angus ic

Melbourne Flickr

2008-06-13T15:43:00.002+10:00

A photo I took of Melbourne in Summer. It's freezing now, thermal weather as usual.
A photo on my flickr account http://flickr.com/angusic

I'm back

2008-06-13T15:33:00.003+10:00

So in my most recent post (by most recent, I mean back in Feb) I wrote about how our head of year said the year would go fast, and great things would happen. I did not believe any of these two things would occur. But they did.

It's now mid June, and the year has shot through. I've just finished my VCE mid year exam, luckily I only had physics - and it actually went quite well.

But alot more has happened. At the start of the year, I'd prepared myself for an entirely academic year - with a bit of kayaking on the side. But that's all gone astray now.

At the end of June, and throughout July I'm going to Portugal to kayak basically. Long story, but I'm really looking forward to it. So as you could imagine, school's sort of been put back a bit - but it's still going very well.

I'll try to post more, now that exams and such are over.
Angus

The holidays were busy

2008-02-01T22:33:00.000+11:00

The holidays were indeed very busy, far more than I had anticipated - not with work or anything of the sort (all though I had to do a bit), but with sport. Marathon kayaking. I've actually gone mental, my whole holidays I spent doing interval training for my kayaking - Luckily alot of my mates do kayaking as well, so I can sort of balance my social life fairly well.

As for school - boy have I enjoyed my fantastic 2 month holiday from work. I'm now in my last year at school, year 12, the one that counts. To tell you the truth, from our orientation day today, I'm really looking forward to it. We're doing great books in english, 'in the lake of the woods' and 'the shark net' (which is australian), and the other subjects also look like fun. But we were warned today, that this year goes like a flash. A role play by our Head of Year;

'ssshhewww... what, what was that?'
'that, that was your life'
'can i, have it back?'
'no, that was it'.

Or as Ferris bueller put it, "life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - too true. Even though I'm only 17, I'm now starting to think about this alot more, especially watching my youngest cousing grow up. It's scary to learn that when he's my age, I'll be in my late thirties. For crying out loud.

All in all, school's lookin tough, but seeing as though I worked hard in year 11, I feel as though I'm well prepared.

* * * *

On a lighter note, for my 18th birthday (future), I got a second, nay, third hand K1 Kayak. But no ordinary third-hand boat. A Nelo Vanquish - it was used by a french paddler in the world sprint championships. It's delightful, or as I put it to my parents when I was 'kickin the tyres' if you will; 'Mum, Dad, if it were legal to marry a boat, we'd have one happy family here.'

El new boat.

Anyway that's about it, hopefuly I'll have an update soon - but no 'promises' this time, ey.

The past few weeks

2007-12-10T15:19:00.000+11:00

Yes, yes I know. I haven't at all been on the site in the past month. Reason; exams and study. During the last week of November, I had my final 8 exams for year 11 - Being the nerd I am, and wanted to block out all distractions that I could (excluding youtube).

But now I'm back, for the holidays. How is everyone. (I promise I'll post soon)

wow. an award! thanks alot Joh!

2007-10-24T20:13:00.000+10:00

Thanks alot Joh for passing on the award to me! I'm only new around here (well that's not true, I use to have a blog a while ago) - but I'm in a new group now none the less. I really didn't expect to get any sort of thing like this - so thanks again Joh :)

But now comes the problem of who to pass it on to next... I'll have a think about it:)

Angus

i demand to know where angus has been

2007-10-23T21:39:00.000+10:00

Hi everyone, I know I haven't updated in a while - but I've been very busy (The excuse everyone pulls I know, but I assure you it's true). Now that Athletics is over (I'll tell you all how I went later on), Kayaking training is going up to four times a week, and I've got alot of school work to complete on top of that. But briefly;

On Sunday, I had the best bicycle crash you could ever imagine. I'll paint a picture. So recently I've taken over my dads 1970's Lawrencia road bike, it's a big steele thing, but I've got 'cleets' on it, so I adore it presently.

