Factory in Gtown

2005-06-06T21:17:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone that no longer reads this because I haven't blogged in 6 months.

I know that no one is going to be reading this post, but let me fill everyone in anyway in case somebody that I know decides to check my blog on the off - chance that I might have posted.

So what's been happening? I got the job at Kingswood College and have been in a hostel called Redfern House. The guys there are post - matrics or bridging years (B.Y.'s) as they call them here. I have spent a season coaching waterpolo and am in the middle of hockey season. Moth times I have been given charge of an U16 girl's team. So far, things have gone fairly well and all is good on this front.

Year of Your life has also been quite stretching and I am loving it. It's a nice change from studying - bit of a different type of work, but not necessarily much easier. I don't go in to the office all that much and a lot of my time is unstructured which means that I have had to organise my life really well in order to keep consistent with all the stuff I have to do.

I've made some new friends this year and some of my older ones aren't as strong as they were (due to geographical reasons) and as a result I was really struuggling at the beginning of the year. But nonetheless, I'm quite happy now. One of the new friends in my life is my mate Brad. He manages an outdoor adventure store here and is possibly one of the biggest legends of all - time. The bloke has been a really good oke to me this year. He is always encouraging me etc.

Oh, would you look at that!? I seem to have run out of time!!! Well, tomorrow's another day. Blog again soon!!! Cheers all u people whom I don't know because you may just stumble across this. I mean why would anyone intentionally come here??

2004-11-01T05:59:00.000-08:00

Howdy

This is a rare moment, so savour it ok? It's not every day that I get to post anymore. Well, what's been happening in my life?

Not a whole lot really. Swot week (or should I say dead quiet week) has started. I tried summarising some of my notes today and will carry on when I go home, but I have to finish off an essay for tomorrow. When that's done, I will have finished all my course work. YAY!!
Don't really know where to start because we have the whole year's work to learn. It's a lot - trust me. It's quite scary to think that I am going to have to put that all in my brain!!

Thesis nearly done: on page thirty of forty, so I can see the finish line.
I had my project presentation on Friday evening. We had to present the results of our work to the rest of the class. Ours was a huge success. We put together a video with movie clips adnd all sorts. There was a huge crowd watching including Clinical Master's students whom we never actually see - these guys are like the kings of the Psych Dept. everyone wants to be like them kinda thing. No, actually, everyone wants to be like me, but ja. Anyway, we were all dressed up in tuxedos (to get into the gambling vibe) and I made only one or two mistakes in my part. The others also did extremely well. Everyone was blown away by the presentation and the use of media. Andre will be pleased to know that we used a Coldplay song.

On a terrible note, I'm missing Shaun and Linds' wedding. Unfortunately I have an exam on that day, so that sucks.

All the digsmates are obsessively watching reruns of "friends"on Gareth's computer. We are all leaving soon, and I think that "Friends" captures the spirit of what we have become as a family. We have a "Ross" (Ryan), a "Chandler" (Gareth), a "Joey" (Me - it's the food thing), a "Monica" (K.C.), a "Rachel" (Cal) and a "Phoebie" (Charmaine). Sorry Charms, but you suggested it!!

I think we all know the time when we are going to have to pack up and leave is coming soon and I think that Friends at this time captures that nostalgia of the good old days quite adequately. Ok, so we're all very, very sad, strange people !! So What ?? We have feelings too you know! We have had numerous comments from visitors that we are quickly becoming pathological. I can understand why they think this: I mean I might have thought the same thing if every time I came to visit, the whole digs was gathered on Gareth's single bed, eyes completely glued to (maybe not completely) the computer monitor. What I mean is, while we are all watching, we still all have a very strong sense of being together as a family (well at least I do). But you will not understand until you've been in such a group. We seriously love each other.

OK, enough sloppy sentamentalism for one day. Pull yourself together man!!! Aw, I just can;t help it! I'm going to miss my family !!

OK, must go. wasted enough time!!
Glen.

Same thing we do everyday Pinky: Try to take over the world!!

2004-10-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello all my peeps. Sorry I haven't posted in ages, but I've been busy.

I also no longer live and work on campus because I now have a P.C. in my room at home.

My plans for world domination are, as always, coming along nicely!!

As you may have realised from the previous statement, I have finally bought my very own P.C. Yay !!!!!!! I promptly went onto the Quiksilver website and downloaded practically every desktop available. There are some kiff shots of Kelly, Mar Ohno and some new young whipper - snapper Jimmy Rotherham who I have never heard of before.

I tried plying some information about our young friend Jimmy out of my "walking surf - culture database" mate, Glenn Harpur. I swear, the guy knows more about surf culture and surfing than anyone alive!!! He's also pretty hot in the water and I've seen the furry little hobbit bust a move or two in his time. Even he hadn't heard of this young upstart. I must investigate.... Jimmy looks pretty damn good though, and he has what looks like a good, fluid, attack which is necessary if you want your surfing to look aesthetically pleasing. Hmmm, reminds me of myself when I was younger.

Anyway, after that short dissertation on the technicalities of wave - riding, back to other more important things. Went swimming this morning for *Shock and Horror* the first time this week. What !? It was cold ok?? Let him who has not sinned cast the first stone. Grahamstown gets so cold at times that I would suggest that anyone wanting to study here should first go and live at the South Pole in a tent with no sleeping bags, blankets or heat - emitting devices for a week and then you might just be able to survive here. Well it was cold, so I decided to chill and live to fight another day rather than get sick.

Contrary to what the passage above might suggest, I am on a "fitness drive" (I've been swimming, cycling and playing squash) because I realise that taking over the world is going to require some level of physical fitness and besides, a healthy body is a healthy mind !!!! (I'm rambling again aren't I? I think it may be the after - effects of the temporary state of oxygen deprivation that I experienced this morning while swimming - my breathing was all wrong you see) I need a healthy mind for my thesis. Which is beginning to drag a little.

Swot week is almost upon us. It starts next week Monday. HELP!!! The year has gone by so damn quickly!! I finished off an 18 pg. practical report this morning and I have an essay to do for the 2nd of Nov. plus that T - word. It's also my brother's birthday tomorrow (23 Oct). He is turning 28, so spare the man a thought will you? If you can, please would you SMS him at
(094) 479 5238 5179. It's double the price of a normal SMS, but you can afford that can't you?Just tell him you're one of my homeys and wish him a happy Birthday. Shot.

Anyway Must go now - I have breakfast to eat, coffee to drink and an essay to write.

Auf Weidersehen!!!

Plumber's bum.

2004-10-13T22:14:00.000-07:00

In 1972 a crack commando unit was sentenced to prison by a military court for a crime they did not commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, maybe you can hire... the A - team.

