F O O S v2.0

As Henry and Brandon carried the Foosball table out of the Lounge, we bid farewell to an era. With its departure, hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of memories and enjoyment left a feeling of emptiness within us. All of the best of sevens won and lost, the money-matches, and the trash-talking (I'm looking at you, Josh ;) ) would never be the same anymore. We never asked for any of this; we were content with our Foosball lives as they were. But times change, and eventually so did our beloved Foosball table.

Just as the old table left, a new one took its place. To a bystander, it is a complete upgrade. Most notably, the table doesn't look like it came out of dumpster. With its polished wooden frame and strengthened interior, there aren't many competitors on the market that could surpass its build and beauty. The table almost looks out of place in the Lounge, giving off an aura of dignity and cleanliness; words I'm sure no one can attest to when describing the Lounge. Furthermore, the table offers a new squad of players controlled by wooden handles (in contrast to the taped-together players and rubber handles of the old table), increasing their endurance so we don't resort to replacing them with playing cards folded in on themselves as a substitute.

However, to us Foosballers, the table is unanimously regarded as a downgrade. Yes, we agree that the table looks and feels nice, but all we care about is gameplay, and in that aspect the new table is lacking. Unlike the concave surface of the old table, this table's surface is flat. Slightly tapping the ball causes it to move across rows, meaning trapping (an important tactic where you control the ball through moving it parallel to the goals) is near impossible, lowering the skill expression of the game and negating the role of the "three" row by a large factor. Furthermore, the flat surface makes the ball prone to getting stuck a lot, requiring us the physically move it with our hands, which is a big nuisance and slows the pace of the game. As a result, I've seen a decrease in the number of games played and overall enjoyment between us. The hierarchy that first brought order to the table for now has been abolished as we struggle to reestablish what drew us to the table in the first place: a few minutes of pure excitement and unpredictability.

Nevertheless, we're a determined group and won't give up at this slight inconvenience. If we can't have the old table back, why not turn the new table into our old one? For obvious reasons we can't physically alter the table itself and risk destroying it, so we've resorted to modding it in various ways. While we decide on a way to return the table surface to a concave state, we've dismantled one of the Lounge's tissue boxes and used it to add slopes to the areas that infringe on the ball getting stuck the most. Furthermore, we've also removed/reduced each row's rubber sidings to give players an increased range of motion and allow them to hit the ball from any part of the table.

While we wait for more modifications to take place, a new gamemode has come to light: two ball doubles. Played in 2-3 minute sessions, the team to score the most goals or get both balls into the goal at the same time wins. Although this mode takes away from the "skill/organization" of one ball doubles, the unpredictability of two balls is a necessary sacrifice to counteract the slower pace games are being played at. So far, I've enjoyed play-testing this gamemode even if I have to compromise my skills built from hundreds of hours on the old table. However, it's only been a week since the gamemode's conception, so there aren't many opinions on it as of now.

As uncomfortable playing on the new table makes me and as much as I wish for us to go back to the old one, I'm optimistic to see the outcome once we mod it to our content. However, as ordinary human beings we will forever complain about the new and reminisce about the old.

Below are my quantified opinions on the tables. What are your thoughts?


                         OLD TABLE               NEW TABLE
BUILD:                   D                                   A
GAMEPLAY:          A                                   C till further improvements
ENJOYMENT:        A                                   D (B with the new gamemode)

Uni

Walking through Uni's front doors for the first time, something felt off. Nothing seemed to be physically wrong, until it hit me; the lockers...they were left open? Apparently, this openness was a norm here. Now turning towards the office, hundreds of handprints welcomed me. This struck me as odd. What type of school was Uni, giving its students an unfathomable amount of freedom? Was I in for a surprise!

Having attended two large public schools, I grew accustomed to the "cookie-cutter" high school experience: academics for 7-8 periods a day, extra-circulars afterwards, and leisure on your own time. Attending Uni was a whole new experience for me, mixing all of these qualities into an old, but lively building. From my first meeting with Doc Walk to where I sit now, Uni has never failed to surprise and impress me.

For example, free and Uni periods have been an blessing, even if I didn't understand them at first (Every time I looked at my schedule, the thought of not having a class freaked me out). Looking back, I don't know what I would do without these periods, allowing me to destress and, ultimately, take UofI classes. Then there's the Lounge. It might as well be my second home; Foosball and videogames will never be the same without it. And, of course, being on campus has been a great privilege, enabling me to pursue my interests in a resourceful and supporting environment. My time spent in Seibal, DCL, and Grainger can only be rivaled by that spent in the Lounge. Whether cramming for an exam, going out to eat, or even exploring campus, there's always something to do here.

