Haven't done this for a while... (this week's questions are here.)
1. Which web browser do you prefer?
Firefox! Although I'm forced to use IE at work, which is supremely painful.
2. Are you a PC user or MAC user?
PC - I drool all over the look of Macs, but then find I can't get anything done when I have to use one.
3. Will your next computer purchase happen within the next year (do you think)?
I only got my current laptop last year, so it'll probably be a while before I upgrade again. So far (touch wood) I haven't had a single problem with this one.
4. Will you purchase your next computer at a local store or via the internet?
Probably the internet; my current laptop is a Dell, and ordering it online was completely painless.
5. Have you had any experience with Windows Vista?
My Dad just got a new laptop, and it's on there.
6. What are your feelings about this new operating system (if any)?
I haven't had much of a go at it, but it seems fine to me. Personally I think people expect a little too much from Microsoft when they launch a new operating system: you can't do something completely and utterly radical when your software is on 95% of computers across the world. Although, I've been using the new Office for a while now, and that's pretty revolutionary, and in a good way!
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memes. Show all posts
Monday, May 14, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Lunatics in history
Which Historical Lunatic Are You?
From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey.
This guy sounds like my kinda lunatic! Here's the bio that came with the results:
Born in England sometime in the second decade of the nineteenth century, you carved a notable business career, in South Africa and later San Francisco, until an entry into the rice market wiped out your fortune in 1854. After this, you became quite different. The first sign of this came on September 17, 1859, when you expressed your dissatisfaction with the political situation in America by declaring yourself Norton I, Emperor of the USA. You remained as such, unchallenged, for twenty-one years.
Within a month you had decreed the dissolution of Congress. When this was largely ignored, you summoned all interested parties to discuss the matter in a music hall, and then summoned the army to quell the rebellious leaders in Washington. This did not work. Magnanimously, you decreed (eventually) that Congress could remain for the time being. However, you disbanded both major political parties in 1869, as well as instituting a fine of $25 for using the abominable nickname "Frisco" for your home city.
Your days consisted of parading around your domain - the San Francisco streets - in a uniform of royal blue with gold epaulettes. This was set off by a beaver hat and umbrella. You dispensed philosophy and inspected the state of sidewalks and the police with equal aplomb. You were a great ally of the maligned Chinese of the city, and once dispersed a riot by standing between the Chinese and their would-be assailants and reciting the Lord's Prayer quietly, head bowed.
Once arrested, you were swiftly pardoned by the Police Chief with all apologies, after which all policemen were ordered to salute you on the street. Your renown grew. Proprietors of respectable establishments fixed brass plaques to their walls proclaiming your patronage; musical and theatrical performances invariably reserved seats for you and your two dogs. (As an aside, you were a good friend of Mark Twain, who wrote an epitaph for one of your faithful hounds, Bummer.) The Census of 1870 listed your occupation as "Emperor".
The Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, upon noticing the slightly delapidated state of your attire, replaced it at their own expense. You responded graciously by granting a patent of nobility to each member. Your death, collapsing on the street on January 8, 1880, made front page news under the headline "Le Roi est Mort". Aside from what you had on your person, your possessions amounted to a single sovereign, a collection of walking sticks, an old sabre, your correspondence with Queen Victoria and 1,098,235 shares of stock in a worthless gold mine. Your funeral cortege was of 30,000 people and over two miles long.
The burial was marked by a total eclipse of the sun.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
It's a Tuesday, so that means...
Monday Madness!
1. Did you make any resolutions this year?
Not really; I vow to leave the country at least once in the next 12 months, but that's more out of desperation rather than a resolution kind of thing.
2. If so, which one do you think you'll really stick to? If not, is there something you're going to try harder to accomplish?
See above - if I don't leave the country, I'll be very upset!
3. Do you have a fear of any small rodents/insects/etc? If so, please share.
There are these beetles that practically infest my house in Tasmania over the summer months; we've always called them Christmas beetles, because that's when they start to appear, and a bit of googling seems to actually confirm that name (see here and here). These things are evil. They get in your hair, down your shirt, I've even had them crawl in my ear while I've been asleep. I don't fear these things as much as have a life-long vendetta against their very existence. Every few nights when I was at home I would go on a rampage with the fly spray against these little devils. Immensely satisfying.
4. Share something exciting that's going on in your life.
Not much of my life is all that exciting at the moment - just working 9 to 5, answering phones. I'm going to Wollongong on Friday for the long weekend to stay with a friend, which should be fun. Apart from that... maybe going to see a movie tonight? Honestly, I live an extremely boring and tame life; my main source of excitement is seeing what kind of crazy people catch my bus every night!
5. Did you wonder what happened to Monday Madness these past few weeks?
Only vaguely.
6. Do you have a favorite gameshow announcer?
Gameshow announcer?! Um, I saw Larry Emdur on Merrick and Rosso once, and he was absolutely hilarious. And very bitchy. I never actually liked The Price is Right much, but Larry's ok in my book.
1. Did you make any resolutions this year?
Not really; I vow to leave the country at least once in the next 12 months, but that's more out of desperation rather than a resolution kind of thing.
2. If so, which one do you think you'll really stick to? If not, is there something you're going to try harder to accomplish?
See above - if I don't leave the country, I'll be very upset!
3. Do you have a fear of any small rodents/insects/etc? If so, please share.
There are these beetles that practically infest my house in Tasmania over the summer months; we've always called them Christmas beetles, because that's when they start to appear, and a bit of googling seems to actually confirm that name (see here and here). These things are evil. They get in your hair, down your shirt, I've even had them crawl in my ear while I've been asleep. I don't fear these things as much as have a life-long vendetta against their very existence. Every few nights when I was at home I would go on a rampage with the fly spray against these little devils. Immensely satisfying.
4. Share something exciting that's going on in your life.
Not much of my life is all that exciting at the moment - just working 9 to 5, answering phones. I'm going to Wollongong on Friday for the long weekend to stay with a friend, which should be fun. Apart from that... maybe going to see a movie tonight? Honestly, I live an extremely boring and tame life; my main source of excitement is seeing what kind of crazy people catch my bus every night!
5. Did you wonder what happened to Monday Madness these past few weeks?
Only vaguely.
6. Do you have a favorite gameshow announcer?
Gameshow announcer?! Um, I saw Larry Emdur on Merrick and Rosso once, and he was absolutely hilarious. And very bitchy. I never actually liked The Price is Right much, but Larry's ok in my book.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Quiz
All the cool kids seem to be doing it (by which I mean Chris and Crip), so here are my results for the BBC Personality Quiz:
Apparently I'm a 'nurturer', which I'm not sure describes me all that well, but the explanation is pretty close I guess.
Monday, January 01, 2007
2006 in cities
Jason Kottke's posted his, so I thought I should do mine too, just like last year. So here's my 2006 in cities:
Launceston, Tasmania*
Bicheno, Tasmania
Canberra, ACT*
Young, NSW
Berrima, NSW
Jervis Bay, NSW
Eden, NSW
Lake's Entrance, Victoria
Piper's River, Tasmania
Melbourne, Victoria*
One less city than the previous year. There are some random NSW towns in there - the night in Young was for work, and the other ones are from the uber road trip in June. I flew a lot less than last year: only 15 separate flights, compared to 25 in 2005. I guess a trip to New Zealand really bumps up the figures a bit! I also didn't go home as much, so I guess that changed the numbers a bit as well.
Launceston, Tasmania*
Bicheno, Tasmania
Canberra, ACT*
Young, NSW
Berrima, NSW
Jervis Bay, NSW
Eden, NSW
Lake's Entrance, Victoria
Piper's River, Tasmania
Melbourne, Victoria*
One less city than the previous year. There are some random NSW towns in there - the night in Young was for work, and the other ones are from the uber road trip in June. I flew a lot less than last year: only 15 separate flights, compared to 25 in 2005. I guess a trip to New Zealand really bumps up the figures a bit! I also didn't go home as much, so I guess that changed the numbers a bit as well.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
A Christmas meme
Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has had (or is going to have, depending on your time zone) a wonderful day, whether you celebrate or not. It's been a great day in my neck of the woods - lots of good food and drink, and santa was good to me this year, which is always nice.
