Buses and broncos

Surprised to wake up this morning with no panda eyes, despite having gone to sleep with heavy makeup. Why was i wearing such heavy eye makeup? No real reason, i just felt like experimenting. The bus driver tried to shut the door into (no, literally into) my face because he failed to see me. That made me feel a little bit of an emo, because i was like, am i THAT invisible? Also, seeing people running to catch a bus, and then making it, makes me feel really warm and happy inside. Am very excited about the weekend, as Awesome vs Loser is coming (oh, im sorry, i meant Collingwood vs Carlton. I forget other people can't read my mind. Then again, i dont think it was that hard to interpret) so im super awesomely excited. Love that so many of my friends are Collingwood supporters, which automatically makes a person awesome, although in Cameron's case he is slightly less awesome because he goes to Liverpool, who lost their match against Atletico Madrid about 20 minutes ago and are also going the fuck down on Sunday against Chelsea, who are Gods. Also, when Collingwood destroys Carlton on the weekend, Cameron, Aaron + other Collingwood supporters going to footy, must mercilessly mock Steegs for his supporting a terrible (although compared to Richmond, brilliant) team. Moving on from sport and back to the UK election, its so exciting that there is actually three viable options. I wish Australia had a third option, but at the moment the Greens only have one platform and are too uncohesive to form a viable alternative. So yeah, hopefully the Lib Dems do well over in the UK. As long as it isn't the Tories, im good. Also, if the BNP manages to win a single seat, i'm going to become a republican (you know, people who want Australia to be a republic, not under the Queen.). Jumping trains of thought, i blame Triple M for my Green Day obsession revival. Also, i thank Triple M for remindig me about the May 9 Storm vs Broncos match. Im so going if i can, it'll be my first NRL live match, so awesome. Hahahaha, sorry i just laughed again when i heard Liverpool had lost on the radio. It makes me happy. Side Note: managed to get 30/30 on my Animal Diversity miniquiz, yeah! OK then, quote time? I'll find a sports one considering most of this has been about sport. "Tell him he is John Coleman and send him back on"
- Jack Dyer, when told by medical staff that a concussed player 'did not know who he is'
Brilliant!
JC
****ok, forgot something! Why is everyone so upset at the ads for Essendon vs Hawthorn? i thought most people only went to the footy because they were secretly (or not so secretly) hoping for someone to be pollaxed. Surely it isnt just me...BRING BACK THE BIFF!

Twitterified

It's happened. I am now just as addicted to twitter as i am to facebook. *slams head into desk* Hang on, give me a minute...that really hurt. Ok, good now, moving on. Triple M morning broadcasts are getting better and better...actually, Triple M broadcasts in general are now awesome since they revamped the whole thing. Amused to find Zoe had been stalking my profile last night on facebook whilst procrastinating as i was unaware that anybody actually viewed any of my photos. I operate on an 'assume nobody even looks at anything you do' basis, which means i am very open perhaps to the point of stupidity sometimes, because at some point, someone will read/view something and i'll be like 'oh shit'. Moving on again, i am loving the term 'bigotgate', refering to Gordon Browns 'gaffe' (in my opinion, the woman was a bit of a dick and england needs to grow up and get the fuck over it) calling some dumb bitch a 'bigot' and later 'that bigoted woman'...which was accurate IMHO as she was both a bigot AND a woman. People are just too fucking sensitive. On a lighter note, im already extremely excited about the upcoming lunar eclipse! So exciting! I know, i know, im such a science nerd. I'll survive. Also, Nick turns 18 on Saturday, thats in TWO FREAKIN' DAYS! TWO! OMFG! MY BABY BROTHER IS NEARLY A FUCKING ADULT...physically (sorry for shouting). Also, i got my hair cut and coloured and feel like me again. Also, awesome article in Aust. Sky and Tel. this month (may/june 2010 issue) about the possibility of planetary orbits going fucking mental (apparently there is a once percent chance Mercury's going lose its shit before the sun dies). So thats awesome and all that. Would you like a quote? Ok, how about an astronomy one? With every passing hour our solar system comes forty-three thousand miles closer to globular cluster 13 in the constellation Hercules, and still there are some misfits who continue to insist that there is no such thing as progress.
- Ransom K. Ferm
Love
JC