Most importantly, my greatest experience at Uni has been getting to know everyone. As a five-time transfer, the idea of friends has never held any special meaning to me. Usually, whenever I would try to get to know my peers, I knew it would be in vain as I would be gone in a year or two anyways. However, at Uni, I've come to meet and know everyone. Running XC, going to events with friends, and having people to talk to has helped me feel part of a family. When I say the Lounge has become my second home, I don't mean the place itself, but the memories and friends I've made there. Reliving these experiences would be a wonderful, and I look forward to the many more I have left to make.

G R A I N G E R & I

While foosing out in the lounge, I realized tomorrow was the due date for my computer literacy project. Panicking, I grabbed my laptop and ran to Grainger Library, the only place I knew I could work in solace. Entering the main lobby, to the right laid the collaborative study space, with students scrabbling on the large whiteboards and complaining about their homework. On the other hand, to the left I found Espresso Royale, with the cafe bustling with students munching on sandwiches and furiously typing on their computers. Meanwhile, I headed towards the elevator and hit the 5th button, sending me to the highest, and most isolated floor, Grainger has to offer.

What I love about Grainger is its uniqueness. From the basement to the 4th floor, you will find a variety of environments, facilities, and amenities suited towards creating the optimal learning environment. There are the computer stations located throughout the basement, enabling students to work directly from the library itself. Furthermore, it's home to one of CITL's testing facilities, a place to schedule and take quizzes, midterms, and finals for your UofI classes. If you just want some peace and quiet, you're free to explore any one of Grainger's 2-4th floors. Dedicated solely to individual study, you will always be able to find a place to work.

The best part, however, is that Grainger is open 24 hours a day every weekday. If you want to pull an all-nighter and finish that MP due tomorrow, you're encouraged to. Or you can get together with a couple of friends and spend the night borrowing a GPU and playing videogames till you drop. The possibilities at Grainger are endless, and time and time again I find myself sitting in that distinct corner on the 4th floor working on essays, projects, and as of recently: college apps.

Right across from Uni, Grainger is easily accessible from basically anywhere on campus. Whether during Uni Period or coming back from my UofI class, the thought of lounging at Grainger never ceases to cross my mind. I've spent as much, if not more, time staring at my computer in my usual spot than I have playing Foosball in the lounge, and that's saying a lot. From the satisfaction of finally completing a HW problem to the relaxation of playing League with the boys, I've made countless memories at Grainger over the two years I've been at Uni. And I'm grateful for that.

T h e L o u n g e

Closing my eyes and imagining a peaceful place, I envisioned the Lounge in its entirety. From the folding tables on the left where the gamers come to play to the couch round-table on the right where we complain about school, the Lounge is home to a diversity of students. It's our escape from the constant pressure in life, allowing us to destress surrounded by friends who, too, share that sentiment. In the year and a quarter I've been at Uni, the Lounge has had such a positive impact on me it's become a significant part of my experience here.

Transferring from two traditional public schools, the idea behind the Lounge initially mystified me. Passing by that solitary door, the little peeps I would get further confused me about its purpose. What's with the decor of the place? Why are walls lined with handprints from the floor to the ceiling? Why do I see a mini Christmas tree fashioned with desktop mouses and staplers hanging from the fan? (I still don't have an answer...) Too scared to accidentally break some unspoken law, I spent most of my time sitting in the hallway, watching how everyone else interacted with the Lounge. However, one day, a friend invited me inside, changing my perspective forever.

Walking into the Lounge, I first noticed how unorganized the room was. Lunchboxes and bags rested on the floor, books and laptops left unattended on the tables, and the centerpiece of it all: the Foosball table, laid ominously, struggling to find its place between the room's halves. There were playing cards littered everywhere (floor, Foosball table, AC, you name it) accompanied by who-knows-how-old goldfish. And who could forget the brigade of wheely chairs: seemingly serving no purpose and frequently leading to jams in the little open space there is. Although to some this description may fit the ideal place for a warehouse hideout, to me it was my new home away from home.

Beginning to spend more and more time in the Lounge, I gradually started to appreciate the place for its unique attributes. The couches: a welcome break from the rock-hard, backbreaking chairs I sat through during class. The tables: a nice place to play videogames or work on homework (Although I frequently found myself distracted and not getting anything done). And, of course, the Foosball Table: focusing more on getting that ball into the goal than I did in any class. When I'm in the Lounge, I'm able to do as I please, not constrained to the rules that govern us outside. Whether it's through spending the whole period playing Foosball or just talking with friends, the Lounge is a place for me to relax and let go - a truly peaceful place.

