Marge: "We're home!"

Lisa: "We got beets!"

Another time when I felt like saying the above quote - today, when I came home with shopping. Even though I didn't got beets. Or any sort of vegetables at all, for that matter.

I used another variation on a Simpsons quote - calling FD 'the suckiest sucker who ever sucked'. Lucky, I didn't have any weiner kids listening.

Worked 8:50 - 4:20. Had to get there earlier cos - whatever. Man, its getting pretty mind-numbingly boring - spent most of today just going through files looking for stuff that, on the whole, wasn't there.

Rang Medicare and Virgin Credit Card to change my address - went through pretty much without a hitch. Except for the first time I rang Medicare the phone kinda hanged up for no reason.
Tried to ring the international line for Worship Leader magazine, but it didn't work - there probably has to be the US extension at the start or something - I don't know it. Ended up sending an email from home instead.

Tried to ring Kempton to change my appointment tommorrow from 2 to 4, or so. Cos 2 will be really inconvenient to all concerned - except Kempton, I guess. I didn't have the number, so I thought maybe I had it written down at home. Rang FD at 10:30 to check. He was out. Rang back at 12:45. Turns out, I didn't have it written down. Got FD to find the general Kempton number. Got that at 1. Rang, but the person wasn't there, so I left a message. By 4, they hadn't called back. Rang back, but they were on another call. Decided not to leave another message - since it didn't do no good the first time. Received a call at 4:50, when I was driving home from shopping. Called back at 5:30 (to a mobile number) and got no reply. Received a reply at 6:45, but I was eating dinner. Called back at 7 to no reply. Called again at 7:30 to no reply. So, I guess I'll have to try again tommorrow morning.

Went shopping as mentioned previously. Bought such wonders as milk, cheese and my lovely budget scotch steak. Also bought meat for my lunch tommorrow and Friday. Was originally gonna buy four pieces of turkey (for 2 sandwiches for 2 days), but the pieces were too small for my bread. So, decided to buy 2 pieces of roast beef as well. But, for some reason, I only ordered 2 pieces of the turkey - even though, since they are small, I still needed 4. I then ordered the 2 pieces of roast beef, and had to order another 2 of the turkey. Fun, fun.
Was hoping that the total would come to something 9 something - as in, $19.50, or $29.15 or something like that. It came to $30.35. And I didn't have $30 in notes. So I only got to use 35 cents of my $9+ worth of change.

Watched a lot of TV today - mainly new shows. The Simpsons at 7:30 - an episode which I had seen before - but not a bad one, considering most of the newer episodes are bad. The worst part about it is using jokes that they've used before. Oh, well.

Futurama was on at 8 - the first episode, which is probably the best. I really enjoyed it, but I remember it goes downhill pretty fast after this. Still, for the moment, I shall keep watching.

Watched a little of Strong Medicine after that. But FD insisted on watching 5 Days to Midnight, so ended up watching most of that instead. Strong Medicine seemed to have its moments - but there really wasn't a lot of hospital stuff, so I'm not worried about skipping it. 5 Days to Midnight has an interesting concept but, like Surface, it moves way too slowly. This sort of stuff works well in a film (sometimes) - in a series its just frustrating. Thats why I steered clear of Lost.

Watched Blind Justice next. It was an OK show, but quite weak, especially considering its a series opener. It seemed that pretty much everything was solved in that one show. Either the acting, or the writing, or maybe both, seemed, most of the time, extremely juvenile, shallow and unbelievable. So that is one that I will skip.

Got the Dynamite CD by Jamiroquai from S tonight. So, maybe I have a chance of knowing most of the songs for next Sunday. Maybe. Doesn't mean I'll like them, though.

Krusty, with fans: "I wanna go to Mt Splashmore. Take me, take me, take me, take me now! Now, now, now, now, now!"

"Mt Splashmore, take me there right now!"
Lisa: "This is a shameless promotion"
Bart: "Worked for me"
Lisa: "Me too"

I sense that this, and a at least the near future blogs, will be rather short. Due to large portion of life being boringly uneventful. As in, relatively speaking.

Worked 9 - 4:30.

Now no longer need to have accounts done by Sunday. Got till Wednesday 7th instead. So, thats nice.

Am continuing to read my Simpsons book, since I have a little time in the morning, and at lunch time. However, it is not getting any better. This current chapter is supposed to be about Bart, and, yet, instead of taking Bart's life and showing how it influences the world, or whatever, an entire section is about, essentially, Nirvana. With brief mentions of the Hullabalooza festival. I'm sorry, but as good as 'Smells like teen spirit' may be, it doesn't have much to do with The Simpsons, except some thing about 'social commentary', etc. Maybe. The more I read, the more I find this guy 'reading into' The Simpsons what he feels like he wants to say, instead of doing exegesis, which is what this book is supposed to be about. I thought.

Watched the first episode of 'Surface' today. And thats another series I will not be following up on. Admittedly, the 'big spooky fish that kills people' is not my idea of a good film (I still haven't seen Jaws), so its unlikely that slowing the action down into series mode would ever have had a hope of working. And, it didn't. Boring, with a capital b. And, there is no substance to the show bar what the things might be. Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

Not much further in Joshua - about chapter 14 now. Was planning to read my book or watch a lecture today - but its 9:30 already. MAYBE do a little reading - except that apparently people here are planning to throw rubbish - the bin has been full since Saturday afternoon, and there is a large pile of rubbish stuff in the loungeroom. Due to the mass evacuation, you understand....

I posted the letters today, which I forgot to take yesterday. I also remembered to take the numbers of places I need to ring to change addresses, but forgot to call them.

Rev. Lovejoy: "Be they Jew, Christian or....miscellaneous"

Apu: "Hindu. There are 700 million of us, you know?"
Rev. Lovejoy: "Ahhh....thats super!"

Woke up at 7. Mainly due to the whole 'alarm' thing. Stayed in bed till about 7:45, cos I knew I had, like, way too much time.
Ended up leaving too late, cos of.....well, nevermind.

Still, got to the Bankwest in Leederville about 9:40 - waited in line for a while. Got to Mt Lawley at 10 - couldn't have done much better, I don't think.

Left at 4:30 - mainly cos I sorta reached a lull in the work stuff.

Got my results for my assignments back - one D and one HD (thats it - there is no numerical grade). I 'm thinking the marking must be like overly-generous one. Esp. since the marker guy say that for the D one, its only a D (not HD) due to formatting things.

It appears my move is now gonna be partly Saturday, and the big stuff next Wednesday, since my dad can't bring his big car up until then. So there might be a kinda interesting like transitional period in there somewhere. Its still not absolutely confirmed where it will be to, too. Definitely somewhere, but maybe not the ideal spot.

Watched Veronica Mars today. Quite a good show - nearly everyone in the show is mean to each other. There were some moments that were way too cheesy, but the lead character is like a Daria/older sister from Ten Things I Hate About You type person, so that makes it quite interesting. Plus, her father, who has a quite small role, is Elliot from Just Shoot Me.

Watched Analyze This after that. Included the Text-801 feature, which is always funny. Its one thing I forgot about non-ratings season - they put movies on during the week. And generally they're not good - ie American Pie was on channel 10, but this was a particularly good night, I guess. I don't remember enjoying it that much the other 1 or 2 times I've seen it. Maybe, due to the contrast with The Sopranos, I enjoy it more? And Robert DeNiro is a much more...likeable/funny mobster than James Gandolfini. I think the problem with Tony is hes too much in denial. Pah...

I'm up to chapter 11 in Joshua. However, the reading has fallen, as has the textbook and the Mandarin. And now the guy reckons this thing might take 2 weeks. Aaargh! My exams in about 2 & a half weeks - I haven't even started the week 13 lectures yet. Plus there's the move - and I have to have the November accounts done by this Sunday.

I wonder if the money's worth it? Though, I guess I can't quit now. At least I can pretty much determine my own hours, and wear what I want - thats a huge bonus. Plus, I don't need to keep timesheets. And its nice to get cash - at least $100 a day so far.

"You, still, captivate me, fascinate me" - Delirious?, Inside Outside

Went for lunch at Yuki again. I actually wanted to go to Taurus (shock, horror), but it was over-crowded (as per usual), and V and I only go to those two places. So - thats that, I guess.

The freeway was jammed, so getting back took me an hour. That was sure fun.

Went shopping, but forgot to buy lettuce. Hopefully, my cheese hasn't gone off, so my sandwiches next week won't be just, like, plain chicken.

Went through lecture 2 & 3 of week 12. Quite a bit of revision questions - it seems that it is standard practice to give out the essay questions for the exam, so they did that. A choice of 6 out of 4. It doesn't seem that difficult - but I don't know if its open book or not. If its not, which it probably isn't, there will be a lot of stuff to remember.

I ended up forgetting about the DVD from yesterday, so returned it at 8 when its supposed to be due back at 6. Super.

Essentially, all I ate for dinner was 1 piece of KFC left over from Saturday's lunch. However, I finished off some junky stuff in the afternoon, and ate M&Ms for dessert, so it was enough.

There was lots of church accounts stuff to do - it took me an episode of Smallville (which I've decided I'm not going to watch again) and half of The Fifth Element (thats about 15 times or more I've seen it - such a great show) to finish it all.

I did a tiny bit more packing - really only 1 more box. Just clearing the stuff from the middle of the floor which got there on Saturday afternoon. I began going through my tray of paper, but I was primarily looking for my World Vision supporter number, so as soon as I found that I stopped sorting stuff. Still, managed to fill up my tiny little bin (again) with old document stuff.

Its now midnight. I'm not so worried about going to bed so early, cos I have to go to the bank to deposit money tommorrow morning, and they don't open till 9:30. So there's no need about waking up so early.

"Passed your door, I guess you don't live there anymore" - Eveything But the Girl, Missing

Using the quote due to me spending the almost entire day (or at least it felt like it) 'packing' to some extent.

Woke up about 8:45, due to an SMS from SS. After breakfast, started watching 'The Horse Whisperer'. It was not a great film - too much like 'The Bridges of Madison County', but with horses. There wasn't enough horse whispering stuff - it was just a gimmic to suck you in to yet another film about people committing adultery - or at least trying to.

After that, it was mainly going through my stuff and throwing a lot of stuff out. I went through an old box, and found a nice Simpsons mousepad. Also, the stamp of my name, which still works.

Went to KFC for lunch with B. Also returned the films and got a new release - The Woodsman. Wanted to get Downfall, but there were no copies available. The Island was also all rented out.

Spent more time packing stuff in the afternoon. I think I've gotten most of the irritating little things away. Esp all my books.