Wharrgarble

Is it strange if i heard a girl sneeze in the library today, but my first thought was that it was my dog growling? I very nearly called out at the poor girl to stop growling and be quiet, thank heavens the rational part of my brain interceeded before this could happen. Am amazed at how many people misunderstand what freedom of speech actually encompasses, or bias freedom of speech towards their own freedoms and against others. Have found myself becoming more and more obsessed with Richard Hammond, although this may or may not be directly correlated to my growing interest in Top Gear overall. Got halfway through a supernatural fanfiction last night before it turning into a wincest fest. There was no warning, NO WARNING! needless to say, i flamed the work, as i find wincest to be extremely disturbing and was hoping instead for some Dean/Cas loving.Have become highly excited about the movie script i am writing, which is absolutely dreadful but totally fun. Also, im writing a novel, which is also terrible, but gives me something not-social networking or playing pokemon to do. Have decided that Wil Anderson is the funniest person on the entirety of twitter, perhaps only rivaled by Josh Thomas or maybe Nathan Fillon. Question: Why is the conservative party of the UK called the "Tories"? im too lazy to look it up and i dont really care all that much, but it just makes me curious. Also, thanks to Andrew Hanson on twitter, i found this : http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/british-avatar-fan-pays-people-to-see-the-film-and-only-dates-blue-women/story-e6frfmvr-1225858424139 . Priceless, absolutely priceless. If i wasnt in public, i would be laughing out loud (no abbreviations on THIS blog...today anyway). Suddenly realised that the library, which i have been in for two and a half hours, was completely empty when i started and is now quite full of loud people. How did i not notice this? Surely twitter and facebook isnt that absorbing? is it? oh no...
Quote for today: We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still. ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
JC

