The last thing I wrote for this post (Also known as a title)

So how many people have noticed a lot of my posts arriving on Tuesdays? It's probably because Tuesday is blog-post day!! Or more likely it's cause I'm in Physics lecture... I can listen and type at the same time... Really... Stop laughing, it's true!

Why are you posting this crap James? What's the purpose of this post?

Tell you the truth – I haven't figured it out yet... The title isn't even filled in yet...

Maybe I could just point out something I've noticed this month; like every single Wednesday, Thursday and Friday have been flat-out busy days. I've got up early, and gone to bed late, and been doing things all the time in the middle. This last week of May is no exception to the rule...

Speaking of last weeks, it's the last week of studies here at RMIT before we start SWOT VAC, then exams; so a lot of lecturers are wrapping things up or frantically trying to cram it in. While at the start of May my entire June was planned to be empty, except for four days with exams; it's now also packed, with exams interrupted by work, lots of work. This will be nice – because work equals money which can be directly converted to petrol, the quantity of which is inversely proportional to how much work I do. In other words, I'm working so I can fill up my car and get to work. The left over 5c I'll take with me on my trip away at the end of June.

Am I exaggerating? Not really. I just put $120 in my wallet to fill up my car this afternoon, and Tuesdays are (relatively) cheap and my car uses less petrol than a lawnmower. Which is definitely a good thing – my next car will be a Hybrid or something else eco-friendly, even if more expensive, and regardless of how much less power I'll get. I'm not interested in having a powerful, beefy (manly?) car if it means I'll need to take out a loan just to pay for petrol.

And who pours oil onto glass nowadays (see? I can pay attention to my Physics lecture)? Yes, I know that it's only theoretical, and yes I know we're using it to figure out the wavelength of light; but there are better ways of doing it than glass, oil, a ruler and a protractor.

It's amazing how little stationary you need for uni – all I have is one pen and a sharpie (which is only here cause you'll never know when you might need one). Maybe it's just cause I'm doing engineering, and it's all either on the computer (MAT-ha-LAB) or written in a lab book (consistent eights, interrupted by a nine, anyone?).

Well, if I ramble any longer then I'll be left here in the room alone after everyone leaves. Yes, it took me a whole hour to write all that. I'm slow and writing, and even when I know what I want to say, the words only dribble out. If I write fast then usually every other word is completely unrelated to the first, and sentences would just sound really shotty... Ok, maybe that one already did... Sigh...

Keep in touch people, hearing from you is always great; especially when I need the break from staring at my programming like a shit-chucking ape.

I'm Old!

Or so everyone keeps telling me...

I woke up this morning and I did feel older, but I suppose I'm supposed to feel that every morning... Maybe it was the new shirt I wore... I donno...

So I called for the nurse to bring me my walking frame and I wandered out to the park to feed the ducks pieces of stale bread all day... Please remind me to buy more bread; I'll forget if someone doesn't remind me... Similar to phone calls – I would have called if I was reminded (if I managed how to figure out how to press the buttons in the first place).

What was I talking about? Oh that's right... I'm old...

I mean nineteen is the last of the teens; isn't that a scary thought... That means I'm almost dead!!! Quick, drink more alcohol to make sure the liver dies first!!! And doesn't nineteen just seem like the "forgotten age?" We see movies where the main character is a teenager and they're always eighteen... Never nineteen... How sad...

Also, I've decided it's a very bad idea to let Harry lick you: he eats poo... I see Afrika taking a crap and next moment the crap is gone with Harry standing over it, doing the whole "yay I've found something to eat" thing... No wonder Harry craps twice as much as Afrika...

Oh right... It's my birthday... You don't want to hear about dog crap...

Ok, seriously, there's not that much to tell about my birthday this year; I'm nineteen, it's a "forgotten age," remember? Of course you don't remember, you're almost as senile as I am!

And the post date and time is significant by the way...

P. Sherman

Got up early Friday morning – 0330. Considering that I went to bed at 0100 I suppose I got a good night's sleep... I guess...

Cranked a uni assignment off and then head to the airport for a 0600 flight – joy! Well... I suppose I did pick it...

Had a whole row of seats to myself; centre, window and aisle. Didn't get a chance to have a sleep on the plane though, instead I transferred contacts from my old Nokia 6280 to my new Nokia 6110 Navigator. Yes, I now have two GPS units; one in my pocket and one in my car. I know which one I prefer too – Ken. There was nothing really that wrong with the 6280, I just didn't think that having loudspeaker on for every phone call was going to be appropriate, especially when around other people. Still have to get used to the new S60 interface, I much prefer the S40, basically because the S60 is so much slower. Damn Nokia you piss me off... I'll leave my hatred of PCSuite for another day...

