Yeah, it's been a bit of a tough week. Not just academically, but just life in general. I'm drained. And I've gotten semi-sick twice. I can't even be bothered recounting it all. And to cap it all off, I had an amazingly vivid, scary and intense dream. As a consequence, I'm going to start up a dream diary blog tomorrow. Or sometime in the near future.
Nightmares (not that I remember them very often, or even dreams for that matter), for some reason, leave me really drained. My theory is that my body tenses throughout the whole things, tiring my muscles. So I'm really tired. So instead of writing something proper, I'm going to be slack, and let rip a video that perfectly encapsulates what a perfect Sunday sounds like to me. Definitely in my top 5 list of songs. I don't think I've ever met anyone that didn't like this song. If ever I have to do impromptu singing (trust me, it's happened before), this song, and Edelweiss, would be my picks.
May it bring you joy also. Happy Sunday.
Word of the Day: Nightmare
Saturday 29 May 2010
Wednesday 19 May 2010
The Case for Good Guys
There is one thing, amongst a few others, that I don't understand, and probably never will. It's just one of those things.
I cannot, for the life of me, understand why girls often/a lot of the time go for guys are terrible people, and completely will not look at guys that are actually great people.
I'm not talking about me. I don't know whether I'm a good person. I do try to be, but that's completely subjective and for you to decide. Anyway, being good doesn't really seem to get me anywhere anyway. I continually hear about how nice people are. When I say they're jerks, because I think they are, not just for argument's sake, they always get defended with phrases like "Oh, he's not normally like that," or "You just don't know him well." How well do you need to know someone for them not to be a jerk? I think the word 'nice' is now just a synonym for 'cool'. No matter how nice I am, it just does not seem to be appreciated. So I kind of give without expecting any sort of return, emotional, monetary, psychologically, or otherwise.
But this isn't really about me. Well, it sort of is. Except I can't really evaluate whether I'm a good person, so it's not about me in that respect. But yeah. I've just seen it with a few of my friends. They're great people. They're not bad-looking either. I mean that in a non-gay way.
But, for some reason, girls ignore them in favour of guys that are basically arrogant, shallow, unreliable jerks that aren't even that good-looking. Like, I can sort of understand when the guy is a spunk. That's enough for some people. Maybe there's something that I don't see in them, and girls do. Who knows. Certainly not me.
They're continually let down by these guys, but still find them awesome. Go figure.
I'll stop talking about girls there. I may start sounding misogynistic and sexist. I stress that not all girls are like that. I've just seen a lot that are. Too many, some would argue.
In other news, I've adopted a kind of laissez-faire approach. Whatever happens, happens. I'll focus on things that I can control, and hope some divine being makes everything else work out. Thanks in advance, divine being. Yes, I just assumed that you would make everything work out, Mr. Divine Being.
Word of the Day: Jerk
I cannot, for the life of me, understand why girls often/a lot of the time go for guys are terrible people, and completely will not look at guys that are actually great people.
I'm not talking about me. I don't know whether I'm a good person. I do try to be, but that's completely subjective and for you to decide. Anyway, being good doesn't really seem to get me anywhere anyway. I continually hear about how nice people are. When I say they're jerks, because I think they are, not just for argument's sake, they always get defended with phrases like "Oh, he's not normally like that," or "You just don't know him well." How well do you need to know someone for them not to be a jerk? I think the word 'nice' is now just a synonym for 'cool'. No matter how nice I am, it just does not seem to be appreciated. So I kind of give without expecting any sort of return, emotional, monetary, psychologically, or otherwise.
But this isn't really about me. Well, it sort of is. Except I can't really evaluate whether I'm a good person, so it's not about me in that respect. But yeah. I've just seen it with a few of my friends. They're great people. They're not bad-looking either. I mean that in a non-gay way.
But, for some reason, girls ignore them in favour of guys that are basically arrogant, shallow, unreliable jerks that aren't even that good-looking. Like, I can sort of understand when the guy is a spunk. That's enough for some people. Maybe there's something that I don't see in them, and girls do. Who knows. Certainly not me.
They're continually let down by these guys, but still find them awesome. Go figure.