Watched 'Johnny English' on TV after The Simpsons. It was quite funny in parts. I felt John Malkovitch could've been more evil, and that Natalie Imbruglia was an irritating addition.

Went for dinner after that at about 9pm at Tiamo. Didn't finish till about 10:30 - the service was very slow. For some reason, it appeared that everyone was eating dinner very late. I had the Duo - the steak was very good, the chicken seemed a little dry.

Watched 'The Woodsman' after that. Surprisingly, due to the rest of the film, it had quite a happy ending, though it seemed that the answers it provided were a little to simple. Based on my experience with addiction, just wanting to be able to stop is no where near enough.

Had a nice little thunderstorm tonight - some of the lightning was very bright and the thunder very loud. And the shower accompaining it was more than a little one. I really only saw one flash of decent forks - there were probably about three, or so. But it was quite far away, and not that bright.

"I'm going through a black - hey - capricorn day" - Jamiroquai, Black Capricorn Day

You would notice the change in format for the title of this post. The reason being, technically, (sort of) the constant unemployment thing has been broken, cos I was working today.

Using the above Jamiroquai quote for two reasons:

1. it is the sort of line that refuses to vacate my head
2. see below.

So, it appears that my mind was wary that maybe I would have to work today after all. Thus, I was awake around 7:15 when I received the call informing me of the address.

Started at 9, finished at 4. Went to Koorong to buy a stand-alone version of the Apocrypha. Found a particularly nice red cover hardback version for $30 in the NRSV (new revised standard version). I thus now have:

1. my first bible - green bonded leather, KJV. A present from my first cell (c. mid 1999). Now used as an 'emergency' bible at work.
   
2. my second-hand bible - black bonded leather, NKJV. Left in HK's orange 'wonder car' (c. late 1999). Now used for my QT and for my lectures. Is thus the one that I am highlighting and writing on.
   
3. my Quest study bible - softback, NIV. A present from B (c. 2000). Now used mainly for cell.
   
4. my favourite bible - hardback, The Message. Bought it when it first came out (c. 2002?). Now used for my reading cover-to-cover type thingy. As endorsed by Bono.
   
5. my small bible - black bonded leather, clasp front, slightly bigger than pocket sized, rectangular, NKJV. Bought for convenience (c. 2003?). Now used at church on Sundays.
6. my Apocrypha - red and white, hardback, NRSV. Bought after yearning for it during lectures (c. late 2005). Will be read pretty much straight through, since I know so little about it, but after this OT Survey course is done. I don't know if I'll continue reading the Old Testament then - its likely I'll finish whatever book I'm up to and read the Apocrypha.

I believe, though this is only theory, the next bible I buy will be an audio version. I can feel James Earl Jones calling me with his "Jesus, I am Your Father".

Watched the end of 'Kung Pow'. It was, surprise, surprise, truly terrible. And stupid.

I then booked tickets only for Jamiroquai on 11 December. The entire performance starts at 4, finishing at 10. Jamiroquai comes on at 8. So that will be....interesting. Paid $90 for it. 'Nuff said.

Watched the end of 'The Dinner Game' after corporate prayer. A rather boring show - they never moved out of the one room, and kept almost leaving but coming back. And it wasn't that funny.

"I will praise you continually all the days of my life.
For all the host of heaven sings your praise,
and yours is the glory forever. Amen."
- The Prayer of Manasseh, v. 15
(Apocrypha)

Day 55

Homer: "Hahaha - I have absolutely no idea what's going on"

I have a reason for the above quote. Try to guess what it is - I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

Woke up today about 7:30 - I guess to make up for yesterday. Played AOEII till about 8:30 or so. I was eventually victorious in my easy level - and the rest of my stupid team did practically nothing. So I opted to go for only 2 civilisations per team for the next game.

Finished watching 'Amistad' after that (while starting my washing). It was another very good film - I read a rather critical review after, saying that Steven Speilberg had inadvertantly used his directional flair to 'beautify' the slave trading sequence - I personally found it one of the most disturbing pieces of cinema I've ever seen. And I'm sure that some poetic licence was used to fill in the spaces of missing history - but the most unbelievable thing about it was that slaves case was successful - and that is really the surest piece of fact.

Went through lecture 1 of week 12 after that - about the Psalms. I found it interesting, but not riveting stuff. The lecturer's main point is that some things in the psalms (especially about grief) are so sacriligous that most Christians would call it 'unholy' to express such things - to which, to some extent I agree. But then there's also Paul's assertion that we shouldn't be governed by emotions. Once again, its finding the right balance, and doing things for the right reasons.
I then, coincidentally, read an article by Matt Redman which essentially cautioned the use of romantic language in Christian songs, which is almost completely contrary to what the lecturer said. Frankly, one of my favourite Christian cross-over songs is 'The Pieces Fit' by Considering Lily. And the reason I like it so much its that I listened to it prior conversion (as I recall) and after for a few months before figuring out that the 'you' being referred to is Jesus - it sounds like shes sereneding her husband, or some such. Maybe Song of Songs is the only place in the bible where its explicitly stated about that romance is an integral part of 'religion', but even if that book can not be taken as an allusion to the relationship between, say, Jesus and the Church, there are other references where the reverse is stated (ie, God's love for His people) in no uncertain terms - Hosea for instance, or Jesus' lament over Jerusalem. And what about the Church being Christ's bride? To suggest, as did Matt Redman's friend, that it is inappropriate for a 15 year old boy to sing that God is beautiful is taking political correctness to a rather insane extreme. If all I'm left with is God as being super powerful, etc, and maybe as an 'OK casual acquaintance' - where's my motivation? As Paul says, if I have not love, what am I? The entire bible's foundation is love, and if that cannot be expressed in a deep and meaningful way, especially to One so deserving as God, let alone, say, to one's friends........
I've said it before and I'll say it again - the biggest way that homosexuality has damaged the world is that it hinders one from expressing such things - even to God, since He is perceived as a he, even though He is above such petty things - such as in the above mentioned lament for Jerusalem, Jesus likens himself to a hen.

I read a tiny bit more of the Golden Age chapter in my textbook - essentially, up to the end of David's life. Technically, I've already read the next few pages on Solomon for my assignment - but that was more like skim reading, so I'll probably go through it again.

I finished watching 'Romy and Michelles High School Reunion' in the afternoon. It was quite enjoyable, but not really very substantial, as you could probably guess. The dream sequence was way too long, and the typical happy ending was too shallow and cliched. But the general banter between the two leads was pretty funny. I read a review which said that they carry the film along, despite poor direction, plot, etc and its very true. Especially Lisa Kudrow for me, though apparently, and I don't know how or where, the other actress won an oscar for best actress sometime.

After The Simpsons, started watching a French film - the dinner game. Apparently about a dinner where each member of some group invites an idiot - I guess to see which is the bigger idiot. But so far, the majority of the film has been just two people in one room, and quite irritating 'about to go, no wait a minute, do more stupid stuff, tells him to go, but he doesn't quite' etc.

Watched Ghost in the Shell - another great episode. I guessed the guy would turn out to be laughing man - actually I guessed it from the start, when they were talking about 'extremely clever hacker'. Though, of course, there is still no real proof.

Incidentally, I ordered stuff from Amazon today, including the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack, as well as Matrix Reloaded, Mummy I & II, a Mandarin grammar book (which is probably too advanced for me) and Seinfeld seasons 5 & 6. I ordered it today, even though my address is not confirmed, because I also ordered a Christmas present for my parents and I need it to arrive in time. Even so, I had to upgrade the shipping (for an extra US$8), cos it told me it wouldn't arrive in time, though I don't know how it reached that conclusion.

Oh - and last night I succomed to going to see Jamiroquai at Supreme Court gardens on 16th December - for $90. Its not that I don't want to go - it'll be about the first really famous music group I've seen live. But the cost is, well, costly. And if I'm seeing Jamiroquai for $90, why aren't I seeing Coldplay for $120? I don't even have Dynamite, so most of the songs I'm probably not even going to know. Still, they say that they're one of the best bands to see live - so I probably won't regret it. And the Bennifactor tells me, which, as far as I know, I agree with, Coldplay is not that great live.
And U2 - who I would go and see almost no matter what or how much - has confirmed they are visiting practically every city in the world - with the one exception of Perth. So thats good, then.

And the final piece of news which is further proof that my life is here to provide the Trinity with a good laugh after a hard days prayer answering - I did not receive a call from the recruitment guy. So, as far as I know, I'm not starting that work tommorrow. And, even if I'm supposed to, he never told me the address! I'm glad all we're talking here is work, and I'm glad that I get the last say in deciding what I want, cos I wouldn't trust this guy with anything more. I'm guessing its just extreme disorganisation. I think tommorrow I'm gonna try and find out the details of recruitment people I've been to, and advise then to look for something, even in public practice, of only 3.5 days per week. Because, since I haven't heard anything, I guess this is the only guy who's looking, and I'm getting a little frayed by his methods.

Day 54

U2, Stay (Faraway, so close!): "Dressed up, like a car crash"

From my third favourite U2 song - a glorious little line.

Woke up today around 9:15. Had a very hectic morning - due to my...ahem...forgetting to pay salaries on Sunday, and other unforseen circumstances, I had to give one of the staff their cheques today - their fridge had broken down. Finished my shower about 10, and did the required accounting work till 10:20 (while watching 'The Bridges of Madison County'), thinking that they'd be coming here. At 10:20, they asked if I could come out there (to Garbo, again!), so I hurriedly finished it off and drove out there.

I decided, since I was there, to by a new cutter for my razor - since I've had it for probably 2 years without changing. It then turned out that I had to by the cutter with the foil (which I only replaced about a month ago) - $70!

Calmed myself down with a VVL. Though its much better from, say, Carousel than Garbo, it was still rather sweet.

Spent the afternoon up till about 2 finishing off the salary processing, fixing up accounts and doing the provisions. Finished watching 'The Bridges of Madison County', too. It was a quite boring show, about some sort of affair thing - not one I would want to watch again.

Started watching 'Rory and Michelle's High School Reunion' after that, which I wanted cos of Lisa Kudrow, of course. And, lucky for me, she is essentially reprising the Phoebe Buffet type role. Didn't see that much of it, but I quite like it so far. I think the title 'Clueless' would apply better to this show than the actual 'Clueless'. So far, at least.

After my lunch of very dry bread, with bland stuff inbetween, did lesson 19 of Mandarin. Stil doing pretty alright.

Bought a few more songs of itunes, and played some more of AOEII. Progressing very slowly - which is good. Having a challenge is far more interesting than just wandering through.

Finished the birth of monarchy chapter in my book and started the golden age chapter (about David and Solomon 2 Sam 5 - 1 King 12). But I didn't read much of that chapter - only a page or so.

