Sunday, September 26, 2010
I forgot about this thing
Wow, it's dead around these part isn't it...Hmm, nothing really to add. Absolutely buried in uni work at the moment. Thought I'd add something since my last post was months ago :)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
O hai!
Oook so it has been a while since I've posted anything new. Actually, I haven't posted since my birthday, which was in April. Nevertheless, I promised myself I wouldn't completely give up on this thing, so faithful readers (all one of you ;) ) I am back.
So what's been happening since my last post? Well I finished watching 'Six Feet Under' and pretty much sobbed like a child during the closing sequence *points and laughs*. Seriously though, I've never seen a better show yet. It's characters are firmly ingrained in my mind, as examples of how screwed up people can really get :P
In regards to my studies, well let's just say I'm glad that this session of university has come to a close. It was a hectic one to say the least and was stressing me out and forcing me to shut out the things that I enjoy, which is not something that ever makes me happy. So a month off, in which I plan to start...
Learning the piano! It's been a goal of mine for some time now and I finally started today, with my first lesson going quite well I think. Seeing as I'm not usually one to stick with projects it shall be interesting to see whether my love for the instrument actually keeps me motivated as the learning inevitably starts to get trickier.
Err, so that's really all I wanted to say.
So what's been happening since my last post? Well I finished watching 'Six Feet Under' and pretty much sobbed like a child during the closing sequence *points and laughs*. Seriously though, I've never seen a better show yet. It's characters are firmly ingrained in my mind, as examples of how screwed up people can really get :P
In regards to my studies, well let's just say I'm glad that this session of university has come to a close. It was a hectic one to say the least and was stressing me out and forcing me to shut out the things that I enjoy, which is not something that ever makes me happy. So a month off, in which I plan to start...
Learning the piano! It's been a goal of mine for some time now and I finally started today, with my first lesson going quite well I think. Seeing as I'm not usually one to stick with projects it shall be interesting to see whether my love for the instrument actually keeps me motivated as the learning inevitably starts to get trickier.
Err, so that's really all I wanted to say.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
My, Myself + I
Seeing a counsellor has helped me to gain confidence in myself and to see that I'm not a complete weirdo because I'm not a huge socialiser or partier.
Seems there are two different temperaments out there: extraversion and introversion. The former refers to those who are social beings, who gain energy from being in large crowds and talking and having loads of friends. Extroverts are (unfortunately :P) the majority, hence the huge emphasis on having to be out and about all the time in order to be 'successful' in our society. Introversion on the other hand, gets a lot of shit, mainly from extroverts who don't understand it.
Here's the thing: introverts (that would be me!) are not anti-social and do not generally dislike people. However, introverts do get their energy from being with themselves more than with other people. Introverts don't really do small talk (we prefer meatier conversations) and socialisation on a large scale can be a daunting experience. What comforts me is the thought that I'm not the only one out there that feels like this. A bit of research has shown that there are others out there that see the world the same way I do.
Obviously I can't just go around telling everyone 'Oh, I'm an introvert' and expect them to make exceptions for me. I get that, still I feel a lot less alienated and a bit more comfortable with myself than what I was thanks to finding this stuff out. (No, this doesn't mean I'm just shutting myself away. I am making an effort to get involved in things out of my comfort zone).
Seems there are two different temperaments out there: extraversion and introversion. The former refers to those who are social beings, who gain energy from being in large crowds and talking and having loads of friends. Extroverts are (unfortunately :P) the majority, hence the huge emphasis on having to be out and about all the time in order to be 'successful' in our society. Introversion on the other hand, gets a lot of shit, mainly from extroverts who don't understand it.
Here's the thing: introverts (that would be me!) are not anti-social and do not generally dislike people. However, introverts do get their energy from being with themselves more than with other people. Introverts don't really do small talk (we prefer meatier conversations) and socialisation on a large scale can be a daunting experience. What comforts me is the thought that I'm not the only one out there that feels like this. A bit of research has shown that there are others out there that see the world the same way I do.
