Actually, this is mainly for my brother's friends list as he hasn't had many updates recently.

I have turned 21. Yay me. I found a letter I'd written to myself at the start of the year and it surprised me how insightful it was.
There were a lot of people that came to my birthday tedddy bear picnic. It was a good day. Lots of activities that people got into, like a doughnut eating competition, treasure hunt and three legged race.

The  only thing I felt a bit uncomfortable about were the gifts. I wasn't really expecting any since I don't see my rellies that often but they kept bringing them =/ Felt awful just taking them, putting them in a pile and then opening them later. In a way, I really felt I didn't deserve any.

Uni has four weeks left. Three not including this one. And then I have a degree more or less. Unless I decide to continue with honours or something, which I could but what I really want is to find a job I enjoy and get into a niche where I can gradually climb the ranks until I find somewhere that I'm working hard towards something satisfying, my wage is comfortable but not excessive and I'm doing something that I not only enjoy but contribute to society in general. Someway. Hrmm.

What else?
Allan is amazing. He gave me this beautiful necklace for my birthday and was really special. It's stupid how silly I get thinking about him, or just being around him. We can both be complete idiots when paired up too but I think we're getting better at hiding it in public :p Though the other night over dinner we were discussing how history would look like in Facebook format for aaaaages. Such nerds.

Driving test tomorrow. My second. I hope I don't sccrew up like last time (never have I been so annoyed with a silly mistake - and it wasn't even a dangerous one, though I guess Vicroads would argue differently). Mum promised she'd bring the car home early if I pass so I can clean it out and then i'll be driving my brother to  his music lesson and then on to trivia :D I was going to pick up Allan but he has fashion things he needs to do in the city so it won't work out that way. Maybe I'll take him for a short ride after trivia and then we'll part our separate ways.

Data is not infallible. Poor Data. But Pickard is pretty awesome.

Got an essay handed in on time on Monday. Only got one hour of sleep and should've started it much earlier than I did but oh well. I stayed up and was a bit more rushed than usual because I had promised to take my sister with Allan and I to see Up! Which I highly recommend by the way. It made me bawl like a baby but it was great. The short film before it, Partly Cloudy, was gorgeous too and I wouldn't have minded it being a full length feature...

More later maybe...

LJ G

Managed to fail somemthing for once.
Now I can say I've succeeded at failing... =/

It was my driving test. Lady was watching my speedo like a hawk and figured it went over half the line for 40km/h in a 40 zone. I was keeping an eye on it and trying to make sure the guy o nmy arse didn't run into me so it may have... but if I'd braked to get a few k under he was close enough that it might have caused a collision.

So annoying.

Bah. And it cost me $200. There it goes, down the drain.....

Matrix is on TV.

I have to get up at 6. Taking my littlest sister to school then heading to Allan's for a quick nap before my talk at Freeplay. Going to be biiig! I hope I meet someone who can give me a bit of a pointer for next year and what I'm going to do.

Allan gave me roses =D And strawberries =D And a book  =D
I'd say he was after my own heart if he didn't have it already :p

Bad! Should leave that stuff out.. but then he's been wondering why I don't talk about him much on here. But then I don't update that often either.

LJ G

Running around, so much to do. Lots of work, lots of uni, lots of gamer stuff..

Just checking into to let you all know I'm ok, not that many people read this  anymore. I guess this is more for my future self to remember that I was busy but still checking this thing everyday. Yay for flists!

Saw Avenue Q the other day, was good.
Hoping to watch Public Enemies with Allan tomorrow. Or go to Pompeii or the Star Wars exhibition at Scienceworks. So much to do!
Last semester of uni though. Really feeling it. Can't wait to take a break. A proper break too :p

Ciao ciao.

LJ G

I am avoiding what I should be doing by doing anything and everything on the internet.

NO! Not that. Dirty minds! I suppose not everything.

What's new? Saving up for a car. The new Ford Fiesta - Zetec model I've decided. it's pricier, but it looks nicer  and it's waay safer. Just not sure what colour - I'm sure it doesn't matter too much. Just don't want black. The light silver, blues or even the ''squeeze'' (some yellowy-green) look alright.