After The Simpsons, started watching 'Amistad'. I quite like it so far, although its not like your typical courtroom drama - it keeps seeming to end, then start up again, then end, then start up again type thing. I'm mainly enjoying it cos of the actors - Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Pete Postelwaite, and, to a much smaller extent, Matthew Maconaughey.

Went for dinner at snack box.
While there, got a call from the job recruitment guy, who offered me a job doing his personal taxes, for the last three years or so. So, apparently, I start on Friday. For about a week. Interesting.....

Had a thing for FD's birthday/leaving after that. He got an ipod, that, as of now, doesn't seem to be working. But, of course, he didn't read instructions.

Got 1 chapter left in Deuteronomy. So, soon to start Joshua. Which, as I remember, is good in parts, but slow in others.

"Life, don't talk to me about life" - Marvin, the paranoid android. From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Day 53

U2, Trying to Throw Your Arms around the World: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle"

No relevance of the above quote - its just a great line from a great song from a great band. Yay!

Woke up about 8:30 and had done my shower by 9. Played AOEII till about 10.

Watched 'The Hours' after that, while trying a mocha of drinking chocolate and coffee. It was too bitter - I guess I should add sugar next time.
I only watched part of the film till about 11 or so.

Went through lesson 18 of Mandarin Chinese I. It was OK, but I was distracted by Messenger for a significant part of it, so I missed quite a bit of stuff. I still think I'm doing many, many times better than the first time I went through it.

I went for my walk at 12 and got back just after 12:30. I cut it short, cos it was quite hot - and I thought a slight change of route would be better. So it was probably about 2/3 the usual distance - I didn't go down to Gordon street, but came back along Karella instead.

I then was hungry enough for lunch, so had that while watching the rest of 'The Hours'. I was not impressed by the film, and I find it hard to figure out while Nicole Kidman was singled out for best actress - I actually think both Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore did a better job - Nicole didn't really even have enough scenes to tell if her acting was good - save maybe the outburst on the train platform. My main argument was that it was essentially three different films, and the constant switching between was worse than, say, how the editor of 1 & 2 Kings put his stuff together. Save the one time when Nicole wrote the words in 1923, Julianne read the words in 1951 and Meryl acted out the words in 2001 - I really had problems seeing any sort of definitive relationship. Maybe if I had read the book..... But it has no interest for me now.

I then went through lecture 3 of week 11. It was all about interpreting Daniel as 'apocalyptic' literature instead of 'prophetic' - which is confusing due to most people, myself included, thinking that 'apocalyptic' means the same as, say, 'armageddon', when it actually means 'reveal hidden truths'. I was of the opinion, myself, that we could still regard Daniel as being 'prophetic' without having to be a dispensational theologist - because, clearly, the text in Daniel and Revelation is not clearly definitive as to what is what, and, thus, we don't have to think that the whore of Babylon is the catholic church, or the pope will be the antichrist, etc, etc, etc.

Played AOEII again after that, till about 5:30. I was getting bored of the Easiest level, so changed the difficulty to Easy instead. And, whoa!, was there a difference. Suddenly I like have to try to defend my people and fight so hard just to claim a bit of land. Its very much a 'build units, advance, advance to far, get destroyed, build units, advance again, secure an area a bit' repeat repetitively.

Went to watch 'Prime' at Garbo. Left at 5:45 for a 7:05 show, with view to having dinner. Got to a restaurant at 6:20, which wasn't enough time, so had to go straight there. The food court was, of course, closed. I ate twisties and drank coke, cos I was starving.
The show was quite good - a nice evening out, like 'Must Love Dogs' - a quite quait romantic type comedy. Though I saw too many references to other films - and there seemed a strangely large amount of racial stereotypes in the show. I got the feeling that there was lots of 'filler' to support the basic idea of 'therapist treating patient dating son' thing. And by far the greatest comedic moments was in the sessions when Meryl Streep knew but Uma Thurman didn't know.

I have really found that my appetite has suddenly dived away to almost nothing. Though its good - weighed myself at 80kg today, and I haven't been there for a few years, I would say. Gee, if I could ever see a 78 or something, that would be sweet!

And now just a general observation - God makes me cry. I sometimes think it would be a much easier life if I could stay depressed, or angry. But I find I can't go more than a few days from a mountain of problems before, and this is without any actual pro-forma prayers from me (though a lot of internal lamenting), everything just gets, not neccessarily solved (certainly not in the way I'd like), but dealt with, and I can't escape the feeling that He is watching over me. As Smokie Norful sang:
"He is faithful when others are not - He's the surest friend I've got."
Sometimes I'd like to just, as Job's wife said, "curse God and die".
But I can't - "I know too much about Him".

Speaking in the lecture about apocalyptic literature today, and the Hellanic period (don't ask - I'm not sure), I suddenly decided to purchase either a bible with the apocrypha, or, probably, just the apocryphal books on its own. I've had a stigma, and I think many Christians are the same, that these are possibly not 'spirit-inspired' and not as 'holy' as the canonical books in the regular bible, and that is almost undoubtedly true. However, looking at it from the other way, surely these books are more deserving to be read than any other book written by any other person from any other period of time? I mean, maybe 1 Enoch can't be, and is very unlikely to be, attributed to the Enoch of Gensis times. But it would have a far greater chance a being taken for scripture than anything by CS Lewis, Billy Graham, Oswald Chambers, etc.

Day 52

Dr Hibbert: "If indeed you have consumed the venom of the blowfish, and from what they tell me its quite probable - you have 24 hours to live"
Homer: "24 hours!?!"
Dr Hibbert: "Well....22 - I'm sorry I kept you waiting so long"

Woke up around 8:30. Had my shower, but didn't feel hungry, so didn't have breakfast. Was gonna go and move my car, but forgot and ended up remembering at 11! Hopefully, that area not patrolled - at least not now that Uni is basically over.

Spent the morning, apart from movies, sorting out some housing stuff, and the appointment for the bank at 2.

Watched 'The Animal' first off. A rather typical Rob Schneider show - so quite good on the whole. Although there seems to be a big 'sharing' type thing between him and Adam Sandler, I find I enjoy his shows considerably more than Adam Sandler ones. I think its just because hes a lot more into physical comedy and grossness - and hes not afraid of being the loser/idiot in the show, and pretty much continue being a loser/idiot at the end.

Watched 'A walk to remember' after that. Was thinking it would be something more classy, instead of this modern teen drama. OK, so it was a little more deep than the usual, but there was no realistic type epiphanies. For example, the reconcilliation with the estranged father - sure, it made my eyes water a little, but the gesture was really very superficial - he paid for the son's girlfriend's home care. Any issues that there were were brushed over and over simplified. Its not a walk that I'll be remembering.

Watched a little bit of 'The Horse Whisperer' after that - but it was about 12 by then, and I had to go for my walk (mainly to post letters), eat lunch and go to the bank meeting.

Left for my walk at 12:45, which meant I had 45 minutes before I had to leave, and I hadn't eaten lunch yet. Resolved to get Jesters (on Hampden road). I thus cut my walk quite short, only going about a third of the way along Gordon street, then walking up towards Monash but the side street didn't go all the way there - it stopped a block short at H street. I thus went down there back to Hampden and walked down to Jesters. It still took my about half an hour, or so. Was a rather hot day too, so its probably better I didn't go further.

Ended up leaving a little after 1:30, so got the the bank a little past 2. It was OK though - we still had to wait about 10 minutes for the guy. Meeting went OK.
Had coffee at Garbo after with Uncle M. I just remembered that I forgot to offer to pay - I know he would've refused, anyway.

Got home about 4. Watched most of 'Kissing Jessica Stein', though didn't see the start or the end. Quite a boring show, after the initial 'joke' thing.

Did Mandarin lesson 17 at 5. Still doing very well - I can't believe that I am now remembering most of the numbers. Still forget the odd phrase, and I can't seem to remember much outside the lesson setting, but I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere.

Continued reading the birth of Monarchy chapter after that. About a page away from finishing the chapter, but The Simpsons was starting, so what can you do?

Watched a little of 'At First Sight' after dinner. I've already seen it, though my memory is fairly sketchy. I certainly don't remember Nathan Lane in the show at all, so I want to keep watching it for that reason.

There I was last night thinking Deuteronomy had only 28 chapters or so. Actually, its got more like 34, so I'm up to 26, but doubt I'll be finished before Wednesday.

Day 51

Homer: "They were the suckiest bunch of suckers that ever sucked"
Marge: "Homer!"
Homer: "Oh, I gotta go - my damn weiner kids are listening"

Was on lock-up duty today - actually, it wasn't so bad. People left pretty quick, and got everything done without too much hassle.

Outside, someone (D) had locked their keys in their car. V was ALMOST gonna drive off, but, I guess, fate stood in the way (if it was me driving, I probably would have. It wouldn't have occurred to me to check what was going on in the first place). D's car was, luckily, very bendy, so he managed to create a significant gap between the door and the car. It still took about half an hour, or so, in the hot sun with many flies to get it open. Ended up opening the church again to try and find a coat-hanger - no luck. However, did discover that one of the side doors wasn't locked OR secured, so it was kinda a good thing, in the end. The lock was eventually opened with a bendy piece of wire that Ps Y found lying in the road. I was thus given orders to store it for future use - though, I figure, as soon as someone finds it, its history. The general consensus was that FCC is too clean, and needs more stores of junk - for example, coathangers just lying about the place.

Went for lunch at traditional Japanese place. As in, usual, not old. Nevermind. V broke the mould by ordering an ice tea instead of Passiona. He figured it would be bigger (since it was so very hot) - it wasn't. Saw C and the PCCC people.
V agreed, in principle, to try my shirts wat are too small. So, great.

Did the accounts almost straight away, while watching the rest of 'About Schmit', which I had seen a little of this morning. I quite enjoyed the film, though it didn't really end up the way I, or, I think, he, wanted it to. Thats life, I suppose. Its interesting that the basic premise of the story was that his life found fulfillment in child sponsorship - it kinda inspired my to write to my 'son' - though, not really. The problems being

1. hes too young
2. its not his native language
3. I'm not in the kinda state where I could be as candid as Schmit was.

Was told by Uncle M today that it would be best if I go with him and Pastor to the NAB tommorrow to meet the bank manager, while they apply for a loan for FCCs potential acquisition. It kinda puts my mind at ease - because, even if it turns out I have a job tommorrow, I can't start anyway, cos the bank is in Booragoon, which would absolutely not fit in with my lunchbreak.

Up to Deuteronomy chapter 21 - which it suddenly occurred to me that its almost the end of the book already. And that will be the end of the Pentateuch. Maybe tonight? Maybe....

