Organised, for once

It's nice to be able to sit down in the middle of the week and say to yourself: "Ok, I deserve a break." After having a very successful and succinct group meeting on Tuesday after the long weekend, Eclipse Productions, as we're now called, was able to finalise the project plan for PP1: Control.


It's a relief to know that I'm in a comprehensive group that is able to draw on everyone's experience to come up with a project that actually has great potential to fly. It's not about who does more or less, or who will claim the credit. Everyone so far has managed to pull their weight with either input of ideas, research or generation of the proposal.

Last night I managed to plot out our proposal. I know it wasn't completely necessary (ok, I wasn't entirely sure but I thought it would be better to have it done than panic tonight or tomorrow night trying to get it sorted) to write up an entire proposal, but I think it helped. Meeting with Kyla today was beneficial too because it kept us on track and focused on the task at hand.

So far the group is waaaayyyy ahead of schedule and I pray it stays that way. The extended week 3 is almost like 48 hours in a day. I love it. I can't wait to really get stuck into this project. It's going to be really tough, but the challenge is what I live for.

DOTA to Dollars

I remember the number of hours I would sit in front of my trusty iBook, propped up on the laptop 'titties' (as my Aunt and Uncle like to call them because, well... They really do look a little like nipples or boobs sticking out from the bottom of your lappy) with my uber pro mouse and mouse pad, trying to look like I know what I'm doing when I'm randomly hitting keys hoping that I'll kill one of those annoying Alliance gankers in Stranglethorn Vale. The wonderful world of WoW.

Thing is, when I tried to get back into it, despite being completely lost because my main guide was no longer mine to have through no related fault of his own, I just couldn't bear to bring myself to sit there and focus all my attention on that without doing anything else. I just... Didn't see it as a valuable way to spend my time. Anyone else feel the same?

Well, for those that are bored of spending money whilst doing nothing productive, there's something you can do online with the chance of making 10G's. Sound good? Well, it's too late to register because the game is already in progress but it's interesting to watch. ASX started up a trading game that follows real values and allows you to play shares without putting any of your own capital up on the table. They give you $50,000 to start with and you go from there, the winner at the end of 6 months gets $10,000. Sounds easy eh?

Except you'd probably need to spend more time in front of your laptops watching the arrows go up and down and red and green and wonder if that 0.000001 percent change meant you lost a zillion bucks or whether you made 2. But hey, there's always that chance that you could win the $10,000.

On another rather different note, I've been reading the blogs of several others in PP1. I have to say that I'm rather jealous of the opportunity Lachlan got at the Open. It must have been amazing to write and edit a story on the spot. It really makes my stint in CNBC seem rather measly and once again reiterates the point that there is every chance I won't achieve my dream. To hell with the mid-life crisis, I think I'm having a pre-life crisis! Time to up the journalistic aspect of my life and set my priorities for career options. The Mediacorp session next week might be rather crucial in carving a place for me when I go home. Mediocre salary, here I come.

And on one last random point, Sean Kingston looks like a 12-year old.

A sense of control, or lack thereof

Right, so aside from this being a personal blog, it's now being exploited as a course blog too. Whilst I did try to keep up with writing fantastic nonsense previously, and obviously failed... I intend to keep this one going throughout the semester and beyond - mainly because the grades depend on it, but also because it's a neat thing to do. There won't be many tags on Facebook, but hey, at least it'll give someone something to read whilst they're idling away the time at work.

I'm back at Uni, lumped into my final year with absolutely no clue about what the hell is going on around me. Everything is passing me in a blur and everyone seems to be about ten-times smarter. Experience? Knowledge? Bigger IQ?! You begin to feel really dumb when classmates start throwing around 8 syllable words into a very normal sentence and all of a sudden it's like the room is a living, breathing thesaurus.

Anyhoot...

Jenny mentioned self-control during the lecture this week. Everyone laughed when she brought out the coke bottle, one of the 366 that will be consumed by Karla this year. Thing is, we all laughed. We all know that we don't have that much self-control. I felt incredibly fat towards the end of last year (and I actually was rather chubby), but there was something about those Krispy Kremes that made me say: "Just one more, then maybe I'll do some exercise to work it off." It wasn't until I made my way back to sunny Singapore, Land of Skinny. I like Australia all the more for just making me feel like I'm actually petite! That I can fit into an S or even an XS instead of that size 10 or 12 that I'm reduced to back home.