I was riding on the road with two mates behind me, and a car was approaching fast from behind. I sped up, and for some stupid reason decided to transfer at about 30kmph, from road, up driveway to footpath (you the how it is). But that didn't happen, brakes don't work in the air. I was coming in way too fast, and ended up getting sweet air (on a road bike mind you, attached to my pedals) off the side of the driveway curb. I landed a bit to the side, and steered myself right into a thick concrete pillar of a fence. Yes, I rode into a fence. It's stupid. I hit the thing dead on with my should, and squashed my arm between the wall and me. Meanwhile, I had to go somewere - I had a lotta momentum. So still attached to the bike, I flicked over the top, and the bike came with me. I ended up skidding on my stomach for about two metres, before halting.

Let's get this strait though, it didn't actually hurt at all. My firsts thoughts when I got up were a) If anyone had filmed it, and b) how stupid it must have looked to the driver who passed us at a slow pace - awkward.

Thanks alot for your comments, and keep them coming:)

athletics tomorrow

2007-10-18T21:12:00.000+10:00

As I talked about briefly last week, we have the final of our interschools athletics tomorrow. I'll be competing in the 110m hurdles, as well as the long jump. This means tomorrow, I get to go to school in sport gear, and only stay for the first two periods.

We have a team photo at about 11am, and then a team lunch, and then it begins...

It's 9:22pm, and I'm going to get an early night (aiming for before 10pm) - At the moment, I'm psyching up on some of my favourite 80's music. Bruce Springsteen's 'dancing in the dark' is probably my all time favourite pump up song.

Anyway, wish me luck!

berlin poster ( 3 )

2007-10-17T22:33:00.000+10:00

Thanks to everyone who responded to my last couple of posts, it's always nice to get home and see comments! Here is the next poster I brought back from Germany, again in my brother's room, but mounted on chipboard. I thought this was pretty powerful at the time in Germany.

You're probably asking why the hell I'm putting in this random picture below? Well, this morning I woke up at 6:30am, which is early in my opinion. But I love getting up early, don't you find it makes you feel alive? To get up, and know that not many other people in the neighbourhood are up? Anyway, I like that thought.

But I woke up this morning, and saw these awesome sunrays shining through my window, and remember how early this is! So I saw the camera on my desk, and thought, when I get home tonight, after I watch the Chasers and Summer heights high, I'll blog the photo. And I have. Enjoy. What I wake up to everyday :)

berlin posters ( 2 )

2007-10-16T21:55:00.000+10:00

In one of my recent posts, I talked briefly about my favourite historical photo that really stirs my emotions. I brought this poster back for my brother, and it's stuck (blu-tacked) above his desk. I hope you like it as much as I do. Also a note; Thankyou to everyone who comments here, it's great to hear from people!

Kin, you may recognise this picture from your endevours... Do you? P.S I have more :) !!

Hot and glasses for angus?

2007-10-15T21:55:00.000+10:00

You know Summer's coming round, when you wake up in the morning sweaty as all get out and the humidity is at such a high, it feels like either a butterfly cage, some sort of dry tupperware container (hay that's the best I can come up with in my over-homeworked / over-heated state).

It was 30+ degrees in Melbourne today, the first for a while actually. But still at school, they're persistent with their strong enforcing of the strict Winter Uniform. It's clearly not Winter when it's 30 degrees, surely our term 4 hat policy can back that up. Summer Uniform, as I've explained before, means comfy shorts and high socks - but I'm willing to make the sacrifice, anything for unrestricted leg movement. The school pants we wear, restrict leg movement by approximately 80% statistics have shown... I assure you it's a true fact...... well...

The thing I love about Melbourne, is the fact that hot days, are sometimes, I repeat sometimes followed by the most lovely cool changes possible. A cool change, means that at some stage during the night, a cold breeze flows through, and 98% of Melbourne open up their doors and windows to air their houses. It's true, ask anyone who lives here about them. It's 10:00pm, as I sit here in my room, listening to my all-time favourite song 'young turks' - rod stewart, and I can feel a gentle breeze starting up. My window's open, so hopefully the neighbours can't see me in my shirt-less state.

- - - - -

Just briefly before I depart, I want to mention I'm getting my vision tested tomorrow. Over the past 3 months, I've noticed my vision start to change, I have to squint to read, and I struggle to see things clearly from a distance. So tomorrow, it's off to the optometrist for an eye check - right at the end of lunch time! I'll report back tomorrow night regarding the experience.