Day 50

Announcer for The Goons: "This is London calling the world..."
Eccles: "Hullo, world"

Woke up about 8 or so. Had my shower and played AOEII till 9:30 or so.

After watching, say, an episode of Scrubs while drinking my breakfast (last one, I think), went to Word to by a CD for a birthday present for tonight.

After that, did the usual shopping, got 18 more movies and had take-away KFC for lunch.

The first film was 'The Bodyguard', which I mainly wanted (as a joke) cos of the song. Nice to be able to relate to the Simpsons take on bashing through people to get the star out of the building. I wouldn't say Whitney Houston is annoying, but its just not a great film.

After that, watched 'Barbershop', a quite interesting comedy, pretty much entirely set in a barbershop. The best I can relate it to is its a movie based on that short scene from 'Coming to America' where Eddie Murphy plays, almost, all the roles. Poor plot, but generally kinda OK.

After that, I basically played more AOEII until The Simpsons. Um.... its not as if I didn't know it wasn't gonna be like this.

Went for dinner at V's place, which was, surprise, surprise, steamboat - I think to celebrate end of exams, but it was organised by 'The Parents', so it might have been a for no particular reason type thing. Started at 7, ended after 11, so it was pretty much a success. I think the games instituted by L also helped to make the evening....memorable.

Another rather unfulfilling day in terms of the stuff I should be doing. In that sense, it would be better if I didn't start work this week, so I can try and concoct some sort of system for fitting everything in later. And to try and catch up on as much as possible now.
But I really would like the steady income stream back again........

Day 49

George and Kramer: (singing while driving) "I like to stop at the duty free shop,
I like to stop at the duty free shop..."

Woke up around 8:15. No milk again, so had liquid thing for breakfast again.

Watched most of the rest of 'The Emperor and the Assassin', until I went for my haircut at 11.

After that, did some more accounts stuff while watching a German film I taped last night - 'Land of the Cannibals', or some such. A 1950s film (or made to look like one) but sent in the year 2020 (or so) about extreme gameshows and aliens. Not really as weird as it sounds - mainly quite boring, actually.

Watched the end of the emperor film after that. It was quite enjoyable, but a bit too much like a lot of those other stylistic type Chinese films - a lot of the things they do don't really make a lot of sense. Such as killing an enemy, then apologising for it and crying.

Went through Mandarin lesson 16 before returning the DVDs. Again, did quite well.

Had lunch at about 3, since I wasn't that hungry before. Ate instant noodles - the Mi Goreng kind. Watched some Sienfeld - the episode where Elaine and Jerry get put in different classes on a plane, and George and Kramer go between airports trying to pick them up (just in case you couldn't guess from the quote. heh.)

AOEII finally arrived today. Spent most of the night playing that. Yay!

Watched 'The Longest Yard' in the afternoon. Not a great film - not that funny, and full of the underdog Hollywood cliches.

Went for dinner to eat yam duck - which was good, but the entire meal was expensive - almost $70 for three. Oh well - once a semester, I guess its OK.

Not sorry for this day to end - seems like its full of rather bad news.

Day 48

Bart: "Its a Bart sales event - everything about me must GO!"

Was thinking of the above line, inserting 'Joe' for 'Bart', when going through my old business shirts, and finding 6 or so that were too small. So was wondering, if I could offload them to someone, thats the line I'd use. Hoopy.

Finished breakfast around 10:30 - yes, its another one of THOSE days. Don't know why two days out of the past three I've been sleeping so late.

Went through Mandarin lesson 15 - was paying attention this time, so could make all the responses and that. Went very well - I was even understanding the majority of the conversation at the end.

For the rest of the morning, started my ironing while watching the end of 'The greatest story ever told'. I still find myself, through the majority of it, how I would do it (and how much better it would be). However, although I didn't think much of the 'passion' sequence (Jesus doesn't really seem to be in much pain, and it is difficult to see Him as suffering for humanity's sake - the 'Father forgive them' line is ommitted, ie), I really enjoyed the resurrection sequence, which was quite short (the length of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's Messiah, which played from sunrise on the Sunday till Jesus' ascention), and underdone, but conveyed the right message, I thought.

After that, I went for my walk - the Monash Avenue/Gordon Street route. I neglected to look at the time when I left, but I figure it took about 30 minutes, probably a bit more. Was quite warm and fly-ee, but not exceedingly so. I guess I'm still walking too fast, but have difficulty slowing down.

My legs were tired then, so I just lay down while starting to watch 'The Emporer and the Assassin'. I still can't really understand any phrases, but, in terms of words, I'm understanding a lot more. Unfortunately, this sort of show is not gonna be the type of one where they say 'where would you like to go to eat?' My best chance is with the numbers - I've had some noticable victories with that - three time two; the answers six! etc.
I'm also quite enjoying the show so far - but I like the king guy, so I figure I might start not liking it when the woman begins siding with the assassin. I can but hope, though.

Watched 'Crash' in the afternoon. Quite a good show, but not nice, so its not the type of thing I'd want to watch again. It was also a little bit too much of a hyperbole - a lot of racism is a lot more subtle than that depicted in the show. Though, I guess, that had to make it obvious for it to be dramatic and shocking. I can just imagine most people walking away and not thinking it applies to them or most people they know - which is not really the case. I can't count the number of times I've heard people say "I'm not a racist or anything, but...." Its just the world we live in, I guess.

I then started reading the chapter on the birth of the monarchy. Probably got about 1/3rd to half way through. Its a rather long chapter, cos they go through the three main characters (Samuel, Saul and David) individually, as well as the usual criticisms re: historical setting, accuracy, editing, splicing etc.
Up to chapter 8 in Deuteronomy. I'm really not happy with my progress, but it is quite impossible to read faster and still grasp at least a little of what I'm reading.

Now let me be honest, here. I'm still enjoying my time off, of course, but in this past week, especially, I've found my productivity slipping. I haven't done many mandarin lessons, I've neglected my saxophone, I've cut back on my reading, though I've probably done more work in relation to the Bible School - including lectures, bible reading and especially textbook reading. However, I find myself at times not really wanting to do anything - though, somehow, the time still passes away. And granting my rather rapidly dwindling (though still considerable) fiscal situation, it probably would be better to start work Monday.
I've yet to hear from the guy - I think I shall ring him if I haven't heard by about lunchtime tommorrow.

Booked my haircut for 11 tommorrow. Hopefully it will be a good one - if not, I'm gonna start looking for another hairdresser. This one is quite expensive, and the last few I've gotten there haven't been great. I'm hoping I can get someone else instead of the usual lady.

Ghost in the Shell time now - yay! Probably my favourite show on TV now; actually, I'd say definitely. Its always new and fresh, and both the closing and opening songs are great, and there's still the overlying story arcs - like I still don't have much idea about what the title actually really means.

Day 47

(Todd plays violin)
Flanders: "My son, my son" (sniffles)
Homer: "Come on Flanders! Hes not that bad"

Finished breakfast around 9:15. Finished watching 'Alice in Wonderland', and a few of the DVD extras, which finished around 10. It was quite an OK film, but, by nature of it being very bizzare, it is really just too weird to be very enjoyable. Plus, I don't like these fantasy shows where, at the end, everything is just a dream anyway.

Remembered to move my car at 10:10 - technically 10 minutes past the allowed 2 hours. I had to park it on the street last night, cos I was at the CMC meeting when B came home, and he parked in the spot.

I then went through the songs I had rated, cos there were, again, too many, and cut a few. Then I plugged in my ipod to update it, and it wanted to update nearly the entire collection - I guess because of the adding of album covers. So, cos I don't have a USB2, it took almost 2 hours.
In the interim, went through lecture 2 of week 11. Partly revision, but mainly about Daniel. Though, when I say 'about Daniel', the majority of the lecture was the lecturer explaining how Daniel and Revelation and bits of Matthew had been splice together to create the dispensational theologists pre-millenial view of the end times - including some very ridiculous sounding stuff. He was just about to go through 'another' way to read Daniel, which shall be of great interest to me, cos I'm of the view that trying to 'predict' anything based on apocalyptic literature is bound to be full of assumptions and guesswork, and is thus asking for trouble kind. But I was left drowing in a sea of dramiticised sensationalism.

After that, it was time for lunch, but I didn't really feel like eating anything sandwhich related, so just finished off my chips instead. I started watching 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', which is great, in parts, but there are way too many bits regarding Herod, Pilate and John the Baptist, who have very small roles in the actual gospels. Also, there are some strangly deliberate alterations to the text, such as the devil (presented as some old destitute guy in a cave) presenting the three temptations in reverse order, which really makes them sound stupid - he offers Jesus all the kindgoms of the world, and then, after, suggests that he turns stones into bread. Also, he meets Peter and Andrew at the river Jordan with John the Baptist standing by. At that time, also, he is introduced to Judas and John. James comes in a little later, but he is not John's brother - he is Matthew's. And Matthew is not only a tax collector, but a drinker, gambler and luster after women. I can understand that when presenting the gospel as a film, certain poetic license must be taken - some scenes must be cut for the sake of time/money, others must be interpreted, and the order might be a bit strange to connect the gospels with each other and avoid repetition. For example, there was a scene I quite liked where James introduces himself as 'little James' since he is the youngest in his family, then, when Jesus tells him His name, he says 'thats a nice name' and Jesus turns and smiles and says 'thankyou'. But, then, there is the old argument that Jesus is, generally, presented as too rigid and emotionless - He is predominantly a 'man on a mission', practically oblivious to the problems of the world. But rather understandable, considering this was 1951, when, I suppose, the Christian world was considerably more rigid than it is now. Though, even now, I doubt there would be many movie producers who would dare try and present a more 'non-religous' Jesus.
But it is a 199 minute film - Jesus has only just been arrested.

At 2:30, had to be at Willetton to sign church related papers - I guess I shouldn't say too much more, though the general congregation will undoubtedly know soon enough. My phone was out of credits, so I left at 1:50 to get a recharge figure. I then checked my messages - and I was required to bring the checkbook (turns out we didn't end up needing it). So I went back and got it - it was then around 2:10. As soon as I got back to the car, my mum rang, so I had to listen as patiently as possible. Luckily, she didn't have that much to say. I ended up being only 10 minutes late, or so. And that included a slight traffic jam on the 'freeway'.

Watched 'Bridget Jone's Diary 2' after that. It was just OK, but way too similar to the first, except in terms of volume of lafs and depth of emotional attachment.

I finished the chapter on Judges. Now up to a chapter titled 'Beginning of the monarchy' which is essentially 1 Samuel and half of 2 Samuel.
Only read three chapters of Deuteronomy last night - but I did start rather late. Maybe more tonight?

