System X and confirm that it runs on the platform... my guy is in his final year so he has many stuffs to do too.
Wednesday night come... My guy finally carry d stuff come o. I was putting some finishing touches to the ASP.NET pages (first time working on ASP.NET, had to do it cos... long tin reason, anoda story 4 anoda day) till like 1:30 am. Ok I install the scheduler, 'course it worked fine (was implemented in C#), then came the SMS module... While we were @ it, we were already singing Cairo songs... John was already yarbing Francis, telling him what to say and what not to say in Cairo... Cairo was clearly ahead of us (we did our homework so we could only look forward to wining, actually getting an opportunity to win the real thing, in Cairo).
I did the whole System X configuration on the SMS module, John and Francis were watching actively. Ok I start the System X Windows service... lo and behold... "System.NullReference exception"... (na error be dat o!). No, just give me 10 minutes, it's just some minor reference problems, I go fix am. Na so me and the tin sidon there o... 3 nak, 4 nak.... I look around me (that was at 3:00 am), John don crash, at 3:30 am Francis say "wake mi in 30 minutes"... I'm on my own... I remember when Jesus was praying in the garden and Peter, James and John sleep forget their oga... I remember the words of Dr Fasina, "The success or failure of this project is ur success or failure". Nna men, I gats fix this stuff anyhow, anyhow.
That night, within the space of 3 hours, I went to ease myself three times... I knew that that wasn't a time to give-up hopes and kill the SMS plans... it was suppose to be the "WONDERFUL!!!" of the application. I had to take a decision fast. At 3:00 am, "John, Oya wake up, ur SMS module is going to be re-implemented in C#. Come and explain the VB codes let me write the C#". But as I looked at the VB, I got more confused, I couldn't think straight. Then Francis poped into my mind... He's a C# guy too... and I know his abilities, his greatest strength is his ability to context switch really fast. He can move from writing database triggers to writing C# codes within seconds... me ke... give me 30 miutes... or more!!! At 5:30 am "Francis wake up, come and covert this VB to C#, oya o be quick, we have less than 4 hours to get it ready". I knew I had to be awake to monitor what was happening (sleep no even show sef).
"What if we don't win here", "Mehn we have to go to Cairo", "Bill Gates and Paul Allen stayed up all night to create the software they sold to the Altair guy, (BASIC maybe)"... A lot of thoughts crossed my mind that morning... I was almost beginning to lose hope. At 6:30 (probably),while he was battling with the code conversion, I asked Francis if he thought we would win. His response: "Guy you are the team captain, this is not time for us to lose hope don't worry this thing will work. I think you need some sleep". At 7:00 am, two hour to the event, Francis virtually forced me to sleep. I set my phone alarm to 7:30, and laid down and closed my eyes. Three minutes later, I opened them again, I couldn't sleep.
I was losing energy, I needed a drink, I got "Burn". Energy revved up. At 8:00 Moses called to tell us that the place was set-up and ready, John had to go home and prepare. At 9:00, I had to get ready. We went late. I was sapped of energy, I took a bottle of Sprite, thanks to Moses. All I needed to do the was think, thank God I did that.
I figured the SMS receiver wasn't working yet and we needed to buy time. We were the third on the list. We had to use the internet to send SMS, and our application was distributed (the service was on my system, the database was on Francis' system, SMS, well it had been moved to Francis' system) so I had to ask that our presentation be moved so we could set-up our distributed network, we were granted the request.
While the third team was presenting, Francis whispered to me that the SMS module was working. My heart leaped. We'll show this SMS stuff finally. Thank GOD. I said the Hail Mary silently. While the presentation was going on, He and John were translating the codes, while I was studying the points raised by the teams presenting. I realized that the SMS was going to give us the award, well along with the presentation... that was what the other healthcare solutions presented by every other team didn't have. That was our Joker.
When I finally got up to present Team X's solution and I sent an SMS from the mobile phone to the system and the audience roared with a great ovation, I sighed. Thanks to Francis, he saved the day, and John too. I did nothing but send SMS.
So when you pick-up ur phone and dial a number and u hear the person at the other end or u do any thing like click a button and some "WOW" stuff happens, know that at least one programmer stayed awake for at least one night to make this possible and salute the person's efforts.