It's taken external control to get me back into shape. Forking out a stupid amount of money on a membership means that I'll feel stupidly guilty if I don't go for class, and whilst I drag myself there with heavy feet I know I'll skip out after a solid 2 hour workout knowing that I am a little bit healthier and energised enough to take on the world.

During Media Industries 1 today we were brainstorming possible research topics, as you do, one of which I am rather passionate about: The Media's Control. Specifically the control it has over distribution of aid, especially in third world countries. Everyone knows the media is able to control in some way, shape or form, the way we think and act either through direct or indirect influences. This control is a form of power that we know exists, yet we constantly underestimate it.

We have the power over these less fortunate people to determine whether they live or die, almost. As a result of who sits in The Oval Office, or a country's respective authority, and what message they relay via the media available the masses will be swayed. We are only as good as the knowledge made available to us and if that "knowledge" we receive is bias, based on half-truths or one-sided then we'll never be able to evaluate situations properly.

On the worksheet we were handed in class the first question was to list 3 challenges faced by media industries. With my brain happily meandering off on the injustices of aid distribution, I immediately wrote down that the audience's lack of general knowledge or basic understanding of the world outside their four walls played an enormous part. I've embedded a video from YouTube that I'm sure most of you have seen, but it does reiterate my point fairly well. I'm not saying that Americans are stupid as I've had my fair share of blonde questions from people all over the world and have even had a few moments I can claim my own.

Whilst ignorance is bliss, we might end up with "a f*cking crater" in the Middle East (00:03:43) or we could kiss goodbye to Italy (00:03:48). Enjoy.

Promises Must Be Kept

As I leave for a year away from home, I'm making promises to people I love and cherish. This is so we can't forget...

ONE:

SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:43:28 AM)
haha god that'd be an EXCELLENT BET
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:43:39 AM)
I'm gonna use that for the next team training
*jkl. says: (3:43:41 AM)
wot?
*jkl. says: (3:43:48 AM)
loser goes for a BSC?
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:43:59 AM)
Whoever doesn't hit set standards....he he he he
*jkl. says: (3:44:16 AM)
BSC would be the ultimate
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:44:20 AM)
Oh its going to be sooooo good
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:44:28 AM)
No seriously that can kill...haha I'm not kidding it could kill
*jkl. says: (3:44:38 AM)
grin
*jkl. says: (3:44:41 AM)
it'd be funny
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:45:17 AM)
I feel the pain right now....like really right now
*jkl. says: (3:45:56 AM)
i can't imagine ripping the hair off yer balls
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:46:33 AM)
Exactly!!! Its inhumane!! I'm sure the results are fantastic but the PAIN
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:46:34 AM)
THE PAIN!!!
*jkl. says: (3:46:44 AM)
would u ever try?
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:47:36 AM)
Its not like I've never thought about it.....its just the pain thats really putting me off
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:47:46 AM)
Heck you know what....if I win Pan Asia
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:47:47 AM)
I'll do it
*jkl. says: (3:47:51 AM)
serious?
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:48:20 AM)
Hell yeah...God you listenin? Promised no drinking to win WCG...that happened...did it again for CGS in KL...won there again
*jkl. says: (3:48:29 AM)
ok set
*jkl. says: (3:48:33 AM)
i'm holding you to it.
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:48:47 AM)
Indeed....I never mess around when it comes to my gaming haha
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:49:00 AM)
If I die though.....please take care of my cats
*jkl. says: (3:49:05 AM)
ok i will.
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:49:25 AM)
The things I do for my team......
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:49:34 AM)
I'll cry if we win at Pan Asia
*jkl. says: (3:49:35 AM)
hahahaha
*jkl. says: (3:49:37 AM)
HAHAHAAHA
*jkl. says: (3:49:41 AM)
i'll laugh
SG.Sword Ҳ Prasad | Week 2 of 12 says: (3:49:43 AM)
I'll bawl like a baby....everyone will be wondering why

So, my darling Sheep, I shall see you in a few months in Melbourne with a smooth BSC.


TWO:

Whilst I paint, sometime in January '09, in a park someplace on this island, you shall take beautiful pictures and you shall sketch and doodle random messy doodles of pure genius that I will understand. My dear Freaky One, you shall make beautiful messy music of pure genius. You will take beautiful messy pictures of pure genius, all will love it, all will praise it. You will make everything work and whilst I'm away, you shall succeed in letting go and letting things happen for their greater messy purpose. When you think of *that song, you will think of me.