To celebrate the day, a Christmas meme, which I actually started a few days ago. It's rather long though, which is why it's only getting posted now!
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Signed a lease. Experienced a traction machine. Wrote a program in binary. Did a tax return on paper (stupid e-tax wouldn't work for me). Flew home for a funeral. Walked the long way home late at night in high-heels and a ball gown. Pretended to be singing in the Qantas choir whilst standing on a beach.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't do New Years' resolutions, so no, I didn't keep them, and no, I won't make any for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep - my cousin.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. I went to two funerals this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Absolutely none! This is a terrible situation that I fully intend to rectify in 2007. How's that for a New Years' resolution? I resolve to leave the country sometime during the next year...
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A neck that doesn't cause pain all the time. A dining table and chairs for the new house! Um... I don't think I really lacked that much this year!
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Finishing exams (finally!) on November 17 comes to mind immediately, but that's really not that huge. I hurt my neck the first week in September - I don't want to keep going on about it, but it has rather dominated the second half of the year for me!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I'm really proud of some of the work I did this year, particularly in some of my American Studies courses. I finally feel like I, well, 'get it'. I was reading over some of my old essays a few weeks ago (mostly because I'm masochistic - there's nothing like reading your writing from first year to make you feel like a complete and utter idiot), and saw that my history lecturer wrote almost exactly the same comment on two essays that I wrote in consecutive semesters. It's only now that I actually feel like I understand what he was on about!
9. What was your biggest failure?
I wanted to do more in one of my jobs, but time just got away from me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Um, yes :) In January it was my back, February was dominated by tooth problems (which will finally be resolved in January 2007 when I have my final appointment with my specialist for a double root canal, oh joy), and the second half of the year was dominated by my stupid neck. I went to the physio 11 times between September and the beginning of December, which I think is quite an achievement. Also, shingles.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My shiny new laptop!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The new group of people I lived with at college! My fabulous friends. The American public, who did good in the mid-term elections.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
John Howard, for oh so many reasons. Ditto for George Bush. A couple of my IT lecturers, who continue to take teaching quality to new and unexplored heights of mediocrity. Some people that I work with/for.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving into a house for the first time is an excruciatingly expensive exercise. Also, the physio.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving into a house of my own! Some of my courses, as nerdy as that sounds. The U.S. mid-term elections, which I suspect sounds even nerdier.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
'Walk Away' by Kelly Clarkson.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner.
iii. richer or poorer? Right now, probably poorer, but once I get paid on Thursday it'll hopefully be different!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watching a little less tv probably would have been a good idea! Facebook has also been steadily consuming my life in recent months.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well Christmas is nearly over, but here's how I spent the day: morning with the family, opening presents and eating mangoes (bit of a tradition). And then, for only the third time in my entire life, we had Christmas lunch somewhere other than at our house, namely at my uncle's house. It was good though - much food was eaten, many presents were opened, etc. Then it was home to crash on the couch, where I watched some O.C. with my brother (he is absolutely obsessed).
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I'm going down the coast to spend a few days at a friend's beach house. Should be good.
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Nope.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Well, if we're talking new programs, then I'd have to see Dr. Who. Close runner-up would have to be Heroes. As for ones that I've been watching on a regular basis, some of my favourites are still Veronica Mars, House, and How I Met Your Mother. Too much good tv, too little time!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really - my hatred for John Howard increases steadily with each passing day, but I hated him last year too, so it's not as if anything has changed dramatically.
26. What was the best book you read?
Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides. Absolutely incredible.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Vienna Teng. Also, Kelly Clarkson I guess.
28. What did you want and get?
A new shiny laptop!
29.What did you want and not get?
I honestly cannot think of anything major off the top of my head; more money with which to go travelling, I guess, but that's always true for me.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Prestige was incredible. Also notable: Good Night, and Good Luck and V for Vendetta.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was the big 2-1 this year, very exciting. Fitting for such a big event, my birthday celebrations went on for about two and a half months, which was fabulous. I had two parties; one in Tassie and one in Canberra, with about a month in between the two of them. And then, just when I thought it was all over, about a month later I got a present in the mail from Sandro's mum! Turning 21 is the best thing ever.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See answer to question 29; this year, on the whole, was pretty damn satisfying!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
'Personal fashion concept'?! Um, whatever was on sale at Target? :)
34. What kept you sane?
My friends. Without them I would have surely collapsed into a quivering mass of patheticness sometime around March.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
If possible, Hugh Jackman, George Clooney and Brad Pitt actually become more attractive as the years go on. Also, maybe a little oddly, Jon Stewart, but mostly because he's one of the funniest men ever.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I was absolutely furious when the federal government overturned the ACT's gay marriage legislation; even now, just thinking about it gets me incredibly riled up. The way GLBTI citizens are treated is one of the last vestiges of institutionalised discrimination in this country and around the world, and... well, yeah, as you can tell, the issue stirred me up a little! Also, John Howard's ridiculous citizenship test, which is stupid on so many levels, not least of which is it won't actually keep one single terrorist out of the country, or prevent events like the Crunulla riots.
37. Who did you miss?
Come back, Matt!
38. Who was the best new person you met?
The new people I lived with! Several other people come to mind, but I'm not going to name names.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
A life without chocolate, and/or friends like mine, is obviously not one worth living.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"American Dreamz/Dreams with a Zee"...
God, that took a while. Merry Christmas again, folks!
To celebrate the day, a Christmas meme, which I actually started a few days ago. It's rather long though, which is why it's only getting posted now!
1. What did you do in 2006 that you'd never done before?
Signed a lease. Experienced a traction machine. Wrote a program in binary. Did a tax return on paper (stupid e-tax wouldn't work for me). Flew home for a funeral. Walked the long way home late at night in high-heels and a ball gown. Pretended to be singing in the Qantas choir whilst standing on a beach.
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't do New Years' resolutions, so no, I didn't keep them, and no, I won't make any for next year.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yep - my cousin.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes. I went to two funerals this year.
5. What countries did you visit?
Absolutely none! This is a terrible situation that I fully intend to rectify in 2007. How's that for a New Years' resolution? I resolve to leave the country sometime during the next year...
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
A neck that doesn't cause pain all the time. A dining table and chairs for the new house! Um... I don't think I really lacked that much this year!
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Finishing exams (finally!) on November 17 comes to mind immediately, but that's really not that huge. I hurt my neck the first week in September - I don't want to keep going on about it, but it has rather dominated the second half of the year for me!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I'm really proud of some of the work I did this year, particularly in some of my American Studies courses. I finally feel like I, well, 'get it'. I was reading over some of my old essays a few weeks ago (mostly because I'm masochistic - there's nothing like reading your writing from first year to make you feel like a complete and utter idiot), and saw that my history lecturer wrote almost exactly the same comment on two essays that I wrote in consecutive semesters. It's only now that I actually feel like I understand what he was on about!
9. What was your biggest failure?
I wanted to do more in one of my jobs, but time just got away from me.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Um, yes :) In January it was my back, February was dominated by tooth problems (which will finally be resolved in January 2007 when I have my final appointment with my specialist for a double root canal, oh joy), and the second half of the year was dominated by my stupid neck. I went to the physio 11 times between September and the beginning of December, which I think is quite an achievement. Also, shingles.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My shiny new laptop!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The new group of people I lived with at college! My fabulous friends. The American public, who did good in the mid-term elections.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
John Howard, for oh so many reasons. Ditto for George Bush. A couple of my IT lecturers, who continue to take teaching quality to new and unexplored heights of mediocrity. Some people that I work with/for.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Moving into a house for the first time is an excruciatingly expensive exercise. Also, the physio.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Moving into a house of my own! Some of my courses, as nerdy as that sounds. The U.S. mid-term elections, which I suspect sounds even nerdier.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
'Walk Away' by Kelly Clarkson.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? Thinner.
iii. richer or poorer? Right now, probably poorer, but once I get paid on Thursday it'll hopefully be different!
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Travel.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Watching a little less tv probably would have been a good idea! Facebook has also been steadily consuming my life in recent months.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Well Christmas is nearly over, but here's how I spent the day: morning with the family, opening presents and eating mangoes (bit of a tradition). And then, for only the third time in my entire life, we had Christmas lunch somewhere other than at our house, namely at my uncle's house. It was good though - much food was eaten, many presents were opened, etc. Then it was home to crash on the couch, where I watched some O.C. with my brother (he is absolutely obsessed).
21. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?
I'm going down the coast to spend a few days at a friend's beach house. Should be good.
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Nope.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
Well, if we're talking new programs, then I'd have to see Dr. Who. Close runner-up would have to be Heroes. As for ones that I've been watching on a regular basis, some of my favourites are still Veronica Mars, House, and How I Met Your Mother. Too much good tv, too little time!
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Not really - my hatred for John Howard increases steadily with each passing day, but I hated him last year too, so it's not as if anything has changed dramatically.
26. What was the best book you read?
Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides. Absolutely incredible.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Vienna Teng. Also, Kelly Clarkson I guess.
28. What did you want and get?
A new shiny laptop!
29.What did you want and not get?
I honestly cannot think of anything major off the top of my head; more money with which to go travelling, I guess, but that's always true for me.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The Prestige was incredible. Also notable: Good Night, and Good Luck and V for Vendetta.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was the big 2-1 this year, very exciting. Fitting for such a big event, my birthday celebrations went on for about two and a half months, which was fabulous. I had two parties; one in Tassie and one in Canberra, with about a month in between the two of them. And then, just when I thought it was all over, about a month later I got a present in the mail from Sandro's mum! Turning 21 is the best thing ever.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See answer to question 29; this year, on the whole, was pretty damn satisfying!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
'Personal fashion concept'?! Um, whatever was on sale at Target? :)
34. What kept you sane?
My friends. Without them I would have surely collapsed into a quivering mass of patheticness sometime around March.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
If possible, Hugh Jackman, George Clooney and Brad Pitt actually become more attractive as the years go on. Also, maybe a little oddly, Jon Stewart, but mostly because he's one of the funniest men ever.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I was absolutely furious when the federal government overturned the ACT's gay marriage legislation; even now, just thinking about it gets me incredibly riled up. The way GLBTI citizens are treated is one of the last vestiges of institutionalised discrimination in this country and around the world, and... well, yeah, as you can tell, the issue stirred me up a little! Also, John Howard's ridiculous citizenship test, which is stupid on so many levels, not least of which is it won't actually keep one single terrorist out of the country, or prevent events like the Crunulla riots.
37. Who did you miss?
Come back, Matt!
38. Who was the best new person you met?
The new people I lived with! Several other people come to mind, but I'm not going to name names.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
A life without chocolate, and/or friends like mine, is obviously not one worth living.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
"American Dreamz/Dreams with a Zee"...
God, that took a while. Merry Christmas again, folks!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Monday madness
It's Monday, which means that it's Monday Madness time again!
1. From ch'i: If you could only read one blog every day - which one blog would be on your daily list?
It would have to be kottke.org - since giving up on boingboing a few months ago, it's the only website I really rely on for my daily hit of linky goodness! Although I'd find it hard to give up my daily dose of dooce as well...
2. From kat: What do you do to de-stress from a hectic day?
TV is good, usually some classic season one West Wing. That or sleeping; sleep is good!
3. From paxil princess: What is your favorite piece of clothing to wear in the winter?
I have a scarf that's red and white stripes on one side, and blue and white on the other, and it is one of my most favourite items of clothing of all time.
4. From sherle: Do you prefer discussing problems with a sibling, a parent, a significant other, a psychologist, or a total stranger?
Talking to total strangers can be quite therapeutic, but usually it's just a parent or friend for me.
5. From trista: How long have you been blogging?
According to my blogger profile, since May 2002, which is a rather scarily long period of time. I haven't been doing it constantly since then, though; I've had this particular blog for about three years now, but before that I kept another one to document my time in Canada.
6. From lisa e: Which side of the bed?
At the moment it's the left, but usually it's just whichever side is closest to the wall.
7. From elton: How often do you pig out when you eat?
Depends how you define pig out :) I do have a bit of a soft spot for chocolate...
8. From karen: Do you watch the space shuttle launches?
Nope.
9. From dawn: What's your favorite leisure-time activity?
See answer to question 2 - it might make me sound like a loser, but I absolutely adore television... but only the good stuff! I'm also a big fan of reading mysteries, but usually only those from the so-called 'golden era' of detective fiction.
10. From sherle: When is the last time you said, 'I love you' and to whom? What about hugs? Who is the last person you hugged?
Probably to my parents, no idea when. I hugged someone about 15 minutes ago, who was saying goodbye!
1. From ch'i: If you could only read one blog every day - which one blog would be on your daily list?
It would have to be kottke.org - since giving up on boingboing a few months ago, it's the only website I really rely on for my daily hit of linky goodness! Although I'd find it hard to give up my daily dose of dooce as well...
2. From kat: What do you do to de-stress from a hectic day?
TV is good, usually some classic season one West Wing. That or sleeping; sleep is good!
3. From paxil princess: What is your favorite piece of clothing to wear in the winter?
I have a scarf that's red and white stripes on one side, and blue and white on the other, and it is one of my most favourite items of clothing of all time.
4. From sherle: Do you prefer discussing problems with a sibling, a parent, a significant other, a psychologist, or a total stranger?
Talking to total strangers can be quite therapeutic, but usually it's just a parent or friend for me.
5. From trista: How long have you been blogging?
According to my blogger profile, since May 2002, which is a rather scarily long period of time. I haven't been doing it constantly since then, though; I've had this particular blog for about three years now, but before that I kept another one to document my time in Canada.
6. From lisa e: Which side of the bed?
At the moment it's the left, but usually it's just whichever side is closest to the wall.
7. From elton: How often do you pig out when you eat?
Depends how you define pig out :) I do have a bit of a soft spot for chocolate...
8. From karen: Do you watch the space shuttle launches?
Nope.
9. From dawn: What's your favorite leisure-time activity?
See answer to question 2 - it might make me sound like a loser, but I absolutely adore television... but only the good stuff! I'm also a big fan of reading mysteries, but usually only those from the so-called 'golden era' of detective fiction.
10. From sherle: When is the last time you said, 'I love you' and to whom? What about hugs? Who is the last person you hugged?
Probably to my parents, no idea when. I hugged someone about 15 minutes ago, who was saying goodbye!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday madness
Monday madness time, this week with a question by me!
1. From bev: Small town or big city?
Medium-sized city. I love visiting big cities, but I'm not sure I could live in one. Likewise, I'm not sure I could live in a small town; I'd get bored easily.
2. From turtlemoonwave: Do you have a favorite childhood memory, and if so, would you share it?
Um, I have several favourite childhood memories, but I'm not sure which one to talk about... I have one brother and two cousins, and our ages matched almost exactly those of the Pensevie children in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So we used to spend hours pretending we were in the book, acting out scenes from the BBC television series of the books. Good (albeit slightly nerdy!) times...
3. From cat: How do you calm down when something has really upset and/or angered you? Do you swallow it? Call a friend and rant? Go in the bathroom and cry? Punch a wall? Walk around muttering to yourself, complete with scary hand gestures?
I have been known to throw things - usually I manage not to hit anyone, although I have damaged a few walls in my time. Basically I do all of the things listed above, except maybe the 'swallow it' one; I'm not particularly good at just letting things go.
4. From dna princess: What attracts you to memes?
It's a low-impact way of updating my blog that doesn't require much actual thought!
5. From mads (that's me!!): How reliant are you on computers to get through your day?
Embarrassingly reliant. I guess I am an IT student, so I have a small excuse, but I get exceptionally twitchy if I'm away from a computer for a couple of days. I check my email a billion times in one day (it's usually the first thing I do in the morning), as well as my feeds in bloglines. I also couldn't do my job without computers, so I'm pretty reliant in that sense as well.
6. From tizzie: In a crisis, are you calm or do you panic?
I'm usually pretty calm, although maybe I'm just good at hiding my panic!
1. From bev: Small town or big city?
Medium-sized city. I love visiting big cities, but I'm not sure I could live in one. Likewise, I'm not sure I could live in a small town; I'd get bored easily.
