I love this animated short that a guy's actually used for his marriage proposal.
"You make me feel like a natural..."
31 December, 2006
2006 NYR #1: - to be continued...
What is it? Only the person who was with me last NYE knows.
Looking back at this resolution I don't know whether there is any benefits from completing this resolution. Not completing this might not do justice to myself either...until I complete this...let my name be Edmund Dantes!
...to be continued...
Looking back at this resolution I don't know whether there is any benefits from completing this resolution. Not completing this might not do justice to myself either...until I complete this...let my name be Edmund Dantes!
...to be continued...
2006 NYR #2: Clean up my emotional baggage - Done.
The last two resolutions are rather sensitive ones. They were made when emotions and self-righteousness ran high last new years eve. True, while lacking in objectivity, it is exactly at these moments - when you are blinded by emotions, that your inner self rears itself, unbridled by social conventions and the wellbeing of others.
To sound like a bad horror movie tagline "Id...returns..."
Anyways back to resolution number 2.
I had ended 2005 with a big piece of emotional baggage. I had a crush on a girl ever since first year, something that has haunted me through the years. After getting sick of being such a lamer, on that cold night on NYE 2005, with Elvis as my witness, I vowed that I'd end it. Although I had long given up on the idea, it wasn't until much much later that I finalised it. On some random evening, tired from a long day at work, I decided to just rock up and spill my weepy pathetic guts.
Confessions are always a selfish act. Because the confessor is the only one who gains a sense of peace, at the cost of someone else who now bears your burden. But boy did it feel good :) I guess this is what shrinks call closure. Some of my friends had warned me against it, since it would have achieved nothing as the object of my affection was already attached. But in unwinable situations liket his, suicide is the best way out. "If you love something, set it free". RAGE QUIT!
In all seriousness, it was a comforting to get all of this out of the way. And along the way I've learnt a lot about my failings and in turn begun dealing with them - my shyness and resulting indecisiveness when it came to my emotions, my misguided notions of love and friendship and lastly the lack of initiative in dealing with these problems.
It would be a lie to say that I am now free of emotional baggage, as this year has brought other things to my attention. However this experience has made the hardest moment of my life; Izzy's passing, more tolerable.
Before I conclude this extremely long rant...I'd just like remind the me who's reading over this in the future - never hope in love. Hope only further perpetuates blindness caused by your emotions...while you stumble headlong into a stupidity. Never wait in love either, because the longer you wait the greater then difference in your affection. Lastly always remain honest to your emotions, and do not let social conventions and other people get in the way of your own happiness.
Perhaps Mrs. E Darcy summed it up correctly:
"I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me."
NYR #2: Completed.
To sound like a bad horror movie tagline "Id...returns..."
Anyways back to resolution number 2.
I had ended 2005 with a big piece of emotional baggage. I had a crush on a girl ever since first year, something that has haunted me through the years. After getting sick of being such a lamer, on that cold night on NYE 2005, with Elvis as my witness, I vowed that I'd end it. Although I had long given up on the idea, it wasn't until much much later that I finalised it. On some random evening, tired from a long day at work, I decided to just rock up and spill my weepy pathetic guts.
Confessions are always a selfish act. Because the confessor is the only one who gains a sense of peace, at the cost of someone else who now bears your burden. But boy did it feel good :) I guess this is what shrinks call closure. Some of my friends had warned me against it, since it would have achieved nothing as the object of my affection was already attached. But in unwinable situations liket his, suicide is the best way out. "If you love something, set it free". RAGE QUIT!
In all seriousness, it was a comforting to get all of this out of the way. And along the way I've learnt a lot about my failings and in turn begun dealing with them - my shyness and resulting indecisiveness when it came to my emotions, my misguided notions of love and friendship and lastly the lack of initiative in dealing with these problems.
It would be a lie to say that I am now free of emotional baggage, as this year has brought other things to my attention. However this experience has made the hardest moment of my life; Izzy's passing, more tolerable.
Before I conclude this extremely long rant...I'd just like remind the me who's reading over this in the future - never hope in love. Hope only further perpetuates blindness caused by your emotions...while you stumble headlong into a stupidity. Never wait in love either, because the longer you wait the greater then difference in your affection. Lastly always remain honest to your emotions, and do not let social conventions and other people get in the way of your own happiness.
Perhaps Mrs. E Darcy summed it up correctly:
"I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me."