Done my washing - now got 5 shirts to iron. Still have to book my haircut. But still in limbo re: the job thing - I'm half thinking of doing the George thing (as I believe V suggested): just showing up on Monday. But, yeah right! I'm still half hoping I'll get more time off.

Day 46

Marge: "Your meatloaf will be ready in 13 seconds Homer"
Homer: "Ohhh! Isn't there anything faster than a microwave?"

Woke up today at 10:15! Don't know what happened there.

Finished breakfast about 11:30, after starting to download my $45 worth of songs from yesterday. Read my Simpsons book through till 12, completing the chapter on Homer. Most of it really wasn't about the Simpsons at all, but the author ranting about consumerism and the culture shock he had after going to India for a year. I mean, hes free to go live in a cave if he wants - frankly, I don't care.

Went for a short walk to post the letters. Two reasons it was short:

1. the interview at 2:30, but mainly
2. the heat. Amazing what a difference four degrees can make - opening the door was like walking into an oven. Though, not so bad that it can't get worse.

Watched 'It runs in the Family' up till its conclusion at 1:45. I was peeved by the ending, cos I really wonder if anything was resolved. I find that some films nowadays don't wanna be seen as 'cheesy', so they deliberatly leave the ending open in a strange attempt to make it more meaningful. It thus ended on the night after the day when all the family's problems came to head. And you wonder if, indeed, anything really did change. I would've preferred to see, not neccessarily the problems resolved, but how they planned to go about doing it. All I saw at the end was good intentions.
"The world can't live on your good intentions, Marge! Oh, your familys a disgrace, but its OK cos you had gooood intentions!" - Ned Flanders

Went for the interview after that. Was actually about 5 minutes late, cos there was a traffic jam in the city which made it take 15 minutes to get through. And, as far as I could tell, the jam was caused by pedestrians just crossing the road willy-nilly, and, as far as I could gather from the news later, the pedestrians were protestors agains the workplace relations laws. Pah!
As far as I could tell, the interview went well, but they didn't offer my a position. Probably just as well - I might've picked them, which might've been the wrong decision. Now, my decision very easy. And its already been made. So, now just got to sign contract, I guess.

Got back around 3:30. Had a bit of lunch, tried a mocha (which didn't work well), then listened through my downloaded songs (there are a lot), while finishing off the rest of the album covers. That went up to 5:30.

I then started watching Alice in Wonderland and continued (shock, horror) through the Simpsons episode, cos it was the one about thanksgiving, which really doesn't have that many funny moments. Still season 2, I might add. Finished at 6:30, and its almost at the end already - shes begun the croquet game with the queen of hearts. I remember MOST of it - though things like Teedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum and the dodo are only very vague. I picked up moments referenced from the Simpsons (where Homer crawls through the door as a 'supplicant') and Gwen Stefani (where she is in a house in the 'What you waiting for' video).

After dinner, it was a CMC meeting. Lasted three hours, so there went my night.

Finished Numbers, so now up to the glorious beauty that is Deuteronomy. Hope its as good as I remember it - I'm betting it will be better.
Searched the audiobooks on itunes for the bible yesterday, and found really two versions - one the entire bible, the other just the new testament. They're not cheap of course. Thing is, the new testament one is read by James Earl Jones, of Mufasa (The Lion King), Simpsons Halloween Special I (removalist in story 1, chef in story 2 and narrator in story 3) and Darth Vadar fame. Now, that would be sweet! But is about $40 (I think) and its only new testament. KJV, as well, though, in a way, that makes it better.

Nice temperature tommorrow - supposed to be 23, or something. Need to book a haircut for Friday, or so. And can't leave my washing too late, cos I need to iron the shirts for Monday - even though Monday still not confirmed. It'll be nice to have money again - back down to -4k from -2k.

Day 45

Lisa: "Its times like this when I am greatful that dad has little or no interest in almost everything I do"

Once again, finished breakfast around 9. Saw a bit of the 'God He Reigns' DVD yesterday, so I continued with that - essentially just watching my three favourite songs (in order of favouriteness) - 'His love', 'Let creation sing' and 'Let us adore'. That was pretty sweet. I also watched the intro, cos its pretty cool, if not a bit too tribal.

After that, read about two sections in my Simpsons book. Still a lot about Homer. There was a large section about the 'Homer's Enemy' episode, which tried to suggest that, because we side with Homer instead of Grimey, therefore the values we really cherish are blatant consumerism instead of dedicated effort. Of course, they failed to mention that Frank Grimes really was quite a nasty guy - its not as if his attitude to work is what made him unlikeable. Its that in every scene in the show, he is being quite psychotically self-absorbed, haughty and spiteful.

After doing the usual daily computer stuff, and updating more album covers on itunes, FD had a 'great' idea of going to Megamart (for little reason, mind you), having duck for lunch, then having VVLs at Gloria Jean's while reading.
So we got to Megamart, which was apparently going to close soon. And, yes, the soon had already rolled around - the previous day, in fact. Well, thats what we could gather from the signs on the door. Which was quite definitely shut.
So we went to normal Myer instead, since it was already determined that we had to pay $2.20 for parking. FD was looking for French speaking software, and he got that. Right next to the software was luggage (???), and I was almost tempted to by a case, which had a combination like Pulp Fiction (dur), but it was a few cents short of $100, so I decided 'later'. Besides, its probably best I try and limit buying stuff now, since I'm about to move.
I then went downstairs to buy shirts for (expected) work. I told V I was originally planning to do so on Tuesday, since its 32 degrees then, but, you know, fate stood in the way. Besides, I got the call, and my interview is tommorrow at 2:30, so it really wouldn't have worked out too well.
Then went and had roast duck, roast pork and BBQ pork at Hong Kong BBQ. It was pretty warm, so skipped the tea and had Coke instead. Sweet....
It was thus too hot for coffee, so went home instead. (and I don't think FD did his reading which was the cause for going for VVLs anyway)

At home, started watching 'Ginger Snaps II'. Another particularly bad horror film - I didn't sit through it all.

Did 20 minutes of Mandarin lesson 15 while adding more album covers to itunes. However, it is unfortunate that I really cannot multi-task well, and, even though this is a review, it still requires my full attention. I was thus getting too confused, so I stopped before the end.

Went through lecture 1 of week 11. It was mainly a review session, so no real revelationary insights.

Finished reading the chapter on Joshua in the textbook and got about half way through Judges. Up to Numbers 32, and was hoping to finish it tonight, but judging on the time now, that looks unlikely.

The reason I've stayed up so late is that I made a committment to find where 'religious' songs are categorised under itunes, and I found them - under 'inspirational'. So I went through the list of artists, and found a considerable number of songs that I wanted. Also, finding some songs led me to remember other ones, such as 'I am blessed' by Eternal and 'Nothing ever happens' by Del Amitri. Don't ask me how that happened. Anyway, I'm gonna have to look back through the list, since it now totals almost $50!
(Unfortunately, theres no Hillsongs, Parachute Band, Planet Shakers and few compilation albums)

This is, I guess, just the first of many warm (and warmer) nights. I have offically removed my doona, but it is warm just sitting here typing. Far be it from me to question the natural order of things, (I guess I understand that different people like different things) but summer has some many bad points - days are too hot and too long, nights are too warm, but too short, too many flies, too much UV, not enough clouds, not enough rain, not enough people around, too much ushering. If it wasn't for Christmas, my birthday and PlanetShakers, I don't know how I'd get through this season. And it doesn't even start for another half a month!

"While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night,
Shall not cease." - Genesis 8:22

Day 44

Kent Brockman: "Now to the latest craze sweeping the nation: wasting food!"
(news reel shows man scraping a turkey into a bin. He then pours in a carton milk, looking contentedly happy)

Using the above quote, cos thats what I thought of during the sermon today, when he was trying to make a point about presentation. So it was actually four courses combined into one in a big slop, not throwing it away. Nevermind.

After service went to lunch at KFC. So that was cool.

Did accounts while watching the end of Bambi. Not a favourite of mine, although its listed as 'essential' video on Amazon. I think the ones like Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are far more monumental in terms of shaping of ideas, etc. And the creation of evil villians. And detailed settings. But, apparently, people find this Bambi's mother death sequence terribly sad, so maybe I just wan't 'feeling' it.

I then started watching 'All in the family', a film I've been wanting to watch for a while, cos its got Michael AND Kirk Douglas, although, now that I see it, Kirk Douglas doesn't appear at all familiar to me. Haven't seen much of it yet, so it may improve (actually, it should, cos I don't think the main point of the story has really begun yet), but, at present, I would say the Stiller relationship in Zoolander was better, even though it was manager and talent, not father and son.

Have pretty much confirmed itunes as my preferred music player, evidenced by my spending a large portion of my night in adding the artwork for the albums (which, incidentally, I got by doing the media search in Windows Media Player).

Up to Number 24, or there abouts. Didn't read any more of the textbook, or do any lectures, or any Mandarin, or read any Simpsons book, or play any sax. So....

Day 43

Lisa: "I can't help but think that maybe, if we knew each other better, my leaving might actually have meant something"
Other girls: "Yeah. Hmm. Right."

Hmm....not much happening today.

Woke up at 6. It was too early, so I went back to sleep and woke up about 8:20, which was too late.

Had my shower and left the house about 8:50 or so. Had to go and get money, cos I had absolutely none. Got to church around 9:10, so I wasn't too late - but they had started worship already.

Ate lots of food. Drank lots of tea.

Got lots more bills while I was there. Got home around 5:30 or so, and wrote out quite a few more cheques, mainly while watching The Simpsons (the Africa one, again. It was on a Saturday not too many months ago), but also the start of Big Fat Liar, cos it was on straight after. Luckily, the accounts didn't take too long, so I didn't have to endure a lot of the film.

After that, went downstairs where they were watching the rest of Catwoman. A quite bad film, from what I saw, despite Halle Berry and Sharon Stone.

Went for dinner at MacDonalds, since I wasn't that hungry. I had the nuggets, which were nice.

I've finished Isaiah, so went back to Numbers. Now up to chapter 19.

Finished the Prophets Introduction in the textbook, and read about half of Joshua.

I guess the day today has left me rather tired.

"That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun." - Ecclesiastes 1:9

Day 42

Zephaniah 3:17: "The LORD your God in your midst.
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing."

The lecturer made the point today that there are not many churches which paint a picture of God as described above - that he is a loving parent who is often, if not constantly, in a happy stupor just because we exist. The image he conjoured was God going "tra la lah la lah" as He was, say, vaccuming the house.

