COMPSCI 101 Lab. Interesting.

Here is the nerdiest thing I've seen all week:



Bahah. Sorry, Java.


Um, what happened today...on bus home there was Rainbow and Cheryl (hi) and Linda (Yao). Talked, bus ride became way shorter. (Side effect, didn't do CS worksheet) Came home. Played a bit of FFXI...by play I mean just travel to another area and wait for some guy to turn up and then I had to go because my mum came home and said "HEY LETS GO LOOK AT A PIANO" in a way that offered no compromise and so I went. It's a good piano, a Yamaha. I think we're getting it.

Yeah.

(Lecture/Farewell...vote)

Dammit. Farewell for Ms. Warner/ Mrs. Thompson....or Physics 150 Lecture....Farewell, or lecture, farewell, lecture...

WHY DO YOU CURSE ME SO WITH SUCH DECISIONS?!

Music 103A Lecture was the stupidest thing I'd done all week. Yes, even the Physics Lab where I went around covering tables with shedded skin...basically, I think I got streamed into the retard class and as a result we spent an hour singing rubbish. -_-

But otherwise, it's been a good day. Met some new(ish) people, some whom I'll probably never see again but hey it's all good. Also forgot to mention yesterday there was a big blind Maori woman in our lecture (as a student, presumably) and she had a cool black guide dog.

Oh yeah, I watched Artificial Intelligence on TV2 yesterday (which meant I woke up late which meant lateness this morning therefore Steven Spielberg is to blame for making me late to school today)

I'd forgotten how awesome it was. I really like it. Tons. There's just this weird creepy atmosphere that is so pervasive and stuff. Yeah, anyway, just thought I'd mention I like the movie. And also, I've been looking for the soundtrack to it for a while...anyone got it, please lend it to me ^^

Was *barely* in time for first lecture this morning...William *just* caught the bus into the City from Tamaki...o_O it's amazing what the difference in traffic is, if you're just 5 or so minutes slower in leaving the house than you usually are. o_O

XD Had Music 103 Keyboard Lab Assessment. I really suck ^^" Couldn't play the easiest one properly...so I guess I'm starting from the start, which sucks, because that means I can't get more than 80% or something stupid. But, meh.

Had first Physics Lab. DUMBEST LAB EVER, basically spent two hours measuring the width of a table with a cubit (the distance from your fingertip to elbow) and a mini-cubit (distance from first to second knuckle). Imagine measuring a decent sized table with your knuckles...five times...and tell me you don't find it stupid. :P At least there are cool people in the lab stream I'm in, some guy called...uh...Daniel? Some chick called Julia...I dunno. I'll remember next week maybe o_O

Saw Raymond walk past while I was on the Tamaki bus today. Also saw Simon Janko David and someone else. Obviously I didn't destroy a bus window in an insatiable urge to say hi, or anything. Raymond you look dodgy and rapist like with your crazy curly hair and facial hair. Just a thought. ^^

Currently listening to "Lovers' Walk" by "Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra". Great song.

Bought some iced-tea from Tamaki Munchy-Mart today. Quite nice.

Someone wanna go to cinemas this Saturday? Maybe watch Constantine or something?

I really like the keyboard of me and William's shared computer, it's great. Good response and feels good and looks good too. In fact, new computer is wickedly legendary, I wouldn't be surprised if someone came along and went "whoa that's a wicked legend".

Yup.

(p.s. Henry and Sonny, can you make your own top 10 songs of the past 15 years as well, please??????) - Raymond

o_O

I really hate requests like this...^^"

There's so much good music I cannot possibly make a TOP 10. But I can mention ten songs, right now, which I'm really enjoying at the moment.

Not in any particular order. I can never pick favourites. Please, don't even try to make me pick, or I'll pick your eyes out with my fingernails.

---
[Artist/Band - Album - Track Title]

Andrew Lloyd Webber - The Phantom Of The Opera Soundtrack - Down Once More/Track Down This Murderer
Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy II - The Rebel Army Theme
Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters - Mary
Coil - Guitaroo Man OST - The Legendary Theme
The Black Mages - The Black Mages II: The Skies Above - Matoya's Cave
The Guy Who Wrote It, I Can't Remember His Name - The Incredibles Soundtrack - The Incredits
Shiro Sagesu (?) - Neon Genesis Evangelion S2 Works - Thanatos
Akayo Taira - Radio DC - A Lullaby
F.Y.I - I dont know the album - Lydia (I really have no idea why this is on the list.)
Fist Full of Fives - Fisting (maybe) - Why Monkey Why (simply cause I wrote it)
Jun Senoue - Radio DC - After The Adventure..
Yutaka Minobe - Radio DC - Theme From Phantasy Star III
---

That's my list, at the moment. Yes, I know, I put twelve. Bite me. Really, I love them all equally, I think they're all fantastic and you should all listen to all of them. Oh yeah, and Sega Piano Nocture, that's good listening right there. I hate picking favourites, it's easier to name songs I hate.

Here are a couple:

Snoop Dogg (or whoever) - Drop It Like It's Hot (I abhor this song)
Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes (because the BASTARDS STOLE IT from The Who)

There are more, but I can't think of them at the moment.

Dr. Phil is a big, giant, maplestory. No, not a large online game but a large expletive. -_- I hate him.

Anyway, don't ask how that came about because that would involve a very long and tedious story I do not have the tenacity to verbosify.

What happened today? Slept in (yeah, surprisingly, 9am wake-up is considered sleeping in \o/), Academy...yeah, I'm cello section leader ;_;

Made a lot less mistakes than last rehearsal. Sounds so much better at rehearsal than at home, I think it's cause the acoustics in our room are very harsh and unforviging. That is my excuse. (The little acoustic elves hate me in our house)

Today: interesting. Woke up REALLY early (like, 5:45 ;_;) blah blah university blah blah

Music Composition...already have an assignment -_-

I'm actually really sleepy so I'm just gonna say hi and stuff. Yeah. Hi. I feel bad if I came all this way to the "create post" page and not say anything. I could have pressed back and this would all have never had happened but, I didn't.

Okaybye

Day Four:

Since tutorials/things other than lectures havent started, I finished today at 11am. \o/ Bus home was (as usual) late...if I knew for certain it woulda been late I would have checked where I was streamed for the music 103 (listening to music and being all good at listening or whatever) but...I didn't.

Yeah, that's about it. I also ate a MEAN sandwich but I'm sure nobody cares.

Dear Henry,

Thank you for taking DELNA. Here are the results of your screening assessment.

Vocabulary
24 / 27

Speed Reading
73 / 73

So today I got to sleep in (still woke up at like 9.30 anyway) and...went into the city, just for Choir Practice -_- Yeah. Half hour to tamaki, half hour on tamaki bus, then on the way back the same thing. So, two hours, for one hour of choir. I don't think I'll be going again. I might email the guy say I'm busy on Wednesdays or something.

Choir was...interesting. I know i've said this before, but it's so weird that I have to mention it again, they made me Bass II. There's this one note which I can *just* hit at the end of the first section/movement...hmm. Yeah. And the vocal warmups this guy got us to do were just bizarre...

Oh yeah, signed up at SJS (thats where the job description I posted up a while back came from). Might see them tomorrow for a referral or something. I need money -_-

The bus from City to Tamaki was PACKED. And mostly with people who wanted to drive home (including me. -_-)

HEY JOIN STUDENTLIFE AND GET TWO FREE MOVIE TICKETS

(sell your soul)

Day two of Orientation Week.

Apparently, all that orientation going on still isn't getting into me. While I did manage to find my way to the MLT1 Lecture Room in the Science Building, I didn't manage to find Student Job Search and sign up there...instead, I found Shadows and me not being 18 = me not entering...missed the School of Music tour I signed up for cause the COMPSCI101 Lecture finished pretty much on 11, and I was supposed to be at the school of music five minutes before then. Meh.

