LIVEBLOG DAY 2: Watch the seniors panic

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We're back in the cage for day two of housing. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as Eric alluded to, expect the remaining all-single townhouses to be taken and for Woodbridge high demands to be long gone by regroup. After the seniors have picked, we'll be off for regroup from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., where naturally, our coverage will continue. Oh, and for those of you who are wondering, the Barnard Cap will cut off at 20/576 assuming nobody drops to General Selection.

Follow our live maps on the Board above (side note: the Board crashed yesterday due to excessive traffic---we take that as a high compliment), and check after the jump for the liveblog.

4:00 p.m. They're cleaning up everything at John Jay lounge, so I guess that's it for us. Our Whiteboard should be up to date. We'll be back later on with a recap and preview of tomorrow. Thanks for r

3:52 p.m. It looks like the Harmony six-person suite was taken at some point! We're not sure when that happened, but that's pretty unexpected.

3:47 p.m. Wow, that was a really, really intense hour.

3:44 p.m. "And I think we're done here!" says a Housing official. Woodbridge 1L is officially the last selection for the 30-point groups.

3:41 p.m. Three more Woodbridges are gone. Before Regroup it looked tons of Woodbridge be around for all of the 20-point group, but Regroup wiped out any hope of that.

3:40 p.m. I can't guarantee anything just yet, but I think the awesome group at 24/1948 will be getting their EC suite. We'll be back with more analysis later though.

3:37 p.m. Watt 4C and 4O, two 1-bedroom apartments, are taken by Mikey Zhong and his friends. He's just glad to be done with this process.

3:36 p.m. 16(!!) Woodbridge apartments taken in Regroup and there might be a couple more to come. We figured it would be a popular choice, but that's insane.

3:35 p.m. That group who picked into 1208 had originally been the six-person suite with the worst number, so they're just happy to now have a home for next year.

3:33 p.m. ECX 1208 is gone. Everyone just seems to be in a rush to get out of here -- no one really wants to stick around and chat.

3:32 p.m. Woodbridge 6I, Woodbridge 2B, and Symposium 2F all gone.

3:30 p.m. It looks like there's maybe another three or groups waiting to register and leave the cage. Almost done here.

3:29 p.m. Another Watt 1-bedroom is gone along with ECX 1212. By our count, that's six exclusion suites taken in Regroup.

3:26 p.m. A 20th floor Exclusion Suite along with Woodbridge 6D and 6E are taken. One of those Woodbridge rooms was taken by a proxy -- it's pretty crazy to think how much power proxies can have in Regroup.

3:25 p.m. Watt 3E and Watt 6L are all taken. It looks like the last group may have entered the cage. The 1-bedroom apartments (both Woodbridge and Watt) have been super popular in Regroup -- great news for the mixed-point groups hoping to snag an ECX.

3:21 p.m. A Housing official tells us that 1206 was taken. Jeremy Liss, Spec columnist tells us that he's picked into Woodbridge 5B and he's "pleeeeeeeased." He specified for us how many e's he wanted us to include.

3:18 p.m. Things are finally starting to empty out in John Jay lounge. It had been really loud and crowded a half hour ago.

3:17 p.m. Another ECX is taken. That makes three in total in Regroup.

3:16 p.m. Thanks Jasper! An RA in a four-person Ruggles never chose a rider, so a group of three just filled that suite. Well done!

3:14 p.m. Alright friends, it's time for me to head out for the day and pass on the liveblogging baton to my wonderful colleague Eric Feder. But I'll leave you with these inspirational words uttered by a despondent Senior Regrouper: "Murder me; just blow my head off." Jasper Clyatt, out. Also, Pi time whaaaaaatttt

3:09 p.m. I've spoken to a group of 5 planning their room distribution; they haven't gotten called by Housing yet, but they're guaranteed an ECX suite somewhere. They'll be drawing straws for the double. I prefer less boring methods like contests of vertical leap or cage-fighting, but straws work in a pinch.