Well, I kinda needed the A - team at 11pm last Saturday evening.

Hello everybody !!!!!!!! Well, I've been rather busy lately so I haven't posted for a while, which I know is driving everyone up the wall because you all want to read my blog don't you? So in the interests of my sanity.... here goes.

Ja, about the saturday evening thing:

Allow me, if you will, to set the scene: We'd just had a fairly successful surprise birthday party for our amazingly wonderful digsmate K.C. (her full name is Keira Christy, which I personally like better 'cos I think Keira is a really nice name that shouldn't be abbreviated).

Anyway, I was just about to head off to bed, but just before I went I got the urge to go to the little boy's room. Fastforward 15 minutes and I am attempting to flush the toilet. As watched the bowl I noticed that it was rapidly filling up. At this point I realised that something was drastically wrong and I decided that the logical thing to do would be to flush the toilet again to get rid of the apparent blockage that was causing the problem. BAD MOVE!!!

In almost slow - motion the water level in the toilet bowl continued to rise and powerless to anything I stared on in absolute horror and disbelief as the entire volume of the toilet bowl overflowed onto the bathroom floor. When it stopped there was about an inch of water covering the floor. So here I am in semi - formal attire attempting to mop up the bathroom floor with old car - washing towels and some crusty old mop that is about as useful as a kick in the groin.

Oh my did I ever wash my hands after that!! I think I soaked them in dishwashing liquid as well as normal soap and washed my hands in very hot water to kill anything that well, you get the picture. If I had Savlon or Dettol (antiseptic solutions used for first aid) I would have used that too. Damn !!! I felt so icky !!!

In other news, I have found direction for my work and am now merely being lazy and blogging instead.

Tomorrow is a monumental occasion for me but I will tell you all about that tomorrow :)

Jimmy (my biclycle) is a very happy young lad. Today I finally completed his overhaul and can now be seen sporting brand spanking new slicks (as opposed to knobbly tires) and toe clips (which keep the balls of your feet on the padals and allow you to pull upwards as well (which you are supposed to do). He's smiling from ear to ear believe me. All the girl - bikes are gonna have to guard ther hearts let me tell you. But any girl - bike that comes along is going to have to go through me and a very stringent testing process first if she's going to get to my Jimmy. Also, his triplet members (Jame's and Nathan's bikes - Jeremiah and Shemiramoth) will look out for him too. As for Jimmy, he's quite content in his singleness and is faithfully on about his father's business.

I took Jimmy for a ride out of town the other day. Went quite far (maybe 20km) and I was having quite a lot of fun until I turned around to go back. Not only was there a massive head wind but the pleasant little downhill had turned into a massive uphill ride. By the time I got back I had almost frozen to death. Stupid me !!

NEway, must go now because blogging is a colossal waste of time whichever way you wnat to look at it.

Chow.

Keelhauled !! Well, Almost....

2004-10-08T03:16:00.000-07:00

Had a brainwave last night: Phoned a friend and suggested we go surfing at 5 am. The cold front had just come through and our conversation went something like this:

"Hi, Glen ??"

"Ja, Hi bru. How are you?"

"I'm cool."

"So, what have you got going on tomorrow?"

"Nothing much. A lecture at 9, Why?"

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to go for a surf tomorrow at five. Actually you don't really have any choice in the matter, I'm just phoning to tell you that you are taking us to the beach. If you don't, Ill just come over there and break your hip!"

"Uh, sure, see you at five then!" (trying to sound optimistic and cheerful)

"Great, see you then mate!!!"

"Bye"

"Bye".....

Ah the gentle art of persuasion. I (unlike others) have clearly read the book How to win friends and influence people and am successfully putting the principles I learned into practice.

So down to the beach we go. We are both champing at the bit the whole way down (its a 45 min. drive) because we haven't ridden anything in ages. We get there and much to our dismay, the sea is very rough (but not that big - only 5 foot or so) and the break is not handling it very well. Some waves were breaking out at about 3 km from shore (they were rather large). Anyway, we paddle out in the frigid water (it normally gives you an ice - cream headache). After a while it becomes evident to both of us that we have a snowball's hope in hell of getting out to backline so we turn around and head in.

I catch a giant foamie and go almost all the way in. Then I start getting sucked back into the freakin' rip!!! Now, an experienced surfer like myself has no cause to worry about this - just a slight irritation really. The only problem is, experience only counts when you are fit. I (read my previous post - "Faster: The acceleration of just about everything") am categorically unfit. I made the fatal mistake of thinking that I was fit.

Now, the number one rule of ripcurrents is: "don't fight them". These words of wisdom only hold true however, when there aren't viciously sharp slices of mango (sorry, that was the other day's post. I mean rocks) vicioulsy sharp rocks which waves are breaking into right next to you and you aren't being pushed into said rocks by the waves.

Now if you know anything about the sea and rocks and surfing, you will know three things:

1) getting washed onto barnacle - covered rocks in anything bigger than a small sea is not conducive to long life and happiness.

2) Fibreglass surfboards and rocks have a long history of enmity between them, and when fibreglass meets rock, the rock usually wins.

3) Ditto for human flesh/heads and rock.

So in any case here I am getting pushed into these rocks. Now, I can see exactly what's going to happen. In fact, I can picture it in my mind: I am going to paddle along (get taken out to sea) by the rip, try to swim across and end up right where I began next to the viciously sharp rocks. This will continue for a while and like a fly trapped in a bottle, I will sooner or later (sooner actually) give up from exhaustion and get washed into the rocks anyway. My skin will be peeled from my body like an onion and I will float around until I am claimed by a massive shark. The shark will not kill me but leave me - just a torso and a head now , alive to bob slowly up and down until death claims me an hour later.

In a moment of suicidal clarity I decide that I might as well get it over with now and save everybody the time and effort. I turn around and start heading for the rocks. At this point my mate thinks I've just lost the plot and stares on incredulous. Somehow I manage to land on a submerged rock and get to a relatively big, flat rock on which I am now kneeling. The water, up to this point, had been going out. Then I look behind me and I know I'm about to die. About five meters away a sizey beast of a wave is about to heave it's guts all over the the rocks. I am in the stickiest situation since Sticky the stick insect got stuck on a sticky bun!!! Seconds from death, my life flashes before my eyes and I'm looking heavenward and going "Ok, Lord. Now would be the time when you step in and hold back the waters like in Exodus/make me able to fly/ allow me to walk calmly on top of the water and out of this mess!!!!". Nothing. Wave about to break... OH POO!!!!