ANZAC Day

I would have posted this yesterday but i left home at 3:45am and didnt get back until midnight, so i was too tired to figure out how to turn on the computer, let alone type anything resembling a coherent sentence. Yesterday was my first experience with an ANZAC day that wasnt simply waiting until 2:00pm to watch some Essendon vs Awesome football. Arriving at the War Memorial at 4:45 am, unsure what to do or what to expect. My dad and I stood around 15 rows back from the front and wondered how many people would turn up and what the service would entail. Not long after arriving, a man dressed in full army uniform stood next to us with his mother, and sister and possibly his girlfriend, i think. He was no older than 30, with wonderfully shiny black shoes. He told an interesting tale of the taxi driver, whom had lived up to the reputation of melbournes taxi drivers being unknowledgable idiots. Having booked the taxi and dressed in his uniform, he had waited for it to arrive. Upon its arrival he had directed the driver to 'the War Memorial". The driver had no idea what he was talking about. 'ANZAC day? The Dawn Service? Soldier in uniform? Nothing? Just go to St Kilda Rd.' Off they went. Reaching ST Kilda Rd, the driver remarked on 'all the people' and the closed roads. 'Just follow the people'. Mr Uniform instructed. How exhilerating for him. Moving on, the service was brilliant. It began with wonderful stories about those who had served our country and really brought home what it was we were remembering. The service itself was fantastic, everyone was so respectful. Later, on the news, they showed a man who had never been to a service, despite having served over half a century ago, because the memories had been too raw. His pure emotion and thankfullness towards all those who came to pay their respects and give tribute to those who sacrificed was touching. I thank him from the very bottom of my heart, as i do to all those who have served or are currently serving. The music was amazing, with the brass and the pipes being particularly well played. My legs began to ache as the time passed, but it was worth it. I had a wonderful morning. Unfortunately, being so early, practically nowhere was open for breakfast, and so mcdonalds had to do. Spent time in Dad's office as he sorted through old files, whilst i trawled facebook and twitter for ANZAC day mentions. Left to watch the March at 10:30, which meant it had already been going for an hour and a half. People were lining the tram tracks, which were fenced off, 2 people deep, sometimes three, whilst others stood back off the road, even though it was blocked off to traffic. Others took advantage of the arts centre balcony to get a better view. Each time a new group of people walked past, with medals on their chests, the crowd would applaude. Those in wheelchairs, or on mobility scooters would often get extra applause for their effort. It was a bittersweet experience, for we were giving these people the recognition that they deserve, yet we also saw so many who were alone, marching for those that had fallen and those who had only gone in recent times. Many times, i felt on the brink of tears. Some faces were sad, eyes swimming with tears, others were joyous and old hands waved to the crowd, smiling at all the young people who had come to support them. I stood there for 2 and a half hours i was told, although if you had asked me i would have guessed at 45 minutes. I was so thoroughly absorbed in these men and women marching past that i had completely lost track of time. We only left after the tragic accident, occuring only 100 meters down the road from us, leaving 6 people injured as well as 2 more critical after a car accelerated jammed. I only hope that this does not mean cars will be banned altogther in next years march, for a fault with a single car. If there are concerns, perhaps better vehicle saftey checks should be enforced instead. I felt terribly sorry for those who had not finished the march, most of whom where the foreign soldiers such as the South Africans, Rhodenisians, Americans (and i assume, French as i couldnt see what came after the americans) who were at the very end of the parade, had waited hours to march, but never got to finish. They may not be ANZAC's, but i respect them no less. After this sad conlusion to the march, my dad and i went to Myer, to purchase pods for our Nespresso coffee machine, then had lunch at a lovely cafe on Elizabeth street. Arrived home halfway through the first quarter for the ANZAC day match, Essendon vs Collingwood (aka Awesome), with Collingwood absolutely dominating play. Collingwood easily won, as did my NRL team the Rabbitohs in a thrilling second half comeback. The Storm showed that they still had plenty of fight, and their supporters showed their critics how much NRL meant to Melbourne. Up in the Northern hemisphere, Celtic FC won 2-0 against Dundee and much later that night (really, this morning) the wonderful blues, Chelsea FC defeated Stoke City by an astounding, record breaking, 7-0. I joined my mother's younger sister and family for tea that night, chatting away, joking and becoming pleasantly buzzed off two sparkling wines and two sav blancs. Yesterday was a long day, but a good day. I will not hesitate to attend the dawn service again next year, for it was one of the best things i have ever done. Perhaps one year, if i can afford it, i will go to Gallipolli. For now, all i have to say is "Thankyou', to all soldiers. I am anti-war, but you have risked, or given, your lives for what you believed in, for the values of your country and your people. I may owe my very way of life, my very freedom to type this blog, to you. I am not sure that there is anything i would give my life for, as i do not believe in an afterlife. This makes your sacrifices all the more important to me. I cannot properly express my gratitude to you, as soldiers and as fellow human beings, for what you have given for me. So i once again say "thankyou", which we all know, is really not enough, but it is all i have.
I would like to leave you with this quote, author unknown, " I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom."
JC

