okay this is my first time playing ff8 so i have a few questions to ask:

1. i take it that you cant press left or right while in battle to select defense or change like other ff's so is there something im missing?

2.how do you get shiva's command "doom" it doesnt seem to be in her list of techniques to learn??

3.i have had shiva and quezecoatal both learn "boost" now i need to know what the hell it does and how do i use it? the command doesnt come up in the GP menu or junction menu so whats it for?

4. and lastly just for the sake of my pride did anybody else lose 4 times to the doctor in the infirmary with triple triad at the beggining of the game?
cheers