So with a cool change, I'd better make it to bed - the best time, Nightline with Delroy has started - cheerio!

blog action day

2007-10-15T21:50:00.000+10:00

silence is more powerful than words

my favourite historical picture & sunday challenge

2007-10-14T21:50:00.000+10:00

For those who don't know, last year I went on student exchange to Fulda, in Germany (I plan to write mania blogs re; the trip in the near future). When I was over there, I was lucky enough to go to checkpoint charlie. History of Germany fascinates me, particularly post war through to the fall of the wall (Infact, one of my favourite movies is goodbye lenin). More to the point. When I was in the checkpoint's museum on the 8th of September 2006, I saw this poster hanging up (see below). This image blew my mind. I think it is one of the most powerful black and white images of the 20th Century. Anyone images of warfare or imbalance of power, particularly involving family or children, really seem to hit home with me.

So, being an Australian kid trying out my german, I strolled up to the counter and asked for 'that' poster. 'I want that one', I said in my minimal German as I pointed to the wall (don't get all little britain on me now). I also purchased a few others, I'll post images of them at a later stage.

When I returned to Melbourne, I sent the poster away to be mounted on chip board to protect it. I have a feeling this is going to be an image I cart around with me my whole life, and then I'll give it to my children.

Do you have an historical image that really, I mean really, stirs your emotions?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

This brings me to the introduction of a new segment - well, my first segment. It's called 'Sunday Challenge'. Every Sunday I'll write a post containing a challenge for my readers (If I even have any). The first Sunday Challenge;

If so, and only if you would like, feel free to write a post the historical image that floats your boat so to speak - that really strikes an emotional chord. Mention a little about the image, and why you've chosen it. If you've chosen to take part, comment this post with a link to your post. Hopefully I look forward to hearing from some of you!

Cheerio, Angus

their stories...

2007-10-13T18:25:00.000+10:00

For those who know, at the moment I'm doing an english assignment where we dig up issues of the past, with some sort of protest or imbalance of power. As you can imagine, the most popular choice was the Vietnam War. My English teacher suggested I do something a little more challenging for information; I chose the stolen generation - a disgraceful chapter in Austrlaian History.

This project requires me to analyse poems, novels, posters, artworks or newspaper articles based upon the event. One of my sources, is a book called 'The Stolen Generation; their stories', by Carmel Bird. It contains extracts from the 1997 government document, Bringing them Home, a report detailing the suffering of Indigenous Australians, during and after.

To put it bluntly this book is intriguing - yet truly awful. I cannot begin to describe how horrible this book makes you feel inside, discovering how they were treated during this time. But what I also cannot understand, is the ignorance of the rest of main stream society. Most of whom had either no idea this was ocurring, or didn't step in to put an end to it. Nothing can or ever will be able to compensate for what these people have suffered.

Sorry for the short blog - they say silence is more powerful than words.

What are your thoughts on the issue?

Athletics

2007-10-12T22:51:00.000+10:00

We had our school's athletic selection try-outs tonight, as I mentioned yesterday. It was a little intra-school-aths team event, to finalise selections for the interschools comp next friday. The whole day, I thought it was going to be cancelled. Melbourne's weather was pretty ordinary to some, but my favourite. 14 C, cold, pouring with hail potential. But we went ahead with the plans!

Recently in long jump, i've been jumping complete rubbish - to the point where tonight, I was jumping for a spot in the team. I needed to get over 6 to clear cut the rest, and safely sit in the team.

My first jump was 5.78m. A modest jump, but I knew it needed to be bigger. My coach made a mark in the sand at 6m, 'something to aim at'. How's 5.99m for my second jump? Close enough? To 6m? Yes, to my target? No. I still needed to go bigger. My third and final jump. It was funny, I got a clap in from some people on the sidelines. During the run up, it felt good. I was slowly building up speed - and then I hit right in the middle of the board, and launch. I clear the 6m mark, and slam into the sand, and instantly spread out. I jump up from the pit, and it looks good. 6.12m! A P.B! And just what I needed to make the team!!!

So next Friday's the big day. my events read as follows;

Long Jump
11om Hurdles
High Jump (emergency)
Triple Jump (emergency)

Loz, am I still a nerd if I do sport? :) I like to think of myself as a closet-nerd.

nightly radio and athletics tomorrow

2007-10-11T21:52:00.000+10:00

It's 10:17pm and I promised I'd get an early night, so I can't stay long - but I'll do what I can. Tonight I wanted to have a brief rant about nighttime radio. Over the past couple of months, everytime I hit the deck (go to bed) I listen to roughly 15-30 minutes of radio. No not music radio, but ABC 774 with Tony Delroy - his show, nightlife.