I'll stop talking about girls there. I may start sounding misogynistic and sexist. I stress that not all girls are like that. I've just seen a lot that are. Too many, some would argue.
In other news, I've adopted a kind of laissez-faire approach. Whatever happens, happens. I'll focus on things that I can control, and hope some divine being makes everything else work out. Thanks in advance, divine being. Yes, I just assumed that you would make everything work out, Mr. Divine Being.
Word of the Day: Jerk
Saturday 15 May 2010
Jessica Wat-"else is"-on TV.
This is fairly ridiculous.
Okay, so this Jessica Watson is pretty good. Make that very good. Yes, she sailed around the world, and she's around the age where most kids would be in school getting educated.
And that's exactly the thing.
Kevin Rudd is now claiming she's a hero because she embarked on a recklessly dangerous round-the-world trip. Yes, she has guts, skill, courage, and motivation. But hero? Who has she saved exactly? What has she done for the world? Does it really warrant a national celebration to welcome her home?
I'm not debating that what she did is a fantastic achievement. It really is. And well done to her. Also, to her credit, she's kind of tried to shrug it all off. She sure as hell didn't ask for the whole of Sydney to turn out to welcome her home. I'm just saying that people, especially people that are in a position as powerful and influential as the Prime Minister, to consider carefully when they use the word 'hero'.
A hero, to me, is someone that has done something completely selfless, often with great risk to oneself, in order to help another person, or another entity e.g. a country, or a dog. As far as I know, this homemade definition of mine doesn't really apply to her.
There are plenty of actual heroes that we don't celebrate on national television. The guy who saved a whole bunch of lives by stopping a gunman a few years ago, for instance. Or the lawyer, and the backpacker guy who stood up for a woman when she was getting smashed by the bikie in a the CBD a while back. These are people that have stood up for a person, or for a group of people, who were in danger, without a thought for the dangers that they faced.
I think the word that Kevin Rudd would probably want to use is 'role model'. And even that would be stretching it very far. Do we really want young children looking up to her, and going "Oh, that seems like a good idea." A better move would've been not to roll out the red carpet and treat her like some national treasure in the first place.
Again, I'll reiterate that I don't dislike her. I don't know her as a person. She does seem quite modest, and her deeds are commendable and very special. I just don't think that a national holiday should be declared for the second Saturday of every May from this year forth to commemorate her homecoming.
Word of the Day: Hero
Okay, so this Jessica Watson is pretty good. Make that very good. Yes, she sailed around the world, and she's around the age where most kids would be in school getting educated.
And that's exactly the thing.
Kevin Rudd is now claiming she's a hero because she embarked on a recklessly dangerous round-the-world trip. Yes, she has guts, skill, courage, and motivation. But hero? Who has she saved exactly? What has she done for the world? Does it really warrant a national celebration to welcome her home?
I'm not debating that what she did is a fantastic achievement. It really is. And well done to her. Also, to her credit, she's kind of tried to shrug it all off. She sure as hell didn't ask for the whole of Sydney to turn out to welcome her home. I'm just saying that people, especially people that are in a position as powerful and influential as the Prime Minister, to consider carefully when they use the word 'hero'.
A hero, to me, is someone that has done something completely selfless, often with great risk to oneself, in order to help another person, or another entity e.g. a country, or a dog. As far as I know, this homemade definition of mine doesn't really apply to her.
There are plenty of actual heroes that we don't celebrate on national television. The guy who saved a whole bunch of lives by stopping a gunman a few years ago, for instance. Or the lawyer, and the backpacker guy who stood up for a woman when she was getting smashed by the bikie in a the CBD a while back. These are people that have stood up for a person, or for a group of people, who were in danger, without a thought for the dangers that they faced.
I think the word that Kevin Rudd would probably want to use is 'role model'. And even that would be stretching it very far. Do we really want young children looking up to her, and going "Oh, that seems like a good idea." A better move would've been not to roll out the red carpet and treat her like some national treasure in the first place.
Again, I'll reiterate that I don't dislike her. I don't know her as a person. She does seem quite modest, and her deeds are commendable and very special. I just don't think that a national holiday should be declared for the second Saturday of every May from this year forth to commemorate her homecoming.