I brace myself for the worst and a split - second later, I feel the jarring impact of the wave. My left hand is already out to steady myself and with my right I am gripping my surfboard in the vain hope that I might save it from being dashed to peices. I feel a calm, almost ethereal feeling and think to myself "Oh, that wasn't so bad! Relatively quick and painless. Going to miss my folks though!! But now that I'm in Heaven everythings going to be fine. Then I'm jolted back to reality and I'm like "Ohmigosh!! I'm Alive!!! I didn't even move. Board still fine, me still fine. Ok. Best get going. So I manage to get behind a relatively big rock and use that for shelter. Another wave breaks over me, and I am still unscathed. When the water has receded, I make a dash up the side of the pier and get to safety. My mate who is still in the water can't beleive what he's just seen. My miraculous escape!! My board is fine, and I have one very minor scratch. It could have been a lot worse. I guess God was helping me after all. In fact, I pray for protection everytime I go into the surf, so God was faithful to answer.

So that's my exciting news for the day...

Cheerio!!

Hope springs eternal

2004-10-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

Hi again

Well, the curry was alright I suppose. It actually tasted quite good in the end but there was a lot less of it than I expected there to be and it was a lot less saucy than I had intended. Well, nice but I'll have to find a way to improve the sauce. If anyone has any bright ideas on how to make mango and banana sauce, please let me know.

I just can't wait to see Ryan's (my enigmatic digsmate) face when I tell him he ate baby food tonight :) !!!!!!!! He's the kinda guy who isn't much into new experiences and quite set in his ways etc. etc. Very down the line/by the book/no funny business kind of guy. He's probably going to freak when he hears what I've done. He he he he....

Well, here's what happened: I decided to use purity (a brand of pureed baby food which actually tastes really nice once you stop thinking of it as baby food) to flavour my curry (trying to make a bananery sauce. I used some other funky pineapple relish for the sauce as well. I felt really spare buying the baby food. There I am standing in the supermarket looking very much like a student (which I am) in a very small town where students are very, very conspicuous due to their youthful complexions. Not that I'm saying that there are no young locals here but by and large, most local kids leave here for greener pastures once they get old enough to run away from home, which incedentally, is about the same time that they are mouthing the words "Mama", "Dada", or "Gaga". Oh my !! Listen to me!! I think the baby food is having some disturbing side effects. I say disturbing because it's not everyday that people around you look at you concernedly like they are doing now. What's that I hear about Fort England???

No wonder they tell you it's suitable for 1 - 3 year olds and don't say anything about any adverse side effects on the label. Since this is the normal behaviour of a 1 - 3 year old, no would notice anyway. Of all the dirty, low down ..... "Gaaaa"... Help !!!!

No, but really Gtown is not that bad. I wouldn't mind living here except for the fact that I like the big city and the sea a lot and as such, GTown would probably never work for me long term (says he who will have spent 5 years (at the end of next year) here). Anyway, I feel called (don't you just love that gem of charismatic/Christianese lingo? A thousand Super spiritual points for me!! - I think I may be overtaking brother Gareth (Another thousand there) in the race for the golden halo award for the most super - spiritual sayings in one year. No, seriously, God has got other plans for me. At some stage I am going to have to leave here which will be quite sad.

Had World View Surveys today. Was quite tough because I was feeling very tired. Felt like I was hitting a brick wall. World View surveys are surveys (funny thing that) that we do on campus as part of an effort to get a better picture of the basic beliefs and assumptions of the people we study with. Sort of like a database of prevailing worldviews on campus. Very helpful for quite a number of reasons. More importantly, they are also a kiff door to sharing the gospel in a friendly, respectful way with people. We do them every Wednesday and Friday and so far, they have been a great success.

Eish! Have less than a month for a prac. report, an essay and to finish the rest of my draft for my thesis. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This damn statistics program I am using keeps kishing out when I try to analyse the data. I think I may have broken the CPU.

Oh well. Such is life. If I don't get it to work I am just going to go home and do some other work.
Or I could sit here sucking my thumb and mouthing inanities all evening. Come to think of it, I'm sure I have brought my rattle down from Durban...

Chicken Tandoori

2004-10-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Hello Hobbitses!!!

I have had a lot to think about in the last few days. I'm not sure that I can write all about it right now, but let's just say it may involve a slight change of lifestyle. NO, I'm not backsliding, don't worry - but what I am considering is lifestyle changing none the less.

Thing is, I'm not even sure its necessary at this point. So I have to do some thinking and some research and make a well - informed decision on this. Oh, and following my conscience would be a good move as well. Funny thing that!

I have decided to do some experimental cooking tonight - I want to make a chicken curry with a mango and banana sauce. Should be quite interesting, especially since I only have a vague idea of what's going to happen. Oh well, if it flops then too bad. If it flies, then there's a good chance that I haven't cooked the chicken properly or that one of my digsies doesn't dig it too much so, ja. No, seriously, if it works, then I have a new recipe up my sleeve. I think you have to just go for it in these types of situations. If it doesn't work, the most you'll have to deal with is five angry digsmates. How bad can that be????

I mean given my rock hard body and extensive judo, jui jutsu, , kung - fu etc. training it should be allright. I can confidently handle an angry mob of thirty odd, so five enraged, red - faced, wide - eyed digsmates with spit flying out of their mouths and nostrils flaring shouldn't be that bad... Maybe I also shouldn't make the curry too hot either or the physiological reactions described above might be due to a different cause.

Well, nothing much more to report at this stage, because its uncannily early in the day for me to be posting. Normally I post when I have something worthwhile to say so now I fear I am just rambling.

K. Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Распадок.

I saw the sign...

2004-10-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

Saw a sign at a pharmacy yesterday that I thought was quite amusing. It said:

"Hullo, I'm Jenny Yore phrendlie farm a cyst!"

Almost done cleaning that data. As I said, it's very very dirty. Had a kiff lunch at Evolution (a local restaurant) with a friend today.

Faster: The acceleration of just about everything

2004-10-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

Hi. After not posting for a while, I feel the need for an excuse. Well, believe it or not, I've been working. NO! you say?? Yes, Working say I.

Ja, in truth, its been a heavy two weeks going back and forth to P.E. but that's over now and I have (or am in the process of) capturing the data that we've got and cleaning it (it's very dirty I cab assure you).

So here are the updates:

Digs is falling apart. There are some ppl that are keeping secrets from everyone else and other people that don't dig those some people very much. Personally, I've never been a fan of politics and I try my best to keep out of everyone else's business. Only thing is, because I'm neutral*, I get both side's version of the events.