On Monday night, he took calls from those around the country with mental health issues, and the problems they face getting into the work force. It's really eye opening to hear about the sort of discrimination they face. This one caller really made an impact on me. I can't remember the person's name, nor would I publish it, but she merely stated the difficulties she faced finding a job. On paper she was perfect - but as soon as the interview came and the employer discovered of her mild Schizophrenia and battle with depression, she was immediately turned down. But why should this happen? From the call, she sounded in perfect working order, very happy and friendly, and more than capable of performing her job.

These are many of the interesting things I discover each night, from just a small glimpse of 'Nightlife'. I also listen for his 'cult quiz', which attracts a vast assortment of all sorts. The elderly, the mad, the lonely, right through to 3 year olds, ringing in with the answers to some of the most extraordinary, bizarre, challenging and easy questions - It's fantastic.

Case in point - do you have any talk-back radio stations you particularly like and listen to for a distinct reason? If so what is it? Why?

* * *

Just a small life update - Tomorrow we have our final selections for our school athletics team. This year I'm hoping to make the U18 Hurdles and Long Jump, and Triple Jump emergency. I've been doing these events since grade three, at little athletics, so I love to give them a go still. But anyway, this means tomorrow's the day to perform - so wish me luck!!! Because I've got to beat everyone else to get a spot in le team!

cheerio, angus

10.10.07 - a small update

2007-10-10T20:30:00.000+10:00

It wasn't really a fantastic day today, pretty standard I guess. The initial excitement of being back at school has almost completely died (give it until Friday) - but to keep us all motivated, only 5 weeks and 2 days until school finishes for the Year.

Presently I'm in year 11, which means the final year of school kicks in next year. The big one if you will, the one that the previous 12 years of schooling lead up to. I'm not so much nervous, but I'm bloody excited. So much great things happen in year 12, my brother described it as 'the best year of school ever, and everyone in our year agrees'. The year 12 bunch are always the tightest unit of the school, could be due to a few reasons actually. The fact that they are all working with each other, to pull each other through the exams at the end of the year - or, it could be just the fact that they get their own common room, and year 12 jumpers with names. I don't know - but it looks dam good.

But back to school; I had a double german in the morning. We learnt about the passive present, and passive past - which is vital grammar knowledge. In english, this means you can say things like, "I am being ... , he was... he is being ... he was being ..." - sentences like that.

I then had English, which was pretty interesting actually, as I got a project to do. But it's not your standard project. I have to research an issue, but from the past, and it's to be an issue which at some stage had a battle of authority and power. I chose to do my research on the stolen generation. This is one of the most low-key, untold and shameful stories of Australian History and Human Rights. Wiki it, and read up - it's just awful. I have to track down articles, letters or posters from the time, and analyse them. Finally, I have to write my point of view. All of this, pretending to be right in the middle of it in the 1950's. So it's pretty cool, ey. I then had 3 periods of maths to finish the day, and Athletics training after school.

* * *

I just want to say thanks to everyone who has responded to both my posts, and my responses to other people - It's great to know that there are at least people out there who read this. Let me know if you do!

But for now, I'm off to watch some quality television - I haven't done that in a while, instead I've spent most of tonight studying for my exams that are coming up shortly in 5 weeks and 2 days time.

cheerio, angus

Period 3 - A guest speaker; Boys, school and education difficulties

2007-10-09T21:07:00.000+10:00

So today we had a bit of a different day at school. In Period 3, instead of a study period, we had a guest speaker. He was a very well known PhD Psychologist, and he came to our school to talk about the difference in learning between boys and girls. In particular, why boys are falling behind girls in school - Fundamentally, why they are beating us! To illustrate this, he showed us a documentary of boys in elimentary school particularly, who faced difficulties at school, and the reason behind this.

To demonstrate this, he talked about the differences in interests between boys and girls, as well as the physical and chemical differences in the brain and human development.