Watch out for: Imagine Cup 2009 - Winning the National Finals: Team X.
----------------
Now playing: Winans Phase 2 - IT'S ALRIGHT (SEND ME)
via FoxyTunes
If u were at the national presentation, u'll notice that the "WOW" of Autonomous Health System X (AHSysX, that's our software solution) was the SMS. As simple as it was sending SMS 4rm a phone to a computer system, the stunt that made it possible was not easy to pull up.
Ok System X was ready for quite some time. I had implemented the SMS message parser (the nonsense that would tell what a received message means), Francis had implemented the task scheduler... John's SMS module was working.... outside system X. The issue now was installing the SMS module on System X.
System X was written in C#, theoretically, it was supposed to be able to run any DLL written in any CLR compatible language (including Visual Basic.NET) as long as the basic implementation rules are followed (of course those rules are top secret... team X stuffs). John was more comfortable with VB.NET so he wrote the SMS module in the language.
After a lot of gra-gra, the SMS module finally worked on Monday. Men, I was so happy. Ok oh, John bring this stuff let me install it on System X and confirm that it runs on the platform... my guy is in his final year so he has many stuffs to do too.
Wednesday night come... My guy finally carry d stuff come o. I was putting some finishing touches to the ASP.NET pages (first time working on ASP.NET, had to do it cos... long tin reason, anoda story 4 anoda day) till like 1:30 am. Ok I install the scheduler, 'course it worked fine (was implemented in C#), then came the SMS module... While we were @ it, we were already singing Cairo songs... John was already yarbing Francis, telling him what to say and what not to say in Cairo... Cairo was clearly ahead of us (we did our homework so we could only look forward to wining, actually getting an opportunity to win the real thing, in Cairo).
I did the whole System X configuration on the SMS module, John and Francis were watching actively. Ok I start the System X Windows service... lo and behold... "System.NullReference exception"... (na error be dat o!). No, just give me 10 minutes, it's just some minor reference problems, I go fix am. Na so me and the tin sidon there o... 3 nak, 4 nak.... I look around me (that was at 3:00 am), John don crash, at 3:30 am Francis say "wake mi in 30 minutes"... I'm on my own... I remember when Jesus was praying in the garden and Peter, James and John sleep forget their oga... I remember the words of Dr Fasina, "The success or failure of this project is ur success or failure". Nna men, I gats fix this stuff anyhow, anyhow.
That night, within the space of 3 hours, I went to ease myself three times... I knew that that wasn't a time to give-up hopes and kill the SMS plans... it was suppose to be the "WONDERFUL!!!" of the application. I had to take a decision fast. At 3:00 am, "John, Oya wake up, ur SMS module is going to be re-implemented in C#. Come and explain the VB codes let me write the C#". But as I looked at the VB, I got more confused, I couldn't think straight. Then Francis poped into my mind... He's a C# guy too... and I know his abilities, his greatest strength is his ability to context switch really fast. He can move from writing database triggers to writing C# codes within seconds... me ke... give me 30 miutes... or more!!! At 5:30 am "Francis wake up, come and covert this VB to C#, oya o be quick, we have less than 4 hours to get it ready". I knew I had to be awake to monitor what was happening (sleep no even show sef).
"What if we don't win here", "Mehn we have to go to Cairo", "Bill Gates and Paul Allen stayed up all night to create the software they sold to the Altair guy, (BASIC maybe)"... A lot of thoughts crossed my mind that morning... I was almost beginning to lose hope. At 6:30 (probably),while he was battling with the code conversion, I asked Francis if he thought we would win. His response: "Guy you are the team captain, this is not time for us to lose hope don't worry this thing will work. I think you need some sleep". At 7:00 am, two hour to the event, Francis virtually forced me to sleep. I set my phone alarm to 7:30, and laid down and closed my eyes. Three minutes later, I opened them again, I couldn't sleep.
I was losing energy, I needed a drink, I got "Burn". Energy revved up. At 8:00 Moses called to tell us that the place was set-up and ready, John had to go home and prepare. At 9:00, I had to get ready. We went late. I was sapped of energy, I took a bottle of Sprite, thanks to Moses. All I needed to do the was think, thank God I did that.
