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Thursday, June 26th, 2008
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1:08 pm
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There are occasions when I definitely feel like sitting down and rambling on about everything that's going on. Unfortunately, I always seem to have the worst timing in that regard. It's difficult to concentrate when you've got a bunch of people running about the area and yacking on phones!
At any rate...hopefully this will get more updated in the near future. Maybe after I get back from the canoe/camping trip planned for this weekend.
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| Thursday, October 18th, 2007
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12:10 am
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Perhaps I am becoming cynical. Perhaps my viewpoint on a lot of subjects has changed based on what I've been exposed to and forced to think about. Now, by no stretch of the imagination do I plan on becoming a luddite and wandering around with a club or anything of the nature. However, on a few occasions recently, I've found myself in a discussion on the integration of technology into our society today. It's almost impossible to go anywhere without seeing at least a handful of people chatting away on their cellphones, or even just having a personal need to get back to the internet, connect online and check my own emails. More and more people are taking this concept as part of a daily element. There's no more second thoughts, no pauses to consider the implications it has on their lives. I recently read an article about ghost rings, where people felt their cellphones or blackberries vibrating, even when they weren't actually wearing them or it was turned off.
There's no doubt that technology has invaded the majority of society. I get that and understand it. At the same time, I occasionally get frustrated by the lack of thought that goes into the usage of technology. There's no etiquette involved. If you're with a group of friends and your cellphone goes off, you answer it. If you were hanging out, talking to a group of friends and someone else wandered up and started to talk to your friend, forcing him/her to ignore you, you'd consider that rude. Yet when it's a cellphone, it's alright. I can't recount the number of times that I've sat down to dinner with some friends, and had the conversation around the table pause cause one of them had to urgently reply to a text message they'd just received.
A few of my scholastic electives had put a few ideas in my head, making me, in my opinion, more aware of these occasions. I wouldn't say that I would act any differently, but part of the issue stems from awareness. The majority of those that let technology govern their lives aren't even aware of how dictated and controlled their lives have become as a result of the media that they use. In related scenarios, I've even gotten into discussions with old friends about how transparent technology is now. Technology is transparent. That very phrase causes me to shudder in fear. As it so happens, air is also transparent. We need air to continue to live. The suggestion from many of my friends these days seems to fall along similar lines. We need technology to live.
Maybe I'll come back to this in the near future and actually try to elaborate on this subject, pose some actual arguments and attempt to debate the two sides more thoroughly. It'd be an interesting project, a la Marshall McLuhan. However between a post by my friend Tom, a comment by Tamouh and a lengthy discussion with my girlfriend on the subject...the topic has been tossed around lately, and has been on my mind.
Is Technology Transparent?
What is meant by Transparency?
What is Technology?
How has Technology intervened in our life? We all know that when we flip a lightswitch, we expect the lights to come on. Does it ever occur to anyone what a marvel it is that this occurs? The sun goes down and despite this, the world around us remains illuminated.
Anyways. 30 weeks since my last lj update. Woo! Almost a record. I keep meaning to update this more often, ramble on about various things or the like, but rarely do. I know, I know. I'm sorry E. I'm terrible like that. I'll try to be more regular about it. For those that are curious, yes, I'm alive. I'm doing well enough. I'm dating. I'm finishing up what I hope to be my last year of study. My brother's married, and life's just peachy (Not just in alberqueque either, no matter what Weird Al says.)
current mood: Philosophical
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| Thursday, March 15th, 2007
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3:20 pm - Randomness
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It's one of those occasions when you're sitting back and talking about auras and souls and various other mystic personality traits that you start musing on them overly much. It's always interesting to find out what other people think of you, what the "tests" convey.
Most of the "tests" are a positive lark. They never seem to accurately capture any significant true reflection of self. Part of that pertains to the perception of "ideal" self, versus "actual" self. Even in answering quizzes and the sort about your personality, everyone wants to convey what they imagine their answer would be, rather than what it actually is. No one wants to admit that they're a jerk, an arrogant arse, or a needy, whiny wannabe.