Obviously I can't just go around telling everyone 'Oh, I'm an introvert' and expect them to make exceptions for me. I get that, still I feel a lot less alienated and a bit more comfortable with myself than what I was thanks to finding this stuff out. (No, this doesn't mean I'm just shutting myself away. I am making an effort to get involved in things out of my comfort zone).
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
I'm Suddenly Very Busy...
Ever get the feeling that you just never stop? That you're constantly having to do something, or think about something or try and remember what you had to do?
Yeah, that's me. Right now. I'd rather be occupied than sitting around doing nothing, don't get me wrong. But I think right now I just need a moment for myself
*Gorges chocolate* ;)
Yeah, that's me. Right now. I'd rather be occupied than sitting around doing nothing, don't get me wrong. But I think right now I just need a moment for myself
*Gorges chocolate* ;)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Ok, scratch that, THIS is my new mantra.
If I have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it
even if I may not have it at the beginning.
-Mahatma Gandhi-
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it
even if I may not have it at the beginning.
-Mahatma Gandhi-
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Back to it!
University resumes again tomorrow, and I'm not sure whether to look forward to it or dread the impending workload etc. Nevertheless, I have a few objectives for this session:
- Get better marks! I need to get into that Postgraduate Diploma dammit! (No pressure...)
- Don't stress (about assessments, finding parking before I even get there, really long breaks that never seem to end and all the other myriad of stuff that worries my constantly neurotic mind)
- Be friendly. Lord knows I need to meet more people and my current uni crowd are frankly getting on my nerves a little... Mind you I wouldn't say I'm unfriendly. But I've always been one to keep to myself.
- Attitude is everything! (I've told myself this so many times before, I wish it would sink in)
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Solitude.
I read an article in The Sydney Morning Herald (20-21/2/10) that described the joys to be found in seclusion. It was an interesting read - I found myself agreeing with a lot of it. I'm not saying I endorse becoming a hermit and shutting oneself away from society. That's isolation and that's just unhealthy.
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that I am hardly the most social creature. I've always much preferred the quiet of being at home then being in a noisy club. I have few friends (as in, I can count those I consider friends on one hand) and the ones I do, I value. I don't search for a lot of new things to do because I'm often content with the little I already have.
I suppose it becomes problematic in some areas. At this stage in my life, it's important for me to have some sort of companionship (read: relationship) and I suppose not knowing a lot of people, nor having the drive to seek out new social networks makes such a reality a difficult one to eventuate.
What I think and what I feel and what I connect with I often feel cannot be conveyed to others. I like the idea of living in the English countryside with a dog, a library and endless time but alas the real world calls...
Nevertheless, it is undeniable that I am hardly the most social creature. I've always much preferred the quiet of being at home then being in a noisy club. I have few friends (as in, I can count those I consider friends on one hand) and the ones I do, I value. I don't search for a lot of new things to do because I'm often content with the little I already have.
I suppose it becomes problematic in some areas. At this stage in my life, it's important for me to have some sort of companionship (read: relationship) and I suppose not knowing a lot of people, nor having the drive to seek out new social networks makes such a reality a difficult one to eventuate.
What I think and what I feel and what I connect with I often feel cannot be conveyed to others. I like the idea of living in the English countryside with a dog, a library and endless time but alas the real world calls...
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Some Great Music
I gushed a bit too much about music on my old blog, and it got real boring real quick. But I love music and I've been discovering some great stuff that I want to share.
Andrew Bird
An American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Of the three albums I've heard (The Swimming Hour [2001], Armchair Apocrypha [2007] and Noble Beast [2009]) his style can be quite diverse, covering anything from jazz to rock to dream-pop. Worth a listen.
The Decemberists
The master of the narrative song; if you like your epic songs about pirates and sons setting out to kill their deadbeat dads (among other things) then this is the band for you! Seriously though, worth checking out if you still believe in the album as a legitimate medium of art. I've heard Picaresque (2005) and The Crane Wife (2006).
