I'm now kinda wondering... whether I look too FOB or something...
After work I decided to catch the 889 instead of the 900 that failed me horribly last week. This time a random Chinese dude started talking to me at the bus stop. He was nice enough though and he didn't even try using English. Perhaps I'm dressing too strangely... but my 70 yuan sand-coloured jacket is so nice and windproof. =/
Also, student elections are annoying. But they weren't too bad when I carried an open hot pink umbrella with one hand and a regular lamb kebab in the other, walking briskly through campus centre. Only one guy tried to stop me but I mouthed (yea couldn't be bothered using voice) "no".
When I got back to Box Hill I walked out via the fruit market. There's a new fruit shop. An Asian girl was at the outside stall saying 'salad' once every three seconds. She stopped saying it when I got near and then resumed once I was a few metres away. hmmm
Friday, September 25, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
water bottle paradox
It seems as though the time of the day helps a lot... I've managed to get back up to 9.56km/h.
The cool air in the nature reserve was quite nice - well worth forfeiting the extra [necessary?] sleep.
With the lack of taps around on my path, I thought I'd try carrying a drink bottle around, especially since it's getting warmer and I'm trying not to walk any of the 11km.
But, it of course introduces extra mass and I find myself stopping more to take a drink (haven't perfected drinking on the run yet).
So it might actually help me in keeping hydrated but also disrupt my running to an extent where it affects my speed.
Oh and of course traffic lights are an annoyance.
I might try a causal loop diagram since they're all the rage in one of my units.
I thought about what a physics teacher/year level co-ordinator said once about time management, going to the gym and outdoing workmates etc etc.. seems like the escalation system archetype. From memory, I think he was at three divorces with five children so that might not be the best path anyway.
The cool air in the nature reserve was quite nice - well worth forfeiting the extra [necessary?] sleep.
With the lack of taps around on my path, I thought I'd try carrying a drink bottle around, especially since it's getting warmer and I'm trying not to walk any of the 11km.
But, it of course introduces extra mass and I find myself stopping more to take a drink (haven't perfected drinking on the run yet).
So it might actually help me in keeping hydrated but also disrupt my running to an extent where it affects my speed.
Oh and of course traffic lights are an annoyance.
I might try a causal loop diagram since they're all the rage in one of my units.
I thought about what a physics teacher/year level co-ordinator said once about time management, going to the gym and outdoing workmates etc etc.. seems like the escalation system archetype. From memory, I think he was at three divorces with five children so that might not be the best path anyway.
Shock!
MGC3450 tutorial was all Asian by 10AM. (The only non-Asian excused herself just before 10AM)
My superannuation got pwned - I obviously had too much fun choosing wacky risk profiles for the pitiful amount that I had...
Same day delivery for Farnell actually does work!
My superannuation got pwned - I obviously had too much fun choosing wacky risk profiles for the pitiful amount that I had...
Same day delivery for Farnell actually does work!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
epic bus fail
After work... which was a nice intro loading 5 small PCBs...
the delayed 5:44 900 bus to Caulfield decides not to stop for me. (This happens to be at a Smart Bus stop too!) They decided to stop about 100 metres ahead, which I didn't particularly feel like going up to in the rain. It was so epically late that I had already missed my connection. So instead I joined two other people on the following 5:59 service. Bummed around under the Law library until it was about time...
waited..
waited....
6:23 733 bus to Box Hill decided to show up at 6:45. I probably could have made it back faster by going to Blackburn first.
Heh... must be a sign that I'm not supposed to finish that essay early that's due tomorrow.
the delayed 5:44 900 bus to Caulfield decides not to stop for me. (This happens to be at a Smart Bus stop too!) They decided to stop about 100 metres ahead, which I didn't particularly feel like going up to in the rain. It was so epically late that I had already missed my connection. So instead I joined two other people on the following 5:59 service. Bummed around under the Law library until it was about time...
waited..
waited....
6:23 733 bus to Box Hill decided to show up at 6:45. I probably could have made it back faster by going to Blackburn first.
Heh... must be a sign that I'm not supposed to finish that essay early that's due tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
strange sensation
I just had the strangest sensation where I picked up my tube of toothpaste and felt that it wasn't mine.
I went off to interrogate the sister about it... there were two tubes of exactly the same size and brand. Her explanation: my tube is the ugly one. And the other sister uses even stronger chemicals in an upright container. Ah well...