3:06 p.m. Woodbridge is leaving the board fast; pickers are valuing factors like street views (that is, not getting shafted), even if it means having to walk into your roommate's room to access the shared bathroom. Also, I'm hearing that a group picked into an EC RA 4-person Townhouse... which is strange, because up until this point it's been fairly certain they were all taken. Perhaps Housing opened it up for Regroup?

2:59 p.m. One of the Symposium brownstones just got picked; 2R. 358sqft? Danggg

2:55 p.m. It's interesting to see where the Regroupers (Regroupies?) end up choosing. So far I'm seeing lots of 2-person groups bound for Woodbridge and Watt. There are plenty of rooms left in Woodbridge and eleven Watt 1BRs. Anyone who's been listening probably knows I'm a huge fan of Watt, and I heartily encourage our Regroupies to choose it.

2:53 p.m. That first group that got called? Just stepped out of the cage, having picked into Woodbridge 1A. How do they feel? "Kinda sweaty. Relieved for sure." Excellent.

2:49 p.m. Each time a number is called, the groans outweigh the glee.

2:48 p.m. The first number is called! Greeted with a resounding "HELL YES!" (and THAT resounds)

2:47 p.m. SILENCE! Housing has quieted the mob and is about to draw numbers!

2:42 p.m. I could've sworn I just saw someone holding a Four Loko; turns out it was an Arizona Iced Tea. I did, however, find two half-finished Four Lokos in my floor washing machine last night... which, in retrospect, seems troubling.

2:37 p.m. A bit of old news, but it gives me some faith in humanity: 30/2997 picked into a 14th floor ECX. Answering the typical question of "who gets the double?", they responded with a confused look. "We talked it out.. Like civil human beings..." If only all potential conflicts could be resolved so beautifully!

2:33 p.m. Regroup numbers will be assigned in about 10 minutes, says Housing. In the meantime, Seniors crowd around the Watt and Woodbridge floorplans, hoping to plot out which lines they'll pick when they have to make a quick decision.

2:31 p.m. 30/2999, a 5-person group, just moved into Regroup. I've been asked how many groups total will be in Regroup; it's difficult to say. Since lots of 4 and 6 person groups got screwed over, we don't know whether they'll form groups of 5 to pick up ECX, or groups of 2 in order to snag the Watt 1BR or Woodbridge rooms. As soon as we get a figure, I'll let you know!

2:27 p.m. OOOH OOH OOH it's starting! Housing is gathering the pickers in order to dispense the Regroup forms, in which Seniors indicate their new groups. This has the potential to make or break friendships. Real stuff goin down.

2:24 p.m. If you're a fan of fine wines and delicious cheeses, stick around on the liveblog for our coverage of Senior Regroup. This is where things get interesting — Seniors who didn't find an option to their liking have come back to form new groups and scrap their old lottery numbers for a completely new, random order. If they don't end up choosing anything, they'll take their old numbers again in General.

2:21 p.m. There are a few groups of 2 and 5 left of the all-Senior groups; beyond that, not much to happen until sugarplums hits the fannypack during Regroup.

2:19 p.m. Max Bartick has entered the building! He's my co-star in the latest Columbia themed rap production, HOGAN
(SHAMELESS PLUG)

2:17 p.m. So if you have Barnard students in your group, you have to drop to General... sorry...

2:16 p.m. 30/2847 just ended the Barnard cap by picking into an ECX on the 14th floor. This is substantially sooner than previously anticipated.

2:12 p.m. A former Spec Design editor not to be named is scouting the competition and asking how many seniors pick into Wien... I mean... some of the singles are pretty big, and it's near EC, and you get a sink, and the bathrooms are pretty nice... but having been incarcerated in a 99 sqft walk-through there myself.... eh.

2:09 p.m. Ahhh to Anonymous at 2:02, you make me proud! I'm glad to hear you value my awful jokes and ramblings over your class!

2:07 p.m. One of the 6-person groups, 30/2840, just elected to Regroup. Simultaneously, a 5-person group in the cage just whooped in glee. I presume it's glee, at least...

2:02 p.m. A group of two walks out of the cage and past the Occupancy Agreement laptops; presumably they're proxying and going to try their luck in Regroup later today.