Word of the Day: Hero
Thursday 13 May 2010
Interior Inferior
I'm quite tetchy at quite a few people right about now. I don't know why. It may be something to do with people treating me as being inferior, and having no regard for my feelings or emotions.
It's a little bit sad. I never went through a phase of not being part of the 'cool crowd' back at high school. At Vermont, the cool kids in my class were really inclusive and generally nice. At Melbourne High, there were no real 'cool kid' groups. There were just groups, and I was a bit of a floater anyway.
It's kind of like it's catching up with me now. People treating me as if I'm stupid, or blind, or both. I'm not saying I'm a super genius or something. Far from it. I think I'm on the lower end of the smart scale. But this kind of stuff, anybody with half a brain could figure it out.
I'm a little bit scared right now actually. There are a few things I'm scared of currently, but one of the main ones is that I've recently started noticing that I've become desensitised to a lot of things. Like, nothing much in recent memory has hurt me all that much. People treating me like I have the intelligence of a five-year-old? Yeah, whatever. I'll just stop talking to them. People talking to me only when they need me for something? Yeah, that's fine. I'll just do likewise. People being rude to me? I can more than reciprocate that.
I guess it all boils down to your own morals. My mother always says that many things are acceptable if you can get past your own conscience. Most of the time when I think something is morally apprehensible or just plain wrong, it's just that: what I think. So in essence, if I didn't think that something I was going to do was very wrong, most people would be cool with it.
I'm scared because I think I'm starting to operate like that. Tit-for-tat. They treat me like that, I treat them like that back. I didn't used to be like that. I usually treat people a little bit nicer than they treat me. I guess every person has a breaking point. Being nice doesn't pay off 99% of the time, unless it's to people who deserve it, so what's the point? That's the reasoning anyway.
So right now, I'm ignoring my instincts about what's wrong and right, and just responding to how people treat me. Which I think is dangerous, because I think I'll be a worser person for it. Again, I think it's just my own perception. Other people probably wouldn't notice. I hope this phase passes quickly. It makes me quite bitter.
Word of the day: Stupid
It's a little bit sad. I never went through a phase of not being part of the 'cool crowd' back at high school. At Vermont, the cool kids in my class were really inclusive and generally nice. At Melbourne High, there were no real 'cool kid' groups. There were just groups, and I was a bit of a floater anyway.
It's kind of like it's catching up with me now. People treating me as if I'm stupid, or blind, or both. I'm not saying I'm a super genius or something. Far from it. I think I'm on the lower end of the smart scale. But this kind of stuff, anybody with half a brain could figure it out.
I'm a little bit scared right now actually. There are a few things I'm scared of currently, but one of the main ones is that I've recently started noticing that I've become desensitised to a lot of things. Like, nothing much in recent memory has hurt me all that much. People treating me like I have the intelligence of a five-year-old? Yeah, whatever. I'll just stop talking to them. People talking to me only when they need me for something? Yeah, that's fine. I'll just do likewise. People being rude to me? I can more than reciprocate that.
I guess it all boils down to your own morals. My mother always says that many things are acceptable if you can get past your own conscience. Most of the time when I think something is morally apprehensible or just plain wrong, it's just that: what I think. So in essence, if I didn't think that something I was going to do was very wrong, most people would be cool with it.
I'm scared because I think I'm starting to operate like that. Tit-for-tat. They treat me like that, I treat them like that back. I didn't used to be like that. I usually treat people a little bit nicer than they treat me. I guess every person has a breaking point. Being nice doesn't pay off 99% of the time, unless it's to people who deserve it, so what's the point? That's the reasoning anyway.
So right now, I'm ignoring my instincts about what's wrong and right, and just responding to how people treat me. Which I think is dangerous, because I think I'll be a worser person for it. Again, I think it's just my own perception. Other people probably wouldn't notice. I hope this phase passes quickly. It makes me quite bitter.
Word of the day: Stupid
Monday 10 May 2010
A proverb charges money to do what an amateur verb does for free
Just to add to what I wrote up late last night, my good friends also have a certain amount of intelligence. Which ties in with making me laugh, because, in my opinion, to be verbally funny requires a very high level of intelligence.
Anyway, I'm going to articulate another thought that I've had for a long time.