Of course, the counter argument is that the quizzes are designed for pleasure and enjoyment. If they provided negative aspects, they're muted and mentioned primarily as afterthoughts so as not to detract from the positive aspects of the 'telling'. Their structure lends themselves to this more often than not. There are quizzes with innumerable questions but they all lead to a very narrow category of answers. Or quizzes with few questions but a staggering number of possibilities.
It's difficult to find answers within any of these quizzes. The very notion that mysticism can be defined through a logical series of questions defies the conventions of mysticism in the first place. I suppose that perception is why I am occasionally surprised when there's an answer that's provided that seems appropriate. Or even, eerily accurate. Under these circumstances, it always seems to be wise to question oneself as to whether the answers are those notions you wish to project, or a reflection of true self. I have heard what has been said about me, and I understand, to a degree, the perception of myself that I desire to convey. I suppose the ultimate question becomes whether or not you are the actor or the act.
At any rate...I was making some inquiries on the subject and perceptions others have of me, and was directed during the topic towards a particular quiz. A friend described me as having a loose, thin veil of an aura. A free spirit type, but perhaps undefined as of yet. That it felt good, safe, not projecting much but open to others. A pale blue with a soft teal mix to it. It always astounds how colours have such strong meanings and associations.
At any rate, that was one perception by someone close to me. And the quiz provided the following insight..
| You Are a Seeker Soul | 
You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges.
You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions.
Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist.
Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!).
Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others.
And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you.
You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically.
Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas.
Souls you are most compatible with: Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul |
Are these images accurate? Perhaps. They certainly feel like a comfortable blanket that I'd wrap around myself.
Incidently, I should be doing my laundry.
current mood:  pensive
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| Monday, February 26th, 2007
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4:15 pm
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I was going to write something deep and meaningful, but I think I'll go toss my laundry in the dryer instead.
Poot.
current mood:  weird
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| Sunday, November 26th, 2006
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11:25 pm - Woot! Almost a year
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Well. For those of you that are trying to keep up with my life and occasionally spying on me. *coughcough*...
I felt I should update this at least a wee bit. Firstly, finished at Fanshawe and successfully transferred over to university. Will finally get my undergrad in a bit! Hoozah! And already people are asking me if I'm going to get my Masters too. Aren't I lucky?
At any rate, life is progressing smoothly enough. Been a bit boring actually...but we're getting somewhere, I like to think....and soon enough things will be good again..
Speaking of good....Japan was FRAKKING AMAZING!
And Quebec city was pretty awesome too....
One of these days I might even have the opportunity to post pictures or some such to that effect.
and at some point, I might actually type out some thoughts that're roaming through my mind...
Currently though, my mind is primarily filled with "Ow. Ow Ow Ow Freaking Headache OW."
current mood:  relaxed
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| Monday, March 20th, 2006
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5:19 pm - Trips and activities
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Well.
I am sure that some folk are wondering precisely what's going on with me these days. It does tend to be lengthy enough jumps between posts on this lj, but that's mostly because there's little enough to write about. I could ramble on and on about my everyday activities, but none of them are especially different than any other day activities. And while I'm sure some folk would love to know when it is that I actually go to the washroom, or when I'm picking my nose, that's what stalkers are for.
Recently though, I guess I have had a few new things happen that have been affecting my overall life. First and foremost, is the opportunity to go and visit Japan for a month. While extremely exciting, there's a bit of trepidation on this account as well. Afterall, it's not like Europe or many other countries where there's a smattering of the English language. There's going to be a huge language barrier that I'm going to have to overcome. I'll be taking some classes at a university while I'm there, and experiencing a lot of the Japanese culture. Overall, I'm extremely excited! It's going to be amazing. I just hope I can pick up enough of the language that I'm not constantly lost...Of course... I have to get that passport stuff all taken care of and soon! Naturally there's always something that prevents me from having the time to go and get that accomplished. Evil offices only being open when I'm struggling to be elsewhere. Going to have to be Monday next week, cause I won't have time otherwise. Hectic hectic hectic.