I figured the SMS receiver wasn't working yet and we needed to buy time. We were the third on the list. We had to use the internet to send SMS, and our application was distributed (the service was on my system, the database was on Francis' system, SMS, well it had been moved to Francis' system) so I had to ask that our presentation be moved so we could set-up our distributed network, we were granted the request.
While the third team was presenting, Francis whispered to me that the SMS module was working. My heart leaped. We'll show this SMS stuff finally. Thank GOD. I said the Hail Mary silently. While the presentation was going on, He and John were translating the codes, while I was studying the points raised by the teams presenting. I realized that the SMS was going to give us the award, well along with the presentation... that was what the other healthcare solutions presented by every other team didn't have. That was our Joker.
When I finally got up to present Team X's solution and I sent an SMS from the mobile phone to the system and the audience roared with a great ovation, I sighed. Thanks to Francis, he saved the day, and John too. I did nothing but send SMS.
So when you pick-up ur phone and dial a number and u hear the person at the other end or u do any thing like click a button and some "WOW" stuff happens, know that at least one programmer stayed awake for at least one night to make this possible and salute the person's efforts.
Watch out for: Imagine Cup 2009 - Winning the National Finals: Team X.
----------------
Now playing: Winans Phase 2 - IT'S ALRIGHT (SEND ME)
via FoxyTunes
Monday, May 18, 2009
Yuppie!!!
We won!!!
Cairo here we come...
After putting in lot of efforts, we won the Imagine Cup national finals. We brushed teams from Covenant University and OAU to win.
Who says we are not THE BEST???
Debola missed two classes to watch us, I'm sure she has someone to yerb in her blog... Her presence kinda killed my nerves, Thanks a lot.
Full posts of all the events that led to the victory coming soon...
We won!!!
Cairo here we come...
After putting in lot of efforts, we won the Imagine Cup national finals. We brushed teams from Covenant University and OAU to win.
Who says we are not THE BEST???
Debola missed two classes to watch us, I'm sure she has someone to yerb in her blog... Her presence kinda killed my nerves, Thanks a lot.
Full posts of all the events that led to the victory coming soon...
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
... yes I write poems too (I don't only write Java and C#)
What If?
What if the sky is not really blue?
What if the person on the mirror is not really you?
Every five years they say...
A known fact becomes hearsay.
If what seems like treasure today…
Turns out to be a shadow overlay
Will you crawl around and wail and weep
Or lay in arms of dearly grip
Do folks who tend you and are there
Know you love them and you care
What if they breathe and live each day
With dimmer gen of your love for them.
©Celestine Ezeokoye, 2009.
What if the sky is not really blue?
What if the person on the mirror is not really you?
Every five years they say...
A known fact becomes hearsay.
If what seems like treasure today…
Turns out to be a shadow overlay
Will you crawl around and wail and weep
Or lay in arms of dearly grip
Do folks who tend you and are there
Know you love them and you care
What if they breathe and live each day
With dimmer gen of your love for them.
©Celestine Ezeokoye, 2009.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
On my mind lately...
Just finished watching Taken for the second time... Niam Leeson was great. Above that, it was shot in Paris and it reminds me of our Paris experience last year! Hmmm I remember the black guy on suit and sunshades strolling around the airport when we just arrived... Jide called him a lost Nigerian (abi Jide...), I disagreed cos he was darker than an average dark Nigerian. He was kinda scary but the aura of being in Paris didn't make me realize until I saw this film.
Ok they smoke a lot over there!!! See cigarettes, burnt (abi she na smoked...) ones. Ahn Ahn!!! I remember I saw a Tom-Tom wrapper with the pile of cigarettes. That new Tom-Tom flavor then... the one with blue wrapper. Jide argued it wasn't Tom-Tom, but my eyes were not deceiving me now!!! He latter agreed. Of course one Naija guy (or gal) av been there and the person brought Tom-Tom along, The person smoked too, Hmmm...
Where Kim lodged, I think it's at Bir-Hakeem, not sure sha but it looks very much like Bir-Hakeem. Where he met with Jean-Claude, I'm very sure it's La Defense. The Arc Du Triumphe was clearly visible.