*Maybe "neutral" is a slight over - exaggeration, because I do lean more to one side's point of view, but since said someone (the secret keeper) hasn't done anything bad to me - in fact, been downright nice to me, I see no reason to be angry with that person.

NEway, so there it is. I once heard a saying: "It's tough on the top and worse at the bottom". Well, let me tell you, being in the middle ain't no picnic either bru! I'm trying desparately to keep everyone at a civil level of relating (at least) in order to avoid atomic warfare of a magnitude never before experienced by mankind. Believe me, this situation has the propensity to get quite ugly.

K, on a lighter note: I'm swimming again. I kinda need to go early in the morning though, because if I don't, there's always the chance that someone in one of the res's might have a harpoon which would be disastrous because due to my alarming likeness to a whale they would be very tempted to try and harpoon me. Could you imagine the carnage?? The slaughter would be very great!! I can see the headlines now:

"Boy killed by harpoon in University swimming pool: Murderer claims case of mistaken identity".

In fact, it's actually gotten to a stage now where Greenpeace don't even try to tow me back out to sea when I'm surfing anymore, because they know that the whale is the sleeker - looking, more streamlined fish swimming next to me. My belly button arrives home fifteen minutes before I do!!! I have my own area code!! Hopefully the swimming will help me to lose weight tho.

Had the dodgiest meditationy/ frikkin' airey - fairey - new age - nonsense practical this weekend. How they could teach this stuff to University students (let alone Honours students) and how people could actually believe the (no adequate adjectives available here - but the feeling I get is one of wanting to vomit) that these people sprout. They produce more manure than an entire heard of cattle. Shame.

Neway, maybe I'll tell you about that next time.

Oh me of little Faith

2004-09-27T14:32:00.000-07:00

Was on the loo this morning (I'm shure you all wanted to know that) when I got a call from the school that I am going to be stooging (coaching sport/helping the kids etc.) at next year. So, I got the job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

Last night I was stressing!! It was HECTIC!! I was thinking: Oh my!! What if I don't get in? I know God wants me here next year, but I don't think I can do that financially (I'm doing a volunteer year for my church)! I was contemplating going to Taiwan (which I knew wasn't in the plan - God's that is - because I KNEW that He wanted me to be here next year). Then I was like: "well, that would be tantamount to living in sin for a whole year (which really scares me: believe me, you don't want to make The Creator of the universe bleak!!) . On top of this, I had been asking, and God had been telling me all weekend that I actually did have the job.

Also, verses like Mt 13:7 and Mk 4:7 - saying how worries and things of the world can choke one's productivity for God. At the same time God is telling me to chill. NEway, all this going thru around in my head was quite hectic. and I realised one thing - The verses most applicable to me at that time was: Lu 12:28, Mt 6:30 and Mt 8:26. I was 'of little faith' !!!

First, a definition of Faith, taken from the famous (to His People Bible School students the world over) Heb 11:1 - What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. (My lecturers would be proud !!)
Since we walk by faith and not by sight, and since faith in God is one of the fundamentals of Christianity, I need to develop faith!!

Luckily, 2Tim 2:13 says : "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.".

But nevertheless, this has brought to light the urgent need for me to develop. If I am going to do HUGE things for God, then I need to develop faith in order to accomplish them, because I'm not going to be told/ spoon - fed everything. Some decisions are going to have to be purely faith - based, trusting that God is good, and that He will take care of me, and that He can do exeedingly, abundantly, more than I had ever hoped for or imagined, and that His way is the best. In short, I need to take Him at His word don't I? After all, He cannot lie.

I guess I'm just a paranoid android and this has shown me how weak, frail and dull I really am!! I often wonder how on earth the disciples could have doubted Jesus right after he had done all these amazing miracles in their sight!! I mean, the bread (at the feeding of the five thousand) was multiplied in their own hands!! Not Jesus' If you read carefully, He told the disciples to distrubute the food!! Even after this, the next time they still doubt. Jesus looks at them and says "Are you still so dull?"

Well I wonder about this no more!! I am no better than them. If I could be half the men they were!!! Who am I to think I'm any more clever or wise?? Looking at last year, God and only God rescued me from failing Computer Science 3. Also, throughout my academic career he has been there, giving me success and looking out for me. The very fact that I am in honours is a miracle (at Graduation, there were a whackload of people that got distinctions and other such accolades for Psychology, yet I got in and they didn't). So why am I still so dull?? This was a tiny in comparison to the stuff God has done in my life. Anyway, He has never failed me (and never will).

Don't know. All I know is that I need to learn to trust God more...

Rhyming Couplets

2004-09-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

Afternoon everyone.

I wrote this little nonsense poem about myself. Don't ask why or how. Just be content with the fact that it was written and rest safe in the knowledge that I am not a narcissist.
While I am clearly not going to become Poet Laureate, I decided to show everyone my handiwork:

Glen's a name that rhymes with a bird,
which to me, seems quite absurd!
One thing is a consolation,
that the bird is eaten on occasion.

Alas, Glen is also a brand of tea,
Is there any connection it and me?
Or was it simply coincedence,
that the makers gave me fifty pence?

Glen refers to a deep narrow valley,
no confusion here doth tarry,
For I am very definitely Au - fait,
about losing golf balls from the fairway.

NOTICE: no animals were harmed in the making of this poem (except the damn hen!!).

Ok, will rhyme .... sorry, write later.

2004-09-23T22:08:00.000-07:00

Whassup !?!?

I'm back. I have had the most dizzying week so far!! For all of you who have made it part of your routine to religiously check my blog : you know who you all are - A big sorry.

On Monday we went to P.E. to meet with the casino shar... managers. They reviewed the questionnaire and allowed us to come and do research at their den of ini..respectable estamblishment. I had to physically restrain myself from tearing my clothes multiple times.

After driving my colleugue's car there (she felt unsafe driving on the highway). NEway, we get there at about 12:30pm. Our project supervisor (a very nice but extremely odd individual) says he knows a place where they serve very good fish and chips. We are thinking that this is a good plan since we are all pretty frikkin' skraalies (hungry) by now. So I steer the car in the direction of this rumoured restaurant. All the time I'm thinking "Ah, what culinary perfection awaits!!" I can already taste that hamburger I'm going to have.

At this point, we arrive at what is probably the world's worst thing. This scaffy beachfront take away. Oh my word !! It was worse than Johnnies in Durban. Picture Point Rd/Warwick triangle/Hillbrow in Joburg and you all get a fair picture of what I'm talking about. Only problem is, normally you don't have to stay there (in one place) for very long: Johnnies is quick with your dag. However, this spot wasn't. I felt I needed a tetanus injection just from looking at the place.