The College teachers across Ontario are on strike, so I don't actually have classes at the moment. This is something of a problem because I haven't had time to do any of the schoolwork that I am know I am going to be saturated with when classes do resume. I've simply been too busy to be organized in any reasonable fashion. Or simply not in a position to accomplish anything. This is causing me some stress as I have enormous amounts of things to get done, and shorter and shorter time frames in which to do them. The only good news is, there's strategies in place to ensure that I do not lose my semester. The downside to this all, is that I have applied to Universities in order to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce in the fall, and the Universities are going to want transcripts. Once again, filled with excitement and trepidation. I've gotten comfortable in London, but the University here doesn't have a good transfer agreement, so I'd basically be starting at scratch....the places I have applied should let me finish things up in two years, rather than the four it'd take elsewhere, thanks to my diplomas.
With the strike, most of my time has been occupied with the planning and organizing...as well as the attendance...of some trips for the international students. I've really enjoyed the trips, but my procrastination of school assignments definitely hangs over my head as I go. Time passes quickly, and it's really busy. Loads of fun though. Last week, I went with 107 of my closest friends (cough) to Montreal. In 12 hours, I leave for Quebec City with 75 of my closest friends....and I was complaining about a bigger fan base. Well. Okay. So I don't know all of the students personally, but most of them are pretty dang fun, and we had a good time.
Montreal was definitely a blast. Aside from having a great opportunity to experience the night life, and get to know some of the international students a little bit more...as well as find out who can and can not hold their liquor (Fortunately, we found that the international students CAN hold their liquor. No sickness!) we also had a great time with a themed 18th century restaurant with live perfomers, a visit to a museum of Archeology & History (A certain ex of mine would've probably enjoyed that.), a number of gorgeous churches with amazing architecture, and just overall enjoyable atmospheres. Mind you, staying out at the bars until 3am and then getting up at 7am wasn't all that much fun...but fortunately it was chilly, so the cold woke me up.
I'm not a big believer in religion per se, but there is one thing that certain religions definitely got right when they built their churches. It was hard not to appreciate the serenity and peacefulness that surrounds you in their buildings, while you're also being awestruck by the detail and majesty of it all.
I look forward to Quebec City, though it's going to be really really tiresome. Still, some nifty experiences. I'm going to have a chance to experience dog sledding. That should be pretty unique! I just wish that I could clone myself so I could get some bloody schoolwork and other projects I'm working on done while I'm having fun. Recently, it's been more than a fulltime job just organizing and planning things. All sort of pulled together at the last minute of course...since these are all being done instead of the strike...but I'm just feeling very pressured from the pace that's been set recently...and I know it's not going to get easier until the end of July, or mid August...when I quit work, spend a bit of time winding down, and then getting moved out of here, and into a new place to start more school...hopefully in Toronto!
So. Busy busy busy. Hopefully I won't be too exhausted, or in a mental ward by the end of all this.
current mood:  bouncy
current music: Papa Roach - Last Resort
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| Saturday, February 18th, 2006
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4:21 pm
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| Monday, November 21st, 2005
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6:09 pm
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I thought I had updated this at some point in the past month. Suppose not. Don't really feel like going into a lengthly update now. Mostly beacuse I'm still saturated with schoolwork and should get back to that project due in a couple of hours. Be bloody nice if our professors stopped telling us to do a bunch of things that make no sense. Business Analysis. Environmental Analysis. Market Analysis. SWOT Analysis. Issue Analysis. We've heard of four of the five, but that just doesn't help. Much like, what the hell is the difference between a Market Strategy and an Action Plan. A Market Strategy is suppose to be the action plan! Why the hell does he want one at the start of the paper and one at the end? Grah. Kill.
current mood:  bitchy
current music: REM - Losing My Religion
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| Monday, October 10th, 2005
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11:52 pm - My quote for today
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| Thursday, September 29th, 2005
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2:56 pm
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"Hey Matt. How come I can't see the changes to my webpage?"
"Have you saved the file?"
"Oh yeah. Thanks."
*A few scant seconds pass*
"It's still not refreshing properly."
"You saved and uploaded it, right?"
"How do you upload?"
"Put. Dreamweaver calls it *put*."