2. From turtlemoonwave: Do you have a favorite childhood memory, and if so, would you share it?
Um, I have several favourite childhood memories, but I'm not sure which one to talk about... I have one brother and two cousins, and our ages matched almost exactly those of the Pensevie children in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So we used to spend hours pretending we were in the book, acting out scenes from the BBC television series of the books. Good (albeit slightly nerdy!) times...
3. From cat: How do you calm down when something has really upset and/or angered you? Do you swallow it? Call a friend and rant? Go in the bathroom and cry? Punch a wall? Walk around muttering to yourself, complete with scary hand gestures?
I have been known to throw things - usually I manage not to hit anyone, although I have damaged a few walls in my time. Basically I do all of the things listed above, except maybe the 'swallow it' one; I'm not particularly good at just letting things go.
4. From dna princess: What attracts you to memes?
It's a low-impact way of updating my blog that doesn't require much actual thought!
5. From mads (that's me!!): How reliant are you on computers to get through your day?
Embarrassingly reliant. I guess I am an IT student, so I have a small excuse, but I get exceptionally twitchy if I'm away from a computer for a couple of days. I check my email a billion times in one day (it's usually the first thing I do in the morning), as well as my feeds in bloglines. I also couldn't do my job without computers, so I'm pretty reliant in that sense as well.
6. From tizzie: In a crisis, are you calm or do you panic?
I'm usually pretty calm, although maybe I'm just good at hiding my panic!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Monday madness
After a two-week break because of craziness in real life, I'm finally going to do the Monday Madness this week!
1. From cassie: Dramas or comedies?
Pretty broad question. If I had to choose just one, I'd say dramas, but I prefer my comedies with a hint of drama, and vice versa.
2. From nutmegnine: Your neighbor has frequent noisy parties on nights before you need to get up early. Do you confront him directly, call the police, call your landlord, join in the debauchery, or seethe quietly and do nothing?
Confront him directly, but in a non-confrontational way!
3. From sherle: Are you more comfortable in big crowds or small groups?
Depends. If I know the people in the small group, I'm fine. But if it's a group of people I don't know, I'd say a big crowd - the largest group of people I've ever talked to was about three thousand, so speaking to crowds doesn't really phase me!
4. From zeno: Do you prefer Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?
Firefox all the way; I've got the button on my sidebar to prove it!
5. From briar: They say you learn something new every day. What new thing did you learn today?
I learned lots of new things today, but most of them were about people I know, which I'm not going to repeat here. One thing I did just find out was that Botswana has had the highest growth in income per capita over the last fifty years or so of any country in the world, which I thought was pretty interesting...
1. From cassie: Dramas or comedies?
Pretty broad question. If I had to choose just one, I'd say dramas, but I prefer my comedies with a hint of drama, and vice versa.
2. From nutmegnine: Your neighbor has frequent noisy parties on nights before you need to get up early. Do you confront him directly, call the police, call your landlord, join in the debauchery, or seethe quietly and do nothing?
Confront him directly, but in a non-confrontational way!
3. From sherle: Are you more comfortable in big crowds or small groups?
Depends. If I know the people in the small group, I'm fine. But if it's a group of people I don't know, I'd say a big crowd - the largest group of people I've ever talked to was about three thousand, so speaking to crowds doesn't really phase me!
4. From zeno: Do you prefer Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox?
Firefox all the way; I've got the button on my sidebar to prove it!
5. From briar: They say you learn something new every day. What new thing did you learn today?
I learned lots of new things today, but most of them were about people I know, which I'm not going to repeat here. One thing I did just find out was that Botswana has had the highest growth in income per capita over the last fifty years or so of any country in the world, which I thought was pretty interesting...
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Finally, Monday Madness
Time to catch up on some stuff; first off, the Monday Madness questions!
1. From amanda f:
What do you do when somebody complements you?
a. Smile and say Thanks
b. Ignore it and change the subject
c. Compliment them back
d. Turn red in embarrassment at the attention and look around to see other people's reaction
e. Take it as your due!
Probably a bit of a through d; I'm not particularly good at receiving compliments.
2. From shelly:
What color are your eyes?
Browny green - basically a dirty marsh colour. Attractive, huh? :)
3. From kia:
What do you like most about yourself?
This is a pretty tricky question. I think I possess a fair amount of plain ol' commonsense, if that counts as a 'special' characteristic. I'd say I'm pretty good at keeping calm and sensible in a 'crisis'... and I don't mind being tall! :)
4. From julie:
How do you spend Christmas?
With family at our place - in my 21 years on this earth, I've only spent two christmases away from my house. My family is not religious at all, so the day basically involves a lot of presents, a lot of food, and usually a lot of alcohol. Oh, and mangoes for breakfast, a huge indulgence in Tasmania when they're usually $2 each.
5. From wide imagination:
When do you normally blog? Day or night?
Both.
6. From rach:
What song can you relate to your personal life? Share a line or two of that song.
I can't think of one of the top of my head that relates to my personal life right now, mostly because I don't seem to have a song that has the word 'neck' in the title. Different songs mean different things to me at different times - 'London Still' by The Waifs and 'Better be Home Soon' by Crowded House were on pretty frequent rotation when I was in Canada, mostly I think because I kinda missed Aussie accents, and you can't get much more Aussie than that first line of London Still "Wonder if you can pick up my/accent on the phaaaaane?" Classic.
7. From sherle:
What is your favorite color for a sleeping environment?
No particular preference - my walls at home in Tasmania are blue, and the ones up here are white/dingy concrete. So I guess clean walls would be nice, but I have no particular likes or dislikes beyond that!
1. From amanda f:
What do you do when somebody complements you?
a. Smile and say Thanks
b. Ignore it and change the subject
c. Compliment them back
d. Turn red in embarrassment at the attention and look around to see other people's reaction
e. Take it as your due!
Probably a bit of a through d; I'm not particularly good at receiving compliments.
2. From shelly:
What color are your eyes?
Browny green - basically a dirty marsh colour. Attractive, huh? :)
3. From kia:
What do you like most about yourself?
This is a pretty tricky question. I think I possess a fair amount of plain ol' commonsense, if that counts as a 'special' characteristic. I'd say I'm pretty good at keeping calm and sensible in a 'crisis'... and I don't mind being tall! :)
4. From julie:
How do you spend Christmas?
With family at our place - in my 21 years on this earth, I've only spent two christmases away from my house. My family is not religious at all, so the day basically involves a lot of presents, a lot of food, and usually a lot of alcohol. Oh, and mangoes for breakfast, a huge indulgence in Tasmania when they're usually $2 each.
5. From wide imagination:
When do you normally blog? Day or night?
Both.
6. From rach:
What song can you relate to your personal life? Share a line or two of that song.
I can't think of one of the top of my head that relates to my personal life right now, mostly because I don't seem to have a song that has the word 'neck' in the title. Different songs mean different things to me at different times - 'London Still' by The Waifs and 'Better be Home Soon' by Crowded House were on pretty frequent rotation when I was in Canada, mostly I think because I kinda missed Aussie accents, and you can't get much more Aussie than that first line of London Still "Wonder if you can pick up my/accent on the phaaaaane?" Classic.
7. From sherle:
What is your favorite color for a sleeping environment?
No particular preference - my walls at home in Tasmania are blue, and the ones up here are white/dingy concrete. So I guess clean walls would be nice, but I have no particular likes or dislikes beyond that!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Monday meme!
Monday madness...
1. From jstar: Holiday in Europe or Asia?
Europe, definitely.
2. From sherle: How do you try to change a behavior pattern you don't like about yourself... whether it's chewing fingernails, overeating, smoking, or picking your nose?
I fail dismally, as evidenced by my disgusting habit of cracking my knuckles.
3. From tricia: Have you ever successfully completed a Sudoku puzzle?
I am completely and utterly addicted to sudoku. Most days I'll do three of them at sudoku.com.au, and then on the weekend I'll do the 'samurai sudoku' in the Good Weekend magazine (5 puzzles combined into one monster sudoku!).
4. From caylynn: What website do you visit the most often?
Bloglines - I'm not entirely sure I could live without it anymore. But if we're talking visiting a website for actual content, it would probaly be ABC News or McSweeney's.
