Picnic

Uh... I've been thinking of how to post this post of mine, the final one for the degree of Biomedical Science. It's strange.... as still, days after, it has not hit me yet. I thought I'd be ecstatic, overjoyed, great sense of accomplishment, but, I don't. :/ Maybe because I am worried I have failed Parasitology... I am going to wait till the results before I celebrate.

Uh...

Uh...

Since Thursday what have I done? Oh yes: after the exam I had a nice dinner with a friend and we lazed around and listened to some tunes.

Saturday I went with Adamo and Roberto to Amps for a good metal gig. The bands were MUCH MUCH better than I expected, and I was incredibly impressed. I hope to check some of these bands out more down the track. Viking metal FTW.

Sunday (which is... today) I went on a picnic with Hsin, Val, Mitty, Rachel and Jen-Jen in Kings Park. It was much fun! I kind of miss these guys, they were very nice housemates and I am glad to have been able to get to know them during such of that time.

My literary skills are lacking tonight, so I am going to post with pictures instead.










GO!!!!!!!!!!!

The Nature of All Things

4:43am. After a few hours study tonight, I am ready to embrace sleep despite the fact that I got up at 5pm and haven't even been awake for 12 hours yet. But, I wish to dream. I have no idea how my sleeping patterns are going to hold up for this exam Thursday morning, most likely I will end up staying up all night and then head to my exam, the sleep the ENTIRETY of ... forever.

I've been out a bit, went to see Eleventh He Reaches London again on Saturday night, which was pretty rad. Was at the Amplifier Bar which I thought I hadn't been to, but I have for Bens birthday I think it was once... memory is shocking. Saw the 1990's there I think they were. But yes: EHRL were good, accompanied by a few drinks and no sleep till dawn.

Yesterday I headed to Joels for Survivor Series. Edge's return (yes, I know you're happy about that Reece =P). Half the crew went out to gather the meals of KFC, which was incredibly good. So unhealthy... but good. Ben drove me to the trainstation out in Cannington so I made the long trek home. Being too up and alive at 11pm to wait half an hour for the 99 bus, I ended up walking from the Murdoch trainstation to mine, which I haven't actually done before and realised it was only about a 20 - 25 minute walk.

Final exam Thursday.
Not long till I leave for Adelaide.
MUST GET WINDOWS ON THIS MACHINE

A friend gave me a copy of Fear of a Blank Planet by Porcupine Tree a few months ago. Being lazy and forgetful, I hadn't listened to it in it's entirety until only a few days ago. It's very good, My Ashes - song from the album - is in my head right now, very nice song. Next time I'm in the city I might pick up another album, and some more Neurosis too.

I bought a book of Koans (Kong-Ans). Basically little stories or poems that are unable to be solved, or understood by mere rational thinking. They were mentioned a few times in my Philosophy studies, and I saw this book. Some of them are quite quirky, they bring a smile, some thought. I'll leave you with one:

If to the nature of things
you wish to penetrate,
You will know all, if you can find
the door to just one thing.

Be careful, be careful! Dog laughing outside, "Woof, woof!"

Starlight Souls

This video was made to show the struggle and emotional despair of Mulder dealing with the loss of his sister. It's very well done, and the song fits it absolutely perfectly.

Moby - My Weakness

It's been one of my most beloved songs for quite a while now... in fact, a lot of Moby's tracks are incredibly beautiful. Coupled with fond memories that shall be relived through lonely nights of listening. I was surprised to see when I watched through the X-Files series, that in Season 7 two songs of Moby was used; My Weakness and The Sky is Broken. Such a smile to hear them played during some of the more touching and emotional scenes!

They both brought an amazing feel to the episodes.

Very very beautiful.

Infinite Variety

2:48am

It's been a nice few days, having gone out with Reece on Thursday, and then out with everyone just tonight seeing Davids play then hitting up Fremantle for a few drinks.