The COMPSCI lecture was pretty okay. Saw three people I knew (infinite number higher than people I know in PHYSICS150), notably Matt Meffin. Must remember to steal homework from him *evil grin*

And all these clubs! Holy crap. Some weirdos trying to fence...this big boat in the middle of nowhere...gah. Go away clubs I don't want to join you. Some guy asked me if I was ready for the "30 second challenge". *ahem* No.

Apart from that, that's all I did today. Two lectures...found where me and William's joint locker is, did a bit of COMPSCI101 homework (yeah they gave out homework on the first lecture....;_; then again our lecturer tried to teach us how to juggle too so...)...yeah

And now I'm home.

The last three "paragraphs" start with the letter "a".

I was reading the COMPSCI Course Handbook on the bus (well, half the journey, the other half I was pseudo-sleeping). It's still confusing but I reckon if I just keep reading it or put it next to my head that information will slowly siphon into my brain. Maybe.

Hello. Today was the first day of University.

How did it go? Apart from feeling like a complete fresher twat, okay. I got lost a respectable number of times (at least three)...trekked through the Symonds Street Underpass at least six times...basically I walked around more than I needed to. I woke up at like 6 (UNPRECEDENTED) and William drove us in to Tamaki...then it started raining and I was just wearing a T-shirt and pants. It was cold, yes.

Anyway the rest of the day is boring, etc. Had to audition for choir. Apparently, I'm going to have to sing Bass (II) - which means the lowest part. o_O I'm not entirely sure why she picked that but...

Took the 52 home cause William left ages ago (next week onwards he's gonna have to wait a silly amount of hours though ;_;)...met Sonny on the bus, which is the only time I'll ever meet him cause I got to go home way before 5.30 this time because Physics Lab doesn't start until next week.

Yup, that's it.

UNIVERSITY TOMORROW IM EXCITED and scared

Band practice today was okay. I've lost my touch but I'll get it back slowly. Kit I'm playing on is some poo entry level one, but...it'll do for now :) I mean, it's still wicked as fun to play in a band. Have to somehow get that pedal to stop falling off though, and also a slightly lower drum-seat, and move the rack toms down a bit but I need one of those special twisty things for that.

Yeah.

UNIVERSITY TOMORROW

I packed:

My textbook for Physics 150 (still in shitty shrinkwrap, along with book for 120 which I don't need and plan to sell. Must remember to put notice up on physics noticeboard. wonder if I can just plonk a notice up there.)

Lunch. A muffin with what looks like oreos mashed on top and some jam of some description throughout, and two Uncle Toby's Chewy muesli bars (yeah, I emptied the box. Phoeey).

Pencil case. Feels kinda empty, it only has two blue pens, two red pens, two pencils and an eraser and a pencil sharpener. Hmm.

Folder, with two half-used pads of refill, and one pad of manuscript.

Wallet.

Mobile.

HAHHA i can bring my mobile to university.

Hmm. I have orientation and a lecture at the same time. ;_;

I just spent two and a half hours mowing our lawn. Finished now. -_- Richard doesn't do his job in a month, and I end up having to do it. Ah well, it actually wasn't that bad, a good workout...though my hands kinda hurt now from the random vibration and I need to use my hands for the rest of the day...hmm.

Meh.

Today, I am going to mow the lawn because some dickhead couldn't manage to do what he was supposed to do, for an entire month. THANKS

-_-

THE TOM GREEN SHOW IS REALLY SILLY HAHAHHAHA

William obviously hates it. Don't blame him. But I find it hilarious.

Watched Matrix Revolutions today. Understood a bit more of it (LIKE HOW AGENT SMITH IS A VIRUS IN THE SYSTEM LOLOL DUH HE REPLICATES HIMSELF DUH) and stuff. If only Matrix Online was free...imagine a matrix inside an online world inside a matrix. Whoa.

Also today William and my mum went grocery shopping, right, and he bought some Just Juice Bubbles. There was so much bubbling goin on that when I opened it it basically exploded forth with bubbles and I had to change my pants. Not because I crapped myself or anything, but because they got sticky. From the juice. The drinkable juice. The one that William bought. The Just Juice Bubbles.

Hmm. Oh yeah, went into Botany today with Brad he went to buy an amp and...while we were in Rockshop his car got broken into O_O Car stereo was lost, glovebox emptied, etc. The Rockshop staff were really good though they called in the constable and stuff. Brad's family has insurance. -_-

I am now leader of Cello section of Academy again. Cause Jocellin is going to Korea. o_O I really need to practice.

I hate you, Sam Ling -_- I know you're way better than me but no need to shove it in my face everytime you see me.

And also I'm excited/worried/annoyed that I am going into Uni on Monday.

Can't think of anything else I want to announce at the moment. Yup.

AFTER SCHOOL CARE - HOWICK date posted: 15/02/2005

Start Date: A.S.A.P
End Date : Ongoing
Days per Week: 3.00 flex
Hours per Day: 2.50 3pm-5:30pm
Hourly Rate : $ 9.40 GROSS
WkExp Required : Childcare
Driving Licence: None
Vacancies: 1
Fun, enthusiastic students wanted for this after school care
role. Experience is preferred but more important is your
outgoing personality and feeling comfortable working with
children! You will be overseeing board games such as sports
and activities and making sure the kids are happy. Longer
hours over the holidays.
** If you require a referral to this Job, note the Reference Nbr
** and apply, IN PERSON, to the Contact office shown below


Contact Auckland Central SJS Office Category Recreation
Reference 287497 Region Auckland
Location Auckland City East

Hello. My dad now has a blog. ^^"

I think I've been too harsh on him. He's a nice person, really. Unlike some people I know. Hmm.

Today, did the following:

Picked up film. Okay, while it was dang expensive for all those prints, they were holy crap awesomely printed. I'm so glad they came out really well, I'm gonna scan some in so that the people in Taiwan and stuff can have a look. :)

William got his simcard replaced.

Mum went to help with the Auckland Lantern Festival.

Went into the city:

COMPSCI Orientation. Basically, some guy outside the computer lab was being really nice and friendly, told me I needed to buy the course manual or something (which I eventually did, and damn it's thick and looks confusing ;_;) and the guys inside set up my NetID and stuff. It was some random Mainland Chinese people, and basically they were arguing the moment I got in and then one of them had to help me mwahhahaha.

I joined AUSA (no other clubs yet though. Meat club sounds interesting but don't think I need to eat much more food). Got free shit. Promptly threw most of it away (like fliers and stuff. -_- There were free magazines but apparently by the time I got there they only had the Listener left (FHM was gone) and by the time William got there, there were no more free pack things.) Kept the diary and wall planner. Threw away the stupid orientation magazine.

Switched accounts from School to Tertiary. Will be interesting...they say it'll be finalized in a week or so. Oh yeah, does anyone want to switch to National Bank? You'll get a free backpack >.> (actually all the banks are giving out free stuff if you join with them...like a free CD or mobile credit or who knows what else) I had to get an invoice printed from the Clocktower first though.

Ate some of my mum's noodles. MMM (a bit pricey at $4 though, I'm sure it costs half that to make or something)

Hmm. Oh yeah, bought textbook for Physics 150. IT comes bundled with the one you need for Physics 120. I am not taking 120. If someone wants to buy it off me, PLEASE DO I'll sell it cheaper than UBS does.

Saw David. Didn't bring present because I didn't think I would see him. He was five minutes late to his Engineering orientation anyway.

---

Came home. Tried to get to Brad's house (this is Brad who used to be in FFOF and is now in FFOF again and stuff). Got lost. Called Thomas. He was having dinner, gave instructions to get there. Got lost. Called Brad, got house number. People arrived in the following order:

Me
Thomas + Tineke
Ellen + Craig

John and Caz were supposed to be there.

Emma

OMGOMG I haven't seen these people for ages. I swear I've seen Craig before, somewhere. Maybe I was drunk when I did. Maybe.

Hmm.

Yeah but...because I went to that (was invited to that first, it was kinda a semi band-meeting) I missed out on Sonny's movie night. Hmm.

When me and William went to get a 10-trip bus pass, they were closed. -_- Will have to get them on Monday.