NYR #2: Completed.
2006 NYR #3: Find more suitable guidance - Done.
This was a tough one.
Often the best advice comes from someone who isn't close to you but unfortunately these are the last people you'd ask. Naturally would you really want someone not close to you knowing your thoughts? Especially those those causing you such dilemmas?
I have always believed in that rationale, however from experience it has never been optimal, or at times correct. What's more damning is that often others had given better advice (in retrospect), advice that you had ignored.
Throughout this year I've been pondering this resolution, and experimenting with it. When I got to decision in which I needed advice, I'd canvass opinions from both 'close' and just 'normal' friends. Statistically 'normal' friends; friends whom I do not see on a regular basis clearly demonstrated better advice accuracy than 'close' friends. Why is this so?
1. Groupthink
One reason might be the dreaded groupthink. Friends who you see on a frequent basis are often a) at the same events that cause you dilemma or b) under the same influences and stress that you're under (think exams or job interviews). This biases their perception of the problem and makes their judgment (not all the time but most) subjective.
Of course, having subjective assessments of your problem is the reason why you ask people for advise in the first place. The problem lies in the fact that close friends may often hold the same perceptions and opinions, and in relying solely on this group for advice, you do not consider views from others less involved in the situation.
2. They are (close to) the problem.
For me, most of my dilemmas comes from a problem involving people close to me. Because honestly, if you're not really close to someone (or cared that much), you wouldn't think that much about insulting them ;-)
3. They know you too well.
Silly reason, but sometimes people who know your thinking processing take into account your preferences. This isn't necessarily a bad attribute, but sometimes you really just want an impartial opinion...
Conclusion
All in all, I'm not saying that close friends are not good for advise. On the contrary (as stated above) they are great for assessing situations from your point of view. However, relying solely on them for advice will lead to an sub-optimal result. Canvassing a wide range of opinion is the key to making a complex and often non 0-sum decision.
Luckily there is someone whom I trust and who speaks her mind freely; a trait that is rare even amongst friends. I'm value your friendship fairy godmother ;-), your candidness and asessments always bring a new solutions to my problems. Solutions that sometimes I am unwilling to acknowledge myself.
Thanks...for keeping this Fishy sane.
NYR 3: Done.
Often the best advice comes from someone who isn't close to you but unfortunately these are the last people you'd ask. Naturally would you really want someone not close to you knowing your thoughts? Especially those those causing you such dilemmas?
I have always believed in that rationale, however from experience it has never been optimal, or at times correct. What's more damning is that often others had given better advice (in retrospect), advice that you had ignored.
Throughout this year I've been pondering this resolution, and experimenting with it. When I got to decision in which I needed advice, I'd canvass opinions from both 'close' and just 'normal' friends. Statistically 'normal' friends; friends whom I do not see on a regular basis clearly demonstrated better advice accuracy than 'close' friends. Why is this so?
1. Groupthink
One reason might be the dreaded groupthink. Friends who you see on a frequent basis are often a) at the same events that cause you dilemma or b) under the same influences and stress that you're under (think exams or job interviews). This biases their perception of the problem and makes their judgment (not all the time but most) subjective.
Of course, having subjective assessments of your problem is the reason why you ask people for advise in the first place. The problem lies in the fact that close friends may often hold the same perceptions and opinions, and in relying solely on this group for advice, you do not consider views from others less involved in the situation.
2. They are (close to) the problem.
For me, most of my dilemmas comes from a problem involving people close to me. Because honestly, if you're not really close to someone (or cared that much), you wouldn't think that much about insulting them ;-)
3. They know you too well.
Silly reason, but sometimes people who know your thinking processing take into account your preferences. This isn't necessarily a bad attribute, but sometimes you really just want an impartial opinion...
Conclusion
All in all, I'm not saying that close friends are not good for advise. On the contrary (as stated above) they are great for assessing situations from your point of view. However, relying solely on them for advice will lead to an sub-optimal result. Canvassing a wide range of opinion is the key to making a complex and often non 0-sum decision.
Luckily there is someone whom I trust and who speaks her mind freely; a trait that is rare even amongst friends. I'm value your friendship fairy godmother ;-), your candidness and asessments always bring a new solutions to my problems. Solutions that sometimes I am unwilling to acknowledge myself.
Thanks...for keeping this Fishy sane.
NYR 3: Done.
29 December, 2006
A very nerdy poem...