Ok I saw The Eye too... Jessica Alba. Hot stuff.
Started work (IT that is) on Thursday. Everyone who hears that I'm working at the department thinks I was lured into doing it... plus no pay!!! Damilola asked me on Thursday "are you sure this is what you want?" My answer: "Of course, I chose it... I had choices but I chose this for a reason". Thanks babe for your concern, and Rayo too... Thanks.
Ok they smoke a lot over there!!! See cigarettes, burnt (abi she na smoked...) ones. Ahn Ahn!!! I remember I saw a Tom-Tom wrapper with the pile of cigarettes. That new Tom-Tom flavor then... the one with blue wrapper. Jide argued it wasn't Tom-Tom, but my eyes were not deceiving me now!!! He latter agreed. Of course one Naija guy (or gal) av been there and the person brought Tom-Tom along, The person smoked too, Hmmm...
Where Kim lodged, I think it's at Bir-Hakeem, not sure sha but it looks very much like Bir-Hakeem. Where he met with Jean-Claude, I'm very sure it's La Defense. The Arc Du Triumphe was clearly visible.
Ok I saw The Eye too... Jessica Alba. Hot stuff.
Started work (IT that is) on Thursday. Everyone who hears that I'm working at the department thinks I was lured into doing it... plus no pay!!! Damilola asked me on Thursday "are you sure this is what you want?" My answer: "Of course, I chose it... I had choices but I chose this for a reason". Thanks babe for your concern, and Rayo too... Thanks.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Dining Philosophers problem
Earlier today I lost a chess game, my second loss since I've been playing the game... Ok I'm not a grandmaster; actually this is my fourth game ever. Lost the first, won the next two and lost this... 4 games in all. I've always dodged the game, but when Jide (roommate) requested that we play this morning, I gladly granted the request - well at least I won't be writing Java codes.
When I went to bed last night, I had lost count of the number of laptop computers that stared at me throughout the whole day and all I wanted to do was just sleep. The whole of yesterday was spent making some silly philosophers dine following a given threading pattern (bla, bla, bla....). We are supposed to be on holiday oh, but the whole cells in my body are so agitated like school is still in session. The dining philosophers problem is a classical problem in concurrency and we were supposed to simulate it using Java programming language.
Ok oh at the CSC302 lab exams, my program was the only one that ran (out of over 90 people), so that was supposed to make me the bad guy of the class, ok at least confirm me as the class’ bad guy. Now that comes with a prize, I was supposed to look at everybody’s program, have loads of phone calls when an assignment is given… yada, yada, yada.
Dr Fash gave us a take away assignment, dining philosophers, and believe me, no be beans o. I woke up 3am Friday morning to fix mine, after helping some people out with theirs on Thursday. It took me till 12 noon to make my philosophers dine and dine differently from every other one I’ve seen. From then, I just needed someone to save me from the legion of computer science students ready to lynch me. Every code I saw was similar in some way to another person’s code. Everybody got their codes from the internet and by looking at one person’s codes, I could tell about two other people with the same codes. I couldn’t attend mass and stations of the cross, and when Debola called me by 7pm I was very thankful that I would leave the hostel for the first time yesterday. Then I had four people in my room waiting for me to attend to their problems.
Debola, I know you’ll read this; you really saved me last night… I’m very grateful. I knew I was finding it difficult to connect when I was discussing with her, I was thinking philosophers throughout the whole day, but all I needed then was someone to pull me out of the mob and she did just that. Her second to the last advice was “go and get a good sleep” and I not only did that, I decided not to look at any codes today. I slept for 12hours and when I woke up this morning at about 9:30, I took the day off by watching Avater-The last air bender, book 2 and playing chess. Despite my decision, I still fixed three people’s codes before 12noon today. Someone once described me as an oracle; I guess they are turning me to that.
Her last advice was “update your blog”… well I’ve just done that.
----------------
Now playing: James Morrison feat Nelly Furtado - Broken Strings
via FoxyTunes
When I went to bed last night, I had lost count of the number of laptop computers that stared at me throughout the whole day and all I wanted to do was just sleep. The whole of yesterday was spent making some silly philosophers dine following a given threading pattern (bla, bla, bla....). We are supposed to be on holiday oh, but the whole cells in my body are so agitated like school is still in session. The dining philosophers problem is a classical problem in concurrency and we were supposed to simulate it using Java programming language.
