wafblog v3.0

So I had a draft again that I forgot to publish and have since done a bunch of other things so I don’t remember what I was going to write about. Oh wells. I really should stop doing that and just post stuff up as I write it. Sometimes though, it takes time to edit the post and make sure it makes sense and I’ve put in the stuff that I wanted.

Had a fairly busy weekend, although it’s nothing compared to how busy this week will be. The RAS Christmas Party was on Friday night. The new grads are invited as it gives us a chance to meet people in an informal setting, which is a great idea I think. It was fun, although I always feel a little out of place at those type of functions. I can never truly relax as I feel I’m being judged by people, which I probably am. You can never really let your hair down, and any ‘party’ is still work. You’re still networking and all that sort of thing. Still, it was enjoyable and I can’t complain about the free food or free booze :P I also got to catch up with Danny and Chez especially. They’re always fun to hang with (=

Went to Homebake on Saturday. It was the first time I’d ever been, so I was pretty excited and everything was like ‘awesome!’. The taxi driver kept mixing up the name, and he called it ‘The Big Bake’ which I thought was really neat. Mike and I got there a little late, so we had to wait in lines for ages… Manda wasn’t impressed ): But, we made it in time to see ‘Parkway Drive’ which was the first act we wanted to see anyways. Now, I’ve always been into moshing and the general ‘slam dancing’, but I’ve never ever seen a circle pit or the whole ‘rush’ thing. Apparently it’s popular with more heavy metal type bands. I suppose ‘Parkway Drive’ are heavy enough for it. So anyways, the four of us were standing there waiting for the band and as soon as they started, everyone took like 4 steps back. We didn’t know what was going on, but were soon aware of the ‘crazy’ people in front of us running around in a circle in a somewhat erratic manner and then falling over the people who were standing around. I don’t really see how the circle pit can be much fun as it looks like you’re more likely to be trampled to death than anything else, but each to their own I guess. Maybe it’s more fun when you’re completely tanked on alcohol. Luckily, this was the only show that had one of these.

‘Parkway Drive’ played well and it was definitely good to hear some heavy music (= We stuck around for ‘Little Birdy’, which I hadn’t heard of, but Manda had. They were pretty awesome too. A little bit popsy, but the songs were catchy and kind of cute. Between the time they finished and we went to get food, it had turned overcast and was soon pouring down with rain. That was a bit of a dampener, although it didn’t dent my enthusiasm any. Heard a little bit of Toni Collette’s band in that time, but not enough to get a real feel for them. Plus I was cold and drenched at the time, so wasn’t really paying much attention. We did go to see ‘Butterfly Effect’ and luckily the rain had let up by then. I’d heard a few songs by them, and I expected they would be a good live act… I was totally blown away by them though. There was no stupid circle rush this time, and you could just stand there and totally enjoy the music. There were some idiots wearing ‘anti emo crew’ t-shirts that were pushing and shoving us from behind, but even that couldn’t ruin the performance. In some ways, this was probably my favourite band on the day. They were THAT good, and so much more than I had expected. I don’t know if I’d listen to their songs a lot (on the train or whatever), but certainly it’s given me a new appreciation for them anyways and I wouldn’t mind hearing their album in full. We were all pretty beat by the time they finished, and with it raining so much we decided to heat out of the venue in search of a bathroom and possibly some shelter. We ended up sitting (and sleeping) in Travis’ car for an hour while we waited for the rain to subside. That kind of didn’t happen. But I don’t think anything was really going to deter us from seeing ‘Eskimo Joe’ and then ‘silverchair’. I’m not really a big ‘Eskimo Joe’ fan – the last (and first) song by them that I really liked was that sweater song, and they never play it anymore :P However, it turns out they play that ‘hello, hello’ song which I do like. And of course, I’ve heard Black Fingernails, Red Wine on the radio. There was another one that I recognised but I forget now. In any case, their music is easy to mosh to and generally likeable. Some of the slower stuff was a bit… hrm… but that might have been just because I wanted to mosh. Plus there was the fat dude in front of my who kept leaning back into me. I can’t really blame him thouigh, he was doing the same thing Mike was – protecting his girlfriend from crazy moshers. The rush at the end of the ‘Eskimo Joe’ set was pretty intense. The number of people trying to get out of the pit, combined with the number of people trying to get in meant that we were shoved around a lot and it was very rough. We ended up moving to the side to avoid the centre crush before ‘silverchair’ took to the stage. Unfortunately, being short is a great disadvantage in these sorts of events, as everyone else is bound to be taller than you thus blocking your view of the stage. I jumped up a few times to catch a glimpse of Daniel Johns and later on Mike lifted me up a couple of times so I could see the stage for a bit. I should say that, silverchair are the reason I went to Homebake this year, and they are also the reason I managed to get Manda to come along. I guess I had high expectations for them and I was a little disappointed. Mainly because they played a lot of their new stuff, and I’m more of an ‘old school’ fan. After hearing them play their new songs, I’m unlikely to buy their new album. Considering this is one of the bands that got me through high school (yeay for angst!)… but you know, sometimes bands change their sound and that’s just where the creative forces are taking them. We ended up leaving the mosh pit before the end of the set, but once out, were able to see much more of the stage from the side. I was very very glad they played ‘Freak’, and there’s an awesome feeling you get when there’s like 10,000 people singing along to the song at the same time as you. It really is quite undescribable.