"Oh. Right! Thanks"
*A minute passes*
"It's still broken."
"Did you click refresh on your browser?"
"Doh. Right. Of course."
*Two minutes pass.*
"Hey Matt.....how do you upload again?"
This is bad enough when it's *one* individual that's constantly making these inquiries, but when you have people on both sides of you constantly coming up to these roadblocks and needing your help, it's pretty damned quick how frustrated you get. Otherwise, the second friggin time I used Dreamweaver wasn't too shabby. Actually, it was pretty horrible. After nearly three hours to do something that probably could've been done in about half an hour, I just cut one of my friends off with "I'm done. Later." and left.
At least my friend and I have discussed this situation before and he knows how I feel. Mind you, the other chap that I was helping eventually managed to snare the teacher. Fifteen minutes later, she was still trying to help him out and massaging her temples while she did so. At least she gets paid.
Though probably not enough....I glanced back once when I left. Seven people in the class had their hands raised and were waiting for the teacher to get to them.
If I knew the first thing about dreamweaver, or building webpages I would skip the class...unfortunately, I'm almost as clueless as my friends.
current mood: stressed
current music: System of a Down - Toxicity
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| Tuesday, August 30th, 2005
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5:26 pm - Vague musings
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Once in a while, I do enjoy sitting back and reflecting on the changes that've taken place in my life over the past few years. I'm invariably astounded at some of the alterations that have affected me. It's little things really. Just a few doors opening here and there, and ultimately different worlds sneak in and give you an opportunity to explore them. Back in Ottawa, my idea of international food generally ran in the direction of spaghetti for Italian, and tacos for mexican. If I ever ate any foreign food at all, it was takeout Chinese. I was, and still believe myself to be, an extremely picky eater. Nonetheless, my dietary habits have expanded at the very least. Traditional Lebanese, Korean, Indian have found their way onto my plate, usually including second or third helpings. Is this a big thing? Oh, probably not to everyone. It's just a step out of my comfort zone...and stepping outside of any comfort zone usually takes some motivation. I guess I'm happy with myself for becoming more open-minded...never thought I was closed-minded, but then who does?
Happy on one side, disappointed on the other. It's getting more and more difficult to stay in touch with everyone that I would want to be in touch with. Folks slink off and disappear...a couple of months later, you suddenly find yourself wondering whatever happened to them, though tracking them down at that point in time seems exceedingly difficult. There's lots that generally fall into this category, though invariably it's thoughts of Houston that bring it to the front of my mind.
Andy. Cecelia. Conor. Miss you guys!
And the rest of you that once made exsistance such an interesting thing!
current mood:  contemplative
current music: Ugly Kid Joe - Cat's in the Cradle
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| Friday, July 8th, 2005
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8:15 pm
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I've been slacking with updates!
I am going to continue to do so until I can figure out what I want to say!
Always too busy. Or just nothing to say!
I need something to happen that I can rant about.
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| Monday, May 2nd, 2005
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11:58 am
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So it's been a while since I've put anything down here.
I've been busy and I haven't, I guess.
April was the usual hectic scene as projects and finals took hold. So did a variety of events, including keggers and parties. They're fun, to a degree I guess. I attend them to socialize and enjoy a few moments of conversation that has little enough to do with the scholastic environment, but I rarely find them particularly fulfilling. Maybe I'm just old, or maybe something's just missing from them. Either way, it's pretty much over and done with for the summer. In another month and a bit I get a diploma saying I did alright. Then I get to putter along through summer until September where I get to do it again so that next June I get a second diploma. Then I guess we'll have to see.
Last year, about this time, my sleeping habits took a decided turn for the worse, leaving me staring vacantly an awful lot, as thoughts churned around in my mind while sleep eluded me. This year, seems to be occuring again. If I do sleep, it's restless and leaves me exhausted the next day. I almost feel better when I get no sleep. Of course, last year I had millions of thoughts running through my head. Currently, I just stare blankly and try to think of anything.
I'm definitely moody these days. One moment craving attention, the next calmly locking myself in my room and avoiding every one. At least I have a roommate now that I can talk with on occassion. Nice to know someone in the house. Sure as heck beats living with two people who are by far and large, complete strangers. Though admittedly, over the past few months I have started to get to know Randy somewhat better.