See, people always quote these proverbs. Things like "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," or "Money can't buy you happiness." I dislike it when people quote these kind of sayings to me. Proverbs like these are just dumb. They can't be proven, and are way too general and extreme.
Let's take the latter proverb, for example. See, I would say that, while money in and of itself doesn't make you happy, it certainly goes a long way to making you happy. Case in point being the guy on the street without a dollar in his pocket. Ask him how happy he is. However, I believe the guy who has millions of dollars in the bank account wouldn't be too happy either if he had nobody to love, and nobody to love him. I believe that a more appropriate saying would be something like "Money isn't the end all and be all in life, but it's certainly good to have, amongst other things, such as friends, love, and fun." But of course, this doesn't fit neatly into a few words, so generalisations and blanket terms must be used.
Also, other ones which are more wishful thinking than actual observations, and their subsequent application when something happens that actually fits the saying. Things like "What goes around comes back around." I wish that were the case too. Unfortunately, from observation, most of the time it isn't. I see people who are complete jerks scoring good jobs, girls, and unconditional adoration from 90% of the world. And then, there are times when they get their come-uppance, and you think "They had that coming." But that's just us fitting that isolated incident into this neat little proverb.
Yes, I realise that I may be over-analysing. But the people who quote these things to me started it. They treat these things as their own personal little bible, like they are correct and incontrovertible in every instance.
There are sayings that actually make sense, and can actually be found to exist in this world of ours, and they are pure gold. My favourite is one that my dad quotes sometimes, and is Chinese. It goes something along the lines of (rough translation coming up):
It's absolutely beautiful in Chinese. It's summarise in six characters, three of which are repeated. Say what you like about Chinese, about how hard it is, and confusing, or whatever, but it can be a very poetic language.
This proverb I find to be true. You can see it in everyday life. You have to pull your own weight, do your own work, try your best, before other people can help you, and before luck can go your way. I'm not saying it's always the case, but how many people do you see winning the lottery, and have never done any hard work in their life? A few more that are observable and that I like are:
William Blake, I believe that was.
And one to finish off from Chris Martin. Obviously not a proverb, but still. This one applies to me, but it may not apply to you. I like to believe that it touches a spot deep within everybody, because I like to believe that most people have hearts, and feel love sometimes. Possibly one of my all-time favourite quotes. And yes, I have quoted it numerous times.
Word of the Day: Proverb
Anyway, I'm going to articulate another thought that I've had for a long time.
See, people always quote these proverbs. Things like "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind," or "Money can't buy you happiness." I dislike it when people quote these kind of sayings to me. Proverbs like these are just dumb. They can't be proven, and are way too general and extreme.
Let's take the latter proverb, for example. See, I would say that, while money in and of itself doesn't make you happy, it certainly goes a long way to making you happy. Case in point being the guy on the street without a dollar in his pocket. Ask him how happy he is. However, I believe the guy who has millions of dollars in the bank account wouldn't be too happy either if he had nobody to love, and nobody to love him. I believe that a more appropriate saying would be something like "Money isn't the end all and be all in life, but it's certainly good to have, amongst other things, such as friends, love, and fun." But of course, this doesn't fit neatly into a few words, so generalisations and blanket terms must be used.
Also, other ones which are more wishful thinking than actual observations, and their subsequent application when something happens that actually fits the saying. Things like "What goes around comes back around." I wish that were the case too. Unfortunately, from observation, most of the time it isn't. I see people who are complete jerks scoring good jobs, girls, and unconditional adoration from 90% of the world. And then, there are times when they get their come-uppance, and you think "They had that coming." But that's just us fitting that isolated incident into this neat little proverb.
Yes, I realise that I may be over-analysing. But the people who quote these things to me started it. They treat these things as their own personal little bible, like they are correct and incontrovertible in every instance.
There are sayings that actually make sense, and can actually be found to exist in this world of ours, and they are pure gold. My favourite is one that my dad quotes sometimes, and is Chinese. It goes something along the lines of (rough translation coming up):
Firstly, you have to help yourself. Then other people can help you. Then the heavens can help you.