5. From michael morgan: What was your favorite thing about high school or college?
Hmmm, good question. My favourite thing about high school was probably all the extra stuff I did, like debating and Tournament of Minds. In comparison to university (or 'college') though, high school sucked. I absolutely love being at uni...
1. From jstar: Holiday in Europe or Asia?
Europe, definitely.
2. From sherle: How do you try to change a behavior pattern you don't like about yourself... whether it's chewing fingernails, overeating, smoking, or picking your nose?
I fail dismally, as evidenced by my disgusting habit of cracking my knuckles.
3. From tricia: Have you ever successfully completed a Sudoku puzzle?
I am completely and utterly addicted to sudoku. Most days I'll do three of them at sudoku.com.au, and then on the weekend I'll do the 'samurai sudoku' in the Good Weekend magazine (5 puzzles combined into one monster sudoku!).
4. From caylynn: What website do you visit the most often?
Bloglines - I'm not entirely sure I could live without it anymore. But if we're talking visiting a website for actual content, it would probaly be ABC News or McSweeney's.
5. From michael morgan: What was your favorite thing about high school or college?
Hmmm, good question. My favourite thing about high school was probably all the extra stuff I did, like debating and Tournament of Minds. In comparison to university (or 'college') though, high school sucked. I absolutely love being at uni...
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Monday madness time... on a Tuesday
This week's Monday Madness questions went up a little late, so that's why you're getting my answers on a Tuesday...
1. How do you eat an oreo cookie?
I can't actually remember the last time I ate an oreo cookie. But I think it depends on my mood at the time as to whether I just bite in, or separate the biscuits...
2. How long does it take you to eat lunch?
Depends on who I'm eating lunch with! I have been known to be at lunch for a couple of hours, but usually it's about 30 minutes.
3. Caffeine or decaf?
Caffeine. I agree with Chris - otherwise, what's the point?
4. Chicken or beef?
Beef.
5. Pen or pencil?
I go through phases - I used pencil last term, but now I'm back to pen again. I always use pencils to take notes when I'm doing reading, though.
6. Autumn or spring?
Autumn.
7. Baseball or basketball?
Basketball. I played for a couple of years when I was in high school, and really enjoyed it. Also, I don't have the hand/eye coordination to play baseball!
8. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?'
The Amazing Race, but mostly for the travel porn. I have been known to watch Survivor in my time: my brother and I were obsessed with the one in Australia.
9. Come up with one question I can ask our Monday Madness participants in the weeks to come.
How reliant are you on computers to get through your day?
1. How do you eat an oreo cookie?
I can't actually remember the last time I ate an oreo cookie. But I think it depends on my mood at the time as to whether I just bite in, or separate the biscuits...
2. How long does it take you to eat lunch?
Depends on who I'm eating lunch with! I have been known to be at lunch for a couple of hours, but usually it's about 30 minutes.
3. Caffeine or decaf?
Caffeine. I agree with Chris - otherwise, what's the point?
4. Chicken or beef?
Beef.
5. Pen or pencil?
I go through phases - I used pencil last term, but now I'm back to pen again. I always use pencils to take notes when I'm doing reading, though.
6. Autumn or spring?
Autumn.
7. Baseball or basketball?
Basketball. I played for a couple of years when I was in high school, and really enjoyed it. Also, I don't have the hand/eye coordination to play baseball!
8. 'Survivor' or 'The Amazing Race?'
The Amazing Race, but mostly for the travel porn. I have been known to watch Survivor in my time: my brother and I were obsessed with the one in Australia.
9. Come up with one question I can ask our Monday Madness participants in the weeks to come.
How reliant are you on computers to get through your day?
Monday, September 11, 2006
Monday meme!
Monday madness time!
1. How long have you been blogging?
According to my blogger profile, I've been 'on blogger' since May 2002. I think I had a journal somewhere else before then, but not for very long, or very seriously. So I guess mid-2002, but I only really started blogging regularly when I went to Canada.
2. How many times have you taken a break from blogging?
I had a break for a while after I got back from Canada in September 2003, but this blog has been going since November of that year, so the break didn't last for very long!
3. How long is the longest you've gone, so far, without posting on your blog?
I was pretty atrocious about posting regularly to begin with on this blog - I guess a couple of months was the longest (I don't have the energy or motivation to check properly!).
4. How many fellow bloggers do you keep in touch with, through your blogs, on a regular basis?
Most of the bloggers I keep in touch with I actually know in real life. I've had email with a few other people, but not many.
5. Have you ever met, in person, a blogger on your blogroll?
See answer to question 4 - most of them I see every day :)
6. How often do you update/change the 'extra' stuff on your blog?
Well, my 'TV quote of the week' should really be called 'TV quote of the irregular time period, usually bordering on a month'. I occasionally tinker with the template, but haven't made a major change for a while now.
7. Do you think you'll be blogging for years to come?
I think so - I do enjoy it, even if no-one else enjoys reading it!
1. How long have you been blogging?
According to my blogger profile, I've been 'on blogger' since May 2002. I think I had a journal somewhere else before then, but not for very long, or very seriously. So I guess mid-2002, but I only really started blogging regularly when I went to Canada.
2. How many times have you taken a break from blogging?
I had a break for a while after I got back from Canada in September 2003, but this blog has been going since November of that year, so the break didn't last for very long!
3. How long is the longest you've gone, so far, without posting on your blog?
I was pretty atrocious about posting regularly to begin with on this blog - I guess a couple of months was the longest (I don't have the energy or motivation to check properly!).
4. How many fellow bloggers do you keep in touch with, through your blogs, on a regular basis?
Most of the bloggers I keep in touch with I actually know in real life. I've had email with a few other people, but not many.
5. Have you ever met, in person, a blogger on your blogroll?
See answer to question 4 - most of them I see every day :)
6. How often do you update/change the 'extra' stuff on your blog?
Well, my 'TV quote of the week' should really be called 'TV quote of the irregular time period, usually bordering on a month'. I occasionally tinker with the template, but haven't made a major change for a while now.
7. Do you think you'll be blogging for years to come?
I think so - I do enjoy it, even if no-one else enjoys reading it!
Monday, September 04, 2006
Meme time
Monday madness!
1. Which holidays (if any) do you consider more as a day off from work, than anything else?
Easter - has absolutely no religious significance for me, so it just ends up being a very nice long weekend.
2. Which 3 holidays are most celebrated in your family?
Um... my family is not religious at all, but we do like us some Christmas dinner. Apart from that, we don't really 'celebrate' any particular holidays. We do tend to do birthdays well.
3. Do you have an organized filing system at home?
I have an expanding file-folder under my desk for reference stuff, and old essays and notes etc. For each of my current subjects I have a manilla folder, as well as a few others for various other things I'm working on. There's also a pile on my desk which I could, I suppose, call an inbox, but which is really a heap of stuff that I don't know what to do with.
4. Do you clip coupons for groceries? If so, do you remember to use them? If not, why?
I'll snag the odd pizza-discount coupon off the back of a supermarket receipts, but not really apart from that. Usually they sit in my purse for months until I have a clean-out and toss them all.
5. How many magazines do you subscribe to?
I've had a subscription to the fantastic Empire movie magazine for a few years, and was a regular reader for a while before that. My family has subscriptions to National Geographic, and Delicious magazine, which I read when I'm home.
6. Do you play any computer games on a regular basis? If so, which is your favorite, and why?
I play games quite a bit when I'm home - last holidays it was Sim City, but before that it's been The Sims, and Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth, which is a great game. I've been playing computer games for pretty much as long as I can remember, so don't ask me to name a favourite, it's just too hard! :)
7. Have you watched any movies worth recommending, lately?
I saw Proof a couple of weeks ago, and that was pretty good, if not a little long. Pirates of the Caribbean 2 is great fun, as long as you don't think too much about whether the whole thing is plausible. Do not go and see The Squid and the Whale unless you want to be mightily disturbed.
1. Which holidays (if any) do you consider more as a day off from work, than anything else?
Easter - has absolutely no religious significance for me, so it just ends up being a very nice long weekend.
2. Which 3 holidays are most celebrated in your family?
Um... my family is not religious at all, but we do like us some Christmas dinner. Apart from that, we don't really 'celebrate' any particular holidays. We do tend to do birthdays well.