Sitting here in bed with the laptop, already I am on that slow progression towards sleep, which is strange and welcoming since I've been having trouble sleeping till the hours past 6am or so. Tomorrow night is a party at Joels/Lauras/Bens/Jamies. It should be a good night, wondering where I will be sleeping though, because no doubt I'll end up staying past the hour of the last bus, and no doubt again that someone will grab the couch before I do. But, little things like that aren't to be worried about, something will sort itself out.

From Sunday afternoon till Wednesday evening I shall be occupied with exam study, will probably spend those evenings up at the library. Philosophy essay is almost completed, I have done my draft and all that is left is the editing/few more paragraphs and then final statement. I want to make this essay perfect.

Next week should be quite rad. First exam down, then Sytadel is coming round with GH for an evening, then off to see Eleventh He Reaches London on Saturday. Although a plan was made to go out to Fremantle again that same night. Dilemma!! Plans will be sorted throughout the week. Again: too late of night to be worrying.

I am both scared and excited about these upcoming holidays, although some thoughts and situations that have arisen these past few weeks offer some comfort, and the looking forward to of good times. So torn between what is right and wrong, and what is best...
All things are so complicated, yet amazingly simple in nature.
All things need direction. Control.

I wonder who is in control. Am I?

All I desire is the most simple of things, yet with them bring so much complication and confusion.

I realised I haven't been thinking about these things this past month, I feel like I've been almost detatched from them, which is a good thing I think. But at the same time I compare it to such that of an assignment, or great task. Something that needs to be done, and yet I keep putting it off. Something that NEEDS my attention and thought. For without it I might lose the true nature of it, and of myself.

Oh god I'm rambling.

But that's okay. Because I am going to log off the world of the internet soon and relax with a wonderful tale of Death.... and his apprentice. Terry Pratchett - Mort. It's a wonderful book, which is why I'm reading it again. I can lose myself so immensely in the story, of all the subtle jokes that are made and the ever quirky characters that you come to love. I think I'm developing a literary crush on Death himself. He's like the awkward Uncle who doesn't really know how to talk to you, but tries his best to act cool.

The Drugs Don't Work

CML

4:11am, the world (my world) is asleep.

Sitting here, listening to Ayreon with my fresh cup of coffee, taking a break from revision. Currently going through writing up initial study notes for Leukaemia and Childhood Cancers. This is the area that interests me most, as I hope to focus on Cancer research for my post-grad studies. Get into this exciting and hot field of research.

I'm heading to the library at about 8am, going to get my notes sorted and binded thanks to Murdoch Print and going to download all my iLectures of those that I missed without putting strain on the internet here at home. Also going to get all the Philosophy lectures for personal interest.

Staying up to these hours always reminds me of staying at the Armadale house. Those guys used to stay up all night so very often. Me waking up and walking out to the loungeroom at 8am/9am... some ungodly hour of the morning still watching various Anime episodes or chatting away about Linux.. computer technologies. Peeking through the curtain and thinking "hhaaaa, fuck this... *sleeps*"

My friend is bringing around the new Guitar Hero one day this coming week, I get to play Dream Theater on GH!

!!!

!!!

It's really the only thing I'm excited about... to what I remember there are a few other good songs that I wanted to play, but that one... must... play...

I've been thinking about setting up some Summer projects for myself to do. Most likely not going to work, so must do something to fill in my time.
- Get back into CS training.
- Finish Half Life!
- Work on a new art project... perhaps something for Dads 60th?
- Kick myself for making this coffee way too strong.
- Uh...
- Yeah...

I'm sure I'll think of something.

/waste of time

Cult of Luna

Well, today my partner and I handed in the Semester long research project. 25% - 6500 words on the LMNA gene and its mutations to cause the diseases such as Progeria.

After spending 15 hours in the past 2 days alone on this paper, it's been a tremendous effort to get it done. Many hours and meetings throughout these past few months. I was ready to yell at him at various points in time, just for the fact that he was SO DAMN keen on perfection, whereas I am not. But, I guess it was a good experience for me, to work as hard as we did.

Once we signed the cover sheet and handed it to Wayne, our unit organiser, Jia took me aside and got all serious on me for a moment. He apologized that he pushed me so hard in this project, and thanked me for working with him. I thanked him for working with me too, and motivating me. It was a nice moment, after a nice awkward hug we went up to Sir Walters and had a coffee before we wished each other well on our study for exams.