Got my actual license test in a few weeks. Should get more practicing done, but I think I should be ok. It's a matter of confidence and comfort. Just mustn't stall! The thing is, I'm going to be doing my proper practicing once I've got my Ps. Considering my parents haven't really been jumping at the chance to let me drive. Sucks. I wish they'd thought of that when they were all L-platers MUST HAVE 120 hours behind the wheel. My lessons (cheapest I could find, but still good quality) are $35 each for 45 min. Let's just round that to an hour and that's $4, 200 paid for lsesons if I wanted to make that goal. Not going to happen. Not when I can practice by myself doing what I can.

Also, insurance. CRAZY. If I go with possibly dodgy insurance company it's $1, 200. If I go with my parents' proven to be ok RACV insurance, it's $2, 500 per year. Ouch. Then there's running costs. Servicing. Registration.

Heh, I'm looking up customer regos. Apparently GTFO and STFU is "inappropriate" though LULZ is available. Any other suggestions?

Cheerio.

LJ G

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/tram-trip-proves-what-goes-around-comes-around-20090630-d3qv.html

WTF.

I hate that department. They didn't even read my letter but they let off some writer in the CITY where there are places to buy a ticket everywhere. I had the ticket I had used the DAY BEFORE and the MONTHLY I had the previous month but nooooo and then this chick gets off like that. And it's $187? I didn't realise they had raised it another $20. BUT STILL.

WTF, MAN.

I'm still angry about last year, obviously. dammit.

Also, WORST HEADACHE EVER.

RAGE

RAGE

I guess this could apply to a lot of genres out there. But for now, I'm going to focus on one case study in particular and I'll break it down slowly because this has so much loaded into it, it's hard to really take it all in at once and do it justice.

Velvet Assassin (X360 & PC)
Third person shooter/stealth action game
Set in WWII

The following does contain spoilers so continue on at your own risk though I highly recommend playing this game first to realise exactly what I'm trying to convey here because really, I'm doing myself no justice at all.

( Thoughts on Velvet Assassin )
I might continue more thoughts later. This game really got to me, obviously >__> Reviewing it on C31 on Friday if you want to catch a more traditional review that looks at gameplay/sound/design/graphics/etc.

LJ G

Dear drivers of Melbourne,

WTF. When you are turning right, green arrow or not, you give way to pedestrians. If you do not see them and brake heavily, do not under any circumstances try to blame the pedestrian for your idiocy. Pedestrians go first even when they're not supposed to. But in these cases, we were supposed to. I could hear you perfectly through my earphones. You're the one who should be watching out, and stop trying to beat the traffic going the other  way by racing through an intersection a pedestrian is rightfully crossing.

YOU were the idiots that have ruined two of my days in the last week. I should not have to be on the look out when I have a green man telling me I can walk. Open yoour eyes up and take some bloody responsibility for that odd ton of metal you seem so keen on racing through the streets.

No love, regards or anything whatsoever,

LJ G

Dear rain gods,

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Much, much, much, much, MUCH love,

LJ G

Japan was fun.

Watchmen didn't wow me. Too much penis. I mean, I'm no prude but really - illogical placement too. He had it hangiing around in the lab but when he grew giant in Vietnam he had a handy metal thing covering his modesty.

Uni is a lot of work. As in, more than usual. And normal work eats into when I can do my uni work. Dammit. Trying to reduce hours but they're stalling...

Also, trying to make sure I'm not working over Easter but again, stalling. Pisses me off. Should've thought of it earlier but silly me didn't.

Joined uni gym, technically still have membership at gym down the road but because they changed their hours they messed up my schedule. At uni, I have to bring my stuff and get chagned there, the four days i have uni, each have minimum of three hours break between classes so time to go gym as well as have lunch. Hopefully I stick with this one since I actually purchased a 12 month membership... =/ It included extra stuff and worked out around $10/week if I keep up with it and it allows you to defer for 2-8wks if you need to. Which shall be handy.