3. Do you have an organized filing system at home?
I have an expanding file-folder under my desk for reference stuff, and old essays and notes etc. For each of my current subjects I have a manilla folder, as well as a few others for various other things I'm working on. There's also a pile on my desk which I could, I suppose, call an inbox, but which is really a heap of stuff that I don't know what to do with.
4. Do you clip coupons for groceries? If so, do you remember to use them? If not, why?
I'll snag the odd pizza-discount coupon off the back of a supermarket receipts, but not really apart from that. Usually they sit in my purse for months until I have a clean-out and toss them all.
5. How many magazines do you subscribe to?
I've had a subscription to the fantastic Empire movie magazine for a few years, and was a regular reader for a while before that. My family has subscriptions to National Geographic, and Delicious magazine, which I read when I'm home.
6. Do you play any computer games on a regular basis? If so, which is your favorite, and why?
I play games quite a bit when I'm home - last holidays it was Sim City, but before that it's been The Sims, and Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth, which is a great game. I've been playing computer games for pretty much as long as I can remember, so don't ask me to name a favourite, it's just too hard! :)
7. Have you watched any movies worth recommending, lately?
I saw Proof a couple of weeks ago, and that was pretty good, if not a little long. Pirates of the Caribbean 2 is great fun, as long as you don't think too much about whether the whole thing is plausible. Do not go and see The Squid and the Whale unless you want to be mightily disturbed.
Music meme!
I have rants to make, but not enough energy to make them... so a music meme instead!
Total number of tracks: 1422
Sort by song title:
-First Song: 'Deed I Do - Diana Krall
-Last Song: Zebra - John Butler Trio
Sort by time:
-Shortest Song: Bazmark Fanfare - Baz Lurhmann
-Longest Song: I actually have a couple of radio play kind of things on my computer which go for half an hour, but I'm not going to count those, because, well, they're not songs. Which means that I'll also not count Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, which is third longest. So! The longest song I have is Eskimo, by Damien Rice, at a shocking 15:59 minutes! It's actually playing right now (freaky coincidence!), and I think most of it is actually silence before a secret track...
Sort by album:
-First Song: Bella's Birthday Cake - Five for Fighting (album = ...Message for Albert)
-Last Song: Long Day, Matchbox 20 (album = Yourself or Someone Like You)
Top 10 Most Played Songs:
The program I use to play music doesn't handle 'most played songs' very well, so here's a vague approximation:
At Last - Etta James
Cold Water - Damien Rice
I'm Not Worried at All - Moby
Stuff and Nonsense - Missy Higgins
Homecoming (Walter's Song) - Vienna Teng
I Hear the Bells - Mike Doughty
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson (w00t for Kelly Clarkson!)
All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks (yes, I like the Dixie Chicks. You got a problem with that? This song is especially fabulous, with it's bitter twisted hatred...)
Soon Love Soon - Vienna Teng (my new music obsession)
Search ....
"sex", how many songs come up? 6
"love", how many songs come up? 95
"you", how many songs come up? 225
"death", how many songs come up? 0!
"hate", how many songs come up? 3 (but somehow 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' comes up with that search, so I doubt the accuracy of these results!)
"wish" how many songs come up? 7
Total number of tracks: 1422
Sort by song title:
-First Song: 'Deed I Do - Diana Krall
-Last Song: Zebra - John Butler Trio
Sort by time:
-Shortest Song: Bazmark Fanfare - Baz Lurhmann
-Longest Song: I actually have a couple of radio play kind of things on my computer which go for half an hour, but I'm not going to count those, because, well, they're not songs. Which means that I'll also not count Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech, which is third longest. So! The longest song I have is Eskimo, by Damien Rice, at a shocking 15:59 minutes! It's actually playing right now (freaky coincidence!), and I think most of it is actually silence before a secret track...
Sort by album:
-First Song: Bella's Birthday Cake - Five for Fighting (album = ...Message for Albert)
-Last Song: Long Day, Matchbox 20 (album = Yourself or Someone Like You)
Top 10 Most Played Songs:
The program I use to play music doesn't handle 'most played songs' very well, so here's a vague approximation:
At Last - Etta James
Cold Water - Damien Rice
I'm Not Worried at All - Moby
Stuff and Nonsense - Missy Higgins
Homecoming (Walter's Song) - Vienna Teng
I Hear the Bells - Mike Doughty
Walk Away - Kelly Clarkson (w00t for Kelly Clarkson!)
All These Things That I've Done - The Killers
Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks (yes, I like the Dixie Chicks. You got a problem with that? This song is especially fabulous, with it's bitter twisted hatred...)
Soon Love Soon - Vienna Teng (my new music obsession)
Search ....
"sex", how many songs come up? 6
"love", how many songs come up? 95
"you", how many songs come up? 225
"death", how many songs come up? 0!
"hate", how many songs come up? 3 (but somehow 'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' comes up with that search, so I doubt the accuracy of these results!)
"wish" how many songs come up? 7
Monday, August 28, 2006
Monday meme time
Monday madness!
1. Do you do dishes by hand or do you use a dishwasher?
By hand here at college, because all I have to wash is a mug now and then. But we have a dishwasher at home.
2. How many people have your cell phone number?
I have absolutely no idea. My mobile number is the only phone number in my email signature for work, so I get quite a few calls because of that. I've had this number for quite a while now, and before that my brother had it - so let's say everyone in Launceston between the ages of 12 and 35!
3. Do you shower in the morning or at night?
In the morning.
4. Do you ever have a song 'stuck' in your head?
God yes. I've been singing 'Michelle' by The Beatles since Friday. That's starting to get a little annoying...
5. Do you pay your bills when they arrive, or do you wait until closer to the due date to pay them?
Well I don't actually have that many bills to pay, but I guess I wait a bit before I pay the ones I do get.
6. Are you obsessive about anything in particular?
Err...
I think a better question is "Are you not obsessive about anything in particular?" I'm rather well-known for my obsessive-compulsive tendencies, particularly my habit of counting my steps, and my deep dislike of rooms that don't have walls on the square. I can't stand cupboard doors being left open, or pictures hanging on the wall to be crooked. I'm rather anally retentive about the organisation of files on my computer, and my bookshelves at home are organised according to genre, and then size.
So yes. Obsessive could be my middle name, I guess. On a broader scale, I'm also obsessed with The West Wing, Sherlock Holmes, the books of Laurie R. King, and visiting museums.
7. What one thing would you say you have a zero tolerance for?
See above - irregular shaped rooms, open cupboard doors, crooked pictures...
But once again, on a broader scale: I have zero tolerance for apathy. I have no problem with people having strong opinions on some topic or other, but I cannot stand who can't work up enough energy to even work out how they feel about a particular issue. I'm not looking for passionate commitment to every hot topic, but something more than a pathetic little shoulder shrug would be nice!
1. Do you do dishes by hand or do you use a dishwasher?
By hand here at college, because all I have to wash is a mug now and then. But we have a dishwasher at home.
2. How many people have your cell phone number?
I have absolutely no idea. My mobile number is the only phone number in my email signature for work, so I get quite a few calls because of that. I've had this number for quite a while now, and before that my brother had it - so let's say everyone in Launceston between the ages of 12 and 35!
3. Do you shower in the morning or at night?
In the morning.
4. Do you ever have a song 'stuck' in your head?
God yes. I've been singing 'Michelle' by The Beatles since Friday. That's starting to get a little annoying...
5. Do you pay your bills when they arrive, or do you wait until closer to the due date to pay them?
Well I don't actually have that many bills to pay, but I guess I wait a bit before I pay the ones I do get.
6. Are you obsessive about anything in particular?
Err...
I think a better question is "Are you not obsessive about anything in particular?" I'm rather well-known for my obsessive-compulsive tendencies, particularly my habit of counting my steps, and my deep dislike of rooms that don't have walls on the square. I can't stand cupboard doors being left open, or pictures hanging on the wall to be crooked. I'm rather anally retentive about the organisation of files on my computer, and my bookshelves at home are organised according to genre, and then size.
So yes. Obsessive could be my middle name, I guess. On a broader scale, I'm also obsessed with The West Wing, Sherlock Holmes, the books of Laurie R. King, and visiting museums.