Oh that's right, I was flying to Sydney, I nearly forgot what I was talking about there. :P

Arrived at whatever time I arrived and caught a train to the hotel. Ok, yes; we all bitch about Connex and how bad their service is, but CityRail is really hard to top. It cost me $50.50 for unlimited travel to and from the airport for a week, and unlimited travel around Sydney CBD for a week. When the lady at the counter did the calculations, it was going to cost $70 if I bought daily's instead. Ok, fine, as a tourist to the city I'll pay through my ass for the privilege to get to my hotel, thanks CityRail.

Then on the platform, I've found that rather than a screen that lists all the stations, it instead scrolls through them, with an accompanying voice (he sounds gay, like the rest of Sydney) reading out the list. Really frustrating to have to stand at this screen staring at it like an ape until your station appears. I much prefer the quick glance at Connex's screens, even if your train may not arrive. Fine, your service is on time, and fine, it's more reliable; but I really don't give a shit when I miss the next three trains trying to figure out if it goes where it wants it to go. Connex used to have three zones, but went down for simplicity. I've finally found where they put this extra zone. I think CityRail bought it off them. Honestly, they have something like seven zones! Anyone who says Connex is complicated and hard has never been to Sydney.

Oh and as a result their machines have a billion and one buttons on them, and force you to go through the alphabet in your head looking for the right station...

Ok, rant about trains is over.

Checked in early cause the room was ready early. Went and explored Sydney. The pushy bitch (the voice in the phone) kept misplacing me streets from where I was, if she could find a position in the first place. I'm learning to ignore her, and I could insert a sexist joke here, but thought better of it. Instead I just scrolled the map to find out where I was.

I ended up somehow getting stuck in the centre of the ANZAC day parade circle that went round the city, probably because I was lost. So I just found a place and stood there for the next five hours. There was a pub on the other side of the road, and celebrations there were very loud and alcoholic. Many passing parades were offered free beer from the patrons who had spilt out onto the road, and every band was yelled to "throw it up, throw it up" in reference to the baton they twirled and what not.

Later, after the parade had finished, there were enough cans on the ground to open up a new aluminium mine...

I however had gone in search of more important things. Found it, and went back to the hotel. Feel asleep for an hour, getting much needed rest, before heading to the station to go and find the person who I really missed – Izzy.

Finally found her, upon realisation that "clock tower" means the 20 meter tower sticking out of the ground, that thing looking like a clock tower; not that clock attached to the building above my head. Well, I don't normally look up in the city, the top of the buildings hurt my neck to look at. :P

So we did couple stuff for the rest of the day of course, as couples do. You know, shopping, walking, talking; that stuff... Went to Coles and bought the necessaries for the weekend: Coco-pops, milk, and pasta.

Couple stuff again for all of Saturday, I like the couple stuff, it's a lot more relaxing than my usual run round and try to find stuff. Ate when hungry, slept (or tried to) when tired, drank when thirsty. Spent part of the day searching for an ATM, eventually found one, and then of course they started popping up everywhere; when we weren't looking for one. Must be a Sydney thing, never had that problem in Melbourne.

Went and tried to see a movie that evening, but there was nothing good on. Sydney, why can't you just conform to Melbourne and call us the gods of entertainment, sport, restaurants and cafes. I couldn't find a single thing Sydney had going for it really.

Dinner, Nando's again, for something like the third time (nope, there's nowhere better to eat in Sydney). Not complaining though, I like Nando's (the company I was with was far better though).

Went out clubbing that night. First place was called 333, and I thought it was too dark, and the bartenders were boring; but they served me over other patrons because I'm a nice person. Had a great time meeting new people that night though, all the navy people (well, not all, some...). Only name I can remember though was Tash, and she was wearing purple. So if tash wants any chance of being remembered next time I meet her, I suggest she wears that same purple dress. :P

Moved along to the next club, as you do when you need a change of experience. The Brooklyn Pub had a guy with a metal detector which was a nice touch to the whole possibility of getting stabbed in Sydney experience. Place was basically a dance floor and a bar. Again, got served quickly because I'm nice. Stayed here longer than the first place, but only cause we were told to stay put while Tash went and found the next club; she never returned.

Hopped along to the third club. This time it was at Circular Quay, and you could watch the water as you drank (assuming you watch the water, and saw that ferry come in... :P). The bartender here was funny, and could flair really well, got my drinks quickly here and went and sat outside with Izzy. (No, I'm not telling you the secret to fast drinks at the bar). Nice champagne at this club, I know what my favourite way of drinking it was too...

Hotel time now, since it was technically Sunday, but we had to stop at McDonalds and the toilet on the way. McDonalds sells Mint Slice McFlurry's now if anyone has been out of contact from the world for the past few months.