All in all, I’m really glad I went and it was an awesome experience. I got to see the bands that I wanted to see, and you can’t compare to seeing a band live. However, I’m not sure I’d go again unless the line-up had some really great bands in it. The crowds that the festival attracts, along with the paranoia of having to make sure you’re not getting rolled and won’t be pushed/shoved/elbowed/crushed in the pit can detract from the general experience. I’m fairly sure I only survived unscathed because I had people around to protect me. There’d need to be some really great bands to make me brave that again.

I’ve been pretty happy lately, which is a nice change. I don’t think I’m one of those people that can stay happy for long periods of time. Not sure if that’s because I’m overly critical or it’s just some odd personality defect. Anyways, I find that I’m pretty content at the moment. Most aspects of my life have resolved themselves or are at a stage where I can’t do anything at the moment.

Mike and I are doing well. It’s still all a bit new, I guess. Obviously there’s familiarity there – considering how long we dated before. But it’s also very different. I can see we’re both putting more effort in, and we’ve both matured a bit during the time we spent apart which makes it much easier to communicate and put things into perspective.

We went to see ‘Children of Men’ on the weekend (I LOVE Clive Owen… he’s not like uber-hot, but there’s something about his gruff voice and the accent). It was a pretty good movie. Different from most futuristic movies. I think because of the way it was shot, it felt very gritty and realistic. In one of the fighting scenes, some blood splatters on the camera lens and they keep it there whilst Clive Owen is trying to not to get killed in crossfire. I thought that was a nice touch. It was kind of obvious what was going to happen at the end, but I did think it was a different take on the future. Usually there’s some sort of view that all babies will be genetically engineered a-la ‘Gattaca’ where as this explores a world where no babies are born. Scary. I like Alfonso Cuaron, although I have seen that movie that made him famous (I will…), he is the one that directed HP: POA so I think he’s brilliant.

Work’s pretty ok at the moment too. I’m still worried that I will become disenchanted with the rat race and after 5 years of slogging it out I’ll just quit and move to the country. Except I can’t move to the country because everywhere is drought affected. Anyways, work is alright. Nothing to complain about as such and I am looking forward to next year as much as I dread it being too challenging.

Parents have been pretty good lately too. It’s been good since I finished uni. I think they’re just relieved that I’ve finished and I’m now on my way to having a career and all that sort of thing. They can sort of sit back and relax. Which they are, as they’re planning for retirement now. (Gosh, retirement seems like a lifetime away from here…) I think they’ll start berating me to clean my room, play violin, go for more driving lessons.. etc etc soon but I kind of accept now that they’re just like that and there’s nothing I can do about it.