So now I'm sitting here, vaguely aware that I have completed the teaching weeks of my degree in Biomedical Science. Don't worry: I won't get all heavy and emotional on you now: that shall be on the 27th.

But then again: I don't technically graduate till next year. A few moments ago I changed my course details to that of a double major with Philosophy. I'M HERE FOR ANOTHER YEAR!

Hurray!!

I decided to put off Honours, to take a year to myself and study what I have a blossoming interest in, and also take the few extra units I need to get a minor in Infectious Diseases.

So: I shall be a graduate of Biomedical Science & Philosophy with a minor in Infectious Diseases.

Sounds pretty sweet, and personally the reason I chose to double up with Philosophy is not only the keen interest I have, but also because I have an academic crush on my Philosophy lecturer. He's incredibly enthusiastic about his works, he's published quite a few books and I think he's one of the most interesting people I've ever met. I look forward to studying under him for another year.

Speaking of which: must continue my work for this Philosophy essay: Computational Theory of Mind.

NO MORE EARLY MORNINGS
NO MORE SLEEPING IN LECTURES
THE SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE
CULT OF LUNA ARE COMING!
MOGWAI!
NIN!
LAMB OF GOD!
IN FLAMES!
NICK CAVE!
DID I MENTION NO MORE EARLY MORNINGS?

Just found out Cult of Luna are coming here next year in February! That's going to be absolutely incredible!!

Haa... mood.. lifting...
Must repress it.
Get to study Jen.

Earth Day

I just realised, I never shared this song with you guys.



More people need to hear this song. It was the first thing I ever heard of Devin Townsends work. Brilliant!!



Also:

Halloween

Well despite the subject of last post, things have been pretty rad.

Sunday - Met up with my new friend Chris who I met at Meshuggah. We went to The Bakery to check out a few local bands, including one of his favourites: Eleventh He Reaches London. Despite their 'screamo' moments, they weren't actually quite bad. They are doing their EP launch I believe on the 22nd, to which we plan to go see as well. This guy has a pretty similar taste in music to mine, and we spent last Wednesday together as well watching Mastodon and Isis DVDs and then went out for a few drinks in the city. His friends were pretty nice, and despite the fact I got quite ill by the end of the night (thankyou, medication, you fuck me over so bad), the night ended with more Mastodon.

The week at Uni went okay, missed quite a few lectures thanks to assignments, our gene research project is almost done, we've almost reached the 5000 word goal, and we've put a lot of work into it, so I hope we get a decent grade for it. I'm actually quite proud of it, it sums up nicely the understanding of a vast majority of concepts we've studied over the past three years and our now honed research skills. I've never read so many research articles in my life, we have quite the knowledge about Progeria and other similar laminopathies now. I hope to print off a few copies if anyone would like to read it, may send one to my Mum to prove I'm actually learning something here haha.

Friday - Halloween!
This night was pretty rad, I went as a Japanese Doll, it was my first Halloween party, the first time I had the opportunity to dress up. Some of the costumes there were fantastic! Alia, you did a wonderful job planning such a gathering!
I ended up sleeping quite early, about 1am? I believe. Someone else was in charge of the photo taking, and there is quite a few photos to share!

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v467/Bojko/Halloween/

That's the link to the Photobucket album, let me know if it works for you guys, I had to make sure it was for public viewing, I'm not a big fan of this photo uploading site, but it should be okay now. It was nice to hang out with you guys again. :)

It's been a good week, and I would love to sit here and ramble on about many other things, but right now the pressure is on for this Parasitology prac exam tomorrow... 30%. I am going to fail.
... really, I am.
This is impossible.
Why couldn't it be open book!?
I've never faced such a heavy graded exam being so unprepared. Even if I had spent this entire week at home, I still doubt I will be able to do well.
Identifying parasites = much failure.

But, I shall spent this afternoon and evening head down in the books, and try to memorise as much as I can. One more week of classes, then I am done. By the 27th, the degree is finished.

Godspeed!

You!

Black Emperor!