Kevin:

- A majority of the frats don't require you to live in the house, but most of the members usually end up wanting to anyway (mainly the social frats, which actually have houses). It is definitely more difficult to concentrate in, but you'll soon realize that it's probably just as hard concentrating in the dorms/apartment. The library should be your second home . Work hard, play harder.

- People up here don't appreciate cars for shiet. They can't tell the difference between my white coupe w/ bbk and silver rims and a white coupe w/ black rims. People ask me why I drive around all day and in circles sometimes. There is also absolutely no respect for cars as property so watch out for dings and people who can't park. Also, never park in the street over night. I've had plenty of friends get broken into already. It's not really as bad as it sounds... just have to be careful about these things up here.

- I don't drive to class ever because I live about a 10 min walk away (plus there's buses everywhere so it speeds it up sometimes). I mainly use my car to run errands, eat in neighboring cities, and do illegal things in the twisty hills behind the school (not just speeding ).

- There is no reason to buy a permit to park on campus. You can buy permits to park in the parking lots on campus, or permits to park on the streets around campus (for extended periods of time, including overnight). You won't need the one for on-campus since you'll have a garage to park it in at night (and can walk to school). You don't want the one for around-campus because you do not want to park in the streets overnight.

- don't ever buy books from the store unless you absolutely cannot find them anywhere else. Also try not to order them too early because professors make announcements the first week about specific editions you should or have to use for the class (sometimes they can vary by a lot, especially if you need to do homework out of a book. once in a while they change it completely). For used books check Facebook marketplace, Half.com, Amazon, or Comegetused.com. I personally don't order any books until I've gone to the first class.

Thanks.

I didn't use an ND filter, although the shot would have been better if I had one at the time. I just used a CPL and did the shot after the sun went down. I really need a graduated ND filter for that kind of shot, but they are pretty pricey. I just picked up a 9 stop ND filter so I can do rig shots in the middle of the day.

Do elaborate. I'm dying of curiosity.

Unless it's because you brought girls up there, then please don't elaborate.

That, among other things...

This is turning into NorcalG Photographers' Pointless Thread... although probably not quite as pointless... yet

You took people up there and beat the crap out of them???
Remind me never to mess with you.

I don't believe its pointless, it's just off topic.

Back in sophomore year (before it got more dangerous up there at night), we used to go up almost every other night to do a run or two. On weekends, after partying/clubbing with girls we met. Took various substances... etc. My roof was actually pretty dented at one point from them lying on the roof of my car .

Good old days... long gone though

Don't be worried about getting beat up. Unless you're a deer... that hasn't happened yet though, lol.

Kyosho & jake_91306, thank you again so much for your responses... I'm only going to continue to bring this thread off topic for a little bit longer, then I'll make it up to the rest of you fellas with my own pictures, or something...

I guess the library will be my second home... I just hope it's not too far away from where I'd be living... but I still need to figure that one out for after frosh year.

Your use of your G is smart. Why waste gas when buses are already running to the same place [duh ]?

I'll definitely not parking my G in the street overnight, and I need to get on finding a garage for my G... maybe I'll ask you for the garage you use later down the line?

My classes start on Jan. 20... so it's too early right now? I'm a little worried because my chem professor said that we should have the books first day of class... [but I'm still on the waitlist because apparently the chem department doesn't have enough funds to order more GSIs to head labs!!! ]. Is it safe to not order until the first day of class? Doesn't it take a while for books to get shipped? And if I live in a dorm, do I just use the dorm's address as the shipping address?

Gah, sorry for all the questions, I'm just a lost freshman.

No problem, we've all been there

- Living far away could be a good thing. Since i live relatively far away, I usually just stay in the library after class and get my work done before heading home. If you live close to the library, you'll probably just want to head home and think you'll be able to finish the work at home... that is rarely the case (too many distractions). Depends on you though.

- You're welcome to get a spot in my garage... it's $75 a month and there are plenty of spots left at the moment. Like I said, I live about 10 min away from campus though and 15 min from Unit 1/2. Probably a 30 min walk from Foothill, or 15-20 min by bus. You probably want to find a garage on Northside, which is also the safer part of the city. Southside is where you hear about all the muggings and what not

- How high up are you on the waitlist? Chem is a pretty big class. Usually, if you get into a lab section you're confirmed enrollment for the class. You might want to wait to see if you can get in before getting the books, which will probably set you back almost $200. You can always borrow a friend's textbook or go check one out at the library. If I remember correctly, the most you'll have the first week of class is reading and a homework assignment. The first lab is usually ridiculously easy too.

Yeah, it takes some time for books to ship. I've had lots of problems with Amazon. I think books could be returned with full refund within a certain amount of time at the book store. I may be wrong.

Also, which Chem class are you in?

^ Chem 1A. H. Niesche (sp?)

Had a different one. Kubinek! He was great.
Funny guy.