Editors
The album I've listened to (In This Light and On This Evening [2009]) is synth-rock, but apparently their earlier albums are more indie rock style. Nevertheless, thought this was album was good even if it doesn't deviate from the genre in any significant way.
Elbow
Another band that treat an album they way it should be treated. Elbow's sound is reminiscent of Coldplay (a description that does them no justice whatsoever, but I can't think of any descriptives at the moment) and their 2008 record The Seldom Seen Kid is brilliant.
The Feeling
I had their albums (2006's Twelve Stops and Home and 2008's Join With Us) for years but never really ended up listening to them until last night. Light, jangly guitar-pop for the most part, recalling The Beatles' early work. Never a bad thing.
Lykke Li
Minimalist pop at it's best. This Swedish singer certainly delivers something that you wouldn't hear alongside Britney or Rihanna on the radio any time soon. Listen and get a different perspective on what pop music can be. (Youth Novels [2008])
Neko Case
I'm not usually a fan of country music. In fact the thought of sitting through a country album makes me run for cover. So when I start seeing reviews about this 'alt-country' (what the hell is alt-country!?) artist who it turns out has been around for a while already I was intrigued. Case delivers country albums that are well written, sparse and haunting. Oh and she likes narratives too! Even if you're a country-cynic, give her a go. I've heard Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (2006) and Middle Cyclone (2009).
Oh Mercy
An Australian band, their debut album has kind of gone unnoticed outside of the Triple-J crowd but it's well worth the listen if you like 70s singer-songwriter/pop music. Great tunes with soothing melodies. Their debut is Privileged Woes (2009).
Sia
Sia is another Australian artist and one who is very quickly gaining momentum. She's released three albums, the jazz-pop Healing Is Difficult (2000), the haunting, electronic Colour the Small One (2004) and pop record Some People Have REAL Problems in 2008 which has reached Top 30 in the US. Her voice is intriguing and she does interesting things with what could easily have been a generic pop record.
Sigur Rós
Ever wonder what dreams might sound like if they were turned into music? Well, I'm pretty sure Sigur Rós - an Icelandic quartet - get pretty close. Their albums are soundscapes that draw you in and don't let go. I've heard ( ) (2002) and Takk...(2005) and look forward to delving further into their catalogue. Sweet dreams...
St. Vincent
Alternative singer-songwriter St. Vincent delivers a great sound against a sometimes eerie backdrop of distorted guitars and other ghostly sounds on Actor (2009). Combined with her ethereal vocals, it's a sound well worth listening to.
Andrew Bird
An American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Of the three albums I've heard (The Swimming Hour [2001], Armchair Apocrypha [2007] and Noble Beast [2009]) his style can be quite diverse, covering anything from jazz to rock to dream-pop. Worth a listen.
The Decemberists
The master of the narrative song; if you like your epic songs about pirates and sons setting out to kill their deadbeat dads (among other things) then this is the band for you! Seriously though, worth checking out if you still believe in the album as a legitimate medium of art. I've heard Picaresque (2005) and The Crane Wife (2006).
Editors
The album I've listened to (In This Light and On This Evening [2009]) is synth-rock, but apparently their earlier albums are more indie rock style. Nevertheless, thought this was album was good even if it doesn't deviate from the genre in any significant way.
Elbow
Another band that treat an album they way it should be treated. Elbow's sound is reminiscent of Coldplay (a description that does them no justice whatsoever, but I can't think of any descriptives at the moment) and their 2008 record The Seldom Seen Kid is brilliant.
The Feeling
I had their albums (2006's Twelve Stops and Home and 2008's Join With Us) for years but never really ended up listening to them until last night. Light, jangly guitar-pop for the most part, recalling The Beatles' early work. Never a bad thing.