Sunday morning (well, when we got out of bed), we did the whole pack-up hotel thing and left them our bags while we explored the city before I had to go home. Izzy got a new phone (after a frustrating "my employer has no telephone number" conversation the night before); a Nokia 6500 Slide. She believes her phone is better, and I believe mines better. We'll have to see which one ends up lasting longer I guess... Izzy got some hay fever tablets; she needed them. Only supposed to take one though... tut tut tut...

Eventually the time ran out again and it was time to come home. Airports again. My turn for a plane though.

Plane trip was loud, noisy, and the kid behind me enjoying kicking my seat.

Overall, getting abused by taxi drivers in Sydney (what? I'm from Melbourne, red flashing means it's ok to go; and here in Melbourne giving someone the finger is something of a sign of gratitude that you didn't actually hit me) wasn't what made the trip interesting; it was Izzy that did that. Really miss her...

Ok, some of you are strangling yourself or throwing up on the floor, I get it... I'll change the topic...

I'm glad to be back in Melbourne, but I just wish I'd brought everything back home with me.

P.S. In case you're wondering, I couldn't find 42 Wallaby Way; maybe next time.

VCE VET Electrotechnology

Anyone remember what my goal was in this subject?

Yup, I didn't just want a high score, I wanted to do better than anyone else and receive the Premier's Award – awarded to the top few students in any subject. It's ok to get a 50, it's something different to receive a Premier's Award.

Well, I haven't actually said it yet, but I think it's obvious: I got one!

I'm very very very happy about this; I really worked hard in Electrotech to deserve it.

So thanks to those of you that dealt with me talking about how excited I am about my project, ranting about how easy that last test was, and debating whether I should bother studying for the exam. Next step: Award Ceremony; where I'm missing out on a Math Test to attend...

Really busy at the moment, but I hope to make a post next week when I get back from Sydney.

Whoa... Busy!

Yeah, I've been busy with this, that and the other; hence a lack of updates. Basically, I blame uni for making me this busy. I only know one person that has more hours than me, and that's Luke, so he's the only one allowed to complain that I have it easy.

Quick summary of everything since the start of March:

• Uni started, you noticed from the last post.
• Izzy's birthday; she got shoes – lots of paper ones and one real pair.
• Anniversary.
• Mid-semester break, before I had even figured out this whole uni thing. Apparently, I'm halfway through the semester.
• Izzy came home for Easter, and lots of fun times ensued.
• I took a break from hospital this year, and decided that rolling round on the ground in pain can be left till later.
• Back to uni; and found that I wasn't halfway through, but only at the start still.
• Earth Hour; which I ended up leaving my lights off all night, cause I was having too much fun burning things to look at the time.
• Some other stuff that I've told myself doesn't need to be placed online, because it doesn't concern but a very limited few of you; but if you want a hint, it relates to last March.

That's basically it for the time being; if something interesting happens, like a bomb threat, I'll leave it for someone else to describe.

I'm going to go back to paying attention to this Physics lecture now...

Little Fish, Big Pond

A long time ago, just over thirteen years ago in fact, I began something new... I was a little fish in a big pond...

As time went by I got bigger and eventually I was the big fish in this little pond, and of course saw lots of tiny little fish join my pond over time, remembering a long time ago that was me...

One day, I was scooped up, and placed in a new, bigger pond, more of a pool in fact, as I had outgrown my old one... Once again, I was a little fish in a big pond... I started to get big for this pond too, and I played with the edge of the waterfall. In 2004, I slipped over the edge of the waterfall, as did the rest of the fishes my size, and landed in a bigger pond still, a lake...

Feeling even smaller, I worked hard to grow over the next few years...

I made friends with similar fish and swam in the same, similar part of the lake. Occasionally we'd visit other lakes, and make new fishy friends. Once again, last year in fact, I grew too big for the pond, a pond which I now knew as a part of me...

Today I was scooped up once again by the mysterious hand of time, and thrown, not into a lake-sized pond, but into the ocean. I'm once again the smallest fish in the pond (ocean, yeah whatever, I like the word pond ok?). My fishy friends from the assorted ponds, pools and lakes have been spread far and wide; some swimming under the same pier as me, some in the same patch of seaweed; some have been thrown deeper, and have to deal with slightly bigger fishys, sharks even; one has even been thrown over to New South Wales (technically ACT, but again, I'm too tired after today's first ocean swimming lesson to care).

On a completely unrelated note, I'll tell you about my first day of university now. That sound like a good story?