Hmm. I think I've spent all the money my dad gave me for this month o_O I paid for his gym membership. Today was the last day it was on Earlybird Special or something like that. I deposited $700...

And then I've spent $120 on Altec Lansing....$170 gym membership...$60 photos...I'm sure there's other stuff I bought too...hmmm...

I wonder if I should change my $NT...wonder how much I'll get...hmm...Xe.com says at this very second I'm getting 423.742 NZD. This is assuming they don't charge a commission. Hmm. Wonder if I should free up that $400...hmm...

This probably isn't a good time since NZ currency's going really strong at the moment. I probably need a job, or something.

William has braces now ^^"

Auckland University today.
Picking up films today.
Switching accounts to Tertiary at National Bank today. Apparently I need my invoice. I find out after I throw them all out. HAHAHAH *ahem*
Gonna have to find out where all my classes are.
Get my NetID so I can use Cecil so I can buy my textbooks.
Get a bag of free stuff.
Bus pass?
AUSA? Clubs? o_O Meat club bahahah.

This new computer is truly awesome. Just watched Matrix Reloaded, the second half of it. o_O SOUNDS AWESOME

yeah. Ahem. Anyway thought I'd just mention how crappy Auckland University is. Anyone who has seen my ID card can attest to that. I have what is possibly the world's worst looking ID photo. It's not that I look bad, it's that I don't look, at all, like anything. -_-

Also, Ming now has to pay $250 because he signed up for a student loan a week before fees were due - which is two weeks too late for Studylink to get it done. While fees suck...I dunno. I'm just lucky I got to pay with my dad/mum's credit card. o_O

MUSIC HAS NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD AT HOME

holy crap 5.1 Altec Lansing speakers. GOLD. PURE GOLD. Matoya's Cave by Black Mages just sounds incredible!!!

I'm glad we bought them. I'm sure my mum will take one look at the wire running across the floor to the rear left speaker and say "nah" though. But whatever. XD IT SOUNDS AWESOME sonny come round some day and you can listen

This new computer...it is so totally kickass. Not only does it look awesome with the somehow uncanny matching colour-scheme of black and silver (well, maybe not the mouse), but it's FAST and it's AWESOME. The only problem is sometimes it crashes due to the DVD drive not being able to read some CDs and then it crashes instead of sensibly just not reading it. ;_; Probably going to get some nice 5.1s today. Yeah. Going into Uni tomorrow because that makes more sense, or something.

-_- my mum is not letting me buy a drum kit. What am I gonna tell the band?

And why won't my dad let me bring that drum kit over which is rusting away in a clinic's upper floors...-_-

OH YEAH i got my cambridge results back today:

PHYSICS : 71% (B)
MATHS: 70% (B)
PHOTOGRAPHY: 67% (C)

bahahhahahahaHAHAHAH i got into Uni with those shitty marks. even got offered a place in Engineering. WTFWTF bahah

Hello. I am in New Zealand now. Leaving Taiwan airport was really sad. I thought that I might get away without crying, unlike last year, but well, history repeated.

;_;

I'll miss y'all!

---

But now that I'm in NZ it's kinda slowly gearing up to start for Uni. Looking into a monitor for our new computer and a 5.1 (those Altec Lansings looked good) and stuff. There was rotting fruit in the house which somebody (ahem) didn't clean up. I think that may have contributed to my general sneeziness when I entered the house yesterday. Also! Went to Dick Shit and apparently they got their shit together, haven't tested it yet but got the computer back. So now, uh, we have two new computers, because basically Sick Dmith replaced everything...o_O CDrom, motherboard...ram...we even got a ram upgrade cause this new motherboard could only handle DDR ram. XD I dunno what we're gonna do with it though.

Wall mounting for new monitor? Could be cool. Another $60.

-_- Went to try get films developed too, holy crap, took a while to find somebody who'd actually process the black and white film I had. And it's gonna take five business days o_O (so that's Tuesday)...and um I also got "ripped off" cause I didn't process film at Warehouse's filmy place, instead I went to Camera House in Pakuranga or something. Meh.

Hmm hmm hmm it's all good oh yeah I'm not leader of Academy anymore yay ^_^ And uh, Sonny, join please kthnx.

That's all for now. I'm sure I had a lot more to say but I'm tired, bye!

-oh yeah I got through the MAF thingy fine. I had this old guy who was getting really pissed off at the guy behind me cause that guy kept crossing the red line without being called over...anyway my old guy opened up my box of food, looked at the lays chips and said "is that all you have", and I said "nah I've got some pastry stuff at the bottom" and he's like oh okay whatever and basically just sealed the box back up XD

So, I enjoyed the yummy Old Woman Biscuits or whatever their name actually is.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=7679867

http://everquest2.station.sony.com/pizza/

I love the tone that's in your laugh
gasping for an extra breath
Waiting for the time to pass
I believe in days ahead
Don't spend another night alone
Cross and wishing you were dead

Mary, you shouldn't let 'em make you mad
You hold the best you can
And Mary, after all the pain is gone
I'm always gonna live to be your man.

I've had it easy now you see
When I'm down you're always there
Standing by to comfort me
Someday we'll go round the world
I'll make the journey so sublime
I know you're not a travelin' girl

Mary, you shouldn't let 'em make you mad
You hold the best you can
And Mary, after all the pain is gone
I'm always gonna live to be your man.

Cause I'd give everything i have
Forget all the things that bring me joy
If you could have one day
Pure and simple happiness
Until that moment comes
I'll be here where i've always been
I'm gonna be your friend
Until the day i die

Mary, you shouldn't let 'em make you mad
You hold the best you can
And Mary, after all the pain is gone
I'm always gonna live to be your man.

(hold on....)

I leave Taiwan today; -_- sadness its sad

I really wouldn't be nearly as sad if I knew when I'd be able to come back again. But ah well, I suppose really it has been a long holiday here. I've really, really enjoyed it. Guys in Kaohsiung, if you're reading, thank you again! Thank you for your hospitality, your friendliness, it really made this holiday...one of the best in my life (yes that includes all excursions and trips everywhere)

Yaknow, now that I think of it...

This really has been the best holiday. Malaysia trip this time round was awesomeage too...Sonny's presence meant we got to run around and see a lot of things...Taiwan was AWESOMEage as well. Man...

I'm really gonna miss this place...even just the apartment...my grandpa constantly telling me to turn my headphones down cause he thinks they hurt ears or something...cable TV...the wooden floor (which I'm due to vacuum after I take a shower)....the bread (it's so FRESH) the milk (it has a unique Taiwan flavour) my cousin my aunt my uncles...

Yeah...

Left to right is: me, mushroom aunty, my aunt, bravery aunt and her daughter. Yes, that is a Sars mask, it was a really cold day (note my coat) and she was sick.

Hello, I just came back from what is probably my last outing in Taiwan :(

Points of note:

- I went on a "hot springs excursion"...yes, the same kind I went on last year (okay not really, that wasn't an excursion that was just hot springs)...yes, it's the kind where you get totally naked with people you don't even know and sit in water they're also simultaneously sitting in.

- The first one we went to was a government owned one at a place called "Yang Ming Shan", which translate in to Sun something Mountain, or something. Anyway. It's free cause it's government run but it was also pretty basic. One toilet, which was kinda scungy looking, the lame squatter kind, and basic wooden cubby holes for clothing + personal items, a small exterior area and the hot-mountain-spring-water-container-thing place itself. There were old men here while I was there and they were really boring cause they were all speaking really loudly in Taiwanese, which I don't understand. Yeah. But it was kinda relaxing, especially since this weekend it's been REALLY COLD (5 degrees celsius! FOG! WIND CHILL FACTOR!).