F O O S

Foosball at Uni is one of more underrated athletic options available to us students. Being very exclusive (with only juniors and seniors able to access it), most players don't realize how much time they actually spend on the game. While most people study/do homework, attend clubs, go out to eat, or socialize, these players are unmatched when it comes to exhausting whole Uni Periods. This group, found in a distinct corner of the student lounge, is home to one of the most intense and competitive environments to exist on the planet: the Foosball table.

From an outsider's perspective, the table looks like it came out of a dumpster. The immense amount children's stickers can testify to that; blanketing the whole table in a plethora of rainbows, you'll be amazed by where you can find them. As for the table itself, the players are in disrepair. Most, if not all, are covered in tape making you question whether they're the actual Foosball players that came with the table. One player is even missing, being replaced by a stack of playing cards folded in on itself as a substitute. All of this has been the result of years of never-ending use. Whether it be in the early mornings before school or late after school to the point Dr. Radnitzer kicks us out, the table is rarely ever seen unoccupied. It has been disassembled and reassembled back twice now, been the subject to multiple layout changes, and even had its legs stolen at one point, yet it never ceases to bring together students with its competitive spirit.

As much of a story the table itself has to tell (I could go on and on), the politics of the game are just as interesting. One of the more prevalent patterns mimics the early dynasties of ancient China. This scenario is set into motion when two players team up and begin to dominate the table. As time passes, other teams form in an attempt to dethrone the original team, challenging them for their spot on the table. As the original team is beat, the successors take over and the cycle repeats until the period ends or a general consensus is reached to disband the dynasty (although this rarely happens). However, this pattern has been shifting towards a more disorganized state, with individual games taking precedence over team-based ones. Just like the Warring States period, this shift can be accredited to a rearrangement of the power rankings, with the once unbeatable falling to rising players. In this state of disarray, everyone vies for position on the skill ladder, trying to assert their dominance and claim superiority. I suspect once this ladder is officially determined, the meta will shift back towards an era of team-play.

When it comes to the game itself, you would think players just smack their pieces back and forth on the table. While this may be true (I can hear a match being played all the way from room 109 while writing this...), but there is a delicate strategy involved in these loud and perceptively reckless movements. Foosball is a game of positioning, reaction, and power; each of which are instrumentally important to succeeding in the game. While "one-tricking"/perfecting one of these aspects is possible and consists of a majority of the player-base, each one can be countered by the other (positioning > power > reaction > positioning...). Those who wish to truly separate themselves from the rest and be crowned king of Foos must master all three of these aspects. Only one person at Uni has been close to achieving that feat, but sadly lost all their ability over the summer leaving the Foosballers in the state of disarray they are now. 

C h a o s

What is something you disliked in the past, but now like?

As a child, I was a bonafide neat freak. I had a designated place for everything, from food on my plate to my matchbox cars. I couldn't fathom the idea of leaving belongings where they stood; if it was out of place, I went out of my way to ensure it eventually did. My perfectionism was so apparent that it became a meme in my family to mess with me by reorganizing the layout of room. Some days a painting on the wall had been replaced, other days the clock had been rotated a few degrees. I often came back from school not noticing the subtle change, but after a few minutes realized something was off and frantically searched for the misplaced item, hoping to attain relief from the horror of existing in an unorganized room. It got so bad that once I came home to a room in which nothing had changed, but still felt paranoid and wasted the whole afternoon looking for a fault that didn't exist . Looking back, I realize my attempts to achieve perfection were futile.

If you could describe one point in my life where I u-turned, I would definitely point you towards my 8th grade year. Between cross country practices and my responsibilities as a tutor, for the first time I would arrive home well past 7 on the daily. My typical weekday revolved around school, running, tutoring, dinner, homework, and sleep. I didn't have the time or energy to be nitpicky and try to uphold my sense of perfectionism. Although minuscule at first, chaos laid siege to the foundations of my flawless castle.

I eventually succumbed to chaos, letting myself be messy and lose track of anything and everything. Now in high school, my schedule didn't get any less busier; in fact, it became more rigorous. My classes only became harder and homework heavy, requiring me to devote even more time to keep up with the material. Between my academic and social life, it was impossible to keep my things in order, let alone those around the house that I so diligently sought to keep pristine in my childhood. Papers littered my desk, clothes sprawled on the floor, my belongings strewn across the house in unimaginable places - this was my life now. 

In the end, I got used to my new friend chaos, but now it's gotten to the point I can't do without it. In someway it actually gives me a sense of organization. From your perspective, my desk may look like a jumble of papers, but to me, every paper exists in the perfect, yet delicate balance. My room: a maze, but to me, every object is in its rightful place. Instead of experiencing paranoia from my parents disorganizing the organized, now I fear the day my parents organize the disorganized.