Met up with Manda for a coffee on Monday. Felt like a yuppie, but neither of us really felt like drinking. Or maybe that was just me. It was definitely great to see her though, catch up, check out her short hair :o and see how well she survived Animania. I was a bit worried things would change, but they haven’t and we easily just slipped back into our usual chat-chat-chat. Going for drinks tonight at the Arthouse so that should be fun too.

I thought I would really miss LJ, e-mail, ICQ and the like while I was away. Which I did, but I’ve found that since coming back I haven’t really felt the urge to go online much. It’s kind of odd. Like, I’ll go online to check my mail but I don’t read any of the groups that I’ve joined and I skim alot of the community posts on my friends page. I don’t think that I’m losing interest in them or anything, I’m still as avid a fan of x, y and z as before just that reading fanfic for hours on end isn’t very appealing at the moment. Maybe I just need a break from all the fanbitching and fanboying. In any case, once I get back into VM, GA and OTH we’ll see if I go scouring for stuff. I also have to make time to watch the ORIGINAL SW trilogy, cos the DVDs arrived while I was away. I have already recruited Mike to watch them with me, but maybe I’ll see if I can convince people to come and watch a marathon of all six.

I’ve decided that Tekken: Dark Resurrection is the best game on PSP. I haven’t played it since I got back but I was playing it religiously in HK. Unlocked a few bonus games like Tekken Bowl (ten-pin bowling with your Tekken character) which is rather hilarious. Trying to only work on one or two characters, and become proficient in them, before trying others. It’s too hard to remember all the combinations otherwise. Also finding it hard to use the directional keypad in fighting, but I don’t like the analog stick on the PSP, it’s too small and in an awkward position for my thumb. Plus my thumb muscles hurt a lot if I use it for too long. Current fave character is Steve Fox. He’s a boxer, so he can’t kick, but he’s amazingly fast at repetitive punching. It’s cool that you can buy different clothes and things for him with the points you accumulate.

Went to the gym yesterday. I’m not particularly unhealthy after my trip, although my legs seem to have lost some strength. That or they’re not used to being stretch the way my trainer stretched them. I was doing some lunges (2nd set) when my right leg caved in. It was a bit scary trying to walk down the stairs at Central station, cos I kept feeling like my knee would buckle and I’d fall down but I managed to get home in one piece so that’s ok.

The categories on here are very easy to use, so in the next few weeks I might be adding a few more just to make it easier to tag my entries. We’ll see. I don’t want to add too many though as it might become unmanageable.

is not that interesting. I’ve only been out of uni for a week and it’s not that interesting. I guess though, I don’t feel finished because I haven’t gotten my results back and I’m enough of a pessimist to not be relieved until I know for certain that I’ve passed everything. So it’s a bit of a waiting game at the moment.

I’m currently working full time for the trains again. It’s not bad, bit busy these couple of weeks (probably the whole month) because it’s end of financial year and there’s all this stuff to be fixed up and reports to be created. It’s good to be busy though and I do enjoy what I’m doing most of the time.

I’ve not blogged much lately because I’ve either been out or watching Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a really great show, been a while since I’ve been so sucked in to a show. My love of The O.C is waning because it’s getting tiresome this break up, get back together, break up, get back together thing. It’s kind of the same for One Tree Hill. And I just haven’t felt like watching Lost because I got the feeling they were just dragging everything out for too long. So yeah, Grey’s has been a bit of fresh air. It’s funny, but not comedy, has a lot of drama but enough soap to not feel like it’s overly anything really. I can’t wait for the third season. I get this feeling though, that you can only be obsessed or fanatic about so many things at once. Like, there’s only so much time and effort I can spend on things I want to be fanatic about. I’ve become more into Grey’s and I’ve noticed I’m less into HP at the moment. Although that may be because I’ve gotten sick of reading fanfic. Or at least, it’s been hard to find fanfic that’s really drawn me in and is multi-chapter and not cliche. So I’m taking a bit of a break for a while. Sort of.