On the bus today, bumped into someone I met at a bar last year. Sort of entertaining, in the sense that for a few weeks, I ran about with a particular circle of people. I'm wagering that I'll be talked about briefly today, if only so that Arlene can remember what the heck my name is. It's randomly amusing to muse on what will be said. What will be thought. Just happenstance though. If I'm lucky, none of them know how to get a hold of me anymore, so it'll remain a random encounter and nothing more.
Doctor told me the x-rays didn't show anything conclusive. He's going to arrange for a bone scan. Apparently this means I get to have a needle inserted into my vein filled with crap that'll highlight every one of my bones. Then I get to have them scanned. A three hour affair. If this doesn't reveal anything, then it's probably a muscle or a ligament, so the doctor will proceed from there. He rambled today about a benign tumor. I can't recall him mentioning anything about that previously. I really don't like the concept, no matter how benign it might be. I also don't like the concept of a three hour procedure or having something stuck in my vein. All because my shoulder sounds like a pepper grinder.
Sigh. The worse medical procedure I've ever had is getting allergy shots. Or X-rays. Or the chiropractor's office. Or waiting in the emergency room for various knicknacks. I kinda thought I didn't mind the concept of surgery or scans or procedures. Or wouldn't. I was wrong.
Guess that's it for now.
current mood: contemplative
current music: Gladiator - Strength & Honor
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| Monday, March 21st, 2005
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8:34 pm - Computers
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Well, it's been more than a mildly frustrating week so far. My internet at home has given up completely and so far the ability to discern the exact problem seems to be eluding me. The ISP had me do a variety of tests at one point, and ultimately concluded that it wasn't the net itself, but must be a problem with my computer. So I took the computer into the shop and had it examined and ultimately to ensure it wasn't a software issue, reinstalled everything. Despite all these efforts and their significant costs, it is still not working, which leaves me under the assumption that the only thing left to be causing the malfunction is some wiring in the house. I need to contact the service department and get them to come out and have a look at that. Though naturally, with school and work, I'm never around so I have to find out when one of my roommates will be available so that the technician can get into the house. Additionally of course, this means creating an environment in my room which would be condusive to working. Currently I've been way too laissez-faire and my room is a disaster zone. School is great for providing me with textbooks, papers and other details that until recently I haven't had a place to put them. Of course, while I now have shelves I can construct and store them...until I tidy the room I have no where to construct or place these damned things. And I can't tidy the room up much until I have space to put stuff. Sort of a conundrum. Maybe I'll just take over the hallway for a day or two.
Otherwise, life is going relatively well I suppose. It's getting to be crunch time at school....four weeks left until I have a lovely diploma. Then I get to enjoy a nice peaceful summer until I re-enrol for the postgrad. That'll be fun. Apparently a lot more work is involved there as well.
Have a new roommate now as well. The roommate who was never around finally gave up paying for a place when he was largely sleeping at his parents anyways, so he moved out. (though it's not like he ever really moved in. Just stored furniture there). Now I have an old friend from 1st semester in tenancy. His parents booted him out of their place so that they could sell their house and move elsewhere. Parents are so lovable! But it's cool. Have someone to talk with on occasion, other than Randy who spends most of his time on case-studies for his CGA he's aiming for.
Still. Without the net to provide some minor distraction, it's damned boring. And difficult too. The amount I rely on the net for entertainment, school work, and communication is outstanding. Local friends still use MSN more than the telephone, and plans are usually concreted via email. With Randy having had an unfortunate car accident, he's also reduced our cable selection to a handful of boring stations, which limits activity even more.
I quietly think I'm going insane.
On a lighter note, studying for a test I have tomorrow brought me to one paragraph about risk assessment which I found particularly amusing.
"Each of the three dimensions is rated according to a five-point scale. For example, detection is defined as the ability of the project team to discern that the risk event is immenent. A scort of 1 would be given if even a chimpanzee could spot the risk coming."