As for the food: There are amoeba on Saturn who could make a better hamburger than that. The mushroom sauce I ordered on my burger was made out of pure lard. Frankly quite disgusting.

Then had to drive back.

So, swimming tomorrow morning before going back to P.E. (in the afternoon).

Conned myself into believing that I would come down here and work. What an absolute lie.
Going home now to tidy my room...

Oh" what a beautiful morning, oh what a beautiful day..."

2004-09-20T12:45:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Vietnam !!!!

I'm feeling rather good this morning actually. Was woken up again by my wonderful digsmate Carol with coffee (God bless her heart!!). She is the biggest legend !! I'm going to miss not having her for a digsmate next year but since we've all decided to stay in close touch and go out for coffee/ a meal regularly, I think it should be fine.

NEway, I go off to class expecting to have this HECTIC day (Its quite a shock doing a three hour stint after not being in class for three weeks). Well we ended after 30mins. or so, so I have come here to finish up my literature review. With any luck I should have it done by tonight or tomorrow. So that will be a huge relief. Still, when the data gets collected, the real work will start with the analysis.

Yes, enough about my project !!! I have quite a bit of reading to do for Wednesday so I think some more highlighters are in order. I have refillable ones (or so they claim) but I haven't a clue how to refill them. I anyone knows, please enlighten me (OK, sorry - BAD pun). But yes, pleeeeeeeze, because I'd rather not keep having to buy these things every 3 months. The fact that I have to do the reading is ok because at least I can curl up in bed and do it there as opposed to sitting in these here labs. It's freezing outside anyway (not raining, but sunny and freezing). What's the deal with that?? It's supposed to be spring here!!

So what else ?? Oh ja, everyone back in digs except Charmaine. She probably stayed in Durban a day longer and is travelling back today. So its all nice and homely again. Yay for that!! Was beginning to miss everyone.

I am going to have some lunch now. Tuna mayonnaise on rolls. My mouth is watering already!!!

Bye for now.

Распадок.

This love has taken it's toll on me...

2004-09-19T05:45:00.000-07:00

Right.

I'm back now, sitting in my favourite seat in the laboratory (it's normally stolen by the time I get here, but seeing as today is a Sunday, I managed to score it. We are such creatures of habit !! Why is that?

Also, I was thinking about this earlier: a bonus about working on Sunday is that you get through the long dark teatime of the soul (read the post entitled "Thermal Underwear" from Sept. 15 and you'll see what I mean).

Had a really weird experience this morning. I woke up just before my digsmate Ryan knocked on my door to wake me up. So odd. So when he knocked I was aldready fully awake and was like "come in". I think it may have been because the sounds of him making breakfast etc. woke me up before. It was very confusing though.

I'm keen for the project thing again, but now its like three o'clock already and I have 3 1/2 hours before church starts. Will work until say 5:30 and then go up to get some chow before church starts. Can't go on an empty stomach now can we ?

K, so must get going then.

Byeeeeee.

Woof Woof

2004-09-18T14:46:00.000-07:00

Apparently I was born in the year of the Dog.
I have no idea what the implications of this are, but that would certainly explain my affinity for all types of our furry friends. I have been known to howl at the moon on occasion. I also quite dig puppy chunks for breakfast.

Dre was born in the year of the ox. There must have been some mistake there, cos physically, he is the exact opposite of an ox. Quite brainy (Andre that is), still has everything and not exactly Arnold Schwarzenegger (who would make a good ox) in terms of muscle. Of course Dre could always like hanging out with oxen?? My friend Rog was born in the year of the monkey. Hmmm ... yes, I can see where they are coming from :)

Project dead. Can't get any further. Sitting here since whenever I last posted and haven't gotten any further. I've been reading stuff, but I now have a huge headache and since this stuff is so incredibly boring, I'm not having fun anymore....

2004-09-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hey everybody.

Didn't post yesterday cos I was working at home on my digsmate's puter. Didn't get much done though.

Ok, so as promised, here's how golf went: woe betide the man who cannot hit straight on that course i.e. me. The rough up there is full - on bushveld bru!!! Also, the wind howls there, so hard that sometimes it is pretty much impossible to play, which doesn't make matters any easier.

I hit a few good shots, but I have this irritating habit of slicing the ball. I keep my head down religiously, my stance is right etc. etc. and I just can't figure out what is going on. Shot 52 on the first nine (I'm going to go hide now...). Ok, I'm back. Now where was I? Oh, yes: NEway, we had fun and a few laughs - not to mention a few bundu bashing sessions. At one time I found myself in a deep donga (ditch) trying to hit my ball out and back onto the fairway. If you've seen one of those typical pics of a Scotsman in a kilt trying to "play it as it lies", then you get a fair idea of what that was like. R

This morning I woke up (after sleeping in) and made myself an awesome brunch of crispy bacon, eggs, fried mushrooms, toast and coffee. Too good!!!!!!

In light of the disturbing information that I read on my friend Dre's blog, I decided to do a Jungian dream analysis on the content of his recent posts (which are about his dreams - funnily enough). So the following is my professional psychological opinion:

Andre's dreams exhibit disturbing megalomaniacal tendencies (an example of this is thinking that he's actually going to play with Coldplay). This theme is carried on in his dreams about his girlfriend in which he subsequently kills her (how offsides is that??). The evidence leads me to conclude one thing about this last dream: that Dre fully rates himself as a "babe slayer"!!!!

Poor, deluded man that he is. I suggest he gets some professional help soon before he begins to think that people (besides me) are actually reading his blog and that he actually has real friends. It's so sad that some people have to resort to delusions such as these to protect themselves psychologically from the harsh realities of life...

Sleepless in Seattle

2004-09-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Ahem, ...

"trasmettendo sull'onda corta e media"....

Nothing much to report today. Made some headway with the project. Only have two more pages to go to fulfil my quota for today. However, if I don't its no biggie. Going to work on it tonight though.

Most of my time was spent figuring out where to go from yesterday. Once I had worked it all out in my head I drew a diagram/mind map (where did they get that term from?? - I mean, is it a map of the dude's mind ?? Surely not. Well, in any case, if you were to see a map of my mind, you'd get lost rather quickly ;) ) NEway, where was I, oh yes, and now I'm working from the mind map so the structure stays very logical.

I bought some good coffee (finally). It's Ciro (for those who care) and I'm staring at the packet thinking that some would be good now. I'm going to go home soon - as the sun is in the process of going down - and have some. It will be a welcome change from that chicory muck that I have been forcing down my throat for the last while. I just wish that they sold Lavazza here.