Milk gone bad agian, so had to use more of the instant cereal type. Started reading more of the Simpsons book, but FD wanted to do the shopping ASAP (since tommorrow is no good), so I had to go and watch the rest of 'Blow'.
I quite enjoyed the film - it didn't end very spectacularly, but I guess, with a true story, you have to take what you can get, even with poetic licence. I was expecting him to die - but he didn't. Actually, there really wasn't that many deaths at all. He just got arrested and that was that. Quite sad, really. Except that he deserved it, of course.

I chose another 5 movies, but FD wanted to continue, so the total was 18 again.
Watched another Hilary Duff film first off - "A Cinderella Story". Apart from being utterly predictable and rather weak, even compared to the original Disney version, it was nowhere near as bad as 'Raise Your Voice'. But its irritating that she can't play anyone except the lovable yutz who comes good at the end. Please....

Did Mandarin lesson 14 after that. Still going quite well, although I could not believe that I forgot how to say "excuse me, please let me ask...." I just drew a complete blank.

Then, finished lecture 3 of week 10, as detailed above. Finished Zephaniah and Ezekiel. Will be up to post-exilic prophets in week 11.

Read only a tiny bit more of my study book. Still at the introduction to the prophets.

Got to the last chapter of Isaiah (66) last night, but was too distracted to finish it. Which was interesting, cos the leaders retreat tonight, Pastor B quoted from 66:1. Someone also mentioned the "old covenant written on stone, new one written on hearts" which I remembered (from lectures in week 9) as Jeremiah 31:31-33, though I don't think it was mentioned as being that.

Before the Simpsons, started watching my first movie, 'Bambi'. There are two things that really strike me:

1. the abscence of dialogue. The vast majority of the film is noises, music and scenery.
2. the similarities with The Lion King. Which was a great film - I should rent it again.

Just got past the bit where Bambi's mother died when I had to stop. The death scene was so very understated that its not really as sad as people seem to make it out to be. I wonder if the young kiddies would even understand that she is dead.

All day leader's retreat tommorrow. Looking forward to the lunch - 1.5 hours long as scheduled. I have to say, too, it is quite awe-inspiring seeing all the 'big guns' of the church together as a group. I really don't feel like I belong there.

"You are God in heaven;
And here am I, on earth.
So I'll let my words be few......"
- Matt Redman

Day 41

Homer: "I'm gonna lose my job, just because I'm dangerously unqualified!"

The party's over...
Went for an interview today back at the same place from, like, 4 weeks ago, and they offered me a quite-well paid, 3.5 day week position. I'm not absolutely gonna take it, because I have another interview at a different place early next week - but it seems I will be starting work agian around Monday the 21st.
*sigh*

Finished breakfast around 9, and finished off watching The Goodies. The last episode was great - mainly taking off Grease and Saturday Night Fever, the token 'high-speed montage' satirised musical numbers from such shows as Singin' in the Rain, Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins, plus some other musicals I don't know - I think West Side Story was one. Plus, there was an improvised Congo line and Hula dance. You should note that all this involved the three Goodies being chased by six or seven of the very traditional black-helmeted British coppers, because they tried to introduce mixed dancing (boy with girl) at a disco. Don't ask.

After that, read another few pages more of my Simpsons book. Getting to some great quotes and sequences - this chapter is all about Homer. Watched Cape Fear yesterday, and all I was thinking about after that was when the Feds were trying to change Homer's identity to Mr Thompson and Homer couldn't catch on. And that was a sequence in the book, pointing out the subtle animation differences that produce Homer's highly vacuous stupidity blank stare thingy.
"I think he's talking to you"

Went through Mandarin lesson 12 after that. Still doing pretty well.

Read my text book through to the end of Deuteronomy, and began reading the introduction to the Prophets.
In the middle of that, got the call telling me about the above-mentioned interview at 3pm. That was about 12:15 or so.

Had lunch while beginning to watch my final film 'Blow'. It is actually quite enjoyable so far - a lot more light-hearted than I thought it would be - unlike, say, those mob movies based around the same subject, which is full of irritating domestic disputes, etc. This film is closer to 'Catch me if you can' than those. Thats so far, anyway. It will probably all go bad more towards the end.

Went through lecture 2 of week 10 at about 1pm. It was considerably more on Jonah, then a little on Nahum and Habukkuk. I didn't really get into what he was saying about Jonah, because I don't really think the message of the book is that hard to miss, although it seems all a lot of people know about Jonah is the whale, and I understood the lecturer's beef about churches being too inward focussed.

Did Mandarin lesson 14 at around 4pm. Interestingly, there was a bit there I completely didn't remember - where they briefly mentioned the Mandarin word for 'plus'. But anyway, still no real problems.

The Simpsons today was yet another episode from season 2 - thats been the theme this week. This time, the three-eyed fish leading to Mr Burns going for Governor. I picked up something I hadn't noticed before. Due to the three-eyed fish appearing, Governon Bailey sends inspectors to the nuclear plant - the bit where they are noting violations is a brilliant sequence. So after failing to be bribed by Mr Burns, the head inspector leaves, saying "either get this place up to code, or we'll shut it down". Now, if they shut down the nuclear power plant, what will happen to the town of Springfield? They'll just happily exist without power?
(Incidentally, Mr Burns loses his shot at governor, but it seems the plant isn't shut down anyway. But lets just ignore that, shall we?)

"Oh great God, be close enough to hear me now" - Nicole Nordeman
"My Jesus wouldn't be welcomed in my church, his bloodied and dirty feet might stain the carpet" - Todd Agnew

Day 40

Amos 4:4-5: "'Come to Bethel and transgress,
At Gilgal multiply transgression;
Bring your sacrifices every morning,
Your tithes every three days.
Offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven,
Proclaim and announce the freewill offerings;
For this you love,
You children of Israel!'
Says the Lord GOD."

Using the above quote, since ever since I read Amos for my assignment, it struck me how strong the tone of the book was. And the thing that shocked me most was God's use of biting sarcasm, as detailed above. Its kinda nice to know that God speaks my language - though, it doesn't feel good to be on the receiving end.

Finished breakfast about 9, and watched three episodes of The Goodies. They were all fairly good, though not as good as the Kitten Kong episode from the previous day - and I don't remember any of these. Actually, I really only remember the pirate radio and the one where they invent a medicine to cure every sickness ever.

Just before I watched The Goodies, I read the final two chapters of Confessions - so I am finally finished that book - its probably been about a year. Not that it was a struggle - just didn't really have the time to read it. The bit before the Book of Memory, where it was his actual life story instead of philosophising on subjects that are too unknowable and abstract, was, on the whole, quite stunning. Very much along the same vein of Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis (which is essentially CS Lewis' conversion) - a lot of the thoughts expressed at the reasons they were drawn to God are similar. But Augustine, by using an odd method of combining past and future, makes a far deeper impression. By that I mean, when most people tell a story about God's grace in their lives - especially in terms of conversion - they like to portrait themselves as utterly lost and without God, and then, suddenly, their life is transformed. In Confessions, its actually hard to find the moment of conversion because he constantly jumps forward into a song of praise, even though, to the ignorant reader, there is nothing, yet, to praise God for. The same tactic is used to lesser effect in, say, Helen Baylor's testimony, where she kinda has a 'chorus' amidst her tale of woe - "But I had a praying grandmother". Anyway....

After that, about 11:15 or so, I did Mandarin lesson 10. And, yes, I actually had forgotten some of the words - like "hotel", which I still cannot remember - something 'dien'......'ju' I think. Or something. But, on the whole, I got through it very easily. Which was pretty sweet.

I then had lunch while watching a little of the first episode of the second disc of The Goodies. It seems these ones are considerably not as good. And still none I recognise - though a lot of the starting credits look very familiar.

I then went for my walk down to Broadway, since I had to post my letter to the ICAA telling them I wouldn't be attending. Supposed to be only 20 degrees, or so, but, man, it was warm. Its also clear that Fairway is on a more than slight incline, and, typically, the down bit is the first half. The whole thing took me about 35 minutes, and the post office bit was probably around 5, or so, so about half an hour of walking.

I read my textbook and finally finished the chapter on Numbers - its been on hiatus for about two weeks, or more. I then got about halfway through the chapter on Deuteronomy (its a rather long chapter). The next section is the prophets (after the pentatuech) - but I think the order is more based on the Hebrew bible, which has the 'history books' (Joshua, Judges, Samuel & Kings) as included as prophets. So they will probably be next. The regular prophets (barring some like Lamentations and Daniel, I think) will be after that. Ruth is put with books like Esther, since it is not really along the same lines, from a literary perspective, as Kings, et al. Chronicles, as well, is put right at the end - I think because the general view is that a lot of it is sourced from Kings etc.

Went through lecture 1 of week 10 - about, surprisingly, Jonah. I once again wanted to grab the TV and try and shout what I thought to the people. The question was re: the great fish (of course), about what we would say to a non-christian who wonders how such a thing could happen. Now, call me crazy, but a man staying alive inside a fish for three days is far more likely than 1) a man being swallowed by such a creature in the first place
2) just about every other miracle in the bible. Water from a rock? City walls falling down cos of singing? Great rivers parting down the middle? A guy walking on water? Talking donkeys? People coming back to life? Creating everything from nothing (even if not in only 6 days)?
What is the big deal about Jonah? Why do people find the fish story so impossible? The fact that evangelicals who go on and on about 'signs and wonders', yet try to prove that Jonah is entirely in the real of scientific possibilty, is the greatest evidence, for me, to agree with the lecturer that the book is probably exaggerating to prove a point. I don't understand why they do it, but it seems that they do.
One thing that was instrumental in my life as a young christian was being finally accepting that there are certain things which I do not know, and will never, during my earthly life, at least, be able to know. I was then, gradually, able to say that its OK if, scientifically, things don't make sense, because I believe in a God who can do ANYTHING. And the bible, if it does nothing else, agrees with me 100% on this point. People....who knows how they work?

I finally got back to playing my sax. Went through lessons 8 and 9 - took me about 25 minutes, which is considerably longer than it took when I did them before. But, surprisingly, I really haven't forgotten much, and the skill level still seems pretty much the same. Which is a good sign for the future, when there possibly will be long breaks between practicing.

I did lesson 11 after that. Again, not really any problems at all.

Started watching 'Great Expectations' after dinner, until House. So far, Robert Deniro has been by far my favourite part of the show - apart from that, I'm not really very impressed.

