cartwheels
what's up! so i've pretty much been having the time of my life over the last week or so. it feels so good to be free from all the timetabling and scheduling of uni. you don't really notice it during the year but you sure do around christmas/summer. so some highlights of the last little while include: playing probably four or five rounds of golf, pool party, work christmas party (including another round of golf), meeting literally dozens of unbelievably cool and nice and fun new people, going out to many different places, seeing green day/jimmy eat world/my chemical romance, getting new shirts, shoes, shorts and pants and still having plenty of moneys in the bank.
the only bad news is that i've woken up most days with some form of hangover, but at least i've been waking up earlyish. i may have to dispell rumours that i hooked up with a girl from work last night. i was totally and completely drunk and got a taxi home by myself at like midnight. no idea what she did. but apparently the logical deduction is that we went home together. oh well, we didn't, so case closed, i say. but now that we're on the subject, i've met a few new girls and even re-established some ties with old ones, which is good news. makes everything much more comfortable and agreeable, i say.
i've been watching lots and lots of sex and the city and carnivale and twin peaks and extras. if you haven't seen carnivale or twin peaks or extras (which you probably haven't), then do it. seriously the best time you'll have on the couch all year. every time i describe carnivale to somebody i get the same reaction: "...you mean like carnies? like on the simpsons? why would i want to watch that? that was a good episode of the simpsons..." and so on. well yes, there are carnies involved. but there are also freaks and mutants and psychics and religious prophecies and armageddon and a good deal of sexual innuendo. seriously one of the best shows i've ever seen. season two is being aired on abc over summer at some stage, but everyone should watch season one first or you won't understand a damn thing.
i'm probably not far enough into twin peaks to properly talk about it, but what i CAN talk about is extras. it's the new show by ricky gervais (aka david brent from the office). it's fucking classic. every bit as good as the office. better, even, in some respects. his character in this series is a movie extra trying to get bigger roles. needless to say he doesn't get them. but it's funny watching him try! and there are celebrity cameos in each episode, including the likes of ben stiller, samuel l. jackson and kate winslet. kate winslet's episode is actually probably my favourite (there are only six), hot damn it's good. not that i support piracy or anything, but you can download it fairly easily off bittorrent in one convenient package.
so what else did i want to talk about...i can barely remember these days. my family hasn't bought many christmas presents this year. instead we're gonna sponsor a family in the middle east. i think. that's the rumour. either that or adopt a dolphin or something. that was my suggestion. not that i don't like families in the middle east. dolphins are just cool. i'm honestly not bothered about not getting christmas presents. everything i want is too expensive to ask for anyway, so i'm saving up for that myself. i decided i need an ipod at some stage before i go overseas. then i wouldn't have to endure the stress of only choosing 40 cds every time i go somewhere. anyway so i thought i would be working on christmas day (for an obscenely inflated rate) but there were cancellations and now i'm not anymore. which is a huge bummer cause i was looking forwards to the money and not having to cover for my drunk parents when they say embarrassing shit. anyways.
speaking of my parents, my dad has really put his foot in it this time. he invited a 75 year old guy with heart conditions and his elderly female cousin to come and live in our house. the last time my dad saw this guy was thirty-five years ago when they came to australia together, and promptly went their separate ways. so, you know, they're obviously really close. what his cousin is doing with him is a mystery to me. anyway so this is problematic for the following reasons; 1) we only have one spare room, and we need two. 2) my entire family, including my dad, is going to be out of town at the time when dad invited them to come and stay. 3) my mum was working full-time this year, and she deserves a fucking break and shouldn't have to cook and clean for a pair of useless, decrepid old people whom she has never met. 4) like i said before, this guy has a heart condition and can barely move. this means he won't be able to sleep downstairs, because he can't fucking get up and down them. which means he'll want my room, or my brother's room, and i'll be a damned salted oyster if i'm moving out for some completely unrelated old bloke who my dad hasn't spoken to in decades. my brother shares my sentiments. 5) this guy will do nothing but sit around the place all day making a mess and smelling the way strange old people smell. even my dad is not content to spend all day indoors. this guy doesn't drink red wine, play golf or listen to baroque music. what the fuck are they going to do together? was it really necessary to invite him for an entire week?