Playing golf tomorrow, so watch this space for an update of how it goes. It should be quite entertaining for you all to read, since the world's worst golfer (this is no exaggeration) - I mean of those that can actually hit a ball; the others don't count as golfers - will be playing on the world's worst course (again, no exaggeration). There are amoeba on Saturn who could build a better golf course than this one (and play golf better than I can).

However, the fact that the blokes who I play with aren't much better (except maybe Lester) gives me some solace. Also, we may be able to fit in 18 holes as opposed to the 9 we normally play.

Had a terrible night's sleep. Woke up at around 02:30 or so and Cassie was going off, growling etc. !!! I thought she was just being her usual rashy self and trying to get some attention. She has done this in the early hours of the morning before but due to Gareth's impressive ambidextrous manipulation of a rubber band and a toilet seat while holding the gate open with one leg in a perfect ballerina - like pose, she hasn't done it in a while. Neway, I'm lying there thinking to myself "Shut up Dammit!!" when all of a twice she goes really, really silent.

This is now really freaky cos I'm thinking: "O.K. someone's just come in and killed Cassie." So I lie there waiting and listening and she's not making any noise whatsoever. Now, wisdom dictates that I get up and go and have a look around, but since I'm really not keen, I am looking for a way to search the yard without actually getting out of bed.*(You choose the ending that you find most appropriate).

*At this point I remember that earlier that day, in order to locate a piece of cheese, I had eaten the mind of a mouse. This allowed me to read the mouse's mind and find the nearest piece of cheese.

So, since the memory traces of the mouse's mind had not yet faded to a point where it was impossible, I again utilised the mouse's mind to telepathically scan the yard in search of any ... undesirables. This search was in fact fruitless, but it left me with an insatiable desire for a block of cheese, which made any chance of sleep impossible.

*Ja, so, I'm lying there going "I DO NOT WANT TO GET UP!!!" At which point I stumble onto a very clever idea: I will lie there and listen very very closely for any sound of a burglar. Since I have the highly attuned senses of the arctic mongoose, this sounds like a good idea to me. I didn't hear anything and Cassie didn't make any noise whatsoever for a good while. Anyway, when she did I though it might be time to get some sleep. Since I had been concentrating so hard, and because my sleeping pattern is thoroughly messed, I couldn't and the rest of the night was spent drifting in and out of shallow sleep.

I am keen to get some kiff dos before tomorrow.

Распадок.

Thermal Underwear

2004-09-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

Went to watch "the terminal" last night.

All in all a good movie (won't make my top ten list though). I can see how some people might find it incredibly boring, because there was no real "climax" so to speak. There was no really bad foe to overcome and no really huge battle to fight. As a result it seemed a bit on the bland side. I suppose that's how Speilberg (or his Mexican non - union counterpart Senr. Spielbergo) wanted to make the audience feel.

That feeling that Victor Nivorsky (ah, a model communist !!!) must have felt, that feeling that Douglas Adams so aptly describes as "In the end, it was the Sunday afternoons he couldn't cope with, and that terrible listlessness which starts to set in at about 2:55, when you know that you've had all the baths you can usefully have that day, that however hard you stare at any given paragraph in the papers you will never actually read it, or use the revolutionary new pruning technique it describes, and that as you stare at the clock the hands will move relentlessly on to four o'clock, and you will enter the long dark teatime of the soul." - Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything. Beautiful Words by a very gifted man!!! NEway can you imagine old Victor in the Airport feeling that??

Also, the way the guy figured out the trolley thing to get bucks?? Amazing! He could have given up after all his meal tickets were lost, but he didn't. He found a way to get dosh. And what I respect a lot is that he didn't beg or steal, he WORKED!

There are many other things I enjoyed about the movie. The homour was weird, very dry but i warmed up to it eventually. Gupta the cleaning dude was far too funny!!! I thought it was hysterical when he ran out to hit the boeing 767 with a mop. Kinda like david and Goliath dodn't you think? This small, frail old Indian man running to meet this hulking steel behemoth of an aircraft and thinking he can win!! He does too !! Great !!!

Sorry if I for spoiled it for anyone :P

My mate Dre diggety dawg is blogging which is cool. What is not cool is being a theif (he freely admits to copying me: dreinctown.blogspot.com). On one level, I'm quite flattered. On another, I don't really care and on a third, I'm wanting to help him because I feel he is having a crisis of identity - Love you bru!!! You know I do.

In other news, Cassie, Gareth's weird but cool dog licked my leg this morning while I was trying to lube my bicycle chain. When I say "licked" I mean full - on schlurped. This was quite disturbing and had I not been wearing track - suit pants at the time, my leg would have closely resembled the Niagra falls after a spell of very heavy rain. Believe me, it was rather sif. Gareth bru, I think we must feed the beast or else she will start to think we are food. I mean its only a natural conclusion for a dog:

Hmmm, no food again....
Damn I'm hungry !!
Wait a minute !! Maybe those things walking around on their two hind legs (how do they do > that?) are my food?
Maybe I'm supposed to catch them??? Maybe its a test??
Oooohh look, there's an unsuspecting one right now!
Slowly does it!!
Closer now!!
Ah hah !! I've got you. You unsuspecting little thing.
Lick lick lick, Hmmm, good !!! Leg of Glen tastes sooooo nice, hmmm can't get enough of
this, hmmmm soft and juicy, hmmmmmm etc etc.
Wait !! No, come back!! Not finished !!!
Must try stop thing from escaping!!!
Dope !! Got out the gate just before I could get to it...

See ??? So in the interests of my sanity, please can we feed her more ??

Thesis going well.
Stubble check: haven't shaved for 2 weeks. Going for the full - beard thing.

Распадок.

The butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker

2004-09-14T12:21:00.000-07:00

Howdy

The length of my posts these days is beginning to surprize even me.

I have written four, yes, four pages of my literature review so far!!! OK, so what I'm saying in effect is that I have a tenth of my entire project done. "So what ?" you say? Well, I feel great!! Not only have I finished most (if not all) of the actual research/reading but have actually started writing. You see, I now know where to go with this whole thing.

Ok, I'm feeling some explanation is pertinent here: I am the world's biggest procrastinator. In fact, I would have multiple Guinness world records for this trait except for the fact that I feel I cannot enter due to respect for the opposition. I mean, how unfair would that be? Rather let people who are reasonably good compete, then its exciting for everyone. If I had to enter, I would win hands down every time and everybody would be bored out of their skulls. Same with surfing. That's why I'm taking a break for now and just letting the others "have a chance" to feel what winning's like :)

NEway, If I keep on like this, I will have the Lit. review done by Friday. At which stage golf is going to be looking like a good option (Or maybe a surf). Since this is what I have been aiming for anyway, I am as happy as can be. You see, if I take it in stages: page 6 today, page 9 tomorrow, page 12 Thursday and page 15 Friday I should be sorted.