- The second one we went to was a Japanese styled one, which was really high class and costs normally around $30 a pop in NZ (roughly NT $600) but since we bought concession tickets it was NT $400...this one was AWESOME. Black tiled hot spring pool thing, lockable lockers with personal keys attached on little spring thingies which you hold on to. (Okay that may not make sense but I know what I'm talking about >.>), two toilets, which were clean, and nice...sauna, with/without steam, exterior view of Wu-lai mountains and an exterior hot-spring area, showers (inside and outside), free bottled water, shampoo, shower gel, hairbrushes for use afterwards (steriliser machine as well), toothpaste toothbrush free facetowel and waterproof bag for you to keep, fluffy towels, free razors, shaving gel, about four mirrors upstairs (the area was multilayered)...and a really flash design. Awesome relaxation...I basically sat in that black-tiled pool and enjoyed the hot water and the really cold breeze from the window, at the same time. ah,......

I feel sorry for the cleaner guy who has to work there though cause he has to watch naked men sit in hot water all day, and stuff.

There was free tea afterwards too...and all the staff were nice and friendly, although it did get a bit creepy hearing welcome about five times in a row. When we were gonna leave this guy tried to "escort me to the car I'll drive home" o_O I don't think I look that old.

...

Yeah that was hot springs. Went to sleep at policewoman aunty's house again. You know how my aunt has a superfriends group, 10 of them? ...

There were 10 good friends in Kaohsiung, three of them moved to Taipei when they got married (policewoman, babysitter, my aunt), four still in Kaohsiung and three in Taichung (i think...)...yeah anyway two Kaohsiung ones came up to Taipei for the weekend for this excursion thing.

The two ones I met this time (I saw them when I was in Kaohsiung but I didnt really get talk to them):

Mushroom Aunty - I don't know what she does for a job but she gave dried mushrooms for me and my aunt to take back to Taipei when I was in Kaohsiung so I'm gonna call her this from now on. XD She's the "blonde" of the group, and the oldest, and there's a whole lot of really funny stories about her which I will probably tell really badly so I won't.

Bravery Aunty - She has a daughter, and she's really cool and friendly. I'm gonna call her Bravery Aunty cause my aunt says she's not like mushroom aunty and scared of being taken away by strangers or something. Yeah.

---

That's it for now. I leave soon :( :( :( supersad Hi guys in Kaohsiung if you are reading, I'm still thinking of y'all!

There may be photos soon. Maybe.

Hello. Did I mention anything about getting lost while going to buy a meal and newspaper for my grandpa? Well, I did it again (got lost) while buying food in preparation for today's trip into the mountains for hot springs! Yeah. IT's really quite cold today, I don't think it has been this cold since I came here...yeah...hmm...

I think I had something profound to say, like the meaning of life, but I always forget it the moment I click the "Create Post" button. :)

Tena Koe Henry,

Thank you for your enquiry to The University of Auckland.

Your assumption is correct. A preferred name is simply the name you wish to
be known by, but the legal name must correspond exactly with the official
documentation (such as your passport) that you provide to us.

If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us via one of
the avenues listed below.

Kind regards,

Caroline Reid

---

AWESOME!!!! Quick someone think of an incredibly witty name. Please, don't give me Hugh Jazz.

http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html

I'm off to eat some Japanese style um hot-plate food stuff. Thing. It's hard to explain but it's nice, I did it last year.

According to Babelfish, this is the contents of the letter I wrote to my mum:

"My present, in Taiwan, studies many Chinese - to be allowed to use Chinese to write a letter for you! The aunt said compared me to owe is much better . Good pulls, I have 1. to plan the English position she 乓 to arrange in me help me 1., but I really have study the but actually very many Xin's character I must ask attend your - me the university must go to the money is must such the luck? My "student loan" now a now too 嫚, the body sentiment did not say.. Is must use your "credit card"? Aunt Ye asks on you the pond comes Taiwan after the husband to want me presently to stay time New Zealand or to slide says your in July Taiwan's time? My township pen Ye in front of the one is coming Taiwan very much.. May? :)"

-_-

Henry The University of Auckland

Current Total Balance: $5,222.58

...

Apparently, they need that 58 cents.

Well...yeah. Okay. I can't pay by student loan in time I don't think because it takes three weeks and fees are due 21st...and...I dont know whether to ask my mum for credit card or...

Holy crap I dunno what to do -_-

Maaaa do I pay with credit card, if so, please email me your number.

Did I ever mention I have an irrational fear of canisters of anything flammable? Yeah. I do. Petrol tankers are the worst.

I also haven't eaten at McDonalds ever since I found blood on the lettuce of my Big Mac.

Guess what "Scissor Sisters" is a term for?

Hi. Just came back from Shilin Night Market. I did the following which I really wanted to do:

Buy a string-part-of-necklace thing from the night market to hold the pendant I bought today. The pendant...it's actually quite nice and feels a lot meatier and substantial than the ones on sale at Shilin. Maybe that justifies the price tag.

Ate the following:

Mien Mien Bing (basically like...snow! YAY it was SO nice)
Da Bing Bao Xiao Bing (big biscuit wrapping small biscuit) mmmm peanut flavour
Shui Jian Bao (water fried bun...I had a meat and a vege one. With sauce.)
Tako-yaki (octopus ball things)

Yum!

Am listening to Black Mages II: The skies above. Yeah okay I was gonna buy it but nobody was selling it so...feh. It's pretty good! I'm glad I didn't believe the reviews that flogged it. I think Zeromus is good at this speed...it's good at any speed. I can't wait to hear Hunter's Chance, it better be good.

:) :)

Some people from Kaohsiung are coming up tomorrow, yay, more fun for the weekend. I don't wanna leave Taiwan :(

LAYS CHIPS ARE AWESOME

Tahiti Yellow Lemon flavour...ooooooh! Lemony, fresh, not too greasy, crisp...


Lays you rock.

ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
how do u like my new internet name
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
butter pillow? i seriously thought it was a chick until i moused over and got the email addy
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
WTF
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
i take taht as an insult SIR
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
XD
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
i know
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
but dont u think it has a loafy comfortable ring to it
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
it didn't come from butterchicken
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
it came from butterflies
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
then i thgouth what about butterdog
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
but it sounded like some new all american basebal ffood
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
...
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
butterpillow soundsl ike butterscotch which is candy
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
candy is a girls name
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
-.,-
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
butterflies, are feminine
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
thta's a weird link
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
BUTTERDOG
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
butter chicken reminds me of rikky
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
i kno
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
butterdog reminds me of hot dog which reminds me of a penis.
[ButterPillow] 021 1585 204 says:
-.,-
[-=Blak=-] » blakomen.blogspot.com -:- www.ffof.tk [64] [Six Degrees of Dream Theater kickass.] says:
so either way, you're either a girl, black, or a dick

Hello. Today, I woke up, vacuumed the house, and then in the afternoon went with my aunty to something like a day-market. (Maybe Sunday market is the right term...) She had to buy some stuff for herself and my mum and some other friends and she said that there were tons of necklaces for sale there too. What I didn't know that it was wholesale...I saw a pendant I really liked but it was way too expensive (about 25 in NZ) but then she randomly asked someone with a "wholesaler's card"...and everything became half-price...XD RIDICULOUSLY CHEAP

In the area was also handmade sushi, NT$10 for each piece - fresh made - I stood there and watched the dude make it for a while. Holy crap he was fast and it tasted real nice - there was a wide variety of sushi too, eel, fish eggs, tamago, mmmmmmm

Anyway yeah. And then afterwards I went to my aunty's friends house (the one who goes to the same injury rehabilitation centre as her but for rolling her ankle I think, not a knife cut) and they poured me "kung-fu tea" (basically the really artsy Chinese pouring tea ceremony-ish thing) and it was really nice. I can still taste it in my mouth...mmmm...I only found out halfway through that I was drinking really high grade tea and it was costing them roughly $50 per cup. o_O

But it was nice. They had a cool collection of unique teacups and stuff too, it was very nice of them to go to the trouble of displaying it all for me to take photos of. I may go to Shi-Lin Night Market today, depending on whether the drizzle outside clears up or not.

Yup.

Remember when I said I met a three legged dog last year in Hua Lien? Yeah.