We, as a year level, discussed what the reason was behind boys struggling more than girls at school, and we came up with a few ideas - none necessarily right or wrong. Some of these were;

It is important for boys to have men as teachers, as men appear to have a better understanding of boys' concentration levels. I don't necessarily think this is correct, however I do understand its theory. At my Primary School, particularly around grade 4 (aged 10), I was increasingly disruptive. My grades were solid, solid D's and C+'s, and in my teachers eyes, I was seen as a no hoper. A complete waste of space and time. At this time I had a female teacher, who couldn't understand what my problem, along with others, actually was. My parents understood. I was bored out of my brains at school. I wanted to run around, play the guitar, kick the football - not sit indoors, learn about shit that didn't interest me, or write a journal about my feelings. That's not what a 10 year old wants. Now, I would be more than able to cope with that boredom, but that's purely maturity. In my next year of school, I had a female teacher again, but this time something was different. She managed to harness my energy, but into things productive and positive. She completely turned me around. She put me as the leader of a maths group for starters, and gave me many specific responsibilities as a leader. And although this may seem small, and insignificant, it played a vital part in my development.

This was just one of the ten points raised - Hay, if I talked about them all, we'd be here all night / I'd need about 10GB of storage.

I don't think there is one pin-point reason to it, but I have my theories;

Boys need to be challenged; It doesn't matter what it is, what they need to do, but they need a goal, they need to be working toward something. It's exactly the same outside on the football field, give us a target and we'll hit it.
Don't give up on disruptive boys. Being disruptive in a classroom, in my opinion, is a sign of leadership, character and strength. Teachers should try to harness this into something positive.
Inspiration. Boys, I think, need inspiration as their motivation - well, it was in my case - This links back to the first point of having goals.

Again, I highlight that I am completely unaware of any right or wrong answers - All I merely hope to do, is raise the question as to why boys statistically are out performed by girls in schools.

Food for thought - What do you think ?

Second day

2007-10-09T20:21:00.000+10:00

Today was our second day back - meaning only 5 weeks and 4 days of the term remain. Presently it's winter uniform at our school (still), meaning we all have to wear itchy, grey pants. I can't wait for cup weekend, which is the initiation movement of summer uniform i.e. comfortable shorts, still grey, and high socks, a matching grey.

School was a bit different today, I'll explain why later though. First period, I had speshialist maths, and the topic we covered was... Hang, on, it's here somewhere... Ah, 'The derivative of e to the power of x'.

eg
Find the derivative;
y = ( 3 – e4x ) ^ 4

let u = 3 – e^4x
> u’ = 4u^3
> dy / dx = dy/du . du/dx
> u’ * ( (3 – e^4x ) differentiated )
> 3 – e^4x = – 4e^4x
> 4u^3 * - 4e^4x
> 4( 3 – e4x ) * -4e^4x
> = -16e^4x ( 3 – e^4x )^3

Boring you say? Nay, it's pretty interesting I think. So interesting that in my ultra nerdy state, I decided I'd get the homework done at lunch time - for the second day in a row. It's funny, you cop so much shit for doing homework at lunch time. But why? It's the fucking smartest most obvious thing you could do to ease the homework load. People complain so much re; their homework situations. Working more efficiently in class, or making time to do it can fix that - Don't hang shit on other people who do that. It made my night a heck of a lot easier, I only had 2 hours of homework, rather than 3 or 4 again.

In Period 2 we had P.E, where we played cricket, fundamentally Australia's national game (highly debatable with AFL Football - go the pies). I'll come back to period 3 in my next blog. Period 4 was Physics, then after lunch Methods (maths) and Chemistry - stoichiometry still.

* * *

Recently I've been browsing blogger alot, and I've come across some fairly interesting blogs. I've stuck all of these in the 'blogs i read' section, on my widgets toolbar thing, to your right. Have a look at them if you have the time.

cheerio, Angus

First day back at school

2007-10-08T21:30:00.000+10:00

Today, term 4, the 'grandfinal' as it was described to us at Head of Year Assembly, commenced. After an 11 week term 3, it was a delight to see that this term only lasts 5 weeks and 4 days. Yep that's right, there was even a countdown on the noticeboard.

After the initial awkwardness of re-meeting everyone after the holidays had settled in, everyone dispatched with the bell to their first couple of periods. Today I had Specialist Maths, Maths Methods, Chemistry, Physics and German - and I was also dosed with roughly 3 and a half hours of glorious homework.