I went off to interrogate the sister about it... there were two tubes of exactly the same size and brand. Her explanation: my tube is the ugly one. And the other sister uses even stronger chemicals in an upright container. Ah well...
Sunday, September 13, 2009
An experiment / Life is like The Sims
I thought I might type this one up before the next experiment.
Interactions: people and alcohol
Anyway, the contributing factors were:
Unsteady in stance. Tendency to use others for support.
Unsure if content of speech was more free. Still had the same, really bad, lame jokes.
Mistakes recorded - mentioned Japan instead of China when talking to Mr Chong.
Attempted moving various limbs to music in a small group. (This is where it begins to tie in - it's obviously a Sim action.) Others came along but did not participate.
Followed suit in parting hug (not used to that; might not ever do that again).
Made some wrong assumptions about which pocket particular items were in. (very important)
Felt a pulse-rhythm at my neck at nearly 2AM.
Findings:
Probably not cost effective for me to get properly drunk.
Did not wake up with clichéd headache.
Unsteadiness seemed to vary during the course of the night - sometimes it was decreaing. (Could be that I had been standing in the same spot for too long.)
Could still walk in a straight line and demonstrate that to friends.
Some of those might have been a result of a self-fulfilling prophecy: that is, I will what I expect to occur.
I did get the feeling that when unsure, think of what a Sim would do... From moving around, pretending to dance and even meeting new people. I thought I even had the little ++ and -- bubbles when agreeing with someone or disapproving of someone else. Life is so definitely based on The Sims...
Interactions: people and alcohol
Anyway, the contributing factors were:
- 1 red wine
- 1 sparkling wine
- 1 Carlton draught beer
- 1 water (residual beer since above glass reused)
- 1 raspberry and vodka
- 1 white wine
- 5.5 hours of sleep
- 6 class hours on that day
Unsteady in stance. Tendency to use others for support.
Unsure if content of speech was more free. Still had the same, really bad, lame jokes.
Mistakes recorded - mentioned Japan instead of China when talking to Mr Chong.
Attempted moving various limbs to music in a small group. (This is where it begins to tie in - it's obviously a Sim action.) Others came along but did not participate.
Followed suit in parting hug (not used to that; might not ever do that again).
Made some wrong assumptions about which pocket particular items were in. (very important)
Felt a pulse-rhythm at my neck at nearly 2AM.
Findings:
Probably not cost effective for me to get properly drunk.
Did not wake up with clichéd headache.
Unsteadiness seemed to vary during the course of the night - sometimes it was decreaing. (Could be that I had been standing in the same spot for too long.)
Could still walk in a straight line and demonstrate that to friends.
Some of those might have been a result of a self-fulfilling prophecy: that is, I will what I expect to occur.
I did get the feeling that when unsure, think of what a Sim would do... From moving around, pretending to dance and even meeting new people. I thought I even had the little ++ and -- bubbles when agreeing with someone or disapproving of someone else. Life is so definitely based on The Sims...
Friday, September 11, 2009
design fun
Submitted the design specification document at 16:59. It was due at 17:00. What an awesome week! Not....
I have been informed that some people cried after receiving feedback at the milestone demonstration.
It was also funny watching a girl in the lab spin around on her swivel/wheely chair while talking to herself.
I have been informed that some people cried after receiving feedback at the milestone demonstration.
It was also funny watching a girl in the lab spin around on her swivel/wheely chair while talking to herself.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
looking forward
Looking forward to some supplementary sleep... scheduled for after 5PM Friday. I had a sampler this evening... a whole 1.5 hours. Twas awesomesauce.
Very thirsty after waking up; drunk three whole cups of water.
Very thirsty after waking up; drunk three whole cups of water.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
stressful times
Stressful times in design seems to have brought about that weird behaviour learned at MHS... It's kinda homo but seems to be accepted and even imitated... then again, electrical engineering is a bunch of dudes anyway.
I got an unexpected reaction and carrying-on from when I emailed someone about items they had borrowed a few weeks ago... It seems rational that one would attempt to collect debts after a certain amount of loan time has elapsed... After all, we don't work during summers to buy parts for other people's projects (well at least I don't :S)
I had a look at the next few weeks in terms of assessments and new-found employment. It seems like my weekends need to be productive now. :O That will be a challenge.