Now that I’ve finished uni I’ve got some time to do the things that I’ve wanted to do. I joined the gym near my workplace, and I’m intending to go 2-3 times a week. We’ll see how it goes. I can be really lazy sometimes, but at the same time, I want to get fit. I feel really lazy and unhealthy. I want to be be in better shape before I go to Europe because I’ll be on my feet all the time and I want to make sure I can survive. The only problem is that whilst I am exercising a lot more, I’m not changing my diet. And anyone who knows me knows that foods like chicken and chips, kebabs, fried rice and other such foods are a staple in my diet. I find it hard to change what I eat. I’m trying to eat more fruit, and drink more milk but it’s not really happening at the moment. Hopefully just doing more exercise will be helpful as it is. The gym is rather expensive though so that’s a decent enough incentive to ensure that I keep going. I must must must get more sleep though.

Other than that, not much to talk about. Seen a few movies, been out a bit with friends and with parents. Doing a lot of prelim planning for my trip and will start cleaning up my room soon. Also need to reformat Tichondrius. I’ve got the Windows Vista Beta 2 which I hope to have time to install before I go away. I really want to check out what it’s like to see if I need to save for a new computer next year. I might even pick up some parts when I go to HK. We’ll see.

I don’t know where
Confused about how as well
Just know that these things will never change for us at all

God, work was so boring today. My boss is away for the week, but I’m only working the one day this week because of the long weekend. Kind of annoying, as I need the money, but I need to study and I would like some ‘down time’ to relax. Well, not really relax as such, but more just get myself focused on studying rather than work and all that. Nevertheless, I’m working two days a week for the next two weeks. I really do think three days of study + the weekends should be enough to pass this course. Even if the assignment was a piece of crap and I’ll need to do real well in the exam to pass.

So yes, work was boring. I was doing the monthly graphs, so I guess that’s why. They usually take a day to complete. I have to wait for all the information to be entered into the system from month-end accounting (usually finalised by the 5th day of the next month) and then I run some reports and enter the figures into Excel and generate spanky looking graphs. It’s not particularly hard (although there’s niggly bits that I need to remember), but it’s more just making sure that each graph looks perfect and all the figures are correct and look nice to accountants. Usually I’ll have finished all the graph generation by about 2:00-2:30pm. And then it takes about an hour to print the graphs. In colour. Double-sided. With 24 copies. That does sound pretty crazy, and even though the colour printer is better than any I’ve ever seen, it still takes a while. And there’s always someone who manages to slip in some 60 page Business Policy in-between my print jobs (which get sent as separate jobs) so I have to factor that in. Nevertheless I’m usually done by 3:30… 4:00pm if I’m really unlucky. And that kinda leaves an hour with nothing to do. I did the rest of my usual tasks whilst in-between data entry for graphs today… so I was finished by 3:30pm and couldn’t really start anything else cos I won’t be back till next week to chase it up anyways. Hopefully next week will be better. I really shouldn’t complain that my job is easy, and it’s not like it’s not stressful… just sometimes it’s boring.

The long weekend was pretty good though. I went out on Saturday and accomplished lots of things. Had band practice in the morning, which wasn’t productive for me, but was for others. We’ve got a few new songs we’re trying out and they do sounds pretty good. I sort of know what my parts are too, which is a bonus and means I don’t really have to make up stuff (which can be challenging). So I’m looking forward to being to spend more time on that once I finish my exam.