Classes I am doing:

Egypt Under the Pharaohs - interesting. I love my lecturer. He's not a big man but his voice expands as he gets excited and then he starts thumping the desk, first with an open palm and then a fist until he calms down again on the next slide...

Australian Foreign Relations - possibly the driest lecturer but he puts interesting content in a t good points in the lecture. Also split into two one hour lectures as opposed to one long one like my other subjects which I am grateful for. Lecturer, although he is pretty cool and excitable, doesn't  inspire any John Williams scores...

Inventing Asian Traditions - possibly the stupidest and most boring out of my choices - chosen for my major and fitting with timetable, etc. Plus it  was still better than doing modern history. The lecturer is kind of cool though in a professor-y kind of way. He takes my tute as well and while I was engaging in the tute, I don't think I said the right things - ah well. I was the only one talking for half of it when he asked us questions so whatever.

Indonesian - HOLY CRAP. We're doing a novel. I really wish they'd slide us up to this instead of dumping it on us in third year. Also, the subject requires us to discuss pretty heavy topics in Indonesian. Nothing safe like women's rights though. Really wish I'd built my vocab up over the years... ah well, looks like a lot of  catching up to do this semester and then maybe next semester will be a bit more comfortable.

Next year... my plans range to a few things, graduate programs, boring desk jobs, postgrad study, run away to Indonesia for a year... I'm really not sure. Should I apply to some positions? It feels like a waste of time from the few positions I've looked at. the consulting group I had a look into disgusted me by their utter corporateness that I think I might be streamlined into the public service...

Ok enough, up at 6am. I am dedicated to the gym =/ It was the only time that wasn't in the evening, and I can't be bothered hanging around uni after class...

LJ G

What a mess. Seriously considering not flying jetstar again. 24hr delay in Japan, then they "forgot" to fix our connections for two hours waiting at coolangatta then pile on a bus which breaks down halfway to Brisbane. Finally arrive with half an hour till take off for a Virgin Blue Flight they managed to find us.
Phew.

But I enjoyed the trip. Lots of fun. Got work tomorrow though =/ Sucks.

can't be bothered typing any more it seems. Poor LJ. I'll try harder this year (didn't I say that last year?)

Maybe I'll need to resort to lists again. Ah dear.

LAMB ROAST CALLS

Currently Kyoto. I have since seen many temples. I did a lot of walking. We left a bit after nine, got back ten minutes ago... my feet hurt :(

Still awesome though! We are yet to get tothe Golden Pavilion and Himeji Castle but those are our must sees so over the next two days they shall be next.

Daniel is getting to practice his Japanese a lot. He's a bit overwhelmed but he's enjoying it.

Better let him have a turn, the internet is a bit prcey =/ Silly hostel.

Hostel is quite good though - it's well done. Nice staff, brillian breakfast (all you can eat for 680 yen).

Fukuoka on Wednesday and then Hiroshima on the Friday. We're very busy :p Trying to relax for the holiday it should be but so much to do and see! Very exciting.

Oh, and strangely I don't feel quite as white as I thought I would. I feel more white in Springvale than I do here. Maybe it's the amount of tourists  they  get....

Both stolen from sugarlatte 

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often or ever) please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me.

It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph in your LJ and see what your friends come up with.

( Another one! )

You'd have thought with the end of uni, I'd have more time on my hands to relax and generally get back to sleeping like a normal person. I wish I could... I seem to have this weird need to keep myself as busy as possible. Whether it's now out of habit to make sure I have something to do every day or that I feel bad for turning people down when I know that if I didn't go out to meet them or do whatever on one of the few days I have off, I'd be lying or something.

Maybe when I get closer to January and the new year begins quietly (I hope) I might have some more time to play with and less things to fill it. Japan will be hectic, but relaxing at the same time somehow. At least, I think it will. We'll be in Sapporo for the Snow Festival which will be AMAZING! I've somehow managed to get off my lazy arse and book all the accommodation so now all there is to do is make sure we won't starve over there and ensure we ahve train tickets before we actually leave :p

Work's getting steadily more frustrating, but then, that's to be expected, doing essentially the same thing for nine months now. Whoa. Like pregnancy..