Roses are #FF0000
Violets are #0000FF
01000001011011000110110000100000011011010111100-
10010000001100010011000010111001101100101
010000010111001001100101001000000110001001100101-
0110110001101111011011100110011100100000011101000110 111100100000011110010110111101110101
Violets are #0000FF
01000001011011000110110000100000011011010111100-
10010000001100010011000010111001101100101
010000010111001001100101001000000110001001100101-
0110110001101111011011100110011100100000011101000110 111100100000011110010110111101110101
28 December, 2006
2006 NYR #4: Get more fit - 70%.
This is very typical all new years resolutions - lose weight, do more exercise etc. This was one resolution I took all the way I think, although I still have some distance (physically and metaphorically) to go. The concept of getting 'fit' is very vague as well, but thanks to Jasper I have this to go by. That's right, my aim is to be fit enough to join the army - 15 push-ups, 45 sit ups and a beep test of 7.5. I haven't tested using the beep test yet, but i'm soooo there already with the others.
Perhaps next year's resolution might be to find an actual places to do the beep test :)
Perhaps next year's resolution might be to find an actual places to do the beep test :)
27 December, 2006
2006 NYR #5: Find a better job - Done.
I used to had pretty sweet job back in 2005 and the beginning of 2006. I worked for a smallish software company, with friendly and bright people. Things turned sour at the end of 2005 when the company board wield the downsizing axe, and in one big swipe laid off some of the friendliest and brightest people of the company. Then afterwards key people began to be laid off, and I was left with a manager from hell. He was fat, lazy, obnoxious, one of those relics from the 90s where middle managable was still useful.
To keep this short, I quit and had to find a new job. And I found it, doing financial research for the uni. It's got better pay, more interesting work and right next to my classes :D
DONE!
To keep this short, I quit and had to find a new job. And I found it, doing financial research for the uni. It's got better pay, more interesting work and right next to my classes :D
DONE!
26 December, 2006
2006 NYR #6: Get better grades - D...
2006 being my last AND honours year, I had to haul ass to raise my marks up for a chance at first class honours. Unfortunately for me, that D doesn't mean done, its just the D average I managed to scrape this session; 1 mark past the honours limit...phew.
For the record, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (COMP9791) by Chris Rizos is a total waste of time. So is Intelligent Agents (the reading version).
Well I guess I kind of passed this objective...I'll have to follow through next year.
For the record, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (COMP9791) by Chris Rizos is a total waste of time. So is Intelligent Agents (the reading version).
Well I guess I kind of passed this objective...I'll have to follow through next year.
25 December, 2006
2006 NYR #7: Get back into the music - Done.
Music has always given me solace in my darkest hours, but for some reason I had stopped playing and listenning to a music. This year has seen a great revival in this area; playing my violin whenever I get the chance and rocking to the MP3s everywhere once I got my new phone.
Notable music rocked to this year: Evanescence, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, The Veronicas, I don't want to miss a thing - Aerosmith, Mad World - Gary Jules, When you say nothing at all - Ronan Keating.
Notable soundtracks: Hellsing OVA, Melody of Oblivion, Vanessa Mae, Goten Project (Tango), Carlos Libedinsky (Tango).
P.S. Girls, in regards to Ronan Keating's When you say nothing at all, it doesn't mean guys want you to shut up! Not all the time anyways... ;-)
Notable music rocked to this year: Evanescence, Green Day, Kelly Clarkson, The Veronicas, I don't want to miss a thing - Aerosmith, Mad World - Gary Jules, When you say nothing at all - Ronan Keating.
Notable soundtracks: Hellsing OVA, Melody of Oblivion, Vanessa Mae, Goten Project (Tango), Carlos Libedinsky (Tango).
P.S. Girls, in regards to Ronan Keating's When you say nothing at all, it doesn't mean guys want you to shut up! Not all the time anyways... ;-)
Blog redemption.
I know I've slacked off for the last few months (sorry Elvis and Kath) in terms of posting things OTHER than online videos (but you got to admit they are funny!) So in an attempt to redeem myself I've decided to 'review and evaluate' all the New Years resolutions I made last year, everyday until the new year.
Before we do that...one last video...
Before we do that...one last video...
04 December, 2006
Sexual Consent
Here's video called Sexual Consent from Jason Reitman about establishing sexual consent...its very funny in a lawyer / absurdist kind of way :)
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