I got an unexpected reaction and carrying-on from when I emailed someone about items they had borrowed a few weeks ago... It seems rational that one would attempt to collect debts after a certain amount of loan time has elapsed... After all, we don't work during summers to buy parts for other people's projects (well at least I don't :S)
I had a look at the next few weeks in terms of assessments and new-found employment. It seems like my weekends need to be productive now. :O That will be a challenge.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
fun day in week 8
I won't complain again about Dick Smith because it's probably an assumption now that what they have is all crap and I've blogged about it before. I only go there because So I'll skip straight to the MGC3250 lecture at 12 noon.
This lecture was the second of two about accounting in small firms. We spent 45 mins on the first 4 slides (of 25) just on accounting terms. The tutor was 'guest lecturer' for these. It did seem a bit more pleasant and I even said something in class for once, near the end. hehe It was also fun (and worrying) watching my classmate struggle to stay awake. Her elbow was slowly slipping off the flip-out desk as she oscillated back and forth. The coffee candy I gave her had no effect. Yeah, these people are doing management and not accounting for a reason!
I stuffed down an orginal Higgo burger then found my design classmate to go buy some extra parts. Our battery holders had melted from the heat of freshly-recharged batteries. Also found that neither Jaycar nor Altronics stock 92mm fan accessories. Fantastic.
We came back to get sensors working to something 'good' and start on the next document. I reluctantly agreed to go to the lecture which turned out to be a good initiative from aforementioned classmate since those who showed up get to demonstrate the milestone completion a bit later.
EWB-MCCO head wanted a group of us to help out with a solar panel display. So we stuck around as he made the phone calls to try to work out what was happening. I'm not sure whether it was sarcastic or not but it did feel weird that my suggestions got a 'good idea' response. Particularly when they were along the lines of 'message the person and lets go to the labs for now; we can come back when they're ready.' (instead of waiting around aimlessly in a foyer). So that was around 5PM.
Brought up the ridiculously heavy wooden frame with not much electronics in it at all... Opened up the crimp with a staple remover, stripped the wire with cutters (bloody thick), then recrimped with a tool attached by security wire to a trolley. Very much a hack job. All the doors were locked by that time so everyone had fun going around. I ended up catching the 7:18 bus. Which was delayed. :( And nobody seems to have bothered using the second part of my status update as a lame joke. :(:(
This lecture was the second of two about accounting in small firms. We spent 45 mins on the first 4 slides (of 25) just on accounting terms. The tutor was 'guest lecturer' for these. It did seem a bit more pleasant and I even said something in class for once, near the end. hehe It was also fun (and worrying) watching my classmate struggle to stay awake. Her elbow was slowly slipping off the flip-out desk as she oscillated back and forth. The coffee candy I gave her had no effect. Yeah, these people are doing management and not accounting for a reason!
I stuffed down an orginal Higgo burger then found my design classmate to go buy some extra parts. Our battery holders had melted from the heat of freshly-recharged batteries. Also found that neither Jaycar nor Altronics stock 92mm fan accessories. Fantastic.
We came back to get sensors working to something 'good' and start on the next document. I reluctantly agreed to go to the lecture which turned out to be a good initiative from aforementioned classmate since those who showed up get to demonstrate the milestone completion a bit later.
EWB-MCCO head wanted a group of us to help out with a solar panel display. So we stuck around as he made the phone calls to try to work out what was happening. I'm not sure whether it was sarcastic or not but it did feel weird that my suggestions got a 'good idea' response. Particularly when they were along the lines of 'message the person and lets go to the labs for now; we can come back when they're ready.' (instead of waiting around aimlessly in a foyer). So that was around 5PM.
Brought up the ridiculously heavy wooden frame with not much electronics in it at all... Opened up the crimp with a staple remover, stripped the wire with cutters (bloody thick), then recrimped with a tool attached by security wire to a trolley. Very much a hack job. All the doors were locked by that time so everyone had fun going around. I ended up catching the 7:18 bus. Which was delayed. :( And nobody seems to have bothered using the second part of my status update as a lame joke. :(:(
Sunday, September 6, 2009
remission
I went for a jog for the first time in about two weeks. Last weekend it was too wet and cold and then today at 9AM it was too sunny already. Lame.
My average speed has dropped to 8.25km/h. Probably should have restricted my pace more in the first 15 minutes. Bum.
I also had to walk a bit which was included in the average but I should have better discipline than to do that.
My average speed has dropped to 8.25km/h. Probably should have restricted my pace more in the first 15 minutes. Bum.