It's absolutely beautiful in Chinese. It's summarise in six characters, three of which are repeated. Say what you like about Chinese, about how hard it is, and confusing, or whatever, but it can be a very poetic language.
This proverb I find to be true. You can see it in everyday life. You have to pull your own weight, do your own work, try your best, before other people can help you, and before luck can go your way. I'm not saying it's always the case, but how many people do you see winning the lottery, and have never done any hard work in their life? A few more that are observable and that I like are:
No bird soars to high if he soars with his own wings
William Blake, I believe that was.
And one to finish off from Chris Martin. Obviously not a proverb, but still. This one applies to me, but it may not apply to you. I like to believe that it touches a spot deep within everybody, because I like to believe that most people have hearts, and feel love sometimes. Possibly one of my all-time favourite quotes. And yes, I have quoted it numerous times.
It's weird that whatever else is on your mind, whether it's the downfall of global economics or terrible environmental troubles, the thing that always gets you most is when you fancy someone.
Word of the Day: Proverb
Sunday 9 May 2010
I found a pro
What an action-packed weekend this has been. Best one I've had in a while too.
Friday
It all started with the purchase of an iMac on Friday night. Why an iMac, you may ask. Well, my parents decided that my littlest sister, Michelle, needed a computer, and asked me for my professional opinion. I came to the conclusion that, since PCs for the same amount of money pretty much give you the same amount of go, we should get an iMac, just to have something different and more useful for graphic-y stuff. So we moseyed on down to the Apple Store in Shoppo (insert obligatory 'bro' here).
On the way, I almost got into a fight with an Asian in a BMW. He was in the next lane, I cut him off a bit. He had ample time to stop, but he decided to incessantly honk me anyway. My father honked him back, and he swerved at me. After he found out that I would not, unfortunately, be scared of him, he angrily drove off. Jerk. By this time, the rain was getting ridiculously hard. Hard, like Financial Accounting hard.
Anyway, we got there, and scored a bargain. We asked for a change of keyboard, and they decided to just shout us the extra keyboard. The assistant then accidentally took the price of the keyboard off, on top of the student discount. She realised in the end, and we were willing to pay up, but the manager just let it go.
All capped off with coffee from Laurent.
Never going there again, by the way. Parking is just ridiculous. All aspects of it. Every single one. I have not been to a shopping centre with a more ludicrous carpark.
Driving back was an absolute nightmare. Could not see more than two metres ahead of me. Bit like walking around without my glasses.
Saturday
On Saturday morning, the friend who I said was having relationship problems in the last post told me that she had sorted them out. Good-o. I would've liked to point out that what she did was essentially follow my advice, and, fortunately for her, everything worked out fine. Good-o. Glad that it all worked out for her. I also just noticed that I used good-o twice in the same paragraph. What kind of loser says good-o?
Saturday night was Josh's 21st birthday partay. I went for an hour and a bit, completely overdressed, and was planning to go home at around 9:30. I did leave at 9:30, but mainly because Linda had told me she was also leaving a party then, and also sort of maybe needed to go Mother's Day shopping. Longish story short, we went to Burwood K-Mart and she helped me pick out a maddogz cooking book set. Women are good at that sort of thing. We then raided Coles (women are also good at that sort of thing), and went on a run to Maccas.
Maccas was good stuff. Stayed there for an hour and a bit. Seemed a lot shorter than it actually was. With BYO yogurt too. And the final event of the night was this guy I sort of knew, because he looks like his other six siblings, two of which I used to know, asking me for two dollars, which I told him I didn't have. I'd much rather donate it to the Ronald McDonald Charity House then give money to idiot teenagers hanging around McDonald's at 12 at night. I did actually donate money to the Ronald McDonald thing, but that's another story for another time.
And yes, I have no idea why I'm always in a suit either. I think out of the three times we've gone somewhere together, two of those have featured me in a suit. She probably thinks that's what I where casually.
A classic case of the afterparty being better than the party. Not that the actual party wasn't good. Catching up with old friends and all that. But yeah. I'm sure you understand. Happy birthday Josh.
Sunday
Finally set up the iMac after reconfiguring the computer room. Oh, and I also gave mother the gift, on top of the maddogz mug that we bought from T2. She completely overvalued the books. Her rough estimate was 60 bucks. I lol'd. Her price guessing is usually a bit better than that. Better, like how I'm better at seeing with my glasses on than without them on. I think that's about it for Sunday.