Thoughts and musing

Posted two status updates last night on my facebook account that were of an politcal and ethical nature. I expected it would be ignored by my friends in prefence of the plethora of David Tennant & Supernatural loving updates (not that there is anything wrong with either Mr Tennant or Supernatural) or the influx of Melbourne Storm WTF? statuses. I underestimated the intelligence of my friends, and i apologise for this. When i posted a link related to abortion in Oklahoma http://www.smh.com.au/world/antiabortion-bill-to-block-foetal-test-results-20100421-szqu.html . i was stunned by the mature and well thought out comments my friends left. Heartened by this successful discussion, i posted this status update Capital punishment is a terrible violation of human rights and i am so glad we no longer condone it under Australian federal law.. Again, my friends responsed with wisdom and insight. I'm so very glad to have friends that can both discussion the gorgeousness and sheer talent of Mr David Tennant, argue about football teams like children , and also discuss heavy topics that cover multiple issues and contain deep ethical issues. If only more of the people i met were so willing. Why do so many people shy away from discussing politics, philosophy, religion, and ethics? you can learn so much about yourself and others by discussing and debating issues, yet so many people do not. Why? Most commonly, i have heard people say its 'boring' or 'doesn't affect me' *note, if i have should have used effect, i am sorry. Please correct me*. Boring? Well that is a subjective thing and it is quite likely that a few of these people honestly have no interest in discussing weightier issues. But it is my experience that it is not uncommon for these people to have never actually given it a go, or have had a singular bad experience. It is such a shame, because they are missing out. The second argument however, is the most frustrating. If someone perceives something as boring, it is a mindset and can be extremely hard to change. But to state that a political issue or moral debate does not affect you is so wrong, it is hard for me to comprehend how anyone could make honestly believe it. Politics affects everyone. There are no exceptions. Admittedly, some are more directly, and more intensely effected than others, but anyone that lives in a society with any ruling system (monarchy, democracy, dictatorship etc) is influenced by the politics. Moral/Ethical issues should be important to all of us if we wish to claim we are a fair and just society. Philosophy and religion are key factors in the actions and emotions of others and if one lacks an understanding of this, then one cannot interact as effectively with those around them. Finally, i would like to share this delightful little cartoon with you all. http://chaospet.com/comics/2009-04-07.png
JC

Um, OK

It dawned on me today that i had created a blog. And that i hadnt posted in several months. Hmmm, this daily diary thing is hard. Too hard. Its time for a less time consuming approach (after all, my time is almost completely taken up by assignments, facebook and now twitter as well). Found a website for astronomy jokes...when i refind it, i'll post the link. Wondered if anyone would mind if i hunted down the person who decided to call the temporary dental staffing agency 'Temp Fillings". Also wondered how anyone would know their was an aquarium near Syndal Station, what with the total lack of signage and all that (/sarcasm). Trying to write a novel but keep changing my mind about everything - characters, interactions, storylines etc. I think i should stick to science. Also, i've finally determine where the Blackburn bus goes after it leaves Monash on its way to Middle Brighton. Is it weird if i felt uncomfortable the whole time? It just doesnt feel right to be on a bus going the opposite direction to where you normally head. Realised my mind is like a sieve, as i keep jumping trains of thought. I have no idea what i was going to say, so i'll just make it up. Actually, i was just making it up as i went along anyway, so this probably wont be any different. *Remembered! Thanks brain!* What's a Cichlad? I presume it is some kind of aquatic creature as there is a Cichlad specialist at the Syndal aquarium. It seems this must be a desirable member of staff for an aquarium to have. Off to wiki to investigate (you can wiki it youselves. i wouldnt want to ruin the thrill of discovering something on wikipedia for you all. Is it a sad thing if traffic is so bad your bus consistently gets overtaken by the same running guy for about 15 minutes? After nearly running up the bum of a tiny car? I realised the other week in ecology that i had never thought about what a juvenile crab looks like. I just assumed it was a perfect minature version of an adult crab, but now im not so sure. Can penguins lie? How large would a pair of wings (and the resulting breast muscles) be to enable human flight? Is it dangerous to eat the non-kernel inside of an ear of corn? I think therefore I am? I see "I Am" and think of bible study and the gospel of John, where "I Am" was a reference to Genesis, with "I Am" being a declaration of being God. Does this mean I Think therefore God? Or alternatively (and more in line with my own philosophy) I Think, therefore I Am God?
Until we meet again (/cliche)
JC