2:00 p.m. Senior Regroup starts at 2:30 today... which, incidentally, is the best time to schedule a dentist appointment. If anyone can tell me why in the comments, I'll give them a virtual high-five.

1:55 p.m. The last of the high-demand Woodbridge lines (the C-line) has been taken by 30/2797. According to the pickers, having natural light was a big factor.

1:54 p.m. To the nine 2-person groups left today: you'll probably end up picking into Woodbridge, Symposiums, or Watt 1BRs. Also, one of the remaining 5-person groups took an ECX suite. Their will probably be about 35 ECX suites left before Regroup — mixed groups will probably take them all before Juniors get a shot.

1:49 p.m. A group of 2 walks out of the cage, happy with their selection into a Ruggles RA 4-person suite. They know their soon-to-be RA, which is always nice! Now, an update on the 5-person groups: we have four left for the day. They'll probably pick into ECX suites, unless the idea of living in a double is too unpalatable, in which case they'll likely end up in Broadway singles, or perhaps the Woodbridge walk-throughs.

1:44 p.m. Junior class president Ryan Mandelbaum remarks on the Housing Calendar: "Cinco de Mayo is on the third de Mayo this year." A keen eye for detail. Meanwhile, if you're in one of the 4-person groups left to pick today, I'm afraid you'll have to try your luck in Regroup or drop to General Selection.

1:42 p.m. Although I have to admit this song is pretty good too...

1:29 p.m.

1:42 p.m. I've been informed that the last of the Claremont 3-person suites has been taken. And whoever just changed the Housing iPod from Michael Jackson's PYT... shame on you.

1:40 p.m. In case you're one of the five 6-person groups left to pick today, here's a quick summary of what to expect: there are suites in Claremont and Harmony (one in each) consisting of a double and four singles, as well as seven suites in Ruggles comprised of two doubles and two singles. If living that far off campus (lol) is problematic for you, weigh it against having a suite of mostly doubles...

1:35 p.m. Jasper Clyatt back to deliver you the updates on Suite Selection Day 2!!! Pickers in the late 30/2500s just choose into the Woodbridge F-line. When asked how they felt, we were answered with a resounding thumbs-down. Can a gesture resound? If it could... it did.

1:29 p.m. The next bunch of groups include lots of groups of 4 and 6, so expect things to be kind of slow.

1:27 p.m. The first group after the lunch break selects Woodbridge 6F. They're pleased with the view given their poor lottery number.

1:17 p.m. Mikey says I should blog less about Speccies. I said ok. He keeps repeating it, though. OK, already! (Yes I am aware that I am currently blogging about Speccies). I'll let you know when something housing-related happens. Should be just another couple of minutes before we get started.

12:57 p.m. As a reminder, expect updates to be a little slow until 1:20 p.m, when selection starts back up. Absolutely nothing is happening right now so there's not much to write about. If you have questions, throw them in the comments and we'll work on answering them!

12:54 p.m. Housing has taken a minute to clean up some of the detritus that was surrounding the candy area. Looking good!

12:45 p.m. The six-person group decided to pick into Ruggles. They're on the sixth floor and seem content. This is the first Ruggles suite to go.

12:43 p.m. A six-person group is here. Looks like they're deciding between regroup, Ruggles, and Claremont. Also, a certain Speccie is blatantly misusing "off the record" to prevent me from telling you some pretty funny stuff right now.

12:37 p.m. Me: "Mikey, say something funny or insightful for the liveblog." Mikey: [blank stare]

12:33 p.m.Another two-person group just picked into a Woodbridge one-bedroom. Jed Schmidt, CC '13: "We've gotten worse and worse lottery numbers every year. We're just glad we have a place to live."

12:30 p.m.It's quiet here...too quiet.

12:27 p.m. It's lunchtime, so aside from a few stragglers, not much will be happening here until things start back up again at 1:20 p.m.

12:24 p.m. Kristine Lu, CC '13, upon being asked whether she's happy with her Woodbridge one-bedroom: "I'm waiting until my roommate sees the room to decide."

12:21 p.m. I am haranguing my co-bloggers to say funny stuff that I can write down in the liveblog, but all is pretty quiet right now. Myles notes that the music here has shifted from Urban Outfitters to The Gap.