After that, headed out to city with Manda, albeit to different events. I went to Mel’s 21st. I haven’t seen Mel for over a year (last time was her last birthday party). She had it at the Strawberry Hills Hotel. I’m guessing she’s a big jazz fan, cos her last party was at Soup Plus which is a jazz club type thing as well. Anyway, I saw lots of people from high school that I hadn’t seen in ages, which was good. Surprisingly I saw someone from my grade! (Err, should note that Mel wasn’t in my grade.. she graduated two years after me.) I was rather surprised, because said person used to be a good friend of mine at school. It’s kind of weird seeing people that used to be good friends with you and you haven’t talked to them in years. It makes you realise how easy it is lose touch with people. Or even, how much you’ve changed and maybe the only thing keeping you friends was the fact that you saw each other every day at school. I don’t really want to think that, because I’d like to think it was more than that to me, and them. But you can’t really help feeling like that sometimes. I also saw Dan there, which was a real surprise. I kicked and slapped him when I saw him, I think he was offended. But I did get to catch up with him, so that was good. Also talked to one of my friends who used to sit next to me in orchestra. She was really jealous that I’ve got an electric violin and playing in a band. Apparently she’s looking into getting one so I told her to give me a call if she does so we can meet up and play some duets or something. Possibly something Bond, which would be AWESOME. Not really expecting anything until semester finishes, but really do hope that it eventuates.

After the 21st, went to dinner at Tasman’s to celebrate Travis’ birthday (Happy B’day!) and Manda’s graduation (congrats!). Lots of fun, of course. They have some really interesting food on the menu due to the focus on Tasmanian ingredients. So there was lots of oysters and lamb and beef and things like that. I chose the wallaby pie. That’s right, wallaby! Cute, fluffy little kangaroo type things. I didn’t even know they had such a thing. But there it was on the menu and I couldn’t resist trying it. Admittedly the steak was also really expensive, but that’s besides the point! The pie was surprisingly good, and very filling! Shame I didn’t have my camera, or I would have taken a picture \: Should see about acquiring some photos actually. The night was lots of fun, and it was good to see people. I was sooooo stuffed afterwards, so it was worth the pricey-ness. Not sure if I’d go back, but glad I can say I ate wallaby :P

The rather eventful Saturday was followed by a completely laid-back Sunday. And Monday. I didn’t do anything besides watch One Tree Hill. I’ve now finished watching Season 3. I’m totally like *omg!!* but I have no one to discuss it with because I don’t know anyone else who watches it! (Let me know if you do… I have questions!) At the moment, it seems uncertain if the show will be picked up for another season, but I really hope that it does, because it’s a good show (better than The O.C.) and I do believe it’s fairly popular. Plus it showcases some good music. In fact, quite a few of the bands I’ve been listening to I realised were featured on the show. It was kind of cool to see the bands play ‘live’. I haven’t decided which show I’ll watch next. I don’t want to get into Smallville or Gilmore Girls as I’m only 1 or 2 seasons into those shows and they’re like in season 5 or 6 so it’s a bit much to tackle at the moment. I’ll probably finish season 3 of The O.C., even though I know what happens. Then I might get back into Desperate Housewives, but we’ll see.

But Always Love… Hate will get you every time
Always Love…even when you want to fight

Besides all that, I’ve been feeling a bit down the last few days. I think I know why. I’ve been very busy for the last two months so I really haven’t had much time to think about things. Like, I have been thinking about stuff, just that uni and job applications were important so everything else got swept aside. Now that things have slowed down somewhat, I’ve got more time to think. I guess I’m not as good as I thought I was. Yes, I’m over it, and I’m kind of content where I am but that doesn’t get rid of the loneliness. And it doesn’t get rid of the niggling thought in the back of my head that I failed. Sure, not all relationships are meant to work out, but I thought this particular one *would*. Yes, I can honestly say I tried hard to make it work and I did what I could to make it work, but that wasn’t enough was it? Really, I just wasn’t good enough. That’s not a good thought to be having. On top of that is the loneliness. I’d kind of forgotten what it’s like to be single. There’s a sense of security in having a relationship. In knowing that there’s someone who’s always there for you. I’m grateful for the friends that I have now and I love them for being there for me, but there is a difference when it’s your partner. I guess I miss that. I’m used to being ‘by myself’ though, so I’m not sure if it’s just that realisation that you can’t depend on someone else even if you wanted to or I really am lonely. In any case, this is where I want to be, so I really can’t complain.