THREE:

The time difference is going to be worse than it has been whilst I've been here. It'll be ok. It's never changed and if you need me, the phone is right there. It'll be sitting next to me and I'll be waiting, no, willing the phone to ring and for your name to appear. Ms. Berry, my darling Eliza, my closest link to God, I never left you when we walked away on our different paths and you never really left me because you are always in my heart and forever in my thoughts. We'll have our happy endings and if nothing else, I'll see you again on our Island, on our Beach, in that commercial, with those drinks, with that burger, with that sunburn and with open arms. You are my Sunny.




FOUR:

When there's no one, when there's everyone, when there's too much or too little, there's Me(i). Not much needs to be said because I'm always a heartbeat away, I promise.



FIVE:

For your presence, your support, your kind words and your recalls to reality. I offer it back to you all and will continue to do so throughout this year and as many as our friendships hold. No words can express how much I appreciate my family away from home. For that, there is love.



SIX:

I will always model myself on you.



SEVEN:

For memories, for good times past, for future lives, loves and laughter. For holidays. For assignments. For photography and a love and passion of what we do best. For friendship and alcohol. For a hug when it's not always necessary. For total honesty and the best times of my life, not to mention the rest that are yet to come.



EIGHT:

You, Me and a long lifetime of togetherness.



With much love.
x Kel.

Learn from Britney.

"They still gon' put pictures of my 'derriére' in the magazine."
I'd never heard of the word until I looked up the lyrics tonight. For those who still aren't sure, it's just a very polite and elitist way of saying 'arse'. She obviously doesn't write her own songs then, eh?

But in all fairness, I don't think she's getting the credit due for her latest album. There are several songs that I'm rather keen on. Namely Piece of Me, Everybody (although I much prefer the original by the Annie Lennox and the Eurythmics) and Gimme More (despite how trashy the video is).

Now that the 21st is over and done with, I can get on with the rest of my life. It's all downhill from here on. I'm 4 years away from half a century. Doesn't sound very fantastic. However, I can say without a doubt (although excluding a couple of details like a missing best friend and the absence of my parents on the actual day) that my 21st birthday was the best birthday I've ever had.

After a month and a half of loneliness, my misery ended with a cab that drew up outside my gate. The passenger? The love of my life, my soulmate, my best friend, my lover, my boyfriend, my yesterday, my today and forever my tomorrow.

Bliss..

Oh, and after my affair with Soulja Boy is now over. It has officially been replaced by this...

Dance for me, Baby. Just Dance.

Melbourne has the Melbourne Shuffle (oh, how original).
The US of A pretty much owns hip hop (I can't say that fo'sho, so take it with a pinch of salt).
Ireland has Irish Dancing.
England has (*shudder*) Morris Dancing (we are reknowned for other things, but I'm trying to make a point here).
Singapore has... Ok nevermind...
France has Techtonik/Techtonique.



So maybe this coming ZoukOut, you may consider dancing with a little style because no one likes the weird crap that we get every year. Do us all a favour, yea? If I can't change the way we all dance, maybe I can at least introduce an amazing song. Look it up: ACDG (Tpr Remix) - Yelle. Naturally, I don't understand a word, but it sounds so SO cool.

Enjoy.

I realise...

...that my blog looks so much nicer on a mac - so go buy a mac and revel in it's beauty.
...that Josh still has a blog.
...that in about 5 days, my kid sister will be touching down in Melbs.
...that you really shouldn't wear sporty clothes and try on a dress, you'll always look stupid.
...that trusting the weather just by looking at it, is not smart.
...that Simon has the same book as me (realisation was made yesterday) and you should get it too: Mark Haddon - A spot of bother.
...that not all Metal bands are just about the heavy stuff.
...that the 'sleepy' *you is a real bitch sometimes.
...that I actually do have some form of permanance in my life, for once.
...that Artichokes are quite funny looking. And that my school building design really does look like one.
...that I am in dire need of a job.
...that a single cupboard can mean the world.
...that the world is shrinking at a rather dramatic rate - damn internet.
...that Apple has an extreme amount of power when it comes to boosting musicians' profile in the mainstream music industry: Feist and Cansei de Ser Sexy among others would not be as recognised as they are now if not for Apple.

And yes, we guessed it, but the tabloids have confirmed JT's hookup with his backup dancer, much to Singz' disappointment. Sorry, darling. Britney was the biggest idiot to cheat on him and whilst she has gone to the shits, I have to admit that I do enjoy a couple of her more recent songs. Ever a fan of the Eurythmics, songs that play up on Sweet Dreams are almost bound for success with me. Britney's Everybody along with Gimme More are actually rather catchy tunes. Shocking. But yes, the videos are just crass. Eurgh.