Lykke Li
Minimalist pop at it's best. This Swedish singer certainly delivers something that you wouldn't hear alongside Britney or Rihanna on the radio any time soon. Listen and get a different perspective on what pop music can be. (Youth Novels [2008])
Neko Case
I'm not usually a fan of country music. In fact the thought of sitting through a country album makes me run for cover. So when I start seeing reviews about this 'alt-country' (what the hell is alt-country!?) artist who it turns out has been around for a while already I was intrigued. Case delivers country albums that are well written, sparse and haunting. Oh and she likes narratives too! Even if you're a country-cynic, give her a go. I've heard Fox Confessor Brings The Flood (2006) and Middle Cyclone (2009).
Oh Mercy
An Australian band, their debut album has kind of gone unnoticed outside of the Triple-J crowd but it's well worth the listen if you like 70s singer-songwriter/pop music. Great tunes with soothing melodies. Their debut is Privileged Woes (2009).
Sia
Sia is another Australian artist and one who is very quickly gaining momentum. She's released three albums, the jazz-pop Healing Is Difficult (2000), the haunting, electronic Colour the Small One (2004) and pop record Some People Have REAL Problems in 2008 which has reached Top 30 in the US. Her voice is intriguing and she does interesting things with what could easily have been a generic pop record.
Sigur Rós
Ever wonder what dreams might sound like if they were turned into music? Well, I'm pretty sure Sigur Rós - an Icelandic quartet - get pretty close. Their albums are soundscapes that draw you in and don't let go. I've heard ( ) (2002) and Takk...(2005) and look forward to delving further into their catalogue. Sweet dreams...
St. Vincent
Alternative singer-songwriter St. Vincent delivers a great sound against a sometimes eerie backdrop of distorted guitars and other ghostly sounds on Actor (2009). Combined with her ethereal vocals, it's a sound well worth listening to.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Well, wasn't that fun.
I used to be an avid fan of the show 'Charmed' but in recent years have grown a bit disenchanted (no pun intended) with it. Still, my brother showed me this video and I thought it was funny and well made.
Maybe I'll revisit the series and give it another chance...
Maybe I'll revisit the series and give it another chance...
Friday, January 22, 2010
My technique for writing essays
1. Deliberate over which question to choose (if there is a choice of more than one), then just choose the one you think would be easiest.
2. Attempt to be organised and find research sources as soon as you can. Leave these on desk or saved on computer for about a week.
3. After that week begin to read relevant part of sources in painstakingly slow manner, making sure to have ample distractions nearby so that as soon as your mind wanders you can speed up the procrastination process.
4. Reading of source should take 1-1.5 weeks, allowing time for highlighting of good points.
5. Put off the writing of the essay until you have a day that provides enough time to get the essay started. This is often the most painful process.
6. Once you have reached the day of your choice, gather all your sources, spread them all over your work area, have word processor ready. For 10 minutes stare at screen and cursor (delusions of persecution may occur at this point, depending on due date) until introductory sentence is started.
7. This day may or may not be productive, depending on: mood, weather, quality of sources, number of distractions. For me, I can usually get a good 500 words down, which always makes me proud. I also find it best to not block any procrastinative tendencies. They're going to come out somehow. (Like in writing this :P)
8. For a few more days the struggle to write should continue, until you come across the 'Day of inspiration' when you are suddenly filled with an impulse to finish the essay. This is a good day.
9. Hand in essay on due date, with significant sense of relief.
2. Attempt to be organised and find research sources as soon as you can. Leave these on desk or saved on computer for about a week.
3. After that week begin to read relevant part of sources in painstakingly slow manner, making sure to have ample distractions nearby so that as soon as your mind wanders you can speed up the procrastination process.
4. Reading of source should take 1-1.5 weeks, allowing time for highlighting of good points.
5. Put off the writing of the essay until you have a day that provides enough time to get the essay started. This is often the most painful process.