In Maths presently (both of them), we're covering differentiation and calculus, so it's fairly interesting. Chemistry, Stoichiometry, again this is also interesting, as it actually has a life application. Physics is electricity at the moment, and German is just, well, German - grammar to be precise, which I need to work on. For Homework, my diary reads as follows

Spesh Maths; Handout, follow long work schedule (estimated time 1 hour)
Methods; Complete Analysis (cannot finish in one night)
Chemistry; Page 269, Questions 25 - 33 (all of these have sub questions, i.e. a) > e) kinda thing) (1 and a half hours)
Physics; read chapter 14 for test, complete handout (half an hour)
German; re-write essay with suggested corrections

I began working at 5:30pm, and have just finished at it's 9:30pm (This includes cooking dinner for half an hour). You do the maths, and that's a pretty long time. But I don't want this blog to turn into me ranting about how much I hate homework. Because, truth is, I really don't mind it. I mean, face it all you whingers out there, homework's there for everyone, whether you like it or not. My attitude is; you may aswell bloody learn to like it, cuz it ain't going away just because you don't like it. Besides, it can be fun - I seem to enjoy maths and sciences for some reason, so I really don't mind doing it. My advice to those who struggle with homework, is to try and enjoy it as much as you can, and also reward yourself. This evening, I sat down and said, "right angus, finish all your shit, take a couple of breaks in between, and after (tonight), have a good time surfing blogs and youtube. That's basically the way I roll on school nights.

We had an orchestra rehearsal after school today (yeh I know on the first day huh), but it actually turned out alright, seeing as though we're playing the Dambuster's theme song. If you don't know it, google it - It's probably the most ridiculously joyful song you could ever encouter in your life. It seemed to set the mood for the rest of the night really, as I walked home humming the song.

Tomorrow's a much easier day, I've got spesh maths, P.E (running around), Study period (bludge), Physics, Methods and Chem. After school there's Athletics training (gul* - this is a term for awkward, I use it alot. It's usually said when adjusting collar, or jerking the tie). It's slightly awkward, because in less than two weeks we have the inter-schools major finals, and I've hardly trained in the holidays - I was sick, and I preferred to go to kayak training. But fundamentally, tomorrow looks alright!

If you're reading this and you're a school kid, or you're going to work, or you're doing anything else tomorrow, anything at all, let us all know what you've got lined up? Is it a good day, a bad day? Projects due? Heaps of homework you feel like whinging about?

Cheerio, Angus

Today, and school tomorrow

2007-10-07T13:22:00.000+10:00

This morning I had kayaking training (again haha). It started at 10am, and stretched out for two long hours. At the moment I'm training for a massive kayaking marathon nearer the end of the year, and extra training is always an option - so I figured I'd join in this morning in my K1. It was fairly hard work, and consisted of;

a 1km warm up at 80-90%
sprinting 10 laps of the straight, with the bouys 500m apart (totalling to 5km)
1 km of 'paddle-pausing', you take a stroke, stop, take a stroke etc... for technique
a 1km sprint
6 * 25 strokes on, 25 strokes off

After training, my family decided it would be a fantastic idea to pop down to the local cinema to see 'Death at a Funeral'. I must say, I wasn't at all keen on going initially, but I figured I'd give it a chance - and was that a good decision or what. This is the funniest, most obscure and just down right awkward british comedy I've ever seen. If you liked notting hill, love actually, the office, extras or four weddings and a funeral, then you will LOVE this. It's not exactly a child-friendly film if you catcha ma drift, which makes it all the more random.

A light plot; It's based at a funeral, and things go from bad to worse as it drags, I highlight, drags out. Give this film a chance, you won't be disappointed!

* * *

So at present it's a calm Sunday night, 8:29pm reads the clock, and I glance at my diary to realise my three week long school holidays have been brought to an end - School starts tomorrow. But I'm not at all concerned, I think I'm ready for term 4 (yeh, it's our final term in Australia, the school system's fucked up compared to others - we start at different times). 3 weeks of nothing but sport, school kayaking & aths training, and relaxing, have given me time to relax, soak in life, explore nature a bit and gear up for another season of school. So this isn't a blog where it reads something along the lines of; "ohhh I'm so deprived, I have to go to school, life sucks". Because, quite frankly, life doesn't suck. Life's actually pretty good when you think about it - I was pretty sick in these holidays, and it's made me appreciate my health quite alot, which most take for granted.

So with school kicking in, it leaves me tonight frantically finishing, nay beginning all of my holiday homework, so I guess I'd better get to it.