1. Study really hard for 7th Form.
2. Get a girlfriend.
3. Be so totally awesome and cool that people will shatter into ice cubes if they can't handle the cool.
4. Eat healthy and stay healthy.

Those were my resolutions from last year. As you can see, none of them turned out really well. I don't think some of those are even possible now...

Okay maybe I did number three. HYAH And a bit of four...I don't eat to be full I eat to not be hungry now. If that makes sense...

Yeah I've been reading through old blog posts. ;_; I must have been such a twat a year ago. Or maybe yesterday. Time seems...so long.

OH YEAH I FORGOT today, the funniest crap happened. Okay I was walking near GuangHua bridge (where I bought music CDs) right, and there were food stalls blocking the pedestrian entry..anyway. A cop came along on a scooter and they all ran away like crazy XD IT WAS REALLY FUNNY but I felt kinda stink for those people. ;_; it's their job, both the people going against the law, and the cops. ;_;

My aunty told me Leo wore the X-box cap I gifted him to school today. :D

Here are some Kaohsiung photos. BE WARNED I POSTED THEM BACKWRADS OR SOMETHING SO GO TO THE BOTTOM OF HTE SET AND READ UPWARDS okay thanks

This is "toilet icecream". XD XD XD You get to keep the toilet...

Using the amazing powers of resonance, my cousin was able to get this simple looking bowl of water to spray like a mofo. This photo was in the long buildup to him actually succeeding. ^^"

This is killer bee baby wine!

I'm getting lazy. I will post more later (later could well be much later...) but the most crucial photos I have to share right now are: this. This is killer bee wine...basically they have wine and then they pour live killer bees into it...the bees get drunk and then die. Yum!

This is in the same room...the chair you see in the previous picture is the computer chair. Anyway, this was everybody watching me sift through William's blog for pictures of my sister (who was with me when I visited five years ago) and also to download Man 'o War. Yup. The one looking at the camera directly is...

Mkay. This is David, Amy and Leo playing some random card-game which I don't understand. The cards have animals on them. This was at the Hsuieh family house (not sure if I spelt that correctly), which I visited about five years ago and had fond memories of then...yes...

This is the shared meal in party room in apartment complex. Lots of nice food. Christmas decorations were still up...>.>

This is David in the swimming pool in the apartment complex they live in...(its a really good apartment complex...) I know, there is no water...he isn't drowning either...they empty out the pool for winter unlike at policewoman aunty's house...where they leave it, and just don't clean it, and things like tadpoles and frogs take over...yeah. ^^

This is Chen Hong Chia (Leo), younger brother of Amy and David. This is him (attempting :P) to play I think it was snooker...it involved red balls or something...anyway we were just sinking balls for points. Funny story: His original English name was Wewe. When I asked why it was this, he said someone chose it for him. I said that I'd help him find a better one, and we came up with Leo because it's short, easy to say and remember and only has three letters. And plus, if you squint, he kinda looks like a lion. :) Oh yeah this pool/snooker table is in the apartment complex, near the swimming pool and the party room where we were eating that day.

Okay. On the right is David's younger sister, Chen Hong Jin (I think...anyway her English name is Amy) and on the left is someone who lives in the same apartment complex which David's family live in. We were on B1, enjoying a shared meal which lots of people cooked for. There was Taiwanese Sausages. Yum. More on the apartment complex later. Also, I went to the person on the left's house (I'm sorry I don't remember her name) the night before I was due to leave Kaohsiung...her dad is REALLY funny and they poured really cool tea and some stupid movie was playing on TV and we were half watching it kinda but not really, it was called Soldier and involved a snake of some kind...yeah...anyway and the person on the left's mum actually cooked for me some Taiwanese Sausages because I was leaving soon...at like....1 in the morning ;_; thank you so much, I was greatly moved by this gesture...

On the way back from Kaohsiung, we saw this. Flying object, long jet-steam-smoke-trail thing behind it, moving relatively slowly....;_; I got really scared that it was something apocalyptical and stuff...but it was okay, I think. William says it be a comet while David's dad says it be low flying jetplane whose smoke-trail has been made orange by sunset. Hmm.

This is us enjoying said seafood of Kaohsiung fame. There is something wrong with this picture, which only those in the know will know. Please, for those of you who know, do not ruin the fun. Oh yeah, we were also having drinks and stuff. Mostly the drink.

which turns out to be a parrot. \o/

This is Chen Hong Ren (David) in the process of making something...

This is Chijin or...whatever it actually is, I don't remember the name perfectly but yeah. This is what it looks like from a tall building place...it's beachside (obviously) and it's famous for fresh seafood...

Ferry to Kaohsiung. I know, you are wondering how I took a photo of the ferry when in fact I was on the ferry. WELL IM MAGICAL AND I FLEW OVER (but actually the ferries work in shifts, the moment one leaves the dock one arrives.)

This is the game which we played to win the balloons. Basically, you throw a ping pong ball before the little cup things and if you get it in a cup you get points.

Phew. For a moment, I thought Hello died on my computer but I figured out that Hello, the photo posting blog program thing, isn't cool enough to handle folders with Chinese characters. Anyway. This is me with Chen Hong Ren, my mum's brother's wife's younger sister's son. He's in last year of Primary School and we discovered his secret talent of making balloon animals, after we went to a place called ChiGong and we played a little game thing and we picked modelling balloons as a prize. Yeah.

WTF www.ffof.tk NOT WORKING WTF

;_;

Also, I bought some Lay's chips today. Someone in Kaohsiung said that the guy advertising them on TV is cool and I reminded me of them. That was one factor of me buying it. I don't have a photo of said advertisor. I will not consume the chips until later today.

I LOVE DREAM THEATER MORE THAN CHOCOLATE

There I said it its true

Bought "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence". HOLY CRAP ITS AWESOME

\o/ Dream Theater you are my hero.

---

William, do you remember the Dinosaur Restaurant? I saw it from the outside today. So many memories flooding back...that...there was an elevator in it somewhere...and bone chairs...and some time I watched Congo and I was really scared and those floral patterns on the walls really freaked me out, and I didn't want the door closed while I was taking a shower...and a McDonalds and me playing with a toy car on the floor somewhere in some non-descript playground under the glare of flourescent lights..

Yes. Today, I went to some Tom's Music World or some other guy's "Music World" HOLY CRAP there was a craplot of stuff. I played around with almost everything, tee hee, the Yamaha Scratcher thing is awesome. \o/ Under $1500 for a Pearl ELX drumkit. Dunno if thats cheaper than in NZ. Hmm.

Went looking for Game OSTs, specifically Black Mages II (I want that so bad) and also Finding Neverland Soundtrack. Didn't get either but ended up with:

MGS I OST
MGS II OST
MGS III OST
DT: Six Degrees
Hero Movie Soundtrack (The Asian one)
some random japanese piano thing


okay thats about it im hungry dinner is soon but I will leave you with a googlefight.com result:

PENIS: 24,200,000 results
VAGINA: 7,860,000 results

Winnar is wang


okay bye

Best typo of today:

Sonny Lee: computer = cumpuber

ROFL

okay ill shut up, little immature me mwhaha

(sorry for all the little kids readin)

Yeah okay here's the Kaohsiung Blog. There's a lot of ground to cover, I may get fed up half way and stop but at least I would have given it a shot.

:::The Day We Leave Kaohsiung

William wasnt able to go because his plane flight didn't allow it because he needs to go back to Malaysia earlier to get his stitches removed and teeth pulled out (four hahha just like I did) and my first uncle didnt want to go either because my grandpa has a bum leg and he is worried about leaving him here in Taipei alone and stuff so...in the end only me, my cool cousin and my cool aunt went down.

