29th & 30th - Motivation

Another problem I have is motivating myself and avoiding procrastination. I'll think of some stuff to write here later

Jan 28th - First day of the first term of the last year of school

It's weird.

Really weird.

Almost surreal really. What doesn't help is that the red shirts (as opposed to green) that Westlake 7th formers wear are really conspicuous and juniors looking up at you which was a position I was in about 4 years ago.

Time flew by. At the time it didn't but in hindsight it did. Last year of school. good golly, Miss molly.

Umm yeah, not much to add to that really. It's weird.

Jan 26th & 27th - Leadership

It's inevitable that I will miss a day every week but I'm not going to stop apologizing because that would start the downhill descent of this blog.

So we had the 3rd form initiation day today. I signed up to be a buddy to them, show them around the school, answer their questions and try make them feel at home in as short a space of time as possible. I had a really quiet group except for one kid who always had another question. And not stupid ones you can't just shrug off, actual questions that need answering. Twas interesting. Then we played handball :P

I'm off to bed now - big day tomorrow, first as a 7th former so it's pretty cool.

Jan 25th - Euphoria

Well today I was getting changed (you decide if that's a euphemism or not) after getting out of the pool and my phone started ringing which never happens. I pick it up and here's a loose transcript:

Me: Hello, Logan speaking
Guy: Hello Logan! This is mutter mutter mumble mumble
Me: Pardon?
Guy: This is John with the Spirit of Adventure Trust! did you realize your Mum entered you into a competition?
Me: ...no...
Guy: Well she did and we have just pulled your name out of the draw and announced it on Murray Deaker's Show! You've won a trip on The Spirt of New Zealand!
Me: NO WAY! (and things of that nature)

So I'm pretty amazed with this. I'm more excited about it than I thought I would be but I have been thinking about signing up for it for a while now. Creepiest part is that Mum had been talking about The Spirit of New Zealand a week earlier, prior to her knowing about the competition.

I think the weird thing is that I've been waiting for a new opportunity to come around to meet new people. And then BAM.

In short, I'm pretty stoked :P

Jan 24th - Manliness

In the early hours of this morning, I teared up. I DIDN'T CRY, I just teared up. The reason for this was I had found on youtube the piece by James Horner - The Machine Age.

This piece is the opening credits music to Bicentennial Man, a wholly underrated movie I had an obsession with when I was about 10. The obsession was more with this piece than the movie as I dubbed it onto my personal cassette tape (with the help of my sister) about 3 times on each side. This was my special tape, only amazing things went onto my tape, like the entirety of star wars episode 1, voice acting and all (Doing this and half imagining and remembering was a cool experiment) and I spent 2 hours on the first day we dubbed it listening to this piece over and over.

So here for your listening pleasure is the opening sequence to Bicentennial Man. It is worth watching, perhaps for the music, perhaps for great performances, but I'm in it for the nostalgia. (2.44 onwards gets me particularly)



(The actual sequence can be found here but embedding was denied for copyright reasons *shrug*)

Jan 23rd - New technology

I am writing this blogpost from my wii console. I must say it's not the best medium for writing long distance as I have to point the wiimote at a qwerty style virtual keyboard and press every single letter. The alternative is a phone keypad style thing but there is no predictive. So the remarkable thing about today is that this post took 15 minutes to painstakingly tap out. That sentence inclusive. And that one. But not that one or this one.

dwyyfe2r6ts4qstDzfrrabuiiRDB

Jan 22nd - Beliefs

Today I encountered a religion I had never heard before - Discordianism. Worshipping the Greek goddess of chaos, Eris, this religion believes that reality is acertained through discourse and chaos. When reading more about it, it sounds more like a parody religion than a real one but not to the extent of pastafarianism which I had a sudden craving to read again. 

With my ADD internet browsing style, I now have the complete works of Nietzche, Several bibles of various religions, The Gospel of the flying Spaghetti Monster and The 5 part Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trilogy. I love the internet ^.^

I just found it incredible the wealth of knowledge that is out there regarding people's views on life and I plan to read through as much as possible to try and make sense of this crazy existance

Also for Douglas Adams fans, Eoin Colfer is writing a 6th book! I am truly bipolar in my reaction to this news :S 

Jan 21st - Chromotherapy?

Ok so I've had a long term problem with my ankle which is like a mild rash that occurs when my ankle is exposed to anything, technical name being psoriasis. I have been battling it for about a year and a half now with antibiotics, creams and all other kinds of shit. It's made me really self concious and so it is very rare to see me not wearing jeans.

But I recently heard of a thing called chromotherapy - Light colour therapy. You get a special light and put coloured gels on the light and each gel has a different effect. I don't class this with oogie boogie science because think about it - your body relies on vitamins from the sun so surely an altered light source from one spectrum would have a healing effect, right?