I also managed to get a bit of work done this weekend too. Amazing.
I've also been quite profound this week. I think I've almost exhausted my stock of profoundness. But I've had this little nugget stored away for a while, so it doesn't really count. I've just decided that now is an appropriate time to unleash it.
I've just realised that I don't have that much in common with most of my friends. At least, not on a superficial level. Sure, we share some of the same interests, and we do a few things in common. But quite apart from that, there are a few things that make these people my friends:
1. They're there for me. They back me up, and are always willing to lend me a hand, if it's in their power to do so.
2. They make me laugh.
3. I can talk to them, and they can talk to me.
4. They have integrity, and are people with morals and principles which I also share.
I believe that the above four characteristics are the foundations for forming relationships, and that superficial things, such as common interests and tastes, just act as a good starting point. Kind of like a conversation starter, if you will. Even if the person in question listens to the music that I do, follows the same football team that I do, eats the same food I do, and laughs at the same things that I laugh at, it doesn't mean anything if they don't care about you, and aren't there for you when you need them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that having shared interests is kind of like a bonus, and the most important thing is that your principles and moral compass are compatible, and that you care about each other.
I've come to this conclusion through my own bitter experience with a person who seemed made for me, based on commonality, blah, blah, blah. And what ultimately screwed me over was the fact that she didn't care about me one jot. I guess I'd known that from the start, but hey, I do a lot of stupid things, and will likely do many more in the not-too-distant future.
I've also known for a long, long time that I don't have many friends that fit the above four points. And I guess that's what makes them so valuable, rare, and special.
Anyway, if you've made it to this point, I commend you. I really do. I can't even be bothered reading that again. Not that I normally do. But yeah. It's a bit big, isn't it? Kind of like Empire State Building big. Ok, that's enough metaphors for tonight.
Word of the Day: Profound
Friday
It all started with the purchase of an iMac on Friday night. Why an iMac, you may ask. Well, my parents decided that my littlest sister, Michelle, needed a computer, and asked me for my professional opinion. I came to the conclusion that, since PCs for the same amount of money pretty much give you the same amount of go, we should get an iMac, just to have something different and more useful for graphic-y stuff. So we moseyed on down to the Apple Store in Shoppo (insert obligatory 'bro' here).
On the way, I almost got into a fight with an Asian in a BMW. He was in the next lane, I cut him off a bit. He had ample time to stop, but he decided to incessantly honk me anyway. My father honked him back, and he swerved at me. After he found out that I would not, unfortunately, be scared of him, he angrily drove off. Jerk. By this time, the rain was getting ridiculously hard. Hard, like Financial Accounting hard.
Anyway, we got there, and scored a bargain. We asked for a change of keyboard, and they decided to just shout us the extra keyboard. The assistant then accidentally took the price of the keyboard off, on top of the student discount. She realised in the end, and we were willing to pay up, but the manager just let it go.
All capped off with coffee from Laurent.
Never going there again, by the way. Parking is just ridiculous. All aspects of it. Every single one. I have not been to a shopping centre with a more ludicrous carpark.
Driving back was an absolute nightmare. Could not see more than two metres ahead of me. Bit like walking around without my glasses.
Saturday
On Saturday morning, the friend who I said was having relationship problems in the last post told me that she had sorted them out. Good-o. I would've liked to point out that what she did was essentially follow my advice, and, fortunately for her, everything worked out fine. Good-o. Glad that it all worked out for her. I also just noticed that I used good-o twice in the same paragraph. What kind of loser says good-o?
Saturday night was Josh's 21st birthday partay. I went for an hour and a bit, completely overdressed, and was planning to go home at around 9:30. I did leave at 9:30, but mainly because Linda had told me she was also leaving a party then, and also sort of maybe needed to go Mother's Day shopping. Longish story short, we went to Burwood K-Mart and she helped me pick out a maddogz cooking book set. Women are good at that sort of thing. We then raided Coles (women are also good at that sort of thing), and went on a run to Maccas.