how inconsiderate is that of my dad to invite him? as my mum said, he would rather alienate his wife and children and place a huge burden upon his own family than to offend someone who is essentially a total stranger. we would all be happy to have this guy and his cousin around for dinner one night. probably two nights if dad wanted to. but jesus christ. you all get the idea.
apart from that, everything in my life is perfect right now. i wouldn't have anything any other way, at least for the time being. i'm pinching myself to make sure that i am the same person i was a few months ago. nothing much has changed except my attitude, and i don't know why. but it's awesome. i'm having a blast.
with that in mind, it's time again for the annual review. 2005 has been both eventful and uneventful for me, in different ways. i'm sure i've changed a lot as a person, but the experiences i've had have all accumulated and i really do feel like the end result. i would have done certain things differently, but not much differently. i trust my own judgement and instincts and do my best not to contradict myself, no matter what. thank you all for being good friends and good listeners.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
hmm. not much, surprisingly. i guess i could say i got a stable job. what a boring answer!
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
i think my resolutions would have been to get good marks at uni. in case of honours, break glass. i suppose i kept that resolution to some degree. i can't believe i slept through first semester and still got better marks than i did last semester.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
no.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no.
5. What countries did you visit?
i got to know my own country a lot better. driving to the twelve apostles was a fantastic experience.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
an ipod! and a more disciplined reading schedule.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
no particular dates, but a few events like green day, my birthday and special outings with special people.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
my marks in first semester and being much more independent.
9. What was your biggest failure?
i still have never failed a subject, at school or university. i guess it would be the way i handled certain situations, but you know what they say...no respect, no regrets.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
only self-induced ones!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
ooh what a cool question. would probably be books and things. definitely my xbox.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
i was pissed off with most of my friends at various stages throughout the year, but they usually come through with the goods when it counts. i love my family so much, even if i don't always act like it. my close friends (don't want to name names) are all amazing people in their own ways.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
american politicians'. actually, pretty much the politicians of every western country in the world. i'll save my rant for a bit later on.
14. Where did most of your money go?
sadly, going out. drinks, food, tickets to things...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
green day/my chemical romance/jimmy eat world, in no particular order.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
ooh this is a hard one. i guess only pop songs really apply here. i would have to say something like 'drop the pressure' or one of those other sickening club anthemz.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
right now i am over the fucking moon. much much much happier. i hope it lasts! i am the same weight as i was last year, but i am much fitter now, and i am far richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
exercise and reading. at the same time.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
spending money on alcohol, although usually i don't unless i'm having a good time, so you could say it's worth it.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
i thought i would be working but i'm not anymore. which means i'll be going to pascoe vale to see my grandma and auntie and cousins.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
is this off the record? i love hundreds of girls. particularly in my anthropology classes.
23. How many one-night stands?
contentious. however i care not to quantify the beautiful girls i kissed in a survey like this.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
sex and the city, carnivale, family guy. three-way tie.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
like i've said before, i'm not sure that i have ever truly hated anybody. suffice it to say, there are people i don't like anymore.
26. What was the best book you read?
'freedom evolves' by daniel c. dennett or 'love in the time of cholera' by gabriel garcia marquez.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
i was thinking about how i would answer this question. i listen to lots of the same bands that i did last year. i guess there are certain albums and stuff that i have really come to love though. about this time last year i started getting into elliott smith.
28. What did you want and get?
an xbox, good marks.
29. What did you want and not get?
my playstation fixed, really awesome marks.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
the life aquatic, lost in translation, kill bill, batman begins.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
i turned 19 and some of my closest friends and i went out in the city and got really drunk together!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
i don't know. not being so tired all the time, even when i have no reason to be, and not spending so much time being depressed or anxious about certain things.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
i wouldn't, but i just got some of the most awesome retro clothes, watch out.