Ok oh at the CSC302 lab exams, my program was the only one that ran (out of over 90 people), so that was supposed to make me the bad guy of the class, ok at least confirm me as the class’ bad guy. Now that comes with a prize, I was supposed to look at everybody’s program, have loads of phone calls when an assignment is given… yada, yada, yada.
Dr Fash gave us a take away assignment, dining philosophers, and believe me, no be beans o. I woke up 3am Friday morning to fix mine, after helping some people out with theirs on Thursday. It took me till 12 noon to make my philosophers dine and dine differently from every other one I’ve seen. From then, I just needed someone to save me from the legion of computer science students ready to lynch me. Every code I saw was similar in some way to another person’s code. Everybody got their codes from the internet and by looking at one person’s codes, I could tell about two other people with the same codes. I couldn’t attend mass and stations of the cross, and when Debola called me by 7pm I was very thankful that I would leave the hostel for the first time yesterday. Then I had four people in my room waiting for me to attend to their problems.
Debola, I know you’ll read this; you really saved me last night… I’m very grateful. I knew I was finding it difficult to connect when I was discussing with her, I was thinking philosophers throughout the whole day, but all I needed then was someone to pull me out of the mob and she did just that. Her second to the last advice was “go and get a good sleep” and I not only did that, I decided not to look at any codes today. I slept for 12hours and when I woke up this morning at about 9:30, I took the day off by watching Avater-The last air bender, book 2 and playing chess. Despite my decision, I still fixed three people’s codes before 12noon today. Someone once described me as an oracle; I guess they are turning me to that.
Her last advice was “update your blog”… well I’ve just done that.
----------------
Now playing: James Morrison feat Nelly Furtado - Broken Strings
via FoxyTunes
Saturday, February 28, 2009
--->Taking Control<---
Lately, I made a number of calls to personalities I never imagined I'll have their numbers on my phone. Ok I called MTN Brand Manager, called some Lagos state government officials... all thanks to the role I currently hold at our preparations for 2009 Imagine Cup. Having spent a larger part of this week writing codes for my CSC 306 assignment, creating a lexical analyser, I've not had the time to write a proposal for sponsorship which we were supposed to send to MTN.
Now Lexical Analyser was gone, I sat down to write the proposal. From having very little knowledge of what writing a proposal entails, with Coldplay blasting across my ears, I picked up the pdf I downloaded on proposal writing and the off I went with this wonderful executive summary - Ok the guys at MTN would decide if it's wonderful or not. But sincerely, I never imagined I'll write such an appealing piece, building points from paragraph to paragraph.
Looking back three years ago, before I got into Unilag, I never imagined myself exploding this much in such short period of three years. Last year I went on an eye-opening trip to Paris representing Nigeria in a software challenge. This year I'm at the helm of affairs, handling a team of programmers that would take part in this year's challenge (thanks to helps from Jide), writing proposals, liaising with people in high places... what more. I find myself being in more control of myself. I find myself saying NO to thing I'll ordinarily have said YES to. I find myself taking-up responsibilities and mapping out strategies to get things done. I find myself GROWING UP.
Basically I've learnt the secrets; I’m getting more efficient… Even if all things are not working as planned, I never hold it up against myself; instead I focus on the parts that are currently working and give the “sour grape” excuse for not going after other parts. I’ve learnt to work more for the intangible than for the tangible, for the long run than for what’s coming now-now. I believe that I’ll be in strong control of the future and I’ll be stirring things in the directions I want them to go. I’ve always believed I’ll be there but I never knew the secrets for a long time. Hey prepare for me, you’ll be hearing of me soon!
Exams start next week. I’ve set my goals; hope things work out as planned. I wish myself all the best. Baba God dey my side so me no dey shake one bit.