12:13 p.m. Oh wait --- She's not gone! She's never gone! Alden returns to provide a little more journalistic guidance before actually going to class.

12:10 p.m. Maggie's on her way to class! Finally! No more censoring of my hilarious jokes!

12:06 p.m. I am currently wearing a sweatshirt with the letters USA emblazoned across the front. Maggie is making fun of me. Very patriotic, our managing editor.

12:03 p.m. A senior six-group with lottery number 2308 is dropping to regroup after having narrowly missed the last townhouse. Peyton Bell, CC '13, with a shrug: "Missed it by two. Should've been 2306."

12:00 p.m.Housing expert Mikey Zhong is here and angry that the heater behind us is still going strong. He sustained a few burns in the line of duty yesterday.

11:56 a.m. The last EC townhouse has been taken. The group is happy: "We feel like we came through in the clutch!"

11:55 a.m. Also, housing just brought us some balloons. I retract my earlier criticism about wasting helium.

11:54 a.m. People are forgetting their lottery numbers! Some people are forgetting what room they picked into. Gives you a sense of the general indifference that is pervading selection right now. Also makes updating our maps a little more difficult but we're still more or less on top of it.

11:52 a.m. Spec's fearless EIC is here --- she's acting as proxy for three different people.

11:49 a.m.Most recent group to come through has lived together for two years, so one of them doesn't mind taking the living room in their Watt one-bedroom.

11:46 a.m. Two-person group got a Woodbridge one-bedroom. How do they feel? "Indifferent. Could be better."

11:45 a.m. Housing just brought in a lot of balloons. Sure, it's festive, but are they unaware that we are running out of helium on this planet?

11:41 a.m. Six-person group got an EC townhouse. Seemed a little ambivalent about their outcome.

11:40 a.m. ...and, that's because all four-person suites are gone.

11:39 a.m. There have been quite a few senior regroups today. 4-person groups are dropping like flies.

11:37 a.m. The last person to come through is participating was a senior and is participating in the housing lottery for the first time this year. What?

11:29 a.m. Text message from someone sharing a double with a stranger next year: "I'm not changing my masturbatory habits for him." We'll let that person remain anonymous.

11:25 a.m. A five-person group showed up about two hours late, but they're not bothered. All the rooms they wanted were gone yesterday anyway.

11:21 a.m. btw, sorry if I seem a little mystified by this housing process. As a GS student I have no idea what's going on here. This new-fangled blogging thing is pretty confusing, too.

11:15 a.m. The music in here seems to be being piped in from an Urban Outfitters.

11:13 a.m. The last Hogan room is gone (for sure), and the last high-demand Woodbridge room is gone (we think --- we're double-checking our numbers but that's how it looks).

11:10 a.m. There are two EC townhouses left -- 704 and 203. One facing campus, one facing Morningside.

11:09 a.m. The new blogging shift is me (Stephen Snowder), Myles Simmons, and Maggie Alden, if anyone cares. That's right: Maggie is skipping class to do this! If Maggie's professor is reading this, MAGGIE IS SKIPPING CLASS!

11:07 a.m. Four-person group has to regroup. Disappointment was definitely in the air as they came by.

11:05 a.m. No more Claremont 4-person suites.

10:59 a.m. Two-person group who just picked a Woodbridge room is a little ambivalent about what they got stuck with. Us: "Are you happy with it?" Them: "Sure," eye roll.

10:57 a.m. Only one Hogan room left, with an RA.

10:53 a.m. Another EC exclusion suite has been taken. [SPEC MANAGING EDITOR MAGGIE ALDEN CENSORED THE JOKE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY HERE].

10:49 a.m. Cute housing guy is currently not paying enough attention to us for some of our co-bloggers' tastes.

10:45 a.m. First music of the day: Animal Collective's "My Girls." Sends a strong message about housing's hipster quotient.

10:42 a.m. A group chooses Woodbridge 6C. They're disappointed that they just missed out on "a real double" in EC.

10:41 a.m. Things are running at least a few minutes behind schedule here.