Buses. Holy crap, were they the awesomest buses I'd ever ridden in my life. Comfortable leather seating with inbuilt visual and video game functions, massage functions and adjustable headrests with inbuilt speakers. XD

Okay it wasn't THAT awesome (the video games were nes games which were really cool and old school - Excite Bike anyone? and the movies were looped etc but it was still REALLY cool) massage functions was definitely the awesomest part of it.

yeah anyway went on bus got back

hmm

it was just awesome

see im lazy now. Intersting points:

There's a river called "Love River" in Kaohsiung. I took photos but it was on my SLR so I'll have to wait till I go to NZ and get them printed. Also, I met my mother's older brother's wife's younger brother's wife's sister. TAKE TAHT

Yeah. It was awesome sorry I'm lazy now

Hello. No, this still isn't about Kaohsiung but I got two emails from there...

anyway this is about:

My Grandpa Today
----------------

Today I went to buy a chicken and prawn Yoshinoya set meal for him, and a newspaper from 7-11, at my first uncle's behest. Anyway, I walked in the wrong direction the first time (there was a 7-11 in that direction but not the Yoshinoya) but got it in the end. Anyway, I did everything right and stuff, except that I wasn't supposed to buy the meal with the chawan-mushi but when I brought it back I ate it anyway cause nobody wanted it. It was nice. Yeah.

Anyway I bought a plastic bag, and last time when William went to buy a meal for him from Yoshinoya he forgot that my grandpa really, REALLY likes people buying plastic bags...long story short he got told off real bad XD (something along the lines of your mother and intercourse)

Moral: Always buy a plastic bag along with your meal.

[nb. In Taiwan most places require an extra NT$1 for a plastic bag. Translates to about..5 cents in NZ. This was encouraged by the government to cut down on trash. It actually works really well, I hardly see plastic bags flying around, unlike malaysia. People stash them away and stuff...except people like my grandpa who insist that they be bought, with the reasoning "it's only a dollar dont be so thrifty i like to spend money so i feel higher in the social ladder".]

Yup. :P

Stupid computer I can't get Chinese input to work properly, you know, the one where you type it in romanized and then you press enter and it lets you select stuff...yeah, that one. -_-

;_;

Hmm. While I'm still procrastinating, I wonder what happens if I change my "preferred name" in auckland university's ndeva thing...where it says preferred and formal...what if I put something like Dumbass...hmmm

*contemplates*

Oh phew nDeva I just checked, they've updated Mus 144 to reflect that it's offered in Semester 2. Same time as Semester one. slots into my timetable like PERFECTION. phew. I wanted to get the 9 points out of the way first then do 7 points, but i guess it just wasn't meant to be.

oh yeah i still have to blog about kaohsiung

While it's copying (15 seconds remaining) I went to my aunt's friend's house who works as a babysitter today. Together we planned out what we could do for the remainder of my trip here. Etc. It was fun, and she had some cakes and stuff from Kaohsiung ;_; i miss that place already...

Hello. I actually really can't be stuffed typing about Kaohsiung, but I want to remember it too so I guess I don't have a choice. (Damn those people who haven't invented auto-memory-recorder-things)

But first about today while that's still fresh in my mind. What did I do today...hmm well if you count from midnight I was still awake until about one in the morning, William's last day in Taiwan. He will probably get to go more often than me now though because my mum says his Chinese is better than mine, or something ;_; its not fair I've learnt a lot toooo :( anyway yeah and then went to sleep. Oh yeah and somehow I awoke sometime between then and 5.00 am in the morning when William left for the airport to music that my cousin was listening to. Dunno why.

Okay, that was really irrelevant. I'm just procrastinating now, cause I did a lot in Kaohsiung...

Hmm okay. I lost track of the days they all seem to have melted into one now but yeah okay STOP PROCRATSINATING

let me load some photos onto my laptop first (load means ALL mwahhaha)

Just came back from Kaohsiung it was SO AWESOME THANK YOU EVERYBODY THANK YOU FOR SUCH A GREAT TIME :D

I will blog more later. :) William leaving Taiwan :(

Hello.

My first uncle knows how to drive a tank.

My second uncle is an alcoholic.

My cousin is studying to be a vetenarian. Did I spell that right? Hmm.

My aunt is about ten years younger than my first uncle, I think.

My grandfather is now using a walking frame cause something happened, I'm not quite sure what.

Oh yeah. HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

Me and tank driver and to-be vet and my aunt and William went around to pray at various temple sites. Maybe you shouldn't include William for obvious reasons. Anyway, it was not too bad...the incense breaking off and burning you isn't too fun and neither is smoke in the eyes and neither is this random old guy telling you to lift your incense stick higher...but I think I got over those things.

Hmm yeah also they give out these little booklets which have kind of Chinese Astrology information in them, and according to that book, I (born in year of rabbit 1987) will have "bad luck" (by bad luck I should probably say unfortunate event, or maybe just...I have to work harder during those months or be careful I dunno) on the 3rd and 9th month in the lunar calender...3rd month says I must be careful, a little mistake can make a big downfall, and 9th says something like there is an unavoidable monetary expense I must make. Dunno. (sounds a lot like student loan to me -_-)

Yeah. I didn't have any lucky months either. William gets no bad months and about 4 lucky months. -_-

^^ this is if you put weight in the booklet, of course.

Anyway. It's 1pm - bus for Kaohshiung leaves at 3.00pm from the station, exactly. So, this may be last blog in a while. Hmm. Unless I find a way there. I'm really excited, I haven't been in a while and there's people I wanna meet again :)

So, hi Rikky, nice to see you "come back" again, David, thanks for making me think for a bit, it was fun if not futile. Hmm. Yeah.

Bye! (happy chinese new year again, even for those of you who dont give a crap)

^^" more...

If early earth had oxygen in its atmosphere, the amino acids that would have been required for the first cell to form would have been destroyed by oxidation. However a lack of oxygen would've meant a lack of ozone which would've meant a lot of radiation which would've meant a lack of life. Either way, life is screwed. Oxygen and life could only have appeared simultaneously.

--- I don't remember the last time I breathed in ozone. (ie why would ozone be on the floor?) And if they did appear simultaneously..well...what?


Ancient cultures did have a lot of legends. And out of legend you can usually discover a truth that the legend is based on. When every single ancient culture ever discovered has a legend about a great catastrophic world-wide flood in which only a few people were saved who then had to restart the human race, you start to wonder.

--- Yeah but I bet not all the legends involve a story about two animals of each. Maybe there was a big flood. Who knows? If there was...so what? Cataclysmic events occur, nobody doubts that, the dinosaurs know better than most...the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico or whatever knows too.

According to the conventional theory of star formation, stars formed from swirling balls of gas and dust that were condensed by gravity to form stars. Their heat comes from the tremendous work done by gravity or something. If the sun and solar system evolved from a ball of gas, where has the gas that didnt form the sun and the planets and stuff gone? Into the sun? Nope, we'd have an infra-red fireworks display if it was. Out into space? Not there either - gravity wouldn't let it. It simply doesn't exist. Where oh where did our solar system come from?

--- ...the gas is still here...gas is a changeable state too, don't forget...

According to the teory of plate-techtonics, the mid-oceanic ridge is where plates are being formed. The ridges are supposedly in the middle of plates and consist of material "gushing" out from the mantle and spreading out to form the plate. This would possibly explain why Africa and America are moving slowly apart (like - 1 inch per year). However there is no geographical evidence to validate this belief. I'm not going to go into that now though.

--- So, a huge ridge isn't geographic evidence?

When they say "terrestrial-like brines, and earthlike isotopic patterns" they essentially mean that the meteors look like chunks of garden hurled out into space. This does indeed "implicate earth as their source". The things they found on them either came from earth or earth's undiscovered identical twin very recently (like within a few thousand years). Incidently, to say life was seeded from somewhere else removes the problem of explaining how life evolved on earth, by transfering it to the problem of explaining how life arose on whatever planet we were supposedly seeded from. That doesn't even slightly help.

--- Neither does this answer...I don't understand. And anyway, who's to say the people picking up the rocks are 100% correct? They could have mistaken a rock for a meteorite.