I better go and start preparing for our Imagine Cup Team meeting. Enough of all these ehm... psyche builder...lol.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Lovers In Japan-Reign Of Love
via FoxyTunes
Now Lexical Analyser was gone, I sat down to write the proposal. From having very little knowledge of what writing a proposal entails, with Coldplay blasting across my ears, I picked up the pdf I downloaded on proposal writing and the off I went with this wonderful executive summary - Ok the guys at MTN would decide if it's wonderful or not. But sincerely, I never imagined I'll write such an appealing piece, building points from paragraph to paragraph.
Looking back three years ago, before I got into Unilag, I never imagined myself exploding this much in such short period of three years. Last year I went on an eye-opening trip to Paris representing Nigeria in a software challenge. This year I'm at the helm of affairs, handling a team of programmers that would take part in this year's challenge (thanks to helps from Jide), writing proposals, liaising with people in high places... what more. I find myself being in more control of myself. I find myself saying NO to thing I'll ordinarily have said YES to. I find myself taking-up responsibilities and mapping out strategies to get things done. I find myself GROWING UP.
Basically I've learnt the secrets; I’m getting more efficient… Even if all things are not working as planned, I never hold it up against myself; instead I focus on the parts that are currently working and give the “sour grape” excuse for not going after other parts. I’ve learnt to work more for the intangible than for the tangible, for the long run than for what’s coming now-now. I believe that I’ll be in strong control of the future and I’ll be stirring things in the directions I want them to go. I’ve always believed I’ll be there but I never knew the secrets for a long time. Hey prepare for me, you’ll be hearing of me soon!
Exams start next week. I’ve set my goals; hope things work out as planned. I wish myself all the best. Baba God dey my side so me no dey shake one bit.
I better go and start preparing for our Imagine Cup Team meeting. Enough of all these ehm... psyche builder...lol.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Lovers In Japan-Reign Of Love
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Familiarity.
I keep a very countable number of people really close. Not like I can't extend my friends base but I really want to maintain the count of people I really care about. "Every other person is just an acquaintance", I told one friend. But this close friend stuff might not be that good afterall.
Due to some misunderstanding I had with my closest friend last Friday (I have a female closest friend!), I've restructured my principle on relationship with people. I discovered that familiarity could bring you more insults than good.
------------------------------------------------
Neck cracking projects:
CSC302: Implement a CPU Register using Java - I'm bustin this one. I av to read flip flops to create a register (registers contain flip flops). Now the assignment is more like "Implement flip flops then use the code to implement a register". 2 in 1. Plus there are diffrent kinds of flip flops and then there are different kinds of registers. I don't av time... really cos no mark is attached.
CSC305: Implement a Parser for any C-type language - HOD's course, compiler construction. 20 marks. Haven't started yet cos of the following two.
Imagine Cup 2009: Complete analysis of System X's architecture - Quite fun but really tasking. Last night I stayed awake all night on this but didn't type a single character on the .docx file. It invites me to a different domain of operation which I couldn't attain last night. Instead I drafted a schedule for the project. I just delegated part of the job to John. I trust he'll be able to handle it (well, hope so).
TestEngine: Samuel's test engine software - Called Samuel to come over and see aw far it has gone when he told me I had to include sessions in the tests. Some restructuring was required - well that's more pay!
I'm working on my effectiveness... My life depends on it!
----------------
Now playing: Enya - If I Could Be Where You Are
via FoxyTunes
Due to some misunderstanding I had with my closest friend last Friday (I have a female closest friend!), I've restructured my principle on relationship with people. I discovered that familiarity could bring you more insults than good.
"
Never expect anything from anyone.
If u get anything, fine! If u don't - well u never expected.
Trust people well enough for them to be useful, not more.
Always be positive with people and appreciate them.
Never get too familiar or u'll be less appreciated.
You are the only one who really knows u, so invest in u.
"
------------------------------------------------
Neck cracking projects:
CSC302: Implement a CPU Register using Java - I'm bustin this one. I av to read flip flops to create a register (registers contain flip flops). Now the assignment is more like "Implement flip flops then use the code to implement a register". 2 in 1. Plus there are diffrent kinds of flip flops and then there are different kinds of registers. I don't av time... really cos no mark is attached.
CSC305: Implement a Parser for any C-type language - HOD's course, compiler construction. 20 marks. Haven't started yet cos of the following two.