Maccas was good stuff. Stayed there for an hour and a bit. Seemed a lot shorter than it actually was. With BYO yogurt too. And the final event of the night was this guy I sort of knew, because he looks like his other six siblings, two of which I used to know, asking me for two dollars, which I told him I didn't have. I'd much rather donate it to the Ronald McDonald Charity House then give money to idiot teenagers hanging around McDonald's at 12 at night. I did actually donate money to the Ronald McDonald thing, but that's another story for another time.
And yes, I have no idea why I'm always in a suit either. I think out of the three times we've gone somewhere together, two of those have featured me in a suit. She probably thinks that's what I where casually.
A classic case of the afterparty being better than the party. Not that the actual party wasn't good. Catching up with old friends and all that. But yeah. I'm sure you understand. Happy birthday Josh.
Sunday
Finally set up the iMac after reconfiguring the computer room. Oh, and I also gave mother the gift, on top of the maddogz mug that we bought from T2. She completely overvalued the books. Her rough estimate was 60 bucks. I lol'd. Her price guessing is usually a bit better than that. Better, like how I'm better at seeing with my glasses on than without them on. I think that's about it for Sunday.
I also managed to get a bit of work done this weekend too. Amazing.
I've also been quite profound this week. I think I've almost exhausted my stock of profoundness. But I've had this little nugget stored away for a while, so it doesn't really count. I've just decided that now is an appropriate time to unleash it.
I've just realised that I don't have that much in common with most of my friends. At least, not on a superficial level. Sure, we share some of the same interests, and we do a few things in common. But quite apart from that, there are a few things that make these people my friends:
1. They're there for me. They back me up, and are always willing to lend me a hand, if it's in their power to do so.
2. They make me laugh.
3. I can talk to them, and they can talk to me.
4. They have integrity, and are people with morals and principles which I also share.
I believe that the above four characteristics are the foundations for forming relationships, and that superficial things, such as common interests and tastes, just act as a good starting point. Kind of like a conversation starter, if you will. Even if the person in question listens to the music that I do, follows the same football team that I do, eats the same food I do, and laughs at the same things that I laugh at, it doesn't mean anything if they don't care about you, and aren't there for you when you need them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that having shared interests is kind of like a bonus, and the most important thing is that your principles and moral compass are compatible, and that you care about each other.
I've come to this conclusion through my own bitter experience with a person who seemed made for me, based on commonality, blah, blah, blah. And what ultimately screwed me over was the fact that she didn't care about me one jot. I guess I'd known that from the start, but hey, I do a lot of stupid things, and will likely do many more in the not-too-distant future.
I've also known for a long, long time that I don't have many friends that fit the above four points. And I guess that's what makes them so valuable, rare, and special.
Anyway, if you've made it to this point, I commend you. I really do. I can't even be bothered reading that again. Not that I normally do. But yeah. It's a bit big, isn't it? Kind of like Empire State Building big. Ok, that's enough metaphors for tonight.
Word of the Day: Profound
Wednesday 5 May 2010
An expensive party
Davy's 21st on Friday night was the most expensive party I've attended to date. Mostly owing to the $70 parking fine that I incurred. Stupid double signs. 9am - 6pm: 2P. Above that, it says '6pm - midnight: permit parking'. James didn't read the sign at the top, and I didn't look at all. So pretty much all my fault.
Anyway, the party was quite good. Got to hang with friends who I hadn't seen for quiet a while. About half the people took a plus one with them, which made me feel sort of lonely, but it wasn't too bad, because most of the fellas I was hanging with didn't have one either. Maybe that's why they were hanging with me.
But yeah, once things got underway it was alright. We all had a few glasses of the hard stuff (lemon lime bitters...yeeeeaaah man), and, hey presto, everybody was talking. Vu and I, on the same team, lost twice, once because I sunk the black ball and 8 ball at the same time, and once because he did the same. What are the chances?
Bieber came on a bit later, thanks to the machinations of Imesha, but because of my prompting. I don't know why I do these things. I don't even like the guy in the slightest. Davy made me do the Bieber Dance, and I had to, because a Sicilian can't refuse a request on the day of his daughter's wedding. Or because it was his 21st. Either one.