I always said that I would make mistakes,
I’m only human, and that’s my saving grace.

I’ve realised I need to re-code the entire wafblog v1.0. I forgot that this server doesn’t support ASP pages and my entire old blog is written in ASP. So you can’t see anything at the moment. I suppose it won’t take that long to fix it, it’s just slightly annoying. But there’s no real fancy ASP that can’t be implemented in HTML so I guess that’s a relief, as I don’t have to learn the PHP equivalent or anything. I really should get onto that.

So, I can now tell everyone my good news :P
After all the angsting I did over the last two months in regards to grad positions, I can finally say that it’s paid off. That’s right! I got an offer from Ernst & Young in their Graduate Challenge Program. It’s a 5 year program, which I’m sure will be gruelling as hell. But honestly, it sounds interesting and fun. I’m sure it’s not going to be anything like I’ve imagined, but that’s cool too. I’m very very excited and Manda has said that I’m gonna become a wanker but I daresay I am one already so there’s nothing to fear :P I also know a few others who have gotten offers from EY and that, so hopefully I’ll know a few people when I start next year.

Actually, that brings me to another thing. I had a hard time deciding whether or not to start in July. I was given the option to start mid-year, as I’ll have finished university by then. But I was also rather hesitant to do so. I’ve spent most of my life biting off more than I can chew and after 11 years of school and 5 and a half years of uni, I’m ready to take a break. I’ve got my heart set on going to Europe sometime in September. I don’t have time to plan it right now, but dad’s picked up a few brochures for me so that should be good. I think I’ll just hold off my ‘career’ for six months and take this time to myself. It’ll give me a chance to maybe figure out what other stuff I want to do with my life once uni is over. Of course, I can’t really think about that until uni is actually over. And that requires me to pass my last two subjects.

So anyways, I plan on going away in September, probably on a Contiki tour or something similar. I’ve talked to a few people and some are interested in going but that’s dependent on circumstances. So I’m gonna put it out there (to my limited readership) and say – if you’re free in September, have a few grand to spare and would like to see Europe then I WANT YOU. Well, I want you to come with me :P Even better if you’ve got the time now to compare all the packages LOL. But if not, then I’m happy to do that part once I’ve finished thesis. And no, I’m not fussed if you’re a guy or a girl… as long as you’re not gonna try dodgy things in the hotel room. If you’re interested then contact me sometime within the next month so I can look into which places to visit, I think the tours go to different cities. Oh, and I refuse to go on those camping tours even if they are cheaper.

Ok, I had to rant. I just had to. Because it’s not over yet and I’m already annoyed. What am I talking about? Grad Apps.

For anyone in the penultimate year of uni, this is a very real, very horrible experience. It requires you to sound like a complete arrogant twit and spout great things about yourself which may or may not be complete exaggerations of the truth. Unfortunately, I was not born a liar. Or an embellisher. Pretty much, I tell it like it is. So it’s really hard to sit here and think of answers to the following questions:
- Describe your most memorable moment in the last 12 months
- Describe a big sacrifice you made to achieve a goal
- Describe a time you believe you inspired others
- Describe your favourite team environment and why
- Describe an opportunity you identified and took advantage of in the last 2 years
- Describe a time in the last 2 years when you pushed the boundaries to deliver outstanding results
- Describe a time in the last 2 years when you won others over to your way of thinking

Honestly! I don’t care if I work in a team environment or not, I’ll deal with it. And I’ll also do what it takes to get the job done. I don’t care if people think like me, as long as they’re doing a good job. And I’m hoping my most memorable moment will be clobbering my computer to bits in a fit of rage over answering another question about myself. Except that, if I have no job, then I can’t afford to buy a new computer. Shame really.

Yes, the pressure is getting to me. No, I don’t really care what this says about me. No, I don’t know what I want to do in the next week let alone the next three years. Really, I’d like to never have to study again in my lifetime.

*sigh*. I just want them over with so I can wait for the rejection e-mails to come in. I really gotta stop them getting to me.