Right, well getting there was shockingly easy, even with Connex, only four minutes late really... And now that I'm aware that RMIT has elevators, I don't have to climb thirteen floors like Spiderman... First up was MATH2160, which is taught by one of my favourite kinds of teachers: the fast, no-bullshit, ain't slowing down for nobody ones... Well, like a said, he's fast, and can be a little difficult to decipher with that accent sometimes, but I went to Haileybury, so I'm trained in the art of multi-lingual English... Overall, I can see how he'll be great, but he and I have slightly different views on Mathematics. While I call it the absolute value of x (absolute x), he calls it the modulus function of x (mod x). Yeah, both correct, both just as easy to write, but I can tell he and I will get into marking issues over it... And another one: turns out VCAA doesn't teach Methods right. VCAA: log = log base 10. The rest of the world: log = ln. So what the hell VCAA? Teach us correctly! Take me a while to figure this new one out... On the plus side, this course looks like it will be Methods 1/2/3/4, Spesh 1/2/3/4, all wrapped up in a nice little 6 month bundle, which is what I always wanted to do with it...

Hour break, far too long, followed by: EEET2246 (some sort of Computer Science Engineering). Now this lecture is taken by one of those funny teachers: "Hey, been teaching this subject for 15 years now, shit then, shit now, do your best." Have to agree with the "shit now" part. Figured it out when he put 1 * 0 = 1 on the board. C'mon... Seriously... Anyway, two components that we'll start with: Matrices (I found these easy in year 10, I find them easy now, can I skip class?), and Excel Spreadsheets (you can tell that this'll be another subject that you want to skip when he hardly knows how to use it in his examples...). Sigh... Maybe the next class will be more productive...

So I walk into EEET2247 (Enterprise Engineering, don't worry, I had just as much as no idea as you do now) and find the room is filled with people on computers... It was a Lab, so I was sorta more expecting so be sitting at a workbench with scratches and burns from assorted tools, but instead the room is filled with people that looked a lot older than me... So I just stood up the back (I walked in through the front) and waited for something exciting to happen. A slightly overweight (delicate James, delicate... You never know who might read this one day...) woman walked in and barked (sounded like a loud whisper actually): "This is a lab, everybody out now..." Considering I was expecting a lab to be, well, more laboratory like, I kinda just thought she was crazy... She ended up getting the class started and told us to log onto Blackboard and open our assignment. Mixed bag of results. Some people could log on, some people could open Blackboard, and some (very few) could find this mystical assignment... Then she barked (whispered): "Form a team of four." As always, I just kept it simple and looked at the people next to me and provided that nod of "you'll do..." After the room had assigned groups our instructions were given (if you could hear them). I didn't hear them, so we just sat there and assessed the possible data, before providing an abstract solution to the problem at hand (see? I learnt something today! How to solve stuff engineering style!). Then several more people rocked up, and we got a blast about being late to class... Now I know it wasn't me who was late, and I know that I despise people who are late, but seriously woman, that's the WHOLE point of uni: to turn up (or fail to turn up) to classes at whichever time you choose... Yes, if people turn up late and disrupt the class, you have a right to tell them to piss off, but they were only ten minutes late, and you have no clue where they might have some from. Class settles; lady speaks up (now an hour into class): "You should be using Microsoft Office Project."

Ok, never heard of it me, but I find it quickly and stare blankly at my screen... You want me to make a timeline? The hell? So as a team, we plot how we will manage our time on Project over the next two weeks (which reminds me, feel free to change the due date anytime you wish... Anytime! Honestly! Doesn't piss me off at all! Just why the hell would you change the date at the last minute?). SO we plotted our timeline of time management, and she speaks up (she was close, so we could hear her). Turns out we were supposed to be plotting our timeline for this mystical engineering project with some sort of crazy invisible engineering team and some fruity unlimited quantity of cash over some spastic timescale, a year... So we (the entire class) spent an hour and a half doing the wrong thing, without any indication from silent to telling us we were doing something wrong... So in twenty minutes we manage to begin to pull some crazy contraption out of our asses (mosquito repelling alarm clock, powered by batteries, and made cheap, for third world countries) and begin a timeline. Time! So I log off and my team heads out the door while I put pens away. Silent comes up to me, asking to see the work we'd done today. So I was forced to log back in... Sigh just doesn't cut it...

And then when I got to my platform Connex decided it had been too nice to me this morning and decided to punish me by diverting ALL Eastern suburb traffic through my platform, my line. Squashed on the train. Got abused and attacked my some old lady who wanted to get past me, towards the seats that were clearly packed and already full of elderly...

Some days I just feel like a fish... Swimming in an ocean...

The Switch

It'll be a switch I'll flick on 29th March 2008, 8:00PM... Will you?

And here's something else that saves power, saves the environment...