Imagine Cup 2009: Complete analysis of System X's architecture - Quite fun but really tasking. Last night I stayed awake all night on this but didn't type a single character on the .docx file. It invites me to a different domain of operation which I couldn't attain last night. Instead I drafted a schedule for the project. I just delegated part of the job to John. I trust he'll be able to handle it (well, hope so).
TestEngine: Samuel's test engine software - Called Samuel to come over and see aw far it has gone when he told me I had to include sessions in the tests. Some restructuring was required - well that's more pay!
I'm working on my effectiveness... My life depends on it!
----------------
Now playing: Enya - If I Could Be Where You Are
via FoxyTunes
Friday, January 30, 2009
Year of Miracles
I can't believe that this is my first post for this year... well that's the way it is. Yesterday I was giving an excuse for not yet dropping a post. "I can't believe I've not blogged this year... all these shackles of school works sha..." Then Sado cut in "hnnmmm you think I don't know why?... Your 100 hours awoof don finish". Lol. No be lie sha and na pesin waifai I connect take post this one (like I'm poorer than a church rat).
Thanks to Samuel (my secondary school twin broda wey don be madass programmer) I'm currently creating my first software for money this year (the guy just corner one job come my side).
Ok, now the issue of the post. Who have been to Oshodi lately? That place have changed like magic. You can like to remix Dare's song - "You not the Oshodi I used to know, You are a shadow of yourself. I think I lost you in 2008, like a ...(ati be be lo). That's like the biggest miracle of 2009. Nna meeennnn!!!
Just like the object oriented programming paradigm, Oshodi now have organised features. Let's take a look at some of them
FEATURE 1: FROM THE BRIDGE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE CONCRETE ON THE ROAD. Remember the last time you boarded a bus from Jibowu to Oshodi (say Dec 23 2008, after CSC307 class) the bus stops midway at the bridge and the conductor screams "gbo gbo ero!!!". You bole and as you walk down the bridge, you catch a glimpse of people and danfo and molue competing for space. Then you search for the black tar on the road. If you are too short sighted to look further to Bolade junction, you'll think that Oshodi was actually tarred with people, danfos and molues that move randomly like molecules in a chemical reaction. Go and look down the bridge now and you'll think another intelligent scientist dropped a better postulate that Oshodi decided to go with... Ok don't take a bus from Jibowu this time cos they'll stop you at the Other end of the bridge (LASTMA is looking for scapegoats on the bridge and no driver want to fall victim).
FEATURE 2: YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE FOOT OF THE BRIDGE FROM BOLADE JUNCTION - UNBELIEVABLE!!! It's like all the magic of Oshodi took place between bolade junction and Oshodi bridge. Abi now. Seriously, walking along Agege motor road Oshodi now is like walking along La Defense road in Paris cos you can actually see the bridge as clearly as you would see the Arc Du Triumphe. Reminds me of our Imagine cup trip to Paris. That fateful day when we crashed out of the challenge, when Seun crept to the room to sleep (maybe cos he could'nt handle our ouster), when Jide, N'Dee and I strolled around Paris and returned to the hotel at 1 am (Jide was actually dozing off - with mouth wide open - at the shop when N'Dee was making her selection of cloths!!!). Ok on that fateful day I saw the future of Oshodi (even though I didn't recognize it). The Arc du Triumphe was clear from down the road at La Defence just as the Oshodi bridge is clear from far away. See it now.
Now that is the future of Oshodi.
The features are plenty O... You can't cross the road again without looking left and right (and left again) unless you don't want to see Super Eagles win the world cup next year... You have to queue to use the pedestrian bridge (be careful sha cos the bridge is shaking O)... They are now planting flowers around... etc. You can name your own observations. Oshodi is now some tourist centre of some sort. Go and see for your self.
SEMI POST:
Suzanne Wenger, the oyibo Osun worshiper died this month at 97 years. As you have read in the papers, she was an artist that came to visit Nigeria when she got fascinated by the culture of the Osun people and deceided to become an Osun worshiper. She later rose to the post of high priestess.
I first read of her when I was in JSS1 in one fine art text book and I loved her story ever since. Little wonder I recognized her face (amid all the wrinkles) at the newspaper immediately I saw it.