7. What one thing would you say you have a zero tolerance for?
See above - irregular shaped rooms, open cupboard doors, crooked pictures...
But once again, on a broader scale: I have zero tolerance for apathy. I have no problem with people having strong opinions on some topic or other, but I cannot stand who can't work up enough energy to even work out how they feel about a particular issue. I'm not looking for passionate commitment to every hot topic, but something more than a pathetic little shoulder shrug would be nice!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Homegrown meme
Crip made up his own meme! And being the meme-addict that I am, I of course had to do it:
1. What can't you travel without? Well I guess there's the obvious stuff like money and ID, but I'm not sure that's quite the kind of answer required here. As you can probably tell by my recent upset, I find it hard to travel anywhere without my diary. One thing I have started travelling with frequently is my red pashmina/scarf thing. Very useful, not just as a scarf, but also as a blanket on planes, and as a supplement to the crappy pillows you always get in hotels.
2. How many trips has/have it/they taken with you? Quite a few, actually. I got that scarf in 2000, and I know it went to Canada with me, and to New Zealand, I think...
3. Where have you taken it/them? See above - Canada, New Zealand, up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia.
4. Where's next? There are vague plans forming in the back of my mind to go to Washington D.C. next year sometime, depending on finances etc.
5. Why? I have a rather strong desire to see the American Constitution, and to see the Supreme Court in session, and visit the Lincoln Memorial... basically after several years of studying the country, I want to experience it first hand.
1. What can't you travel without? Well I guess there's the obvious stuff like money and ID, but I'm not sure that's quite the kind of answer required here. As you can probably tell by my recent upset, I find it hard to travel anywhere without my diary. One thing I have started travelling with frequently is my red pashmina/scarf thing. Very useful, not just as a scarf, but also as a blanket on planes, and as a supplement to the crappy pillows you always get in hotels.
2. How many trips has/have it/they taken with you? Quite a few, actually. I got that scarf in 2000, and I know it went to Canada with me, and to New Zealand, I think...
3. Where have you taken it/them? See above - Canada, New Zealand, up and down the eastern seaboard of Australia.
4. Where's next? There are vague plans forming in the back of my mind to go to Washington D.C. next year sometime, depending on finances etc.
5. Why? I have a rather strong desire to see the American Constitution, and to see the Supreme Court in session, and visit the Lincoln Memorial... basically after several years of studying the country, I want to experience it first hand.
Monday, August 07, 2006
A meme
Because I can't be bothered doing real work/writing a real post... an enormous meme! Hooray!
1. What are your siblings' middle names?
Richard.
2. Where is your dad right now?
At home in Launceston, probably.
3. What was the last thing you said?
"He's hanging out with Alabamans instead." How's that for a random quote!
4. What is something you've learned recently?
Why my census form isn't as long as I thought it would be. (aside: yay for census night tomorrow! I'm sure there will be a glee-ful post tomorrow about it.)
5. What colour is your watch?
Brown band, silver casing, white face.
6. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
Space.
7. What are you reading currently?
Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and Lord Peter: The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories by Dorothy L. Sayers.
8. Who is the last person you liked?
Liked how?
9. Are you close to your mum?
Yep, I guess. Although she seemed to forget that I was in Melbourne the last few days, so maybe not all that close :)
10. Where does your best friend work?
Which best friend? The university, waitressing...
11. What is your least attractive feature?
My stupid feet.
12. How old were you when you started wearing a bra?
I have absolutely no idea. Maybe when I was 12ish?
13. What color are your pants?
Blue.
14. Do you have a roommate?
About 300!
15. What color is your bedroom flooring?
Dingy grey.
16. Do you have a chair in your room?
Yep, two of them in my bedroom, and another four in my study. I have a lot of people to visit!
17. What time of day were you born?
Around 8am I think.
18. Do you know anyone who is engaged?
Um... not right now I don't think, although someone I know got married last weekend.
19. What's your favorite number(s)?
2, 4, 12.
20. Do you know anyone named Laurie?
Yes.
21. What color is your mom's hair?
Real hair colour, or dyed colour? :)
22. Do you have a dog?
Nope.
23. Where did you live in 1987?
In Launceston.
24. What happened to you in 1993?
I was in grade 3, but my parents took my brother and I out of school for six weeks and we drove up to Port Douglas and back, which was pretty amazing. It did mean, however, that I didn't learn how to do subtraction properly until the end of grade 4.
25. Does your first memory involve your dad?
No, my grandmother.
26. Do you remember singing any songs as kids?
Yeah. Every Play School song, of course, but also stuff like Peter, Paul and Mary, The Beatles, and The Seekers. My Dad is big into folk music, and it was often playing at home.
27. When was the last time you went swimming?
Er... I really have no idea. Bicheno maybe, in January?
28. Has your luggage ever gotten lost?
Qantas temporarily lost my bags last year, when I was flying between Launceston and Canberra.
29. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings?
A couple of weeks ago, I think.
30. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Yep - school camps in grades 5 and 6 in primary school, and then again in 7 and 8 in high school.
31. Do you play an instrument?
I had piano lessons for about 10 years.
32. Have you ever thought it would be cool to smash a guitar?
I guess, in a completely abstract kind of way.
33. Do you like fire?
Yep.
34. Where is your best friend from?
Again, which one? Launceston, Melbourne, Mackay, Byron Bay/Ballina/Alstonville/Lismore, Sydney...
35. Are you allergic to anything?
I sometimes have a bit of a weird reaction to band-aids, but apart from that, nothing.
36. When was the last time you cried?
A couple of weeks ago - migraine.
37. What kind of shampoo do you use?
I'm using Wella Balsam at the moment, because it was cheap... but it's absolute crap.
38. Have you ever been to a spa?
Do the Roman Baths in Launceston count? There was also that mineral spa place in Rotorua.
39. Were you popular in high school?
Um, no.
40. Did you take science all six years of high school?
Yep. Straight science in 7 and 8, both physical and natural science in 9 and 10. Physical science in grade 11, and chemistry in grade 12.
41. Do you like butterflies?
Um, I guess.
42. What is the last book you read?
Is it a Very Bad Thing if I can't remember? I do shockingly little reading 'for fun' during term time. I read most of The Unraveling of America by Allen Matusow last semester, but that was for a class. Very good book, though.
43. Do you like Coke or Pepsi more?
I loathe both of them equally.
44. What is one thing you miss about your past?
Very little. I guess I enjoyed the regularity of high school a bit more, but university is so far and away better than anything else, that it's hard to pinpoint anything in particular.
45. Did you ever see the school nurse?
My school never had a nurse as such. I did spend a bit of time in sick bay, though (migraines once again).
46. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
Not primary or secondary, but I wouldn't mind doing tutoring at university - I quite enjoy the limited teaching I do at the moment.
47. What is one thing you've learned about your life recently?
That I'm rather good at peeling oranges.
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
People who get Youth Allowance.
49. Is anyone jealous of you?
I have no idea.
50. When was the last time you were in an elevator?
Er... I actually have a little bit of a phobia when it comes to elevators, so you won't find me in one all that often. If I had to guess, it would probably have been the one in the Hancock Library, but I have no idea when that would have been.
1. What are your siblings' middle names?
Richard.
2. Where is your dad right now?
At home in Launceston, probably.
3. What was the last thing you said?
"He's hanging out with Alabamans instead." How's that for a random quote!
4. What is something you've learned recently?
Why my census form isn't as long as I thought it would be. (aside: yay for census night tomorrow! I'm sure there will be a glee-ful post tomorrow about it.)
5. What colour is your watch?
Brown band, silver casing, white face.
6. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
Space.
7. What are you reading currently?
Walden by Henry David Thoreau, and Lord Peter: The Complete Lord Peter Wimsey Stories by Dorothy L. Sayers.
8. Who is the last person you liked?
Liked how?
9. Are you close to your mum?
Yep, I guess. Although she seemed to forget that I was in Melbourne the last few days, so maybe not all that close :)
10. Where does your best friend work?
Which best friend? The university, waitressing...
11. What is your least attractive feature?
My stupid feet.
12. How old were you when you started wearing a bra?
I have absolutely no idea. Maybe when I was 12ish?
13. What color are your pants?
Blue.
14. Do you have a roommate?
About 300!