An amino acid is more than a peice of spaghetti. There are two types of amino acids - left and right-handed. Each amino acid molecule's made up of a LOT of smaller molecules. These molecules had to come together simultaneously to form one amino acid. There is a 50/50 chance that that amino acid will be either left handed or right handed. A protein molecule is made up of hundreds (usually) of amino acids. Not only that but they are all right-handed. Left-handed molecules are toxic. Not only that, but becuase of nature constantly trying to return to equilibrium, even if an amino acid did miraculously spontaneously form, it would instantly decay into its constituent molecules. No more amino acid, unless the whole protein spontaneously formed and instantly started working in its correct place in the cell (which must also spontaneously form).

--- Oh okay. So you're saying somehow, somewhere, someone NOT made of amino acids shoved some amino acids together? I dunno. Don't like that notion.

A planet hit by a comet would break up before it began spinning in the opposite direction.

--- Jupiter didn't break up when it got hit by Shoemaker Levy-9.

-:In Response To David:-

1. Where has macroevolution ever been observed? What’s the mechanism for getting new complexity, such as new vital organs? If any of the thousands of vital organs evolved, how could the organism live before getting the vital organ? (Without a vital organ, the organism is dead—by definition.) If a reptile’s leg evolved into a bird’s wing, wouldn’t it become a bad leg long before it became a good wing? How could metamorphosis evolve?

Macroevolution? Evolution occurs over such a long period that it probably isn't very realistic for us to be able to "observe" it. I mean, fossil records as they are - do you know how unlikely a fossil is? Very, very, very unlikely. An organism has to die (first of all) and then die in the right place, in the right conditions, and not be disturbed for billions/millions of years and THEN finally have someone come across it by chance. Those odds are...very small. So, fossils really aren't an accurate record of the entire history of the world - just one snapshot. Can you say you truly know a person from one picture? Hmm.

The mechanism for gaining new complexity, uh, I think you mean evolution again, this is that whole chance thing isn't it...hmm. Well, obviously, an organism without a vital organ isn't gonna go very far and therefore dies etc. Which is why, you don't see people without hearts running around. There has been a very, very long time attributed to the evolution process...you start from the amino acids...then proteins...then things chain themselves together and it's just a huge huge huge process that takes a really, really long time. Of course, I'm not saying it's easy. I agree it's very unlikely. But it doesn't really require divine intervention, I say. And evolution occurs in small steps too. Radiation isn't THAT powerful, neither is genetic reshuffling...so a reptile having half a bird wing would be really stupid and improbable.


2. Do you realize how complex living things are? How could organs as complicated as the eye or the ear or the brain of even a tiny bird ever come about by chance or natural processes? How could a bacterial motor evolve? How could such motors work until all components evolved completely and were precisely in place?

a) yes. Otherwise I woulda picked Biology in school. b) Over a very, very, VERY long time. c) See statement b. d) What do you mean by motor? If you mean respiration sites etc, complexity occurs over a long period of time - no doubt the first ones were probably very small and very not efficient. Go read Bill Bryson.


3. If macroevolution happened, where are the billions of transitional fossils that should be there? Billions! Not a handful of questionable transitions. Why don’t we see a reasonably smooth continuum among all living creatures, or in the fossil record, or both?

do you know how unlikely a fossil is? Very, very, very unlikely. An organism has to die (first of all) and then die in the right place, in the right conditions, and not be disturbed for billions/millions of years and THEN finally have someone come across it by chance. Those odds are...very small. So, fossils really aren't an accurate record of the entire history of the world - just one snapshot. Can you say you truly know a person from one picture? Hmm.

4. Textbooks show an evolutionary tree, but where is its trunk and where are its branches? For example, what are the evolutionary ancestors of the insects?

Probably the trilobyte, I'm not sure, I'm too lazy to look it up. It's there. (if you wanna be broad, sure, bacteria.)

5. How could the first living cell begin? That’s a greater miracle than for bacteria to evolve into man. How could that first cell reproduce? Just before life appeared, did the atmosphere have oxygen or did it not have oxygen? Whichever choice you make creates a terrible problem for evolution. Both must come into existence at about the same time.

I don't know how the first one began, but neither do you. Of course, you're welcome to take the easy way out and say "Hey look someone made it ah well" - but you'll never understand it. Do you think all those paganists really knew about the science of crop rotation, how hormones make plants grow towards light, etc? Probably not.

The first cell reproduced by mitosis.

Respiration comes in two forms: aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen). Both exist to this day. So, really, you didnt have to have both. If I remember correctly, atmosphere didn't have oxygen level it did today - first life was anaerobic (i think it was CO2 to O2) and later life adapted to use O2.


6. Please point to a strictly natural process that creates information. What evidence is there that information, such as that in DNA, could ever assemble itself? What about the 4,000 books of coded information that are in a tiny part of each of your 100 trillion cells? If astronomers received an intelligent signal from some distant galaxy, most people would conclude that it came from an intelligent source. Why then doesn’t the vast information sequence in the DNA molecule of just a bacterium also imply an intelligent source?

Natural process that creates information? Uh, your brain? Thinking? Dunno. -_- Uh, if DNA didn't assemble itself why would it still be here going on today? Cosmic rays etc are very powerful...without the ability to repair itself you'd be long dead/mutated. And...I hope you aren't calling bacterium stupid. They're more intelligent than you think. Bacteria seriously, they live everywhere. They're really hardy and can adapt to so many different kinds of environments...I'm not sure where I'm going with this but I'm not sure what the question was trying to say either so I'll move on.

7. Which came first, DNA or the proteins needed by DNA, which can only be produced by DNA?

Uh, amino acids, which form proteins.

8. How could sexual reproduction evolve? How could immune systems evolve?

If life could evolve why not sexual reproduction or immune systems? Probably over a long time, again.

9. If it takes intelligence to make an arrowhead, why doesn’t it take vastly more intelligence to create a human? Do you really believe that hydrogen will turn into people if you wait long enough?

a) Of course it takes huge amounts of intelligence to "Create a human". Heck, nobody alive could start from scratch with amino acids and form a person. Not possible. So the answer is yes it takes intelligence to create a human. What's your point?

b) No, I don't. But the world isn't just hydrogen.


10. If the solar system evolved, why do three planets spin backwards? Why do at least 30 moons revolve backwards?

Evolution applies to objects that are alive. Thus, the solar system did not "evolve". If you mean the physical processes which formed them though, spin is a fickle thing and space is not stationary. Sure, space is a lot of space but there's still things moving around in it. When there are things moving, there are things colliding. I think you can figure out why some spin backwards and why some moons revolve backwards again.

11. Can you name one reasonable hypothesis on how the moon got there—any hypothesis that is consistent with all the data? Why aren’t students told the scientific reasons for rejecting all the evolutionary theories for the moon’s origin? What about the other 138+ moons in the solar system?

What is with applying "evolution" to objects which are not alive, all of a sudden...-_- Probably some long time ago when Earth was very young (billions of years ago) it was hit by something and some matter broke free and formed the moon. There. That's a hypothesis. Can you test it? Well, can you go back in time and find out? I don't understand what "scientific reasons for rejecting evolution" means. Are you saying the moon is alive? Are you saying there have been many moons and they've reproduced and through natural selection Earth ended up with this moon? I hope not. And yes, what about all the other moons?

12. Where did matter, space, time, energy, or even the laws of physics come from? What about water?

Who knows. Scientists are still working. Go look up singularities or something ;_; it's really complex stuff. Water, however, is H2O. Two hydrogen atoms, one oxygen one. There.

13. How could stars evolve?

This question does not make sense.

14. Are you aware of all the unreasonable assumptions and contradictory evidence used by those who say the earth is billions of years old?

No, but please, do share.

15. Why are living bacteria found inside rocks that you say are hundreds of millions of years old and in meteorites that you say are billions of years old? Clean-room techniques and great care were used to rule out contamination.

Because space is empty for the most part so it's safe from being damaged etc. I don't really get what you mean by this question either. And who says meteorites can't originate from Earth?