My Mum had a crook knee a while back and she spent 18 months trying to fix it with physio and whatnot. Apparently Dad (Who did the lighting for Shortland Street) put a green lighting gel on their bedside lamp and shone it on Mum's knee for about an hour or so for three days in a row. It was only a week later that Mum realised she hadn't had any pain from her knee since that therapy. So it kinda works. Cashin the elephant has a similar story.

So with this in mind, I spent a day in my light-proofed room with a light shining on my ankle. It is impossible to say whether it had effect or not but I suspect it didn't because I was using a really lame sheet of cellophane instead of a gel which converts the light 100%

I will keep you posted on such things related to this.

Jan 20th - Sickness

I hate being sick. Stomach Cramps, Migrane, throat swelling. I'm a happy chappy right now. I seriously can't think beyond my sorry state so apologies for that, I'll try make it up to you tomorrow

Jan 19th - Moon Landing

Just watched part of an episode of Mythbusters about the Lunar Landing and how it is a hoax, which sparked me into thinking; what if it was a hoax? What if one of the greastest moments in the history of mankind was a complete and utter sham?

This also put me onto the thought that tomorrow is inaugration day and Obama will become the new President, hoping of course that he survives the day. If Obama is assasinated, I will lose all hope in mankind. This is humanity's chance to grow up and surpass the racist thoughts of yesterday and embrace equality and could all be ruined by some stupid redneck sparking the next civil war.

I think I think too much.

Jan 17th & 18th - Love

Today I helped my sister film a video highlighting all the places that were important to her and her boyfriend for their one year anniversary. Her boyfriend works 5 weeks on and 5 weeks off on a supply boat for an oil rig. I think it's incredible that a relationship can stay constant with that kind of interruption all the time. He is an awesome guy and I would approve of him marrying my sister (which they have talked about a lot).

I can't say much about love due to my inexperience, I have had many relationships but only several have lasted over a week. I think it's insecurity that can drive love away and to cope with this, you just have to give in and go with the flow. 

What's also interesting is how many people actually are in love with the idea of being in love and will fool themselves into thinking that they are in love. While I guess it's better than moping about nobody loving you, it's probably more pain than it's worth in the long term when you wake up one morning and realise how empty your life is.

Jan 16th - Cooking

I love cooking, adding ingredients together to form a greater whole. It gives a feeling of deep satisfaction. Even better still is when you make up a recipe from scratch and it turns out brilliantly.

Here's one I made up today:

Hamburger Patties:

400g Lamb mince

2 tsp Mixed Herbs

2 Cloves of garlic

1-2Tbsp of Steak Sauce

I really hate using premade stuff in recipes but the steak sauce adds a lot of flavour that mixes so well with lamb and herbs. I used lamb instead of beef as it is lighter, easier to digest and it was what was in the freezer :D

Jan 15th - Photoshop

Ok you may think me vain, but I do touch up my photos before I put them up on facebook or other sites. Actually I think it's the opposite of vain because I recognise my flaws and want to hide them... Interesting debate to be had over that.

I've always had an obsession with black and white photography and have done some

 average works such as this: 

I don't know why but there is some distinct beauty in seeing the world through a B&W high contrast window. Things are griitier, prettier and breathe more. Sorry I'm getting gushy, I get gushy around photography (Found out I passed level 2 photog today BTW, it was nerve racking because There were 2 assignments worth 6 credits each and one worth 12. You had to get a minimum of 18 and I failed one of the 6s)

But that being said, slight splashes of colour are always nice so the technique of colour accenting was right up my alley. My most recent (and successful) attempt is as shown here:

I think I look like rick astley XD

Also if you wanna get into photoshopping and can't afford it, get GIMP. It's free and just as good. Enjoy!

Jan 13th & 14th - Double feature

Apologies for my absence yesterday, I was at a friend's house and he had used up his bandwidth so it was running at below Dial-up so it was near impossible to get here and blog for you lovely people.

The title for today reminds me of Grindhouse - a double feature of 2 films, one directed by Quentin Tarantino and the other directed by Robert Rodriguez. If you haven't checked out either Planet Terror or Death Proof, you really should as they perfectly resemble all that makes B-Grade so freaking awesome. Blood, guts, smut and deadpan dialogue - It's all in there and executed perfectly.

And if that doesn't do it for you, I'm sure a girl with a machine-gun leg will!

But that's besides the point. The point I was meandering hopelessly towards was the nature of B-grade films. It amazes me that something can be so bad that it is good. Perhaps it's because sometimes we need to take a break from mainstream Hollywood popcorn flicks and indulge in something that doesn't try to live up to expectations but rather makes it's own.