This occurred during our highly intense game of Mafia. Yes, we played Mafia at a 21st birthday party. I think we should make it the official sport of NQT. And, just in case it's not sad enough, we'll make a team and participate in tournaments. We'll see who's laughing when we bring in the glory and the cash.
Speeches were up next. Although I royally screwed up Yvonne's part by interjecting at completely the wrong time, I saved it so well that it sounded like it was planned. Or it did to me anyway. I was treated like a bit of a celebrity afterwards, so it must've been alright. Hopefully videos up soon.
A good gig. A tad expensive, but not because of the person hosting. Hope you enjoy your present/s, Davy. And Happy 21st again.
Almost directly as a result of this, my good friend started having relationship/parent problems. I'm not going to go into it, because it's too complicated, and I don't want to publicise it everywhere. I just spent two hours with her by the lake on Monday. Half of it involved crying, and another friend being there, and the other half of it involved just me being there, and no crying. Funny how those two things positively correlate. Jeopardised my planned accounting midsem cram session, but hey, it's only 10%, and I probably wouldn't have gotten much done anyway. And my friends are more important than 10%. At least in times of crisis. I've already told her, but I'll reiterate it here again, and for everybody that feels that they are a close friend of mine: you can call me whenever if you just need to talk. I'm more than happy to do it. Talking is therapeutic.
Ironic how I spent two hours trying to alleviate somebody's relationship problems, but I have no clue what I'm doing with my own. Or lack thereof. Irony again. Hate it.
Yeah. Accounting midsem. Unmitigated disaster. Didn't expect to do that well, but that test was highly passable. If I'd actually studied. Procrastinated too much. Will start working now.
Word of the Day: Expensive
Anyway, the party was quite good. Got to hang with friends who I hadn't seen for quiet a while. About half the people took a plus one with them, which made me feel sort of lonely, but it wasn't too bad, because most of the fellas I was hanging with didn't have one either. Maybe that's why they were hanging with me.
But yeah, once things got underway it was alright. We all had a few glasses of the hard stuff (lemon lime bitters...yeeeeaaah man), and, hey presto, everybody was talking. Vu and I, on the same team, lost twice, once because I sunk the black ball and 8 ball at the same time, and once because he did the same. What are the chances?
Bieber came on a bit later, thanks to the machinations of Imesha, but because of my prompting. I don't know why I do these things. I don't even like the guy in the slightest. Davy made me do the Bieber Dance, and I had to, because a Sicilian can't refuse a request on the day of his daughter's wedding. Or because it was his 21st. Either one.
This occurred during our highly intense game of Mafia. Yes, we played Mafia at a 21st birthday party. I think we should make it the official sport of NQT. And, just in case it's not sad enough, we'll make a team and participate in tournaments. We'll see who's laughing when we bring in the glory and the cash.
Speeches were up next. Although I royally screwed up Yvonne's part by interjecting at completely the wrong time, I saved it so well that it sounded like it was planned. Or it did to me anyway. I was treated like a bit of a celebrity afterwards, so it must've been alright. Hopefully videos up soon.
A good gig. A tad expensive, but not because of the person hosting. Hope you enjoy your present/s, Davy. And Happy 21st again.
Almost directly as a result of this, my good friend started having relationship/parent problems. I'm not going to go into it, because it's too complicated, and I don't want to publicise it everywhere. I just spent two hours with her by the lake on Monday. Half of it involved crying, and another friend being there, and the other half of it involved just me being there, and no crying. Funny how those two things positively correlate. Jeopardised my planned accounting midsem cram session, but hey, it's only 10%, and I probably wouldn't have gotten much done anyway. And my friends are more important than 10%. At least in times of crisis. I've already told her, but I'll reiterate it here again, and for everybody that feels that they are a close friend of mine: you can call me whenever if you just need to talk. I'm more than happy to do it. Talking is therapeutic.
Ironic how I spent two hours trying to alleviate somebody's relationship problems, but I have no clue what I'm doing with my own. Or lack thereof. Irony again. Hate it.
Yeah. Accounting midsem. Unmitigated disaster. Didn't expect to do that well, but that test was highly passable. If I'd actually studied. Procrastinated too much. Will start working now.
Word of the Day: Expensive
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