08 June - Participation in an Experiment (Day 141)

I was feeling still a bit drowsy this morning and hence took a bit more time to take my breakfast. When I reached the office, I heard from Laurent that Mark was looking for me for the experiment. I went to look for him and we went down to the VR Centre. Sebastien Thomas was there and after reading the instructions and being briefed on what to do, we were ready for the experiment. There was a big screen in front of us and both of us have to sit on the chairs, with a cardboard between us. This was to prevent us from looking at each other’s screen. The objective was to move the object from one end of the 3D maze to the other. I was in charge of rotating the object while Mark was to do the translation. The time for each trial was taken and the number of times the object collided with the wall was also recorded.

It wasn’t an easy task because sometimes I would have a full and clear view of the object but his vision would be blocked by the wall. Hence, I had to communicate with him and tell him to move a bit more. Vice versa. Sometimes he had to tell me to rotate more. In the end, we both agreed that rotation was easier than translation. And if shadow of the object could be added, it would greatly improve our perception. By the way, we had to manipulate the cursor via a sensor and this cursor was used to grab that object. So there would be 2 cursors controlling the object together. It was a very fun experiment; like playing 3D games with the 3D glasses. After an hour or so, we completed the experiment. When we left the room, both of us were feeling a bit giddy. This is known as VR sickness.

Soon it was lunch. Mr. Giant asked me about my NS. He said that in Lebanon, there was a law that was just passed last week. For men who are abroad, they can send some documents back to Lebanon and would be exempted from NS. He was lucky. In the past, they have to send deferment letter every year but once they reached 30, they have to go back. Then the law changed and stated that if that guy stays abroad for more than 5 years, he would be exempted. Now it is this one. And the duration of their service is 1 year. After lunch, I had no mood to work. Neither do I have any work to do. I just surf the net on DNA sequences in preparation for my FYP. Not really preparing but just for interest sake. Nowadays everyone (papers, movies, etc) is talking about bioinfo, DNA, genes, but I don’t even know what DNA is. Now I had a glimpse of it. And of protein and chromosomes. But soon, I got bored again and began searching for info on Munich.

Anatole finally came and I thought he would give me comments on the paper so that I can carry on with the work. In the end, he said he will take over from now on since the bulk of the paper is already there. He said there are still lots of improvement but it would be faster for him to amend them himself than to explain to me since he is more experienced. He told me to send him all the data and clean up the codes. And if I am really bored, I can continue on with the other techniques which I had done halfway. So, it seemed like I have been released from service. I have just 3 more working days, tomorrow, and next Wednesday and Thursday. I don’t think I would be needed on Friday morning although I still can spare that since my departure train is only at 2pm. Anatole said that perhaps we should go for a drink on Wed or Thurs. Looks like I can don’t even come to work tomorrow. But I will still come to do some coding but mainly to use the internet.

I went with Laurent again to the cafeteria since I am super free. But he was really rushing to meet his deadline. Still he wanted to take a break. I told him now that I am leaving, I have a kind of strange feeling. After 5 months here, I have just begun to know the people and settle down but this is also when I am going. He said he understands because he had similar experience in Sweden. I feel that I had subconsciously distant myself from my colleagues these few days. I think it is because I didn’t want to feel too sad when I leave next week. But every time when they asked me when am I leaving, I can’t help but feel a bit sad to say next Fri. So fast! Yesh. My chapter in France is about to close very soon.