Hard not to find any references to chimpanzees in a project management textbook unamusing.
current mood:  melancholy
current music: The sound of studying
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| Sunday, February 20th, 2005
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6:41 pm - Entering the Star Wars universe.
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Eventually my curiousity always gets the better of me. Invariably, I come across something through which I wish I was decidedly less curious. In this particular case, the sink in the bathroom has been draining slowly for quite some time. In fact, today I was staring at it for a good solid minute, with the attempted recollection of whether or not it had ever actually drained quickly. If it hadn't, well then, there was probably absolutely nothing I could do about speeding it up. Of course, somewhere in the depths of my memory, I had the vague notion that once upon a time, the water had liquidated itself from the basin much more swiftly.
So I decided to poke and prod at the sink for a little bit. Attempt to unhook the silly whatchamcallit and take a peek here and there. Of course, that proved particularly fruitless, though there did look like some little thing sticking out from a part of the drain. Now, the side closest to me was clear, as far as I could tell. Whatever was clogging this thing, assuming it was being clogged was in that horribly awkward place to look into and see, as there's this tap and the side of the sink preventing you from gaining a good line of sight into the darkness of the drain here.
So I started prodding around a bit and eventually managed to wiggle my fingers in and tug out a little bit of hair. Dark hair that either belonged to Randy...who never uses our bathroom since he has one of his own, or Kate...who moved out approximately nine months ago. Which might explain why it was that I never really remembered the drain working efficiently, since I only really lived with Kate for a few months.
At any rate, I eventually found some sort of stick to prod and wrestle the rest of the gunk out. It turned out that I had been mistaken in my initial assumption.
Chewbacca and I sat down and enjoyed a nice cup of coffee and just talked about the state of the world today. We also discussed that if he ever takes up residence in the sink again, I am going to have to charge him rent. Eventually, we parted ways.
current mood:  accomplished
current music: Due South - Victoria's Secret
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| Thursday, February 17th, 2005
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1:43 am - A quickee
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damned if I don't have a bunch of things I want to put up here.
Rant about a teacher and being handed a zero on an assignment cause we had five people in our group. (Issue has since been resolved, though some extensions thereof have not)
Sarah Slean concert I enjoyed
General school rantings about workloads and such. you know...typical stuff.
Cool efforts to get a friend's band down from Ottawa to play at school. (Agents get 10% commission? Wha? They want to pay me cause I like 'em? Damn...I need more friends like that)
Work's just been crazy hectic recently. Half suspicions that they aren't 100% keen on me cause I don't have time to do extra office work...too busy doing my own damned stuff.
and other things to cover to.
Additionally...GO PLAY THE BARD'S TALE! Had me chuckling way too much. (and may have led to issues about workload.....how I managed to get top marks on some of my tests recently...I just do not know.)
current mood: tired
current music: Sarah Slean - Sweet Ones
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| Thursday, January 27th, 2005
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10:45 am - I'm good
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Just interviewed an applicant today for the volunteer program I run at the school, and he said that of all the people dropping by their class to offer volunteer activities and opportunities, my presentation was one of the best and really stuck in his mind.
I'm good.
Or at least, I'm feeling my self-esteem rising upwards a bit presently. Damned nice to get positive feedback!
current mood:  cold
current music: Office noise
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| Wednesday, January 19th, 2005
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4:11 am
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Insomnia is already starting to plague me this semester, which bodes poorly. Hopefully I can get a handle on it sooner, rather than later. The afternoon naps are definitely not in the least bit helpful, but after only getting four or five hours of sleep at night, I need that hour or two just to work up enough energy to cook and eat some grub. Presently though, it's getting frustrating. Being conscious at four thirty in the morning is simply unhelpful. Particularly when you have to get up in two hours to make it to class...so you can learn, do assignments, write quizzes, and complete group work. And then of course, do that thing where you get paid to do stuff. I think that's called work too.
Of course, I have the immediate suspicion that this is going to be repeated again tomorrow night. Which bodes poorly.
In the meantime....
You Are 24 Years Old |
24
Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe.
13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world.
20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences.
30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more!
40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.
