So some time ago in the merry land of NBS, I applied for two talks. I fretted about the both of them clashing, but since one intended to start at 3.30 and last for half an hour, and the other was starting at 4.30, I decided that I was in the clear. Besides, the first one required an application, and I wasn't sure I would get in.

I got both. However, the slot I got for the first one was from 4.00 to 4.30pm. Concerned, I sent off an e-mail requesting for an earlier timeslot.

The office person replies at 12.30pm the next day saying that she can only slot me in at 5.30, insisting an IMMEDIATE response. I only see it at around 3.45pm. I freak. I find out the talks are held by two different departments, and call both: no one picks up the phone. I call other places. No one picks up the phone either. By now, my patience is running short as I had to dig up those phone numbers from a phone directory. So while I freak, my mom calls another office and gets some numbers for me. I FINALLY speak to the person.

I explain that I don't know when the other talk will end, and therefore cannot give her a reply. She asks me this whole long spiel about what the talk is, and then directs me to the other office AGAIN. I tell her that I can't contact them. She gives me some numbers and off I go on my merry chase, to no avail.

Moral of the story: Never sign up for two talks on the same day, because admin offices of universities are D=.