My brother is in the States somewhere. Lucky bum! He is permanently on holiday. Every time I phone him he's somewhere else: "Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France, U.S., Scotland etc. etc. Its ridiculous.

OK, well must go now.
Apologies for another thesis - related post.
I hope you guys still like my blog. As opposed to lick my blog.

Maybe I'll post again later today when I'm in a funnier mood.

Auf Weidersehen

Распадок.

2004-09-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

Hello

I took yesterday (Sunday ) off and proceeded to sleep for 12 hours. I am beginning to think I have the gift of sleep. Glen 12: 6 - 8 says:

" 6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you. 7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. If God has given you the ability to sleep for extended periods of time, do it to the best of your ability. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. " (emphisis mine). Ok, Why am I sensing some possible disbeilief from everyone here?

No, seriously, I needed it though. My body was very happy. Then I spent some of the day tidying my room. For those of my associates who remember what my room looked like in 1st year, you know what I'm talking about and boy did it need tidying!!! But I've done it and I feel much better. I acknowledge that I need to work on this area.

Watched the Jars of Clay (My favourite band in the whole wide cosmos) DVD yesterday evening. Well, some of it. Awesome. Dan Haseltine (the lead vocalist) is a bit strange though. If you've ever seen him perform you might know what I'm talking about.

Also, I have joined a small elitist sect statrted by John Peter Frank Richter, known as the Sabbath - day something or others. The correct title eludes me. (Pls. Note: This is not to be confused with 7th Day Adventists who I am not in any way belittling/ridiculing/taking the mickey out of). Well, yes, after that disclaimer, I must say that this is what we believe:

1) That every day is holy because it has been made by God. Therefore, because of that, every day is the Sabbath. Therefore, we cannot work. EVER!!!!
This has its foundations in the scriptures as can be seen by: 5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. Each person should have a personal conviction about this matter. Romans 14:5 This apparent "lack" of work will free us up for the more fruitful passtimes of prayer and ministry of the word. (Acts 6:4) This last comment is likely to earn me 354 Super - Spiritual points and put me in the running for this year's S.S. award and the coveted title of "Halo - Boy" for 2004.

2) Because we believe that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Tim 6:10), as servant leaders we will take the yoke from the necks of our tempted and oppressed followers and therefore encourage them to bequeath all of their worldly possessions to us, in order to free them from temptation.

Well, this whole post is actually a lie. Except the parts about cleaning my room, sleeping (not including the bit about the gift of sleep, which doesn't exist - funny that,) and watching the DVD.
All of which were in their own right, very entertaining.

Enough of my crazed ramblings

Good Bye!!!

Распадок. (my mom has now started calling me "pancake" because of this signature. How rude!!!!)

2004-09-11T03:06:00.000-07:00

Well, It's Saturday Sept. 11. 2004

If you're reading this, take a moment to remember those innocents who perished in N.Y. 3 years ago and the brave men and women who were part of the rescue effort.

I'm stuck behind in GTown for the vac. Frantically working to get my literature review (for my project/thesis) done. It's very lonely here and very quiet. Only zimbo's (Zimbabweans - just over 10% of the university is required to be Zimbabwean), locals and yocals left. Yocals are types like my digsmate and next door neighbour Gareth (Check out his blog: www.welovegareth@blogspot.com) and numerous other friends of mine who have decided that they would actually like to live here on a permanent basis.

We met with our project supervisor on Thursday and we have found out that the next time we can actually do aything to make this thing go is on the 22nd Sept. Incedentally, that's two days AFTER the date when the first complete draft of our thesis has to be handed in. Clearly this is not happening. This should be highly distressing, but I'm actually quite chilled about it. God is so in control.

In case you're wondering why I called this blog "Factory in GTown" and not "How is my research project going?" or "Daily updates of Glen's project" or "Glen's Project diary" its because this blog is actually meant to be representative of my whole life in GTown and at Rhodes. Problem is, this is my whole life at the moment. I will let eveyone know next time I go for a wave in Port Alfred, break into Roger's house there, steal all his food and use his beds to sleep on (Hey bud?) :P Don't think I haven't been planning to either mate. I miss not having someone around to steal hubcaps from!! I may not find any food, but those beds... Or next time I play golf. That's always good for a laugh. B.T.W. The course here ranks among the worst in the entire world (well, at least those I have played on or seen).

OK, well must go.

P.S. If you're interested, go check out www.pumamanzi.com. Then go to the longboard section and scroll down to the pic of the "woody". You will then have a pretty accurate pic of what I want for my next board. The site "look and feel" sucks, but you get the idea.
F.Y.I. I surfed with Ryan Harris (the guy in the top pic.) at South African longboard champs held at New Pier, Durban, 2000. He was in the age group above me (Open men) while I was in the U18 Natal - B side.

I was demolished by the opposition in that one !! Went out in round two. I still suspect that someone put sunscreen an my wax (a dastardly practice used by some to increase their chances of winning or by your own team mates as a means of initiation). Never found out if it was true though. Also, the waves were 2ft and very wind blown and sloppy and had no power. For a big guy like me, that's a recipe for didaster, so it's equally possible that I just sucked. Whatever the case, I'm looking forward to competing again in the future when I finally repatriate to Durban (hopefully in 2006).

2004-09-08T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hello people!!

Woke up at 6am this morning !! Took my digsmate Ryan's advice and had a shower to wake up (not that I needed one). It was the worst shower I've ever had, but I'm pretty stoked with myself. 1 X noddy badge for me !!!

Have been reading more literature about gambling for my project. The more I read the more bleak I get to see how this thing hurts people. It's not funny man!! This dude let's call him Yevgeni started gambling as a result of a midlife crisis and the next thing you know: Bye bye wife and kids, hello drug addiction !! Other stories like people gambling away their rent/electricity/gas/kids' school fee money in an attempt to "make up their losses" and "hit the lucky one". It's BAD!! and its an addiction !!!

The casinos & slot machine operators know exactly how ppl think and the cognitive distortions (bad/illogical thinking) happen: i.e. if you get two red BAR's on a machine with three, the automatic response is "Oh, I nearly won !! I must be getting close to the big one." Actually, a miss is as good as a mile.

Just think about this: If you could "beat the game" why are the casinos in existence in the first place? A: you can't beat the game and that's what they rely on. In fact, if you want the best chances of winning (statistically) place all ur bet on 1 roulette spin. As time goes by and the number of times you play increases, the chance of you winning decreases (by a lot) !!!