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Course, by about three o'clock tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to feel about twice that old...dragging my heels and wanting an afternoon nap again. Grah!
current mood: tired
current music: The Archies - Sugar Sugar
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| Monday, January 17th, 2005
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11:32 pm - Stress
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ARG!
ARG! ARG ARG!
I probably should've anticipated that at some point, this school stuff was going to become somewhat more difficult than it has been up to this point. True, I've impressed myself with my ability to get things accomplished, but this semester only started on Monday and already I feel overwhelmed. That -may- have something to do with most of our professors dropping large textbooks in front of us and stating "Have this read for next week." Alright, so only one professor actually wants the entire thing read by next week. The others just want us to read a couple chapters, do a bunch of assignments at the end of each chapter, and then do a lovely online quiz to ensure that we've actually done all the work. Twice apparently, since we're handing in the assignments anyways. Guess they just want to be doubly sure. Of course, these assignments and quizzes have the benefit of being weekly activities.
Disturbingly, I can skip all the tests in a couple of my courses, and still manage to get an A. Tests, the granter of great amounts of stress, is suffering from the economic diminishing returns concept. Have had so many tests, they're now worthless. Or something to that effect anyways. Of course, then there's all those nuissance projects that are only worth an average of 45% of my grade. In a few of my courses, I can just do the project and pass.. so long as I ace the project of course.. Then, of course, most of these projects require 100% class attendance. Each one, naturally, also requiring a significant amount of time devoted outside of the classroom. But that's alright. I only have -five- of these projects this semester. And I can just pick the same group in each class, so that I don't have to run around trying to organize my schedule to suit twenty other different people, which would be very fun, with my work schedule eating up all my extra hours at school. Oh wait, at least one of our professors, to mimic true working conditions, is drawing our groups out of a hat! Which is definitely amusing in concept, but will mean that I have to figure out how to meet with multiple groups on multiple occasions.
I already figured I gave up on weekends.
I think I might have to give up on sleeping too.
arg.
ARG ARG! ARG!
current mood: rushed
current music: The Killers - Mr. Brightside
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| Friday, January 7th, 2005
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6:49 pm - Luck
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To put things dryly, this year is off to a fantastic start.
A few select friends of mine are having an alright year so far, but absolutely no one has been crowing about how fantastic life has been to them recently. Most of the tales I hear so far are tragic and upsetting.
Astro's currently in the best position overall. No nervous breakdowns, no tragic death in the family, no upcoming surgery, and he still has a decent job. For now. His biggest concern is the fact that his current job is going to reduce him to part-time in the near future, and because he's spent one month, out of the past seven, working full time, he can't get interest relief on his student loans.
Brandy decided to scare the hell out of most of her friends by going off a recent Sunday evening with a boy she'd met two nights before at a New Year's Eve party. Monday morning, a mutual friend of ours was roused out of bed by Brandy's work. They had apparently called Brandy's home, roused her landlord and had the landlord search the room. Only phone number that came up was Will's. So they called Will asking where Brandy was. Not surprisingly, this caused a bit of panic. Turns out Brandy just thought that Monday was a stat holiday and didn't return home. Of course, Brandy is currently visiting a close relative at the hospital. Brandy's one of the lucky ones that gets to help console the relative when the girl learns she survived. The other passenger in the car did not.
Will himself isn't much better off. He's been put in limbo recently, waiting to hear back whether he has a coop position for the next four months, or if he's back in classes. Naturally, the places he's applied to, told him that they'd figure it out and get back to him after the holidays. So he might have a job, he might not. Either way, he won't know until after classes have started up.
A group of my friends back in Ottawa seem to be doing alright. Except it seems they've managed to display incredibly poor taste in women. I can only assume that there are some redeeming qualities that weren't displayed during my visit. It astounds me that there hasn't been issues of bad blood, when you hear that one girl has been dating a different guy in the same circle of friends every month. I can't decipher what another one of my friend's found appealing in the girl whose most attractive feature to me, is that she looks invariably looks like she's doped out. Or the smartest one of the bunch dating a nice girl, but one that reminded me of what girls were like in highschool. She could seriously, be half his age. At least this lot all chose their woes. Unlike another friend's ulcer causing family. I won't even go into that, but hopefully fortunes improve there soon. Can't see them getting any worse.