Cheerio, Angus

Mistakes should be acknowledged

2007-10-06T19:12:00.000+10:00

Initially hailed as one of the greatest female athletes to ever set foot on the track, Marion Jones has had an almightily large week. I remember as a 10 year old at the time, watching the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, entranced by the magic of Athletics. However, I can distinctly remember watching Marion. Her style and ability were just too good - I turned to my mum, and she knew it too. Sure, winning a race by a few feet in a final can be expected, but to just dominate the field as she did? That was not human, that was something else.

In an emotional press conference, Jones fessed up about her wrong doings. Since she's copped both criticism and praise, and has brought into question current doping testing standards in the sport. Although she cheated her way to the top, violated rules and regulations, even broke the law, she's fundamentally done the right thing. What she did was necessary, both for the Athletes who competed against her during her peak, but also herself. Although she's gone down in the books as a cheater, the medals will be shipped off and she'll pay the penalty, she's gone down with dignity and respect for acknowledging her mistake. In life you're going to fuck up, it's gonna happen sooner or later - you're pretty much guaranteed you'll make a mistake, or two. Life aint about cruising through always with an A+ record. You need to learn the boundaries. Screwing up occasionally is important for human developement.

This shouldn't mean opportunities are to be taken advantage for the worse, rather, mistakes should be acknowledged, learnt from, and then left alone... Food for thought...

Symphony Orchestra Concerto's

2007-10-06T18:26:00.000+10:00

Despite the fact that it's still school holidays (they end tomorrow), today was Saturday and we had our annual schools concerto concert. I play the violin in the Orchestra, sitting in the back desk of the firsts. 'Oooo he's arrogant isn't he, saying he plays firsts' you say. No, I assure you I'm not all that good. I mean, I can play the thing in tune, but I'm nothing special - I'm no member of bond (for a number of reasons) - google 'bond', and you'll see why.
We played three pieces, the first called, uhhh, hang on it's right here next to me somewhere. Ah there it is, "Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra" by Franz Joseph Haydn - I think this was written in 1792? Do correct me if I'm wrong. The next was "Violin Concerto in G. Minor", the first movement Allegro moderato, and this was written by Max Bruch - An amazing piece. The final piece we played, and in my opinion the best I think I've ever heard, was "Cello Concerto in E Minor" the first movement, by Elgar. Now that truly is an amazing piece. If an Orchestra comes to town, and they're playing that, for god sake go and hear them out - So that's the one to pencil down for later reference.

That took up most of my day, we had practice from 11am - 2pm, including a little bit of lunch and a kick of the football in the middle. Then the concert went for 1 and a half hours, and that brings us to, what, 3:30pm? I was meant to be at kayaking training from 2 o'clock onwards, but I figured a school violin concert was a valid excuse - but my heart lies in the kayaking, don't get me wrong...

After that, I really needed to get out of the house. Excercise would have been a good option, but instead I chose a drive. You see, next year I can go for my P's, meaning I can drive alone. But first I need to clock up a good 120 hours on my learners permit, or there abouts - and at this stage, I'm only at about 30 hours. You do the maths... carry the one, and that's 90 hours to go. I'm eligible for the license in May of 2008, so I've got 8 months to get almost 90 hours behind the wheel. Haha it'll be a challenge, especially since in the past year I've only done 30 - but we'll see what happens.

A few things I've made

2007-10-06T18:19:00.000+10:00

The first one is entitled 'rail tail'

This next one was inspired by the Mars Volta, and funnily enough is called 'Inertiatic ESP'

¤ Friday

2007-10-05T22:06:00.000+10:00

So today was a fairly interesting day. I had kayaking training early on in the morning, which involved a 14km time trial. Now for those who know me, know that I'm an avid marathon paddler - I dabble in the sport - and at the moment am training for a massive kayaking marathon at the end of the year.

After, I went for a bit of a drive in our new car. I've got my L's, so I thought I'd take our car amongst its terrain. It went well.

School kicks in again next week, and I must say strangely enough, after a 3 week break, I'm a little more eager than I thought I would be.

don't touch the walrus

2007-10-04T16:59:00.001+10:00

Because they bite. Just something I created on a digital whiteboard at school - one of the many pointless inventions in the world, to better a minute percentage of the population.

This is my first blog entry on the site, so I hope it's the start of something amazing. We'll wait and see.