And finally - two reasons why today is important:

1. Day 40 of my unemployment - is the wilderness wandering over? I received a call (at 8:45 PM!) regarding a possible interview next Monday or Tuesday. I'm not reading anything into it. I don't count this period as a wilderness, anway. Though it does, possibly, bear some relation to a time of 'waiting' and of 'preparation'. Perhaps.
2. It is two months until I am a quarter of a century in years. If I was normal, I'd start having a mid-mid-life crisis. But those who know me would know why I won't. But I shouldn't use that as an excuse not to have some sort of crisis. I mean, why spoil my fun?

Day 39

Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Using the above quote cos it was mentioned in today's lecture. Referenced on the cover of U2's 'All that you can't leave behind' - its "J33-3->" - a sign in the middle of the extreme left side that appears at first glance to be about airport gates, or some such. Quoted by Bono as "God's phone number".

Went through lecture 2 and 3 of week 9 today. Apart from the above, the lecturer made a wonderful reference, using Jeremiah 31:31-33 (a reference to a 'new covenant') to point out that the way God solved the 'Israel perpetually breaking the covenant' problem was to make it so that we humans are altogether out of the picture, by making the new covenant between Father and Son, with the Son representing 'all things' as it says in Ephesians 2:15 (or there abouts). I obviously can't convey the importance of the event here, but it was great. Its moments like those I hoped for when I decided to do this thing.

Finished breakfast around 9:30 or so, and went through lecture 2 first off, since FD was watching 'Dodgeball', and I've already seen it, and it was OK but not necessary to watch again.

Watched 'The Forgotten' while trying FDs experimental Mocha - using instant coffee, lots of milk, and chocolate syrup. It was OK, but too sweet and not either coffee or chocolatey enough.
It was an alright sort of film, though the conclusion that it was all about aliens was really a bit extreme, and stoopid. I'm hoping the end of 'Flightplan' will be considerably better.

Started watching 'XXX' while eating lunch, but it wasn't that good, so I went for my walk. Walked pretty much the reverse of last Wednesday, going more straight towards Hampden, cos I had to post letters, then straight along the length of Gordon, then up and back down Monash. Took me a little less than 45 minutes, maybe 40 or so. Was a rather warm day cos of the sun, though I guess the cool breeze kept the flies away.

Got back to watch the end of 'XXX'. Shows me I didn't miss much. Interestingly, the doomsday device was called 'Ahab', presumably after the king Ahab in the bible what was married to Jezabel. But there doesn't seem to be any logical connection that I could see.

Watched 'Cape Fear' after that, and it was another thoroughly disappointing Robert Deniro picture, like 'Taxi Driver' and 'Raging Bull'. So called "best thriller ever" - it was not very thrilling; mainly, it was boring. The guy is obviously not insane - I mean, there is method in the madness - but the progression really makes no sense. The best part was seeing the connections with Sideshow Bob. Like that music - that was good.

Got about half way through Mandarin lesson 21, then quit - was too frustrated. Definitely gonna go back to about lesson 10, and see how from there. Hopefully have time tommorrow to start the sax again - waited WAY too long already.

Read a tiny bit more in my text book - almost finished the chapter on Numbers. Up to Isaiah 51 in standard bible. I could've read more last night, cos I wasn't tired per se. But the words were just passing through, so I felt it was pointless continuing.

The Simpsons tonight was interesting, and I may try to get V's clarification on this, since he seems to pick up these small things. Sometimes.
It was another fairly old episode (based on the animation and sound) - where Homer buys Demoxinil and grows hair and thus becomes a 'junior executive' with a near-perfect assistant Carl (and I just realised his name is the same as that other Karl - Lenny's alter-ego type). While not a super favourite of mine, it has one of the best endings (though not particularly funny) - where Homer asks Marge if she'll still love him even though he's lost all his hair again, and Marge sings him the song he (actually, Carl) ordered for her on their anniversary - 'You are so beautiful', originally by Joe Cocker.
Anyway, so theres the scene where Homer has lost his hair and Carl has been fired, and Homer has to give a speech. And Carl gives him the cards and tells him he can do it. Then there's a scene where Carl says something like "you're no fool, cos my mother said never to kiss a fool" then kisses Homer, and then Homer walks away and it shows Carl wearing short shorts. Now, I never recall seeing that bit before. I don't remember what happened, but I am almost positive that that did not. Cos based on things that Carl does and says ("my reasons, are my own", "you are one of lifes beautiful creatures" etc) you have to wonder if he is gay. And that scene pretty much explicitly declares it.
But I may never know.....

Day 38

Marge: "Homer, we need to talk to you"
Homer: "But then I won't be watching TV! You can see the bind I'm in"

My Amazon stuff finally arrived this morning - 2 Radiohead CDs, Mandarin II, some Tolkien books and a something else. I spent pretty much the whole rest of the day, inbetween movies etc, loading all the CDs onto the computer.

Finished my breakfast - though its still only the liquid stuff - by about 9:15, and went to move my car. After, started watching Dancing with Wolves.

Was then forced to carry-out FDs 'snatch and grab' plan at 11 - whereby he had taken a bus to the city some hour earlier, and I had to pick him up there to begin the shopping expedition, ending at approximately 2.

After that, I finished watching Dances with Wolves. I thought it was rather cute that the name of the film doesn't come from some philisophical statement about the way the colonial soldier, say, adapted to his environment, but was actually his Sioux name given to him because he was playing with a wolf which he, in a sense, knew. However, the main reason I enjoyed the film was because Kevin Costner, although in practically every scene, was quite understated, which allowed the focus to primarily be on the Indians, and their lives, as depicted, was truly fascinating. I have to agree with the Amazon reviewers that the depiction of the other white soldiers was over generalised and simplified, but you knew it was gonna happen like that anyway. Also, considering it was a 3 hour and 1 minute show, the ending was unsatisfying and too inconclusive, except for the statement which concluded everything.

Then watched Bless the Child, which was your run-of-the-mill religious cult thriller, except that it focussed less on the bizarre cultic stuff and more on the desparation of the aunt for her niece, which probably made the film better. But I wouldn't run out and watch it again.

Then watched a far worse film, but only cos it was about ballet, which I have pretty much no interest in. Called The Company, it was filmed as like a documentary, so there wasn't really an easy to follow story of, like, triumph over adversity, which is what dancing/singing/acting shows are usually about. I didn't watch all of it, but I couldn't see it becoming any better.
Watched The Simpsons instead, but it was again the episode 'Bart gets an F', which has been on way too many times, and is really the only episode obviously from season 2 - cos the animation and sound is so poor. There are good bits in it, but its just too cheesy and formulaic.

After dinner, watched Elizabeth while doing church accounts. I was surprised that it was only 1:15 in length - I was expecting another 3 hour extravaganza. It also had a quite unsatisfying ending, not saying anything about the heir to the throne - I guessed Victoria, but thats with no real assurance. Apart from that, it was quite a good film - I feared at the start that it was going to be entirely focussed on the catholic v protestant 'thing', but it really didn't come up that much. I think the string of murders and arrests at the end was an over tribute to the Godfather, or some such, which I found a bit melodramatic - ie, with the classical music, etc.

Day 37

Various characters from The Game: "You know, knowing what I do now, I wish I could go back to the start again."

I don't think I phrased the above quote well. They did an alter call in church, and whenever I hear it I wish it was me who was eligible to do so. My biggest regret about being saved is that I can never be saved again. I feel kinda disappointed that I shall probably never make God as happy again as on that day back in August 1999, I believe the 8th, though maybe the 9th.

Went for lunch at Ipoh garden. I wanted the only thing on the menu which didn't have seafood, it had beef instead, but they didn't have any beef, so I had to ask the people to hold the seafood. But the soup (which I wasn't expecting) was, like, seafood flavoured anyway. It was kinda OK, I guess, but the place is rather expensive.
I gave V a lift, and he spent most of the time saying my ipod songs sucked. Except Radiohead, of course. But he did lend me his three Pink Floyd CDs, so thats cool, then.

Watched Left Behind II first off. It was, like, a lot like the first one - the characters don't really seem very realistic considering the stuff they have to deal with. The guy gets nominated president of the world way too easily, and everyone seems focussed on these events which I think are really not that important. But, I'm not a big end times type person - frankly, I think today has enough problems of its own....I mean, for other people. Not me, of cos.

After that, watched the original 1954 Japanese Godzilla. It was as you'd expect - though the film just couldn't hold my attention, so I forwarded a lot of the talking bits - and there was quite a lot of talking. A ship sinks in the first 15 seconds, so you think there's gonna be lots of action, then half the film goes by before you see the monster.
I then had a tiny peak at the 1956 American Godzilla, which was on the same disc. It was actually just the Japanese version, then some American guy pasted in scenes with an interpreter, type-thing.

After that, it was about 7, so went to Viet Ho to eat duck noodle. But it was soup again, and tasteless soup and noodles, at that. The duck was good, but I'm not a big soup person. Cept like that beef brisket type soup, or something like that. Also, FD gave me $12 to pay for his portion, but I think I left the notes in the place. Or something. Cos when I was doing my account, I was about $10 out.

After that, watched The Last Ride, from the director of the Fast and the Furious. Was a rather pitiful film. FD obviously got it for the cars, and there wasn't really much car chase stuff. I don't care for cars, so I thought that was good. But the rest of the film wasn't great. So...

And finally, for tonight, watched Lady Snowblood, the film that inspired Kill Bill. Like Godzilla, there was way too much nothing, then a few people dying, but no real coreography - they died off camera and then you saw the bodies. So, I wouldn't recommend it. Maybe I should rent Battle Royale again - thats how much action film like this should have. Well, ballparkly - I guess you can go too far.

Up to about chapter 45 or so in Isaiah. Not gonna get much read tonight - velly tired already.

Day 36

Benjamin Franklin: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"

Unsure of how genuine the above quote is - saw it on Friday's news at some sort of beer festival. Of course, on the whole, I rather disagree.

Woke up about 10. Did some more sorting out of my ratings of songs and stuff, before having my breakfast around 11 or later. My milk went off sometime Thursday, but I still have some sort of cereal drink from a few months ago, so had that instead of normal cereal.

I did my two weeks of ironing while watching more of Bad Boys II. Luckily, Joe Pantoliano is still around as their crazy chief guy, but his role isn't as big, and hes a bit too psycho. Its no way near as good as the first one, and the first one wasn't superly great, so....

Went to KFC for lunch, and was gonna order the crispy strips, but saw the double bbq bacon and cheese burger combo, and, since I'm obviously such a sucker for advertising, I ordered that instead. It was pretty nice, but I would've prefferred a zinger instead of the just regular chicken fillet.

Then went straight to Video Ezy. Frae Dizzle was 'feeling stoopid', as they say, so we ended up getting....um....18 movies. 9 each, if you will.