15. What color is your bedroom flooring?
Dingy grey.
16. Do you have a chair in your room?
Yep, two of them in my bedroom, and another four in my study. I have a lot of people to visit!
17. What time of day were you born?
Around 8am I think.
18. Do you know anyone who is engaged?
Um... not right now I don't think, although someone I know got married last weekend.
19. What's your favorite number(s)?
2, 4, 12.
20. Do you know anyone named Laurie?
Yes.
21. What color is your mom's hair?
Real hair colour, or dyed colour? :)
22. Do you have a dog?
Nope.
23. Where did you live in 1987?
In Launceston.
24. What happened to you in 1993?
I was in grade 3, but my parents took my brother and I out of school for six weeks and we drove up to Port Douglas and back, which was pretty amazing. It did mean, however, that I didn't learn how to do subtraction properly until the end of grade 4.
25. Does your first memory involve your dad?
No, my grandmother.
26. Do you remember singing any songs as kids?
Yeah. Every Play School song, of course, but also stuff like Peter, Paul and Mary, The Beatles, and The Seekers. My Dad is big into folk music, and it was often playing at home.
27. When was the last time you went swimming?
Er... I really have no idea. Bicheno maybe, in January?
28. Has your luggage ever gotten lost?
Qantas temporarily lost my bags last year, when I was flying between Launceston and Canberra.
29. When was the last time you talked to one of your siblings?
A couple of weeks ago, I think.
30. Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
Yep - school camps in grades 5 and 6 in primary school, and then again in 7 and 8 in high school.
31. Do you play an instrument?
I had piano lessons for about 10 years.
32. Have you ever thought it would be cool to smash a guitar?
I guess, in a completely abstract kind of way.
33. Do you like fire?
Yep.
34. Where is your best friend from?
Again, which one? Launceston, Melbourne, Mackay, Byron Bay/Ballina/Alstonville/Lismore, Sydney...
35. Are you allergic to anything?
I sometimes have a bit of a weird reaction to band-aids, but apart from that, nothing.
36. When was the last time you cried?
A couple of weeks ago - migraine.
37. What kind of shampoo do you use?
I'm using Wella Balsam at the moment, because it was cheap... but it's absolute crap.
38. Have you ever been to a spa?
Do the Roman Baths in Launceston count? There was also that mineral spa place in Rotorua.
39. Were you popular in high school?
Um, no.
40. Did you take science all six years of high school?
Yep. Straight science in 7 and 8, both physical and natural science in 9 and 10. Physical science in grade 11, and chemistry in grade 12.
41. Do you like butterflies?
Um, I guess.
42. What is the last book you read?
Is it a Very Bad Thing if I can't remember? I do shockingly little reading 'for fun' during term time. I read most of The Unraveling of America by Allen Matusow last semester, but that was for a class. Very good book, though.
43. Do you like Coke or Pepsi more?
I loathe both of them equally.
44. What is one thing you miss about your past?
Very little. I guess I enjoyed the regularity of high school a bit more, but university is so far and away better than anything else, that it's hard to pinpoint anything in particular.
45. Did you ever see the school nurse?
My school never had a nurse as such. I did spend a bit of time in sick bay, though (migraines once again).
46. Have you ever wanted to be a teacher?
Not primary or secondary, but I wouldn't mind doing tutoring at university - I quite enjoy the limited teaching I do at the moment.
47. What is one thing you've learned about your life recently?
That I'm rather good at peeling oranges.
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
People who get Youth Allowance.
49. Is anyone jealous of you?
I have no idea.
50. When was the last time you were in an elevator?
Er... I actually have a little bit of a phobia when it comes to elevators, so you won't find me in one all that often. If I had to guess, it would probably have been the one in the Hancock Library, but I have no idea when that would have been.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday madness
Monday meme time!
1. Do you have a photo blog? If so, feel free to share the link with us! I tried to keep one for a while at http://prettypics.blogspot.com, but gave that up pretty quickly. These days I mostly post photos here and to my flickr photostream.
2. How many pets do you own, and what are their names? If none, have you had a favorite pet in the past? I don't have a pet myself, but my family has a cat called Kevin at home. We've had a series of cats since I was little, plus a few birds.
3. How many times a week does the carpet in your house get vacuumed? No carpet? How many times a MONTH do your floors get mopped? Um, the answer to this one is probably not often enough. I'd say the floor in my room gets vacuumed a couple of times a term, which I know is absolutely atrocious. One day I'll try harder... At home in Tassie, the floors get done once a week, but that's really only because we pay someone to come in and do it!
4. Which room in your house do you spend the most time in? My 'study' area I guess.
5. Have you read any good books lately? My reading has been embarrassingly light, lately. I have to read 'Walden' by Thoreau for American history this semester, and so far that is looking absolutely brilliant. Over the summer I read all of the books in the Lord Peter Wimsey series that featured Harriet Vane, which were absolutely wonderful. Gaudy Night especially - it's long, and quite a challenging read for a mystery novel (but then that could be said for all of Sayers' books), but completely worth it, if only for the excruciatingly slow build-up to the final scene.
6. What is your biggest source of news? (Newspaper? Television? Radio? Other?) A combination of radio and internet, I guess. I listen to ABC news radio while I'm getting ready in the morning, which I find is a really good, 'low-impact' way of getting the news of the day. And then I'll visit the Google news and ABC news websites during the day. If I'm lucky I'll get to read a newspaper at breakfast, but usually I'm a little too late to get the main sections! For some reason, though, I'm the only one who wants the IT section on Tuesdays... :)
1. Do you have a photo blog? If so, feel free to share the link with us! I tried to keep one for a while at http://prettypics.blogspot.com, but gave that up pretty quickly. These days I mostly post photos here and to my flickr photostream.
2. How many pets do you own, and what are their names? If none, have you had a favorite pet in the past? I don't have a pet myself, but my family has a cat called Kevin at home. We've had a series of cats since I was little, plus a few birds.
3. How many times a week does the carpet in your house get vacuumed? No carpet? How many times a MONTH do your floors get mopped? Um, the answer to this one is probably not often enough. I'd say the floor in my room gets vacuumed a couple of times a term, which I know is absolutely atrocious. One day I'll try harder... At home in Tassie, the floors get done once a week, but that's really only because we pay someone to come in and do it!
4. Which room in your house do you spend the most time in? My 'study' area I guess.
5. Have you read any good books lately? My reading has been embarrassingly light, lately. I have to read 'Walden' by Thoreau for American history this semester, and so far that is looking absolutely brilliant. Over the summer I read all of the books in the Lord Peter Wimsey series that featured Harriet Vane, which were absolutely wonderful. Gaudy Night especially - it's long, and quite a challenging read for a mystery novel (but then that could be said for all of Sayers' books), but completely worth it, if only for the excruciatingly slow build-up to the final scene.
6. What is your biggest source of news? (Newspaper? Television? Radio? Other?) A combination of radio and internet, I guess. I listen to ABC news radio while I'm getting ready in the morning, which I find is a really good, 'low-impact' way of getting the news of the day. And then I'll visit the Google news and ABC news websites during the day. If I'm lucky I'll get to read a newspaper at breakfast, but usually I'm a little too late to get the main sections! For some reason, though, I'm the only one who wants the IT section on Tuesdays... :)
Monday, July 24, 2006
Monday meme!
To make up for the depressing bitterness of the last post, some lighthearted meme-ing.
1. I won't eat past whenever o'clock in the evening. I have no issue with eating late at night.
2. My favorite subject for photographing is I like landscapes, skies, beaches...
3. I use Ulead Photoimpactmost often to edit my photographs. It came free with my camera, and I'm used to it now. Picasa's also pretty good.
4. If I'm having trouble sleeping, I usually watch some tv.
5. When I'm hungry for a snack, I usually eat chocolate.
1. I won't eat past whenever o'clock in the evening. I have no issue with eating late at night.
2. My favorite subject for photographing is I like landscapes, skies, beaches...
3. I use Ulead Photoimpactmost often to edit my photographs. It came free with my camera, and I'm used to it now. Picasa's also pretty good.
4. If I'm having trouble sleeping, I usually watch some tv.
5. When I'm hungry for a snack, I usually eat chocolate.
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