10:39 a.m. FIRST SYMPOSIUM DOUBLE IS TAKEN! It's amazing how popular this option proves to be every year -- people regularly select it over Woodbridge or Watt, even though it's just a studio double. They chose room 4F.

10:36 a.m. A group of two takes one of the four-person RA suites. He doesn't know the RA but insists he's not scared. "He should be scared of us." Really, he's just excited to meet new people. Woodbridge 7A has also been taken.

10:31 a.m. That last group was so excited that they ran out before signing up. They felt that the process felt too informal. "You don't have to sign with the blood of a man or something?"

10:27 a.m. ECX 2004 is gone. Now that the 16th floor is filled, it looks like the 20th floor is up next.

10:25 a.m. A group of four elects to Regroup and they are not happy about it. "We have a couple good options. We didn't want to do Claremont." The second day of Suite Selection always brings more unhappy faces than the first day.

10:23 a.m. The last H-line suite in Woodbridge is taken. It had actually been around for a while, but because it was on the first floor, groups had chosen elsewhere instead. This is a classic example of why cutoffs are not the be-all end-all.

10:21 a.m. A Claremont four-person is taken. One of the group members informs us, "I'm really hung over. I turned 21 yesterday, so this is my birthday present to myself: Claremont."

10:19 a.m. NO MORE TWO-PERSON FLATS!

10:17 a.m. For those of you scoring at home, it looks like two five-person groups have turned down the option of an ECX today.

10:15 a.m. The very next group was a six-person who selected one of the townhouses with a double. They were pretty disappointed to miss out on the all-single suites. We all agreed that it makes it even tougher to miss by just one.

10:10 a.m. The group that got the townhouse is just happy they got in. Two of their suitemates are abroad so they just hope that they aren't upset about their choice. Considering that they didn't have much of a choice, we can't see why they would be -- they should just be happy they got one!

10:08 a.m. All-single townhouses are GONE GONE GONE. This year's cutoff was 30/1677, which is exactly what we expected. Our condolences to the upcoming six-person groups who will have to decide who gets the double or else drop down.

10:04 a.m. Two EC suites are taken: a two-person person flat on the eighth floor and an exclusion suite on the sixteenth floor. That finishes off the sixteenth floor of the EC highrise.

10:00 a.m. Attention ladies: my fellow co-bloggers are excitedly gossiping and giggling about one of the male Housing people working here. In their words: "Lee is a cutie."

9:59 a.m. A Hogan RA suite is taken. Luckily, these guys know the RA and are just happy no one took the suite before they could get to it. We're always happy when that works out -- we saw things not work out as nicely yesterday, and it wasn't pretty.

9:57 a.m. Woodbridge 7C is taken along with an all-single six-person townhouse. JUST ONE ALL-SINGLE TOWNHOUSE LEFT!

9:54 a.m. A quick programming note: seniors who are planning on coming back for Regroup should aim to return to John Jay lounge at 2:30 or so.

9:52 a.m. No music yet here. I guess it's kind of early in the morning for everyone.

9:51 a.m. The next four-person group, 30/1548, declined the Claremont option, trying their luck at Senior Regroup instead.

9:48 a.m. A four-person group takes the four-person Claremont suite on the third floor. They were hoping for Ruggles, but were out of luck.

9:46 a.m. Fifteen minutes in and just one group has chosen so far. Lots of milling around and people taking breakfast from the food table. Look like another group is almost ready to come out though.

9:43 a.m. We'll try to keep track throughout the day of groups which don't show up to pick. We know that this is of particular interest for Senior Regroupers and for mixed-point groups hoping to grab an ECX.

9:39 a.m. The first choice of the day is the last upper townhouse. They were just relieved to get a suite in EC without a double. Now there's just TWO all-single townhouses remaining.

9:36 a.m. Over the next hour or so we expect the EC flats and the EC 6-person townhouses to be taken off the board along with some random selections in Watt, Woodbridge, and the ECX's.

9:32 a.m. Eric Feder here, to bring you all the action.

9:30 a.m. We're live from John Jay lounge and, right one cue, the first group is in the cage.