Frae wanted to continue 'feeling stoopid' so he wanted to go to JBs in the city and buy the first two seasons of Scrubs. And, because we didn't want to pay for parking, I was forced to do endless circles of the mall area while he waited in long queues.

The first film we watched was Raise Your Voice, starring Hillary Duff. To our credit, we did skip a fairly substantial lot of it. But, yes, it was as bad as you'd think it would be. Worse, according to FD.

Then, it was the American version of the French film Taxi, namely, Taxi. I never really liked the French version, so I thought this was OK. But only OK.

Then it was The Crow. I really don't see why its classified as a horror film, but I enjoyed it despite its very dated appearance.

By then it was about 8:30 or so, so we went to Zen in Subi for dinner. I got Terriyaki Chicken, because the only other thing that really appealed was the steak, which is great, but I had that last time. I also got some green tea, which has been absent in the house for a while, since I keep forgetting to buy the good brand that actually tastes like authentic type green tea. This one was actually a little weak.

I then had a hot fudge sundae from Gelare. I've gotta say, I haven't had a sundae for a while, and this one was pretty damn good. While waiting for it, I heard some guy there say something which, had I not been saved by the blood of Jesus, and been reminded of how foolish we can be without Him, I could have given my acid tongue a bit of a workout. I am fairly intolerant when it comes to third party remarks about my friends. I just have to pray I heard wrongly.

Watched First Daughter after that. Another quite fairly bad show - but should I be surprised with Katie Holmes as the star? Nuff said...

Didn't get any Mandarin, sax or study done. But hey, whatcha gonna do?

Day 35

Homer: "Bow down before me, o world, for I am your king!"

Using the above quote, cos I felt like yelling something when I came back from handing in my assignment, and its the first thing that came to mind, although not totally fitting the situation.

So I finished breakfast about 9:05, after starting my washing, and did my assignment pretty much straight till 3:45, barring lunch, which I had to walk over to the Japanese place and eat terriyaki chicken while watching more of Mulholland Falls, and the bit where I hung out my washing.

So, I managed to hand it in about 4:15, with 45 minutes to spare, although I was 11 words under the minimum. Still I feel I'm gonna get a better mark for this one than the last one - it just felt better. So, maybe this one might just pass. Maybe.

Finished the rest of Mulholland Falls after (finally). There was actually only about 10 minutes left. And the ending was rather pointless. It was difficult figuring out who the villian actually was, though I guess it was the guy who got thrown out of the plane. I think hes that guy that ran the syndicate hotel in Payback. John Malkovitch got a few more lines, but nothing good. A very average film, indeed. And nothing like how the cover describes it.

Did Mandarin lesson 20. I think I've got a good enough grasp to continue through to lesson 30 before reviewing.

Which reminds me - where is my latest Amazon order? I'm sure its supposed to be here already...

I managed to win the ebay bid, which equated to about $33, which I paid for straight away. However, it has to ship from the US, so I won't be expecting that for a week or so.

I watched the Recruit on TV today, and taped XXX. It was quite a good film, though by far the best part about it (apart from that lovely CIA scenery) was Al Pacino, and he really didn't have a very big role. I'm not a huge fan of Colin Farell - he just doesn't seem to have any personality. I was looking forward to seeing more Al Pacino, cos most of the films I've seen him in recently, eg Insomnia, he is just not good. He was great in this, for the small part he played. The ending was too much like The Game, but thats a far better film, cos everything actually fits together properly, unlike this. I find films like this annoying, where its like, surprise, but, since there is no practical way you can guess the surprise, you don't really care.

Looking forward to relaxing a bit next week. Today was way too hectic. I'm not used to research assignments.

Day 34

Marge: "I guess, at times like these, all you can do is laugh"
"....."

* * *

Millhouse: "Everythings coming up Millhouse!"

Using the top quote to describe some things today re: money.
The reason for the second quote will be obvious to one. Y'all others will just have to read on.

Not much happening today. Finished breakfast around 9:30, did my assignment till 12:30, though pretty much still on the same book as yesterday.

Then, I had to drive out to the college building to swap my two 1 Chronicles books for the equivalent two 2 Chronciles books. Did that without too much fuss.

Then I had lunch, and brought in the mail. I wouldn't normally mention bringing in the mail, 'cept I there was a package which surely had to be my AOEII. I decided I shouldn't open it, should wait till like after my assignments done. But it didn't feel like a game, so I opened it. And there was no game, it was just the strategy guide. So, I checked the link on ebay, and, although it doesn't explicitly say in the ad, up the top, under 'category' it is under strategy guides. So, I paid $30 for like this book what you'd get with the game anyway? Yes. Hence the top quote. I bid on the game again, currently at $33. Yes, its definitely the game, this time.

So after that, I had a closer look at my credit card internet statement, which is starting to bring through the itunes invoices, and it seems theres an extra one for $1.69. But:

1. I have no way of knowing, for sure, that I didn't order an extra song
2. Its not as if I can get anything seriously done for $1.70

As V would say, 'It's all coming up Joe'. Hence the second quote.

Watched a tiny bit more of Mulholland Falls. They finally introduced John Malkovitch as the untouchable army general guy. There was a bit there which bore uncanny echoes to A Few Good Men. The movies still not anything great though. Except there was a scene where machine guns shot up a house. That was nice.

Continued my assignment after lunch. Was doing pretty well, considering what my afternoons are usually like. Had a little nap, but managed to work pretty much till about 4-4:30.

Did Manadarin lesson 19 at about 5. Again, did pretty OK. I guess.

Did some more ruthless adjusting to my ipod. Removed quite a few Hillsong songs, and a few U2 ones. Added a few Coldplay ones. Its still got a little bit of space, now. Which is great.

Watched more Mulholland Falls while eating my leftover dinner. Began to see the emergence of some kind of plot, but its still very so-so. And John Malkovitch hasn't had any more lines, despite being referred to a lot.

Did a bit more of my assignment between 7:30 and 10, but not much. I've finished 4 books and have started on the 5th. But I don't see how I'm gonna be able to finish the whole thing by tommorrow.

Watched the Ghost in the Shell just before going to bed, with its glorious theme tune. Ah... I really need to get that CD. Who cares how much it is? Its not as if it compares to spending, like, $60+ for AOEII. *sigh*

It's all coming up Joe.

Day 33

Evelyn: "Whats a place like me doing in a girl like this?"

Using the above quote cos I'm seriously thinking about ordering The Mummy duology, and thats my favourite quote from the film, cos it is a good example of what a lovely charming show it is.
"Ah, the old 'take over the world' ploy."

Once again, finished breakfast around 9:30 and worked on my assignment pretty much straight till 12:45, with only the odd short break inbetween. Finished the first book, and got through the second pretty quick (as I hoped it would work out) and started on the third. I'm am wondering how I shall get to the number of words (I think its 2500 minimum), but I'm not thinking about that yet.

Got a call from the recruitment guy, who said that the job guy (from 3 weeks ago) won't be ready to make a decision till next week, but there are some other back-up people he has to speak to. The good news is, though, that I won't be starting Monday, since I probably can't anyway. Besides, I'd have to take Friday off for the whole day meeting thing. And I haven't bought clothes or had a haircut yet. Plus, there's still so many movies to watch, and I need to get my saxophone playing back on track, and catch up with my lectures. And do my standard study reading.

Watched another few minutes of Mulholland Falls while having lunch. Unfortunately, between yesterday lunchtime and today, I read a review from Amazon about it, which painted a rather bad picture, and that is certainly what I'm experiencing so far. Although it has Chaz Palmentiri (The Usual Suspects) and Michael Madsen (Kill Bill) as fairly main characters, the lead (who has pretty much been in every scene so far) is Nick Nolte (who, though familiar, I cannot place) who I am finding very dull. And my favourite actor for this show, John Malkovitch, has had one scene which was a video recording of a promiscuous act.

Went for my walk afterwards, which took about 45 minutes. Another rather hot day, and the flies are starting to come out. I decided that going along Stirling Highway is too noisy, and uninteresting, and not shady enough, so decided to go down the street just before. Unfortunately, according to my memory, you could see the cars on Stirling Highway from that street, and I couldn't readily identify it. So I ended up on Stirling Highway, anway. So I walked to the next street, which was only two buildings away, and went back to the quiet street (Gordon, as it turned out), which was lovely and peaceful. That took me all the way back to Hampden, so it was a nice orderly rectangle. I noticed a definite curve in the street, as well. I think tommorrow, if I do go, I'll try the same route in the reverse direction.

After I came back, I made tea and planned to go on with my assignment. I started reading my book, but didn't get very far before I was feeling too tired, so sat on the bed and continued reading. Got through about a chapter, then was still feeling too tired, so just rolled over. But, I drifted off and woke up about four. So, then I was too blah to continue the study (and my tea was cold) so I made more tea, and went through lecture 1 of week 9.

The lecturer apologised for making the last week (on Isaiah) so boring and clinical, because Isaiah shouldn't be like that. So he began an introduction to the 8 pre-exilic prophets (Hosea, Micah, Amos, Isaiah, Nahum, Zechariah, Habbukuk and Jeremiah) by going back to 1 Samuel 4, the story about the ark being stolen. He then asked people to describe what God is like, based on that passage, and, once you get over the horror at how horribly sacrilegious such comments are, he relates the exact same feelings to the exile, and thus the way that Israel was feeling, and what the prophets had to counter. All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable lecture, and one that really, once again, reinforced the power (and the scariness) of the old testament, in terms of its uncomprimisingly human way of dealing with ungraspable eternal truths. The lecturer was very clear, that being the new testamentised people that we are, we often miss the message of the old testament because it wants us to feel things we don't think we should be allowed to feel.

I then went through Mandarin lesson 18, and have definitively decided that once I get through lesson 20, I'm gonna go back and do them all again, from lesson 10. There are just too many words that, maybe they don't sound the same, but, as far as I can remember, they do. Like 'going to' and 'want to' - as far as I remember, they're the same word: 'yeow', as I recall (and I know that spelling is not right, thanks).

They finally played a relatively old Simpsons episode - where they go to Japan. Hooray!
But they played another repeat of House - where he treats a nun. Boo!

Went to Hong Kong BBQ for dinner - but it was shut. Boo!
So went to Good Fortune instead - and had duck and pork, which was nice. Hooray!
But the portions were very small - and it was very expensive. Boo!

Now to bed, and more Isaiah. I saw something in Koorong's catalogue today about the bible in 3 months - 12 pages a day. I'd like to see that - 12 pages of Leviticus? I know its possible, but is it probable? I think most people would shy away even at the bible in a year. I think whats really needed is a purpose - such as cos you've got an exam in a month and half, and if you haven't read the thing you're probably not gonna get that HD. Yeah.