You do get those that dabble in both, The Spirit being a prime example. It's getting increasingly hard to tell with some films whether they take themselves seriously or not. Another prime example being the Batman movies with great actors like George Clooney facing off in a technicoloured Gotham, fighting ludicrously camp villains. It makes up for the lack of *THUD* onomatapoeia *ZWHACK* that there was in the tv series.

So I challenge you to watch a B-grade movie and enjoy something that hasn't got it's head most the way up it's own arse. Filmmakers show their absolute best creativity and originality when not pressured by Hollywood's expectation. 

(I always wanted to be the guy who got to write the onomatapoeia for Batman. It would be such a brilliant job to have. Also I think someone should make a Lego Batman mod to put them in the game cause that would be beyond rad)

Jan 12th - Euphoria

I have absolutely no Idea but I am so happy right at this very moment. It's hard to figure out the source of this frivolity. It may be the song 'Parklife' by Blur. In that case I may be laughing at myself for singing along everytime the backing singers shout "PARKLIFE" in a cockney accent but everything is good and right with the world in my mind.

Jan 11th - Gaming and Shopping

There is nothing like escaping the confines of reality and finding a truly great bargain.

That's all the wisdom I have for you today kids XD

Jan 10th - Good entertainment

Today I had the pleasure of joining Mr. Lewis Bostock (www.youtube.com/lewisbostock) on a lovely romp to the cinema. We went to see Frank Miller's and Will Eisner's 'The Spirit'.

To say the movies is good is a lie. To say it is bad is also a lie. To say this movie is so amazingly bad it is good is just my opinion but I had fun during it. Whether it was Lewis' total slackjawed awe at how horrific the film was or the snide comment possibilities that entertained me more is hard to say; but is really hard not to think that this would make one hell of a 'Mystery Science Theatre 3000' episode.

So if you are either drunk, into B-Grade or suicidal, Go see the spirit. Though I would imagine it would be undearable going on your own.

And for those more buff on their films - think Flash Gordon.

Jan 9th - In good company

I just had a nice and relaxed evening with some good family friends of ours - talking and relaxing as the food slowly cooked on the bbq and the children frollicked. I even got to kayak on their massive pond in an open kayak (I never understood the logic in removing all that waterproofed the kayak and stopped the user from getting wet) and then later swim in a 3m deep pool.

These things were not the best part of the evening. the best part was how easily everyone got on, there was not one uncomfortable moment and I love sharing time with people who are so cruisy. I think if everyone took the time to timeout and chill with some seriously good people, the world would be a better place XD

Jan 7th & 8th - Importance of keeping track

Ye gods.

Ok, now I can see how important this keeping track thing is. I had missed a couple of days in my diary, and when I went to fill them I had no idea what happened and what to write about. So my remarkableness for those missing dates is you should ALWAYS NEVER lose track or your life will slip away in a blur of "huh?"

I say again:

ALWAYS NEVER.


That has to be the most intellectual sounding and profound posts I have ever written.

Jan 6th - Public Bathrooms

I'm not really a squeamish person or pedantic or neurotic or anything (well I lie, but for the purpose of argument, let's say I am not), But I absolutely HATE public bathrooms. I see no possible reason for someone of the male persuasion to leave their bodily fluids everywhere but the specified reticle, I mean it' not like it's fucking hard to AIM!!

That aside, I was impressed with Albany's Food Court bathrooms. I walked into the cubicle dreading the worst. The thing was SPOTLESS. Bravo Westfield, Bravo.

Jan 5th - Sleeping in

There is nothing quite like sleeping in, even as light attempts to enter the room and the sounds of the day filter in through every crack, you roll over and think "fuck you" and sleep in till 12.

I love doing that.

Jan 4th - Poolside

There is a lot to be said about just chilling by the pool. It doesn't matter whether you are reading, texting, listening to music or surfing the net, it's a really pleasant position to be in. It's like the running water brings tranquility to one's soul, which i'm sure it does. Maybe it's because I'm a Capricorn as i'm sure the astrology people out there would argue is the reason.

The neighbour's dog just ruined all the tranquility. I hate that fucking dog. GRRRR

Jan 3rd - MY BIRTHDAY!!!

I think That's pretty damn remarkable enough. And If not then:

LEGO BATMAN!!!And some shorts too.

Jan 2nd - Dreams

Convinced a friend to re-pursue her dreams of dancing. She had danced for a while before but it all fell through to university and work demands. By simply mentioning that she should, she had the second opinion she never asked for, out of the blue and she can't not do it now.

I feel good that I could be part of that XD

Happy New Remarkable Year!