Mike actually probably has a pretty good girlfriend overall. She's intelligent, pleasant, and a great person, based on my few encounters with her. Of course, then she has the hick family whose intelligent banter is basically grunting, and beer drinking contests, to quote Mike. Not that Mike's family is much better. Afterall, the girl he's dating has a kid, and isn't jewish. This naturally leads to arguments with Mike's parents over why Mike hasn't been able to find a real woman. Nothing quite like being with a woman you love, and with two families you hate. Of course, the fact that Mike is more or less jobless, and his younger brother has found financial success...his father's the type to rub that in. Happiness all around.
Speaking of worse, there's Kev. Great guy, but woes just seem to accumulate for him. Then again, there's absolutely nothing so disgusting and under-handed as being given a promotion and full-time position one week, only to have it taken away the next. The only bright side is that he still has a job...for now. We'll have to wait and see what other problems the merger at his work causes. Of course, then there's his home front, which involves his grandmother ailing and dying in one hospital several hours away, and his father having visited another hospital three times in the past week, and aside from a slew of ailments which may require surgery, also was diagnosed with cancer. Hooray for Kevin.
In my personal life, things are just hunky-dory. The worse situation I personally have to deal with is a messy room, which I just never seem to have the energy to clean. Oh, and my sister's going in for surgery in a week. She gets to have her jaw broken four times and realigned! Lucky her! I'm a bit sketchy on all the details, but she's been complaining about a sore back for years now, experiences lovely migraines, and all sorts of other maladies, which we hope stem from the problem this surgery will fix. Course, it's been a bit of an uphill battle for her. Few members of the family ever really gave her full credit when she complained about how much pain she's been in. I'm probably starting to get more of a handle on that situation since...oh yeah, my shoulder's messed up!
If you've ever worked out, had a good stretch and gotten a few of your muscles to feel a bit strained, you know that's a good ache. It means things got worked on, and while it's a bit bothersome for the moment, after a few moments of rest and relaxation, the pain will go away. It's not a lasting thing. Well, in theory. That's the best description of how my shoulder has felt for the past several months. The fact that when I rotate it, it sounds like a grinding pepper shaker is just not any better. I only wonder why I took so long to have it looked at. Ultrasounds are looming in the near future!
Frankly, my brother's probably in the best position of everyone I know. He has a job he doesn't mind too much, and hardly any friends to muck things up. Alright, so he's a lonely bastard and not exactly happy with life either. He's always been happy by himself, but there's only so much aloneness one can take before it starts to irk. He hasn't been too forward with his thoughts, but you can tell things are nagging him. Hopefully things improve for him sometime this year.
My parents...these folks I have to wonder about a fair amount. They were actually really good this Christmas. There weren't any arguments in front of my brother, sister or I. They went out of their way to keep things more level. We also enjoyed several conversations on various topics, without getting into shouting matches. Frightening when this includes topics such as politics and religion and health care. Even more so, when there's five individuals with six opinions on each of those subjects. Still, it's not like I couldn't feel the strain that was evident in the background. And just because there weren't any arguments in front of the kids, doesn't mean there weren't arguments. Walls, are not soundproof. They were sleeping in the same bed again though. So mixed stuff there.
Overall, my father is doing alright. Work is still proceeding, and he isn't fretting over every single penny these days. This, even despite the fact my sister has surgery and her tuition due, and there are other financial issues looming. And on top of that, he's an accountant. There's a bit of unresolved financial stuff between he and I as well, but for once he owes me money. For once I was able to reassure him that I didn't need a handout either. I think he was thankful for that.
My mother on the other hand, is bored and weary. She misses her work, and she misses being busy. There's only so much that one can do, when one is alone for most of the day. She needs a hobby. An activity. Something to bring some of her vitality back into her life. She makes me sad.
Fortune hasn't favoured me or mine recently. May she smile upon us once more.
current mood:  drained
current music: Pirates of the Caribbean - Underwater March
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tyralor's journal