6. Once you have reached the day of your choice, gather all your sources, spread them all over your work area, have word processor ready. For 10 minutes stare at screen and cursor (delusions of persecution may occur at this point, depending on due date) until introductory sentence is started.
7. This day may or may not be productive, depending on: mood, weather, quality of sources, number of distractions. For me, I can usually get a good 500 words down, which always makes me proud. I also find it best to not block any procrastinative tendencies. They're going to come out somehow. (Like in writing this :P)
8. For a few more days the struggle to write should continue, until you come across the 'Day of inspiration' when you are suddenly filled with an impulse to finish the essay. This is a good day.
9. Hand in essay on due date, with significant sense of relief.
Monday, January 18, 2010
My New Mantra
I do the best I can, given my circumstances.
I do what is appropriate for me, at this time.
I do what is appropriate for me, at this time.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Headphone has arrived
So that headphone came today, and I have to say I'm impressed. I can already tell that I'm hearing a much richer sound (and the equivalent of both channels!). Now I'm going to be all fanatical trying to pick out little nuances in songs that I've never heard before.
Small things for small minds I suppose.
Small things for small minds I suppose.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
I may have found a solution (well, sort of)
I'm completely deaf in my left ear, which obviously makes some things a little more difficult for me. For example, I don't catch a lot of what people say to me unless I'm in the right position to hear them. Anyway, I've been like this since birth, so I've gotten used to it, but lately it's been bothering me again, especially in regards to music. Listening to music mixed in stereo with headphones means I only really get half the experience.
But I just found something that's made me a little excited. A single earbud that combines stereo into one channel (from this website). This will mean that I'll be able to hear the full mix in one ear. Here's hoping it'll work properly :).
But I just found something that's made me a little excited. A single earbud that combines stereo into one channel (from this website). This will mean that I'll be able to hear the full mix in one ear. Here's hoping it'll work properly :).
Sunday, January 3, 2010
I'm so over it
I'm sick of making an effort to greet people only to get a grunt or no reply at all.
I'm sick of having to work alongside incompetent supervisors who think they rule the roost, but in reality probably couldn't run a chook raffle efficiently.
I'm sick of the stupid demands people make.
I'm sick of being expected to be a mind reader and the source of answers to all the world's questions.
I'm sick of having ridiculous expectations placed upon me.
I'm sick of my having a day off or taking holidays being a big deal, when others can guarantee their holidays a whole year in advance.
I'm sick of working in a badly run, understaffed, understocked, out-of-date workplace.
Well, glad I got that off my chest. No use whinging, nobody's listening :D
I'm sick of having to work alongside incompetent supervisors who think they rule the roost, but in reality probably couldn't run a chook raffle efficiently.
I'm sick of the stupid demands people make.
I'm sick of being expected to be a mind reader and the source of answers to all the world's questions.
I'm sick of having ridiculous expectations placed upon me.
I'm sick of my having a day off or taking holidays being a big deal, when others can guarantee their holidays a whole year in advance.
I'm sick of working in a badly run, understaffed, understocked, out-of-date workplace.
Well, glad I got that off my chest. No use whinging, nobody's listening :D
Saturday, January 2, 2010
I don't care what anyone says...
...Lady GaGa is the best thing to happen to mainstream pop music in a long time.
Download The Fame Monster if you haven't already.
Download The Fame Monster if you haven't already.
Friday, January 1, 2010
I have an addiction...
To last.fm, and watching how many songs I've listened to and seeing my favourite artist plays go up. I get annoyed when I see Tori Amos has about 1,000 more plays than Kate Bush and she has about 800 more plays than The Beatles. I'm working on it though. Sick, I know but I can't help it. And at least I admit it.
Oh, for those who are unaware, last.fm is a website that lets you keep track of the music you and your friends are listening to through a process called 'scrobbling' and then suggests music to you based on your current musical preferences. Join and see if you're not addicted to getting 20,000 plays before anyone else in a months time.