Apart from that... Christmas is coming up, I still haven't gotten round to doing my cards yet. Maybe I never will. I should though =( I owe more than a few at the moment and soon they won't arrive in time.

Results out on the 17th. Not really loooking forward to it. I just want passes so I can move on to the next year.

New plan! Apply at DFAT anyway but that year, as well as applying, go for a postgrad diploma or degree at RMIT or something for PR maybe. Just a sa different career option. If I go for the diploma, that's only a year or so, which would cover the time I'm going through to DFAT (if I get accepted) and if I don't, I have something that'll put me directly into the path of some sort of career I might possibly enjoy. Yay.

That plan is going to change again in a few months, but it'll stay and option, I think.

Perhaps may do some work parttime at Monash for marketing/pr - I got offered it by one fot he guys who works in the department, he said he'd be happy to being me  into the fold :p or something like that anyway.

Right, back to Order Up! It's my next review title :( How shall I do it...?

LJ G

Yeah, so happy birthday to me :)

Good day, good night last night. I've been keeping busy, joining gym, website work, normal work, going out for drinks and regular trivia nights. It's been pretty awesome for me lately. Only thing left is to organise those damn driving lessons :p

Fandom wise, I'm at a bit of a loss. Haven't had the time I used to have to finish BSG. Dammit. Also work situation was a bit weird for a while there and I got thrown off.

Gaming wise - bleh. It's just odd. No time + replaying old games I kind of care about + trying to get into new games I don't have the time needed to invest properly in them.

Books? Pretty spiffy. Got a fair bit to get through.

Uni starts next week. Pretty exciting. Jump straight back into work, should probably prepare for all my essays, etc since they'll most likely all be due in the same week.

Being twenty is pretty good. I can complain about teenagers without feeling the irony of my situation.

Dad and sisters get back on Sunday.

Also, cut hair. It is now Molly Ringwald in breakfast club short. Crazy stuff. I told the hairdresser jsut below my ears - I didn't realise it would be so short! Oh well, it'll grow again. Maybe this time I'll grow it longish.

Also, GG Hawks, GG!

Cheerio.

Latest movies have
been of good quality but
I want to see more.

I saw the Abba
movie three times - don't judge me!
It's actually good.

Uni is starting
to get in the swing. Lectures
in particular.

Loving new album
from Bliss N Eso. I think
I will buy it soon.

Tomorrow I'm out
shopping for new clothes with a
long time no see friend.

I want to go out
on Friday but I have work.
I neeeeeeeed TZU.


I think that I've said
all I need to this time round
Until the next post!

I went back again
To the stories on FF
Now I want to write.

I want to finish
A Place of Her Own - all fluff
but still got something.

Today I had work
My brother went to Uni
to see Open Day.

Things are strange in that
I keep gaining attention
from the wrong corners.

Not that I mind, but
I'd prefer better corners
you get my meaning?

Credit card arrived
with a limit much too high
need to call them soon.

Music keeps me up
and running with energy
I thought I din' have.

Giving myself these
kind of language exemptions
Isn't good for poem.

World news is dreary
Olympics everywhere now
Hiding away here!

I'm stealing kisarigi's style for this post.

I haven't updated
for such a long time. Life is
very busy now.

I have a new game
that I need to review but
the old one awaits.

Some things have ended
but I think it's for the best.
Oh well, moving on.

Tickets have been bought
We will travel to Japan.
Me and my brother.

Uni has begun
And my homework has not. I
just procrastinate.

The new cafe is open
it's called the Chai Temple. The
hot chocolate isn't bad.

I talked to a guy.
He's from Connector. His voice
sounds cute from Sydney.

I know how to make
my workmates laugh - they call me
weird. I'm not. Really.

I bought lots last week
A dress, two pairs of pants and
Xbox 360.

I would like a pet
but it's won't happen because
... i want something else.

My haiku skillzorz
are teh awesum. But counting
gets irritating.