34. What kept you sane?
watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, reading books. i think it's called escapism.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
scarlett johansson, of course. not really sure who else.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
the deaths of innocent people based on race or appearance. cases in point: british police shooting an innocent brazilian man at point blank range in a train station, and american police shooting an innocent man with a mental condition in an airport.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
i met countless nice people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
stress less! now, to put it into practise...
my 'best of' lists shouldn't be too far away, but this entry so far has taken over an hour and i have people to meet and places to see!
thanks for reading this entry, and all my others throughout the year. i don't get enough comments, so give me more comments. i love you all and i wish you a happy and safe christmas and non-denominational new year! take it easy.
the only bad news is that i've woken up most days with some form of hangover, but at least i've been waking up earlyish. i may have to dispell rumours that i hooked up with a girl from work last night. i was totally and completely drunk and got a taxi home by myself at like midnight. no idea what she did. but apparently the logical deduction is that we went home together. oh well, we didn't, so case closed, i say. but now that we're on the subject, i've met a few new girls and even re-established some ties with old ones, which is good news. makes everything much more comfortable and agreeable, i say.
i've been watching lots and lots of sex and the city and carnivale and twin peaks and extras. if you haven't seen carnivale or twin peaks or extras (which you probably haven't), then do it. seriously the best time you'll have on the couch all year. every time i describe carnivale to somebody i get the same reaction: "...you mean like carnies? like on the simpsons? why would i want to watch that? that was a good episode of the simpsons..." and so on. well yes, there are carnies involved. but there are also freaks and mutants and psychics and religious prophecies and armageddon and a good deal of sexual innuendo. seriously one of the best shows i've ever seen. season two is being aired on abc over summer at some stage, but everyone should watch season one first or you won't understand a damn thing.
i'm probably not far enough into twin peaks to properly talk about it, but what i CAN talk about is extras. it's the new show by ricky gervais (aka david brent from the office). it's fucking classic. every bit as good as the office. better, even, in some respects. his character in this series is a movie extra trying to get bigger roles. needless to say he doesn't get them. but it's funny watching him try! and there are celebrity cameos in each episode, including the likes of ben stiller, samuel l. jackson and kate winslet. kate winslet's episode is actually probably my favourite (there are only six), hot damn it's good. not that i support piracy or anything, but you can download it fairly easily off bittorrent in one convenient package.
so what else did i want to talk about...i can barely remember these days. my family hasn't bought many christmas presents this year. instead we're gonna sponsor a family in the middle east. i think. that's the rumour. either that or adopt a dolphin or something. that was my suggestion. not that i don't like families in the middle east. dolphins are just cool. i'm honestly not bothered about not getting christmas presents. everything i want is too expensive to ask for anyway, so i'm saving up for that myself. i decided i need an ipod at some stage before i go overseas. then i wouldn't have to endure the stress of only choosing 40 cds every time i go somewhere. anyway so i thought i would be working on christmas day (for an obscenely inflated rate) but there were cancellations and now i'm not anymore. which is a huge bummer cause i was looking forwards to the money and not having to cover for my drunk parents when they say embarrassing shit. anyways.
speaking of my parents, my dad has really put his foot in it this time. he invited a 75 year old guy with heart conditions and his elderly female cousin to come and live in our house. the last time my dad saw this guy was thirty-five years ago when they came to australia together, and promptly went their separate ways. so, you know, they're obviously really close. what his cousin is doing with him is a mystery to me. anyway so this is problematic for the following reasons; 1) we only have one spare room, and we need two. 2) my entire family, including my dad, is going to be out of town at the time when dad invited them to come and stay. 3) my mum was working full-time this year, and she deserves a fucking break and shouldn't have to cook and clean for a pair of useless, decrepid old people whom she has never met. 4) like i said before, this guy has a heart condition and can barely move. this means he won't be able to sleep downstairs, because he can't fucking get up and down them. which means he'll want my room, or my brother's room, and i'll be a damned salted oyster if i'm moving out for some completely unrelated old bloke who my dad hasn't spoken to in decades. my brother shares my sentiments. 5) this guy will do nothing but sit around the place all day making a mess and smelling the way strange old people smell. even my dad is not content to spend all day indoors. this guy doesn't drink red wine, play golf or listen to baroque music. what the fuck are they going to do together? was it really necessary to invite him for an entire week?
how inconsiderate is that of my dad to invite him? as my mum said, he would rather alienate his wife and children and place a huge burden upon his own family than to offend someone who is essentially a total stranger. we would all be happy to have this guy and his cousin around for dinner one night. probably two nights if dad wanted to. but jesus christ. you all get the idea.
apart from that, everything in my life is perfect right now. i wouldn't have anything any other way, at least for the time being. i'm pinching myself to make sure that i am the same person i was a few months ago. nothing much has changed except my attitude, and i don't know why. but it's awesome. i'm having a blast.
with that in mind, it's time again for the annual review. 2005 has been both eventful and uneventful for me, in different ways. i'm sure i've changed a lot as a person, but the experiences i've had have all accumulated and i really do feel like the end result. i would have done certain things differently, but not much differently. i trust my own judgement and instincts and do my best not to contradict myself, no matter what. thank you all for being good friends and good listeners.