Unfortunately, Blogger is not co-operating with me at the moment so I cannot put the last.fm recently played chart that I intended to in the top right-hand corner of my new blog. Bah! I hate technology sometimes...
Oh, for those who are unaware, last.fm is a website that lets you keep track of the music you and your friends are listening to through a process called 'scrobbling' and then suggests music to you based on your current musical preferences. Join and see if you're not addicted to getting 20,000 plays before anyone else in a months time.
Unfortunately, Blogger is not co-operating with me at the moment so I cannot put the last.fm recently played chart that I intended to in the top right-hand corner of my new blog. Bah! I hate technology sometimes...
A New Year. A New Blog.
So I've done this whole blog thing previously and to be honest, I got sick of it after a few months. I wrote some good things, I wrote some not so good (i.e. shit) things and then I sort of ran out of things to say. My life isn't the most interesting and my opinions certainly aren't the most important or groundbreaking, but I've decided that I might give it another go. Call it a New Year's Resolution I suppose, although I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. Why set yourself goals that are just going to be broken. Seriously, how many 'resolutions' have you actually resolved to keep after a few months, weeks or even days? New Year's Resolutions are fraught with unexpected barriers from the get go. Bet you didn't realise that gym membership would cost so much. Bet you didn't think you'd have to actually not smoke at all to quit smoking. Bet you didn't realise you actually had no time at all to take that night course you always wanted to do.
I sound really bitter and pessimistic, but I'm not trying to be, honest. I just don't see why you shouldn't make resolutions to change your behaviour at other points in the year. New Year = New Life, would be the main argument for New Years Resolutions. That symbolic transition from one set of 365 days that maybe weren't so great or in which we didn't really achieve everything we had wanted to, into a new set of 365 days that have promise of greener pastures and finally realising that lifelong dream. But then the days start slipping by and you still haven't moved very much closer to what you wanted in the first place.
So, no we won't call this blog the result of some New Years Resolution. Nor will we call my recurring desire to learn the piano a New Years Resolution. It's just something I would genuinely like to do and hopefully will if I can get motivated to. 2009 was the year I fell in love and then out of love and then just got very freaking confused about women in general. 2009 was the year I suffered grief for the first time, and its not a feeling I want back anytime soon. 2009 was the year I discovered great music, films and books and in doing so expanded my artistic horizons. 2009 was the year I started a blog, packed it with crap and then gave up on it like so many other things. Even if I'm not a great believer in Resolutions as such, maybe I can get behind the whole new year, new beginning thing and aspire to be a little more steadfast in my commitments (definitely not only in regards to the blog) and aspire to be a little more adventurous in my life.
Heh, we'll see how long that lasts...
I sound really bitter and pessimistic, but I'm not trying to be, honest. I just don't see why you shouldn't make resolutions to change your behaviour at other points in the year. New Year = New Life, would be the main argument for New Years Resolutions. That symbolic transition from one set of 365 days that maybe weren't so great or in which we didn't really achieve everything we had wanted to, into a new set of 365 days that have promise of greener pastures and finally realising that lifelong dream. But then the days start slipping by and you still haven't moved very much closer to what you wanted in the first place.
So, no we won't call this blog the result of some New Years Resolution. Nor will we call my recurring desire to learn the piano a New Years Resolution. It's just something I would genuinely like to do and hopefully will if I can get motivated to. 2009 was the year I fell in love and then out of love and then just got very freaking confused about women in general. 2009 was the year I suffered grief for the first time, and its not a feeling I want back anytime soon. 2009 was the year I discovered great music, films and books and in doing so expanded my artistic horizons. 2009 was the year I started a blog, packed it with crap and then gave up on it like so many other things. Even if I'm not a great believer in Resolutions as such, maybe I can get behind the whole new year, new beginning thing and aspire to be a little more steadfast in my commitments (definitely not only in regards to the blog) and aspire to be a little more adventurous in my life.
Heh, we'll see how long that lasts...
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