I also had to walk a bit which was included in the average but I should have better discipline than to do that.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
apartments and noses
I had some driving practice today - 40km over 90 minutes with the parents.
First stop was A&G books in Carlton. Converted one book from ten into cash. Huzzah! They were mostly my cousin's abandoned books anyway.
Second and main stop was future apartment block in North Melbourne. To me it was essentially a shopping trip so I kinda zoned out. Looking at the displays set up... it seemed kinda like a small prison to me but yea...
Having a new-found appreciation for noses following a certain MSN conversation, I began in inspect visually the noses in the room.
With n people in the room and n-1 being some sort of Asian, there really was only one nose to look at.
Apart from not having the skills to do justice for my tabletpc, the nose was.. well-proportioned, not upturned and a bit pointy at the end. It belonged to the doorgirl who wasn't interested at all in these apartments and referred people to the Asian sales execs after about three sentences. It wouldn't be too hard to push further than three sentences given that all the info was around the walls or could be learned from listening. Plus it wasn't like it was beyond her abilities since she's studying a degree in business. She did however ask what my weekend was going to be like, which I probably should start to answer in a more interesting way other than talking about assignments. She obviously had something interesting to do because she bolted at 3:57.
The drive back was lovely... crazy roundabout at Flemington Road X Royal Parade, traffic jam in Richmond along Victoria Street and a flashing lights 40km/h zone in Balwyn that nobody adhered to.
First stop was A&G books in Carlton. Converted one book from ten into cash. Huzzah! They were mostly my cousin's abandoned books anyway.
Second and main stop was future apartment block in North Melbourne. To me it was essentially a shopping trip so I kinda zoned out. Looking at the displays set up... it seemed kinda like a small prison to me but yea...
Having a new-found appreciation for noses following a certain MSN conversation, I began in inspect visually the noses in the room.
With n people in the room and n-1 being some sort of Asian, there really was only one nose to look at.
The drive back was lovely... crazy roundabout at Flemington Road X Royal Parade, traffic jam in Richmond along Victoria Street and a flashing lights 40km/h zone in Balwyn that nobody adhered to.
Friday, September 4, 2009
stretching my luck
I went for a soldering job on Tuesday. I didn't think I did that well given that I soldered a component too high and then upside-down on my next attempt. But it seems to have been enough. The interviewer let slip that somebody else from my class had applied since they mentioned the hovercraft. So here's hoping that induction on Thursday will be alright.
It's kind of weird in that I've been spamming random positions since winter break for things that I thought I'd be better suited for, eg: computer technician stuff or even boring warehouse stuff... but then this one comes through unexpectedly. It does seem more useful than the others for later life. So I didn't get what I wanted but instead got something that looks like it will work out better. Weird.... life...
I may have overstretched my luck with a very dodgy managing conflict essay. Even though it's a fun unit with roleplays, the theory isn't always linked so strongly to the practice. Hopefully my feeling is wrong.
Oh yeah, woke up a bit too late as a consequence of trying to finish off that essay. Ended up getting to class at 11:20 instead of 9:00. Wasn't really hungry at all (couldn't even be bothered finishing half of breakfast) but my eyes were dry. Weird stuff.
It's kind of weird in that I've been spamming random positions since winter break for things that I thought I'd be better suited for, eg: computer technician stuff or even boring warehouse stuff... but then this one comes through unexpectedly. It does seem more useful than the others for later life. So I didn't get what I wanted but instead got something that looks like it will work out better. Weird.... life...
I may have overstretched my luck with a very dodgy managing conflict essay. Even though it's a fun unit with roleplays, the theory isn't always linked so strongly to the practice. Hopefully my feeling is wrong.
Oh yeah, woke up a bit too late as a consequence of trying to finish off that essay. Ended up getting to class at 11:20 instead of 9:00. Wasn't really hungry at all (couldn't even be bothered finishing half of breakfast) but my eyes were dry. Weird stuff.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
a different kind of time commitment
Well, it seems like I'm going to find out soon exactly what I meant when describing the difference between management units and other more analytical units in general. Since I'm doing three of the former and one of the latter, it really is quite a different semester for me. No tests at all. 2500 words due Friday. Essay currently does not exist. Fun fun. Design project... I have an idea of what I want the code to look like and am hoping the team pulls through with the hardware. Plenty more essays dribbling until end of semester. Exams are low value this time though - 40%-50%.
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