1. What did you do in 2005 that you'd never done before?
hmm. not much, surprisingly. i guess i could say i got a stable job. what a boring answer!
2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
i think my resolutions would have been to get good marks at uni. in case of honours, break glass. i suppose i kept that resolution to some degree. i can't believe i slept through first semester and still got better marks than i did last semester.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
no.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
no.
5. What countries did you visit?
i got to know my own country a lot better. driving to the twelve apostles was a fantastic experience.
6. What would you like to have in 2006 that you lacked in 2005?
an ipod! and a more disciplined reading schedule.
7. What date from 2005 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
no particular dates, but a few events like green day, my birthday and special outings with special people.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
my marks in first semester and being much more independent.
9. What was your biggest failure?
i still have never failed a subject, at school or university. i guess it would be the way i handled certain situations, but you know what they say...no respect, no regrets.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
only self-induced ones!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
ooh what a cool question. would probably be books and things. definitely my xbox.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
i was pissed off with most of my friends at various stages throughout the year, but they usually come through with the goods when it counts. i love my family so much, even if i don't always act like it. my close friends (don't want to name names) are all amazing people in their own ways.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
american politicians'. actually, pretty much the politicians of every western country in the world. i'll save my rant for a bit later on.
14. Where did most of your money go?
sadly, going out. drinks, food, tickets to things...
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
green day/my chemical romance/jimmy eat world, in no particular order.
16. What song will always remind you of 2005?
ooh this is a hard one. i guess only pop songs really apply here. i would have to say something like 'drop the pressure' or one of those other sickening club anthemz.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: Happier or sadder? Thinner or fatter? Richer or poorer?
right now i am over the fucking moon. much much much happier. i hope it lasts! i am the same weight as i was last year, but i am much fitter now, and i am far richer.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
exercise and reading. at the same time.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
spending money on alcohol, although usually i don't unless i'm having a good time, so you could say it's worth it.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
i thought i would be working but i'm not anymore. which means i'll be going to pascoe vale to see my grandma and auntie and cousins.
21. Did you fall in love in 2005?
is this off the record? i love hundreds of girls. particularly in my anthropology classes.
23. How many one-night stands?
contentious. however i care not to quantify the beautiful girls i kissed in a survey like this.
24. What was your favourite TV program?
sex and the city, carnivale, family guy. three-way tie.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
like i've said before, i'm not sure that i have ever truly hated anybody. suffice it to say, there are people i don't like anymore.
26. What was the best book you read?
'freedom evolves' by daniel c. dennett or 'love in the time of cholera' by gabriel garcia marquez.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
i was thinking about how i would answer this question. i listen to lots of the same bands that i did last year. i guess there are certain albums and stuff that i have really come to love though. about this time last year i started getting into elliott smith.
28. What did you want and get?
an xbox, good marks.
29. What did you want and not get?
my playstation fixed, really awesome marks.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
the life aquatic, lost in translation, kill bill, batman begins.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
i turned 19 and some of my closest friends and i went out in the city and got really drunk together!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
i don't know. not being so tired all the time, even when i have no reason to be, and not spending so much time being depressed or anxious about certain things.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2005?
i wouldn't, but i just got some of the most awesome retro clothes, watch out.
34. What kept you sane?
watching movies, listening to music, playing video games, reading books. i think it's called escapism.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
scarlett johansson, of course. not really sure who else.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
the deaths of innocent people based on race or appearance. cases in point: british police shooting an innocent brazilian man at point blank range in a train station, and american police shooting an innocent man with a mental condition in an airport.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
i met countless nice people.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2005.
stress less! now, to put it into practise...
my 'best of' lists shouldn't be too far away, but this entry so far has taken over an hour and i have people to meet and places to see!
thanks for reading this entry, and all my others throughout the year. i don't get enough comments, so give me more comments. i love you all and i wish you a happy and safe christmas and non-denominational new year! take it easy.