Also, most ppl gamble to "forget" their problems: this is where it really becomes insidious. Gambling feeds off of this, creating a surreal environment in which to do this. Temporary relief!!! Once outside the compounded trounbles of life plus your (very) recent losses hit you. At this time, suicide looks good. I'll leave the rest up to you.

Of course, we can't apportion all the blame to the evil casinos though. The gambler must take responsibility for his/her own life. It's a case (for the casino) of providing the opportunity for entertainment (why somebody would want to risk/throw away their hard earned cash in the name of entertainment is beyond me) and they do not view themselves as responsible for those who can't control themselves. In the same way as S.A.B. doesn't hold itself responsible for drunken driving. Maybe and maybe not. If nobody gambled, would the casino still run ?? Supply and demand. On the flip - side, do people gamble because the casino is there? Maybe a bit of both. The casino's do seem to take full advantage of people's bad thinking.

Maybe Jack Johnson's lyrics have some application here:

"it was you, it was me, it was every man,
weve all got the blood on our hands,
we only receive what we demand
and if we want hell then hell's what well have"

Neway, for those that engage in any activity to escape life's problems and fill up the void inside that you know is there: ONLY ONE PERSON can fill that for you. His Name is Jesus Christ and he died so that you could live eternally. He took your sin on his shoulders so that you can be in relationship with God. Blaise Pascal had a name for that hole: he called it the God - shaped vacuum - i.e. only God can fill it. For anyone that is reading this and knows its you: you need to give your life wholly and fully to Christ today. Turn away from your sin and put your trust in Jesus to save you. Pray and He will andswer. Then find a Christian (a real one) and go to church/find a CHRISTIAN church. You must accept him as both "Lord" i.e. boss and "Saviour".

Then get discipled !!!!!

Also, go to www.needgod.com: some great stuff there.

lastly, if you do read this and make a decision for Christ, or would like to know more, email me at snolly14@gmail.com or g01s3222@campus.ru.ac.za

God bless you all.

Распадок.

Waking the dead

2004-09-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, another day, so many new and exciting challenges to face!!!! The world seems new !!!!!!!
NEway, have to read obscene amounts of research today so wish me luck. By the time I am finished, my eyes will be red and sore from staring at my screen all day. But such is life.

Once again, I didn't wake up early enough this morning, or rather, did and proceeded to lie in bed for 45 mins shifting between states of waking and light sleep. What !?!? It was so nice and warm. Then my wonderful, lovely, beautiful Digsmate Carol (she's awesome) came in and gave me some coffee. In light of this, I have decided upon an epitaph for myself: "I didn't wake up at 07:00..." That is pretty much the story of my life. Every night I go to sleep having these grandiose plans of "waking up early". Ja, whatever!!! One can but try though.

Well one thing is a bonus: I got my beauty sleep !!!

OK, time to plunge into work mode.....

Work eat sleep, work eat sleep, work eat sleep.

2004-09-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

Didn't make the video conference...

2004-08-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Well, after writing yesterday I went home for lunch and was hoping to come back and work some more later. By the time I got home though, I was feeling exceedingly terrible, so slept till 6pm. Had a nice supper: vetkoek & curried mince, watched Survivor All stars & then went back to bed. Woke up at 2am feeling all rested etc. Forced myself to sleep more and woke up at 9. All in all a good long nap. Its just before my seminar now (last one for the term) so I am excited about that at least. Got there an hour before we are scheduled to start and realised my mistake, so came here to check email and blog this. Seem to have lost all communications to Taiwan. Wonder what could be the matter ?? Hope I'll be better by tomorrow...

Working on research and stuff....

2004-08-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

Hi again. I have been working for a while this morning (I'm quite proud of myself for that). Am oficially only 3 days bahind on my diary. Will finish today or tomorrow, depending on how boring it is. Will then have to edit it/ make it look all pretty like. Just found out that we have 4 weeks of freedom (no lectures) in which to sort our research out/write up our project. That sounds like it will be easy enough right? NEway, going to have video conference with the guys in Taiwan (Rog, Isabelle & maybe Criag & Jo). Kiff!!! It's actually Issy & Jess's conference (Jess being Issy's twin sister) but we are all gonna say a quick hello. I have gotten sick (Dammit !!!!) Just when I thought I was out of the woods, someone gave me flu. Now I feel terrible. Should spend the day in bed, but in denial at the moment. When I get better I must go for a wave. Haven't seen the sea since I left Durban. I miss it and I am getting unfit. OK, must go now, but will post again soon...

2004-08-23T17:34:00.000-07:00

Hello all. Was at lectures the whole morning. Thought I had a practical this afternoon and was preparing to die but was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was postponed. This afforded me an opportunity to get some work done which was great. I have been working on a class diary that we have been told to do and I am only 2 days behind. Some poor sods haven't even started yet !!! (Shame). That means that by the end of this week they will have a good 40 or so pages to write. I however still have to write my reserach (otherwise known as research) project up. Still haven't gone to P.E. When will we??? Its getting late folks. May have to work tomorrow (waitering) but that's cool. I pulled in some nice tom last time, so hopefully will do so again next time. Have had a hair cut (*sniff*). Was wanting to grow my hair but have a job interview and restaurant not keen on guys having long hair. Silly rule (this is 2004 ppl !!!). NEway. Also found out there's no lecture tomorrow, so can work on research and other stuff the whole day (YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). I know, I know: I have no life do I ?? Well shot!! I don't care what you say. Doing research is fun.

Whassup

2004-08-23T04:23:00.000-07:00

It's Sunday afternoon here in Grahamstown. I have just been doing some archery. I
am completely new to the sport and I had a blast. Something strangely appealing about the ability to shot projectiles very fast over very large distances. My left pectoral muscle is frikkin' sore tho. I think I might like it all the same (the sport that is). Once again though, its like only the most expensive passtime ever. An arrow costs R400.00 (40 - 50 $ U.S.) !!!!!!! ONE ARROW !!!!!!!!! Damn. Speaking of injuries, I also hit myself in the kidney last nite while I was waitering (don't ask). It was quite sore for a while and I thought I might be in a bit of trouble, but its feeling ok now. Well, that's all from me for now. Will be working late tonight (If I can get my act together).

I must get down to work !!!

2004-08-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to ME very own Blog!!!
For a while now I have been wondering whether I should follow the rest of the sheep and get one of these... Hmmmm still wondering really, but sounds like a good idea. Plus it makes it easier to pass comment on all my other friends blogses!!!
Yes, yes. I have INSANE amounts of work to do so I must go do that now and not devote the best energy in my fingertips to writing this..........