16. Did you know that most scientific dating techniques indicate that the earth, solar system, and universe are young?

I'm sorry, I cannot consider anything beyond a billion years young. Please, do correct me if I am wrong. Carbon-14/16 or whatever isotope dating is NOT relevant, please do not mention that. That only applies to organic matter and has a relatively short half-life.

17. Why do so many ancient cultures have flood legends?

Because that was their way of explaining natural phenomena which they did not understand. So what if there was a flood thousands of years ago...heck, there was a tsunami last year. And a flood in New Zealand. What's your point?

18. Have you heard about the mitochondrial Eve and the genetic Adam? Scientists know that the mitochondrial Eve was the common female ancestor of every living person, and she appears to have lived only about 6,000–7,000 years ago.

No, I have not. That's nice, can you please provide a link? And yeah, sure, everybody's common ancestor could be from 6000-7000 years ago. I don't get your point, still.

19. Careful researchers have found the following inside meteorites: living bacteria, salt crystals, limestone, water, sugars, terrestrial-like brines, and earthlike isotopic patterns. Doesn’t this implicate Earth as their source—and a powerful launcher, “the fountains of the great deep?”

Okay, Earth is their source. And obviously, the rocks have come back to the source, if you want to look at it that way. So?

20. Would you explain the origin of any of the following 25 features of the earth:

The Grand Canyon and Other Canyons
Mid-Oceanic Ridge
Continental Shelves and Slopes
Ocean Trenches
Seamounts and Tablemounts
Earthquakes
Magnetic Variations on the Ocean Floor
Submarine Canyons
Coal and Oil Formations
Methane Hydrates
Ice Age
Frozen Mammoths

Major Mountain Ranges
Overthrusts
Volcanoes and Lava
Geothermal Heat
Strata and Layered Fossils
Metamorphic Rock
Limestone

Plateaus
Salt Domes
Jigsaw Fit of the Continents
Changing Axis Tilt
Comets

Asteroids and Meteoroids

Whoever asked this question obviously did not study Geography or is living in the 17th century. Thanks. I really don't see the point of explaining plate tectonics if you do not already know.

Hmm. Today is Chinese New Year eve. Tomorrow I head down with my aunt my uncle my cousin down to Kaohshiung which I went to a couple of years back...William can't go because we come back too late for him to catch his flight back to Malaysia :(

But today, me and William and two uncles went to this really old house which they owned, which apparently my parents visited while they were still studying at Uni or something, and this factory place which wasnt rented out to anybody. Y'know how I mentioned the burning of paper money? Yeah, that happened. And prayer offerings of yum food :)

The only sad thing is my left side really hurts for some reason from the car ride - maybe my posture sucked or something, and we were nearly involved in two car accidents (damn you Helen :P), both of which the other car was in the wrong...one of them while we were on the highway daringly crossed about three lanes and passed us because they decided it would be fun to change their minds with about 5 metres until you can't possibly switch between the exit/highway. Bastard.

Did I ever mention I really love windchimes?

The adventures of my remaining grandfather and animal meats:

Mkay. This is my grandpa on my mum's side (the other one hasn't been with us for...I don't know, quite a while. The only thing related to him I can remember is his funeral, not in a mean way or anything, but it was dark, the walls were concrete and cracked like most Malaysian houses at the time were and there were shadows everywhere cast by fires which were set up. I was folding and burning paper money, it's a cultural/traditional thing...wow. That information was probably not required. Moving on)

Basically the two points I want to make are:

1) He really hates lamb. In fact, he hates it so much that today because my Aunty is cooking a meal with lamb in it, he gets cooked a different meal and is eating at the dining table, but the rest of us are gonna have our meal in the living room, at his behest.

2) My cousin cannot eat beef. This is a restriction placed on him by my grandfather. He is now...22? I am not too sure but he's on his last year of University...and he still can't eat beef. -_- I respect my cousin for sticking to it, respect his dad (my uncle) for saying that he doesnt care and what my cousin eats is his own business, and I'm just confused at why you can't eat beef. Maybe there's a good reason for it. Must remember to ask my mum.

That is all! I have not really done much today but it's still nice to be here in Taiwan :D

http://deathball.net/notpron/

ARGH!!!

;_; im stuck on 3.

Okay. Just went to a place...which I forgot the name of but it's ultra cool. Basically it's a street where they sell snacks and food year round, but in the 20 days or so around the Chinese New Year time, they close off road traffic into that street and people set up more stalls and it's really really busy. Seriously. Like, you try to walk and it's like wait, there's people. Wait. Wait. etc. But it's WAY cool.

You know how in supermarkets sometimes when they want to sell a product, they have testing stations? This entire freaking street is a tasting station!! I was so surprised...you just walk along slowly in the massive behemoth crowd and test food......it's awesome...just totally awesome.

Free food always makes people happy.

Hello! I just spent an overnighter with William, my cousin, and friends at policewoman aunty's house. It was really fun - their house is rather large in Taiwan standards (since it is located in Wulai, which is a kinda ruraly area (think Whitford) so house prices are lower and it has awesome scenery!)

Did the following:

- Played Big 2. I'm getting better at this. At the end though when it was daylight and I really needed sleep I kept making really dumb mistakes.

- Ate a home-cooked Teppanyaki meal :) Cooked by policewoman aunty. She's so cool.

- Went to have a walk at the night market (had some pearl milk tea there, not bad) and also before that to the Wulai Scenic Area. They used charge admission into that area until people protested or something. There's a pretty cool waterfall (it's really tall, its kinda "Streamy" and not as wide as the "Taiwan Niagara Falls" but it's still really cool) and there was a minature train which we rode and lots of cherry trees blossoming. :)

It was way fun. Didn't go to sleep until daylight, and I was so sleepy I didn't even think properly...coulda used a pillow to sleep on but I don't function that well under sleep-debt.

Tonight we are going to go to some famous street place where they sell Chinese New Year goods, like candies, treats, etc. I hope I'll be awake enough to enjoy it. :) I will probably take a hot shower or something before, so that will wake me up.

That was my Saturday Night. My cousin is at the hospital for another check or something cause he got hit by a car door that was stupidly opened by someone not observant, while he was riding his bike home from University, late at night, I think.

Yeah.

BASTARD AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY WHY'D YOU HAVE TO GO AND CANCEL A LECTURE BASTARD LECTURERS DAMMIT NOW I HAVE TO REORGANIZE MY ENTIRE TIMETABLE TO FIT THIS STUPID LECTURER WHO DROPPED OUT AT THE LAST MINUTE BASTARDS BASTARDS BASTARDS!!!!

-_- ahem.

Well actually it may not be so bad, I just have to move it from semester 1 to semester 2 (my points still say the same) but...I hope it'll fit. Going to do it now.

Sonny...this is the Korean Restaurant in KL which we went to...XD XD X DXDXDDXDX

LOOK ITS A BETEL NUT LADY I TOLD YOU THEY EXIST

Me, somewhere. I think we were waiting for a flamingo show which was cancelled.

This is why I did not want to ride the Screaming Condor.

" Hunter's Etude-Scherzo " Blak_Omen, MC person
Field tune: From FINAL FANTASY 9 tune name obscurity
Piano arrangement, it is strong field tune destruction.
Being avant-garde, complicated piano arrangement. It is thought propriety divides due to the person but as for me such the favorite shelf.
" While the rain finishes to do to get off, being gruesome, does the fight to which end is not visible the soldier "


XD NO COMMENT (from http://e-jts.com/~haijinrui/ver1/history/2004_4_diary.html)

It isn't a spork, or a foon...I'm using a spife. To eat what seems like a melon. Dunno. It's greeny in flesh and hard and kinda sweet. Dunno.

Okay, the funny thing is, they haven't approved my application for BMus. XD

stupid Bmus applicator people

Oh yeah. This was the "fountain show" which was at the centre place place (the park is circular in layout)...and I thought it would be fun to stand in the middle while the show was going. There is actually a fountain spout directly below me...

See that...that's the screaming condor. ;_; its really tall and scarryyyy

I think this photo is self explanatory.

That beast is the ring of fire!

Okay. It was really scary. -_-