Preparations for Imagine cup 2009 is underway. I'm leading the team of programmers. Dr Fash has dropped another really crazy idea and is leading the technical committee (I call it the executive council) and Jide is the team co-ordinator. We are doing the system analysis and coding is going to start very soon. The team motto is "Win in Cairo" and that's where our eyes are. It's going to be fun and I hope to maintain another blog dedicated to our 2009 Imagine Cup challenge(with Dr Fash's approval). Wish me luck.
Looks like I'm done here.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Cemeteries of London
via FoxyTunes
Thanks to Samuel (my secondary school twin broda wey don be madass programmer) I'm currently creating my first software for money this year (the guy just corner one job come my side).
Ok, now the issue of the post. Who have been to Oshodi lately? That place have changed like magic. You can like to remix Dare's song - "You not the Oshodi I used to know, You are a shadow of yourself. I think I lost you in 2008, like a ...(ati be be lo). That's like the biggest miracle of 2009. Nna meeennnn!!!
Just like the object oriented programming paradigm, Oshodi now have organised features. Let's take a look at some of them
FEATURE 1: FROM THE BRIDGE, YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE CONCRETE ON THE ROAD. Remember the last time you boarded a bus from Jibowu to Oshodi (say Dec 23 2008, after CSC307 class) the bus stops midway at the bridge and the conductor screams "gbo gbo ero!!!". You bole and as you walk down the bridge, you catch a glimpse of people and danfo and molue competing for space. Then you search for the black tar on the road. If you are too short sighted to look further to Bolade junction, you'll think that Oshodi was actually tarred with people, danfos and molues that move randomly like molecules in a chemical reaction. Go and look down the bridge now and you'll think another intelligent scientist dropped a better postulate that Oshodi decided to go with... Ok don't take a bus from Jibowu this time cos they'll stop you at the Other end of the bridge (LASTMA is looking for scapegoats on the bridge and no driver want to fall victim).
FEATURE 2: YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE FOOT OF THE BRIDGE FROM BOLADE JUNCTION - UNBELIEVABLE!!! It's like all the magic of Oshodi took place between bolade junction and Oshodi bridge. Abi now. Seriously, walking along Agege motor road Oshodi now is like walking along La Defense road in Paris cos you can actually see the bridge as clearly as you would see the Arc Du Triumphe. Reminds me of our Imagine cup trip to Paris. That fateful day when we crashed out of the challenge, when Seun crept to the room to sleep (maybe cos he could'nt handle our ouster), when Jide, N'Dee and I strolled around Paris and returned to the hotel at 1 am (Jide was actually dozing off - with mouth wide open - at the shop when N'Dee was making her selection of cloths!!!). Ok on that fateful day I saw the future of Oshodi (even though I didn't recognize it). The Arc du Triumphe was clear from down the road at La Defence just as the Oshodi bridge is clear from far away. See it now.
Now that is the future of Oshodi.
The features are plenty O... You can't cross the road again without looking left and right (and left again) unless you don't want to see Super Eagles win the world cup next year... You have to queue to use the pedestrian bridge (be careful sha cos the bridge is shaking O)... They are now planting flowers around... etc. You can name your own observations. Oshodi is now some tourist centre of some sort. Go and see for your self.
SEMI POST:
Suzanne Wenger, the oyibo Osun worshiper died this month at 97 years. As you have read in the papers, she was an artist that came to visit Nigeria when she got fascinated by the culture of the Osun people and deceided to become an Osun worshiper. She later rose to the post of high priestess.
I first read of her when I was in JSS1 in one fine art text book and I loved her story ever since. Little wonder I recognized her face (amid all the wrinkles) at the newspaper immediately I saw it.
Preparations for Imagine cup 2009 is underway. I'm leading the team of programmers. Dr Fash has dropped another really crazy idea and is leading the technical committee (I call it the executive council) and Jide is the team co-ordinator. We are doing the system analysis and coding is going to start very soon. The team motto is "Win in Cairo" and that's where our eyes are. It's going to be fun and I hope to maintain another blog dedicated to our 2009 Imagine Cup challenge(with Dr Fash's approval). Wish me luck.
Looks like I'm done here.
----------------
Now playing: Coldplay - Cemeteries of London
via FoxyTunes
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